Chapter 91-95

Chapter 91: The Pit of Fire

Jiang Zhuguo knew that the man she was being sold to was likely far older than her——perhaps even older than Jiang Yihe. A bitter chill crept down her spine at the thought.

She turned her gaze to the red fabric that Madam Tian had held earlier——lily red, not the brilliant crimson that brides typically wore on their wedding day. The dull shade was a silent admission: she was not being married as a wife, but as a concubine.

Jiang Zhuguo bit down hard on her lip, the sharp tang of blood coating her tongue. The taste only heightened her sense of irony. She swallowed against the rising lump in her throat and fixed her gaze on Madam Tian and Jiang Yihe, her voice trembling but laced with defiance.

“You said you wouldn’t harm me. Then why are you selling me as a concubine to an old man?”

Madam Tian’s fingers twitched. A flicker of guilt passed through her eyes, but it was fleeting. She quickly composed herself and reached for her daughter’s hand, pulling her down to sit on the edge of the bed.

“Silly child, whether you are a concubine or not isn’t important. What matters is that you will live a good life.” Madam Tian’s voice took on an insistent, almost coaxing tone. “I was uneasy at first, too. But your father is right. A woman’s happiness depends on the life she can secure for herself, not on titles.”

She sighed and continued, “Think about it. If you married into a poor household, eating coarse grains, struggling just to survive, would being a proper wife make you any happier? It’s not worth it.”

Jiang Zhuguo remained silent, her expression unreadable. Madam Tian’s patience snapped. Her voice hardened.

“Your father was right——you’ve become more rebellious! You don’t listen anymore! If we don’t marry you off now, sooner or later, we won’t be able to control you at all.”

Madam Tian had her own fears. If Jiang Zhuguo married into an ordinary family, she would become entangled in her husband’s affairs and eventually forget about them. A concubine, however, was still tied to her birth family. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that this was the only way.

Her voice grew final. “Enough. You have no say in this. The dowry has already been received. Unless you can bring forth fifty taels of silver this instant to repay the betrothal money and cover the fabric’s cost, you have no choice but to go through with the marriage.”

Madam Tian stood, dusting off her sleeves. “In two days, you will be wed. Until then, thread the needle and sew your wedding dress. Do not delay.”

Jiang Zhuguo sat frozen, the weight of inevitability pressing down on her. A single tear slipped from her eye, quickly followed by another, until they blurred her vision completely.

That evening, Xia Mingyue sat at her small wooden table, enjoying a bowl of dumpling soup. She had stir-fried tomatoes until their juices thickened, then poured in flour-mixed water before adding two beaten eggs.

The broth turned a rich, velvety red, the golden egg threads swirling within. She finished it with a drizzle of sesame oil and a handful of freshly chopped coriander.

A second bowl was set aside for Wu Jin. His portion was sprinkled with a touch of salt and a few drops of vinegar, stirred evenly.

The steaming soup, with its vibrant hues of red, gold, and emerald green, was like an artist’s masterpiece in a simple porcelain bowl. Xia Mingyue sipped slowly, relishing the warmth against the humid summer night.

After finishing his meal, Wu Jin trotted off to patrol the yard, ensuring the chickens and ducks were safe. His ears twitched, his keen eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of disturbance.

He would guard his home as best as he could.

Meanwhile, Xia Mingyue tidied up the kitchen before retreating to her room. She lay down but found herself unable to sleep. The house was too quiet.

She was used to Jiang Zhuguo’s presence——used to hearing her gather firewood, prepare water for washing, and move about in the early hours of the morning. The absence of those familiar sounds left an unsettling void in the air.

Her thoughts drifted to Jiang Zhuguo’s home. What was happening there right now?

Locked in her room, Jiang Zhuguo sat unmoving at the table, staring at the dimming glow of the flickering oil lamp.

Two days. In two days, she would be married—no, sold.

Her mother had painted a pretty picture of concubinage. She would have fine meals, luxurious silks, a comfortable allowance. And if she bore a son, she could even manage the household like a proper mistress.

But Jiang Zhuguo knew better. If it was such a good life, why did people look down on concubines? She had heard enough whispers to understand——concubines were no different from possessions. They could be sold, discarded, or humiliated at a wife’s whim.

She clenched her fingers so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her parents——knowing all this——were still willing to push her into the fire pit for the sake of fifty taels of silver....

Her gaze fell on the paperless window. Beyond the wooden frame, the vast night sky stretched endlessly, stars shimmering in the darkness like unreachable beacons of hope.

Jiang Zhuguo bit her lips until she tasted blood. Then, slowly, she reached for one of the fabrics piled on the bed. Smoothing it out, she tossed it over the wooden beam.

But she didn’t tie a noose. Instead, she secured one end of the cloth to the window frame and wrapped the other tightly around her hands. She took a deep breath and placed her feet against the wall, using her body weight to pull against the frame.

