Chapter 31: Argument
Editor: Atlas Studios
Most afraid of seeing people crying, Mu Yangling was momentarily at a loss. She wanted to hold back Eldest Great-aunt, but the latter shook her off. Hence, she had no choice but to stand behind them. For a moment, all that could be heard on the threshing floor were the mournful cries of the grandmother-granddaughter trio.
Ma Youcai’s wife, Madam Ma-Fang, heard the news and ran over. When she saw the grains scattered on the road, she immediately cried and rushed towards Madam Ma-Liu fiercely. “Who did this? Which immoral person actually wasted grains? My family worked so hard and only managed to harvest so little!”
Madam Ma-Liu pushed her two granddaughters away, stood up, and spat at the approaching Madam Ma-Fang. With her hands on her hips, she said, “I was the one who threw them out. I wonder which beast piled these dirty and smelly things on my family’s threshing floor. Why? Is it not bad enough that Youcai caused the deaths of my family? Now you even want to occupy this threshing floor?”
Madam Ma-Fang jumped up. “Fourth Aunt, don’t talk nonsense. How did my Youcai harm your family? Brother Fugui was clearly beaten to death by the eldest young master of the Wu family.”
“Pfft, why was Fugui beaten to death by the eldest young master of the Wu family? Don’t you feel guilty? Don’t you have nightmares at night? After you people killed my son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, you even snatched the land left behind by Fugui. You’re not humans, you’re beasts. Now, you beasts even want to snatch my threshing floor. Is there any justice in this world? Is there?” Madam Ma-Liu’s eyes were red as she glared at Madam Ma-Fang fiercely. The latter took a few steps back and looked away.
Ma Youcai’s family ran over one after another. When his mother, Madam Ma-Zhao saw that the grains that she had painstakingly harvested was thrown on the road like that, she immediately wailed and sat on the ground, crying and cursing.
Ma Youcai looked at Madam Ma-Liu. Disgust and anger flashed across his eyes, but he did not dare to go forward.
Displeased, Ma Youcai’s father, Ma Dagui stepped forward and said, “Sister-in-law, these grains are the lifeblood of the farmers. Even if Youcai and his wife did something wrong, you shouldn’t have thrown the grains on the road.”
Madam Ma-Liu snorted coldly. “If these grains weren’t yours, I wouldn’t have thrown this away. I’m afraid that if these things are placed on my land, the three of us will be beaten to death later.”
“You!” Ma Dagui’s expression was ugly, but he held himself back. Seeing that the villagers were all looking at him, he sighed and said, “Sister-in-law, it’s been four years since that incident. I even brought Youcai to kowtow to you and apologize. Today, in front of the villagers, why don’t we talk it over once more?”
Triggered, Madam Ma-Liu jumped up and said, “What are you talking about? Tell me how your son killed my son. Tell me how your family occupied my family’s land after my son died.”
As every single word struck a sore spot, Ma Dagui couldn’t help but get angry. “Sister-in-law, it was indeed because of Youcai’s rashness that Young Master Wu got into a conflict with Youcai and the others. However, it was Young Master Wu who beat Fugui and his wife to death. Youcai was also injured. When Fugui’s wounded wife gave birth, our family even paid for a doctor for her. But the baby wasn’t fated to live long. How could this be blamed on Youcai? On the other hand, my brother was fine at first. It was only after you married him that he died. I think it’s just as the witch said. You’re the one who jinxed your son and grandson. They were all killed by you!”
This was the sore spot in Madam Ma-Liu’s heart. Her eyes widened and she pointed at Ma Dagui, unable to say anything.
“As for the farmland, because Fugui didn’t have any sons, we can’t allow outsiders to own our clan’s farmland. This was the decision of the patriarch and everyone. What do you have to say about that?” As he spoke, Ma Dagui glanced at everyone.
Everyone lowered their heads slightly when they saw Ma Dagui’s gaze, since they had all more or less benefited from this matter.
Feeling as if there was a heavy stone pressing down on her heart, Madam Ma-Liu couldn’t exhale the breath she had inhaled.
Ma Xiuhong and Ma Xiulan supported their grandmother on each side and glared at him angrily.
Ma Dagui had more to say. “Look at how you’ve taught your granddaughters. They actually dare to glare at their elders at such a young age…” Ma Dagui reached out and almost pointed at Ma Xiuhong’s nose.
