Divorced by her husband's family and rejected by her own! She defiantly turned her life around

Liu Siyue was conflicted. Should she go back and tell Sister-in-law Zaohua about this? Would Sister-in-law Zaohua believe her if she did?

Was Aunt Yu's kindness towards Sister-in-law Zaohua all fake? Was she stalling for time, hoping the child wouldn't be born, or was she feeling guilty and atoning for her sins?

No matter the reason, it is unforgivable. She has to find a way to let Sister-in-law Zaohua know the truth and not let this mother and son fool her.

My cousin told me that since marrying into the Yu family, Sister-in-law Zaohua has been a capable worker inside and outside the home, and she treats Aunt Yu exceptionally well.

Yu Feng is often away from home. Sister-in-law Zaohua misses her husband and wants to visit him in the county town, but Aunt Yu stops her, saying that the journey would be too expensive and that Yu Feng doesn't earn money easily, so they should save money wherever possible.

Sister-in-law Zaohua is a filial daughter-in-law who listens to her mother-in-law and has never been to the county town.

Liu Siyue sighed. If that woman had given birth to a girl, Sister-in-law Zaohua's life might be a little better. But if she had given birth to a boy, she wondered how they would treat Sister-in-law Zaohua.

She hated this kind of man the most. On the one hand, he would appease his wife at home, making her devoted to him and take care of his mother, and on the other hand, he couldn't control his own desires. He was truly despicable.

If that mother and son dare to treat Sister-in-law Zaohua badly, I will absolutely not let them off the hook.

Sister-in-law Zaohua is such a good woman, how could she be bullied like this?

Liu Siyue walked upstairs with heavy steps, feeling somewhat down. She thought of her eldest sister, Liu Yiyue, wondering how she was doing.

Since returning to Liujia Village, she has been busy with this and that, without stopping. She needs to hurry over to her eldest sister's house. She will go back tomorrow and discuss it with her second uncle.

"Sister Liu, why have you been gone for so long? You don't look well; did something happen?"

Liu Siyue smiled again. "No, I ran into an acquaintance just now, we chatted for a bit, and I was delayed for a while. Why haven't you all eaten?"

"Everyone says they're waiting for you to come back while you're gone."

"Hurry up, don't wait, the food won't taste good if it gets cold."

After having dinner at the restaurant, Liu Siyue told Wang Zhilan and the others to leave first, while she, along with Qingwu and Qingye, went directly to the county government office to visit Madam Su.

The three arrived at the back gate of the county government office, identified themselves to the gatekeeper, explained their purpose, and were then led inside.

"Greetings, Madam Su."

"Miss Liu, please come in quickly. I heard that you have a pastry shop in the county town, so I immediately sent Granny Liu to invite you."

"You really did manage to get Granny Liu to come here."

"Mrs. Su, these are some pastries I made. Please try them."

"I heard that the 'Smiling Face Cake' sold at Shiweizhai today is very popular. I wonder if it's this one?"

"That's right, I brought it especially for you to try."

"Mmm, it tastes really good, sweet with a hint of sourness, not too cloying, perfect for dessert."

"Madam is right. This smile cake has the effect of stimulating appetite and aiding digestion. For people who are not active for a long time, it can promote gastric motility."

"This pastry is perfect for me. I often look at things and want to eat them, but I can't eat more than a couple of bites. I really don't want to drink those bitter herbal soups that I'm prescribed."

Another day, I'll have Granny Liu go to Shiweizhai and buy some beauty cakes to keep for myself as a snack.

"What else would you like to buy, Madam? I'll have Qingwu bring you a few pounds another day."

"That's too much trouble. It's more convenient to just buy from the store. You can buy only what you need."

"That's fine too. What I brought is enough for Madam to eat for a few days."

There will be an event these three days, so please don't go and join the crowds. It'll be too crowded, and you might get accidentally injured.

"Um."

"May I ask what business you have with me, Madam?"

