Chapter 90 "If you're afraid, why even think about it? You're already..."
Pei Jinghuai searched around for a long time and found a brick at the base of the wall.
He held a brick in one hand and grabbed the chain with the other. With two clangs, the lock broke and fell to the ground, and he also pulled the chain off. "All done."
Shen Lingyue eagerly pushed open the door and looked up to see the slender figure of the woman writing at her desk.
The noise from smashing the lock was so loud that before Xiao Suzhen could react, several young men and women burst in, as if they were committing a robbery.
She panicked for a moment, instinctively grabbing the heavy paperweight beside her. "Who are you? What do you want?"
When she caught a glimpse of her daughter following Dong Lanyi out of the corner of her eye, the fear and worry in her eyes almost overflowed. "Little girl, come to your mother's side quickly!"
The little girl, completely unaware of what was happening, held Dong Lanyi's hand and smiled at her, saying, "Mother, my brothers and sisters have come to save you."
She just saw it all; the big padlock that her uncle hung on the door every day before leaving the house was smashed to pieces by her brother in just a few moves.
"Help me?"
Xiao Suzhen looked confused. After taking a closer look at the clothes and attire of the group, she realized they were clearly young masters and ladies from wealthy and powerful families. Why would they commit robbery in broad daylight?
But she didn't understand why she needed to be saved.
Shen Lingyue began looking around as soon as she entered the room.
Judging from Xiao Suzhen's reaction after they barged in, she didn't seem to have been forced. Although the room was locked with chains, the furnishings inside were clean and tidy. The shelves against the wall were full of books, used papers were scattered on the table, and there was a pot of tea and two plates of snacks on the side.
She thought for a moment, then smiled politely at Xiao Suzhen: "Sister Xiao, you wrote 'The Story of Qilan,' right? Why did Xiao Lang lock you in the room? Is he forcing you to write books for him to make money?"
Xiao Suzhen was caught off guard by the sudden question, nodding and then shaking her head. "Yes, it was me who wrote it. But Alang didn't force me. We needed to earn money to live in the capital... He locked me in the room because I had to meet a deadline. He said writing requires focus and shouldn't be disturbed by the outside world. 'Heaven will entrust great responsibilities to those who are first tested with hardship...'"
"Bullshit!" Shen Lingyue said angrily. "When he was out there indulging in debauchery and having a good time, why didn't he talk about tempering his will?"
Xiao Suzhen suffered all the hardships, while Xiao Lang enjoyed all the blessings.
Yan Yi stepped forward and calmly met Xiao Suzhen's gaze.
"Xiao Lang has seized control of 'The Story of Qi Lan,' erasing all your contributions, and is reaping both fame and fortune under the guise of the Young Master of Xiao Xiang. Sister Xiao, why don't you leave him? Is there some unspeakable reason?"
Shen Lingyue realized what was happening and quickly nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes, we can help you get rid of him! You have talent and ability, why not make money by writing your own books? Why let him take advantage of you?"
She grew angrier as she spoke, pointing at the little girl, "When we arrived just now, your daughter was washing clothes by the well, and that whole basin was full of Xiao Lang's clothes. She's so young, how can Xiao Lang act like such a bad uncle?"
Xiao Suzhen's expression changed instantly. She quickly walked around the desk, pulled Xiaonan into her arms, and examined her hand carefully.
"Little girl, why did you never tell me that your uncle also asked you to wash his clothes?"
The little girl hid her ten little fingers, which were red from being washed in the well water, behind her back and shook her head. "I only started washing clothes recently. My uncle said that we don't support idlers in the family, so he wants me to learn to do chores so that my mother can focus on writing her book and earn money for us to spend."
Xiao Su was heartbroken, her eyes instantly reddened, and for the first time, she felt resentment towards Xiao Lang.
It's nothing for her to work hard, but the little girl is still so young. Her brother has clearly earned a lot of money these days, so why can't she even afford to hire someone to do her laundry?
Looking at her daughter's innocent face, Xiao Suzhen could no longer lie and say that she had voluntarily written the book for Xiao Lang.
“My brother said that it is unorthodox for a woman to write a book, and if we do not pretend to be men, no bookstore will be willing to cooperate with us.”
Xiao Suzhen explained in a low voice, "He also said that just being able to write a book isn't enough; the real skill is being able to sell it..."
"He's lying to you."
Dong Lanyi could no longer contain herself, so she quickly stepped forward and excitedly grasped Xiao Suzhen's hand.
"Sister Xiao, I've finally met you... I am Lan Jun, the author of 'Jade Hairpin.' Have you already read my story?"
Xiao Suzhen suddenly raised her head, staring incredulously at the young girl who was not yet twenty years old. "You are Lan Jun?"
Dong Lanyi nodded vigorously, "That's right, it's me. And all the readers outside know that I wrote this book, and no one looks down on me because I'm a woman."
Xiao Suzhen was struck by this huge truth and didn't recover for a long time.
So women can write books openly and honestly?
