Liu Sanniang was sobbing, her voice hoarse.
Mr. Liu, Liu Dalang, and Liu Erlang, who were sleeping, were woken up by Liu Sanniang’s shout. They quickly got up and came out.
Liu Dalang was the first to come out. “Sanniang, what happened?”
There were still tears on Liu Sanniang’s face. She choked and said, “First Brother, in the middle of the night, Liu Cheng’s wife was giving birth and he asked Mother to be the midwife. I couldn’t fall asleep, so I got up and followed behind her. I… I heard Liu Cheng shouting ‘one corpse two lives’ and saying that Mother had killed his wife. He even threatened to send Mother to the local government.”
Mr. Liu said angrily, “How dare he! There must be something fishy going on.”
Liu Erlang also came out. He immediately said, “Dad, First Brother, quick, let’s go take a look. My feet are almost healed. I’ll go and get our relatives to join us.”
Even though he did not know what had happened, Mr. Liu would never believe that his wife would harm anyone.
When Liu Erlang said this, Mr. Liu nodded. “Dalang, come with me. Erlang, you and Sanniang go and call for help. I want to see who dares to slander my wife!”
Liu Dalang’s expression was serious as he followed Mr. Liu out of the door and towards Liu Cheng’s house.
Liu Erlang and Liu Sanniang went out to call for help.
Almost everyone living in Willow Street was from the Liu family. There were more than ten families by the surname of Liu, and almost all of them were related to each other.
Liu Sanniang and Liu Erlang knocked on the door one by one. As soon as they explained the reason, the men from the families immediately brought their hoes and headed towards Liu Cheng’s house.
Liu San’s family, who usually did not get along with Madam Wei, heard the commotion and opened the door as well. Liu San was put on the spot. He definitely wanted to help his relatives, but his woman did not get along with Madam Wei and would curse each other from time to time.
Madam Bai glanced at her husband and said angrily, “What are you waiting for? Go and help. Our Liu family is not a pushover. I don’t get along with Madam Wei, but I have no issues with the Liu family. Go, go, take your sons with you. Whoever is causing trouble, make them learn a bitter lesson.”
Liu San immediately responded with a laugh. “That’s right. Let’s go. I want to see who dares to bully our Liu family.”
Liu Erlang looked grateful. “Thank you, Third Aunt.”
Liu Sanniang was also very grateful. Her eyes were swollen from crying.
Madam Bai stopped Liu Sanniang. “Don’t join in the fun. Stay with me and tell me what’s going on.”
Liu Sanniang was pulled into the house by Madam Bai. Madam Bai’s youngest daughter had already gotten up and smiled at Liu Sanniang. “Third Sister, don’t cry. Your mother will be fine.”
Madam Bai asked her sternly. “Don’t cry. It’s useless to cry. Tell me what happened. It was so noisy just now, so I didn’t hear it clearly. Why did the fool suddenly die in childbirth?”
Liu Sanniang sniffed. “I don’t know either. In the middle of the night, Liu Cheng suddenly came to ask for help. He said that his wife was about to give birth and that the midwife hadn’t arrived yet. He asked my mother to go and take a look first. I heard it and felt uneasy. Later, I got up and followed them. Before I entered Liu Cheng’s house, I heard cries inside. It was Liu Cheng’s mother. She shouted at the top of her lungs that my mother killed her daughter-in-law and grandchild. They even wanted to send my mother to the local government.”
Madam Bai frowned. “This is not right. Willow Alley is two or three streets away from Willow Street. Wouldn’t it be quicker for them to ask someone from their valley? Why did they come so far to seek help from your mother?”
Liu Sanniang looked at Madam Bai in surprise. Madam Bai had always been at odds with her mother.
In her previous life, the two of them did not reconcile even until their deaths. Liu Sanniang became a spinster and did not get married, but this third aunt of hers often gossiped about her behind her back.
But now, she did not ridicule or mock her, but rationally pointed out the suspicious points.
“Third Aunt.”
Liu Sanniang’s eyes were red, and she wanted to cry again. In her previous life, she wasn’t successful and didn’t suffer much. In this life, it was the same. She had not experienced great storms, and she could not withstand them.
Madam Bai looked at Liu Sanniang angrily. “Why? Do you think I’ll hit your family when you’re down?”
“Hmph, I’m not done with your mother yet, but we’re all from the Liu family. Isn’t the Liu family’s motto to be united? I’m not like your mother who doesn’t follow the ancestral teachings.”
After saying that, Madam Bai stood up and walked out. Without looking back, she said, “Stay at my house and sleep with Yinniang. Men have their own matters, and women have their own matters. If anyone dares to scheme against our Liu family, I’ll show them what we are made of.”
She was not going to sit back and do nothing.
Madam Bai searched around and found the bronze gong. With the gong in hand, she left the house and closed the door.
Liu Yinniang stuck out her tongue at Liu Sanniang and smiled. “Third Sister, don’t worry. My mother is very capable. Your mother will definitely be fine.”
Liu Sanniang had a deep impression of Madam Bai. With the whole Liu family taking action, Madam Wei would definitely be safe.
With this thought in mind, Liu Sanniang heaved a sigh of relief. She followed Liu Yinniang into the house. Liu Yinniang was half a year younger than her and was almost at the age of marriage.
In her previous life, Liu Yinniang married a butcher from Ling County. From then on, she rarely returned. Liu Sanniang actually did not remember much about her cousin.
But now, Liu Yinniang was holding Liu Sanniang’s hand and smiling gently at her. Liu Sanniang felt a warmth in her heart. Madam Bai was a tough person, so her daughter would probably be so too.
“Third Sister, can we sleep together?”
Liu Yinniang actually liked Liu Sanniang very much because Madam Wei’s culinary skills were very good. However, because of the bad relationship between the two families, she could not befriend Liu Sanniang even if she wanted to.
Now that she had this opportunity, Liu Yinniang wanted to build a good relationship with Liu Sanniang.
At their age, they were sooner or later going to get married. If they could learn some good skills, their lives would be much better after marriage.
Liu Yinniang wanted to build a good relationship with Liu Sanniang so that she could ask her about cooking in the future.
Her cousin’s friendliness warmed Liu Sanniang’s heart even more. She nodded.
After falling asleep, Liu Yin’an said gently, “Third Sister, don’t worry. The relatives are all there. Nothing will happen.”
Liu Yinniang’s voice was very gentle, and Liu Sanniang was gradually appeased. She didn’t know how to get along with this new friend, but Liu Yinniang made her feel ill-at-ease and not worried. It was extremely comfortable to be with Liu Yinniang.
Meanwhile, at Willow Valley.
Madam Wei had already been tied up by Liu Cheng’s mother. Liu Cheng and Liu Cheng’s father were extremely angry. They immediately woke up their brothers who were not far away and sent Madam Wei to the local government.
Madam Wei could not explain herself. She had been slapped twice by Liu Cheng’s mother and she couldn’t even think straight.