"I won't give it to you. What are you going to do about it, sue me!"
He Liu Shi had become quite arrogant in the past two years. Everyone in the village greeted her respectfully, calling her Madam He. Today, this group thought they could stir up a storm, but it was impossible.
However, today she was facing Master Meng Wu. In the past two days, Master Meng Wu had gained some understanding of Qi Yuan Shan's character, especially hearing some of what Qi Yuan Shan had said to Meng Qing Ping. Someone who could speak like that would definitely not hoard even a bite of food meant for them. With this in mind, Master Meng Wu's confidence grew.
"Since Captain Qi asked you to give us food, why aren't you?" Master Meng Wu asked righteously. He Liu Shi wanted to throw a tantrum and refuse, but He Song stopped her. "You useless woman, stop arguing and quickly get them something to eat."
"What food? We don't have any food left!"
"If you don't have any, then go make some."
"I'm not doing it! Why should I serve them? Hmph! They're not worthy."
He Song thought: This woman is beyond just causing trouble; she's defecating on his head.
Master Meng Wu, however, was not about to indulge her. "Just a village woman, acting high and mighty because of Captain Qi's connection. It's a pity, though. With Young Master Qi here this time, let's see how long you can keep this up."
He Song: Uh.
He Liu Shi: How did these bastards find out?
Master Meng Wu: Anyone with eyes can see. "Quickly, get us some food."
"Ni's mother."
"Why did I marry a useless man like you? You're good for nothing."
Hearing the scolding from the courtyard, the Meng clan members all gasped, "A woman like this? I wouldn't want her even if she were free."
"Forget free, I wouldn't want her even if you paid me. I'm afraid she'd give me a cuckold's hat."
Outside the courtyard gate, some of the glib-tongued members of the Meng clan were speaking louder and more offensively. He Song and his wife inside the courtyard could hear it clearly. Having lived comfortably for the past two years, He Liu Shi was not one to suffer in silence. She grabbed a wooden stick from the courtyard and was about to rush out, "I'll fight you scoundrels today!"
"Just calm down." He Song, fearing a disturbance late at night, dragged his wife into the house and comforted her. Then, reluctantly, he scooped out a few ladles of cornmeal and brought it out. "It's already dark. Here's some cornmeal. Make something to eat yourselves."
"It's dark, but it's your fault for delaying us!" someone retorted, unable to accept their unreasonable argument.
"Alright, everyone, keep it down. Where's the pot? And the bowls and chopsticks?"
"The pot is here. There are only about ten bowls. As for chopsticks, why would you need chopsticks for cornmeal mush?" He Song finished speaking, placed everything on the large stone by the door, and turned back.
He entered the courtyard and bolted the gate securely. Even then, he wasn't at ease and moved a large stone to block the bottom of the door. He didn't know that the Meng clan members, having received the cornmeal, were no longer concerned with him. They divided the tasks clearly, starting to gather firewood, fetch water, and cook the mush.
"Wow, this smells so good."
Fu Xin Ci thought: Anyone who didn't know would think they were eating a Manchu Han Imperial Feast.
Yu Er also blinked his big eyes, watching them and secretly giggling behind his hand.
After the Meng clan members finished eating, they all spontaneously sat down not far from Meng's father and son.
"Are you still not done?"
"Second Brother, I'll do whatever you ask from now on, as long as I can follow you." To everyone's surprise, the first to speak was Meng Qing Huai.
Meng Qing Ping: ...
Master Meng Wu: "Old Eleventh is also capable of speaking boldly now, it's truly not easy."
But before Master Meng Wu could finish, he saw Liu Shi, along with Aunt Tao and their four children, kneeling before Meng Qing Ping. "Second Uncle, Lin Er is still young. Your niece-in-law begs you for one thing: could you help our mother and children find a courtyard closer to you? With you watching over us, we mother and children would dare to close our eyes at night."
After the previous incident, Liu Shi dared not be careless. She was truly afraid now, very afraid that something would happen to her three daughters. Therefore, she was now disregarding her pride, hoping her second uncle would know their family's difficulties.
Meng Qing Ping didn't want to get involved, but seeing this mother and her children, they were indeed a sight to behold, and he nodded awkwardly, saying, "You may rise."
"Thank you, Second Uncle. You children, quickly kowtow to your Second Granduncle." Seeing that Meng Qing Ping had agreed to her request, Liu Shi led the children to kowtow to him.
"Thank you, Second Granduncle." The children bowed in unison.
"Alright, alright, you may all rise." Meng Qing Ping really couldn't stand this.
Meng Qing Huai saw that his second brother had agreed to protect the second nephew's branch, but hadn't responded to his own plea, and became anxious.
"Second Brother."
Meng Qing Ping saw his evasive gaze and the tearful tone of his voice. He couldn't help but frown and reprimand him, "You're over thirty years old, past the age of thirty, yet your actions are not as decisive as Qi Tian's. Your subservient demeanor is even worse than Qi Shan's."
"Second Brother." Hearing his second brother's scolding, Meng Qing Huai didn't dare to look up.
Meng Qing Ping sighed, thinking of that viperous stepmother and the father who was always detached from worldly affairs. What kind of responsible children could they raise? It was good enough that they were alive. With this thought, Meng Qing Ping's attitude towards Meng Qing Huai softened slightly. "When Captain Qi arrives tomorrow, he will make arrangements for you. I cannot interfere with the specifics."
In fact, everyone knew that they were here to farm. If the Tatars attacked, they would have to fight alongside the soldiers.
"Second Brother, I know. I just don't want to be separated from you."
Meng Qing Ping felt like sighing to the heavens. "I'm starting to doubt how you raised Sister Qi Shan and the others."
"I..."
"Alright, it's late today. Everyone should rest. We can discuss any matters tomorrow, it's not too late."
"Mhm."
However, seeing that the Meng clan members had lit another bonfire, Meng Qing Ping was a bit bewildered. "What are you doing?"
"Second Brother, we'll just make do here tonight and wait until Captain Qi arrives tomorrow."
"Second Brother, it's pitch black. It's safer for us to stay together."
"Yes, we don't know these residents, nor their character. If something happens at night, we'll suffer more than we gain."
Hearing this, Liu Shi could no longer hold back. She pulled the children closer to the donkey cart again. The female members of the Meng clan, following Liu Shi's example, also gathered near the donkey cart.
Fu Xin Ci thought: These people are treating Grandfather like a savior.
Meng Qing Ping: Pretended to close his eyes to rest, choosing to ignore what he couldn't see.
The person lurking in the darkness, seeing that the Meng clan members had no intention of separating, grudgingly retreated.