Song Fang had been watching from the side and noticed that the third sister-in-law deliberately threw balls into the oil pot, causing oil to injure the second sister-in-law. She was a bit frightened and didn’t know what to say for a moment, so she just looked at Granny Song and called out, "Mom."
Granny Song was angry but still clear-headed. She turned around, picked up a big bowl, scooped a spoonful of braised pork, a spoonful of rabbit meat, a few pieces of fried tofu, and some fried balls, and handed it to Song Fang. "Take this to your nieces to satisfy their cravings, and tell your second sister-in-law not to make a fool of herself. On such a joyous day, I’m not even fussing about them coming with three kids to sponge on us. And yet, she’s trying to use my position as her mother-in-law to throw her weight around. Who gave her that face?"
Seeing that Granny Song was genuinely angry, Song Fang didn’t dare to say much. She took the bowl and went directly next door.
Second Lang’s wife had placed a washbasin on the stone outside. She was bent over, applying medicine with water, groaning in pain and continuously cursing Wen Wan in very unpleasant terms.
Song Fang happened to hear as she came in, frowned, looked at Second Lang’s wife, and advised, "Second sister-in-law, you really should be more mindful in the future. You’re a mother of three, so you ought to know what to say and what not to say. You just keep blabbering without considering the consequences. You know what mom’s temper is like. Who else would she scold if not you?"
Hearing the voice, Second Lang’s wife turned her head, trying to fake a smile, but it pulled on the oil burn on her face, making her wince in pain.
Second Lang’s wife looked at the big bowl in Song Fang’s hand.
Song Fang explained, "Mom asked me to bring food for the three little girls and said that since you’re hurt, there’s no need for you to come over to help. Just stay home and rest."
Second Lang’s wife evidently didn’t grasp the admonishment and good intention in Song Fang’s words, feeling dissatisfied, "Mom just sent you with this to brush me off? Dad returning safely is a big family celebration. So many people are having dinner next door. If I don’t show up, what does that look like? Isn’t mom afraid of people gossiping?"
Song Fang was initially well-intentioned, but never expected the second sister-in-law to be so ungrateful. It irked her, even though she wasn’t usually prone to losing her temper. She heavy-handedly placed the bowl on the stone, "That night when the third brother was going to Da Huan Mountain to find dad, I suggested he take the second brother with him, but he didn’t go. That was your idea, wasn’t it?"
Second Lang’s wife’s eyes flickered as she made an excuse, "It had been raining incessantly, and our Sanyang was sick. We couldn’t leave."
Song Fang found it laughable, "When you stopped the second brother from rescuing dad, you weren’t concerned about people talking. Now dad’s back safe, and suddenly you’re eager to join whatever gives you face. Honestly, second brother and his wife have been independent for a long time. Whether you show up or not, nobody cares—not unless you count yourself."
Having been married into the Song family for many years, it was the first time Second Lang’s wife encountered her sister-in-law speaking so directly. She was infuriated.
Without giving Second Lang’s wife a chance to retort, Song Fang continued, "Today’s banquet is all thanks to the third brother and sister-in-law. If you want to eat, go ask them. There’s no use talking to me."
Second Lang’s wife remembered the fierce determination when Wen Wan threw the meatballs into the pot earlier, making her face burn even more.
That mute who supposedly couldn’t speak a word turned out to be ruthless when pushed!
Her face wouldn’t heal for at least ten days to half a month.