Chapter Nine: Thinking you can just walk in empty-handed?

"Grandma, you are the greatest contributor to our family; you must have the first bite of this rabbit leg!" Sheng Wanqiu picked up a rabbit leg with her chopsticks and placed it into Grandma Sheng's bowl.

"Hmph!" Grandma Sheng gave a cold snort, but her expression, a mix of haughtiness and hidden delight, betrayed her true feelings.

With one bite of the rabbit leg, Grandma Sheng’s eyes lit up instantly. It was spicy, numbing, and filled with a rich savory aroma; the meat was tender yet chewy. Her granddaughter’s cooking skills were truly impressive! It was delicious!

"Sister, this is so good! I never expected you to be such a great cook!" Sheng Huaian said excitedly, smacking his lips.

"Sister, it’s so fragrant!" Little Sheng Huaimu raised his face, his mouth stuffed full, his eyes squinting into joyful slits.

"If you like it, eat more. Just behave yourselves and follow my lead from now on. I promise to have you eating meat every single day until you're sick of it!"

After saying this, Sheng Wanqiu placed a few more pieces of rabbit meat into her brothers' bowls, not forgetting Grandma Sheng as well. Grandma Sheng looked at her granddaughter, who was making such bold claims. She was certainly daring to say they would eat until they were sick of meat. She was talking nonsense before the sun had even set.

The four of them ate to their hearts' content, eventually collapsing onto their stools, unable to move. "Sister, this is the best meal I have ever had!" Sheng Huaimu whispered, smiling as he leaned against Sheng Wanqiu’s shoulder.

"Little Huaimu, remember, people live only to make a living. If you can't even eat well, then you have no real ability," Sheng Wanqiu said. Before she could finish, Grandma Sheng tapped her on the head.

"Stop corrupting the children! 'Make a living'? I think it’s just your own gluttony talking! Stop leading your brothers astray!"

Sheng Wanqiu rubbed her sore head, looking at Grandma Sheng with a aggrieved expression. When would her grandmother stop catching her off guard with these physical reminders? Seeing their sister’s mournful look, Sheng Huaian and Sheng Huaimu burst into laughter. Grandma Sheng couldn't help but smile as well, watching her granddaughter clutch her forehead. For a moment, the small courtyard felt incredibly warm, as if it had chased away the gloom left by their father’s death and their mother’s remarriage.

Sheng Zhaodi, on the other hand, was miserable. She had been kicked out by Liu Juan, who told her not to show her face at home unless she caught a wild rabbit. This was all because of that little vixen, Sheng Wanqiu. If it hadn't been for her stirring the pot, her mother would never have suspected her. Now, with the sky turning dark, where was she supposed to catch a rabbit?

At this moment, the village was alive with the sounds of dinner. The aroma of food wafted from every household, making Sheng Zhaodi feel even hungrier, her stomach rumbling loudly.

Bai Yuhao’s family was busy eating bamboo shoots stir-fried with cured meat. The whole family was eating with gusto; things obtained for free always tasted better.

"Mother, your strategy is truly effective! Just look, since I mentioned it, people have been bringing over cured meat, bamboo shoots, and even eggs!" Bai Xiaolian ate the meat happily, praising her mother’s clever plan.

"Mother, what did you have Little Sister do?" Bai Yuhao had no idea what his sister and mother were up to. After being angered by Sheng Wanqiu, he had gone straight to his room to study and hadn't come out since.

"That’s none of your concern. Finish your meal and get back to your studies. You have to take the examinations next year, and I’m counting on you to become a Xiucai!" Bai Jiangshi glanced at Bai Yuhao and gave Bai Xiaolian a look. "Your sister and I will handle the household chores; you don't need to worry about that."

"That's right, Big Brother! Your only task is to pass the exam and become a Juren. Mother, Little Brother, and I are all counting on you so we can live a life of luxury!" Bai Xiaolian said, placing a piece of cured meat into Bai Yuhao’s bowl with a beaming smile.

"Fine, I will work hard and not disappoint Mother and Sister!" Bai Yuhao nodded firmly.

In reality, Bai Jiangshi had simply instructed Bai Xiaolian to "accidentally" let slip among her friends that she was looking for a bride for Bai Yuhao. She didn't have high standards—any girl who would treat her family well would do. Since scholars were rare in the village and Bai Yuhao was a student with a decent appearance, many girls were fond of him. Upon hearing this, they were all restless, rushing home to find whatever valuable items they could to give to Bai Jiangshi, thinking that pleasing a future mother-in-law was the right move.

Little did they know, this was all a scheme by the mother and daughter. The feeling of getting something for nothing was addictive, and they turned no one away. She didn't actually intend for her eldest son to marry a village girl; once he became a high-ranking official, he could easily marry the daughter of a magistrate. She certainly wouldn't settle for these country girls.

Just then, Sheng Zhaodi walked to the Bai family’s gate without realizing it. She hesitated, wondering whether to knock. By blood, she and Liu Juan were Bai Yuhao’s cousins, so the families were technically related. After a moment of hesitation, she knocked on the gate.

"Who is it? It’s already dark; who would be coming here?" Bai Jiangshi grumbled as she went to open the door, only to see Sheng Zhaodi standing there, looking timid and hesitant.

"Oh, it's Zhaodi. What is the reason for coming by at this hour?" Bai Jiangshi had initially thought it was another village girl coming to bring gifts. When she saw that Sheng Zhaodi’s hands were empty, a flicker of annoyance crossed her eyes, though she said nothing, merely blocking the doorway without any intention of letting her in.

"Auntie, could you let me come in first?" Sheng Zhaodi felt awkward. Standing at the gate, with villagers passing by occasionally, she had to consider her reputation since this was Bai Yuhao’s home.

"Zhaodi! My Xiaolian isn't home, and only Yuhao and Haowu are inside. It’s not convenient for you to enter. Whatever you have to say, just say it now!" Bai Jiangshi stood firmly in the doorway, ignoring Sheng Zhaodi’s embarrassment. She thought it was ridiculous that the girl dared to show up empty-handed. She wasn't fooled; she knew this little girl had designs on her son and often fawned over Xiaolian to get close to him. *Bah!* Just another one wanting to get her hands on her scholar son—she should look in a mirror to see if she’s even worthy!

"Never mind, Auntie. I'll be going then," Sheng Zhaodi realized the Bai family had no intention of letting her in and left in a huff.

Bai Jiangshi slammed the courtyard gate shut and returned to the house, muttering to herself. In the village, she maintained a refined and graceful persona, but in reality, she was a snob with a mean-spirited heart.

"Mother, who was that?" Bai Xiaolian was already clearing the table and asked as she saw her mother return. She had expected to see another girl bearing gifts.

"It was Sheng Zhaodi. She wanted to come in empty-handed, so I made up an excuse and sent her packing," Bai Jiangshi said with a disdainful curl of her lip.