Evans Family's Two Shrews Quarrel

Su Family.

Old Madam Su sat on the heated brick bed, trembling with rage. She snatched up the embroidery frame and hurled it at Helen Parker, cursing, "You shameless woman, how dare you use me as your pawn! Today, in front of the whole village, I've lost all my dignity! Kneel down, now!"

Helen Parker hung her head and wailed, "Mother, how can you blame me for everything!"

Old Madam Su’s chest heaved with anger as she scolded, "Who else am I supposed to blame if not you? If you hadn’t made up nonsense, saying Mrs. Wang’s hairpin was bought by you, would our family have been humiliated today?"

Beside them, Susan Evans, the third daughter-in-law, fussed over Old Madam Su while sneaking a gloating glance at Helen Parker, adding fuel to the fire: "Eldest Sister-in-law, Mom always treats you with all her heart, believes everything you say, and this is how you repay her trust? If you wanted that hairpin, you should’ve taken it yourself! Mom’s already so old—if something happens to her because of this, what are we supposed to do?"

Susan Evans’s words only made Old Madam Su angrier. She glared at Helen Parker, wishing she could eat her alive.

Helen Parker, stubborn as ever, retorted, "Third Sister-in-law, if you’re so filial, then have your Sam Evans go ask Mrs. Wang for the jewelry so Mom can wear it! Your Sam Evans and Mrs. Wang have a thing going on—let him serve her well tonight, and forget just a plum blossom silver hairpin, she’ll give him anything he wants!"

Susan Evans flared up at Helen Parker’s suggestion about Sam Evans and Mrs. Wang. "What nonsense are you spouting! Everyone in our family knows what happened back then! There was nothing going on between Mrs. Wang and our Sam Evans—that was just an excuse to drive those two women out! We sacrificed Sam’s reputation to get rid of those freeloaders, and now you’re bringing it up again. Do you have any shame?"

"You say there was nothing, so there was nothing? A widow and a third uncle living under the same roof—Sam Evans used to take good care of Mrs. Wang and her daughter. I think there’s definitely something going on!" Helen Parker shot back, her neck stiff with defiance.

"Say one more word and I’ll rip your mouth apart!" Susan Evans exploded, lunging at Helen Parker to start a fight.

Old Madam Su watched her two daughters-in-law fighting again, her eyes rolling back in fury, nearly fainting from anger.

"Enough! You two shrews—if you keep this up, I’ll send you both back to your mothers’ homes!" Old Master Su bellowed from the doorway.

At the threat of being sent back to their maiden families, both Helen Parker and Susan Evans grew fearful and awkwardly scrambled up from the floor.

Old Master Su was known for his bad temper and commanded great authority at home.

Old Master Su pointed at Helen Parker, "You cause trouble outside and still have the nerve to come home and make a scene. How did our Su Family end up marrying a shrew like you!"

Helen Parker was so angry she burst into tears, sobbing, "Father, you’re always blaming me! I’m not the only one at fault!"

Old Master Su retorted, "If you’re not at fault, who is? You always stir up trouble!"

Old Madam Su’s face was ashen. She clutched her chest and wailed, "You two want to drive me to my grave!"

Helen Parker and Susan Evans rushed to comfort Old Madam Su, their faces pale with fright.

Old Master Su snorted, "If you really cared about your mother, you wouldn’t be fighting all day long."

The Su Family’s argument echoed through the house, the tension thick enough to slice with a knife.