Losing Temper

After spending over half an hour at the guard station, Jin Yue'e left with the four children.

Li Changsen took a leave and personally accompanied them to the city gate.

As they left the city, Li Wuya and Li Sanlang remained alert, fearing the two Northern Yan people might reappear.

Thankfully, the journey was safe.

Upon reaching the city gate, Li Changsen's family spotted Old Madam Li and Old Master Li already waiting on the cart.

Li Changsen greeted Old Madam Li.

However, Old Madam Li was still angry about the incident at the Temple of the Queen Mother. She was in such a rage that she didn't even ask about Li Changsen's well-being. Instead, she directly brought up the matter of their stipends.

"It's been half a year since you came back home. Why didn't you arrange for your stipends to be sent back? Do you know that our family has been barely making ends meet these past months?"

Although Li Changsen had long abandoned any hope for his parents, he couldn't help but feel chilled when faced with his mother's demand for stipends without any concern for his well-being.

Since joining the military at the age of thirteen, he had often felt that he was merely a tool for the Li family to gain benefits. Whether he lived or died seemed to be of no concern to them. Their only interest was whether he could bring back his stipends every month.

Was he really their own son?

When he was younger, people in the military compound used to say that he wasn't a true member of the Li family. He had even been involved in numerous fights because of those rumours.

As he grew older, the rumours faded, but his doubts grew stronger.

Seeing Li Changsen's silence, Old Madam Li's temper flared up, and she scolded, "Cat got your tongue? With your foolish look, you'd be done for after a few moves on the battlefield. You're useless!"

"What are you saying?!"

Jin Yue'e's angry and biting voice interrupted Old Madam Li's words.

Startled, Old Madam Li quickly changed her tune, "You... you must be possessed!"

Jin Yue'e's eyes were murderous, "I wanted to ask you, do you even know what you were just saying? Is that how a mother should talk?"

"Earlier at the Temple of the Queen Mother, you called Wuya and Qilang lowly. I held back then, but now you're cursing the head of the household. What's in your heart? Are you so eager for your own son and grandson to suffer?"

The argument between the two caught the attention of those around them.

Those who knew the backstory cast covert glances at Old Madam Li. Among them were quite a few residents of Tianling Village.

Old Madam Li, being well known for favouring one over the other, wilted under their stares, pursing her lips but not saying a word.

Li Changsen looked at Old Madam Li with a sardonic smile, and pulled Jin Yue'e away, signaling her to not let it get to her. Then he spoke, "Mother, the situation at the front is tense. Everyone's stipends have been cut. I couldn't save any to support the family."

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Li didn't allow her to speak, immediately protesting, "How can this be? With the little food we have at home, after setting aside the portion for the military, we also have to share with your sister's family. What's left won't be enough for our large family."

This statement surprised the people around them.

The residents of Tianling Village wore a nonchalant expression; they were quite familiar with the Li family's favouritism.

Li Changsen's tone turned indifferent, "Mother, I am the eldest son of the family. Supporting my second and third brothers and their families is already enough. There's no reason I should also support my married sister."

He didn't engage in further argument with Old Madam Li, instead, he gave a few instructions to Jin Yue'e and the children before briskly returning to the guard station.

On their way back to the military compound, Old Madam Li's face turned so dark it could drip ink.

She never expected that on this trip to Xining City, not only did she fail to secure the stipends from Li Changsen, but she wouldn't be receiving them in the future either.

Old Madam Li glared at Jin Yue'e and then at Li Sanlang and the other children.

Indeed, she shouldn't have allowed her eldest son to marry and have children. No, she had to ensure he had offspring so that even if he died on the battlefield, his son could continue serving the Li family.

She shouldn't have manipulated her eldest son into marrying that wife. She should have chosen someone better. That way, she could have kept the entire family under her control.

The Jin family was a bunch of savages from the mountains. They had raised Jin Yue'e to be so unruly and disobedient. Since marrying her, Li Changsen had become more and more rebellious, caring only about his immediate family. A truly ungrateful white-eyed wolf.

Old Madam Li regretted it deeply. If she had known that the offspring of the Jin family would be so repugnant, she would never have cared about her reputation and allowed her to marry into the family.