Mu Yangling took a step forward and pulled the three of them back. She slapped Ma Dagui’s hand away and said, “Let’s talk nicely. To think that you’re an elder. Why are you getting physical?”
Knowing that there was no way to straighten out the matters of the past, Mu Yangling only said, “I don’t understand the feud between Uncle’s family and your family. I only have a few words to ask Old Master. Does this threshing floor belong to my eldest great-aunt’s family? Did your family occupy her threshing floor? Did you ask her for her permission? Your daughter-in-law came and shouted at my eldest great-aunt. Is this the Ma family’s upbringing?”
Frowning, Ma Dagui snorted. “How dare a young child ask me such questions? This is my Ma family’s business. What does it have to do with a child like you?”
Mu Yangling didn’t bother to mince her words either. “I’m afraid Old Master doesn’t know the logic that even a child knows. Madam Ma-Liu is my eldest great-aunt, and I’m her maternal family. This isn’t just a matter of your Ma family!” Mu Yangling looked around and said, “If you don’t give me an explanation today, I can only go back and call my great-uncle and the others over. When the time comes, the Ma family and the Liu family can sit down and have a good talk.”
Shocked, Ma Dagui looked at Mu Yangling in surprise. Seeing her sharp gaze, he could not help but be taken aback. A child actually knew these principles? Madam Ma-Liu must have taught her, right?
Ma Dagui pondered.
Without waiting for his answer, Mu Yangling snorted and asked him, “Old Master, why aren’t you speaking? Is Eldest Great-aunt wrong to throw away the grains?”
Holding back his anger, Ma Dagui said, “We’re all villagers. Even if Youcai temporarily placed them on your eldest great-aunt’s threshing floor, she shouldn’t have thrown the grains on the road.”
“Speaking of which, I’m also very curious.” Mu Yangling tilted her head and looked at them. “From what I’ve heard, isn’t there a grudge between you people and my great-aunt? Shouldn’t you be avoiding her? Instead, you shamelessly want to occupy her threshing floor?” Mu Yangling muttered to herself, “You people are so domineering. No wonder you became enemies.”
Although she was talking to herself, Mu Yangling did not lower her voice. For a moment, the villagers looked at Ma Dagui’s family differently.
Ma Dagui’s family was indeed domineering in the village. It was all because he had three sons and two daughters, plus the fact that his sons-in-law were also strong and capable.
Ma Dagui was filled with rage, but Mu Yangling waved her hand and said, “Anyway, I was the one who threw those things away. What do you want? Don’t think that you can bully my great-aunt just because the Liu and Mu families haven’t been here for many years. Let me tell you, my great-aunt came from Nearhill Village. Even if 80 years have passed since she married, she will still be a daughter of Nearhill Village!”
These domineering words made the ladies and daughters-in-law in the valley involuntarily exclaim in their hearts, “Yes!”
Ma Dagui’s expression turned even uglier. He couldn’t help but look at his wife. Madam Ma-Zhao wiped her tears and went forward. “Sister-in-law, I know you’re angry, so I won’t argue with you today. However, you mustn’t waste grains again in the future.”
Madam Ma-Liu sneered coldly and looked at them with an icy expression.
Suppressing the anger in her heart, Madam Ma-Zhao turned around to slap Ma Youcai. She shouted, “What are you waiting for? Hurry up and collect the grains. Look at how many grains have fallen. What a sin!”
When Madam Ma-Liu heard this, she wanted to go forward again. Mu Yangling pulled her back and whispered, “Eldest Great-aunt, let’s not lower ourselves to their level. I’ll help you move the grains over first.”
Madam Ma-Liu wiped her tears and forced a smile. “Good child, it’s been hard on you today.”
“Not at all, not at all.” Mu Yangling pulled the three of them into the field.
Strong and fast, she finished tying 10 bundles in no time. Using the borrowed rice fork, she forked two bundles of grains at one end and carried another bundle with her hand. In one trip, she managed to transport five bundles of grains.
Even Madam Ma-Liu, who was still in a bad mood after quarreling, couldn’t help but widen her eyes when she saw this. She hurriedly rushed up to stop her and said, “Don’t carry so many. Just carry two bundles at a time.”
Smiling, Mu Yangling said, “Don’t worry, Eldest Great-aunt. It’s not heavy at all.”
Ma Xiuhong gazed at Mu Yangling enviously, then looked down at her scrawny arms and legs. She lamented sadly, “If only I was as capable as Cousin.”