Li's father wanted to say something more to try and salvage the situation, but Li Sanniu stopped him.
His family doesn't need relatives like that!
Looking at Zhang Li Shi, who was already making arrangements to invite the elders of the clan, Li's father sighed helplessly and with heartache. How did his eldest sister become like this?
Zhang Li was determined to sever ties with her brother. She quickly invited an elder from the clan who could witness the proceedings and immediately declared that her mother had instigated her brother to become an ingrate, that she no longer wanted to acknowledge him, and that she was determined to break off the relationship.
The elders, who had lived to such an old age, had rarely seen anything like this. At first, they tried their best to dissuade her, but no matter what they said, Zhang Lishi wouldn't listen and insisted on severing ties.
The elders then asked Mr. Li for his opinion. Mr. Li had already been heartbroken by his eldest sister, so he nodded directly and said, "Since she wants to break up, then break up. I'll pretend I never had an eldest sister!"
Even though her family had already left the Lu family for her and her daughter's sake, she still insisted on severing ties. There was nothing more to say. He was a grown man, and he wasn't without temper. The thought of his family going back to a life of hardship only fueled his anger. If he had known it would turn out this way, he should have listened to his wife and severed ties with her earlier, so his family wouldn't have been implicated.
But it's too late to say anything now. Mr. Li felt very guilty, thinking that he had ruined the family's livelihood.
Both parties agreed, and the village chief then wrote the letter of severance of ties on behalf of the villagers. Three copies were made, one for each party, and the third copy was to be kept by him as a backup for future reference.
The severance ceremony went surprisingly smoothly, and both parties breathed a sigh of relief when they received the severance papers.
It was already dark, and the bowls in everyone's hands were almost frozen. They thought they could go home and warm themselves by the fire, but unexpectedly, Zhang Lishi was up to her old tricks again.
She stepped forward with a smile and said to He Jiuniang, "Third Madam, it's getting dark. The roads are difficult to travel during the day because of the snow. Could we borrow your carriage to take us back?"
She had originally wanted to freeload a meal, but then she thought there was plenty of time in the future and she shouldn't rush things.
Before He Jiuniang could speak, someone next to her said, "Oh my, what a big face! You just bought a daughter, and you really think you're part of the Lu family? People who know you know your daughter is going to be a maid in the Lu family, but people who don't know you would think she's going to be a young mistress!"
"Who says otherwise? Her skin is so thick I'm embarrassed for her, how could she even dare to ask!"
...
Now that the indenture had been signed, Zhang Li's arrogance grew even stronger. She was about to start arguing with everyone around her, but He Jiu Niang felt that was enough. Her hands were stiff, and she should go back to warm herself by the fire and play mahjong. So she said, "Alright, then I'll lend you a carriage."
The crowd gasped again. Why was He Jiuniang being so agreeable today?
Is this a blatant attempt to embolden the Zhang family to act arrogantly towards her?
Why?
This time, however, He Jiuniang didn't keep them in suspense. Before the Zhang family could even gloat, she said to Yuexue beside her, "Send them home, and then take Zhang Cuiya to the county town to be sold. Ask around at several brokerage firms or brothels. Just sell her to whichever offers the most money."
These words were like a bolt from the blue for the Zhang family, leaving them completely stunned.
The others were also startled. What did they hear?
She was just saying she was going to be a maid in the Lu family, how come she's being sold off so quickly?
Or should she be sold to a brokerage firm or even a brothel? Are those places where ordinary women can go?
Everyone instantly realized why He Jiuniang had been so agreeable earlier; she had already planned this all along!
Sun and Yu exchanged a glance, saying nothing, but in their hearts they only wanted to say two words to He Jiuniang: Awesome!
To be honest, after seeing what the third son's wife did, I thought she'd lost her mind. Bringing someone back to live under her nose and making them disgusting every day, as if she wanted everyone to lose weight during the New Year?
I never expected such a twist!
This is how the third son's wife normally operates!
Zhang Li was stunned for a moment. After realizing that she had been tricked, she rushed towards He Jiu Niang while screaming and cursing loudly.
However, she didn't manage to run into He Jiuniang because He Jiuniang thought she was disgusting because she had rolled on the ground, and kicked her away.
The Zhang family men realized what was happening and wanted to step forward, but they were wary of the Lu family's power. The Lu family were officials, while they were commoners; they were no match for them.
Therefore, the Zhang family father and sons hesitated.
Shocked, Zhang Cuiya quickly helped Zhang Li up and then burst into tears.
The indenture is now in He Jiuniang's hands. If she is really sold, there will be no one to reason with. The only person she can rely on now is her mother.
"You're playing us! My Cuiya was clearly sent to be a maid for the Lu family, why are you selling her!"
Zhang Li was trembling with anger. Thinking back to how easy-going He Jiu Niang had been, she realized that she had planned this all along. She had been careless!
"Because I am the master and she is the slave."
He Jiuniang casually waved the indenture in her hand, her eyes brimming with undisguised amusement.
"Ah! You lied to me! You lied to me! May you die a horrible death!"
She struggled and tried to pounce on him again, but her husband held her back. He was still quite sober and knew that offending He Jiuniang would not end well, so he didn't dare to act recklessly.
He Jiuniang was prepared to kick her again, but seeing that she had been pulled back, she was quite disappointed and continued, "Many people dare to set their sights on me, but very few succeed. You're not from this village, so it's not your fault that you don't know."
The Li family are villagers, and you should listen to what they say. If you do, then all will be well. But if your ears are not for listening to advice, but for fanning the flames, then I'll have to take matters into my own hands.
Your daughter has taken a liking to my man, and you even want to use me to send her to him? You guys are really audacious! Do you think I'm stupid? First, you want to get close to my man as a maid, then find a chance to climb into his bed as a concubine, and in a few years, you want to find a way to push me out and become the legal wife yourself, is that it?
That may not be possible as you wish. I don't know if your daughter will ever become an official's wife, but I can satisfy her burning desire for a man. How about this, instead of selling her to a brokerage firm, let's send her to a brothel.
Don't worry, even though your Cuiya isn't particularly beautiful, as long as she's resourceful, she'll still have men patronizing her. She won't starve, and she might even send you some money every month as a form of filial piety. Wouldn't that be great?
He Jiuniang said with a smile, handing the indenture in her hand to the maid beside her, and told her to do it immediately.
The maid turned and left, telling the family coachman to drive off.
The other maids rushed forward and subdued Zhang Cuiya, so she wouldn't have to search for someone in this cold weather if she tried to run away.
"Let me go! Ah, I was wrong, I won't do it again! Please don't send me to a brothel!"
Zhang Cuiya was terrified; she never imagined that He Jiuniang would be so ruthless.
He Jiuniang acted as if she hadn't heard, and continued to smile as she said to the Zhang family, "Oh, by the way, a daughter who has been sold is like water spilled from a bowl. Don't even think about spending money to redeem her. Without my permission, you really don't have the ability."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com