Reborn as a Happy Wife in a Rural Family
Chapter 132: The Awful Gu Qingmei

Chapter 132: Chapter 132: The Awful Gu Qingmei

The two old women helped her onto a chair, letting her lean back for a moment.

Seeing Gu Qingmei in such a miserable state, Gu Qingli could only sigh for her. The man she had schemed and plotted to obtain, the marriage she had painstakingly arranged—and this was how her days had turned out.

It could only be said that she had brought this upon herself.

However, Gu Qingli still felt a sliver of admiration for Gu Qingmei. To be infatuated to such an extent, perhaps only the Original Host and she were capable of such unwavering devotion.

Living in the same village, Gu Qingli knew Gu Qingmei’s life was difficult even without deliberately prying, but she had never imagined it would be this terrible.

It could only be said that Chen Erlang was utter scum.

His own wife had been reduced to such a ghastly state, yet he didn’t even consider treating her a little better.

"Third Daughter-in-law, what are you going to do?" Ms. Jiang asked with some concern. This wretched woman, Gu Qingmei, is putting my daughter-in-law, Gu Qingli, in such an awkward position! If I get involved, I’ll feel awful. If I don’t, I’m afraid that by tomorrow the whole village will be gossiping about how the elder cousin knelt and kowtowed while my Third Daughter-in-law just stood by and watched. Our hard-won reputation will be ruined again.

"What else can be done? Let’s get her cleaned up first, then we can talk," Gu Qingli sighed, comforting Ms. Jiang.

I can lend her the money, Gu Qingli thought, as long as it’s not for seeing Chen Erlang.

Then she went back to her room, found a set of her own clothes, and had the old women fetch hot water to first clean up Gu Qingmei’s deathly appearance.

"Eldest Sister-in-law, is there any food at home? Get some for her," Gu Qingli then asked Ms. Yang, turning her head. Looking at Gu Qingmei, she probably hasn’t eaten anything today. If I give her money when she’s in this state, she’ll likely faint from hunger on the way.

Ms. Yang nodded and went into the kitchen, sighing inwardly as well.

Women were generally softhearted. When Gu Qingmei had explained her reasons, kneeling and kowtowing, everyone had already begun to sympathize with her.

Even Ms. Niu had fallen silent.

I’m just worried Third Sister-in-law, Gu Qingli, will lose her temper and refuse to help, Ms. Yang fretted internally. Who knows what trouble that might stir up? What a wretched bunch of people, and they’re everywhere!

While the old women were heating water, Xiao Yunjing brought stools out from the room and invited the several aunts to sit.

Since they had already come, it wouldn’t be right to drive them away.

Thankfully, their home was somewhat remote; otherwise, the courtyard would likely have been surrounded three layers deep by onlookers eager for a spectacle.

Meanwhile, Gu Qingli sat beside Gu Qingmei, reached for her hand, and was about to take her pulse.

Gu Qingmei quickly retracted her hand. She looked at Gu Qingli weakly, her eyes asking, What are you doing?

Gu Qingli shot her a glare and said, "I just want to take your pulse. Looking as you do, on the verge of death, I don’t want you to suddenly stop breathing and die in our house."

I know I look terrible right now, Gu Qingmei thought, but Gu Qingli knows how to take a pulse? When did she learn medicine? Yet, looking into Gu Qingli’s clear eyes, she skeptically moved her wrist. With this ruined body of mine, what’s there to fear about someone harming me? I’m overthinking things.

"You’re mistaking my kindness for malice," Gu Qingli muttered, grabbing her wrist and beginning to take her pulse.

The aunts sitting in the courtyard also watched Gu Qingli, wondering, When did this Second Daughter learn medical skills? She looks so serious and proficient, as if she truly knows what she’s doing.

Ms. Jiang glanced at the women and snorted heavily. My daughter-in-law is incredible! This will really show them!

