Chapter 697: Holding the Axe

During Zhu Hongyun’s moment of hesitation, the sisters Qiao Zhaodi and Qiao Yindi had already entered Zhu Hongyun’s room.

When Tong Er Lang married Zhu Hongyun, it was the zenith of the Tong Family’s prosperity. Although Zhu Hongyun’s dowry was meager, the betrothal gifts from the Tongs were considerable, including a set of silver head ornaments and a gold hairpin weighing three taels.

Zhu Hongyun kept these items locked away, never daring to wear them on normal days.

Beyond these items, her belongings were plain: a simple dressing table, a bed, a trunk, a table—no different from those in any other farmer’s home.

Qiao Zhaodi and Qiao Yindi casually looked around, turning over pillows and coverlets, shuffling through the dressing table and under the bed. The only thing left was the trunk by the bed.

The two of them lifted the trunk out. It was locked and they couldn’t open it.

Seeing her trunk being taken out, Zhu Hongyun’s face reddened in anxiety, and she wanted to intercede immediately.

Qiao Xiaomai spoke again, coolly, “Do you want to go to jail?”

The words ‘go to jail’ held the weight of a ton—it seemed to anchor Zhu Hongyun to the spot.

Qiao Xiaomai sneered, her wandering gaze landing on an axe in the shed where firewood was stored. She walked over and picked it up.

At this sight, Zhu Hongyun’s face paled, “What are you doing?”

“Are you blind? Splitting the box open,” Qiao Xiaomai cast her a sidelong glance. Raising the axe high above her head, she brought it down hard on the trunk.

Whenever she was angry, she had to destroy something.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Today, Zhu Hongyun’s trunk would be the vent for her frustration.

The box gave a “thud” when the ax struck it in. A cut appeared on the Zhu red box. Several pairs of eyes watched from the courtyard. She managed her strength so that it didn’t split open in one go. She stepped on the box, raised the ax with both hands, and after four or five strikes, the box was split open, revealing its contents.

The box was storing Zhu Hongyun’s favourite clothes. Qiao reached in and tossed the clothes aside.

Zhu Hongyun sprang forward to retrieve them.

She even wanted to throw herself in front of the box to guard it.

Qiao Xiaomai raised her hand, pointing the axe at her, “It seems you really want to go to jail.”

The gleaming axe, less than a foot from her face, made Zhu Hongyun holds her breath.

She was frozen, unable to move.

Seeing this, Qiao Xiaomai sneered again, bent down and continued searching the box.

Beneath the clothes, laid the silver head ornaments and the gold hairpin and several taels of silver pieces.

The Tong Family had always been well-off, it was impossible that they didn’t have a tael of silver. Zhu Hongyun had deliberately lied to Qiao Xiaomai earlier.

Qiao Xiaomai let out a couple of cold “hmmps”. “Zhaodi, Yindi, these items are yours now. You are wronged today, this is your compensation.”

The sisters were being troubled today, solely because of her. She had to offer them a compensation.

The two sisters Qiao Zhaodi and Qiao Yindi didn’t expect Qiao Xiaomai to say that. They looked at each other, standing on the spot, voiceless.

“Take it with peace of mind. If she dares to retaliate, I will send her directly to jail,” Qiao Xiaomai consoled them.

They exchanged another glance, then Qiao Zhaodi stepped forward and removed the silver head ornaments and the gold hairpin from the box.

Seeing this, Qiao Xiaomai said, “You two continue packing your things. Later, I will send you directly to the manor. You won’t have to come over to this place again.”

“Thank you, Sister Mai.” The sisters expressed their gratitude in unison, then they quickly returned to their rooms to continue packing their belongings.