Transmigrated as a Peasant Baby Who is Pampered by All

"Yang Cheng is indeed from our village. I wonder what business you have with him, gentlemen?"

The big man grinned menacingly, "Not much, just that his wife borrowed twenty taels of silver from our master yesterday, saying it was for some tuition fees for their two sons. Today, she has to return thirty taels. We’re here to collect."

"What? Borrowed money, twenty taels?" The village chief was startled, and the people nearby, emboldened by his presence, also jumped in shock.

A villager hurriedly pointed to a nearby house, "Yang Cheng’s house is over there. You can go and check it out."

The big man looked at the villager appreciatively, "Smart lad, if you ever run out of money, come to the city and find us. You can borrow however much you need."

Another burly man snickered, "As long as you can repay. If not, it’s fine too, your women and children can be collateral. If worse comes to worst, pay with your life."

Hearing this, the villager staggered and almost fell to the ground.

The group of burly men burst out laughing at his misery before they left.

Yang Cheng was furious that his brother-in-law had ruined his wife and kids. He ignored his brother-in-law after work yesterday, didn’t even borrow his ox cart, and walked home instead.

It was quite a distance, and he hadn’t eaten before leaving, so he got home very late. He handed his wages from the past two days to his mother, ate the meal his sister-in-law cooked for him, and slept until the sun was high in the sky.

Upon waking, he heard his mother and sister-in-law talking outside.

"Once Cheng wakes up, go find that jinx! How dare she sell my grandson!"

"You’re right, mom. Sister-in-law went too far this time. Selling away Da Ni without even consulting you? It’s like she’s completely disregarding you. And twenty taels, yet didn’t let our eldest brother bring anything back."

"Hmph! I knew that jinx was up to no good. When she came back the other day, I felt something was off. Turns out she was up to no good!"

Yang Cheng paused, remembering telling his parents about his children’s mother over dinner last night, saying they’d go to Xiangmu Village today to get her back.

Now they’ve all run off, and there’s no one to work at home, plus the twenty taels of silver. He didn’t believe learning a trade would cost so much, surely that woman hid it!

"It’s all sister-in-law’s fault, Da Bao and Er Bao got expelled from the academy. How are they supposed to face others now? Without schooling, how will they earn accolades for grandma?"

The third sister-in-law was still lamenting, with their mother getting angrier and yelling outside.

Yang Cheng listened with furrowed brows; his two nephews truly were smarter and more clever than his own kids. It was that woman’s fault; clearly, if those two nephews became high officials, they could support their family.

Now neither nephew could stay in the academy. How will they continue their education? Other academies likely won’t accept them either.

Yang Cheng sat on the bed, listening to his mother and third sister-in-law outside, as worried as if something terrible had happened to him.

Indeed, trouble was about to find him.

"Hey, this must be Yang Cheng’s house. Why’s there a young wife hiding inside?"

A coarse voice shouted from outside, startling the two who were complaining about the eldest sister-in-law.

"Who are you? What do you want?" The old woman’s voice cracked with fear.

The third sister-in-law went weak in the knees, collapsing to the ground.

"We’re here to collect the debt. I ask you, you are Yang Cheng’s family, aren’t you?" The leader, holding a stick, sneered as he stepped closer.

"Don’t come here, don’t come here, Yang Cheng is in that room. Go find him."

The third sister-in-law was terrified, her face turning ashen as she heard they were looking for Yang Cheng. Panicked, she pointed shakily to the room where Yang Cheng was.

"Oh, hiding inside, not even coming out when your old lady is out here."

The leader scoffed, then went to the door and kicked it hard!

"Ah!"

"Bang!"

Yang Cheng, who was hiding behind the door peeking out, was kicked out, doorframe and all, landing hard on the floor with a scream.

"Who are you? What do you want!"

Yang Cheng lay on the ground, frantically backing away with both legs, trying to distance himself from the men.

"You’re Yang Cheng?" The group of burly men marched in, and the leader stepped on Yang Cheng’s chest, pointing a stick at his nose.

"Tell me, you have two sons, right? Your wife took them to the city to learn a trade yesterday?"