Under Shen Cheng Cai's puzzled gaze, Madam Yang smiled excitedly, "It is the Shen family that offended Li Yue Shu. You are just a child who hasn't grown up, and I am no longer a wife of the Shen family."
Shen Cheng Cai's eyes flashed, but his face showed confusion, "Mother, didn't you also often trouble that poisonous woman before?"
"This is different." Madam Yang's smile couldn't be contained, "Before, it was because of your grandmother. Now that I am no longer a member of the Shen family, as long as I go to apologize, everything will be fine."
Shen Cheng Cai's face lit up with surprise, "How didn't I think of that! Mother, no wonder that poisonous woman Li Yue Shu is so powerful. She was always suppressed by you before!"
"If you ask me, as long as Mother makes a move, Li Yue Shu will definitely be forced to obey by Mother's past prestige and obediently plead with Li Xiang Ru to let me return to the academy!"
Shen Cheng Cai's words were exactly what Madam Yang wanted to hear, making her back straighten involuntarily.
Her purpose for this visit was achieved, and Shen Cheng Cai naturally had no intention of staying any longer.
The weather was so cold, and he had squatted here for so long that his legs were numb.
"Mother, I have to go back quickly. If Father and Grandmother find out I came to see you, they will definitely be angry."
Madam Yang had been married into the Shen family for so many years, so she naturally knew the temperaments of that mother and son. She immediately nodded, "You go back quickly, and Mother will go to find Li Yue Shu tomorrow!"
Shen Cheng Cai didn't delay and left with a happy heart.
Not long after he left, Madam Yang's family of three returned from town with their purchases, and the two parties did not meet.
Therefore, when the Yang family returned home, they saw Madam Yang squatting in the yard washing clothes as usual, but her face showed no trace of the usual bitterness and sorrow, and the smile on her lips was almost reaching her ears.
Madam Yang's aunt was surprised and walked up curiously, "Sister, what are you so happy about?"
Madam Yang looked up, her gaze towards them much friendlier, "Brother, sister-in-law, you're back. My Cheng Cai just came to see me and bought me pastries! A whole twenty wen, and he chose the best pastries from the shop."
As she spoke, she proudly pointed to the bulging oil paper bag beside her.
As soon as they heard about pastries, the Yang family's son's eyes lit up, and he stared blankly at the oil paper bag.
Madam Yang naturally noticed his gaze and hugged the pastries to herself, "I see that brother and sister-in-law bought a lot of good things in town today, and you probably don't think much of me. I won't show them and offend your eyes."
After saying that, she directly carried the oil paper bag into the house, locked up all the pastries, and then came out to continue washing clothes.
The Yang family of three changed their expressions, somewhat displeased.
But Uncle Yang reacted first and quickly changed the subject, "Sister, guess who we met in town today?"
Madam Yang didn't even look up and asked, "Who?"
"It's Wang Po Zi from our village!" Madam Yang's aunt spoke first, "You don't know how many good things he bought by himself! He is the best butcher in the surrounding villages. He has saved a lot of silver. I personally saw him buy a lot of fine food!"
If it were before, Madam Yang would have been interested to hear this, but now her mind was full of what Shen Cheng Cai had told her earlier, so she naturally had no interest and just responded with a perfunctory "oh."
Seeing this, the Yang couple couldn't help but feel puzzled, not understanding what she meant.
Madam Yang thought for a moment and handed over a bolt of cloth she was holding, "Wang Po Zi heard that you were kicked out by the Shen family in such a hurry that you didn't even bring many clothes, so he specially sent you a bolt of cloth. Look how generous he is!"
"This cloth is worth over thirty wen, and he handed it over without batting an eye. He even specifically instructed you to make it in your favorite style and that he would send more if it wasn't enough."
Madam Yang finally looked up, her face full of surprise, "For me?"
But the next moment, she immediately became vigilant, "Why would he give me cloth for no reason?"
Uncle Yang smiled kindly, "Sister, you are so smart, don't you see what he means?"
"Although that Wang Po Zi has a lame leg, he can walk and jump, and he has money. He doesn't mind that you are old and divorced, and is willing to marry you. This is a blessing that many people can't even ask for!"
In their village, butchery was a very profitable profession. Even a widower in his thirties or forties could marry a girl who had just come of age.
Given Madam Yang's situation, she was not worthy of a butcher.
But upon hearing it was Wang Po Zi, Madam Yang's face instantly changed, "Brother, aren't you pushing me into a fiery pit! Who in our village doesn't know that Wang Po Zi beats women! His previous two wives were beaten to death by him!"
Uncle Yang's expression also turned unpleasant, "If it weren't for these rumors, why would he fancy you!"
"You..."
"What are you talking about!" Madam Yang's aunt quickly interjected, "We are family. Whether sister wants to get married is up to her!"
She smiled kindly at Madam Yang, "Sister, don't worry, your brother and I haven't agreed to Wang Po Zi. We just told him we would ask for your opinion. This bolt of cloth is not a betrothal gift, we might as well take it for free!"
This last sentence seemed to strike a chord with Madam Yang.
She was going to be the mother of a top scholar. Even if she were to remarry, she would marry an official. How could a butcher be worthy of her!
However, it was not bad to seize the opportunity to gain some benefits.
Madam Yang couldn't help but reach out and touch the bolt of cloth in front of her, her eyes brightening.
The texture was indeed much better than the ones she used to wear!
Immersed in her joy and pride, Madam Yang did not notice the strange and calculating glances exchanged between her brother and sister-in-law.
...
Having gained a bolt of cloth and a large bag of pastries, Madam Yang was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling all day.
She carefully put away the cloth, then opened the pastries sent by Shen Cheng Cai and ate them alone in the house.
The pastries were already cold, but they were soft, sweet, and had a slight sourness.
As expected of Cheng Cai, he bought them to honor her. They were truly delicious!
Madam Yang was feeling smug, but she accidentally ate too much.
When she came to her senses, only half of the pastries were left.
After thinking for a moment, she decided to save the remaining pastries to take to Li Yue Shu tomorrow.
If she went to their door with a gift, they couldn't possibly refuse her, right!
Madam Yang's thoughts were beautiful, but before dawn the next day, she woke up clutching her stomach and rushed to the outhouse.
By the time the Yang family woke up, she had already made countless trips. Her face was pale, and she naturally had no energy to run to the next village again.
...
Li Yue Shu was completely unaware of all this. On the day set by the magistrate for the New Year's visit, she took Shen Wei onto the carriage.
Although it was a visit, with so many people at home, she couldn't bring everyone.
She and Shen Wei were husband and wife; the two of them were enough.
Shen Wei had been very well-behaved throughout the journey, with a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Although he always followed Li Yue Shu, he was usually surrounded by others.
This was perhaps the first time the two of them had gone out alone!