By the time they returned home, it was already quite dark.

"I'm so hungry."

As they entered the house, Li Qilang couldn't help but clutch his stomach and declare he was hungry.

Jin Yue'e quickly said, "Hold on for a little while, I'll go prepare some food for you."

Old Madam Li immediately retorted, "What's there to eat? Your older brother isn't even bringing back stipends anymore. In the future, there won't be enough food for you."

Jin Yue'e became angry and sternly said, "Mother, the family's farmland, except for five acres, is all under the control of the head of the household. During the busy farming season, Sanlang, Erya, and I also help in the fields. Why shouldn't we have a share of the food?"

Back at their own home, Old Madam Li felt more confident. She placed her hands on her hips and was about to start scolding Jin Yue'e.

At that moment, Li Wuya, smiling, approached and took Old Madam Li's hand. With a strong tug, she made Old Madam Li bend at the waist and whispered into her ear:

"Mother, in life, one should leave room for others. If you don't leave room for others, be careful that someone else might block your way first."

"Do you know why I had to take action against those Northern Yan people who raided the relay station? It's because they posed a threat to the safety of me and Sanlang. For us to survive well, I had to eliminate them first."

"Mother, if you dare to withhold our food, then in the future, none of us in the family will eat."

Old Madam Li's anger flared up, and she was about to launch into a tirade. However, upon meeting Li Wuya's smiling dark eyes, she found herself unable to say anything.

Li Wuya patted Old Madam Li's hand with a smile and said, "Mother, you wouldn't let us go hungry, right?"

Old Madam Li was left sweating after being touched like that. She retracted her hand abruptly with a 'swoosh' sound and looked at Li Wuya, her eyes reflecting both astonishment and fear.

Ignoring her, Li Wuya called out loudly to Jin Yue'e, "Mother, please hurry and cook. Even Grandma agrees that we shouldn't go hungry."

Jin Yue'e looked at Old Madam Li and then at Li Wuya.

It seemed like her daughter had said something that had left her mother-in-law stunned!

"Gurgle, gurgle~"

At this moment, Li Qilang's stomach rumbled again.

Upon hearing it, Jin Yue'e didn't say anything; she just headed into the kitchen.

"We're so tired, let's rest in our room."

Watching Li Wuya leading Li Qilang into the eastern room, Old Madam Li's chest rose and fell unevenly. Her lips moved, and she muttered, "All you care about is eating, eating. You glutton!"

Saying this, she returned to their upper room with a gloomy expression.

Hearing the commotion, Old Master Li came out of the main room and glanced at Old Madam Li with dissatisfaction, "Can't you just be a bit more composed? Don't always pick fights with the main house. What good will it do you if you make your eldest son and his family distant from us?"

Old Madam Li glared at Old Master Li fiercely, then went inside without saying a word.

Li Wuya's behaviour seemed to have scared her. Even though Old Madam Li spent her days grumbling and cursing, she didn't withhold food from the main house.

Time flew, and it was soon New Year's Eve.

On this day, the Li family unusually had three meals.

Breakfast was no different from usual, but during lunch, there was an additional pot of braised pork head meat on the table.

As the braised pork head meat was served, everyone eagerly picked up their chopsticks.

At that moment, there was a knock on the courtyard door.

Following that, they saw Li Changsen walking in.

If it were any other family, they would be delighted to see their son (eldest brother) coming home for the New Year. However, the Li family was different. They weren't happy; instead, their expressions turned sour.

"Big brother's timing is impeccable. He knew there would be meat for lunch and returned just in time."

"Now we have one more person to compete for the meat."

Only the main house's members were overjoyed. They had assumed Li Changsen wouldn't come home for the New Year this year.

"Father!"

Li Qilang quickly got up from the table and rushed towards Li Changsen.

Li Changsen smiled and hugged his son before placing the bag of snacks he was carrying in the eastern room. Then, he sat down at the table with his child.

Old Madam Li displeased, remarked, "Eldest son, you're increasingly disregarding your father and me. You brought back snacks, but you didn't offer any to us. What's this? Do you only care about your wife and child?"

Li Changsen calmly replied, "I'm going to visit the Chang family later. Those snacks are meant as gifts."

