May Parker's Provocation
Ever since Mrs. Thompson sold herself to Evans Manor, she’s been a lot more obedient. These days, whenever she sees anyone from Evans Manor, she keeps her head down and takes a detour—no more picking fights like she used to.
Mrs. Thompson knows perfectly well that, although Evans Manor claims not to treat her like a slave, her Servant Deed is in Lily Evans’s hands. Lily could beat her or sell her off at any time, so Mrs. Thompson has no choice but to behave herself.
John Thompson spent most of the five taels of silver in a flash, but knowing the family needed a new house, he set aside three taels and got it fixed up—barely enough to survive the winter without freezing to death.
Just then, a bombshell hit the village: May Parker, who’d been kicked out, was back home.
“Lily, didn’t you say May Parker was kicked out? Why’s she back again?” Cynthia Wu asked, munching on sunflower seeds as she lounged on the warm kang, gossiping with Lily Evans.
Mark Hunter doted on his wife and didn’t want Cynthia Wu to catch cold, so he’d fired up the kang early. Now that the Hunters were flush with cash, he didn’t care about a little firewood money.
Lily Evans picked up a piece of pastry. “I bet Grandma Evans and Mrs. Zhao couldn’t handle Lila Green’s torment anymore. Since the family already brought home a washed-up courtesan, one more disgraceful daughter wouldn’t make a difference. May Parker’s return might even help Mrs. Zhao deal with Lila Green.”
“True, the Evans Family’s reputation has been rotten for ages,” Cynthia Wu nodded.
Suddenly, Dr. Wu’s cold voice sounded from the yard: “What are you doing here? My Cynthia doesn’t want to see you!”
May Parker’s voice rang out in the courtyard: “Cynthia Wu, aren’t you always pining for Howard Liu? So why did you marry Mark Hunter? Is it because Howard Liu didn’t want you, so you settled for Mark Hunter?”
Mark Hunter lifted the curtain and stepped outside, his face icy as he snapped at May Parker, “Stop stirring up trouble at my house and get lost! Don’t dirty my yard!”
May Parker looked at Mark Hunter. He wasn’t the poor hunter he used to be—now he wore a brand-new robe and cut an imposing figure.
May Parker curled her lip. “Mark Hunter, what are you so proud of? You’re thrilled to have married Cynthia Wu, huh? But do you know your wife has her heart set on another man? Howard Liu doesn’t want her, so she had no choice but to marry you! You know why Cynthia married you? First, because you’re gullible and easy to fool—makes it convenient for her to sneak off with her lover. Second, because you have money. She eats your food, drinks your tea, wears your clothes, and uses your silver to raise another man’s child! Mark Hunter, you’re a fool, wearing a green hat and not even realizing it!”
“You… Get out of here!” Mark Hunter’s face turned ashen with rage, his whole body shaking.
May Parker rolled her eyes. “Mark Hunter, being fierce won’t help. Everyone in the village knows your wife’s obsessed with Howard Liu. Bet you didn’t know—Cynthia once begged me to take her to see Howard Liu! Then the two of them met in a room, who knows what shady business went on!”
Inside, Cynthia Wu couldn’t take it anymore. She stormed out, pointing at May Parker’s nose and shouting, “May Parker, stop slandering me! When did I ever sneak off with Howard Liu in a room?!”
May Parker wasn’t about to back down. She put her hands on her hips. “Oh, now you won’t admit it?! That time I went hiking with my brother and his classmates from the academy, you heard Howard Liu was going and insisted on tagging along! Howard Liu said he felt unwell and went to rest in a room, and you jumped at the chance, claiming you knew medicine and dashed right in! You two were alone together—dare you let your husband Mark Hunter know what you did?”