After the family split, Lin Bosu became increasingly cold and aloof, barely speaking a word all day. Having already alienated almost everyone, even severing ties with his own younger sister, this year he further confined his children at home, forbidding them from going out, making the household even more isolated.
Since moving out after the division, Eldest Brother could no longer shoulder all the household chores. Lin Cuiping’s demeanor was as harsh as Lin Bosu’s—arguing with Dong Shi, scolding Lin Shilang and Lin Cui’e—these were daily occurrences. Her words were even more venomous than Dong Shi’s.
Shilang’s leg never healed properly. When he went to see Dr. Wang, the physician was furious: “You brat, you never listen! I told you repeatedly to rest and avoid moving around. Yet, from far away, I could hear you jumping, shouting, and cursing in your yard. No wonder your leg won’t heal!” Shilang, knowing he was at fault, asked if there was any way to correct it. Dr. Wang told him it was too late—the bones had already set. The only way to realign them would be to cut flesh and break bones, a skill Dr. Wang admitted he didn’t possess, and few in the world did.
With a cold father, a sharp-tongued mother, a violent and ruthless seventh sister, and a tenth brother who picked fights daily—nearly catching and beating her several times despite his limp—Lin Cui’e lived in constant fear for nearly a month. The only ones who cared for her, Eldest Brother and Sixth Brother, were no longer around. That day, when Shilang again lashed out at her without reason, the little girl couldn’t take it anymore and ran out to seek refuge with Eldest Sister-in-law.
After hearing Cui’e’s tearful account, Lin Zhongsi sighed, “I’ll go talk to Eldest Brother.” He didn’t specify what he intended to do.
Returning from the front courtyard, Lin Zhongsi carried a large bundle. Placing it on the table with a grim expression, he said, “Cui’e, your uncle didn’t handle this well. Your parents packed your things and sent them over. They said since you prefer your sister-in-law, from now on, you’ll live with her. They won’t interfere in your life anymore—whether you live or die, thrive or suffer, it’s no longer their concern.”
“Waaah—Mom and Dad don’t want me anymore!” The little girl burst into heart-wrenching sobs. Li Cuimei held her close, tears streaming as she gently patted her back. The others were either seething with anger or wiping their own tears. Lin Fang felt nothing but disdain for her so-called grandparents. They had no right to call themselves parents. Their eldest son was raised by his grandparents and uncle, while their sixth son, though fortunate enough to learn a trade despite their neglect, remained unmarried due to their reputation. Their seventh daughter and tenth son, raised under their direct influence, had grown into twisted individuals. Now, they’d gone so far as to cast out their youngest daughter, absolving themselves of all responsibility.
The next morning, after breakfast, they first saw off Lin Zhongsi, who left with a large bundle of belongings, before the family set out on their journey. Lin Cui’e wept the entire way. Lin Fang found it pitiful but also felt grateful—she had been reborn into a family with loving parents, two doting brothers, and a grandmother who treated them as her own. This time, she vowed not to disappoint her loved ones.
Upon arriving in town, they rested briefly, assigned living quarters, and went about their respective tasks.
The five main rooms on the east side were reserved, with three kept for Tong Shi’s future visits. Eldest Brother and Li Cuimei, along with Lin Fang, occupied the remaining two. Guicheng and Dong Panyu, with their daughter, stayed in the five main rooms on the west side.
The five east wing rooms were allocated to Lin Cui’e (three rooms, as she was an elder) and Lin Juan (the other two). The five west wing rooms housed Lin Meng and Lin Wen (three rooms) and Lin Wu (two rooms). Since Lin Wu was too young, he slept under Liu Ma’s care at night.
Opposite the main house were five smaller rooms—two temporarily served as the kitchen, while the other three housed the servants. Two side rooms were used as storage, with most remaining empty for now.
Eldest Brother carried Lin Wu and took Lin Meng and Lin Wen to the town’s school. Guicheng went to the market to look for a suitable carriage. Liu Ma sought out a matchmaker to purchase additional servants.
