After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 96 Taking the Opportunity to Demand Benefits

After so many years of smooth sailing, he only felt that he had been extremely unlucky these past two years, and his family was in turmoil!

After a period of rambling thoughts, Ma Rencai calmed down and discussed with Ma Xingteng: "Xingteng, I know that you and Yujie have a lot of resentment towards me after your mother died. I also know that I have not done well! I am not a qualified and good father. What your stepmother did today is not only sorry to me and the Ma family, but also sorry to you, your sister, and your mother!"

But as the saying goes, "family scandals shouldn't be aired in public." If this matter blows up, it won't be good for you. Just name your conditions, and your father will grant them, as long as we don't make it public knowledge.

"Father! What you're doing is too disheartening! Right is right, and wrong is wrong! Everyone has to pay the price for their actions! No one is an exception!" Ma Xingteng retorted, unwilling to back down.

Ma Rencai wiped away his tears and choked out, "Back then, the Ma family had nothing. I worked my way up from scratch to build up our current fortune. I cherish money and everyone says I'm greedy! Sang's actions show that she doesn't respect the Ma family at all! My hatred is no less than yours! But our Ma family is a respected family in Moshi Town. We can't let people laugh at us!"

Ma Xingteng lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Seeing this, Ma Yujie calmly replied, "Father said that we can make any request, right?"

"Yes! Yes, yes, yes! As long as things don't escalate, it's fine!" Ma Rencai said anxiously.

Ma Yujie chuckled and sat down. "Alright! Then I'll hand over the housekeeping authority and the keys to the storeroom to my sister-in-law. From now on, all the household affairs of the Ma family will be handled by my sister-in-law. How about that?"

“No problem, no problem!” Ma Rencai nodded without even thinking.

"Master!" Madam Sang panicked, tears welling up in her eyes, looking utterly pitiful.

Ma Rencai didn't even glance at her.

Ma Yuqing said indignantly, "Dad! This is so unfair! Second Brother isn't even married yet. What if my sister-in-law embezzles money?"

Madam Bai smiled calmly, "Sister-in-law, I was raised by the Bai family. Our Bai family would never covet our daughter's husband's family fortune. Besides, I have a generous dowry. Those pittances are not worth my attention."

She was, after all, a favored concubine's daughter of the Bai family in the county town. How dare Ma Yuqing compare her to someone as shallow as Sang Shi? Who was she insulting?

Bai's seemingly gentle yet sharp words left Sang and Ma Yuqing utterly ashamed.

Ma Rencai frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed. "The eldest daughter is right. The Bai family's foundation is something that families like ours can't compare to. I feel very reassured handing over the management to her."

Madam Bai rose gracefully and curtsied, saying, "Father, rest assured, your daughter-in-law will manage the household well and report the details of the family's expenditures to you every month."

Ma Rencai nodded in satisfaction, "You're very thorough in your work."

The matter of the housekeeper's authority was thus settled.

Just as Ma Rencai was about to speak, Ma Yujie immediately interrupted, "And another thing! This 1,500 taels can't be easily forgotten. It should be attributed to the stepmother and younger brother. When the family property is divided, my eldest brother will get an extra 1,500 taels. No, if you include the materials, tonics, and ornaments, it'll be more than 1,500 taels. Sister-in-law, check it carefully again later. We need to get to the bottom of all the things that are missing. We can't let others benefit from them!"

Ma Rencai smiled, took a deep breath, and said, "Okay! I agree."

"Also, arrange a few more thugs for my older brother. Last time, my older brother was inexplicably plotted against by villains. This kind of thing must never happen again!" Ma Yujie climbed up the ladder with a clear conscience.

Ma Rencai had been thoroughly outmaneuvered by her, slumped in his chair, looking dejected. "Fine, fine! Make any other requests you have." Ma Yujie took the opportunity to get some more benefits for herself, and before leaving, she gave Zhou Shi and Ma Yuqing a stern warning, then hurriedly left with her entourage.

Knowing that Ma Rencai was going to deal with the Sang family next, Ma Xingteng took Bai family and left first.

Back in the courtyard, Bai's personal maid, Shiliu, asked in confusion, "Young Madam, are you really leaving so easily? Shouldn't we stay and wait a bit?"

Bai smiled and said, "What's the point of staying here? To witness my father-in-law's shameful behavior? I'll have to go over the accounts with him every month from now on, so I can't leave any resentment in his heart."

Don't worry! My father-in-law will definitely not let my mother-in-law off easily. This time, the Sang family will be severely punished, if not wiped out! I originally thought I would have to wait until my mother-in-law passed away or my father-in-law died and we divided the family property before I could take charge of the household. But now this is a pleasant surprise.

I remember that Su Yu, the head maid in my sister's courtyard, lives nearby. Last year, after hearing that Su Chunsen and his son were celebrating the New Year, she made a special trip back. If they come again this year, I will write a letter and ask them to take it back with them.”

Shi Liu quickly nodded, "Young Madam, shall I go and inquire now?"

Madam Bai shook her head. "You can go and keep watch at the entrance to town later, or send someone to keep an eye out and have them come and relay a message. There are many troubles at home right now, and I can't leave someone by my side."

Shiliu obediently agreed.

When Ma Yujie got home, she learned that Shen Yi had brought Su Changfu over. Feeling dizzy, she rubbed her forehead and asked, "What did they say?"

The doorman stammered, "Someone in Ximen Village was injured in the eye by an explosion. They're determined to sue the Sang family, Madam. I don't think this matter can be suppressed any longer. I just hope that Master won't be implicated."

"Nonsense! I've been running around anxiously for the sake of the master! What does the life or death of the Sang family have to do with me!" Ma Yujie couldn't help but vent her frustration before entering the room.

At this moment, Shen Yi had already driven the donkey cart into the house.

Hearing the commotion, Su Tai came out to help. "Why did you take so long? Did something happen again?"

Shen Yi gave a wry smile. "My wife is really sharp. You guessed it. But it's not us, it's the village of Ximen."

Shen Yi then recounted the despicable things Sang Yong had done. Su Tai covered her mouth in shock, looking relieved. "Luckily, Su Yan didn't marry Sang Rong back then, otherwise she would be dragged down by the Sang family now."

Shen Yi nodded in agreement, "That's what Uncle Su said too. When I took him to town, he was both worried and relieved, his feelings were very complicated."

Su Tai paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Anyway, it doesn't concern us much. Let's not think about those unpleasant things during the New Year. I've boiled some water. You can take a bath first, then scrub yourself thoroughly with soap to wash away all the bad luck of the year."

Shen Yi immediately went back to his room to get the new clothes Su Tai had made for him, and happily went to the bathroom.

The bathhouse has a newly built bathtub made of bricks and cement, with imitation marble tiles inside. The design below is similar to a kang (heated brick bed) in northern China. The stove is lit in the kitchen, and the water in the bathtub will also heat up, but it will only reach 40 or 50 degrees Celsius at most, and it is impossible for it to go any higher.

Fortunately, Su Tai can enter the water space-time and take as much water as she wants. She can also buy fully automatic large-capacity water heaters from the medium tool vending machine, use the medium water pipe to inject water into the water heater, and then use the medium water pipe to deliver the water to the bath after it boils, thus achieving a free supply of hot water.

With this bath, you don't have to worry about the water being too cold or you getting chilled when you take a bath in the dead of winter; it's just like a hot spring.

(End of this chapter)