Chapter 13: A Biased Father and a Malevolent Mother

Mrs. Meng nodded gently and tenderly stroked Ning Nuan’s face, still tanned dark from the sun but with bright eyes.

A girl from a mountain village, running outside every day, darkening in the sun was inevitable.

“Are you happy?”

Ning Nuan nodded vigorously.

After rebuilding the house, they were farther from the several aunts and the grandparents, no longer having to listen to the constant sounds of the younger brothers being scolded or beaten next door.

It always made her heart uneasy.

Especially the way they looked at her, there was always a chilling feeling.

She had secretly observed that the younger brothers didn’t dare look at their eldest sister in that way.

Ning Dalang was being praised as he walked home.

Everyone said he was fortunate to have such a capable daughter like Ning Xin, and kept encouraging him to treat everyone.

He felt a bit elated but still clear-headed.

There was no way he would slaughter a pig to treat the villagers; those two wild boars could be taken to the county town and sold for at least one or two taels of silver, which would be more than enough to bribe the county officials and constables.

“Next time, next time, once the house is finished, I will definitely treat you all.”

“Then it’s settled! Next time, you must treat us to wild boar soup.”

Ning Dalang nodded repeatedly.

After the villagers left, he flattered the village chief and the local head a few more times, inviting them to come help the next day and stay for lunch.

Opportunities to show face in front of the county officials were not something the village chief or local head would refuse.

Old Ning and the Ning brothers respectfully saw the village chief and local head off.

Only then did Old Ning say to Ning Dalang, “Dalang, tomorrow Wulang and I will come by to check things out for you.”

***

Ning Dalang pursed his lips and nodded in agreement.

“Father, I’ll head back first. I still need to go to the county town later.”

“Go ahead.”

Each father and son had their own thoughts.

The only one truly happy was Ning Dalang; Ning Sanlang and Ning Silang were also pleased, but more out of envy.

Ning Erlang said nothing on the way, head down, lost in thought.

Ning Dalang glanced at him.

Just because he always let the Wu family beat their two daughters, he didn’t want to bother with him.

Ning Wulang walked beside Old Ning and couldn’t help but ask, “Father, how much silver do you think big brother has saved up now that he’s going to rebuild the house?”

“How would I know?”

His sons weren’t close to him; as the father, he wasn’t even told how much silver there was, and usually didn’t see them much.

“Well…”

“Enough with the questions! I warn you to keep quiet. At a time like this, anything you do will be gossiped about, and your reputation will be ruined. Don’t ask anything, don’t say anything. If you can work, go work; if not, find an excuse.” Old Ning barked angrily.

Ning Wulang immediately understood.

“Got it, Father.”

Old Ning hummed in acknowledgment.

He thought to warn his wife to keep her mouth shut and not to wander over to the main house unnecessarily.

He would also gather the crowbars, chisels, and hammers in the house—they would definitely be needed by Dalang.

But Old Ning never dreamed…

***

Mrs. Mu was not at home; Young Mrs. Mu was cooking meat in the kitchen.

“Where’s your mother?”

“Mother went out,” Young Mrs. Mu answered nervously.

She didn’t dare say that she had just told her mother about the main house’s plan to rebuild, and after a few curses, her mother immediately went to fetch the crowbar, chisel, and hammer, packed them into a basket, and left.

Old Ning nodded and went to look for things inside the house.

He searched for a while without success but didn’t mind, thinking his old wife might have lent them out and he could ask for them back later.

Main house.

When Ning Dalang arrived, Mrs. Meng called out that dinner was ready.

“A’Nuan, go wake your sister for dinner.”

Ning Nuan answered and quickly pushed open the door; Ning Xin was already awake.

“Sister, it’s time to eat.”

“All right.”

Ning Xin turned over and sat up, stretching her limbs.

“Sister, I’ll get some water for you to wash up,” Ning Nuan said, then hurried out.

Ning Xin stepped outside and saw her father, Ning Dalang, resting his hand on the wild boar, clicking his tongue in admiration.

“Father.”