Bring your aunt to eat big meat, the scumbag father's family is furious

The villagers spoke with increasingly sharp and sarcastic remarks, and Xiao Lan's expression grew increasingly grim.

Qiao Lian'er chuckled. "Hating those who have, laughing at those who don't, and fearing those who rise in rank—this is the common mentality of many villagers."

Actually, it's the same everywhere. When she was in Dahe Village, the villagers treated her well, but that was only because she had given them plenty of benefits and had a respectable status.

"What, am I not considered a wealthy family?" Qiao Lian'er said, pulling out a large handful of silver notes from her sleeve. They were so heavy that she could barely lift them, and each note had a face value of five or ten thousand taels.

The villagers had never seen so much money before; their eyes widened, and they even held their breath.

Upon first seeing the girl beside Ye Qiao, one could only sense that she possessed an extraordinary bearing and exuded a kind of intimidating aura.

But they are just ordinary villagers, and they can't judge too much.

Who would have thought that he would be such a generous person?

It seems Ye Qiao has really managed to marry into a wealthy family; it's likely that her brother has taken a liking to her.

Qiao Lian'er calmly put away the large wad of silver notes.

The villagers stared at her sleeves, swallowing hard; the men's Adam's apples bobbed, and the women's eyes turned red.

They seemed eager to pounce on them and divide up all those silver notes.

Qiao Lian'er is not afraid of their schemes. No one can scheme against her now, and they can't even touch her clothes.

However, the villagers thought about it but dared not act on it. A young woman dared to come to this remote mountain village, dressed so elegantly, they were afraid they couldn't afford to offend her.

A young male villager, who looked like a hooligan and resembled a spirited young man from ancient times, gave a sour thumbs up: "Ye Qiao, you're really something. It seems that having a pretty face can really be used to exchange for wealth. Unlike the poor boy in our village, several families have come to ask you, but you refuse. It turns out you're a snob who loves the rich and hates the poor."

Qiao Lian'er took out a silver note and handed it to the villager.

The villagers were stunned for a moment, clearly unable to believe it.

Qiao Lian'er nodded again, and the villagers' eyes lit up, their mouths watering, and they rushed over immediately.

Qiao Lian'er dodged, but lost his balance and fell to the ground, hitting his knee on a rock. He cried out in pain.

"What, so this isn't about being a snob and a gold digger?" Qiao Lian'er raised an eyebrow.

Enraged by being treated like this, the villagers cursed loudly.

The other villagers looked at each other, no longer daring to be as arrogant and unruly as before.

"Uncles and aunts, how is my family?" Xiao Lan felt a surge of relief, but she didn't show it and asked politely.

She wasn't sure who lived in her house, but she was from Xiamei Village, so there must be a house for her here. Even if no one was home, she could ask about the house.

An older woman rolled her eyes and said, "What else can happen? Your mother is still the same as before, sickly and even less energetic than before. She probably doesn't have more than ten days or half a month to live."

"And your younger brother, he was just dumped a month ago. Your mother is dying and you have to observe three years of mourning. Who would be willing to wait that long?"

An old man stared at Xiao Lan with triangular eyes, his jealousy surging: "Now that you have money, you can cure your mother. Maybe that family will come knocking on your door again. It's true that when one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs rise to heaven. Alas, we could never hope for such good fortune in dozens of lifetimes. Honestly farming is not as important as a face."

As the villagers talked, they unconsciously glanced at a house at the west end of the village.

Qiao Lian'er already knew what was going on and stopped arguing with them.

They started driving the horse-drawn carriage again, heading towards the house at the west end of the village.

Xiao Lan remained calm in front of the villagers, but became very depressed once they were out of sight.

I never expected to see such a face when I returned to my hometown.

Aren't the villagers supposed to be simple and kind?

Now it's confirmed that there's at least one mother and one younger brother in the family. One is bedridden, and the other was jilted at marriage. Their lives must have been very difficult while she was away.

“Miss Xiao Lan, people are both good and evil, you don’t need to take it to heart,” Qiao Lian’er said.

"Thank you, Princess. If it weren't for you by my side, I'm afraid I would have been drowned in their spittle."

Xiao Lan was a little worried: "They say I'm going to the capital to climb the social ladder. Was I a vain person before? My mother is like this, yet I'm going to the capital. Will I abandon her heartlessly for wealth?"

“If that’s the case, I’d rather have amnesia for the rest of my life than go back to my old ways.”

Qiao Lian'er said, "The fact that you can think this way means that you were probably not like this before. Kindness or evil is a long-accumulated habit."

He patted the back of her hand: "Trust yourself, there must be more to the story."

Upon reaching the west end of the village, a simple main house with two side rooms came into view. The mud walls and gray tiles did not make it look too shabby. The rest of the area was enclosed to form a courtyard. There was a small enclosure to the south, but no chickens, ducks, or pigs were kept there.

To determine if her judgment was correct, Qiao Lian'er stopped nearby.

The gate was closed, and some pebbles and rotten vegetable leaves fell outside, leaving marks on the gate.

It's obvious that someone deliberately sabotaged it.

Qiao Lian'er frowned. Why couldn't the villagers tolerate this family just because Xiao Lan had a pretty face and wanted to go to the capital to seek wealth and status?

Xiao Lan did as she was told, calling out "Mother" and then "Brother".

Footsteps echoed in the courtyard, and soon the door opened, revealing a young man dressed in a linen top. He was of medium height, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, but still retained a childish air, appearing to be around sixteen or seventeen years old.

Upon seeing Xiao Lan, Ye Liang was very surprised: "Sister, why are you back? Didn't Mother tell you never to come back?"

Xiao Lan didn't know how to answer the question, so she paused for a moment and introduced Qiao Lian'er, who was standing next to Ye Liang.

“This is a friend I made in Beijing. Her surname is Qiao. She came back with me to visit you.”

Ye Liang looked at Qiao Lian'er, and was taken aback by the calm and control she exuded.

She was a beautiful woman with a decisive and ruthless air about her; her demeanor far surpassed her appearance.

"Hello, Miss Qiao, please have a seat in my home."

Ye Liang entered the house, brought two bowls of water, and said to Qiao Lian'er.

"There's no tea at home, young lady, please make do with this to quench your thirst."

Qiao Lian'er took a sip of the mountain spring water, which was very refreshing. It had been a long time since she had felt this kind of native, invigorating feeling.

"Where's Mom? The villagers say she's not doing well lately, so I'm going to go see her," Xiao Lan said.

Ye Liang sighed softly: "Mother is resting in her room. She's had several prescriptions from a folk doctor, but they haven't helped."

"Qiao'er, come in." A faint voice came from the room.

Between the two rooms on the left and right, Xiao Lan couldn't tell where her mother lived, but when she heard the voice, she walked towards the room on the east side.

"Mother, I brought a friend with me. She also cares about your situation."

"Cough cough, don't pass on your illness to the guests."

“Auntie, I’m not afraid, I’m healthy,” Qiao Lian’er said.

The woman inside chuckled softly: "You're so kind, young lady."

Upon entering the room, one sees a woman leaning against the bed, her hair half white, her appearance withered and emaciated, nothing but skin and bones, her original face unrecognizable.