C4 Anger

A year ago, Xiaoyu got married, and the Shi family was thrilled because of the generous dowry. Rongrong was especially proud. But the happiness was short-lived. Within a year, Xiaoyu's husband, the son of a wealthy family's steward, was arrested for robbery. After that, life became difficult for Xiaoyu. The steward lost his job, and with his son in jail, Xiaoyu's father-in-law took his frustrations out on her. They all insisted that Xiaoyu was unlucky and blamed her for their son's fate.

Enduring this wasn't enough; they eventually sent her back home.

With Xiaoxia's recent broken engagement, the Shi family had already become the village laughingstock. Now, with their well-married daughter sent back, Shi Gaang was red-faced with anger and embarrassment.

Xiaoxia, though also returned, had always been labeled as a "bad omen" since she was a child. Being an orphan, she had no standing in the Shi family. But Xiaoyu was different; her parents were alive, and when she married, the Shi family had boasted about it in the village.

Now, with this turn of events, who knows how many people would mock them?

Xiaoyu felt wronged, as it really had nothing to do with her. Xiaoxia watched from outside, thinking how unfair it all was. The prejudices women faced in this era were just too much.

She was watching the play when her second aunt spoke up.

“Oh my, when Xiaoyu got married, Rongrong was so proud. Who would have thought things would turn out like this? They’re not wrong when they say Xiaoyu has had a tough break. Honestly, Xiaoyu was naive. Look at you, married for a year, and have you ever brought anything back home? Not like our Xiaoqin. Ever since she married Minister Sunn, she’s always thinking of her family.” She shifted her tone, dripping with sarcasm, “Xiaoyu, since you treat us like outsiders, how can you come to us now with your complaints?”

Shi Xiaoqin, the eldest daughter of the second branch, married Minister Sunn as a concubine six months ago and often brought gifts home. This is why the second branch feels so confident in mocking the third branch’s daughter, who was sent back home.

Rongrong couldn’t hold back, “What do you mean, Second Aunt? Xiaoyu is my daughter, and it’s not your place to judge her luck! Your Xiaoqin might be married to Minister Sunn as a concubine, but who knows when she might fall out of favor? Then what?”

The second aunt remained unruffled, “Yes, our Xiaoqin is just a concubine, not like your Xiaoyu, who was married as a wife. But look where that got her—sent straight back home. Meanwhile, our Xiaoqin is still living comfortably.”

Rongrong's face turned crimson with anger, but despite her usual sharp tongue, she couldn't muster a single retort. Indeed, she once held an advantage in this household, but ever since Xiaoqin from the second branch married and became a concubine, Zhou Guihua had overshadowed her at every turn. Naturally, she wasn't about to let such a golden opportunity slip by.

"Everyone, shut up!"

Old Master Shi had reached his breaking point. Things had escalated to this extent, and yet these two daughters-in-law were still bickering!

"Rongrong, no matter what, even if you have to beg, you will take your daughter over there tomorrow and apologize! Our family has already been rejected once; we can't afford to lose face again!"

Rongrong grudgingly agreed, then suddenly muttered in frustration, "It's all that jinx Xiaoxia's fault. She must have jinxed our Xiaoyu!"

Xiaoxia nearly laughed out loud. How could something so unrelated be pinned on her? Shaking her head, she quietly made her way back to her room.

Rongrong was no pushover, and now that she blamed Xiaoxia, the third branch would likely despise her. But after years of navigating the business world, what challenges hadn't Xiaoxia faced? These petty family squabbles didn't faze her in the least. With a nonchalant smile, she patted her full stomach and suddenly recalled the young man in fine clothes she had encountered earlier that day.

Today, making money was surprisingly easy. She needed to find a way to earn more, then take her two younger sisters and leave this chaotic household.

The next day, Rongrong took her daughter out, but they returned before noon. Xiaoyu was trailing behind, crying, her face pale.

Xiaoxia had anticipated this. Since the man had sent Xiaoyu back for such a ridiculous reason, it was clear he had no intention of taking her back. Rongrong pleading with him was just humiliating herself.

Xiaoxia had turned the fish she caught yesterday into dried fish and was about to head inside when Rongrong called her.

"Xiaoxia, stop right there!"

Rongrong was fuming. She had expected Xiaoxia to be devastated after what happened, maybe even to the point of despair. But since waking up, the girl acted as if nothing had happened. And now, she was drying fish she somehow got her hands on!

Xiaoxia turned back, a bit helpless. Her forehead was still bandaged, but her face had regained its color. Standing there, she seemed even more attractive than before. She glanced sympathetically at Xiaoyu behind her aunt and asked, "Aunt, what is it?"

The calmer Xiaoxia appeared, the angrier Rongrong became. How could an orphan, shunned by everyone, have the audacity to look at her like that?

Rongrong let go of Xiaoyu and started yelling, "You bring bad luck everywhere you go! Wasn't it enough that you lost your parents? Now, right after getting married, your husband is gone too. And now, you've passed your misfortune onto Xiaoyu. Why don't you just disappear already?!"

Xiaoxia cleaned her ear, thinking, "Isn't this just classic street gossip? How unpleasant." She looked at Rongrong with surprise, "Aunt, what do you mean by that? How have I passed bad luck to Xiaoyu?"

Rongrong, standing with her back to the door, hadn't noticed the small crowd gathering outside. Red Apricot Village was tiny, and Rongrong's outburst was enough to draw attention.

Xiaoxia's innocent demeanor only fueled Rongrong's anger. She glared at Xiaoxia, pointing a finger, "If it weren't for you, why would Xiaoyu's husband suddenly decide to rob someone and get himself locked up? And why would Xiaoyu be sent back home? It's all your fault, you jinx! What did you do to cause this?"

A murmur spread through the onlookers outside. Xiaoxia hadn't expected Rongrong to say something so outrageous. Trying to suppress a laugh, she feigned surprise, "Aunt, are you saying Xiaoyu's husband got arrested for robbery, and Xiaoyu was sent back home?"