Old Master Li, breaking his silence, asked, "Why are you going to the Chang family?"

Li Changsen explained, "Sanlang is ten years old now, and I've arranged a job for him at the horse ranch. Coincidentally, Chang Changsheng also works there. I'm taking Sanlang there to introduce him."

This statement surprised the Li family.

Old Madam Li's reaction was the strongest, "Eldest son, working at the horse ranch is a good opportunity. It should be your eldest son going, not your nephew, especially since Sanlang is so young."

Old Master Li agreed, nodding, "Yes, Sanlang is still too young. It would be better for your eldest son to go."

Li Changsen sneered, "Father, mother, I've used connections and done favours to secure this job. It's not easy to find such an opportunity. If I don't prioritize my own son and instead let my nephew take it, what kind of reasoning is that?"

Old Madam Li's face turned sour, and she was about to say something but was interrupted by Old Master Li.

Old Master Li looked at Li Changsen with disapproval, "Eldest son, what are you saying? As the elder uncle, it's only natural for you to secure a job for your nephew. It's a matter of course."

Li Changsen's gaze turned sombre as he looked at Old Master Li. He felt a deep sense of melancholy.

In the past, whenever his mother favoured his younger brothers, he had hoped his father would stand up for him. However, his father had always remained silent.

Now he was speaking up, but it was to secure a future for another grandson, at the expense of his own son's prospects.

"Father, mother, Sanlang is going to work at the horse ranch. The decision is final. I'm letting you know, not asking for your opinions."

"If Eldest Son wants to go to the horse ranch, I won't object. Let's see if Second Son is capable enough."

"It's best to raise one's own children. As an elder uncle, I can't take opportunities away from my younger brother's son."

Old Madam Li glared at Li Changsen in anger, "Eldest son, you're becoming more and more unreasonable. You're only concerned about your own child. You're no longer listening to your father's words. Your lack of filial piety is disgraceful. I'm going to have a word with Chang."

Li Changsen felt exasperated, especially thinking about what the Captain had told him before his return – that he would be sent to the frontlines at Die Ling Pass after the New Year. He couldn't suppress his pent-up resentment any longer.

"Mother, I've done enough for this family. I served in the army for nearly twenty years on Father's behalf. I provided dowries and wedding expenses for my Second and Third Brother and even Little Sister. Who can say that I'm not filial?"

With a tone of indifference and a resentful expression, he silenced everyone in the Li family.

"Mother, are you still going to accuse me of being unfilial?"

After saying this, Li Changsen stood up without finishing his meal and left the table.

Jin Yue'e hurriedly followed him.

Li Sanlang and Li Erya, looking worried, also followed suit.

Li Wuya hesitated for a moment, but instead of moving, she extended her psychic power outward.

"Qilang, eat the meat."

Li Wuya served Li Qilang a large piece of braised pork head meat.

Li Qilang looked towards the eastern room, then at Li Wuya, and ultimately decided to start eating the meat.

Her sister had advised her that in times of uncertainty, one should make decisions that are most advantageous to oneself.

Father was the head of the family, and children shouldn't meddle in adult affairs. He might as well eat more meat, even finish what their parents left behind.

Li Wuya picked up her bowl decisively and filled it with meat, then carried two bowls, one for herself and one for Li Qilang. They left the table and headed to the eastern room.

In the room, both Jin Yue'e and Li Erya looked worried. After putting the bowls down, Li Wuya took Li Qilang's hand and left the room.

"Sister, where are we going?"

"We're going to find Uncle Ye and see if he's back yet."

Uncle Ye served in the same military outpost as her father. He should know what was happening with her father.

Li Changsen rarely lost his temper. When he did, the Li family would be in awe, just like this time when Li Changsen got angry, no one touched the meat on the table.

Li Wuya decisively filled her bowl with meat and then took four bowls. She gave two to Li Qilang, who carried one in each hand. She left the table and headed to the eastern room.

In the room, Jin Yue'e and Li Erya looked worried. After putting the bowls down, Li Wuya took Li Qilang's hand and left the room.

"Sister, where are we going?"

"We're going to find Uncle Ye and see if he's back yet."

Uncle Ye was stationed with her father, so he should know what had happened.