The Liu family’s meals were also prepared by her, so it should have been a simple task. The reason it was described as stumbling was because the Liu family was wealthier, using more oil when stir-frying. To improve the children’s lives, a little minced meat was added daily. The Liu family, on the other hand, was poor. If she added even a little more oil or vegetables, Madam Liu would become distressed, constantly complaining that she didn't know how to manage household affairs and regretting the marriage, which had cost them three taels of silver.
Although Zhou Xue'e felt a little uncomfortable about this, she didn't dwell on it, as her parents had been more harsh with their words at the Zhou family. After eating, she tidied up the house and prepared to rest.
As soon as she sat down, Liu Maocai stared at her with a gloomy gaze. Zhou Xue'e was bewildered.
"Take a hoe and come with me to work in the fields." Seeing that she didn't understand what she had done wrong, Liu Maocai left only these words and walked ahead. Zhou Xue'e was stunned. After a while, she understood the meaning of his words and felt somewhat reluctant. Although she had worked in the fields with her parents before her marriage, she had been married into the Liu family for so many years that field work had long been outsourced.
However, when she glanced back and saw Madam Liu’s accusing gaze, to avoid her, Zhou Xue'e quickly grabbed the farming tools and followed him slowly, hoping to delay for as long as possible.
They arrived at the fields, and Liu Maocai began to assign her tasks. This made Zhou Xue'e dumbfounded. Why did it seem like all the tasks were hers, and none were his?
She asked what she was thinking, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she saw him storming towards her. She instinctively took a few steps back, only to hear a "slap" as one hand struck her face. Zhou Xue'e covered her face, looking at him in disbelief.
"What right do you have to hit me?" As soon as she asked, she was caught unprepared as the other side of her face was also slapped, making her eyes see stars.
"This is just to teach you a lesson, to tell you that you are to regard your husband as heaven. You cost three taels of silver when I married you, which is no different from selling yourself. That's three taels of silver! I heard that when you married Liu Changhe, the betrothal gifts were only two taels of silver. Why did they charge me one tael more? Moreover, you were divorced, so you shouldn't be worth that price at all." Liu Maocai acted as if he had suffered a great loss.
Zhou Xue'e had been in the Liu family for so many years. Although the Liu family was just a farming family, Liu Changhe knew how to earn money. Three taels of silver really wasn't much in her eyes. Now, thinking back, it didn't seem like a small amount either, as the two taels of silver in betrothal gifts at the time of their marriage had used up all of the Liu family's savings.
Looking at his fierce expression, she dared not speak out her myriad grievances. She picked up the tools and worked unskillfully, occasionally being scolded and beaten by him. At this moment, she truly regretted it, but there was no turning back.
One time, she secretly returned to the village to see her children. Unexpectedly, Liu Maocai discovered her, grabbed her hair, and dragged her back with all his might despite her struggles. Upon their return, he beat her again.
She had originally planned to find them again if she had the chance, believing that only by finding them could she feel a glimmer of hope for her life. Unexpectedly, she suddenly heard dire news.
Liu Changhe, in order to earn money, took a desperate gamble and accepted a business no one else would. Not only did he lose money, but he also lost his life.
Zhou Xue'e stood frozen when she heard this news, and then ran frantically towards the Liu family's direction. She didn't even notice when her shoes fell off. The Liu family gate, through which she had entered and exited countless times, now seemed so unfamiliar. The white banners were too glaring, bringing tears to her eyes. Recalling their past laughter and joy, how could they have been separated by death in just a few months?
The Liu family members naturally gave her a cold reception. If she hadn't given sixty taels of silver to the Zhou family, how could Liu Changhe have risked so much to earn money? Even her son and daughter couldn't hide their resentment when they saw her. She left in a daze.
Not long after, she heard that in order to repay the Liu family's debts, Ling-jie had sold herself, and had been sold to the fiancée of the Liu family's young master, simply because the latter offered more money. The fiancée took Ling-jie with her wherever she went. While she appeared to treat her well, it wasn't long before Ling-jie accidentally fell into the lake and drowned.
As for Bao-ge, he had never done farm work in his life, but now he had to shoulder the burden of the family. After burying his grandparents, he followed in Liu Changhe's footsteps, farming during the busy season and looking for work in the city during his free time. By the time he finally paid off the Liu family's debts, he was already in his twenties. His family was destitute, and no woman was willing to marry him. Soon after, he also disappeared, and no one knew where he had gone. Zhou Xue'e never heard any news of him before her death.
In the end, Zhou Xue'e also tasted the bitter fruits of her actions. She was beaten to death by Liu Maocai. The Liu family was willing to spend three taels of silver to marry her because they wanted to have an heir for the Liu family. However, after several years of marriage, she had no news of a child, which made Liu Maocai and Madam Liu restless.
As soon as he thought that the Liu family would end with him, he began to drink alcohol unconsciously. After drinking, to vent his suppressed feelings, he would go mad and beat Zhou Xue'e.
Zhou Xue'e had once sought help from her maiden family, but unfortunately, they took the money and turned their backs on her, completely ignoring her. Each time, they advised her to go back and live a good life.
Before she died, the more pain Zhou Xue'e felt, the clearer her mind became. She recalled her short life, and found that the happiest times were actually in the Liu family. She also thought of her two unfortunate children and the early-deceased Liu Changhe, filled with regret. If she had lived well with him back then, perhaps her son and daughter would have had bright futures, and he wouldn't have left so early. If there was a next life, she wished to make up for these regrets.
Unfortunately, Wu Caiwei’s thoughts were different from hers. Although Liu Changhe was a good man, responsible, dependable, and a good earner, her heart already belonged to someone else. However, since she had come here, it was still possible to ensure that the three of them had a good ending.
Perhaps Madam Liu was truly angry this time and didn't call her when she made the meal. As for Ling-jie, although she was very upset that her mother didn't care about them, she thought about it and still served her a portion of the food, placed it at her door, knocked, and then turned to leave. Wu Caiwei opened the door and watched the retreating figure, feeling that these two children were truly good.
Soon, the next day arrived, and just like in the original host's life, Liu Changhe divorced her in front of the clan elders.
"Wait a moment." Wu Caiwei put away the divorce letter. Seeing everyone about to leave, she quickly called out.
"Do you have any other requests? I will do my best to fulfill them." Liu Changhe sighed, unable to harden his heart towards her after all. Although their fate had ended, she was a woman, and the Zhou family couldn't be relied upon. It was easy to imagine how difficult her future life would be. He would help her as much as he could.