Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 19 The Only Good One_1

Chapter 19: Chapter 19 The Only Good One_1

Watching Ms. Wu and her daughter-in-law enter the courtyard one after the other, Shen Dashan’s expression finally eased a bit.

Even though he hadn’t mentioned that incident over the years, at his age, surrounded by children and grandchildren, having been slapped by a woman and scolded in front of people from another village, there was hardly anyone who could truly let go of such humiliation.

But as the Li Zheng of Lihua Village, even if he had multiple issues with a family, he couldn’t unjustly target them.

Otherwise, he would be unworthy of the title "Li Zheng" that people called him.

Li Lao Tou was also not originally from Lihua Village. Over thirty years ago, he arrived here with his wife Wang Pozi, fleeing from famine, and the previous Li Zheng, seeing their honest and straightforward nature, had registered them with the government residence.

Who could have guessed that the man who once greeted everyone with a smiling face would now become a malignant tumor?

A woman who not only harassed and caused the death of her own daughter, but also ruined the reputation of a village girl, was an enabler, acting as if blind to all other matters.

After instructing Shen Qingchuan and Shen Qinghe to place two large baskets at Nanzhi’s front door, Shen Dashan stood to the side.

Today, the families who went up the mountain were lining up and pouring chestnuts into the basket, regardless of the amount, as a gesture of their goodwill.

Even the weakest laborer had gathered around thirty catties of chestnuts that afternoon.

Those were life-saving items.

After the round was completed, the baskets were filled to the brim, totaling at least three hundred catties.

Looking at the two baskets of chestnuts, Shen Dashan was satisfied and left with his family.

The people of Lihua Village had to have a conscience.

Fearing that the quarreling between Ms. Wu and Wang Pozi would pollute Gougou’s ears, Nanzhi had taken him early to eat in the back courtyard, where there was an old pear tree over twenty years old. Although it was almost leafless now, Nanzhi still set up a small table underneath it.

After finishing the meal and ready to wash the dishes, Nanzhi realized it was eerily quiet outside, not a single sound to be heard.

Even so, she dared not be careless, putting down the dishes and grabbing a kitchen knife, she tiptoed toward the door, moving slowly.

Pressing her ear against the door, she listened for a while and found that it was silent outside, save for the occasional chirping of insects, and no other sounds.

Had they left?

Nanzhi felt a bit nervous inside. If she had to fight with Ms. Wu, the odds would not be in her favor. After all, her original body could barely weigh eighty catties, and standing next to Gougou, they would look like one tall and one short bamboo pole.

Ms. Wu was robust, and Nanzhi wasn’t sure she could win against her.

As she was calculating her chances of victory, Gougou had already trotted up to Nanzhi’s side. He looked curiously at his mother, who was leaning against the door, and asked softly, "Mom, are you playing a game with Gougou?"

Hearing Gougou’s words, Nanzhi realized she might have been too cautious, appearing somewhat cowardly. Nevertheless, she knew that even if something did happen, Mrs. Liu would not stand by and watch her die.

With the determination to face a major battle, Nanzhi finally opened the courtyard door, only to see not two shrewish women, but two baskets brimming with chestnuts, which almost made the kitchen knife in her hand fall to the ground in shock.

Was this sent by the Heavens?

Had it been so direct this time?

Thinking about her recent "adventures," Nanzhi was still unsure: Was this a pie from the sky that had just fallen into her lap?

Gougou didn’t know what his mother was thinking; he circled the baskets twice and then pointed with his little finger at a mark on the edge of the basket, exclaiming, "Mom, this is a basket from Grandpa Li Zheng’s house."

Nanzhi came back to her senses and squatted down to look closely where Gougou was pointing, only to realize there were two small circles marked on the edge of the basket.

Indeed, it was a basket from the Li Zheng’s house. Most of the villagers were farmers, and during busy times, farm tools were often borrowed and could be mixed up, so every household left their mark on their belongings.

Li Zheng’s mark was a red circle.

"Gougou is really amazing."

Gougou’s face flushed with pride as his mother praised him. The deliberately stern little face instantly became shy.

Mom now always praises him, but as a young man, he can’t always be shy—it’s really a headache.

