TSWPF -Chapter 149 Humiliation

Seeing so many people arrive all of a sudden, the old man’s face flashed with displeasure. But when Old Li and the others came up to greet him, he quickly restored a friendly expression and exchanged polite words with them.

Following them was Madam Liu. The moment she saw the chest in the main hall, her eyes sparkled with greed.

The chest looked exquisite, so the items inside must be even more valuable.

She rubbed her hands together, walked over to Li Qingling, and whispered, “Xiaoling, all the things the Divine Doctor brought back—are they for you?”

If they were for Li Qingling… then she’d be rich.

Without even looking at Madam Liu, Li Qingling already knew what she was thinking.

She smiled faintly and shook her head. “No.”

Madam Liu’s eyes widened in disbelief. She stared at Li Qingling, thinking that the Divine Doctor couldn’t possibly have brought back all those things just as his luggage—surely some of it must be for this brat.

This brat is clever; there’s no way she’d let anyone know what’s inside.

Clearing her throat softly, Madam Liu tried to cozy up to Li Qingling. “The Divine Doctor came back this time for your marriage, right? Otherwise, why would he return all of a sudden?”

Returning from the capital was said to take quite some time.

She had never been to the capital herself, so she didn’t know.

Li Qingling certainly wasn’t going to tell her. “I don’t know either. Grandfather Xue hasn’t said anything to me yet. Since you’re so curious, Grandma, you can ask Grandfather Xue yourself!”

Now that Grandfather Xue was back, it remained to be seen if he could stop Madam Liu from casually scheming over her betrothal gifts.

Madam Liu glared at Li Qingling secretly, displeased in her heart. This stubborn girl didn’t take her seriously at all.

But on the surface, she didn’t dare offend Li Qinglin, fearing that Li Qingling would throw her out in a huff.

Yet she hadn’t even seen what was inside the chest yet—how could she leave willingly?

She exchanged a few mild words with Li Qingling, then quietly moved to one side.

Li Qingling glanced at her, keeping her in mind. She knew Madam Liu wouldn’t easily drop her curiosity—she would definitely look for an opportunity to see what was inside.

This grandmother—Li Qingling wasn’t sure if she understood her completely, but she knew at least seven or eight-tenths of her intentions.

The moment Madam Liu raised her tail, Li Qingling already knew what she intended to do.

Madam Liu greedily glanced at the chest at her feet, then looked up at Li Qingling and the others. Seeing that no one was paying attention, she swallowed hard, carefully placed her hand on the chest, and was about to open it—when Li Qingning caught her red-handed.

“Grandma, what are you doing? That’s Grandfather Xue’s stuff—you can’t just touch it. If you break anything, you’ll have to pay for it.” Li Qingning said loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear. All eyes turned toward Madam Liu.

She had long been wary of this greedy grandma, fearing she might snatch the family’s belongings. She never expected Madam Liu would actually make a move.

She felt her grandmother was utterly disgraceful.

Seeing so many people staring at her, Madam Liu’s thick skin couldn’t completely save her; her face flushed. She glared at Li Qingning and muttered loudly, “What do you mean I was touching it? I just saw some dust on the chest and wanted to wipe it off, that’s all.”

What a flimsy excuse—it sounded completely fake.

Who couldn’t see if there was dust on the chest?

Li Qingning, taking advantage of her youth, wasn’t afraid to expose Madam Liu. “Grandma, that’s ridiculous. I just looked at this chest before it was closed—there’s no way there’s any dust.”

Her little eyes looked at Madam Liu with disdain, practically saying outright: you’re shameless.

Madam Liu couldn’t admit she was trying to peek. If she did, her face would be ruined.

She stood with hands on her hips, eyes wide, still stubbornly arguing, “Maybe it’s your hands that had dust, and that’s why it stuck! I can’t like Li Qingling and her siblings—they’re clueless. Who would like them?”

Seeing Madam Liu argue with her little granddaughter, Old Li’s face darkened. He strode over, grabbed Madam Liu’s hand, and dragged her toward the door.

If she didn’t feel embarrassed, he certainly did.

This woman had utterly disrespected him.

She had even wanted to cozy up to the Divine Doctor—but Madam Liu ruined it all.

