Despite all this, Old Lady Hua was still unwilling to give her the silver. Yang Chuxia gradually lost her patience, grabbed the kitchen knife and opened the door, ready to leave. Seeing her open the door made Old Lady Hua panic instantly.
In the end, she begrudgingly handed over half the amount of money to Yang Chuxia.
However, with such matters, if there is a first time, there will be a second, and if there is a second, there will be a third. Moreover, Yang Chuxia was deliberately causing trouble, so her demands grew more frequent and urgent.
Finally, Old Lady Hua couldn’t bear it anymore and secretly plotted against her. Upon receiving the news, Yang Chuxia rejoiced, for she could finally stop blackmailing Old Lady Hua. Recently, she had swindled quite a sum of money from her, which would be enough to support her if she split from the family. This seemed like an opportunity to scheme for independence.
"Sister, that step-grandmother of ours wants to kill you, and yet you’re still laughing?"
Yang Qingrui fretted next to her, scratching his head. Heaven knows he’d only been passing the vegetable garden after using the toilet when he overheard murmurs behind him. Curiosity drove him to eavesdrop. As a result, he heard the terrifying news: his step-grandmother instructed his aunt to poison Chuxia’s congee that night, intending to kill her.
"Little brother, have you ever heard the saying, ’catch the thief by their loot’? You need evidence, and you can also use their trap against them."
As expected, Yang Qingrui shook his head, expressing his confusion. He knew about gathering evidence, but he didn’t understand the counter-plot.
"It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand; just do what you’re told. Come here; I’ll tell you the plan!"
"Sister, I’m here too! I want to know, and I can help!" Seeing Yang Chuxia only consulting with Yang Qingrui, Yang Qingtong felt left out, insisting on having a role to play.
Yang Chuxia looked at Yang Qingtong, pondering for a moment before smiling, "Little brother, as a matter of fact, I do have an important task for you." She leaned in, whispering instructions in Yang Qingtong’s ear. His eyes sparkled as he eagerly nodded.
At dinnertime, Ms. Liu from the first branch of the family was busy in the kitchen. As everyone had become accustomed to taking turns with chores, Ms. Wang was in the house, mending one of Yang Dachuan’s clothes.
Meanwhile, Yang Dachuan was off working without any available land. He had found a job on the town’s boat, carrying bags for three days and resting one. By the end of a day, he could earn about twenty or thirty wen.
Today, Yang Dachuan was in town carrying bags as usual, and had returned home to wash his hands.
"Aunt, what are you pouring into my sister’s bowl?" After Yang Dachuan finished washing his hands, Yang Qingrui’s voice suddenly came from the kitchen.
Hearing Qingrui’s voice, Yang Chuxia didn’t hesitate and dashed towards the kitchen. Little Qingtong followed suit, but instead of running to the kitchen, he bolted outside.
Upon arriving at the kitchen, Yang Chuxia found that Yang Qingrui was clutching Ms. Liu’s arm. Ms. Liu still held an unthrown paper packet in her hand.
"What’s wrong, little brother?" Yang Chuxia asked him as if nothing had happened.
"Sister, it’s a good thing you came. I saw Aunt sprinkle something into your bowl." Yang Qingrui spoke while pointing at the substance in Ms. Liu’s hand.
Realizing the situation, Yang Chuxia quickly tried to snatch the package from Ms. Liu’s hand.
Seeing her plan exposed, Ms. Liu clenched her fist tightly.
"Nonsense, Yang Qingrui! When did I ever put anything in your sister’s bowl?" Fending off Yang Chuxia, Ms. Liu shouted at Qingrui, "Besides, there are so many bowls here. How can you be sure it was your sister’s?"