“Yes,” Sun Miao’er replied. It was unclear what she meant by asking that question. She had never seen a married daughter of the Sun family return to her parents’ home before. They were probably afraid of Jin Shi’s presence. Now that the family had separated, they dared to come home to visit.

When Old Lady Sun was in dire straits, she nearly died in the kitchen, and no one came to inquire about her well-being. As soon as the family separated, they all rushed back home, which shows how cold-hearted people are. If even family members are like this, what about outsiders?

Sun Caiping nodded, her numb face revealing no other expression, only her empty eyes staring blankly at the ground. "It's good that we split up, it's good that we split up!"

It's easy to tell from her words that she knew about what happened to Grandma Sun at home, but she never asked about it.

Sun Miao'er couldn't help but become suspicious, wondering if the matter of demanding a bride price was something she and Jiang Yutao had planned together.

Sun Caiping sighed deeply. She had lived a stifled life for so many years, and could only catch her breath in the quiet of the night. "Miao'er, don't blame your aunt. Your aunt really had no other choice. If I hadn't been driven to the brink, I would never have put Mother in such a difficult position."

As she spoke, Sun Caiping wiped away her tears again, “My mother has worked hard all her life, and she’s so old. I still want to make her worry… But I can’t be divorced. I married into the family in a grand and respectable way. I have to live with dignity. How can I let the villagers laugh at the Sun family?”

Haven't the Sun family been the laughingstock of people over the years? Ever since Old Man Sun died, and her father is gone too, Sun Yuanhu has accumulated a mountain of gambling debts. What hasn't been enough to become fodder for gossip behind people's backs?

Sun Miao'er didn't know how Jiang Yutao had brainwashed Sun Caiping. It was quite an achievement to make someone follow him so devotedly. However, she had heard of a condition called Stockholm syndrome, which refers to the psychological attachment or even dependence that a victim develops towards their abuser.

Currently, Sun Caiping's condition appears to be extremely similar to the description of this disease. However, Sun Miao'er only has a basic understanding of the disease and is unclear about the specific treatment methods.

That night was long. Sun Miao'er and Sun Caiping squeezed into one bed. Sun Caiping had been living on thin ice all these years and couldn't even sleep soundly. She could only curl up in a corner that was only half the width of a person to fall asleep.

But that was already an immense blessing for her.

The next day, when the rooster crowed, Sun Miao'er got up and there was no one beside her.

A bowl of fragrant millet porridge was already laid out on the table in the outer room, but Sun Caiping was nowhere to be seen.

Until she heard a voice coming from the next room, "Useless thing, you can't even dress yourself properly, what use are you to me!"

Jiang Yutao cursed for a long time before stopping, and Sun Miao'er listened for a long time but didn't hear Sun Caiping say anything.

The two men came out dressed neatly, and Grandma Sun really assumed they were sleeping in the same bed.

"My lord, your stomach was upset last night, so I specially prepared some millet porridge this morning. It will make you feel better." Sun Caiping picked up a spoon and ladled out the porridge, giving the first bowl to Jiang Yutao.

Jiang Yutao impatiently took the bowl, ignoring his wife behind him, and said to Sun Miao'er with narrowed eyes, "Niece, please sit down and have some porridge to warm your stomach!"

Sun Miao'er sat down as he suggested. This couldn't go on like this. They had to find a way to separate Sun Caiping and Jiang Yutao for a while and break her dependence on him.

Seeing that the girl in front of him was quite obedient, Jiang Yutao became a little bolder. "Miao'er, come sit with your uncle."

Grandma Sun was only polite to Jiang Yutao on the surface, but seeing his overstepping of bounds, she could not tolerate it. She changed the subject and said, "Yutao, fifty taels back then is not the same as today. According to the market price, it is probably only worth thirty taels now."

If it weren't for her daughter's insistence, Old Madam Sun would have been unwilling to give the money. After all, she had dealt with money for most of her life, and even if she did give it, she wouldn't let Jiang Yutao take advantage of her.

If I were to actually give her money, I might have to lose face and ask my granddaughter for it.

Jiang Yutao's face darkened, and he said, "Mother-in-law, you're trying to play tricks on me. When your family asked for fifty taels of betrothal money, my Jiang family didn't even flinch. Mother-in-law, go out and ask around. Who else can be so generous? They probably can't even sell their property for fifty taels!"

"Jiang Yutao!" Old Mrs. Sun couldn't hold back her anger any longer and shouted angrily.

The daughter of the Sun family was innocent and upright, yet he compared her to those who sold themselves into prostitution. How could Old Lady Sun possibly tolerate this?

Thirty taels? Sun Miao'er thought that Jiang Yutao wouldn't get a single coin from the Sun family.

She still pretended to be timid and said in a low voice, "Grandma, do you think Mr. Fu has any ideas about Aunt's illness? Let's not rush."

Upon hearing the name Mr. Fu, a light suddenly flashed in Sun Caiping's eyes, and she finally spoke, "Yes, Mother, I heard that there is a very skilled doctor in Fushui Village, and I wanted to take this opportunity to have him examine me."

"What are you looking at? It's been so many years, and there's still no sign of pregnancy in your belly." Jiang Yutao poured cold water on Sun Caiping's enthusiasm.

Sun Miao'er could tell that he didn't care at all whether Sun Caiping could have a child for him; he just wanted money.

Sun Caiping was rendered speechless by Jiang Yutao's scolding.

Sun Miao'er, however, thought differently. Jiang Yutao had taken a liking to her, so that was perfect. She said softly to Grandma Sun, "Grandma, let Mr. Fu take a look at Auntie."

Grandma Sun's face turned cold as she stared at Jiang Yutao, but she said confidently, "Yutao, I remember that your concubine was bought from a lowly social class?"

"If I remember correctly, those born into lowly families are not allowed to participate in the imperial examinations." Old Mrs. Sun fell ill a few years ago and couldn't compete with Madam Jin. Now she's mostly recovered and her mind is much clearer. After all, she's educated and not an illiterate peasant woman.

"Jiaji" refers to the status of men in a clan who have committed serious crimes and are implicated, who are either executed or exiled, while women are enslaved or forced into prostitution. According to the laws of the Shang Dynasty, children of Jiaji are not allowed to hold official positions unless they achieve military merit.

Jiang Yutao was unaware of this reason and thought that having a son was enough to ease his worries. However, after hearing what Grandma Sun said, he began to feel a little worried. His family had been studying for generations, but unfortunately, at most they could only pass the county-level exam and never the imperial exam.

He was still hoping to have a son who could bring honor to the family.

“Our Sun family is a respectable family. If you don’t want Cai Pingsheng, that’s fine too. Your Jiang family can decide for yourselves.” Old Mrs. Sun saw the worry in Jiang Yutao’s eyes and said this deliberately.

Jiang Yutao was at a loss, caught in a dilemma, and said, "Fine, fine, let's take her to see that doctor. If he can't cure her, I'll take fifty taels and buy a girl from a respectable family to give birth to for me!"

You're dreaming!

Sun Miao'er wanted to roll her eyes at him, but to appease him, she had to pretend to be submissive, so she could only curse him a thousand times in her heart.