Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Becoming a Concubine
“Mother, Mother, Ningxiu is still so young, she’s only eighteen years old. How can you sell Ningxiu to Old Master Huang to be his concubine? Old Master Huang is almost sixty years old. Selling Ningxiu to him, isn’t that like pushing her into a pit of fire?”
Before Su Yunjin even reached the Su Family home, she heard a crying voice coming from the courtyard. A crowd had gathered around the Su Family’s courtyard, all there to watch the excitement unfold.
“Pah, you ignorant thing. I am doing this for Ningxiu’s own good; how can you say I am pushing her into a fire pit? Old Master Huang is a wealthy man in town, many people are eagerly lining up to become his concubines! It is Ningxiu’s good fortune that Old Master Huang has taken a liking to her—it’s a stroke of luck many people can’t even dream of. Don’t be ungrateful!”
Madam Tao, Su Yunjin’s step-grandmother, was berating Su Yunjin’s parents. Su Yunjin’s parents were timid by nature and had suffered Madam Tao’s bullying for many years, having developed a habit of never daring to fight back. If this were any other matter, they probably wouldn’t have dared to retort to Madam Tao’s scolding, but this matter concerned the happiness of Su Yunjin’s second sister, Su Ningxiu. Even though they were afraid of Madam Tao, they still summoned the courage to say, “Mother, no…, no, Ningxiu cannot marry Old Master Huang!”
Madam Tao had already accepted twenty taels of silver from Old Master Huang, agreeing to send Su Yunjin’s second sister, Su Ningxiu, into the Huang Residence in three days’ time. If Su Ningxiu didn’t marry into the Huang Residence, Madam Tao would have to return all the silver she’d received—a piece of meat that had reached her mouth, how could Madam Tao be willing to spit it out?
“Hmph, whether she wants to or not, she must marry. I’m telling you, I’ve already agreed with Old Master Huang that the day after tomorrow, I will send Su Ningxiu to him! When the time comes, Su Ningxiu must go to the Huang Residence, even if I have to tie her up and take her there myself.”
Just then, Su Yunjin, who had stepped out from the crowd, sneered coldly, “Grandma, since you think becoming Old Master Huang’s concubine is such a great thing, then why don’t you marry my cousin Su Xiaofu to Old Master Huang? Such a wonderful opportunity should be given to my cousin instead!”
Su Xiaofu was the daughter of the eldest son that Madam Tao brought with her, her own granddaughter. Over the years, Madam Tao doted on Su Xiaofu immensely, fearing even that she might fall if held in the palm of her hand. If Madam Tao really had to send Su Xiaofu to be Old Master Huang’s concubine, she would be the first to refuse!
Sure enough, as soon as the words left Su Yunjin’s mouth, Madam Tao immediately turned a furious shade of purple and scolded Su Yunjin, “Nonsense! How could Xiaofu become a concubine to Old Master Huang?”
“Why not? Grandma, if you can marry my second sister off to Old Master Huang, why can’t you marry cousin Xiaofu to him? Didn’t you say marrying Old Master Huang is a boon many people can’t even wish for? Since it’s such a great thing, why don’t you grant this fortune to my cousin and let Su Xiaofu marry into the Huang Residence?” Su Yunjin’s tone was aggressive and confrontational, leaving Madam Tao speechless for a moment.
Whispers began to ripple through the crowd, “Madam Tao is going too far this time, isn’t she? Actually marrying Ningxiu off to an old man?”
“Isn’t it? Madam Tao is really shrewd! Unwilling to marry off her own granddaughter, she takes advantage of the fact that Ningxiu isn’t her biological granddaughter to mistreat her !”
The murmurs of the people made Madam Tao’s face falter, and in her guilt, she lashed out at Su Yunjin, “You don’t know anything! I truly want what’s best for Ningxiu, don’t you spout nonsense here!”
“Really?” Su Yunjin scoffed, “If you dare to marry Su Xiaofu to Old Master Huang, then I’ll believe that you truly want the best for my second sister!”