The first tug yielded nothing. The second caused a faint creak. She gritted her teeth and tried again. Finally, after several desperate attempts, the old wooden frame cracked with a sharp “click.”

Jiang Zhuguo’s heart pounded. She repeated the process, yanking again and again until the frame splintered apart, leaving a gap just big enough for her to crawl through.

She paused, listening for any signs that Jiang Yihe or Madam Tian had woken.

Silence.

With careful movements, she broke off the sharp splinters at the jagged edges. Then, she bent low and squeezed her way out. The house was short, the windows small. Even though she had cleared as much as she could, the process was agonizingly slow.

Wood scraped her arms. Her sleeves tore against the rough edges. A sharp piece caught her calf, leaving a stinging gash. Blood beaded along her skin, mixing with the dirt beneath her fingernails.

But, she didn’t care.

As soon as she was outside, she ran. Stumbling, gasping, ignoring the burning pain in her legs, she sprinted toward the county town.

Xia Mingyue barely slept. She awoke before dawn, restless.

Instead of staying in bed, she grabbed a broom and began sweeping the yard. The early morning air was cool, carrying the faint scent of damp earth. After finishing, she stepped outside, intending to clean the alleyway in front of her house.

Just as she reached the entrance, she saw a figure racing toward the alley.

Drenched in sweat, clothes torn, and breathing heavily——it was Jiang Zhuguo.

*****

Tomatoes were introduced to China during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty and gradually gained popularity. However, it was not until the late Qing Dynasty that they were cultivated on a large scale for widespread consumption. This setting is purely fictional, and for the sake of the narrative, the precise historical timeline of their introduction is not taken into consideration.

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Chapter 92: A Clever Plan

The figure staggered into the narrow alley, barely keeping upright. Each step was unsteady, the weight of exhaustion and pain dragging them down. For a fleeting moment, Xia Mingyue hesitated, her grip on the broom tightening. But as the dim lantern light illuminated the person's face, her breath caught in her throat.

"Zhuguo?"

Jiang Zhuguo stood there——disheveled, battered, and barely recognizable. Her once neatly tied hair was a wild tangle, strands plastered against her pale, tear-streaked face. Her clothing, ripped in several places, hung off her small frame in tatters, exposing bruised skin. One foot was bare, caked in dirt and blood, the other barely clinging to a worn-out shoe. The sight of her was enough to send a chill through Xia Mingyue's bones.

Dropping the broom, Xia Mingyue rushed forward, catching the unsteady girl before she could collapse. "Zhuguo, what happened?" She demanded, her voice laced with urgency and concern.

Jiang Zhuguo opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her lips trembled, and her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. Her wooden expression cracked as she met Xia Mingyue’s eyes, her own brimming with fresh tears. She tried to speak again, but all that escaped was a strangled whisper. "Sister Xia...."

The moment the words left her lips, the dam broke. Tears spilled down her cheeks in uncontrollable streams, and with them came a choked sob. Her body shook as she bit down on her already scabbed lips, reopening the wound. Blood welled up instantly, bright against her pale skin.

Xia Mingyue's heart clenched at the sight. She reached out and gently pried Zhuguo’s lips apart. "Don't do that. You’re hurt enough already."

"Come inside," she urged, voice softer now. "No matter what’s happened, we’ll find a way to fix it. You’re safe here."

Jiang Zhuguo nodded weakly, wiping her tears with trembling fingers as she limped into the yard with Xia Mingyue’s support.

Her mind was a blur of fear and desperation. She had run so fast, so blindly, that she hadn’t even realized when she lost her shoe. The only thing she knew was that she couldn’t stop. The jagged gravel and cold mud had torn at her feet, but she hadn’t felt the pain then. Now, with every step, agony flared through her limbs. But even that paled in comparison to the deep, crushing ache in her chest.

Inside, Xia Mingyue worked quickly, fetching clean clothes and warm water. She knelt by Jiang Zhuguo’s side, carefully washing the grime from her hands and feet, wincing at the cuts and splinters embedded in her skin. As she disinfected the wounds, Sister Lu arrived, having heard the commotion.

One look at the girl, and Sister Lu’s eyes turned red with sorrow. Without a word, she retrieved a comb and began untangling Zhuguo’s matted hair with gentle fingers, smoothing away the evidence of her suffering. Then, she pressed a cup of hot tea into the girl’s hands.

It was the peak of summer, yet Jiang Zhuguo shivered violently.

Xia Mingyue frowned as she noticed tiny wood splinters embedded in the wounds on Zhuguo’s arms and legs. Pieces of broken wood were tangled in her hair. The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning.

Jiang Zhuguo had escaped——likely through a window.

Taking a deep breath, Xia Mingyue met the young girl’s frightened eyes. "Zhuguo, tell me what happened. Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together."

Sister Lu nodded firmly. "You’re not alone. We will help you."

