Qingshan looked at those families and said, "What do you mean? Do you want them to grow food to compensate you, or do you want them to compensate you with their lives?"
Xiao Shuanzi's family of three knelt down in a row, kowtowed to those families and cried, swearing that the whole family would work as cattle and horses for them.
Those families were moved by it, mainly because, although it was hateful, these were three human lives after all, and kind people would always feel some compassion.
"Fine."
One person nodded in agreement, and the others nodded as well.
…
Qingshan said: "Be tied to a tree for a day and a night. Suffer the punishment, so as not to lose your memory. From now on, the three of you will farm hard and give two-thirds of the food you get to the families who lost it. Until the three times the repayment is completed." It’s just over.”
The whole village witnessed it, and the matter was settled like this.
Xiao Shuanzi's father carried a torch and a sword and went to the mountains to accompany his son to be punished, fearing that a jackal would come out and feed the wolf the life he had finally begged for.
…
…
When Qingshan returned home, it was already dark.
The family had dinner again.
After eating and drinking enough, Qingshan carried several bags of food, meat, pickles, and eggs to the mute girl's house.
The mute girl asked: Where did the eggs come from?
Qingshan smiled and said, "I raised a few pheasants in a cave in the mountains. They all love laying eggs. I saved a lot and brought them back."
The mute girl squinted her eyes and smiled: Brother is really awesome.
…
The next day, the village returned to its former tranquility. The case was solved and people no longer suspected each other. They all went outside to work where they should and chat where they should.
Sister-in-law Fang laughed and said, "I heard Qingshan demolished that wooden wall!"
Sister-in-law Xiang covered her mouth and smiled, "She said she recognized her as my sister. I'm living my life like this, but...you think so!"
Sister-in-law Fang was making up a small frame in her hands and shook her shoulders, "What did I say? I didn't say anything."
Sister-in-law Xiang snorted, "You don't know, Qingshan is so good. How could there not be a few anymore?"
The two sisters-in-law were snickering when Linglong came over, carrying a small basket.
"Sister-in-law Xiang, Qingshan asked me to deliver silk balls."
Sister-in-law Xiang took it over with a smile, "Oh, Qingshan is really capable. He can actually raise silkworms even if he is trapped in the mountain. Where can he get mulberry leaves in the heavy snow?"
Linglong smiled dullly, "Oh, I saved it in the summer."
Sister-in-law Xiang did not doubt that he was there, and smiled slyly, "This small waist and small figure are so beautiful. How about that?"
Linglong didn't understand and looked at Sister-in-law Xiang stupidly.
"Oh, girl, that's it."
Linglong understood, and her face turned red to the root of her neck "..."
Seven or eight women in the pavilion looked at her with half-smiling faces, as if they were waiting to watch the excitement. She didn't know how to reply, and stood there in a daze.
Sister-in-law Xiang then said, "When the courtyard wall is demolished, you should be mentally prepared."
Linglong couldn't understand it anymore. Destroy the courtyard wall? What are you preparing for?
Seeing that Linglong was confused, she simply explained something more clearly, "Silly girl, you have such a little brain and you are so illiterate, why don't you think about anything? Besides, even if the relationship is good, how can the one who has tasted it be the same as the one who has not tasted it? "
Sister-in-law Fang smiled and pushed Sister-in-law Xiang, "Stop chewing your tongue!"
Sister-in-law Xiang waved her hand, "She is young, and we have been here before. Telling her about the difficulties of women is nothing more than talking nonsense. Forget it, just pretend I didn't say anything!" She went back with the basket in her arms.
As Linglong walked back, she pursed her lips and thought, what on earth was Sister-in-law Xiang talking about?
…
As soon as he pushed the courtyard door open, he saw Qingshan chopping firewood and the mute girl stacking firewood. She even stretched out a small handkerchief to wipe his sweat.
Linglong was enlightened and suddenly understood what Sister-in-law Xiang meant.
He stood blankly at the door for a long time.
…
Qingshan saw her dazed at the door and turned pale.
Throw down the ax and let the dumb girl cook.
He washed his hands, dusted off his clothes, walked a few steps over, and picked up his wife, "What's wrong? Are you tired after these few steps?" He thought she was acting coquettishly, waiting for him to carry her back to the house.
Linglong lowered her head and shook her head.
…
He carried his wife back into the house, bumped his heels, and closed the door.
She put her daughter-in-law on the bed, but Linglong didn't move at all. "Why do you look unhappy?"
Linglong blinked pitifully, her eye circles turning red.
"Daughter-in-law, dear wife, what's wrong? Did you meet something on the road?"
Linglong frowned, grabbed his two big ears, and pulled her face closer to him.
It was suddenly warm but still cold, and the room was not warm at all. Qingshan covered Linglong's cold hand, but Linglong left a circle of teeth marks on his hand. He pulled away his hand in pain.
————
The mute girl sitting on the small stool in the kitchen first wondered why the door was closed in broad daylight. Then I realized what I was doing and guessed what my brother and sister-in-law were doing.
Mother, how come my brother and sister-in-law are doing this during the day...
She cooked the meal and simmered it in the pot, then hurried to the yard and locked the door, so no one could break in and take advantage of my brother and sister-in-law.
————
He ran back to his house in small steps.
Mother, you can’t eat with your brother and sister-in-law in the future, they don’t have the same time...
Really...don't treat me as a human being.
————
Linglong hugged Qingshan tightly and felt aggrieved.
What happened today?
Qingshan rubbed the corners of her red eyes: "What's wrong with my wife?"
Linglong was holding back her breath.
He snorted and turned sideways.
He tugged on her arm, and she twisted around and refused to pay attention to him.
No need to ask, he must be angry, he must be wrong.
I just don't know where I went wrong.
"Daughter-in-law, I will definitely change it. Just tell me why you are angry. Change it immediately after you say it."
Linglong didn't look back and said angrily: "You are shameless...why..."
"Just how?"
"Why are you still thinking about eating grass from the side of the nest!"