Li Gen and his son and daughter-in-law, originally sent by Pan Shi to assist Li Cuimei with farming, chose to stay. Their two older grandsons, accustomed to working the fields, also remained. The three younger granddaughters—aged five, four, and two—stayed with their parents. The two eldest granddaughters, both thirteen, were assigned roles: one, who enjoyed cooking, was trained by Li Cuihong, while the other continued assisting her mother in caring for Dong Panyu. Thus, aside from Liu Ma, only her two younger grandsons came to town—both around the same age as Lin Meng and Lin Wen, serving as their attendants for the time being.
The matchmaker brought forty people in three batches. The first batch consisted of ten women. Li Cuimei had each step forward to introduce their skills while discreetly observing their demeanor and attire. Liu Ma walked among them, scrutinizing further. In the end, two women in their thirties were selected—both neat, composed, and not prone to gossip. One, surnamed Zhang, would care for Dong Panyu during her confinement, while the other, surnamed Zhou, would handle cooking for the household.
The second batch comprised fifteen young girls. Li Cuimei chose a thirteen-year-old to assist Zhang Shi with Dong Panyu, two ten-year-olds to attend Lin Cui’e, and two eight-year-olds for Lin Juan. Lin Juan, finding one too talkative, kept only the quieter girl. The other was reassigned to assist Liu Ma in caring for Lin Fang.
The third batch, also fifteen, were all boys—the eldest fifteen, the youngest just four. The matchmaker, shrewdly aware the family had a young master, had brought the little ones as potential playmates for Lin Wu.
Li Cuimei eyed the two toddlers Lin Wu’s age and asked the matchmaker, “How could their parents part with such young children? Were they abducted?”
The matchmaker bowed with a practiced smile. “Madam, I’ve been in this trade for decades. My livelihood depends on honesty—I’d never engage in such wicked deeds. These children come from overcrowded families, sent here to survive. Their backgrounds are documented.”
She handed over two papers. Liu Ma passed them to Li Cuimei—contracts bearing family seals and village head stamps, confirming the matchmaker’s claims. Liu Ma had deliberately chosen a licensed matchmaker, avoiding illegal traffickers to prevent future complications.
One toddler gazed around curiously; the other hid behind the matchmaker, head bowed. Li Cuimei sighed and pointed to the shy one. “We’ll take this one.” The other seemed too lively—Lin Wu was energetic enough; a calmer companion was preferable.
“Oh, thank you, Madam! You’re truly benevolent. This child is blessed to serve you.” The matchmaker’s wrinkled face bloomed like a withered chrysanthemum as she pushed the child forward. “Kneel! Kowtow to Madam! Thank her for saving you!”
Selling such young children was a hassle—they cried endlessly. Getting even one off her hands was a relief. She swore never to take in toddlers again out of pity.
Li Cuimei had intended to select attendants for Eldest Brother and Guicheng, but with so many young girls in the household, their attendants would need to be older boys—which posed propriety concerns. She decided to postpone the matter until after Dong Panyu’s confinement.
During confinement, moving homes or renovations were inauspicious. Guicheng had already eyed a smaller courtyard nearby. Once Dong Panyu recovered, they’d relocate, allowing Li Cuimei to redesign the main compound into separate sections for privacy.
After verifying all contracts and securing the matchmaker’s promise to replace unsuitable hires, Li Cuimei tasked Liu Ma with training the new servants.
Later, Liu Ma frowned. “Madam, these are all children—training them will be laborious. Why not choose older, ready helpers?”
Li Cuimei smiled. “Older ones come with their own agendas. With young masters and mistresses, they might lead them astray.”
“Ah, how foolish of me. But Madam, why didn’t you pick attendants for yourself?”
“Sigh, none suited me. We’ll see later. Too many people are exhausting. Liu Ma, if you don’t mind, stay with Fang’er and me for now.”
“Madam, it’s my honor to serve you and Sixth Miss.”
Throughout, Lin Fang sat quietly in her mother’s arms, observing the selection process—a lesson in household management. Hearing her mother’s aversion to chaos pained her; the turmoil under Lin Bosu, Dong Shi, Lin Cuiping, and Shilang had clearly left its mark.
By the time arrangements were finalized, Lin Dalang returned with Lin Wen and Lin Meng—followed by a thin, dark-skinned boy. Lin Fang’s mood instantly soured. Why couldn’t this nuisance stay gone?
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