Chapter 1068: Birds of a Feather

"Old Brother Guo, take care." Village Chief He handed the house and land deeds to He Laoguo, adding, "The government office has been busy lately, so we’ll wait a bit before going to the government office to change the names on the deeds."

Lord County Magistrate is thoroughly fed up with their village, so the villagers better behave for now and not stir up trouble at the government office.

This is also why Village Chief He didn’t send Fourth Son He’s family to the government office.

Lord County Magistrate is already angry; if they send Fourth Son He’s family there, he might just replace Village Chief He.

He Dacang said, "Dad, you and Jin Sheng go home to rest. We’ll send Fourth Son He’s family to Mrs. Niu’s house right away."

Mrs. Niu is Fourth Son He’s wife’s mother. They’ll send the family there and let them bicker among themselves; Da Feng Village doesn’t want anything to do with them anymore.

Village Chief He nodded, "Go quickly, and come back once you’ve delivered them. Don’t linger outside, and don’t bring outsiders back. If strangers start asking you about the village, don’t say a word. Whoever talks, Fourth Son He’s fate will be their fate!"

The adults still need to deal with the mountain bandits. The village matters mustn’t be known by outsiders now.

"Alright, Dad, don’t worry." He Dacang and He Dayuan gathered a group of young men from the He family and escorted Fourth Son He’s family away, using Village Chief He’s mule cart to take them to Mrs. Niu’s house.

Niu Qiao’er and Niu Qiao’er were also sent back together.

Mrs. Niu’s house was on the outskirts of Baihe Town, and it took four hours to reach Mrs. Niu’s house.

Niu Laoda wouldn’t let them in, brandishing a hoe and shouting, "What does Fourth Son He’s family leaving the family clan have to do with us? Get them out of here, or we’ll be unkind to you!"

He Dacang said, "What do you mean by unkind? How about we head to the government office and have a talk?"

Niu Laoda’s face changed upon hearing the words "government office." His mother had already been sent there, and he was scared to death of the government office, fearing they might take him too, clearly frightened by He Dayuan’s words.

Seeing this, He Dacang kicked Fourth Son He, saying, "We’ve given you the people and explained everything. Don’t let them head to Qingfu Town again, or our Da Feng Village will be unkind to your Niu family."

With that, they immediately left with He Dayuan on the mule cart.

Before leaving, He Dayuan made a shrewd move by untying Fourth Son He’s wife to prevent Niu Laoda’s family from taking advantage of Fourth Son He’s helpless state to discard them and let them return to Qingfu Town to disgust people again.

Niu Laoda’s wife, Mrs. Lai, seeing them take off, ran out of the house and yelled at the mule cart, "A bunch of He family bastards, always throwing these worthless things at our family. May all the He people be barren, and may all He women be sold off as prostitutes!"

But He Dacang and his group ignored her and drove the mule cart away.

The people of Niu Fu Village heard the commotion at Mrs. Niu’s house and came to inquire, "Niu’s family, why do you have visitors again? When will it end? You’ve tarnished the village’s reputation."

Yesterday, the government people came around, announcing Mrs. Niu’s trouble at her son-in-law’s place and her being taken by the government, so the villagers were happy all day. But frequent visits by government people don’t look good and would tarnish the village’s reputation.

Upon hearing this, Niu Laoda came out wielding a hoe, cursing, "What the hell, ask again and I’ll chop you all up!"

Mrs. Niu’s family was famously destitute in Niu Fu Village, and Niu Laoda was also notorious for being fierce, often beating people. Seeing this, the villagers hurriedly ran off.

"Bah, a bunch of cowards, trying to meddle in my family’s affairs!" Niu Laoda was arrogant, fearing government people but not village people.

However, when he turned and saw Niu Qiao’er and Niu Qiao’er, he became furious and slapped them both.

The slaps echoed, and the force of the palm left Niu Qiao’er’s mouth bleeding.

"Useless things, can’t even attract a man and end up being sent back. What do I need you for? I’ll get Mrs. Hua to sell you off for money someday!"

Mrs. Hua was known for selling girls to brothels. Mrs. Niu had already sold several daughters; thus, they knew a procuress.

Niu Qiao’er and Niu Qiao’er sobbed miserably from the beating, and Niu Laoda, annoyed by their crying, cursed, "Cry, cry, are you mourning? I will beat you to death!"

Saying this, he went to beat Niu Qiao’er and her sister again, but Mrs. Lai quickly intervened, saying, "Husband, don’t hit them anymore; if they get injured, they won’t fetch a good price."

Only then did Niu Laoda stop.

Mrs. Lai then pointed to Fourth Son He’s family, "Husband, hurry and kick these misfortunes out, lest they ruin our luck."

Pointing at Fourth Son He’s wife, she cursed, "Mrs. He Niu, you are married out; spilled water doesn’t return, don’t think of freeloading back home for free meals and lodging."

Mrs. He Niu shouted in anger, "Mrs. Lai, you shrew, this is my home, my mother isn’t dead yet, and you want to kick me out!"

Mrs. Lai sneered, "Your mom is in trouble because of you and ended up in the government office. If you want to see her, go to the government office. You can’t stay here."

Niu Laoda shared the sentiment. He had no intention of housing and caring for sisters in trouble, telling Mrs. He Niu, "Your life is already better than your sisters’, don’t bring more trouble, hurry and leave."

Mrs. Niu had many children but only hadn’t sold Mrs. He Niu, as the others had been sold for money.

Niu Qiao’er as a granddaughter was also to be sold, but coincidentally, the news came that Gu Jin’an had topped the exam, prompting Mrs. Niu to desist from finding a buyer and plot against Gu Jin’an in Da Feng Village with her granddaughters.

Mrs. He Niu snorted, "Big Brother is bullying us for being poor, huh? Let me tell you, even though we’ve been expelled, our house and land sold for fifty taels. Just take good care of us till we recover, and benefits will come your way."

"F-fifty taels!" Mrs. Lai was stunned, not believing her ears: "You’re lying to ghosts. Just your broken house and barren land worth fifty taels? Whoever buys is crazy!"

Mrs. He Niu laughed, "Indeed, it wasn’t worth that before, but we’ve planted Mingya Grass, and the Mingya Grass is valuable. The He Laoguo family noticed this and offered a high price for the house and land."

Mrs. He Niu took out a money bag, opening it, giving Mrs. Lai a glimpse, the silver sheen almost blinding her eyes.

However, Mrs. Lai only saw silver without clearly seeing if it was twenty or fifty taels inside.

"It really is silver!" Mrs. Lai almost drooled, tugging at Niu Laoda, "Husband, Little Sister-in-law’s family is in trouble; as their elder siblings, we shouldn’t let them sleep in the wild, so let’s shelter them for a while, shall we?"

She shot a glance at Niu Laoda.