These days, people generally advise reconciliation rather than separation. Women have a low social status, and once they divorce, their reputation is ruined, making their future even more difficult, and it may even affect their children's future.
Even her mother advised her to be patient, saying that she was blind to have been deceived by this man, and now that it was a done deal, there was no good way but to endure it.
But the benefactor she met on the street today asked her why she didn't get a divorce.
Judging from the accent of this family, they are not locals; they are from out of town. Has it become so easy to get divorced in other places?
"I...I..."
She opened her mouth, but for a moment she didn't know what to say.
Seeing the conflicted and embarrassed look on her face, Jiang Jiuniang guessed what she was hesitating about and said, "Saying you want a divorce would be too easy on him. You're a man who brought a son-in-law into the family, just like a man taking a wife. It's just that if you bring home a man who is immoral and ruins the family, you can divorce him. Even if your family is in decline, you are still in charge of the family. If this man mistreats you like this, you can take him to court. The government will handle it directly for you, and the children will all be yours."
"Without this gambling addict dragging you down, you can completely support your mother and children with your own skills. You don't need to think too much about it, and this is good for everyone in your family."
If a man marries a woman and she commits one of the seven grounds for divorce, why can't a woman divorce her husband?
"But...but then my reputation will be..."
The woman was very tempted, but when she thought of her reputation and her two daughters, she couldn't be so selfish and cause her daughters to have trouble finding husbands in the future. In an instant, she lost interest.
"Reputation is spread and can be changed by people. Even if you don't divorce, when your daughters reach marriageable age, if people hear that they have a gambling father who has gambled away all the valuables in the house and they are penniless, which family would dare to take a daughter-in-law from such a despicable family?"
"On the contrary, if you divorce that gambler, raise your children well on your own, and save up some dowry for your daughters in a few years so they can marry with dignity in the future, who would say anything?"
The woman grasped the key point in her words and asked eagerly, "You said reputation can be changed, how do you do that?"
Her face was full of eagerness; it was clear she was very interested.
If she could save her reputation and get rid of that useless gambler, she would definitely leave him.
Jiang Jiuniang thought for a moment, feeling that it couldn't be explained in just a few words, so she said, "If you trust me, I can help you."
The woman looked at her with some trepidation. After all, she was just a stranger she had met once. What if she was cheated?
Jiang Jiuniang noticed her concerns and took the initiative to explain, "Our family is traveling and enjoying the scenery along the way. We're not in a hurry to go to the next place. It's fate that we met. As fellow women, I don't want to see you suffer so much. We're both women, so let's help each other out as much as we can."
We're just here to have fun, so why not stay a few more days?
We can't ruin her travel plans for a treasure that probably doesn't even exist, can we?
Perhaps it was because Jiang Jiuniang was too beautiful, which was somewhat deceptive, or perhaps it was because Jiang Jiuniang's smile was too friendly, which made the woman feel very safe. After hesitating for a while, the woman nodded.
“Madam, you are right. If it weren’t for him, I could take good care of my mother and three children, make sure they are well-fed and clothed, and even save up for their dowries and betrothal gifts. But with this person as a burden, I can’t do anything.”
She clenched her fists, her gaze unwavering.
Jiang Jiuniang was very pleased with her attitude. As long as she herself wanted to change, things would be much easier. The worst thing was encountering someone who was stubborn and unyielding.
The group entered the city and went out for a meal together. Dan Niang originally didn't want to go, but Jiang Jiu Niang warmly invited her, so she went and ate some. In the end, Jiang Jiu Niang told her to pack up the leftovers and take them back for the children.
Danniang was very grateful. She wrapped all the food without soup in oiled paper and took it back to her elderly mother and children, who had not had a full meal in a long time.
This was the best meal she had eaten since her family fell on hard times.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Lu Baichuan took the two children to the inn to settle in, while Jiang Jiuniang accompanied Danniang to buy rice, flour, and cloth.
She bought as much as she could, spending all her meager silver coins, leaving her with five taels of silver given to her by Jiang Jiuniang.
Jiang Jiuniang instructed her: "After you go back, break this silver into pieces and hide it in different places. Don't tell anyone. It could save your life in a critical moment."
Dan Niang nodded. She now obeyed Jiang Jiu Niang's words without question. Whether she could live the life she wanted in the future depended on Jiang Jiu Niang's help.
After buying the goods and temporarily leaving them at the inn, Dan Niang wanted to take Jiang Jiu Niang to the gambling den her husband frequented. Lu Baichuan was worried and wanted to go by himself, but Jiang Jiu Niang flatly refused: "Why are you, a grown man, getting involved when the two of us are shopping?"
Lu Baichuan was speechless and could only stay at the inn with the child.
After they came out, Danniang said enviously, "Your husband treats you so well."
If her man were even half as good as Lu Baichuan, their lives wouldn't have turned out like this.
Jiang Jiuniang took the opportunity to share her experience: "As long as you teach well, you can have any kind of man you want."
Danniang didn't understand. She could only teach her own children, how could she teach her husband?
Everyone says that the husband is like a god, and it's good enough that she's not taught by her husband, let alone dare to teach him.
"If the hard approach doesn't work, try the soft approach. You need to master the methods and use them flexibly."
Jiang Jiuniang looked unconcerned and then said, "But you can't be gentle with your man, you have to be tough. A few beatings will do the trick. But you're no match for him, so it's best to divorce him once and for all."
Her husband is from out of town. Once they divorce, he will be sent back to his hometown and will no longer have the opportunity to bother her and her child.
Jiang Jiuniang had actually considered crippling the man directly, so that she wouldn't have to worry about protecting her reputation, but Danniang would be the one to suffer.
She's still young, and she might be able to remarry in a couple of years. If she just cripples the man without divorcing him, she'll have to take care of him for the rest of her life, which is even less worthwhile.
Dan Niang nodded, agreeing with Jiang Jiu Niang. Divorce was the best option as long as it protected her reputation.
It was a case of enemies meeting on a narrow road. Just as they arrived at the entrance of the gambling den, they saw the man also limping in. However, he didn't see them. Jiang Jiuniang pulled Dan Niang to hide and watched the man go inside.
A moment later, the man was thrown out, his face bruised and swollen. A burly man stepped on his chest and warned, "If you don't pay back your debts in three days, I'll break your leg!"
"Gentlemen, lend me some more, and I'm sure I'll break even today..."
The man clasped his hands together and pleaded desperately. Then, as if remembering something, he hurriedly said, "My wife struck it rich today and got five taels of silver. I'll bring it to pay off the debt tomorrow. Please lend it to me one more time, gentlemen!"
. ,
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com