I Crossed Over with My Enemy, Only to Find Him Running the Empire - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Flattery

“Qiaoqiao,” Zhang Jinhua’s voice softened, but it was more chilling than before. “You think I truly don’t see those little tricks of yours? This residue hangs off the rim of the bowl—every time you bring it back, it’s a thicker layer than anyone else’s. Tie Niu’s mouth is as clean as a whistle. That extra portion… whose stomach did it end up in, hmm?”

Li Qiaoqiao’s head hung even lower, wishing she could find a crack in the floor to crawl into.

In the modern era, when had she ever endured such needle-sharp humiliation? But here, the pangs of hunger were terrifyingly real; that bit of watery gruel simply wasn’t enough to sustain her.

“Our Wu family isn’t the kind to be cruel,” Zhang Jinhua changed her tone, her finger tapping the edge of the bowl with a dull thud, thud. “What is yours to eat, you shall not lack. But do not covet a single grain that isn’t yours to take—especially stealing food from your own husband’s mouth! He’s a fool who can’t speak, but do you think he doesn’t feel pain? It’s his stomach going hungry, his health being ruined! As his wife, is your heart truly that hard?”

Each word struck like a hammer, leaving Li Qiaoqiao dizzy. She opened her mouth to say she hadn’t thought that much and was simply too hungry, but she forced herself to swallow the words. Any defense now would only add fuel to the fire.

Zhang Jinhua looked at her cowering like a quail, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. She had sensed something off about this daughter-in-law lately. Since waking up from that fall, the girl had become quicker with her hands and her eyes had regained some spark—she wasn’t like the “dead block of wood” she used to be.

But this cleverness hadn’t been put to good use; instead, she’d learned to slack off and line her own pockets. Zhang Jinhua suddenly remembered discussing with her eldest daughter-in-law a few days ago whether they should sell Qiaoqiao to raise money for Tie Niu’s medicine. Could it be…

Walls have ears. Did this wench overhear them? Is that why she suddenly changed—acting all subservient and eager to please? Was she trying to stay, or just trying to grab as many benefits as possible while she could?

At this thought, Zhang Jinhua snorted inwardly, though her expression softened. Having finished the “stick,” it was time for the “carrot.”

“Fine, lift your head,” she said, her voice loosening. “Look at you, so spineless! My words were harsh, but they were for your own good—and for the good of this family.”

Li Qiaoqiao looked up timidly, tears glistening in her eyes, looking every bit the repentant student.

“Don’t go thinking nonsense,” Zhang Jinhua stared into her eyes, enunciating every word. “There is no reason for the Wu family to sell a daughter-in-law. If word got out, how would we show our faces? How would Tie Niu face people in the future?”

These words were like a royal pardon. The heart Li Qiaoqiao had been holding in her throat finally thudded back into her chest, followed by a wave of lingering fear. So the mother-in-law really did have that intention! Her attempts to curry favor over the past few days had been a lucky strike!

“Mother, I…” she choked out, this time with genuine emotion. “I won’t dare do it again. I will definitely take good care of Tie Niu…”

“Mhm,” Zhang Jinhua grunted, considering the matter settled. She walked to the edge of the kang bed and looked at her simple-minded son, who was leaning his head to the side and drooling. Her gaze was complex.

“You’ve been more alert lately,” she said, her back to Li Qiaoqiao, her voice sounding distant. “You see work that needs doing, and you’ve learned to speak like a proper person. This is a good thing.”

Li Qiaoqiao held her breath, listening intently.

“Tie Niu… he likely won’t ever get better,” Zhang Jinhua’s voice dropped, carrying a hint of hoarseness. “His father and I will eventually be too old to move, unable to protect him. When that day comes, who can he rely on?”

She turned around, her gaze piercing as she looked at Li Qiaoqiao. “Won’t he have to rely on you, his wife? If you are a bit more clever and capable now, I can actually feel a bit more at ease. In the future, for the sake of his parents and the years of food and clothing provided to you, just don’t let him freeze or starve, or let others bully him… that would be a great act of merit on your part.”

The words were heartfelt, yet heavy as a mountain.

“Mother!” Li Qiaoqiao dropped to her knees, seizing the moment to show her loyalty. Her words flowed with practiced ease.

“Rest assured! Since I, Li Qiaoqiao, married into the Wu family, I am a member of the Wu family! Tie Niu is my husband—if I don’t cherish him, who will? From now on, as long as I have a bite to eat, he will never go hungry! I will take perfect care of him. If anyone dares to bully him, they’ll have to step over my dead body first! I will stay by him for a lifetime!”

She spoke with iron-clad resolve, looking Zhang Jinhua straight in the eye without flinching. Every word struck exactly the chord Zhang Jinhua wanted to hear.

Zhang Jinhua watched her closely, as if weighing the truth of her words. After a long moment, the tension in her face finally gave way to a sliver of satisfaction. This was the promise she needed—even if it was just verbal, it temporarily soothed the heart that had been agonizing over her son for over a decade.

“Remember what you said today.” Zhang Jinhua’s tone softened completely; she even reached out to give Li Qiaoqiao a hand up. “Get up. The floor is cold.”

Li Qiaoqiao stood up, keeping her hands at her side in a submissive posture.

“This food,” Zhang Jinhua handed the ceramic bowl to Li Qiaoqiao. “You are still the one to feed him. Be careful with the portions. Don’t take extra anymore; I won’t let you two starve.”

“Yes! Thank you, Mother!” Li Qiaoqiao hurried to take the bowl with both hands, a great weight lifting from her mind. The job of feeding him was secured, which meant she would at least still have access to food.

Zhang Jinhua paused, appearing to hesitate for a moment, before tilting her chin toward the outside. “There’s half a bowl of egg soup warming in the pot on the stove. It was meant for Tie Niu’s midnight snack, but I’ll have your third sister-in-law bring it for you to drink later. Look at you, skinny as a monkey—don’t let people say the Wu family mistreats their daughters-in-law.”

Egg soup! Li Qiaoqiao’s eyes lit up instantly. In this household, eggs were precious commodities, usually reserved for the hard-working men or occasionally Tie Niu. This was a massive reward!

Suppressing her excitement, she made sure her voice sounded only grateful: “Thank you, Mother! You are the best to me!”

Zhang Jinhua waved her hand as if tired of the flattery, but her complexion clearly improved. She said calmly, “From now on, don’t huddle in the kitchen to eat by yourself. Come to the main hall and eat with everyone else.”

Li Qiaoqiao looked up sharply, hardly believing her ears. Eating in the main hall? This meant she was no longer just a “child bride” hiding by the stove eating leftovers; she had gained a basic level of recognition. She could officially sit at the table—a person with a (however small) place in the family! No more sneaking around; she could eat in the light of day!

The massive surprise made her head swim. She quickly lowered her head. “Thank you, Mother! I will be obedient, work hard, and take good care of Tie Niu!”

Zhang Jinhua gave a short “mhm,” said nothing more, and turned to leave.

Li Qiaoqiao walked to the edge of the bed, her mind racing. Zhang Jinhua was shrewd, fierce, and suspicious, but she was also direct and had a clear weakness: her son. She feared he would be mistreated and feared having no one to rely on in old age.

As long as she grasped that point and played to those desires, it wouldn’t be hard to stay on her good side. Flattery, sweet talk, and displays of loyalty—it seemed these were the most effective weapons against her mother-in-law.

Li Qiaoqiao silently vowed to use them more often. To eat her fill, to survive, and to establish a foothold here—what did “face” matter? She had to get her roots deep into the soil first.