It was easy to imagine how bad his mood was.

Old Li went to the door, then turned back to the old man and forced a smile. “Next time we’ll properly catch up with the Divine Doctor. I have something to attend to now, so I’ll take my leave.”

The old man waved dismissively.

Once Old Li left, the villagers, sensing the atmosphere, also politely said their goodbyes, promising to visit again.

The old man was quite cordial with them. He stood and escorted the villagers to the courtyard gate. Only after they had gone did he return inside.

He flicked Li Qingning on the forehead, laughing and scolding, “Little rascal.”

Li Qingning covered her forehead, grinning. She just couldn’t stand her grandmother’s greedy face.

If her grandmother treated them well, it would be one thing—but she treated them so badly. That alone made Li Qingning unwilling to give her any face.

“You’re still young. Talking back to your grandma, outsiders won’t mind—they’ll just think you’re a child. But when you grow up, you can’t act so recklessly—it’ll hurt your reputation, understand?” The old man cut in at the right moment.

Li Qingning pouted. “So if she bullies me, I still can’t fight back? That’s so unfair!”

“Silly girl, I’m not asking you to be a pushover,” he said, patting her head and giving her advice.

Li Qingling listened from the side, her lips twitching. She really wondered—if the little one stayed with the old man a few more months, would he teach her all sorts of tricks?

“Wow, that’s a good idea! I understand, Grandpa. Next time I’ll do just that!” Li Qingning clapped happily. The strategy the old man taught her was excellent; next time, she’d make her grandmother suffer silently.

The old man smiled broadly. He truly had no fondness for Madam Liu, though he wouldn’t bother arguing with a woman.

“All right, Old Man, go rest now!” Li Qingling urged him to rest. Otherwise, if the villagers saw him, they’d keep him talking, and he wouldn’t get any rest.

The old man nodded, whispered a few words to Li Qingling, and then happily returned to his room to rest.

Meanwhile, over at Madam Liu’s side, things were far from well.

Old Li dragged Madam Liu home, his face dark. He glared at her. “You’ve really embarrassed the Li family.”

Madam Liu was becoming more and more reckless. If this continued, it would only harm the Li family. He couldn’t just ignore it.

Madam Liu’s expression darkened. Defiantly, she retorted, “What’s wrong with me? How did I embarrass the Li family?”

She thought it was no big deal. She hadn’t stolen anything—how could he pin this on her?

“What were you trying to do just now? Huh? Don’t tell me you weren’t about to open that chest?” He knew her too well after decades of marriage.

Being pressed like this, Madam Liu’s face flushed red. She took deep breaths, hands on her hips, and shouted, “So what? I was just curious about what’s inside, just wanted to take a look! That’s not allowed? Others scolding me is one thing, but you too? Everything I do is for this family! If it weren’t for this family, do you think I’d be bothering with this?” By the end, her eyes were red. Everything she did in her life was for the family—how could he not see her effort?

Seeing Madam Liu’s reddened eyes, Old Li’s anger eased halfway. He sighed heavily and softened his tone. “Don’t do reckless things in front of so many people.” An old saying goes: marry a virtuous wife, and she will prosper three generations.

If the family hadn’t been poor back then, his father wouldn’t have asked him to marry Madam Liu. Ah… it’s all fate.

He could only teach her more, so she wouldn’t do anything embarrassing again.

“What’s reckless about it? I don’t believe you’re not curious about what’s inside!” Madam Liu, seeing Old Li soften his tone, grew even more defiant. She thought she had the upper hand and planned to use this opportunity to discipline him.

Although Old Li was curious about the chest too, Madam Liu pointing it out so directly made him a little embarrassed.

He sat in his chair, took a couple of puffs from his pipe, and stared at Madam Liu. Slowly, he said, “Do you think I’m like you? Doing such things… disgraceful…” He would never admit to even thinking about it.

“You… you… I’m going to get you, you old man!” Madam Liu, flustered, lunged at Old Li, hands clutching his neck, shaking him hard. “You old wretch, if I don’t teach you a lesson today, I’m not a Liu!”

In anger, people’s strength multiplies. Old Li struggled to breathe as Madam Liu squeezed him. His face turned bright red as he grabbed her hands, trying to pry them off.