Chapter 2
Chastise the White Lotus
Lu Jiao’s eyes darkened. She played with her fingers and then turned to leave. It wasn’t the right time to say anything so it would be better to stay quiet.
Plus, the entire family hasn’t eaten all morning. It would be better for her to check out the kitchen and make some food.
She then walked towards the kitchen in giant leaps.
There was quite some stuff in the kitchen. Other than the food the Xie family gave them when they were forced out, which included 50kg of brown rice and 25kg of cornflour, Lu Jiao’s own family dropped off 2kg of white rice, eggs, and sugar. The glutinous rice and soybeans were all gifts from the villagers.
Ah, there was also a hen in the corner. This hen was stolen by the original Lu Jiao from the Xie family when they were moved out.
Back then, the eldest daughter-in-law, Chen Liu, rushed out to take it back, but Xie Laogen stopped her.
Lu Jiao scanned around the kitchen and immediately came up with an idea. She made porridge with the rice, then took three eggs and made savory crepes with the cornflour.
By the time she was done, she had sweated from exhaustion. She very much wanted to sit on the ground and rest.
However, she thought about the four starved brats and the paralyzed Xie Yunjin, accepted her fate, and wiped the sweat off her face. She walked towards the east bedroom.
Before she could enter, she first heard some soft and weak voices.
“Third brother Xie, you must be hungry. I made this porridge, especially for you. Hurry and have a bowl. Or else your body will get too weak.”
Lu Jiao listened to these soft and tactful words. Subconsciously, she stood by the door and peered inside to see who it was.
Other than Xie Yunjin, Xie Erzhu, and the four little boys, there was now a delicate-looking woman in the room. She was slender and she wore a long white dress with a tied-up band as the belt. This cinched her waist and made her outline appear like a skinny willow tree branch. Her silhouette from the back alone left a lot of room for imagination.
Lu Jiao stared at her and quickly dug her out of her memories. This woman was one of the villagers from the Xie village. Her name was Shen Xiu.
The rumor was that Shen Xiu and Xie Yunjin were childhood friends who had always liked each other. If it weren’t for Lu Jiao’s interference, Shen Xiu most likely would’ve married Xie Yunjin.
Due to this rumor, the original Lu Jiao got into a huge fight with Xie Yunjin. Only when Xie Yunjin made it clear that he did not intend to marry Shen Xiu, did she let this go.
After Shen Xiu learned that there was no hope of marrying Xie Yunjin, Shen Xiu’s family arranged for her to marry someone else. Sadly, after four years of marriage, her husband passed away and she became a widow with a daughter.
The Su Clan thought that the widow was easy to take advantage of and so they kicked her and her daughter out. These days, Shen Xiu lived with her own family, which wasn’t far from here.
Lu Jiao was lost in her own thoughts when Xie Yunjin’s crips and weakened voice arose, “I don’t need it. Take it back.”
Xie Yunjin’s words flustered Shen Xiu, who quickly argued, “Third brother Xie, how can you not eat?”
Beside the bed, Xie Erzhu, who had changed the medicinal gel on Xie Yunjin, glanced at Shen Xiu, “I will cook for my brother in a bit. You should take that with you and go home.”
Shen Xiu was a widow. How could a young widow go to someone else’s home and act attentive? Third brother was an honorable scholar. Nobody had the right to ruin his reputation.
Shen Xiu was about to argue more when Lu Jiao walked in. Furious, she stared at Shen Xiu, “Why are you in my home?”
Lu Jiao didn’t want to come in originally. But the entire family hasn’t eaten since morning. She, herself was hungry so the four young boys must be too.
In order to stay true to her character, Lu Jiao got angry at Shen Xiu right away. She thought this reaction made sense given the original host’s personality.
Those words made Shen Xiu speak unkindly, “I came over to bring food for my third brother. He’s wounded badly and he has to eat.”
Lu Jiao’s face turned devious as she continued to gawk at Shen Xiu. She yelled angrily, “That’s none of your business. You’re a widow whose husband died so you run around to other people’s homes? Are you still thinking of seducing my husband?”
Shen Xiu’s eyes turned red after she heard Lu Jiao’s words. She then glanced over to Xie Yunjin and started to cry.
“Third brother Xie, how can she accuse me so? I simply cannot bear the thought of you going hungry.”
Those sporadic sobs could invite pity from anyone.
If this was any other man, they may grow to pity her. However, the person she faced was the cold-hearted Xie Yunjin.
Xie Yunjin’s brows didn’t even flinch as he muttered, “Take your stuff and go home.”
Shen Xiu wanted to say more but Lu Jiao started to curse, “You want me to drag you out? If you aren’t going to be embarrassed, I’d be happy to drag you out.”
She then started to roll up her sleeve. Shen Xiu’s face turned white. Though she was a widow, she still needed to save her face. Before Lu Jiao could act, Shen Xiu picked up her basket and left.
Afterward, Xie Yunjin didn’t acknowledge Shen Xiu and simply looked at Lu Jiao with disgust, “Get out.”
Lu Jiao was somewhat angry to hear that. However, when she remembered all the sins the original host committed, she endured. Instead, she peered at Xie Yunjin and said, “I made porridge and egg crepes. Should I bring some in here for you?”
Her words made everyone in the room look over and stare at her. Xie Yunjin’s face was so cloudy that raindrops might fall from it. His voice was cold, “What trick are you playing now?”
Then, a bloody and hostile air engulfed his gaze. The most tragic event in his life was when he met this woman. She was like a demon who clawed onto him.
Ever since he married her, she would find all sorts of irrational ways to bother him. He originally thought that after she had four kids, he would shift her focus onto the kids and the family would live in harmony.
Who knew that after giving birth, this woman’s behavior worsened. Not only did she strike other people’s kids, but she also hit and cursed at her own.
Three days ago, he was so worried that this woman would beat the children while he was away, that he rushed his way home and was hit by the horse carriage. This was the reason why he was gravely injured.
If he wasn’t so worried about his children, he wouldn’t have gotten so hurt. He may never stand up again in this lifetime.
That thought brewed bloody intent in him and it surged in his eyes.
As a military doctor, Lu Jiao sensed Xie Yunjin’s killer’s intent right away. She tapped her fingers. If this man was able to move around easily, there was no way he would let her go.
Lu Jiao wanted to remain in character and so she howled at Xie Yunjin, “Xie Yunjin, what’s the meaning of this? I kind-heartedly cooked you a meal yet you are doubting me? Me?”
Lu Jiao moved her fat body as if she was going to lie on the ground. This was a common tactic the original host used. When there was a conflict, she would start rolling on the ground and curse.
On the bed, Xie Yunjin watched as Lu Jiao got ready to slam onto the ground. His forehead throbbed and his expression became terrifyingly dark. Then, he ordered through gritted teeth, “Go bring in the food.”
Lu Jiao instantly stopped herself. She turned around and rolled her eyes.
[So there is something you are scared of.]
She walked into the kitchen in giant leaps and quickly poured out five bowls of porridge. She put those on an old and broken table and placed the crepes onto a chipped plate. Then, she carried the little table into the east bedroom.
Lu Jiao was smart enough not to stay. After she put down the table, she brandished her arms and left angrily.