Chapter 10: Grandma Killed the Eldest Aunt

When the family split up initially, it was agreed—and even put into writing—that the third branch would give the matriarch one tael of silver each month as her pension.

But now, suddenly, they wanted to double the amount.

Upon hearing this, Pei Jinghui frowned. “Grandmother, it was agreed from the start—one tael per month. We’ve already paid this month.”

The household’s remaining funds totaled less than two taels—insufficient even for the food and daily needs of their seven-member family, let alone the medicine for Mother and Second Brother for half a month.

Third Brother hadn’t yet managed to hunt anything to exchange for money, and Second Brother was busy with bookkeeping and copying ledgers, which wouldn’t be settled for another half month. So, there was absolutely no way they could give money to them.

Qin Hanxiao had money, but she had no intention of handing it over to such wolves in sheep’s clothing.

The three women—the grandmother and her daughters-in-law—were clearly no good. Arrogant and overbearing, their eyes seemed to sit atop their heads.

The third branch must have suffered their bullying before.

Madam Jiang shot a glare at Pei Jinghui. “I said the amount will be raised, and that’s final. You have no say—hand over the money quickly.”

Then she turned to scrutinize Qin Hanxiao. “You’re the wife of Second Brother, Qin, right?”

Qin Hanxiao only nodded slightly, drawing another glare.

“I thought city women would be different, but pfft, they don’t even show respect to their elders.

With such a seductive face meant to lure men, she looks just like Lin—sure to steal men sooner or later.

Buying such a losing asset for twenty taels? Might as well sell her off now and give me the money.”

Could a grandmother really say such things? Was this even human speech?

Pei Jinghui’s anger flared, her tone sharpening.

“Second Sister-in-law was married in honorably, not bought.

The moment Second Sister-in-law joined our family, Second Brother came to his senses. She’s a woman blessed with great fortune and is our family’s lucky star.

She isn’t disrespectful; it’s Grandma who refuses to attend weddings or recognition ceremonies, so don’t blame Second Sister-in-law for not recognizing you.”

Madam Jiang knew this girl was always sharp-tongued, but she paid no mind and spat contemptuously, giving both Qin Hanxiao and Pei Jinghui a scathing glare.

“She’s a junior; if she doesn’t pay respects to me, should I go see her in person? Can such a lowly wench endure that? She’s bound to have short luck and die young.”

Pei Jinghui stood firm in front of Qin Hanxiao, refusing to yield an inch.

“Grandma said none of the third branch are allowed to set foot in the old house. We only refrained out of filial piety.”

Madam Jiang was incensed by the retort and no longer pressed for money immediately. She needed to teach these disobedient juniors a lesson first.

She pushed the woman on her left. “Eldest daughter-in-law, why aren’t you beating this lowly girl? Smash her mouth so she dares not speak nonsense or disrespect elders again.”

The eldest daughter-in-law immediately rolled up her sleeves to slap Pei Jinghui, who naturally wouldn’t stand there foolishly.

As she dodged, Qin Hanxiao swiftly stepped forward.

The moment her hand touched the eldest daughter-in-law, the latter stumbled and pitched forward.

Qin Hanxiao caught her. “Be careful, Aunt, don’t fall.”

The eldest daughter-in-law felt a strange numbness spreading through her arm and waist, causing her to lose balance and nearly fall.

The numbness intensified, paralyzing her upper body; she couldn’t move or speak.

Qin Hanxiao only supported her briefly before releasing her and stepping back, maintaining distance.

She smiled. “Grandma is always kind to juniors; she wouldn’t really hit Ah Hui—it was just a joke.

Aunt surely didn’t mean to hit Ah Hui. You must have twisted your waist in the excitement just now?”

Inside, Pei Yuantang and Madam Bai tensed when they heard Madam Jiang’s voice, desperate to get up and intervene.

But they were helpless, stuck with anxiety.

Madam Bai struggled to sit up and called softly, “Ah Hui.”

She wanted her daughter to give them the money and avoid any trouble.

But her voice was too faint to reach outside.

Pei Yuantang, who was at the desk under the window working on accounts, tried to rise and see what was happening but stumbled and fell.

Outside, Qin Hanxiao caught the noise and exchanged a glance with Pei Jinghui. “Ah Hui, go see. I’m here; it’s okay.”

Pei Jinghui hesitated but, worried for Second Brother, ran inside.

Qin Hanxiao then handed the medicine bag to Yingying. “Go with Grandma so she won’t worry.

I’m here with Second Aunt; she’ll handle it.”

Yingying glanced back repeatedly as she left.

Madam Jiang saw the eldest daughter-in-law frozen where she stood and raised her cane to strike.

“What are you waiting for? Am I too old to order you?”

With a sharp ‘smack,’ the cane hit the eldest daughter-in-law’s waist.

Without Qin Hanxiao’s support this time, the eldest daughter-in-law collapsed straight onto the ground.

A cloud of dust rose from the earth.

Qin Hanxiao suddenly shouted in alarm, “She’s dead! Grandma has beaten someone to death—the eldest daughter-in-law is dead!”

Pei Jinghui and Yingying rushed out to see. Taking advantage of the moment, Qin Hanxiao signaled them silently with her lips: It’s okay.

Both frowned deeply but chose to trust her. With her waving them inward repeatedly, they went back inside.

Pei Yuantang lay awkwardly on the ground, waving his hands to signal he was fine.

“What’s going on outside? Is the eldest daughter-in-law dead?”

Madam Bai asked her granddaughter the same question. Pei Jinghui and Yingying didn’t know if she was truly dead.

But since Second Sister-in-law said it was fine, they believed her.

They hurriedly recounted what happened outside and reassured, “Second Sister-in-law says it’s all right.”

“Second Aunt says it’s fine. No need to worry.”

Still uncertain, Pei Yuantang told his sister not to bother him. “Your Second Sister-in-law isn’t familiar with the situation; you go out and keep watch.”

He thought to himself: Qin Hanxiao, a young lady from a wealthy family, had never seen such a scene before. It was remarkable she hadn’t been frightened.

At this moment, he hated his own incompetence. When his family needed him most, he was not only useless but a burden.

Madam Bai tried to stand with her granddaughter’s help but stumbled after a few steps, collapsing into a heap.

Pei Jinghui heard the noise and hurried over to support her. “Mother, don’t worry. Second Sister-in-law and I are outside.

Stay inside; I won’t let her suffer.”

Madam Bai clutched her daughter’s hand. “If it comes to it, just give them the silver. Don’t let anything happen.”

Pei Jinghui nodded, reassuring her mother, though in her heart she resolved not to give the money unless absolutely necessary.

Outside, Qin Hanxiao’s shout was far from over.

“Help! Someone’s dead!”

Madam Jiang scolded her to shut up and swung her cane at Qin Hanxiao, who dodged with ease.

While evading, Qin Hanxiao continued yelling loudly.

“Grandma, stop hitting! Even if you kill me, we won’t give you double the pension.”

No sooner had she spoken than several villagers gathered at the Pei family gate.

The eldest daughter-in-law lay face down, motionless—truly looking dead.

“Oh my! Old Madam Jiang really beat her eldest daughter-in-law to death!”

“What a cruel old woman. The usual beatings weren’t enough; she actually killed her. Such wickedness!”

Seeing the wound on Qin Hanxiao’s forehead, they assumed Jiang had struck her as well.

“She beat the eldest daughter-in-law to death and now wants to kill the daughter-in-law too. There’s no more vicious mother-in-law in the world.”