Siheyuan: Walking the Path of Qin Huairu

When Hu Yingzi heard the news and rushed over, the natural reaction of a rural woman was to hug her son and cry loudly: "Huzi, my son, open your eyes and look at your mother..."

Xu Huizhen was also horrified when she saw her brother's miserable state. Huzi's face was twisted and looked very ferocious, and his skin was whitened by the water. His legs were bent in a very strange state, and it was estimated that he was still struggling desperately before his death.

Xu Huizhen was only four years old at the time. As time goes by, the memories of this age will become blurred or even forgotten. (Do you have any memories of this age?) But this scene is engraved in her memory forever. Maybe it's because she often thinks of it later, or maybe it's too unforgettable. In short, she will never forget it. Every time she thinks of it, tears will well up in her eyes, and every time she thinks of it, her heart will ache as if it is being pulled out.

Xu Jianshe happened to go to the county town that day. When he came back and tried to find out the truth, he found nothing. Old Master Xu, relying on his status and prestige as the clan leader, silenced everyone.

They are both grandchildren, why are they treated so differently?

Hu Yingzi was devastated by the loss of her son. She lost three and a half of her seven souls, just like Xianglin Sao in Lu Xun's novel. She often immersed herself in the past and was in a daze. Especially when she saw Hu Zi's playmate Tie Tou, she always stared at Tie Tou intently, muttering: "If Hu Zi were alive, he would be like this, right?"

The glory of maternal love also disappeared from her. She ignored her daughter Huizhen and sometimes even beat and scolded her for no reason, wishing Huizhen was dead.

Once, Hu Yingzi was sitting on a stone at the door in a daze, and Tietou came out of the house. He had to go through this alley to get out. Tietou, feeling nervous, started to jog, and because of his nervousness, he accidentally fell.

Hu Yingzi immediately stood up, picked up Tietou, and comforted him: "Good boy, it doesn't hurt, don't cry, eat a piece of candy and it will go away." Then she took out a piece of fruit candy from her pocket, peeled off the candy wrapper, and stuffed it into Tietou's mouth.

Tietou, who had not cried at first, burst into tears immediately. He cried and said, "Second Aunt, I'm going to tell you how Brother Huzi died. Can you please stop staring at me? Woohoo, you can't blame me for this. My mother said that if I told her, she would throw me into Yadan Bay and drown me. I don't want to die. I haven't grown up yet and haven't married yet. I'm the only child in three generations."

Hu Yingzi perked up instantly. She trembled and said, "Okay, Second Aunt won't stare at you anymore. Tell me how Hu Zi died, and I'll give you a bag of candy."

Tietou: "Woo woo woo, then you can't tell my mother that I said that."

Hu Yingzi: "I will never tell you. I can make a promise with you that you will not change your mind for a hundred years."

Tietou: "Brother Shengli kicked Huzi into the water. I was taking a shit in the bushes at the time and saw it."

Hu Yingzi: "Why did Shengli kick Huzi?"

Tietou: "Brother Qianjin wanted Huzi's wooden duck to play with, but Huzi refused to give it to him. Shengli got angry and kicked Huzi in the butt, and then Huzi fell into the water."

Hu Yingzi was stunned for a moment, and Tietou took the opportunity to get out of Hu Yingzi's arms and slipped away.

Hu Yingzi walked back home in a daze, took out a kitchen knife from the kitchen, and waited at the door for Shengli to come back from school. She wanted to avenge her son.

When Shengli came home from school, he saw Second Aunt staring at him with unfriendly eyes. Feeling guilty, he dared not approach her and walked around Hu Yingzi. His mother had told him that Second Aunt was possessed by a demon and he should stay away from her in the future.

Hu Yingzi took out a kitchen knife from his waist and chopped at Shengli, shouting, "Xu Shengli, I'll make you pay for Hu Zi's life."

Xu Shengli couldn't wait to be chopped, so he dropped his schoolbag and ran away. A twelve-year-old boy was very nimble and his running speed was not to be underestimated.

No one knew where Hu Yingzi got the strength from, but in a flash, she slashed Shengli on the back. Xu Shengli screamed and ran even faster.

One was running in front, and the other was chasing behind. Hu Yingzi was shouting, "You murderer, pay for my son's life."

Finally, Hu Yingzi was hugged by the neighbors and the knife was taken away. Someone comforted her and said, "Yingzi, if you have something to say, please tell me slowly. If you kill someone, you must pay with your life."

Hu Yingzi: "Xu Shengli killed my son, so I am going to kill him. Xu Shengli, just wait for me. You can escape today, but you can't escape tomorrow."

Xu Shengli was stabbed but was fine. It turned out that Hu Yingzi was too nervous and held the knife the wrong way, so he stabbed with the back of the knife. Although he felt pain at the time, the back of the knife was much less lethal. Shengli was lucky and it was a false alarm.

Finally, Mr. Xu came out again and told Xu Shengli to go home first and not come out. He also had someone drag the crazy Hu Yingzi into the house. He said earnestly: "Second son's wife, please be quiet. If Shengli is really hacked to death, you will not be able to live."

Hu Yingzi said angrily, "Dad, Shengli is your grandson, but isn't Huzi your grandson? How dark is that bastard's heart! My poor Huzi...ah...ah."

Old Master Xu: "Shengli didn't do it on purpose. Things have come to this. If you kill Shengli, Huzi won't survive. They are all my grandsons. I will give you an explanation."

After he finished speaking, he turned and walked out. Hu Yingzi lay on the bed and burst into tears, venting the pain and sadness in her heart.

Mr. Xu came to Tietou's house. Tietou was the only witness of the whole incident. At this time, Tietou had been served a meal of bamboo shoots and fried meat by his mother.

It turned out that Tietou's family was small, and Tietou had been the only son for three generations. Not to mention brothers, he didn't even have cousins, so he had to rely on his clansmen for anything. In those days, it was not easy for rural people to live alone, so they were usually cautious in their dealings. The clan leader had already told them not to say anything they shouldn't.

Besides, human life was at stake. If the truth was revealed, Xu Jianshe would turn against Xu Jianshe, which would be detrimental to their family. So they repeatedly warned Tietou not to tell anyone. But man proposes, God disposes, and the truth was still exposed.

Seeing the old man come in, Tietou's father knew that his son had caused trouble, and said, "Uncle, it's all because of my Tietou who didn't keep his mouth shut. My wife has just taught him a lesson."

The old man sighed and said, "Don't blame Tietou, he's still a child. If you want to blame someone, blame Shengli. But what can I do? One grandson has already died, is there another one to die?"

Tietou's father said, "Yes. Why not try to persuade the second brother and his wife?"

Old Master Xu: "I've thought about it. With the second son's wife in this state, it's not safe for us to live together. I want to divide the family property between them and compensate the second son when I divide it. However, if the second son's wife can't control herself, I still need your help."

Tietou Dad: "What do you need me to do?"

Old Master Xu's eyes were firm, and he said forcefully, "As long as Tietou doesn't come forward to testify, she won't be able to turn the tables."