Chapter 10: Full Name

Madam He’s body trembled as she realized these were not people she could afford to provoke. Looking at the sword before her in terror, she stuttered, "Please... please don't kill me. I'll talk, I'll tell you everything. The truth is... it happened like this..."

After hearing the full story, Min En’s mouth twitched. He withdrew his sword and asked, "So, you mean that girl named Zhenzhen made you mistake us for people coming to arrest Madam Liu, which is why you were in such a hurry to divide the family and even lost a gold bracelet?"

Madam He wept, "Yes! That gold bracelet was worth a fortune. I’ve suffered a huge loss!"

Min En asked, "What is the full name of that girl named Zhenzhen?"

Madam He shook her head sorrowfully, "I don't know. She only ever calls herself Zhenzhen."

Min En looked at her with utter contempt, "To be led around by the nose by a little girl whose full name you don't even know—you’ve certainly wasted your years."

Being mocked by a junior, Madam He felt she had lost face. For a moment, she forgot that these were people she shouldn't cross and shouted, "How dare you speak to me like that? Regardless of anything else, I am older than you! Can’t you show some sympathy for someone who has been deceived?"

Min En sneered, "You deserve it. You really are foolish; no wonder you were tricked. Even if we weren't here for your third daughter-in-law, someone else would have come for her sooner or later. It’s the first time I’ve seen a mother-in-law so eager to have her daughter-in-law arrested. You are so vicious; it’s no wonder heaven doesn't help you."

With that, he saw Lu Yuance leaving with his men and followed him away.

Madam He gritted her teeth in rage. Though she longed to curse them out, she did not want to have a sword pointed at her again, so she had no choice but to head home and break the news to her family.

*The wretched Third Branch,* she thought. She had wanted to watch them make fools of themselves, but if the village found out that the incident with the five men in black was just a misunderstanding, wouldn't she be the one who became the laughingstock?

With this thought, Madam He hurried home to discuss a countermeasure with her family.

Meanwhile, Lu Yuance left Songshan Village with his subordinates. After meeting up with the rest of his group, he mounted his horse, ready to depart.

Min En asked, "My Lord, it's no wonder that girl looked at us so suddenly today. We were used by that child. Are we just going to let it go?"

Lu Yuance shook his head and chuckled, "She is merely a child; it would be beneath my status to hold a grudge against her. Besides, we haven't lost anything."

Min En frowned. His master had never been this easygoing before. What had gotten into him? And besides, he wasn't much older than her himself.

***

Nearly an hour later, Yu Zhenzhen and her family finished preparing their meal.

Yu Zhenzhen was quite satisfied with the day's cooking. She placed the dishes on the table they had moved from the old Mu house: "Braised potatoes with pork ribs, red-braised pork, stir-fried cabbage, potato-ham-egg pancakes, and a bowl of white rice. It’s not bad at all."

The five members of the Mu family’s Third Branch gathered around the table, their mouths watering uncontrollably.

Madam Liu sighed with emotion, "Zhenzhen, you are truly amazing. People at the General’s Mansion always said my cooking was good, but compared to yours, mine is truly unpresentable."

Yu Zhenzhen replied, "Godmother, please don't be so modest. I only relied on those seasonings. Besides, I didn't do much; it was your cleverness that allowed you to grasp how to use those ingredients after just one explanation from me."

From the original owner's memories, she knew that the Third Branch had likely not tasted meat in nearly two years. Madam Liu felt a bit embarrassed to be praised so highly by a young child.

Seeing that the younger brothers could no longer wait, Yu Zhenzhen said, "Everyone, pick up your chopsticks."

The children were well-behaved; they waited until the adults had taken a bite before they began to feast. Not only the children, but even Mu Guhuai and Madam Liu were tasting dishes seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and bean paste for the first time.

The moment they tasted it, everyone was stunned by the flavor.

Mu Guhuai said honestly, "These ribs are too delicious. I... I have never eaten anything this good in my life."

Madam Liu added, "The red-braised pork is sweet and so tasty; this is my first time eating meat that is sweet."

Mu Yiyue: "It’s been so long since I had meat. It’s so fragrant."

Mu Eryue: "The red-braised pork is great, and the potato-ham-egg pancake is so aromatic too. Everything is delicious."

Mu Sanyue: "I want a few more pieces of ribs to eat my fill!"

Watching their expressions, Yu Zhenzhen felt a complex mix of emotions. *You are all so easily satisfied.*

If they were this amazed by these simple dishes, they would surely drop their jaws if they ever saw more elaborate culinary creations like "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall."

Soon, no one had the energy to talk. Neither the original owner nor the Mu family had ever eaten anything so wonderful. Especially during these two years of drought, the food they ate was barely enough to keep them from starving, let alone to feel full.

Thus, even though the portions were enough for five or six adults, the two adults and four children devoured every last scrap. Everyone ate until they were stuffed.

Mu Guhuai patted his stomach in contentment, "The white rice is truly delicious. I ate so much today that I feel I could go without food for all of tomorrow."

Madam Liu agreed, "Indeed, I am so full."

She felt a tinge of guilt. Seeing that there wasn't much food earlier, she had wanted to advise Yu Zhenzhen not to make such large portions, in case the drought continued and they ran out of food. But since the food belonged to Yu Zhenzhen, she hadn't known how to bring it up.

Mu Yiyue said happily, "That's great! Our family's food supply can last another day longer now."

Yu Zhenzhen frowned; they were far too pessimistic about the future.

"Don't worry, our family will never go hungry again."

Mu Sanyue asked in surprise, "Really, Sister Zhenzhen?"

Yu Zhenzhen nodded, "Really. Rest assured, our lives will only get better from here, and we will make those who abused us regret what they did."

Mu Guhuai and Madam Liu exchanged glances, though they remained skeptical about the future. If it didn't rain soon, their lives would only get worse. They assumed their adopted daughter said this because she knew her own family would look after her, but they couldn't rely on her family forever.

Under the stone wall, Mu Gushan and Mu Gushui, who had quietly come to spy on the situation, exchanged looks before quickly heading home.

As soon as they returned, they reported everything they had heard.

Madam He was shocked, "What? They actually have other food besides white rice?"

Mu Gushan nodded excitedly, "Yes! I suspect Madam Liu must have brought food back when she returned. I saw it—she was carrying a bundle on her back. It seems they even had plain white rice to eat today!"

Madam He flew into a rage and slammed the table, "How dare she! As a daughter-in-law, she comes back with good things and doesn't show filial piety to me, her mother-in-law, but instead feeds it all to the children? This is absolutely outrageous!"

Mu Gushan added, "It's excessive! And to think they dared to eat lunch—they have no sense of frugality at all."