Chu Jinjin had lived in the apocalypse for more than 20 years. In this world, which had only been around for three years, she might have adapted on the surface, but deep down, she still retained the same old ways.
I want to do whatever I want and don't want to make things difficult for myself.
To be honest, she didn't care much about the future of the Chu family. At worst, she could take her parents to a distant place. The world is so big, and with her abilities, she could live a good life.
However, what happened the next day made her change her mind.
Chu Jinjin did not intend to let Wang Shi off the hook.
After returning yesterday, Wang went to the ancestral hall and knelt before the ancestral tablets of the Chu family for a long time, without eating, drinking, or saying a word.
She knew she was wrong, but she still chose to save her son.
This gave Chu Jinjin a new understanding of her.
She has done an excellent job as a mother, and in some ways, she deserves our respect.
I ran into Chu Yan on the way.
After a series of devastating misfortunes—his father was kidnapped, his own brother was the murderer, and his mother protected him—the once spirited young master of the Chu family was gone overnight, leaving him looking haggard.
Chu Jinjin wanted to say something, but seeing his expression, she let out a soft sigh.
There are no absolutely good or bad people. Chu Jinjin remembered his concern and worry when they went to Black Eagle Mountain Stronghold together.
That's enough.
"Third sister, good morning." Chu Yan's voice was hoarse when he spoke, but he forced a smile. "The Chu family will be relying on you from now on. If there's anything you need from me, just let me know."
Chu Jinjin couldn't hold back this time: "How dare you?"
Chu Yan was taken aback: "What?"
"How dare you ask me, a weak woman, to support the whole family?" Chu Jinjin said matter-of-factly. "True remorse isn't about running away, it's about making amends, don't you understand?"
It's clearly someone else's fault, so why is she the one who suffers?
Chu Yan was stunned for a long while, then shook his head with a wry smile: "Brother, brother..."
He didn't know what to say.
We arrived at the ancestral hall, and a gentle spring breeze carried a soft sob.
Chu Jinjin frowned: "Who's crying?"
Her voice sounded younger than Wang's.
Chu Yan smiled sadly: "Big sister is back."
Chu Jinjin had almost forgotten about this person.
If we count by age, the eldest among the siblings is not Chu Yan, but Chu Lingling.
She was everyone's eldest sister; she had married long ago and had two children, a boy and a girl.
A married daughter is like water spilled from a cup; her maternal home is far from the Chu family. In the three years since Chu Jinjin transmigrated here, she has only seen her once.
Chu Jinjin didn't think much of it: "It's good that you're back."
With so many things happening at home, I should come back and take a look. Although everyone in this family is still alive, it feels lifeless.
Chu Yan's smile grew even more desolate: "My eldest sister has been divorced."
Chu Jinjin: "......"
Inside the ancestral hall, Chu Lingling threw herself into her mother's arms, crying weakly.
She looked just like Wang Shi. She wasn't particularly beautiful, but she had a natural air of dignity and was the epitome of a virtuous wife and loving mother.
Hearing footsteps, she looked up with teary eyes and saw Chu Jinjin. She quickly wiped away her tears and choked out, "Jinjin is here."
Chu Jinjin nodded: "Big sister, what happened?"
Overnight, Wang's temples turned white, and her face became gaunt. She turned her head blankly and suddenly howled, "Isn't it all because of you? How many people have you harmed?"
Chu Lingling was so frightened that she hugged Wang Shi: "Mother, it has nothing to do with Jinjin. It's just that I met the wrong person. Jinjin, don't take it to heart. It really has nothing to do with you."
Chu Jinjin didn't take it to heart, but she wanted to get to the bottom of it, so she thought for a moment and asked, "What exactly happened?"
Chu Lingling was the eldest daughter of the Chu family and a legitimate daughter. After she came of age, matchmakers flocked to her door.
She was known for her virtue, and secondly, naturally, because the Chu family was one of the top ten richest merchants in the capital, marrying the eldest daughter meant having a wealthy father-in-law.
Mrs. Wang personally selected the two families, as she did not want her daughter to marry the same wealthy man.
One was a seventh-rank military officer from the Military Affairs Department, who came from a poor family; the other was a scholar who passed the imperial examination at the age of twelve, and also came from a poor family.
One was a scholar, the other a warrior; both had promising futures and came from modest backgrounds.
Chu Lingling chose Xu Xun, a seventh-rank military officer, between the two.
As the eldest daughter and the first to get married, her dowry was even more generous than Chu Jinjin's, including five shops alone.
However, several years passed, and he remained at the seventh rank, stagnating.
"I don't know what happened either." Chu Lingling brushed aside the hair that covered half of her face, revealing a shocking handprint, and tears streamed down her face again. "He came home drunk last night, and I didn't do anything. He just raised his hand and slapped me, and then wrote a letter of divorce."
Chu Jinjin's fist immediately hardened!
Even in its decline, the Chu family was still a force to be reckoned with, not to mention Chu Lingling's generous dowry.
A seventh-rank official's annual salary is at most two hundred taels of silver, which may not even be worth as much as one of Chu Lingling's pieces of jewelry.
Wang's guess was correct.
Such a drastic change in attitude can only mean one thing.
To get an opportunity, or to receive a signal from someone important.
Chu Jinjin was practically radiating murderous intent; this was truly going too far. She said in a low voice, "Big sister, what do you plan to do?"
Chu Lingling trembled in fright: "I...I don't know."
She finally believed what her mother had said.
This younger sister, whom I don't know very well, is a formidable character.
Chu Jinjin looked at her intently, then suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her outside.
Chu Yan realized something: "Third Sister, calm down."
He now admires Chu Jinjin, but he is also afraid of her.
Given the current state of the Chu family, it's better to avoid trouble. If Chu Jinjin were to actually go and beat up a seventh-rank military officer, things would get really messy.
Chu Jinjin was no brave man; she dragged Chu Lingling all the way to the martial arts training ground in the courtyard.
In March, the spring sunshine is already gentle.
Some of the guards who were training were shirtless because of the heat; their beautiful muscle lines mixed with beads of sweat were a particularly pleasing sight.
However, upon seeing the murderous Chu Jinjin, he immediately froze on the spot.
Didn't get enough yesterday, want to continue today?
Chu Jinjin narrowed her eyes, picked out the youngest and most handsome one, beckoned him over, and then took out a handful of silver notes from her bosom, saying indifferently, "My eldest sister has been divorced. I'll give you five thousand taels. Are you willing to marry her?"
The nurse looked to be only twenty, while Chu Lingling was over thirty and had two children.
This is clearly not a good match.
Chu Lingling: "......."
Guard: "......."
Chu Jinjin calmly reminded him, "Give me your answer within three breaths, or I'll find someone else."
The guard stared in disbelief, swallowing hard. "I...I'm willing."
Chu Lingling: "......."
"Very well, but I was just saying." Chu Jinjin took out a hundred-tael silver note and stuck it on his beautiful chest muscles covered with sweat, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, this is compensation for you."
Chu Lingling felt as if she had become a wind chime in a raging storm, completely disoriented.
Is this really Chu Jinjin?
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