Ugly girl only wants to farm

This location is near the county school; it's surprising that her nephew is quite capable.

It must be that ugly old woman who didn't take out all of her dowry and hid it away. She glared at her mother with some resentment, thinking, "You old hag, why didn't you search the house more thoroughly back then?"

In just under half a year, he not only opened a shop in the county, but he also looked much more energetic. Look at Jiu Xia, that girl—she's so fair and delicate now, and her figure has slimmed down. Her clothes are also much more vibrant now. Thinking of her own Chun Yu, who's still wearing patched clothes, she was insanely jealous.

Xu Chaoyan ignored her and just stood there looking at them indifferently. She didn't know where these people got the nerve to steal her dowry and still had the nerve to chase after her. People have some sense of shame, trees have some bark, but these people have nothing at all and are practically running around naked.

Zhang Yueniang quickly fetched a pot of tea and poured a bowl for each of them, speaking with increased respect: "Auntie, sister, this tea is just the right temperature, please warm your throats."

She was indeed rash just now, not recognizing that these were actually someone's grandmother and aunt.

"What the hell?"

Meng Xiuzhi's expression suddenly changed, and she slammed her hand on the table with a "bang": "Who are you calling 'big sister'? Do I look that old? Don't try to get close to me and try to build a relationship with me."

Zhang Yueniang was momentarily at a loss after being yelled at. She wasn't wrong to call her "elder sister," and her hands involuntarily began to tug at the hem of her clothes and rub them.

Xu Chaoyan couldn't stand it anymore; seeing them bullying people on their own turf, she sent Zhang Yueniang away.

"I'm fine here. You take Auntie and Yaya out for a stroll. I'll take care of some family matters."

Zhang Yueniang quickly refused, saying, "How can that be? I'll stay and cook some food for them. They're family, after all, and we can't neglect them. They've had a long and tiring journey."

Xu Chaoyan chuckled at the two women: "They call themselves family? Well, every family has its own troubles. These things can't be explained in a short time. You take your aunt and the others out for a stroll, and while you're at it, go to the butcher's to settle the final payment. Ask him to leave some fresh pig's blood for us tomorrow. We haven't had blood curd in a long time."

When Meng Xiuzhi saw that Zhang Yueniang was leaving with her people and ignoring her, she was furious and got up from the stool to stop them.

"What's wrong with you? We haven't even eaten yet, and you're already trying to leave? Be careful, or I'll have my nephew fire you. Get back here right now!" As he spoke, he tried to grab Yue Niang's clothes.

Before she could finish speaking, Xu Chaoyan kicked the bench with a loud thud. Everyone's hearts pounded. Grandmother Meng was still holding her chest, panting heavily, with a look of reproach on her face.

"What are you doing? You scared me to death! My little heart can't take this. We've only just arrived and you're already shouting for a fight. My grandson provides my food and lodging, why should I have to put up with your attitude? Xu, let me tell you, if you act like a shrew, when my grandson comes back, I'll make him divorce you immediately. How could I have been so blind to fall for an ugly shrew like you? That third girl was much more pleasing to the eye."

Meng Jiuxia's expression changed drastically, and she quickly shouted, "Grandmother, what are you saying?"

Grandmother Meng's beady eyes bulged like copper bells as she fiercely cursed, "You wretched girl, who are you yelling at? You have no manners at all! You were born of a mother but not raised by one. When you get married, people will say that the Meng family has failed to raise its daughter properly and has disgraced the Meng family. Today, I'll teach you a lesson."

After saying that, he looked around and searched for something handy.

Xu Chaoyan's kick landed on the stool, which then fell and hit Meng Xiuzhi's foot. Zhang Yueniang tried to reach out to help her up, but waved her hand, indicating that she should go first.

Meng Xiuzhi screamed in pain, clutching her foot and jumping up and down. She kept cursing, "You shameless, ugly slut, what do you think you're doing? Trying to break my leg? Oh dear, Mother, please help your daughter!"

When Grandmother Meng saw her daughter clutching her feet and wailing, her eyes filled with heartache, she had long forgotten the unpleasantness they had shared in the village.

