Chapter 13: Is my cousin so in love with me that he's not afraid of dying suddenly? ...
As Zhu Hao stepped into the Zhu residence, dozens of servants surrounded her.
Zhu Hao was calm in the face of this scene. She raised the glass lamp in her hand to her eyebrows and looked at Zhu Lanxiang who was a few steps away from her. She was leaning on a Huanghuali recliner, enjoying the soft breeze from the maid fanning her.
"Aunt, what's the meaning of this? If it's just to welcome Pian Pian home, there's no need to go through so much trouble."
Zhu Lanxiang stood up from her recliner. She took the feather fan from the maid and swayed over to Zhu Hao. "To greet you?" She poked Zhu Hao's chin with the fan. "Although I, your aunt, have been a bit strict with you since you were young, it was my hope that you would be able to stand on your own two feet. And yet, you falsely accused me in court! Zhu Hao, you are so vicious! I raised you for over a decade, and you repay my kindness with revenge?"
"Nurture?" Zhu Hao couldn't help but sneer. She pushed away the feather fan that was resting against her chin. "What you mean by 'nurture,' aunt, is calling me around like a cat or a dog? If it weren't for the family property and business my parents left behind, how could aunt have had this opportunity to enjoy herself and send servants?"
"This house was bought by my parents. After my father passed away, my aunt took it and the money as her own property, under the pretext of raising me. I believe my aunt has heard about my relationship with Mr. Song, who will be proposing marriage soon. Since Pianpian is getting married, the entire Zhu family property should be returned to me. I would like to ask my aunt to pack her bags and return home. Pianpian, remembering your so-called 'upbringing', will give you 20 taels of silver from the treasury before you pass away to compensate you for your hard work over the years."
"You little brat! Are you sending away a beggar?!" Zhu Lanxiang spat, "A married woman is like water poured out of the door! Since you're marrying into another family, if I give all the Zhu family's meager wealth to a little girl like you who knows nothing about the world, wouldn't that be just diverting wealth to outsiders? Don't forget! My last name is 'Zhu' too! Besides, your uncle is a son-in-law, and I have full power in the family. It's completely different from you marrying into your husband's family. Pianpian, you can marry whoever you want, and your aunt won't stop you, but if you send me away for a mere twenty taels, forget it!"
"What does this have to do with whether my aunt's surname is Zhu?" Zhu Hao retorted, "My family owns the cloth and clothing shops, which include links to various businesses in Huaicheng. These are private assets acquired through struggle while my parents were alive, not inherited from the Zhu family. So, what does this have to do with my aunt? Furthermore, the family property was originally entrusted to me before my father passed away. It's only right that it be returned to me now."
"You..." Zhu Lanxiang pointed at Zhu Hao, but she was unable to utter a word as if she was mute.
Zhu Lanxiang was upset. Zhu Hao had grown up under her watch since she was a child. She knew this girl's temperament best. Not only was she timid, but she was also dull and spineless since she was a child. She was even more helpless against her aunt. But from the day she ordered Zhu Hao to present a bouquet to find a husband, this girl's temperament changed drastically. Zhu Hao was like a docile little rabbit turning into a cunning jackal, making Zhu Lanxiang lose her composure.
Seeing Zhu Lanxiang speechless due to choking, Zhu Hao felt happy and relaxed. She walked past Zhu Lanxiang and the servants and wanted to move forward.
"etc."
Zhu Hao stopped in her tracks. She heard Zhu Lanxiangyi humbly say, "Pian Pian, the two shops your parents left behind have been doing poorly in recent years, barely enough to cover the family expenses. Your aunt hasn't made any contributions, but she's worked hard. If I hadn't taken over the shops left by my sister and brother-in-law, how could a little girl like you have managed to keep them running?"
Zhu Hao seemed not to hear. She took another step forward, and Zhu Lanxiang followed quickly. She changed her expression faster than turning the pages of a book, and grabbed Zhu Hao's wrist tightly, causing the glass lantern in Zhu Hao's hand to fall to the ground. However, the candlelight inside did not go out, but burned more and more vigorously, like a star that had fallen to the earth.
"Zhu Hao! Don't be ungrateful! Putting this matter aside for now, how do you explain your false accusation that I framed you? Yes, I was wrong to give you to You Lang as a concubine, but how could I abandon you to the You family as a burial companion? No matter how cruel I am, how could I dare to take another person's life? The trial will be held in three days. If you dare to throw dirty water on me again, I... I will..."
Zhu Hao leaned over to pick up the fallen glass lantern. She remembered that her father's death was most likely related to the woman in front of her, and she couldn't help but ask with a wry smile, "What about my aunt?"
The trial in Beijing will take place in just three days. If Zhu Hao encounters any mishap during this period, Zhu Lanxiang and You Yan will naturally be suspected. She is sure of this and believes that the two will not dare to attack her, so she provokes them.
Zhu Hao turned the glass lamp with his fingertips, making its light shine all around. "What my aunt said is not entirely unreasonable. Besides, Pian Pian has never been involved in business, so this path is not suitable for me. If I transfer the foundation to my aunt, and let her take full charge of it and carry out my parents' wishes, it would be a good thing."
