Confronting Grandmother

Yu Li said, "Third Sister, the sachets you made, I gave them to Yan Hui and Yan Sheng, and they both liked them very much."

"Really?" A smile bloomed on Yu Yin's thin face, and the movements of her hands became even quicker. The girl had a timid personality; in the family, she was like an invisible person, rarely noticed. Only when holding a needle and thread in her hands did she become more confident and radiant.

As the two sisters were talking, there was suddenly a commotion outside, followed by Old Madam Yu's voice.

"Where's Li Niang? I heard she's returned, why haven't I seen her?"

Yu Yin was so scared that her hands trembled, almost pricking herself with the needle, and a look of panic appeared on her face. Although the boiled eggs just now were delicious, they were their eldest sister's dowry gifts. Grandmother would surely demand they be handed over, and if she knew they had cooked all the eggs to eat...

...

Old Madam Yu, hearing that her granddaughter had returned, walked into the courtyard and called out loudly. She hadn't rushed back because she missed her granddaughter, but because she heard Yu Li had brought a basket back from the Fu family. She thought that the Fu family, having been merchants before, was quite well-off, so this time the dowry gifts surely wouldn't be few.

In the room, hearing her call, Yu Yin's face was filled with panic, and her body trembled. Yu Li gently patted her hand and said, "Don't be afraid."

Yu Yin worried, "Eldest Sister, Grandmother will surely ask about the dowry gifts..."

"Yes, I know," Yu Li calmly replied, telling the girl to stay in the room while she went out.

As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she saw Old Madam Yu standing there. Old Madam Yu was short, typical of a rural old woman, with dark, thin skin and sparse gray hair loosely tied behind her head. She wore a coarse gray cloth robe, and her spirit seemed quite robust. Seeing Yu Li, she immediately asked, "Li Niang, I heard you brought things back?"

Yu Li didn't answer immediately but looked towards the kitchen, seeing Yu Jin and Yu Zhou had come out, their faces full of worry. Although the aroma of the cooked eggs was very enticing, they still feared being discovered by Grandmother, worried about being scolded, or even beaten.

Seeing Yu Li remain silent, Old Madam Yu showed her displeasure and loudly said, "I'm talking to you, are you deaf?"

Yu Li turned to look at her and softly called, "Grandmother."

"Where are the things?" Old Madam Yu asked directly.

Yu Li did not reply, only turned and walked into the house. Seeing this, Old Madam Yu seemed satisfied. She thought that although her granddaughter wasn't eloquent, she was very obedient, just like her mother—enduring and forbearing. Even though she married her granddaughter into the Fu family for a propitious marriage, Old Madam Yu still believed she couldn't escape her control. After all, she was the grandmother; as long as she spoke, her granddaughter wouldn't dare to argue back.

Looking at this scene, Yu Jin sighed helplessly, while Yu Zhou clearly showed regret. They knew that the dried meat and fine rice in the basket would surely be handed over, leaving nothing for the Second Branch. However, they quickly cheered up. Fortunately, Eldest Sister had managed to cook all the eggs in time, and the rest were hidden in the room. Anyway, Grandmother wouldn't know there were still eggs.

A moment later, Yu Li came out carrying the basket. Old Madam Yu quickly approached, her hand intending to lift the cloth covering the basket. Unexpectedly, Yu Li suddenly stepped back, almost causing her to fall.

"You wretched brat, what are you doing?" Old Madam Yu cursed.

Yu Li looked straight at her and calmly said, "Grandmother, you have already accepted twenty taels of betrothal money from the Fu family, which is as good as selling me to them."

Old Madam Yu angrily retorted, "Selling what? You married into the Fu family!"

Yu Li calmly said, "Everyone says so."

Old Madam Yu momentarily felt awkward. Although she was someone who didn't mind losing face and dared to say anything, ever since the two grandsons of the First Branch went to study in the county, rumored to be talented and capable of passing the scholar's examination, she began to pay attention to the family's honor, fearing to disgrace her grandsons.