Shen Lingyue stepped forward and said, “We are Lan Jun’s family and the owners of Langhuan Pavilion. 'Jade Hall Hairpin' sold very well throughout the city thanks to our efforts. Lan Jun only needs to focus on her writing and doesn’t need to worry about these trivial matters. Sister Xiao, as long as you leave Xiao Lang and join us, you can do it too. Don’t you want to stand proudly in front of everyone and tell them that you are the true author of 'The Legend of Qi Lan'?”
Her words were so tempting that Xiao Suzhen simply couldn't refuse.
Yes, doesn't she want to?
She thought!
Last year, "The Story of Qi Lan" became a sensation in Beijing as soon as it was released, and Xiao Lang "mercifully" allowed her to go out for some fresh air.
She secretly went to the vicinity of Xuelangzhai and saw a long queue forming in front of the shop. Everyone wanted to buy her "The Story of Qilan" and everyone was excitedly discussing the plot of the book.
She really wanted to join them, to ask them what they thought of the story, and what kind of plot she would like to see next.
However, Xiao Lang repeatedly instructed her not to have too much contact with outsiders, and even more so not to reveal her identity.
Xiao Suzhen could only watch them leave with envy. Not long after, Xiao Lang found her and took her home to continue writing the next volume.
"I think, I've thought about it..."
Xiao Suzhen hugged her daughter tightly, her voice low, "But my daughter and I don't meet the requirements for establishing a household. If there isn't a male head of the family to carry on the household, how are we supposed to live in the capital?"
Moreover, she had a nagging feeling that even if she made up her mind to leave, would Xiao Lang really let her go?
Shen Lingyue frowned and asked Yan Yi in a low voice, "I wanted to ask you this before, wasn't there such a thing as 'female households' in ancient times? Could mothers and daughters be registered as separate households?"
Yan Yi replied in a low voice, "The conditions for establishing a female household are extremely strict. It is necessary to meet the requirement of 'extinction of the household,' which means that neither the woman's husband's family nor her own family has any male members who can support the family, before she can be allowed to establish a separate household."
If Xiao Suzhen had not left the Wang family, and the Wang family consisted of her deceased husband, her father-in-law, and two brothers-in-law, she would never have had the opportunity to establish her own household.
Even if she returned to her parents' home, with Xiao Lang as an adult male, the government would still not allow her to separate and live independently.
As Shen Lingyue listened, she suddenly blurted out, "So, you mean that as long as Xiao Lang dies, Sister Xiao can establish a female household?"
Yan Yi: ...
"That's true, but we can't do that."
She tugged at Shen Lingyue's sleeve, then firmly shook her head at Pei Jinghuai, who was clearly tempted.
Xiao Lang is indeed despicable and shameless, but from a legal perspective, he does not deserve to die. Such an extreme approach should not be used to resolve the issue.
Shen Lingyue then thought, "What if we could prove that Sister Xiao has the ability to support herself and her daughter?"
Many women have no source of income or means of making a living, so they have no choice but to depend on the male members of their family for survival. But what if she did have one?
Xiao Suzhen is a popular author who wrote the hugely popular novel "Qilan Biography". Xiao Lang even bought a house outright with her help. Who dares to say that she can't live without a man?
Yan Yi nodded, "That's not a bad idea. I'll think about the specifics when I get back."
The most urgent task now is to take Xiao Suzhen and her daughter away and escape Xiao Lang's control.
Dong Lanyi squatted down, looked the little girl in the eye, and asked her seriously, "Do you want your mother to leave here, so that you and your daughter can live together from now on, and no one will lock her up anymore, and no one will make you do chores or wash clothes anymore?"
Without hesitation, the little girl replied, "I do!"
Turning back, she shook Xiao Suzhen's arm vigorously, "Mother, let's listen to our sister and go! I don't want to live with Uncle anymore, he always secretly calls me a little burden..."
Xiao Suzhen was both angry and furious. It didn't matter how Xiao Lang vented his anger on her, but he shouldn't have treated Xiaonan like that.
She only has one daughter, and raising her from a tiny baby to this age has taken so much of her effort and placed so much hope and expectation on her.
She wrote "The Story of Qi Lan" hoping that her daughter could be as brave and free as Qi Lan in the future, pursuing what she wanted, instead of being trapped in this chained "prison" like her.
The chains are tangible, but the constraints imposed on her and women by this world are intangible yet omnipresent.
"Sister Xiao, Qilan is a soul born from your pen. You gave her a free personality and the courage to break through worldly constraints. Why are you so timid and afraid when it comes to you?"
Seeing that she was still hesitating, Dong Lanyi felt both sorry for her misfortune and angry at her lack of determination. Even she, who was usually good-natured, couldn't help but clench her fists and stare intently at Xiao Suzhen.
"If you're afraid, why even think about it? If you want to think about it, why be afraid?"
This resounding sound, like a grand bell, struck Xiao Suzhen's mind, as if enlightening her and making her suddenly see the light.
Yes, she has hands and a pen, why can't she support herself and her child?
