Old Madame Ji nodded, allowing Third Aunt to depart.
The villagers of Ling Village spontaneously bought firecrackers and brought the three sacrificial animals to the Li Family’s home.
"At last, that demon star Li Suisui is dead! It’s such a relief! Haven’t you noticed? Without the demon star, even the air in our village seems much fresher!" a middle-aged woman, eager to curry favor with the Li Family, exclaimed, practically jumping up and down.
"Isn’t that the truth? From the day Li Suisui died, our village has been blessed with one happy event after another!"
"Indeed! That old maid with the pockmarked face from the west end of the village, who couldn’t find a husband, had a matchmaking meeting, and the suitor took a liking to her at first glance."
"My good-for-nothing husband, who studied for decades but couldn’t pass the examination to become a Scholar, just received news today that he passed!"
An elderly woman with salt-and-pepper hair, immensely pleased, hugged Li Yanyan tightly.
"These are all blessings brought by our little Lucky Star Yanyan. We must properly thank Yanyan!"
Just then, the village head walked in, surrounded by a crowd, his face ruddy and beaming with joy.
Upon entering the Li Family’s courtyard, he joyously announced a piece of good news: their family’s old yellow cow, which had seemed on the verge of death just a few days ago, was pregnant...
Everyone was flabbergasted.
Before they could digest this surprise, a burly, fierce-looking, and overweight man ran into the courtyard.
"Everyone’s here! Perfect, I have some great news to share."
"Yanyan’s Third Uncle, don’t you work as a butcher in town? What brings you back today?"
It turned out to be Li San, the third son of the Li Family.
Third Aunt, watching from a distance, tried her best to minimize her presence, intently observing the events in the Li Family’s courtyard.
"Hehe! Fellow villagers, you’re all here. Our family has had a great stroke of luck! I came back to share the good news with my mother, my wife, and my second sister-in-law."
More good news for the Li Family.
Everyone eagerly craned their necks, waiting for him to speak.
"Quick, tell us! What’s the good news?"
Li San grinned proudly. "Today, I bought a stall and a small courtyard in town. From now on, I’ll butcher and sell pork myself."
A chorus of congratulations erupted. Li Yanyan, their little Lucky Star, was truly bringing fortune to their family!
Before they could finish their congratulations, Li San continued, "And that’s not all! Our family’s greatest fortune is yet to come! My second brother received news this morning. He’s been appointed Chief Shopkeeper of Fuman Building in the Capital City!"
"The Capital City! Ah, that’s a wonderful place, right under the Emperor’s watch! The Li Family has truly struck gold."
"Hey, hasn’t your fourth son failed the Metropolitan Examination twice in a row? I heard he left for the Capital City a few days ago to study under a master. Will he take the examinations next spring? Without this demon star around, perhaps your fourth son will pass and return as a Champion Scholar?"
"Of course! My fourth son is so learned, and our Yanyan is a little Lucky Star. She will surely bring good luck to her fourth uncle, helping him return as a Champion Scholar," Old Madame Li declared, immensely proud, and immediately hugged her precious darling, her little Lucky Star Li Yanyan, tightly in her arms.
Many villagers chimed in agreement with her words.
"Exactly! With little Lucky Star Yanyan around, your Li Family is bound to prosper sooner or later."
"The Li Family today is a far cry from its past! Without Li Suisui, that reincarnated jinx, and with the good fortune from our little Yanyan, our lucky charm, isn’t the Li Family’s rise to prominence just a matter of time?"
"Indeed! For years, the Li Family suffered greatly because of that demon star’s curse. It wasn’t just her own family she jinxed; her bad luck affected our entire village! Old Madame Li, why did you only torment her to death now? If it were me, I’d have drowned her in a chamber pot the moment she was born, just to be done with it!"
Speaking of the death of the demon star Li Suisui, many people felt a great sense of relief. Look how wonderful Ling Village was now!
Little did they know that their current elation, upon learning the truth one day in the future, would turn into tears of bitter remorse.