As soon as the words were spoken, everyone looked toward the door, where they saw a newcomer dressed in a long black robe.
A golden jade belt cinched her waist, and her brows exuded a cool and noble air, yet also seemed to carry a hint of sharpness.
Chongning had come today to retrieve her beloved horse, but she never expected to witness such a scene as her own father forcing his daughter to become someone's concubine as soon as she stepped into the courtyard.
As a princess of the Great Qi Dynasty, she had seen her share of intrigue and treachery, but this was truly the first time she had ever encountered such a situation.
As a woman herself, Chongning deeply abhorred the patriarchal and inferior custom of men being superior to women, and the idea that women could only be appendages of men.
Women who divorce, in particular, will live an exceptionally miserable life in their later years.
So when she learned that Ning Yin had divorced and was supporting herself with her skills, she felt immense admiration for her.
Seeing how the group was pressuring Ning Yin, Chong Ning couldn't help but blurt out.
When the group saw that the newcomer was a woman, they all showed disdain.
"And who are you? This is my daughter. Marriage is a major life event that must be decided by parents and arranged by matchmakers. Even if your brother is in love with Ningyin, he still needs to show some sincerity!"
Ning's father stroked his beard and stepped forward to examine Chong Ning carefully.
This person's clothes looked ordinary, only slightly better than those of ordinary people.
Furthermore, Master Liu had already given her a thousand taels of silver, and these jewelry and rouge were also quite valuable; it was obvious that this woman couldn't afford such a sum.
He must be some poor scholar from some village, with an air of arrogance, but not a few copper coins to his name.
After making a guess in his mind, Ning's father snorted softly, seemingly not wanting to waste any more words with Chongning.
Chong Ning remained indifferent, showing no emotion, and merely lazily lifted his eyelids.
"The Great Qi Dynasty has long since promulgated a new law that states that women have the right to choose their own good spouse after a divorce, and their parents cannot interfere too much. What, who are you to dare challenge the laws of a country?"
Upon hearing this, Ning's father and Liu were shocked, for the Great Qi had indeed promulgated such a law.
If Ning Yin refused to agree, they could not force her to marry Liu Yuanwai.
But I've already accepted that thousand taels, and now I'm making them give it back.
That's like cutting their flesh out with a knife; it's worse than killing them.
Liu's fox-like eyes darted around quickly, realizing that someone difficult to deal with had arrived, and she hurriedly pulled Ning Yuanshan aside to whisper in his ear.
She was always shrewd and cunning, so when she first saw the handsome Ning Yuanshan, she was immediately smitten.
At that time, Ningyin's mother, Zhao Wanyu, had just become pregnant with her second child.
I don't know what happened, even though the pregnancy was very stable at first.
However, in the following months, Zhao Wanyu's health suddenly deteriorated, leading to her death in childbirth. Ningyin was only six years old at the time.
The following year, Lady Liu entered the household.
Ning Yuanshan doted on his second wife far more than his first wife. Whatever Liu wanted, Ning Yuanshan would do everything he could to get it for her.
Six-year-old Ningyin could only live with her grandmother. Fortunately, her grandmother taught her the skills to heal and save lives, which enabled her to survive.
Ning Yuanshan and Liu Shi discussed it for a while and realized that it was impossible to forcibly take Ning Yin away today, after all, so many people were watching.
However, if this person's younger brother really likes Ning Yin, they wouldn't mind taking advantage of Liu Yuanwai's absence to extort money from this person as well.
Once we have the two sums of money, we'll find a dark and stormy night to tie up Ning Yin and send her directly to the Liu residence.
Once someone enters the Liu residence, there is absolutely no way they can get out again.
The couple were calculating their next move, then turned away, feigning anger.
“Ningyin, everything I’ve done is for you. I’ll give you three days to think it over. We’ll come back when you’ve made up your mind.”
Then Ning Yuanshan pretended to walk up to Chong Ning and whispered, "My daughter has always been the apple of my eye. The Liu family is well-off, so A Yin won't suffer if she marries into their family. As for your brother, how do I know if he can give A Yin happiness?"
Chong Ning sneered, disdainfully widening the distance between the two and giving Duan Li a wink.
Duan Li quickly pulled out a 10,000-tael silver note from his sleeve and went over to hand it to Ning Yin.
This action left the three people present completely dumbfounded.
Especially Liu, whose eyes almost popped out.
But Ning Yin had the money in her hands, and she was so anxious that she almost grabbed it, but when she met Chong Ning's cold gaze, she sheepishly withdrew her hand.
She cleared her throat and chuckled at Chongning. She was utterly astonished that such an ordinary-looking woman could produce ten thousand taels of silver notes so easily.
“Young lady, Ningyin is our daughter. We raised her from a young age. Since you are so eager to marry her, the betrothal gifts should come from us, her parents.”
"Besides, we are all doing this for our daughter's own good. We will bring this money with Ningyin as part of her dowry to your family in the future."
Chong Ning narrowed his eyes, took a few steps to Ning Yin's side, and said, "My future sister-in-law, this money is naturally for her. Give it to you? Dream on!"
She wanted to make these greedy people watch helplessly as they couldn't get a single penny of the money.
At this moment, Madam Liu was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, but she had no way to directly snatch it.
Turning her head, she met Ning Yuanshan's deadpan face again, and was just about to ask him to persuade Ning Yin.
Then they heard Master Liu angrily shout, "Ning Yuanshan, you better explain yourself! You took a thousand taels of silver from me, but now you want to marry your daughter off to someone else. If you don't give me an explanation, I'll sue you for fraud right now!"
Master Liu's chubby cheeks trembled, his face turning red with anger.
He had long heard that the Ning family's daughter was as beautiful as a fairy, and upon seeing her today, his heart began to pound wildly.
He wouldn't care if she was a divorced woman; as long as she could be brought into the house, he would definitely treat her like a treasure and pamper her.
The old, faded woman in his house had long disgusted him, but when he saw Ning Yin, he realized what a fairy was.
But who would have thought that someone would suddenly appear to steal the bride?
Undeterred, Master Liu stepped forward and tried to grab Ning Yuanshan's arm.
Ning Yuanshan was seven or eight years older than Liu Yuanwai, so he was naturally at a disadvantage.
“Ayin, since you want to marry her brother, give the silver notes to your father, and I will definitely prepare a grand dowry for you.”
Ning Yuanshan shouted at the top of his lungs, trying to dodge Liu Yuanwai's attack, and almost fell to the ground.
Seeing the two wrestling, Liu panicked and rushed forward to snatch them away, but she had only taken two steps closer when she realized what was happening.
Suddenly, a dagger appeared in Duan Li's hand, and the blade was pressed against his neck.
A murderous aura swept over her, and she realized that these two people were not to be trifled with.
"Heroine, heroine, please spare my life! I... I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to tell Ayin that after she marries, she should be a good wife and mother and never show her face in public again!"
Liu's teeth chattered, she was drenched in cold sweat, and her legs nearly gave way and she collapsed.
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