Chapter 18: Ruining a Reputation

Old Lady Liu never expected her second daughter-in-law, usually the most gentle, to give them such a cold shoulder today; she was so angry she started cursing loudly: "I'd like to see what methods you have, acting so capable, you ignorant thing who knows neither heaven nor earth."

Mother Liu walked toward the few families Liu Chuxue had visited yesterday; not long after, the Liu family learned that Mother Liu was borrowing money from people everywhere.

Old Lady Liu angrily slapped her thigh and cursed: "Has she gone mad?"

The eldest daughter-in-law, Ge Xiulan, suddenly grew anxious: "Mother, we haven't split the household yet; when that time comes, won't those families come knocking on our door?"

Hearing these words, Old Lady Liu became even angrier, shouting: "Rebellion! Absolute rebellion!"

At this moment, the usually low-key third daughter-in-law, Su Hongjuan, also added fuel to the fire: "Borrowing so much money, what if Second Brother's leg still isn't cured? Wouldn't that be like drawing water with a bamboo basket—all for nothing? And if later he becomes like Uncle Lao Wu's youngest son at the village entrance, wouldn't he still have to rely on the family to support him?"

As soon as the third daughter-in-law spoke these words, Old Lady Liu became even more anxious; Uncle Lao Wu's youngest son at the village entrance has legs that ache whenever the weather turns cloudy or rainy, and when it's hot or he gets internal heat, they easily suppurate; day after day, no one knows how much money is spent just on medicine, dragging the family down to absolute poverty.

Seeing the mother-in-law frowning and staying silent, the third daughter-in-law leaned closer and lowered her voice: "Mother, why not split Second Brother and the others away? That way, the family won't be dragged down by them."

Hearing the third sister-in-law's words, Ge Xiulan actually agreed, but suddenly thinking of the matter she needed to handle, she slapped her thigh: "With such a huge commotion, why haven't we seen that girl Liu Chuxue?"

If the household splits, the family won't be able to decide Liu Chuxue's marriage; to bring about a good match for the nephew, it must happen before the split.

Now Old Lady Liu remembered too: "That dead girl; I sent her to deliver a message, and who knows where she's dead and buried?"

Ge Xiulan pretended to be anxious, stood up, and walked toward the side room where Liu Chuxue lived: "Mother, that girl didn't come back last night at all."

Old Lady Liu was already angry at the second branch; now she was even more inflamed and was just about to start cursing loudly when she heard the eldest daughter-in-law say: "Mother, that girl Liu Chuxue hasn't been back all night; could something have happened to her?"

Old Lady Liu didn't catch the implied meaning: "Girls are useless; they can't help at all and only add trouble to the family; it would be better if a wolf carried her off."

She was already in a rage, and her voice was not small; the villagers chatting not far away heard every word clearly.

Seeing things had gone far enough, Ge Xiulan said: "Mother, we should still mobilize the villagers to help search; don't let something truly happen, or Second Brother might blame us later."

The second daughter-in-law of the neighboring Li family, who had a grudge against Ge Xiulan, stuck her head out to speak up for justice: "Ge Xiulan, if that girl Liu Chuxue really has something happen to her, it can't be blamed on anyone else; yesterday morning, it was you who insisted she take leave to cross the mountains and deliver a message to her eldest sister; I heard it clearly."

Hearing these words, Ge Xiulan, feeling bold and unafraid, said: "Li Guizhi, my family's business, what does it have to do with you, an outsider?"

Li Guizhi, looking down on her from across the wall, said: "I'm just speaking a word of justice; why are you getting so worked up with me?"

Ge Xiulan didn't want to create extra trouble, so she followed her words: "Yes, you're right; it was me who told Liu Chuxue to take leave, but with such a huge matter happening in the second branch, shouldn't we notify her sister?"

She shot a glare at Li Guizhi next door, deliberately raising her voice: "Mother, I'll go find the village head to organize people to search the mountain; don't let something truly happen, or my good intentions will backfire, and I'm afraid the villagers' spittle will drown me."

Without waiting for the mother-in-law's response, she rushed out of the courtyard gate.