Chapter 47: Chapter 47

Facts proved that changing one's nature was impossible!

Just when the system thought its host couldn't possibly pull any more outrageous stunts, she always managed to break new records.

Early in the morning, the entire Xie family crowded into their small main hall. Today was supposed to be a happy occasion celebrating Second Ya's acceptance into the embroidery workshop, but now everyone except the meddlesome eldest uncle's family wore grim expressions.

The cramped room echoed with Little Chen's heart-wrenching sobs. "Wuwuwu, Fourth Ya, my poor daughter! What will become of you now?"

"What sin have I committed to raise such a heartless beast in this family? Xie the Third, are you even a father? Why stop me? After what she did to my daughter, I swear I'll beat that little beast to death today!"

"No decent person would harm their own sister like that wicked Second Ya did!"

In the front room, Little Chen sat on the floor without any regard for dignity, crying and screaming. If not for everyone restraining her, she would have already beaten Second Ya and her mother to death. Even so, Xia Zhaodi and Second Ya had suffered numerous blows from the stick. Second Ya in particular would have been disfigured by now if not for intervention - her face already bore frightening blue and purple bruises.

Seeing her still unsatisfied, the family patriarch Xie Lao Shuan banged his cane heavily on the floor from his seat of honor. "Enough! Third Daughter-in-law, what's done is done with Fourth Ya. Do you really intend to beat Second Ya to death?"

"Father, how can you say that? 'What's done is done'? My Fourth Ya's condition is entirely those two murderous mother and daughter's doing! That wicked girl gets to go enjoy life in the county town while my daughter's whole future is ruined! Why should this be?"

Originally, Second Ya's acceptance into the embroidery workshop - bringing additional income to the family - should have been cause for celebration. Even if Little Chen felt resentful, she hadn't planned to make trouble. But while Third Uncle's family was working the fields, they returned to find their daughter lying motionless in the yard, face frighteningly pale, while five-year-old Xie Sanwa cried hysterically beside her.

After desperately carrying their daughter to Village Doctor Cai, the diagnosis hit them like a thunderbolt - Fourth Ya's previous high fever had damaged her constitution. She would need careful recuperation and could never do heavy labor again.

For a village girl, inability to work spelled disaster. What decent family would marry a "useless" wife who couldn't shoulder any burdens? With her daughter's entire future at stake, Little Chen had erupted into this scene upon returning home.

Filled with guilt, the naturally timid Second Uncle's family dared not intervene too strongly. Cowering in Xia Zhaodi's arms, Second Ya dug her nails into her palms as she recalled the doctor's words. Watching her aunt who looked ready to devour her, her eyes showed equal parts terror and guilt - yet an undeniable flicker of relief.

Second Ya comforted herself internally: This wasn't her fault. Her cousin simply lacked fortune. She'd only meant to make Fourth Ya sick enough to miss the workshop selection - it wasn't her fault the girl's constitution was weak. Hadn't she called for help immediately? Fourth Ya was sickly to begin with. Even without this incident, that unlucky cousin was fated to die young anyway - proof of her inherent weakness.

But she was different. She would never let Scholar Liu become a young widower. Thinking of that extraordinarily talented Hanlin scholar Liu, Second Ya (now called Xie Rou) couldn't help blushing.

Fortunately, An Ning had no idea what her cheap cousin was thinking, or she'd have pasted the words "complete idiot" on that forehead. But it was close enough - despite her bruised and swollen face, Second Ya couldn't suppress a faint smirk.

Thinking herself hidden behind Xia Zhaodi, she didn't realize how many sharp eyes noticed. Village women who spent their days gossiping might not know much, but their observational skills were razor-sharp. Several immediately caught that seemingly secretive smile.

Old Chen's eyebrows knitted tightly. Even the usually meddlesome Eldest Aunt Zhang showed rare disgust and wariness, pulling her dazed daughter Da Ya closer. As for the already furious Little Chen - she immediately strode forward and slapped Second Ya with full force, leaving half the girl's face swollen.

Yet no one spoke up in protest - not even Second Ya's own mother Xia Zhaodi, who only moved her lips weakly without voicing anything.

Watching through the system, An Ning: "......"

An Ning stared incredulously at the system, as if to say: Don't tell me this idiot is actually the female lead?

The female leads from previous worlds - whether it was Zhang Jiashi who cleanly took down Kangxi in the end, or even Jiang Xue who went through her "digging wild vegetables" lovestruck phase but cleanly cut ties after recognizing the male lead's power-hungry betrayal (refusing all reconciliation attempts even after his later success) - all had undeniable strengths despite their conflicts.

But this one? "......"

Were standards this low nowadays?

"Then again," An Ning mused, "only someone this stupid would immediately use their cheat to steal their cousin's man."

The system wisely kept silent. Originally thinking their plans would require more effort, this development actually simplified matters.

Sure enough, as An Ning lay back down, Old Chen - silent until now - finally spoke from the neighboring room:

"That's enough, Third Daughter-in-law. Considering Fourth Ya's suffering this time, she won't need to do any field or housework from now on."

No work? That meant wasted food rations! How could a grown person do nothing? Just as Eldest Aunt opened her mouth to protest, Old Chen's sharp gaze silenced her:

"Don't accuse this old woman of favoritism. Whoever made the mistake bears the consequences. Since Second Ya caused this, your Second Branch will compensate. Once Second Ya starts earning wages, all money beyond emergency funds goes to the common household. Your branch keeps nothing."

"Consider this the family's compensation."

Eldest Aunt's eyes immediately lit up at these words.