Chapter 12: Please Assist Second Brother with His Bath, Second Sister-in-Law

It is only an animal that could curse its own grandson to death. Qin Hanxiao could not bear to imagine how much pain Pei Yuantang must be feeling upon hearing such words.

On second thought, however, he had been kicked out by his grandmother at the age of twelve, forced to carry the weight of the family on his young shoulders; he had learned to be strong long ago. He surely would not be shaken by the vile utterances of someone unworthy of his concern.

If they were not in public, Qin Hanxiao would have truly wanted to strike Madam Jiang with a silver needle to silence her forever. But Madam Jiang was not finished; she actually reached out to snatch the silver needle.

"These needles are made of silver, aren't they? Give them to me."

How could Qin Hanxiao possibly hand them over? She stepped back to avoid her. At this moment, Pei Jinghui stepped forward, blocking Madam Jiang. "Grandmother, this is my second brother's only hope. You cannot take it."

The village chief was truly furious now. "Madam Bai, have you caused enough trouble? I cannot interfere in your lack of family affection, but as the village chief, I will absolutely not allow you to drive someone to their death. The separation agreement clearly states the exact amount of support to be provided; it shall not be increased. If you continue to make unreasonable demands and harass the third branch of the family, I will have no choice but to officially sever your ties."

Hearing the words "sever ties," Qin Hanxiao felt a surge of excitement. But she immediately realized that a true severance would not be easy and the chief was likely just intimidating Madam Jiang. Still, having the chief on their side was a great relief.

The chief knew Madam Jiang’s character well and understood that she was in the wrong, so he naturally favored the third branch. Furthermore, Qin Hanxiao possessed medical skills and had established a connection with a wealthy merchant in the city, Pei Erlang had a chance to stand again, and Pei Ming’an was still studying in town. He felt the third branch had the potential to rise again and was optimistic about their future. In contrast, the main household—both the first and second branches—were all raised by Madam Jiang to be utterly disgraceful. Even Pei Yuansheng, who had studied since childhood, had been taught to be selfish and self-serving, using his education as a facade to drain the blood of the entire family. The chief knew exactly which side to support.

Madam Jiang was also stunned by the threat of severing ties. If they were cut off, she would lose even the small monthly allowance she received. She absolutely could not let that happen. However, she was unwilling to leave empty-handed. She pointed at her eldest daughter-in-law, who was still sprawled on the ground. "My eldest daughter-in-law was beaten by them; they must pay for her medical expenses."

Madam Jiang had finally spoken the truth. The condition of the eldest daughter-in-law was indeed the work of Qin Hanxiao. But who had seen it? And who had proof?

The village chief looked at the woman still lying on the ground, then turned to glare fiercely at Madam Bai and the eldest Pei brother. This entire family was nothing but a bunch of scoundrels and rogues.

"Everyone saw that you were the one hitting your eldest daughter-in-law. What does this have to do with the third branch? Take her away at once and stop making a spectacle of yourselves."

The eldest Pei brother also suspected his mother and wife were putting on an act, so he called out to his wife awkwardly, "Are you not going to get up and leave?"

The eldest daughter-in-law tried to rise, but her body would not obey her. Seeing this, the village chief signaled for others to pull her up. "Two of you, come and help her up. Everyone else, disperse! Do you have nothing better to do at home?"

Two women stepped forward to pull her up. They managed to get her to her feet, but the eldest daughter-in-law had no strength in her limbs and could not stand on her own. By now, everyone saw it and believed it.

"Madam Jiang has beaten her eldest daughter-in-law into a crippled state."

Qin Hanxiao spoke up at the right moment. "Grandmother hit my eldest aunt’s waist—could it be that she broke her spine?"

Others chimed in, saying that Madam Jiang had beaten her daughter-in-law to the point of near-death. Madam Jiang denied it, but no one believed her. Someone else suggested, "Second daughter-in-law, you know medicine, don't you? Why don't you take a look at your eldest aunt and see what's wrong?"

The village chief also urged her, "Madam Qin, why don't you take a look?"

Qin Hanxiao dried her tears, though her eyes remained red. She feigned taking a pulse, then shook her head helplessly. "My medical knowledge is self-taught from books. Today was the first time I ever treated anyone, and it was pure luck that I saved him. I have not learned how to handle a case like my eldest aunt’s. I cannot help. Grandmother should take her to the city to see a doctor quickly; don't delay any longer."

Madam Jiang wanted to throw another tantrum, but a glare from the village chief forced her to shut her mouth unwillingly. Seeing Qin Hanxiao’s sincere expression, the chief believed her. He immediately ordered them to take the eldest daughter-in-law away and warned Madam Jiang once more not to cause trouble.

After everyone had dispersed, Qin Hanxiao bowed to thank the village chief. The chief looked at her and said, "We are all from the same village; there is no need for such formalities. If you have any trouble in the future, come to my house. Life is not easy, and if I can help, I certainly will. Now, I am off."

The two women saw the chief off and closed the gate behind them. Although Pei Jinghui had stopped crying as hard as before, she still couldn't control her tears. "Sister-in-law, what happened to me?"

Qin Hanxiao pressed a few points on her body, and Pei Jinghui was amazed to find that her tears had stopped. "Sister-in-law, I'm better!"

Qin Hanxiao gave her a brief explanation, leaving her wide-eyed with shock. "Sister-in-law, you are truly amazing. We owe everything to you today; otherwise, who knows what they would have done."

"They came to make trouble because of me, in the end," Qin Hanxiao said, patting her shoulder. "Let's not dwell on that. As long as our family works together to build a better life, nothing else matters."

"Yes," Pei Jinghui nodded firmly. "You are right, sister-in-law." She liked the way her second sister-in-law was now, and she hoped she would stay this way. She suddenly remembered her eldest aunt. "Sister-in-law, is the eldest aunt the same as I was?"

Qin Hanxiao raised an eyebrow and smiled, saying nothing, but her meaning was clear. Pei Jinghui smiled knowingly. "Sister-in-law, you must be hungry. Go eat first, I'll go check on Mother and Second Brother."

Qin Hanxiao was indeed famished. She didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to the kitchen to wash up and eat. While she was eating, Pei Jinghui entered, handing her a small pile of copper coins and silver fragments. "Mother says that from now on, you will be the head of the household."

Qin Hanxiao looked at the meager amount of money and frowned; this household would not be easy to manage. Seeing this, Pei Jinghui looked embarrassed. "I know it’s difficult for you to take charge given our current situation, but from now on, the money Second Brother earns, the money Third Brother makes from hunting, and the money I earn from my embroidery will all be given to you to manage. Please don't despise it; we will work hard to make a good life for ourselves."

She was truly moved by her sister-in-law's support and her mother-in-law's trust. Still, Qin Hanxiao did not intend to reveal the one hundred taels she had earned. The road ahead was long; she would see how things went.

"Alright, since you all trust me, I will accept. But in the future, we should discuss any major family decisions together, and if you need money, just let me know."

Seeing her accept, Pei Jinghui was finally relieved and began asking about treating patients. Qin Hanxiao chatted while she ate, and Pei Jinghui listened as she boiled water.

Once the water was ready, Pei Jinghui said, "The weather is nice today; it's a good time for Mother and Second Brother to bathe. Third Brother used to help Second Brother, but since he is away, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you, sister-in-law."