Chapter 341: Blackmail
Translator: Lonelytree
Mai Qi sighed softly, “I couldn’t be more wrong. Clearly, I didn’t know my mother as well as my father and brother. Why would she leave and suffer with me? My father asked me again what my future plans were. I told him that I would leave home to live a normal life. My father told me about the deal he had with you. He admired you a lot and kept the promise. He gave me my freedom. He wouldn’t intervene in my future anymore. This is the first time he has treated me as an adult and talked to me as an equal.
“But my mother was furious. She cannot accept me being a normal person. She cannot accept the possibility of me marrying a normal person. In her mindset, I cannot disgrace my identity, my self-respect, and my family name.”
Jing Ni and I were not surprised. Mrs. Mai’s mindset was unusually bonkers.
Mai Qi raised her head and tried hard not to cry.
“That night, she committed suicide.” Mai Qi continued evenly.
Jing Ni and I were shocked.
“Of course, she didn’t succeed. She wanted to cut her wrist, but she was found out by the maid. The maid went to grab the knife, and mother ended up cutting herself on her arm. That unleashed the monster inside her. She said she only ended up in this state because she had an unfilial daughter. I was too selfish because I only cared about myself, and I didn’t consider her feelings at all.
“She waved the knife wildly about. I was afraid that she would hurt herself further, so I knelt down to beg her to put down the knife. But she placed the knife on her neck and made me promise her that I would never leave her and the family. She made me promise that I would marry the proper family my father would find for me, and she would give me a lifetime of happiness.
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“That night, my brother and father were also present. Mother used her own life to blackmail my father into making a will. She wanted him to write down the things he would leave for me. The asset I would have must be more than my brother because I am a girl. I didn’t dare to look at my father and brother. I knelt there, begging my mother to put the knife down. I promised to follow her every word. Mother turned proudly to my father and said, ‘See, my daughter will follow no one’s orders but mine’.”
Mai Qi paused.
Jing Ni and I didn’t dare to speak. We could imagine how chaotic the scene must have been and how awkward and embarrassing it was for Mai Qi. This explained why she was acting so unnaturally when Qu Hao was here two days ago.
“So what happened after that?” I asked.
Mai Qi chuckled sadly, “My brother and father’s guards were everywhere. They were just waiting for my mother to push me to my limits before they were willing to take action. No blood was going to be shed at home. My mother failed to commit suicide, but she grasped my weakness. Her life is my weakness. Just the thought of that made me want to die! So I decided I would turn the same question on her. I asked mother, if I had to leave or die, which one she would choose. She said without hesitation that she’d rather I die. Because she cannot have a daughter who is normal.”
Mai Qi stopped again. After a long while, she let out a long sigh. “When I left, my mother refused even to see me out. She cursed me through the window. She cursed my future and the man I’d marry. My future husband will die a horrible death!”
Jing Ni and I widened our eyes. What kind of mother was this?
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“So I told her I would not bring that curse on anyone. I would be alone for the rest of my life.” Mai Qi’s tone was calm.
I could feel my anger rising. “Are you stupid? You’re throwing away your love because of a word by your mother? Do you really think the curse will come true?”
Mai Qi looked away. “Let love die. I’ve seen too much.. Love isn’t important, but freedom is.”