The Female Lead Decides to Act Wickedly

Chapter 844 - 332: Screw Your Tragic Perfection (Part 2)

Ms. Hetian was indeed moved and poured her heart out to her natal family.

After getting married, without a mother-in-law, without sisters-in-law, not even a close elder, Ms. Hetian became the mistress of the He Family.

She would frequently return to her natal home, carrying large parcels each time.

Old Lady Han would also boast, constantly praising Ms. Hetian as a filial daughter, a good sister who loves her younger brother.

The surrounding neighbors envied her but couldn’t help but criticize in secret: Isn’t He Daniu filial? She often uses her in-law’s money to support her natal family, practically keeping that whole family well-fed and pampered!

The Tian Family is so poor, they are at the bottom of the Tianjiawa.

But they managed to rely on the dowries from selling daughters, oh no, the betrothal gifts of the three daughters, and the subsidies from their eldest daughter, to build three large tile-roofed houses.

Tian Yaozong even managed to go to the town for schooling.

Unfortunately, Tian Yaozong is a dense stone, having studied for several years with tuition fees and book expenses costing several thousand cents, yet only recognizing a few words.

Want to take the imperial exams?

Dream on!

He wasn’t even qualified to work as a bookkeeper!

Yet Old Lady Han wouldn’t admit her son was foolish, insisting the family was really struggling, and they couldn’t afford it, hence this—

Bah!

Not everyone is like Ms. Hetian Tian Daniu.

Some villagers simply didn’t believe Old Lady Han’s words.

The family is struggling?

Hmph, would the Tian Family, if they were really struggling, have raised Tian Yaozong to be chubby and fair?

Moreover, Tian Yaozong hasn’t been admitted to studies yet wears brand new long gowns and often goes to town for drinks.

Claiming it’s a poetry gathering or a small meetup, when in fact it’s just indulgence.

Ms. Hetian, however, foolishly believed her mother’s words, tightened her own belt, even miscarried a child, just to serve her natal family and her own brother.

It was He Erniu who noticed the problem, decided not to escort goods for a year, and stayed home to keep watch over his wife, which led Ms. Hetian to restrain herself a bit.

It was in that year Ms. Hetian gave birth to her only son, He Xiaobao.

He Erniu, for his son’s sake, became somewhat more tolerant of his wife.

With a son, He Erniu became more ambitious— I must earn money, I must support my son’s education, build him a new house, and get him a wife!

So, He Erniu continued to escort goods and earn money desperately.

He Erniu was not completely at ease with Ms. Hetian, but he thought a woman with her own child, even if not for herself, if not caring for her husband, would surely care for her own flesh and blood.

However, He Erniu still underestimated the influence of a seasoned brother-lovingly.

But, because of He Erniu’s previous anger, Ms. Hetian was frightened.

She didn’t stop supporting her natal family; rather she did it stealthily instead of openly, and she learned to disguise it.

When He Erniu was at home, Ms. Hetian put on a show and was willing to let her son eat eggs, meat, fine grains, and make new clothes.

He Erniu thus mistakenly thought his wife had truly mended her ways.

Sometimes, He Erniu felt a bit guilty, thinking he shouldn’t have lost his temper with his wife.

For a woman, being concerned about her natal family is normal.

If Ms. Hetian had severed ties with her natal family after marriage, neglecting her mother, father, and brother, He Erniu would also have doubts in his heart.

Of course, such feelings of "guilt" only last a moment; human nature is selfish.

Seeing Ms. Hetian willing to live steadily and not constantly thinking about her natal family, he felt relieved about her.

He handed all the silver he earned to his wife.

As a result, disaster struck!

This winter, the court needed to repair the embankment and thus conscripted labor.

According to the regulations, He Erniu, being the only adult male in the family, had to provide labor service.

But, repairing the embankment was grueling, and without pay.

With that time, He Erniu could have run an escort to the Prefecture City and earned two thousand coins on a round trip.

In past years, faced with such situations, He Erniu would always pay to sort things out, and this year was no different.

However, when He Erniu asked Ms. Hetian for the money, she avoided eye contact and hesitated in her speech.

Ultimately, when pushed by He Erniu, Ms. Hetian tearfully admitted, "There’s no money left!"

He Erniu felt as if struck by thunder.

Even though he let Ms. Hetian manage the household, handing over money directly to her whenever he came back, much like a hands-off manager.

He still had a sense of how much he had earned over the years.

Even not counting a lot, there should still be twenty coins.

Excluding everyday expenses, occasional minor illnesses, and medical expenses, there should still be fifteen or sixteen coins left at home.