"It's just... Aunt, you should know that I still need to settle the case with Master You recently. Pian Pian nearly lost her life because of this case. I firmly believe that Aunt would not murder Pian Pian. Today in the court, Pian Pian was just momentarily carried away. Pian Pian apologizes to Aunt. I have been busy recently. The transfer of the family property still requires Pian Pian's careful consideration. Pian Pian just wants to take good care of her injuries and put other matters aside for now."
"This case is complex and has been tried by officials in Beijing. I don't know when it will be resolved. I don't know when Pianpian will have time to deal with family matters. If I marry Song Lang, the family property will still be in my name. It will be difficult to transfer it to my aunt's name at that time."
According to the Dacheng Marriage Law, if two people get married, the private property under the woman's name should be shared with her husband. If the woman wants to share the financial rights of her husband's family, she must use her children as a reference. This law is disgusting. It only tortures women and favors men.
Zhu Hao's parents have passed away, and her father left the remaining property and shops in her name before he died. If Zhu Hao marries someone else, it will naturally be difficult to transfer the family property under her name to Zhu Lanxiang.
If it were the case before, Zhu Lanxiang wouldn't have worried. Zhu Hao was ultimately a pushover, and so what if the shops were all under her name? This woman was too timid to argue with her. For years, Zhu Lanxiang had been in charge of both shops, and every merchant in the city knew her face! But now, Zhu Hao was a completely different person, secretly cultivating her own minions, making it difficult for her to bully others at will.
The reason why Zhu Lanxiang married Zhu Hao to You Lang as a concubine was because the You family made a contract with her that all the remaining property under the girl's name would belong to her alone. Zhu Lanxiang felt it was strange at the time why the You family wanted Zhu Hao, such a disaster star, to be a concubine. It was not until something happened that she realized that the You family bought Zhu Hao to be a burial girl for You Lang. Although she did not like this little bastard, she had not yet thought of asking her to accompany her parents in the underworld.
Zhu Lanxiang's expression brightened slightly when she heard what Zhu Hao said. "Pian Pian is saying... that she's willing to transfer my sister's small fortune to my name?" She gently shook Zhu Hao's hands, speaking gently. "Your aunt truly doesn't know about You Yan's secrets! If I'm summoned to court for the second trial, I'll definitely support Pian Pian. I don't know the details of this case, but if I firmly implicate You Yan, I'm sure you'll benefit greatly. Once this case is settled, I'll discuss the transfer of the shop with Pian Pian in detail."
Zhu Hao leaned forward slightly and said, "In that case, Pian Pian would like to thank Aunt first, but Aunt, please do not be partial to Pian Pian. Everything must be judged with the truth. If Aunt, please come into the hall and tell me what you know."
Zhu Lanxiang smiled and nodded, but in her heart she was already scolding Zhu Hao bitterly. Did she really think she couldn't see the mystery? This girl's words were clear and straightforward, but she was hinting at threatening her with the family property to become a witness in this case.
Seeing Zhu Hao heading toward his own little room, she winked at the servants on either side. The servants understood and surrounded Zhu Hao. Zhu Lanxiang said, "Pian Pian, these are turbulent times. Although you are at home, Young Master You is committing such unscrupulous acts that your aunt cannot rest easy. Therefore, I have ordered several servants to escort you back to your room. They will guard your safety in the outer room before the trial. Also... Since Pian Pian has agreed to transfer the family property to my name, I will have someone draft a document tomorrow and wait for your signature before it is finalized."
Zhu Hao was silent for a moment, then said obediently: "Pian Pian will obey."
Zhu Hao lived in a side room of the Zhu family's house. Her original boudoir had long been occupied by Zhu Lanxiang's daughter. Even though her cousin had married years ago, Zhu Lanxiang did not allow her to return to her own home.
Zhu Hao, escorted by the servants, strolled outside. Zhu Lanxiang's apparent consideration for her was simply a way to keep her captive, preventing her from causing trouble and changing her mind. As for the transfer deed... she naturally wouldn't transfer the remaining property and shops left by her parents to Zhu Lanxiang, and she certainly didn't believe that Zhu Lanxiang could convict You Yan of any crime based on just a few words.
The best is yet to come, so she just waits.
Zhu Hao stepped into the dark room. She had not been home for half a month. Due to the continuous rain in Huaicheng, the candles were a little damp. Zhu Hao took a lot of effort to light the candles with the help of the moonlight and the glass lamp.
The furnishings in the house are simple, without any rare or expensive ornaments or toys.
The servant sent by Zhu Lanxiang was still guarding the outer room. She thought that if she had not signed the property deed, Zhu Lanxiang would not allow her to go in or out for the time being. Zhu Hao had no choice but to ask the servant outside the door to help her get some hot water.
Zhu Hao took off her clothes and wiped her skin with a towel. She applied the golden wound medicine casually to the wound and changed into a clean inner garment.