Madam Su said to Green Pearl and Granny Liu, "You may both leave now."

When Liu Siyue saw that Madam Su had dismissed her maids and nannies, she knew that Madam Su must have something important to tell her. So she also asked Qingwu to leave, leaving only the two of them in the room.

"Lady Liu, there's something very important I need to tell you, but don't be afraid."

Madam Su first took out a letter and handed it to Liu Siyue, saying, "Take a look at this letter first."

"This letter is for you; it's not appropriate for me to see it!"

"Since I showed it to you, it means you can see it too."

Without further hesitation, Liu Siyue opened the envelope, took out the letter inside, and began to read it quickly.

After reading the letter, his expression turned grim. "Madam Su, is the court about to undergo a major upheaval? Is a power struggle among the princes about to unfold?"

Madam Su nodded, agreeing with her statement. "You're right. The Emperor has not yet established a Crown Prince. Now that his health is failing and the First Prince is overseeing the country, the other princes are restless. Various forces are stirring up trouble in the capital. One wrong move and you could be plunged into an abyss."

My father told us not to do anything, to calmly get through this dangerous period, and to wait until the political situation stabilized before making any decisions.

If it emerges now, it will inevitably become the object of contention among various forces.

Choosing the wrong side could lead to the extermination of your entire clan.

"Madam Liu, we should put the matter of the curved plow aside for now. We can make a batch first and use it in your Liu Family Village."

The fertilizers and seeds you mentioned can be secretly tested in your village.

Whether it's the new emperor's ascension to the throne or the old emperor's good health, sending this grand gift will surely be a great achievement.

What we need to do now is lie low.

"Yes, thank you for informing me, Madam."

When Madam Su saw her to the door, she whispered a few more words to her, "Madam Liu, keep plenty of food at home in case of unforeseen circumstances."

The imperial court will likely be collecting grain taxes within the next ten days.

"Madam Su, the people are suffering too much. Where can they find the grain to pay taxes? The summer grain harvest has been almost completely lost due to the drought, and the coarse grains have all been soaked and sprouted due to the continuous rain, resulting in a complete crop failure."

The people are now living on wild vegetables, and they plan to get through the winter by relying on the few radishes and cabbages in the fields. If we collect grain taxes now, won't that be taking the people's lives?

If the people are driven to desperation by the imperial court and can no longer survive, they will only have two options: become bandits in the mountains or rebel.

Madam Su sighed, "When the imperial court issues a decree, these local officials have no choice but to comply."

Liu Siyue returned to the Yun residence. One thing after another had happened today, making her very irritable. She didn't want to stay in the city for another second and just wanted to get back to Liu Family Village as soon as possible.

"Qingwu, help me drive the oxcart out; I need to go back to the village now."

"Madam, it's getting late. It's not safe for you to go back on your way. Why don't you wait until early tomorrow morning to go back?"

"It's alright, the Bull Demon King runs fast on the road, he should be able to get home before dark."

"Madam, shall I take you home?"

Liu Siyue thought for a moment. She was going to see her eldest sister, so she had to take some people with her. She decided to go back tomorrow morning and bring Qingwu and Qingye with her. If a fight broke out, she would have someone to help her.

"Forget it, let's go back first thing tomorrow morning. You and Qingye get ready and come back with me tomorrow."

"Qingwu, please invite Madam Xu over. I have something to discuss with her."

After Qingwu left, Liu Siyue began to think about the imperial court's tax collection. When the court came to collect taxes, the village would definitely be in chaos. What should she do when those people who had no food and no money came to her door begging for help?

There are so many people, she can't possibly help them all. If she helps this time, what about next time?

In the future, whenever something happens, they will come knocking on her door. The world is going to be chaotic. If she is too kind-hearted, she will become easy prey in their eyes. She has to lead the villagers to make money and unite everyone. If a war really breaks out, she will not be able to manage on her own, as she is alone and powerless.