Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

Back in the house, Tao'er saw that her mother, Zhang Su'e, had woken up.

She was overjoyed, thinking that the medicine with the added spiritual spring water was indeed effective; her mother's complexion had improved a lot, and her originally sallow face had even regained a rosy hue.

Hearing the noise, Zhang Su'e quickly turned her ear and called her name, her voice trembling with urgency: "Tao'er, my Tao'er, is that you?"

Tao'er quickly sat down at the head of the bed and gently held her mother's hand.

Zhang Su'e strained her eyes, which could barely see anything, for a long time before finally managing to vaguely make out her daughter's face.

She reached out tremblingly and carefully touched Tao'er's cheek, as if afraid of breaking some precious treasure, murmuring to herself, "My Tao'er is back, finally back..."

I'm not dreaming, I'm not dreaming!

As Tao'er felt that rough, cracked hand caressing her face, a wave of sorrow welled up in her heart.

She could sense Zhang Su'e's deep love for the original owner of the body.

If it weren't for the fact that her daughter had gone missing, causing her to be so heartbroken and crying every day, her eyes wouldn't be in such a state. Now, she only has one eye that can barely see any light.

She quickly grasped her mother's hand, her voice soft and choked with emotion: "Mother, you're not dreaming, Tao'er is back."

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!"

Zhang Su'e kept repeating it, and finally a long-lost smile appeared on her lips. The smile contained relief, but even more so, joy.

Zhang Su'e then shouted, "Brother Da Niu, Tao'er is back! Our daughter is back!"

We can't let your mother bully Tao'er anymore.

She could sense her husband's presence in the house, so she knew he was there.

Upon hearing his wife's voice, Liu Daniu, who was standing there, quickly went over.

Seeing the conversation between his wife and daughter, this burly man's eyes also reddened.

He clenched his fist tightly, as if he had made a great decision, and said in a deep voice, "Su'e, don't worry, even if it costs me my life, I will not let them bully Tao'er again."

These words were spoken with absolute certainty, a stark contrast to the man who was usually timid and hesitant to speak loudly in front of his parents.

Zhang Su'e felt a little relieved, but then she remembered something and asked nervously, "Did your mother make things difficult for Tao'er just now?"

She remembered that she had suddenly fallen asleep for some reason, and she was worried that her mother-in-law might have taken advantage of her daughter while she was asleep.

Tao'er just had that girl hit her mother-in-law, Wang Shi, so she definitely won't let Tao'er off the hook.

Liu Daniu looked at Tao'er, his face showing reluctance.

Tao'er hadn't let him go with her earlier, and he didn't know if his mother had made things difficult for his daughter.

"Su'e, Father called Tao'er over just now, but she came back safe and sound."

"I hope they didn't make things difficult for Tao'er?"

He spoke with some hesitation, then added, "I just asked Tao'er, and she said she'd talk to me about it when we get inside."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Su'e was immediately enraged, and her voice rose considerably: "How could you, as a father, let Tao'er go alone!"

Aren't you afraid they'll bully our daughter?

Don't you know who your parents are?

"If my Peach gets bullied, I'll divorce you!"

She grew angrier as she spoke, thinking about how her daughter had been sold because of Wang's vicious deception.

Having suffered for so many years, she even began to hate her husband, Liu Daniu.

If this man hadn't been so weak and afraid to speak up, her two sons wouldn't still be unmarried, and Wang wouldn't have dared to sell their daughter!

Liu Daniu was so scolded by his wife that he couldn't lift his head. His face turned red, and he stammered a few times, but found that he had no way to defend himself.

His wife was telling the truth. He had indeed been too cowardly all these years. He knew that his parents favored the third and fourth wives, and he knew that his wife and children were being wronged, but he didn't dare to say a word. He always thought that harmony in the family would bring prosperity, and that he could just endure it.

But this forbearance ultimately led to the loss of even his daughter.

"Honey, don't get angry, it's bad for your eyes."

Liu Daniu looked at Zhang Su'e with heartache, his voice full of guilt, "I promise you, I will never let my parents bully Tao'er again."

At worst... our eldest branch of the family can separate.

The last few words were spoken very softly, yet it was as if all the strength in his body had been used up.

Split up?

In this era where filial piety is used to oppress people, taking the initiative to propose dividing the family property is considered a great act of rebellion and will be condemned by the villagers.

But Liu Daniu had no other choice; he couldn't bear to watch his wife and daughters be bullied any longer.

Hearing this, Tao'er finally felt a little comforted.

This spineless father isn't completely beyond redemption; at least he still has some backbone.

Are you serious?

Big Brother Niu!

Zhang Su'e was so surprised she almost sat up. She knew her husband too well; it must have taken a lot of determination for him to say the words "separate the family."

Liu Daniu nodded heavily, his eyes filled with an unprecedented determination: "If Father and Mother continue to be biased and bully you, I will take you all and separate from the family."

Zhang Su'e's eyes reddened again, this time from tears of emotion.

She quickly grabbed Tao'er's hand, her voice choked with emotion: "Tao'er, can you hear me?"

Your dad just said that if your grandparents bully you again, he'll take us and move out.

"Peach, don't be afraid. Your parents will protect you and will never let you suffer like this again."

Tao'er nodded, but she was more clear-headed than the others.

Dividing up a family property is easier said than done.

Not to mention the old family rule that the eldest son's family should not separate while his parents are still alive, those two stubborn old men, Liu Laogen and Wang Shi, would never easily agree to the eldest son's family separating.

After all, the eldest son's family are all strong laborers. If they are separated, who will serve them like beasts of burden?

Liu Daniu was hardworking and diligent, and Liu Tiezhu was also hardworking and capable. The firewood they chopped was not only enough for their family's needs, but they could also sell it in town for copper coins.

Liu Dachui was as strong as an ox and also a skilled hunter; selling his prey was one of the family's sources of income.

Only a fool would be willing to give them away.

"Mother, I heard it."

The family will definitely have to split up, but the old man and the others will certainly not agree to it.

Let's take it one step at a time. For now, just listen to me.

She then turned to look at Liu Daniu, her eyes clear: "And you and Dad should take good care of your injuries. You don't need to do any work at home or in the fields."

From now on, you can just stay home and recover from your injuries.

You haven't separated yet, so just wait and see how you live a life where you're waited on hand and foot.

They made them wash dirty clothes, cook meals, and feed the chickens and pigs.

When Tao'er said this with a smile, a sly glint flashed in her eyes.

Zhang Su'e and Liu Daniu exchanged a glance, both seeing shock and disbelief in each other's eyes.

"Tao'er, I'm afraid this won't work?"

Zhang Su'e hesitated before saying, "Your grandmother, I'm afraid she'll cause a huge uproar!"

The thought of Wang throwing a tantrum and pointing her finger at people while cursing made Zhang Su'e's scalp tingle.

She has been scolded a lot over the years.

"Yes, honey, you just got back, so you don't know your grandma's personality."

Liu Daniu also joined in the persuasion; he knew his mother all too well.

"Otherwise, let your mother take care of her, and I'll go do the work. With your older brothers and the like, your grandma probably won't be so relentless."

Liu Daniu didn't want his family to be in chaos, and he especially didn't want his mother to take the opportunity to harass his wife.

Over the years, he has seen it clearly: his mother just can't stand seeing the eldest son's family doing well, and she's always finding ways to cause trouble.