Upon hearing the phrase "born of a mother but raised without one," Xu Chaoyan felt an urge to slap the woman twice: "You old hag, what do you think you're doing? My sister-in-law is not someone you can discipline. Who the hell do you think you are, daring to shout like that on my turf? I'm in a good mood today, so drink this bowl of water and get the hell out of here."

Their constant arguing, coupled with the fact that both Grandmother Meng and her daughter had loud, shrill voices, like screaming chickens, made them even more disruptive.

A crowd had already gathered outside to watch the spectacle. Xu Chaoyan was now so angry she wanted to skin them alive. Not only had she scared away several tables of her customers, but she had also made several of her regular patrons too afraid to step into the shop.

She cursed her bad luck inwardly; she was going to lose another sum of money today. She decided to get rid of those two shrewish women before Meng Jiu returned, not wanting to cause him any trouble.

While the mother and daughter were bickering, she pulled Meng Jiuxia aside and whispered to them, "While your older brother is away, hurry up and kick these two crazy women out of here. They still have the nerve to come here and freeload. Let them starve."

Meng Jiuxia nodded: "Sister-in-law, that's what I think too. These people are shameless. Grandmother stole your dowry before. They moved to Yue Liang's house and ran away. Now they still have the nerve to come back. They are really shameless."

Passersby outside were pointing and whispering, and since they didn't know what was going on, they just saw the two people sitting there making a scene. They started to speak up for them.

"Boss Xu, do you need me to report this to the authorities? This crazy woman is delaying our business here. We're still waiting to eat our freshly made meat-filled tofu pudding. Make them move over to give us a seat."

As everyone chimed in with their own comments, Grandma Meng sensed something was amiss; her granddaughter-in-law and granddaughter were not playing by the rules.

I originally thought they would just come over and start crying, making a scene, or threatening suicide.

They wouldn't dare mistreat them out of consideration for others' opinions, but little did they know they wouldn't act according to common sense. They even offered to escort them to the yamen (government office), saying they'd spent all their money and were nearly starving on the way. They figured they had to at least make some money; they couldn't leave empty-handed.

Meng Xiuzhi had other plans in mind. Since her nephew had settled down in the county and was doing well, she should help her family. Chunyu was also of marriageable age. In the village, the only decent families were peasants, so how much could the dowry be?

In their village, getting married and settling down is very simple. Her daughter Chunyu is beautiful and pretty, and she doesn't want to marry her off to those dark-skinned, muddy men.

She was calculating in her mind. If it weren't for the dowry she gave when she got married to support her elder brother's studies, he wouldn't have been able to become an accountant and build so many houses. It was all thanks to her. Now her nephew should help her out and repay the kindness she had shown back then.

This time, she absolutely cannot let them kick her and her daughter out. She wants to settle down here and bring Chunyu over to marry into a good family. The county school is nearby, and it's full of learned and promising young people.

Then, among Meng Jiuhe's classmates, find one with a promising future. If they're lucky, their daughter will eventually become an official's wife.

The thought of wearing gold and silver in the future made her cling tightly to the stool, and she sat on the ground wailing.

"He has no conscience! I got married to raise money to support my elder brother's education. Now that my nephew has become successful, he doesn't help his aunt at all. We came all the way here to rely on him, and this is how he treats us! Everyone, please be the judge!"

Mencius' mother also received her gaze, and sat on the ground wailing, her cries deafening.

The crying was both pitiful and shrill, like a female ghost being strangled. The children outside were so frightened they burst into loud sobs.

Several women glared at them fiercely, then muttered curses and coaxed their children away.

After Meng Jiuhe and Zhang Xuyang went out for a few rounds without getting any news, they returned to find a group of people gathered outside the shop, looking very nervous.

"Let's go check it out quickly. Why are so many people gathered outside the shop? Could something have happened?"

Their hearts were in their throats. They pushed through the crowd and rushed over. When Meng Zuzong saw his grandson's figure, he immediately pinched his thigh and stumbled towards him. However, he tripped over the bench and fell heavily to the ground with a thud.

Meng Xiuzhi, who was wailing loudly, was also dumbfounded. Her mouth was wide open, and she reflexively reached out her hand but did not intend to get up, muttering to herself.

"Mother?"