CHAPTER 245: CHAPTER 244: SECOND AUNT WAS DIVORCED (3 CHAPTERS)

Although they had an ox cart, Mu Zhenzhen and Liu Wangcai, under Liu Wangcai’s intentional delay, reached Dahuo Village at noon. After saying goodbye at the village entrance, Mu Zhenzhen hurriedly rushed home for lunch.

Before entering the house, she deliberately wiped the sweat off her face with a handkerchief and tidied herself up before pushing open the gate of Zhuangzi’s family courtyard.

She tried pushing, but it wouldn’t move, which left Mu Shuangshuang stunned.

"What’s going on? They only lock the courtyard gate at night."

All three of Zhuangzi’s brothers were strong, especially his second brother, who used to be a famous hunter in the area, so Zhuangzi’s family didn’t worry about thieves.

After pushing several times and failing to open the gate, Mu Zhenzhen noticed Xiao Mizi inside the courtyard, enjoying a bowl of rice. Glancing inside, she could faintly see heaps of meat piled in the bowl.

Mu Zhenzhen swallowed hard and called out to Xiao Mizi inside. "Xiao Mizi, open the door for your third aunt, I’m back."

Unexpectedly, Xiao Mizi didn’t even lift his head, as if he hadn’t heard her.

"Hey, you little brat, gone deaf or something? How about you open the door for me?"

Mu Zhenzhen cursed quietly. Xiao Mizi was the apple of Zhuangzi’s mother’s eye, so usually, Mu Zhenzhen wouldn’t dare curse loudly for fear of being reprimanded by her.

Although she had been married into the Zhao family for several years, Zhuangzi’s mother had never actually acted against Mu Zhenzhen, but Mu Zhenzhen knew she had a reputation as the village’s first shrew, so she was somewhat wary.

"My grandma said you aren’t my third aunt anymore and told me not to open the door when I see you."

Under Mu Zhenzhen’s cursing, Xiao Mizi lifted his head, glanced at Mu Zhenzhen, then went back to eating.

Outside the courtyard, Mu Zhenzhen was hopping with rage, but there was nothing she could do. Xiao Mizi was known to be stubborn since young. He said he wouldn’t open it, and that was that.

Just like the old lady inside, stubborn to the core.

Mu Zhenzhen threw her bag and luggage into the courtyard and started climbing the wall.

Courtyard walls in rural households weren’t generally high. With a bit of effort, they could be climbed over. It took all of Mu Zhenzhen’s strength to finally climb onto the wall, but before she could find a decent spot to land, Zhuangzi’s mother came out.

"Xiao Mizi, full yet? There’s still lots of meat in the bowl, shall we eat more?"

Xiao Mizi shook his head and looked in Mu Zhenzhen’s direction. Mu Zhenzhen met his gaze, freaked out, and gestured for him to stay quiet.

"Granny, just now this person said she’s my third aunt and called me a little brat."

Zhuangzi’s mother tensed up, initially thinking it was an intruder, and was about to call her sons from inside the house. When she looked up and saw it was Mu Zhenzhen, her anger surged instantly.

"You wretched woman, you have the nerve to come back? Our Zhao family doesn’t have a daughter-in-law like you."

Startled, Mu Zhenzhen fell off the wall, almost crushing her backside.

Given that she’d been discovered, she decided not to hide anymore.

"Mom, I’m back. Why did you tell Xiao Mizi I’m not her third aunt? Why wouldn’t I be?" Mu Zhenzhen asked with displeasure.

"You have the nerve to ask? If not for you, our Zhao family nearly lost Xiao Mizi?" Zhuangzi’s mother cautiously shielded Xiao Mizi behind her.

Inside the house, hearing such noise, Zhuangzi’s father and the other brothers came out, each looking fierce enough to scare Mu Zhenzhen. But remembering the Zhao men were honest, she plucked up her courage.

"Dad, Big Brother, Second Brother, Zhuangzi, I’m home."

Zhuangzi turned away and went back inside, never coming out again.

Mu Zhenzhen’s face stiffened, but quickly she forced a smile.

"Everyone’s having lunch. Just in time, I’m hungry too. After eating, I want to discuss something with everyone."

Mu Zhenzhen picked up her luggage from the ground and headed toward the kitchen. She had just reached Zhuangzi’s second brother when his thick arm barred her way.

"Second Brother, what are you doing?" Mu Zhenzhen asked, bewildered.

"What am I doing? You wretched woman, you think you can come and go from our Zhao family as you please? Since you left for your family’s doghouse, don’t expect to step foot in our house again."

The Zhao brothers were indeed honest, so when it came to cursing or bickering, it fell to Old Jiang and Zhuangzi’s mother.

Having been insulted repeatedly, Mu Zhenzhen’s temper flared.

"I’m telling you all; don’t offend me. Today I, Mu Zhenzhen, came to borrow money for my big brother’s examination expenses. You must prepare fifty taels of silver for me, or when my brother becomes a scholar, none of you will benefit."

Mu Zhenzhen puffed out her chest, looking smug.

"Humph!" Zhuangzi’s mother jumped up and spat at Mu Zhenzhen. "I’ve lived for so many years, seen many shameless people, but never one as shameless as you.

Mu Zhenzhen, I’m telling you, you’ve been divorced, so don’t step into our Zhao family’s door again, or if you dare, I’ll tear your mouth apart."

"Old hag, don’t think I’m afraid of you. Try cursing once more."

"So what if I cursed? You lazy, barren hen, our Zhuangzi has terrible luck for eight generations to end up with such a jinx as you. The Old Mu Family, no-good folks, wicked people. They’ll never amount to anything."

When Zhuangzi’s mother cursed the Old Mu Family, she excluded the third branch, as she was particularly fond of Mu Shuang, and naturally wouldn’t curse her.

In the courtyard, Zhuangzi’s mother and Mu Zhenzhen were brutally cursing each other, just as lunchtime arrived.

Soon enough, villagers came by.

The crowd pointed fingers at Mu Zhenzhen. On normal days, relying on her looks, Mu Zhenzhen frequently bullied village wives, so now the women took the opportunity to kick her while she’s down without holding back, speaking as harshly as possible.

"Look at her, that errant hen. Always dressed so provocatively, who knows whom she’s trying to seduce. Better watch your men, ladies, lest she ensnare them."

"Exactly, I just came from the village entrance, saw a man driving an ox cart, dropping her off. Bet she hooked up with him..."

Their words grew nastier. Mu Zhenzhen turned her head and shouted at the people outside the courtyard. "You ugly women, what are you staring at? Ugly folks should stay indoors, you mud-legged peasants, always mud-legged peasants!"

Such shouting was a bad idea, as the women scrambled to charge into the courtyard, each screaming to tear Mu Zhenzhen’s mouth apart. If not for the courtyard gate, they’d likely rush inside.

Angered, Mu Zhenzhen yelled at Zhuangzi inside the house.

"Zhao Zhuangzi, you spineless fool, I’ve been married to you all these years, ridden and oppressed by you, but now your wife is in trouble, and you hide inside like a coward — you’re no man..."