No matter how difficult the road ahead may be, could it be more difficult than being trapped in her husband's family and almost forced to have a child with another man?
She blinked hard, forcing back the surging tears, her eyes filled with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, "Are you really willing to help me get rid of him?"
Pei Jinghuai coughed lightly and spoke on behalf of the family: "I am the second young master of the Marquis of Changning's mansion. They are my sister-in-law, my wife, and my cousin. How much courage do you think Xiao Lang has to go against our family?"
Xiao Suzhen finally made up her mind, "Okay, I'll go with you."
She looked back at the bookshelf behind her and the manuscripts she had used, a look of longing on her face. "I wonder if I can still take these things with me..."
"Of course we'll take everything with us, not leaving him a single piece of paper!"
Shen Lingyue rolled up her sleeves. "Sister Xiao, tell us which items you want to take with you, and we'll help you pack them. You and Xiaonan can go and pack your own belongings."
Xiao Suzhen thanked her profusely and quickly pointed out a few places to her. "The rest doesn't matter. These manuscripts are the inspiration I had when I was writing 'The Story of Qilan.' Without them, I wouldn't be able to continue writing the story."
She took the little girl to the back to tidy up, but returned quickly.
Dong Lanyi was surprised to see that the mother and daughter were only carrying a small bundle: "Is that all you're taking?"
Xiao Suzhen gave a bitter smile. "My daughter and I were kicked out of my husband's family empty-handed. Even my dowry was nowhere to be found. Later, I came to the capital with my younger brother. We never had time to buy anything and just made do."
Dong Lanyi cursed the shrimp-headed man in her heart.
She dresses herself up nicely, eats and drinks outside, and receives so many gifts from rich young ladies, yet she can't bear to buy her own sister a hairpin.
Shen Lingyue and the others moved quickly, packing up Xiao Suzhen's manuscripts and preparing to move them to the carriage later.
Just before leaving, Xiao Suzhen realized she had forgotten to ask, "Where will Xiaonan and I stay after we leave here?"
Without hesitation, Dong Lanyi said, "You can stay in my courtyard, which will make it convenient for us to discuss the plot."
After saying that, she realized that what she was saying might not be appropriate, and turned around to look at Pei Jinghuai with pleading eyes.
The next second, Shen Lingyue and Yan Yi also looked at him.
"Why are you all looking at me?" Pei Jinghuai touched his nose. "I have no objection. That's my cousin's yard. She can let whoever she wants live there."
Dong Lanyi immediately smiled and said, "Thank you, Second Cousin!"
She patted the little girl's head. "I have a little sister named Azhi. She's always wanted to be a big sister, and now her wish has come true. How about she takes you to play with her?"
...
Xiao Lang's meeting with the bookseller from Jinling went smoothly today. The bookseller greatly admired his talent and invited him to dinner at a grand restaurant that rivaled Fenglelou, even ordering courtesans from a brothel to accompany him.
With a beautiful woman in his arms, speaking softly and sweetly, Xiao Lang unknowingly drank several large jugs of wine and fell into a deep sleep on the couch.
When he woke up again, the room was empty; the courtesans and booksellers from Jinling were all gone.
The waiter pushed open the door and came in respectfully, saying, "Sir, you're finally awake. The total price for today's meal is sixty-eight taels. Would you like to pay in cash or by banknote?"
Xiao Lang was dumbfounded. Who invites someone to dinner without paying the bill first?
As if sensing his intention to dine and dash, the waiter shouted towards the door, and immediately three or four burly men in short-sleeved shirts rushed in and surrounded him menacingly.
Xiao Lang sobered up considerably in a flash, racking his brains: "I didn't bring that much silver with me today, but I have a house! I'm the Young Master of Xiaoxiang! Any of you will come with me home to get the silver..."
Finally, the restaurant sent a waiter and two burly men to accompany Xiao Lang home to get the money.
He had just reached the front door and was about to take out his key to open it when the door slowly opened by itself.
What happened? Did he forget to lock his car when he left this morning?
Xiao Lang pushed open the door and entered the courtyard. It was pitch black inside, without a single light, and the silence was frightening.
"Little girl?" he called out twice, "Big sister?"
No one responded.
Xiao Lang suddenly had a bad feeling and ran to the backyard.
The waiter quickly shouted, "He's trying to skip out on the bill! Chase him!"
Xiao Lang rushed to the backyard, just as the dark clouds moved away from the moon, illuminating this small corner of the world.
He could clearly see that the study door, which had been locked, was wide open, and the broken lock and chain were lying on the ground.
"Sister?"
He walked forward with a trembling voice and saw that the desk was spotless, not even a single sheet of paper had been left for him.
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The author says: "If you're afraid, why even think about it? If you want to think about it, why be afraid?" — From the Cantonese opera *The Peony Pavilion*
Regarding the regulations concerning female households, I've combined requirements from various dynasties. In most cases, the conditions were very strict; those who know, know. [doge]
So this is an ancient version of the story of "The Determination to Leave" [sprinkling flowers] Sometimes people need a push~
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