"What are you all doing here?" Gu Chang’an arrived just then. His eldest daughter-in-law had told him that Xiaoli’s house was bustling with activity, so he had come to see if there was any trouble.

"Second Granduncle, you’re here! Please, sit," Xiao Yunjing welcomed Gu Chang’an.

"What is this?" Gu Chang’an saw Gu Qingmei leaning on a chair, looking half-dead, while Xiaoli was actually taking her pulse. What in the world is going on? he wondered, looking at Xiao Yunjing.

Xiao Yunjing pulled him aside and briefly explained the situation.

"Hmph! That Ms. Liu is really something, not even taking care of her own son. I must speak to Chen Lichun (Chen Erlang’s father) about this," Gu Chang’an fumed. It seems Ms. Liu is always stirring up trouble. Previously, it was Ms. Hua and Zhang Qiaozui. Those two had finally quieted down, and now here’s another one. Can’t Qinghe Village ever have some peace? He glanced back at Gu Qingmei and sighed heavily. She’s my grandniece, after all. I must help her get justice.

By now, Gu Qingli had finished taking the pulse. Gu Qingmei’s body is severely depleted, she concluded. If this continues, she won’t last a year. She’ll kick the bucket.

"How is it?" Gu Qingmei asked with a furrowed brow, her voice filled with apprehension.

"So, you do know how to worry?" Gu Qingli said, her anger flaring. "If you keep on like this, you’ll be meeting the King of Hell within a year!"

Hearing this, Gu Qingmei’s expression merely turned gloomier; she didn’t look afraid at all.

Maybe it would be better to die, Gu Qingmei thought. Then I wouldn’t have to suffer like this anymore.

GASP! The other women drew a sharp breath when they heard this. Such a young woman, worn down to this state by the Liu family!

"Ms. Liu’s heart is too cruel!" one woman said indignantly.

"Indeed. Ever since Gu Qingmei joined their family, she hasn’t had a single good day. Ms. Liu torments her in all sorts of ways; even an iron constitution wouldn’t be able to endure it!" Ms. Niu sighed. She lived next door and witnessed daily how Gu Qingmei’s life was worse than that of pigs and dogs. I don’t know what she ever saw in Chen Erlang. He can read a bit and is rather handsome, but if a man doesn’t treat you well, it doesn’t matter if he’s as beautiful as a flower – he’s useless! A perfectly good girl, ruined just like that.

Everyone felt a bitter taste in their mouths, their sympathy for Gu Qingmei growing.

Gu Chang’an also heard this. He exchanged a few words of greeting with Xiao Yunjing and then left.

This atrocious incident is no longer just a matter of demanding an explanation, Gu Chang’an thought as he walked away. In the past, whenever I tried to intervene, Ms. Liu would dismiss it as her family’s private affair, and as Village Chief, I truly couldn’t meddle in their household matters. But things are different now; a life is at stake! If word gets out that a mother-in-law in Qinghe Village tormented her daughter-in-law to death, how will the young men and women of our village find spouses in the future? I would also be blamed for lax governance and held accountable. Moreover, such despicable behavior must be decisively stopped. She cannot be allowed to continue her tyranny.

Meanwhile, the two old women had heated the water. They helped Gu Qingmei wash and change into clean clothes before bringing her out.

Just then, Ms. Yang brought out a bowl of meat and vegetable porridge she had made with leftovers.

"Go and eat. If you don’t eat something, you won’t even make it home," Gu Qingli glanced at her and said coolly.

"Yes," Gu Qingmei whispered, large tears falling from her eyes.

Supported by Mrs. Zhang, she sat at the table. Gazing at the fragrant bowl of meat and vegetable porridge, she began to cry uncontrollably.

At that moment, Gu Qingmei’s heart was a maelstrom of emotions. The one who saved me in my darkest hour is the very person I bullied since childhood. Meanwhile, those who once claimed to love and cherish me discarded me like trash the moment I lost my usefulness to them.