As soon as she finished speaking, Er Ya's face turned deathly pale. She trembled and choked out, "Father, I'm your daughter! How could you do this?"

"Hmph! You're my daughter? If you're my daughter, how could you do something so shameful?" Er Ya's father sneered.

"I..." Er Ya was at a loss for words when asked the question. Suddenly, an idea popped into her head, and she burst into tears. Her sobbing voice was heartbreaking.

"Father, Mother! Er Ya knows she was wrong, but... but... is it wrong for me to just want Father and Mother to live a good life?" Er Ya said, crying very sadly.

Er Ya's parents were so shocked by her words that their eyes widened and both of their gazes were fixed on Er Ya.

While wiping away her tears, Er Ya stole glances at her parents. When she saw that their expressions had softened, she pressed her advantage, saying, "Father! Mother! Your daughter is unfilial! Your daughter is incompetent! Every time I see you working so hard, my heart aches terribly. I know that you sent my sister and me to Aunt's place against your will!"

"I understand, after all, we have so many people to feed. Why did I have to go against my heart? I was blinded by greed. I thought that if I married Jiang Yaojie as a concubine, I would live a life of luxury and have a lot of money to support my family! But I was too hasty and almost caused a disaster! Father, you are right. Even if you beat me to death now, I will have no complaints!"

After Er Ya finished speaking, she kept glancing at her parents. As she expected, their expressions gradually changed from anger to calm and finally to guilt.

She breathed a sigh of relief; at least she had escaped a beating. Seizing the opportunity, she cried out, "Father! Mother! It's all because your daughter is incompetent..."

"Stop talking! It's all my fault! It's all my fault!" Er Ya's mother couldn't hold back anymore and hugged Er Ya, who was kneeling on the ground, and cried.

Er Ya's father picked up the pipe that was placed aside and started smoking it endlessly.

That was how things were supposed to end in Er Ya's plan, but Er Ya was not resigned to it. She felt that she was pretty and smart, and it would be a waste of her talent to marry a country bumpkin.

Er Ya thought about it and still wanted to go to Lu Family Village. Although it was also a village, the income there was much higher than that of her family. Moreover, given Jiang's current status, many high-ranking officials and nobles would surely appear in the future. If she were to catch their eye, she would definitely live a life of luxury.

Thinking of this, Er Ya bit her lip and said to her father, "Father, could you... give me a little bit of money? I want to... I want to buy something to apologize to my aunt. I can tell that my aunt and Aunt Jiang have a good relationship. I was out of my mind before and caused such a big problem. If I don't apologize now, my conscience won't allow it!"

After thinking for a moment, Er Ya's father finally took out some copper coins and placed them in Er Ya's hand, saying, "Alright, you're tired today, so get some rest. Tomorrow morning, go to the county to buy something for your aunt to apologize! It was my fault; I didn't hear you properly and hit you!"

"No, no, Father, I know you're doing this for my own good! I'll be more careful in the future!" After explaining, Er Ya walked towards her and Daya's bedroom.

Now that Daya is gone, Erya finally understands what it feels like to live alone in a room. She excitedly rolls around on the small bed, her mind filled with fantasies of herself becoming a merchant's wife or a royal lady. As she thinks about it, Erya drools and falls asleep.

The next morning, after saying goodbye to her parents, Er Ya headed towards Pingxi County alone. Zhao Er Leng's wife's spicy hot pot shop was already famous in Pingxi County, and Er Ya didn't need to ask around to find the place.

She didn't go straight in. Instead, she went to the pastry shop next door and bought two packs of the cheapest peach shortbread. With the remaining coins, she secretly bought a box of fine rouge. Of course, this rouge wasn't for her aunt; she planned to keep it for herself.

After spending all her coins, Er Ya carefully carried two bags of peach shortbread to Zhao Er Leng's wife's shop.

It's not yet noon, so no one would choose to eat mala tang here, making the business look very quiet.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhao Erleng were busy cleaning the ingredients, preparing for lunch.

Er Ya cautiously walked in and softly called out, "Auntie, are you there?"

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Zhao Erleng's wife immediately frowned, her expression showing some anger. Zhao Erleng quickly stopped her, saying, "Wife, that girl is still young, don't be angry with her!"

Zhao Erleng's wife slammed the vegetables in her hand into the basin and muttered, "Don't be angry! Don't be angry? My niece almost caused a disaster by pushing Congxin out of the house, how can I not be angry? You know how much kindness Yaojie's mother has done for our family. Now the three of us can eat our fill, dress warmly, and even have extra money. Isn't it all thanks to Yaojie's mother that we have this!"

"Oh dear, wife, do you think I don't know all this? But Er Ya is still so young. She calls you 'auntie,' doesn't she? Don't scare the child!" Zhao Erleng continued to comfort his wife, worried that she might upset herself.

Zhao Erleng's wife glared at her husband without saying a word, then turned and walked outside.

"What are you doing here?" Zhao Erleng's wife asked with a tense face.

Er Ya placed the peach shortbread on the table, pretending to be very careful, and said, "I...I've come to apologize to my aunt! Please accept these pastries, don't be offended!"

Zhao Erleng's wife put the pastries back into Er Ya's arms and said, "Alright, I know. Take these back with you! Your parents don't earn money easily, so keep these for yourselves!"

Er Ya felt the time was right and immediately knelt in front of Zhao Er Leng's wife, pinched her thigh hard, and said with red eyes, "Auntie, are you not going to forgive me?"

Zhao Erleng's wife was taken aback by this sudden turn of events. She quickly reached out to help Er Ya up, saying, "What's this about forgiveness? We're family. I just felt that your family works hard to earn money. Take this back!"

"Auntie, I know I was wrong, but... can you listen to what I have to say next? I know I can't defend myself for what happened, and I'm unforgivable, but I had my own reasons! Auntie! I really know I was wrong!" Er Ya said, her eyes brimming with tears, looking at Zhao Er Leng's wife.

Er Ya's pitiful appearance did indeed make Zhao Er Leng's wife feel a little sorry for her, especially when she saw Er Ya's swollen left cheek. Zhao Er Leng's wife guessed that the girl must have suffered a lot of pain yesterday.

But Zhao Erleng's wife didn't know that the swollen cheek on her left side was actually something Er Ya had secretly done herself last night! She had sneaked out early this morning because she was worried that her parents would be suspicious if they saw her face.

"Alright, then tell me, why did you push Chen Congxin away?" Zhao Erleng's wife finally softened and asked.