Chapter 137: Break His Legs
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
She recounted Ruxin’s situation to Qiao Mai, and Qiao Mai furrowed her brow upon hearing it.
“That scoundrel is treating Ruxin like this?”
“Yes, I never expected it. Tell me, what have we done wrong? How can he treat Ruxin like this?”
Qiao Mai tapped the table with her fingers, deep in thought. “Come, let’s go find Mayor Qian.”
Lu Sanniang felt somewhat embarrassed. “How can I face him with such a shameful matter?”
“Like your daughter, you are as stubborn as a wooden block. In the future, you belong to him. If you don’t turn to him for support, who else will you turn to? Besides, Mayor Qian has the resources. His people can investigate this matter and will probably uncover the truth much faster than if you do it yourself.”
Qiao Mai held her hand and took her to Mayor Qian’s house. After hearing Qiao Mai’s words, Mayor Qian’s face turned red with anger.
“Don’t worry, Sanniang. It’s getting late today. Tomorrow morning, I’ll send my men to investigate this matter thoroughly. In households like the Fengs, there are many similar cases. If I’m not mistaken, that scoundrel has had his heart set on someone else for a long time. However, that woman’s family isn’t wealthy, and his parents disapprove, so he’s probably keeping a mistress outside and not touching Ruxin. He might have made a promise to that woman and married Ruxin for money and power.”
“If that’s true, what should my daughter do?”
“A family like this can’t be tolerated any longer. Such men will only be devoted to their mistresses. He won’t touch Ruxin, and if he develops murderous intent, he might even harm your daughter.”
“What- What should I do?”
“We can ruin the Feng family’s reputation and then divorce them. Since the dowry has already been stolen, there’s nothing worth fighting for. People like them can be charged with fraud; we can ruin his career.”
Qiao Mai added, “If that’s too troublesome, we could break his legs and let him lie in bed for the rest of his life.”
Mayor Qian and Shopkeeper Lu both stared at her, swallowing hard. “If people find out, we’ll have to face a lawsuit. “Then make sure nobody finds out.”
“Let’s investigate first.”
The three made a decision, and Shopkeeper Lu felt somewhat relieved. She returned home and started crying.
“It’s my fault for choosing such a family for her. I’ve caused harm to my daughter.”
Qiao Mai comforted her, saying, “Don’t be upset. Ruxin made her own choice. She insisted on marrying into the Feng family even after I warned her about the Fengs’ reputation.”
“I’ve arranged for her to live in our old house. I want to go back and be with her.”
“If you want to go back, then go. I won’t stop you. If you want to return, there will always be a place for you in our home.”
“Thank you, sister!”
On that day, Shopkeeper Lu moved their belongings back home, with Qiao Mai assisting. She also helped clean the old house.
Seeing that Lu Sanniang had returned, Ruxin forgot her sadness.
“Mother, you’re back too. Did Master chase you out?”
Lu Sanniang gently tapped her arm, “You always think the worst of people. I thought it would be too lonely for you to live here alone, so I brought your sister back to keep you company.”
“Mother, I was wrong!”
“You’re aware of your Master’s character, aren’t you? Just now, she dragged me to find the mayor, asking him to send people to investigate.” “Mother , I… I truly don’t know what to do. I’m afraid to think about divorce.” “Even when he treats you like this, you still can’t let go of him?”
“It’s not that. I’m afraid of what others will say about me. I’m afraid I won’t know what to do after the divorce.’
“Stay home and take good care of the shop. You have the skill of double-sided embroidery; you won’t go hungry wherever you are. When the time is right, we can talk about getting married again.”
“I’m scared. I don’t dare to marry again. After what happened, it’s too shameful.’
“Silly child, even if others laugh, they’re laughing at the Feng family, not you. Live your life peacefully. When you go to collect payments from now on, I’ll be there with you.”
Ruxin was now at a loss, experiencing something she had little experience with. Such a bizarre situation happened to her, and she couldn’t adjust immediately.
The next day, Mayor Qian sent two teams of people to investigate the Capital and the county, gathering detailed information about Feng Yinshi.
Meanwhile, several guests arrived at the Qiao family. These guests were none other than the four older brothers of Yuan Jiaqi, along with the clan leader.
Yuan Jiaqi sat at the head of the room while the clan leader and his four brothers sat below.
“What brings you here?”
“Jiaqi, we heard that you passed the provincial examination, so we came to congratulate you.”
“Thank you!”
There was a silence, and Yuan Jiaqi finally spoke up.
“If you have no other matters, I must attend my classes. I won’t be able to entertain you.”
“Jiaqi, why don’t you consider returning to the Yuan family? As your uncle, I can decide to establish a branch for you.”
“I’m sorry, but I voluntarily severed ties with the Yuan family. I have never thought about going back. I am where I am today thanks to my wife’s blessings. In the future, if I achieve success and wealth, it will be my wife and my family who deserve to enjoy it.”
“But you are still our flesh and blood.”
“Yes, but when I was suffering, why didn’t anyone mention that I was your flesh and blood? Why do you bring it up now?”
“That’s all in the past.”
“The past may be gone, but the wounds are forever etched in my heart. Clan leader, please leave. The Yuan family is a place I will never return to. In the future, if I bring honor, only my wife and family deserve to share in it. Please leave!”
The Yuan Family Head pointed at him angrily. “You should know that even if you become an official, without the support of your clan, people will criticize you.”
“Hmph, without you guys, I’ll only get better. From the moment I left the Yuan family until now, haven’t you witnessed it all?’
“You…”
“Without clan members, I, Yuan Jiaqi, will create my own. When I am in decline, you stood by and watched with cold eyes. When I turn the table, you know how to pick up the pieces. What kind of dreams are you having?”
“Fine, we’ll see how it goes. Do you really think you’re something special?”
“Escort them out!”
Several maids came in from outside, and the family head gave Yuan Jiaqi a stern glare before leaving.
Yuan Jiaqi’s four brothers looked at him. “Little Five, can’t you let go of this grudge?”
“I can’t! My bloodthirsty parents, indifferent family members – You tell me to let it go? What about the sacrifices my wife made for me? Who will repay her? She has spent thousands of taels of silver on me. Will you cover that?” “She’s your wife. Of course, she should cover it.”
“Hmph, there’s no such thing as a free meal in this world. It’s the same for couples. She wasn’t sold to me. I married her as my wife, and she gave me and Chuan’er a home. Can you give me that?”
“We don’t know what to say. People make mistakes. Can’t you forgive them when they correct their mistakes?’
“No, I, Yuan Jiaqi, swear to God that I won’t be in the Yuan family’s genealogy, let alone enter the Yuan family’s door.”
“Why are you so stubborn?”
“Don’t persuade someone to do good without experiencing their hardship. One day, when your wife and child are tortured to death, you��ll understand.”
“Isn’t Chuan’er doing well now?’
“Did you save him, or did your parents save him? It was because I knelt in front of the doctor’s clinic, and they took pity on me and let me run a tab. Those bloodsucking scoundrels have so much money, but they wouldn’t help. My hard-earned money is also there, but they didn’t give a single cent when my son got sick. They just watched him die. Why should I go back? Can you tell me why I should?”
“Well…
“Get out of my house!”
Yuan Jiaqi’s anger flared up as he recalled Chuan’er’s illness, and he wished he could devour these people.
“Little Five, don’t be angry. We’ll leave now. We’ll come to see you in a while.”
“Get out!”