Liu Yu stood in the courtyard, cursing loudly, "Li Youcai, you bastard, you're leaving me? You want me to fulfill you and that little hussy? No way."
She truly hadn't expected Li Youcai to propose a divorce.
Originally, she had thought the Li family, needing to survive in Xiao Zhai Village, would still care about their reputation and wouldn't marry a third time. But she never imagined they would throw all decency aside. He was with that little hussy behind him every day, sending all the money he earned from trading there, even refusing to listen to Mother Li.
"You shrew, you can't do anything and just lie around the house all day, expecting me to worship you like an ancestor. Why should I tolerate you? A woman like you deserves to be alone," Li Youcai was now beyond caring, his reputation long gone, and he didn't mind this time. Suduan Novel Network.
"That's not what you thought back then. If Brother Yougen were here, it would be better. You came back with Brother Yougen. With your scoundrel ways, maybe you killed him." Liu Yu had lost hope in life. She didn't know how her life had become this way.
Knowing there was no evidence, and that she had even fanned the flames herself, she still couldn't help but say it. If she couldn't live, then no one else would.
"The adults themselves verified that he was killed by bandits. I wasn't the only one at the scene. Everything requires evidence. It's not just you flapping your gums that will make me a murderer," Li Youcai had anticipated this scenario when he fell out with Liu Yu. Knowing she had no proof, he wasn't afraid of her words.
"Is that so? You know best whether you killed him or not. Now that my life is hopeless, I'm capable of anything. Don't push me too far."
Seeing Liu Yu's deranged state, Li Youcai genuinely feared the madwoman might do something. He stopped provoking her with words.
"What did you mean by what you just said? Was my son killed by you? Were you two in cahoots long ago and, seeing my son as an obstacle, found ways to remove him?" Wang Yougen's mother was watching the commotion from outside. She hated Liu Yu for making her son break off relations with them. Seeing there was a spectacle to behold, she naturally wouldn't miss it. However, as it involved her son, she couldn't help but step forward and ask.
"It's exactly as you think. Li Youcai, ever since I came to this village, you've harbored improper intentions towards me. Before they went on their trading trip, I complained to him that Yougen had been neglecting me recently. Then, after they left, Yougen had an accident." Liu Yu laughed hysterically, tears streaming down her face as she laughed.
"He must have been killed by you. My son, how could you have such a bitter fate?" Wang Yougen's mother, thinking of her son dying young, and at the hands of these two, couldn't help but wail.
"It's not like she said. It was an accident, a coincidence. The officials were there. And there were so many other traders. How could I have killed him?" Li Youcai hurriedly defended himself. The situation had gone beyond his expectations.
"What exactly happened, you who went trading must know best. I'll go to the county town another day to inquire about who you traded with and what the situation was like then?" Liu Yu spoke wildly.
Li Youcai wished he could strangle this woman. He shouldn't have gotten involved with her in the first place.
"Ask whoever you want. My conscience is clear," Li Youcai was extremely flustered, but with so many people watching, he couldn't arouse suspicion.
"Li Youcai, you're a scoundrel. No matter what you say, I will find out. Would I believe you?" Liu Yu was utterly disappointed in him and didn't want him to have an easy time.
Seeing Li Youcai's fearless demeanor, people wondered if the matter was truly unrelated to him. The authorities had investigated at the time. How could ordinary villagers investigate?
In truth, Wang Yougen's parents were just saying it. Investigating their son's case in the county town would cost money. The elder son's family wasn't well-off to begin with. Back and forth like this, his wife would surely have opinions. Moreover, their younger son was already dead, and dwelling on it was useless.
After observing the village for a few days, Li Youcai breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that people were only talking and not taking any action. This crazy woman Liu Yu could no longer be tolerated; who knew what she might do.
One day, Mrs. Ye was embroidering at home when she heard a knock. She cautiously asked, "Who is it?"
"It's me."
Mrs. Ye quickly opened the door and, as usual, pulled Li Youcai inside.
"What's wrong today, Brother Youcai? You seem very anxious," Mrs. Ye asked with concern.
"Go get me five taels of silver. I'll give it back to you later."
"Why do you need so much silver? Did something happen? Is there anything I can share with you?" Mrs. Ye tried her best to be an understanding companion.
"Something did happen, but it will be resolved soon. Don't worry," Li Youcai said casually.
Mrs. Ye said no more, quickly went to her room, found her hidden silver, and handed it to him.
Li Youcai took the silver and hurried away, heading towards the town.
Mrs. Ye quickly changed into coarse cloth clothes and followed closely behind him.
She watched him arrive in town, saw him make many turns into a small alley, and disappear into a dilapidated, abandoned doorway. Mrs. Ye dared not follow too closely, waiting quietly outside, and finally followed him home.
A few days later, Liu Yu fell gravely ill. The village doctor was called. The doctor said she had eaten something she shouldn't have and would recover in a few days.
However, after a few days, her illness not only didn't improve but worsened. Mrs. Ye seized the opportunity to visit. In just a few days, Liu Yu had wasted away to skin and bones, her face pale and ashen, clearly on her last legs.
Seeing her without her usual fiery temper, she extended a frail hand, as if seeing hope.
"Save me, save me..." her voice was so weak it was almost inaudible.
Mrs. Ye thought of the small courtyard Li Youcai had gone to a few days ago. It struck her as very suspicious. She quickly packed her things, shouldered a small bundle, and avoided being seen as she left the small mountain village.
Wu Caiwei looked at the plainly dressed woman standing before her and sighed softly. This was also a pitiable person.
"This bottle of medicine can regulate your body. Take one pill every day. Finish the course, and you will be able to conceive like a normal woman, to care for your husband and children," Wu Caiwei handed her the medicine.
The woman excitedly took it and thanked her. If Li Youcai were here, he would be astonished to see that the woman before him was none other than Mrs. Ye.
"This small bundle contains a new household registration arranged for you, your deed of sale, and several hundred taels of silver. Go there, settle down, and find an honest person to marry."
The woman initially wanted to refuse, as Wu Caiwei had already helped her too much. However, thinking that she truly needed it, she kowtowed to her sincerely and wholeheartedly.
Watching the woman's receding figure, Wu Caiwei couldn't help but recall the first time she saw her a few months ago.
She had seen her collapse on the street and, feeling compassion, brought her back. Only then did she learn she was from a brothel and had fallen ill. The madam had kicked her out, but her deed of sale was still with the brothel.
Wu Caiwei had a flash of inspiration and reached an agreement with her. If she helped her complete a task, not only would her illness be cured, but her deed of sale would also be retrieved, allowing her to live an ordinary life. The woman had agreed without a second thought. Now that the task was complete, she had fulfilled her promise.
She then sent people to keep an eye on Xiao Zhai Village, and sure enough, Liu Yu died within a few days.