Chapter 493: Chapter 493: Delivering a Message

After wandering the depths of Baihua Mountain and absorbing some of its Spiritual Energy, Su Qing finally left and headed toward Lihua Village. Since she was back in Xiyuan County, she planned to visit Zhao Youcai and the few aunts who had looked after her before. When she lived in Lihua Village, Zhao Youcai and those women had shown her great kindness.

"Hey, you’re... you’re Su Qing, aren’t you?" The Lunar New Year festivities hadn’t ended yet, so most of the villagers in Lihua Village were still holed up for the winter. Still, there were quite a few people out and about. An aunt’s eyes widened when she saw Su Qing. She stared for a moment before asking with some uncertainty.

"Aunt Lu," Su Qing said with a smile. "It’s me, Su Qing."

"Oh my goodness, it really is the girl, Su Qing!" Aunt Lu was even more astonished, looking her up and down. Seeing Su Qing’s beautiful clothes, she couldn’t help but sigh. "My, my, you’re a big-city girl now. With an outfit like this, I wouldn’t have even recognized you if we’d met on the street."

Su Qing smiled, handing Aunt Lu a handful of White Rabbit candy. "Aunt Lu, is the Brigade Leader home?" she asked.

"He is, he is!" Receiving the candy from Su Qing, Aunt Lu’s eyes crinkled into a smile. She hurriedly said, "The Brigade Leader’s whole family is home. Fang Ni is getting married in a few days, so they’re all busy arranging the wedding banquet right now."

"Fang Ni is getting married? Who is she marrying?" Su Qing was a little surprised. She hadn’t expected such a coincidence. But thinking about it, Zhao Fangni was the Brigade Leader’s youngest daughter and the same age as her. She was eighteen this year, an age when girls in the village could get married.

"The second son of the Niu family from Qianshan Village," Aunt Lu said with a grin. "That boy found a temporary job in the county, earning 18.5 a month. They say if he does well, he’ll become a permanent worker and even get a house in the county. He’s quite a catch! Fang Ni is so lucky. Once she marries into the Niu family, she won’t have to toil in the fields for food anymore. Ah, what a fortunate fate."

Aunt Lu spoke with unconcealed envy. It was a shame her own daughter didn’t have such good luck.

"That’s wonderful news," Su Qing said with a smile upon hearing this.

"Isn’t it just," Aunt Lu nodded.

Su Qing then said, "Well, Aunt Lu, I’ll head over to the Brigade Leader’s house first. We can chat later."

"Alright, alright," Aunt Lu said, beaming. As she watched Su Qing walk toward Zhao Youcai’s house, she turned on her heel and headed for the Old Su Family’s home.

This year, the Old Su Family’s New Year was not going smoothly at all.

Last year, Old Man Su was hacked to death by Tian Aixiang, and Tian Aixiang herself was executed. The Su family and the Tian family were now sworn enemies. The Su family had gone to the Tian family’s home to cause a scene several times, demanding compensation, but the Tian family refused to pay. They claimed that since Tian Aixiang had paid for the murder with her life, the two families were even. After half a year of commotion, the Su family hadn’t managed to get a single cent out of the Tian family.

Su Shengguo had lost his job and could only return to Lihua Village to farm. But after working for so many years, he couldn’t stand the hardship of farming. In the past six months, Su Shengguo’s family had failed to adapt to life in the village. Furthermore, Su Mei’s face had been disfigured by Tian Aixiang, and she now holed herself up at home, refusing to go out.

Meanwhile, Su Shengli’s arm had been hacked by Tian Aixiang, damaging the nerves. Now, even picking things up was difficult for him, let alone lifting a hoe.

As for Old Lady Su, she had injured her back twice and had since been sick and bedridden, growing much thinner than before.

The family now had virtually no income, and this New Year was even more destitute than the last. Even during the height of the festival, there wasn’t a scrap of meat on the table. Old Lady Su sat up in bed all day, cursing Tian Aixiang, then Su Qing, then Su Mei and Zheng Erlian. In her mind, it was always the daughters-in-law and granddaughters of the family who had ruined the bright futures of her son and grandson, and had even cost her husband his life.

"Aunt Lu." Hearing a knock, Zheng Erlian went to open the door. As the only daughter-in-law in the house now, nearly all the chores fell on her. She had long lost the spirited energy she’d had back in the county town.

"Zheng Erlian, Happy New Year!" Aunt Lu said with a wide smile.

Zheng Erlian gave a bitter smile in her heart. ’Happy, my ass. The Old Su Family’s New Year has been utterly depressing, without a shred of festive cheer.’

"Aunt Lu, is there something you need?" Zheng Erlian asked, forcing a smile as she let her into the courtyard.

Aunt Lu stopped just inside the gate and, with a grin, said, "Guess who I just saw?"

"Who did you see?" Hearing Aunt Lu’s cryptic opening, Zheng Erlian asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Oh, I saw that girl, Su Qing!" Aunt Lu chuckled. "You have no idea, the clothes she was wearing were just gorgeous. I’ve never seen such beautiful clothes! And she’s gotten prettier and prettier, too. Her face is so fair and soft, you can’t help but like her."

Aunt Lu then added with another smile, "You all are her real relatives, after all. Since Su Qing has finally come back, this is a good chance for you to reconnect and mend your relationship."

Hearing Aunt Lu’s words, Zheng Erlian’s expression soured. Her husband had lost his job, and they had always believed it was because of Su Qing—that she must have pulled some strings behind the scenes. Unfortunately, they had no proof. The last time Su Qing came back, her husband had gone to confront her, but it hadn’t ended well for him. Now, Zheng Erlian’s heart was filled with nothing but loathing for Su Qing.

"What does that wretched girl’s return have to do with us?" Zheng Erlian said, her face cold. "Aunt Lu, if you have this much free time, you’d be better off going home to look after your newborn grandson."

’Although I resent Su Qing,’ Zheng Erlian thought, ’I know my limits. My husband and son together are no match for that damn girl. So, even if she’s back, I’m not going to provoke her. I’d rather not get another beating for nothing.’

"Hey, I came over with good intentions just to give you a heads-up. Why the long face?" Aunt Lu was a bit displeased. "Fine, my mistake for meddling."

With that, Aunt Lu left, annoyed. Initially, she had felt that the Old Su Family was in a pitiful state. She figured that since Su Qing was back, she could deliver the news and help them mend their relationship. If things got better between them, Su Qing might look out for the Old Su Family. Then, the family would surely remember her good deed and she could gain some benefit from it.

But what did she get for her trouble? A cold shoulder from Zheng Erlian.

"Pah." Aunt Lu spat in the direction of the Old Su Family’s courtyard. "Serves them right, living like this."

Back in the Su house, Zheng Erlian returned to her room. Old Lady Su looked at her. "Eldest Daughter-in-law, who was that? Why did I hear that wretched girl Su Qing’s name?"

Zheng Erlian didn’t hide it. "Aunt Lu said Su Qing is back in the village."

Before Old Lady Su could say another word, Su Mei burst out of her room and rushed toward Zheng Erlian. "Mom, is Su Qing back?"

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