It took Nanzhi quite an effort to move the chestnuts into the house. She had thought there wouldn’t be much to take back to her parents’ home tomorrow, but now it seemed just about right.

After Gougou washed up, mother and son went to bed early. Next door, the Li Family was still in disarray.

After Li Liang returned, he had placed Old Master Li in the main room. The couple, along with their daughter, were bustling about—boiling water and going to fetch the village doctor—while Li Tian just took Shi Tou inside to idle away as soon as he returned.

He couldn’t be bothered to take care of his own father. After all, Ms. Liao and his younger brother were there; sneaking a bit of idleness wouldn’t be a problem.

Just as Li Liang was about to leave, he saw his mother and sister-in-law returning somewhat disheveled, but he didn’t ask any questions, just prepared to make another trip to the village doctor’s house.

He had sent his daughter to look for the doctor twice already, and each time he was told no one was home. Now that it was getting dark, perhaps Uncle Wang had finished work and come back.

He reminded Ms. Liao to take good care of Old Master Li, and without glancing at his mother, hurried out the door.

Ms. Liao, seeing her mother-in-law return with a troubled expression, was a bit frightened and just lowered her head and softly called out, "Mom..."

The anticipated scolding did not come, and somewhat puzzled, Ms. Liao looked up to catch a glimpse of only Granny Wang hastily entering the room.

As if something was chasing her from behind.

"Sister-in-law..."

Ms. Liao looked at Ms. Wu with some confusion. What had her mother-in-law and sister-in-law been up to?

Ms. Wu herself hadn’t quite figured out why her mother-in-law suddenly left, and upon returning home saw Old Master Li lying in the main room. Now hearing Ms. Liao call her, she pretended not to hear and quickly went back into the house.

She definitely did not want to be roped by Ms. Liao into taking care of Old Master Li.

Watching her mother-in-law and sister-in-law each enter their own rooms, Ms. Liao breathed a slight sigh of relief. She dared not expect any help from them.

As long as they didn’t scold her, that was enough.

It was a good half hour before Li Liang returned with Grandpa Wang, who was wheezing slightly.

Grandpa Wang wiped the sweat from his brow and hastily went over to check on Old Master Li.

Li Liang had already briefly explained the situation to him on the way, and Grandpa Wang sighed inwardly. How could the Li Family, of all households, not be able to scrape together some silver to treat a leg?

Those doctors at Jishi Tang must be better than he was. If they said it would take three taels of silver, how could he, a barefoot doctor, cure it for just a few wen?

After checking Old Master Li’s pulse, Grandpa Wang’s brow furrowed deeply. He lifted Old Master Li’s pants leg and saw the swollen, discolored limb, which made his frown even tighter.

The leg was certainly ruined. According to what the second son of the Li Family said, he was bitten last night. If treated this morning, it might have been saved, but it had been too long now; all he could do was prescribe some medicine to keep Old Master Li alive.

Grandpa Wang stood up and motioned to Li Liang, "Young man, come here."

Having just seen the state of his father’s right leg, Li Liang was startled. Now hearing Grandpa Wang calling him, he quickly jogged over, "Uncle Wang, can my dad’s leg still be treated...?"

Grandpa Wang felt pity, but still conveyed the truth, "The doctor at Jishi Tang has already applied needles to your father. His life has been saved. I’ll prescribe some medicine now. Boil it and give it to your father three times a day, drink it for half a month, but that leg..."

Sometimes, there is no need to finish speaking for others to understand.

Li Liang said nothing further, just kept thanking Grandpa Wang, and in the end, it was Ms. Liao who went back inside to find the consulting fee.

Seeing the couple’s distress, Grandpa Wang said the cost of the medicine could be put on credit and told them to go get the prescribed medicine first.

Before leaving, he took another look at Old Master Li, secretly hoping the man could see things more clearly this time. The Li Family used to be considered a good one, and now there was only Li Liang’s household left.

Old Master Li lay there quietly, as if truly unaware of anything.

He couldn’t understand why the wife who had been with him for decades would sacrifice one of his legs for a mere three taels of silver?

Why didn’t his eldest son, whom he had always favored, ask him even once? In the end, the one who cared about him the most was the person he had never taken to heart.