It was strange to say that Zhu Hao hadn't felt any pain from the whiplash on her back since returning home, and even after applying the medicine, she hadn't felt any discomfort at all. Song Xieqing had long since left, but the magic she had cast on her hadn't dissipated. What did he mean by "the magic will dissolve itself within three feet"? He was really kidding her.
Zhu Hao felt no longer sleepy, so she rummaged through the boxes and drawers, and found a palm-wide wooden box in the secret layer of the closet. She opened the lid and found a paper deposit slip inside, which showed that the dowry left by her parents and hers were all kept in the corresponding bank.
Zhu Hao seemed to be thinking about something, but she made up her mind to put the item in a secret layer of the closet. She took out a piece of moon-white satin fabric from it, used her fingers as a ruler, and made a headband with her own mind. Zhu Hao threaded the needle and pondered for a long time before she started to embroider.
Before she knew it, the candlelight on the table gradually dimmed, and Zhu Hao became sleepy. She extinguished the candle and lay down on the couch. When Zhu Hao was about to close her eyes, she felt a dull pain all over her body, but the fatigue that swept over her suppressed her, and before the pain could completely subside, Zhu Hao had already fallen asleep.
The next morning, she was awakened by a knock on the door. Without having to think, Zhu Hao knew that the visitor was Zhu Lanxiang.
She was extremely anxious and couldn't wait even a moment.
Zhu Lanxiang's purpose in this trip was to ask for a written contract. If she wanted to completely gain Zhu Lanxiang's trust, this contract must be written without a doubt. Zhu Lanxiang didn't have much time left to live happily, so she decided to fulfill Zhu Lanxiang's wish.
Thinking of this, Zhu Hao quickly put on her coat and stood up. Her back still hurt, so she walked slowly. However, the knocking on the door outside was not as urgent as she thought.
Zhu Hao pushed the door open and walked out. When she saw who it was, she was stunned.
Standing outside the door were not only Zhu Lanxiang, but also her cousin Zhu Qi.
Zhu Qi is the son of Zhu Lanxiang, seven years older than Zhu Hao. Because he was doing business in Kyoto, he seldom returned to Huaicheng to visit his relatives, so Zhu Hao only saw him during the New Year.
Little did I know when he would return home.
Zhu Hao felt an inexplicable sense of unease in his heart.
Zhu Lanxiang smiled broadly, and she put her arms around Zhu Hao and Zhu Qi respectively, and finally intertwined their hands. "Pian Pian, I thought about it a lot last night. You are a good child, but I can't let you marry an aunt whose background I don't know. How about you marry Qi'er?"
"You and Qi'er have known each other since childhood. Moreover, Qi'er is a kind person and is very good at business. Qi'er is my son. If you two get married, I will also have fulfilled a major matter in my heart. If he bullies you in the future, Pianpian can tell your aunt! Your aunt will not tolerate it! In this way, the contract can be saved!"
Before Zhu Hao could say anything, Zhu Qi called her, "Cousin, actually... I've had feelings for you since childhood, and now that I see my mother has the same intention, why don't we choose an auspicious day to get married?"
Zhu Hao abruptly pulled his hand away and interrupted, "What nonsense! I'm already committed to Song Lang, so how can I marry my cousin? Besides, my cousin boasted that he'd loved me since childhood, but he's been married for years. How can he be so disrespectful to my sister-in-law by acting this way? So, instead of marrying me off to this old man as a concubine, you're also asking me to be your eldest son's concubine?"
"Bah! Stop your nonsense!" Zhu Lanxiang suppressed her anger and smiled. "Where is this sister-in-law? Pianpian probably doesn't know that the woman Qi'er married in his early years was a concubine! How come this woman rarely comes to visit the Zhu family even during the New Year? Qi'er and her have been childless for many years! Let him divorce her tomorrow! If you marry Qi'er, you will be his wife. How can you be a concubine?"
How could Zhu Hao not see through their schemes? If she really married Zhu Qi, the remaining property and shops left by her parents would legitimately become theirs, and mother and son would devour her completely.
"Pian Pian doesn't want to. In this life, Pian Pian will not marry anyone other than Song Lang." She paused, then suddenly smiled sinisterly, "Aunt, Pian Pian is unlucky in marriage. Could it be that my cousin loves me so much that he doesn't even fear a sudden death?"
Just as Zhu Hao finished speaking, a servant entered the courtyard with a message: "Madam, a nobleman calling himself Young Master Song has arrived outside the residence. He claims... to be engaged to the young lady, and he's come today to propose marriage! The betrothal gifts and servants are lined up all the way to the back street, stretching for miles! Oh! That's a scene! It's comparable to the wedding of a noble family in Kyoto!"
The author has something to say:
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“A married woman is like water poured out of her home.” This proverb comes from Chapter 19 of Huifanglu.
Zhu Qi has the same surname as Pian Pian but he calls her cousin because his father married into the family, so he took the Zhu family surname. Although he is related by blood, he is still called cousin!
In the next chapter, Xiao Song comes to slap me in the face hhhh (it’s so rustic and reassuring)
Woohoo, I feel like there are readers reading my article. It’s great. I feel like I’m not the only one working hard on the single-player game. Hehe, I love you guys~
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