Tears welled up in Zhuguo’s eyes again, but this time, they didn't spill immediately. She sucked in a shaky breath, forcing herself to speak. "My parents...." Her voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. "They accepted fifty taels of silver and a pile of fine cloth from the Zhang family.... They want me to become a concubine to a man older than my father."

Sister Lu sucked in a sharp breath, fury flashing in her eyes.

Jiang Zhuguo clenched her fists. "I refused. But my mother said it didn’t matter——wife or concubine, as long as I could ‘live well.’ When I still refused, she said I had to pay back the fifty taels of silver and the cloth myself if I wanted to cancel the engagement. Then she locked me in my room."

Xia Mingyue’s jaw tightened.

Forced marriage.

She should have known something was wrong when Jiang Yihe came by yesterday, his expression indifferent. Now, everything made sense.

No wonder he hadn't seemed troubled. He had orchestrated all of this.

Sister Lu’s hands trembled with anger. "Selling their daughter to an old man like this——how could they?"

She wanted to curse Jiang Yihe and Madam Tian for their cruelty, but she knew that venting her rage would only deepen Zhuguo’s wounds. Instead, she paced the yard, her breath coming in short, furious bursts.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhuguo buried her face in her hands. "Sister Xia..., what do I do? I don't want to be anyone’s concubine...."

She broke down completely, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.

Xia Mingyue watched her for a moment, then exhaled slowly. "Actually, there is a way."

Sister Lu stopped pacing. "What way?"

Jiang Zhuguo wiped at her tear-streaked face. "Sister Xia, do you really have a solution?"

Xia Mingyue’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Yes. And I guarantee it will work. But..., we need someone’s help."

"Who?" both Sister Lu and Jiang Zhuguo asked in unison.

"Brother Wu," Xia Mingyue answered with a glint in her eyes.

Wu Xiong?

Jiang Zhuguo and Sister Lu exchanged uncertain glances.

Wu Xiong was a man whose presence alone struck fear into most people. His sheer physical strength was enough to make others wary. But marriage was a matter decided by parents and matchmakers. Even if people sympathized with Jiang Zhuguo, they couldn’t interfere. If the matter went to court, the magistrate would likely rule in favor of her parents.

Would Wu Xiong really be able to change anything?

Xia Mingyue saw the doubt flickering in their eyes and chuckled. "Trust me. I have a plan——one that will make Jiang Yihe and Tian regret this decision themselves."

Meanwhile, at the Jiang household, Jiang Yihe’s fury knew no bounds. His face was as dark as the bottom of a pot as he stared at the broken window.

"She ran?" His voice was low, but the anger in it was palpable.

Madam Tian wrung her hands anxiously. "What do we do? If the Zhang family comes and she isn’t here——"

"We find her!" Jiang Yihe snapped. "She has nowhere else to go."

Madam Tian hesitated, then realization dawned. "Madam Xia. She must be with Madam Xia."

Jiang Yihe scowled. "I can’t waste my time chasing after a disobedient girl. I have an essay due in two days. If you want her back, you go."

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Chapter 93: Damn? Pathetic!

He was a scholar! If word got out that he had forced his own daughter to marry an old man as a concubine, people would whisper behind his back, pointing fingers at him in disgust. His hard-earned reputation would be tarnished beyond repair.

Jiang Yihe prided himself on being an upright man. He would never do something so disgraceful——at least, not under the public eye.

"Alright." Madam Tian nodded, considering his words.

It would undoubtedly disrupt Jiang Yihe’s studies.

"Then..., my husband, stay home and study hard. I will go instead," Madam Tian said firmly, taking responsibility. "I will definitely bring back our daughter."

Jiang Yihe gave a nod of approval. "When you get there, speak to Madam Xia respectfully. Appeal to her emotions and reason with her. Do not make a scene, or people will mock you."

"I understand."

"Also," he continued, his tone measured, "I have met Madam Xia before. She seems reasonable. She will not make things difficult for you. But if anything changes, come back and report to me immediately."

MadamTian nodded repeatedly, absorbing his instructions.

"And remember——no shouting, no endless bickering. If you make a spectacle of yourself, people will say our family lacks education and discipline."

"Don't worry, my husband. I've made note of it."

With that, Madam Tian packed a few things and set off on her journey.

Jiangjia Village was neither too close nor too far from the county town——an hour and a half on foot for someone with a strong physique like Jiang Zhuguo’s father, who was accustomed to long walks.

But Madam Tian was different. She was already frail, and it had been years since she had walked such a distance in one go. Barely half an hour in, her breath came in ragged gasps, her limbs growing heavy. The hunger gnawing at her stomach only made things worse——she had left in such a hurry that she hadn't eaten breakfast.

Her head spun slightly.

Ox carts rolled by, heading toward the county town, their wooden wheels creaking along the muddy path. A driver slowed as he passed her, his gaze sweeping over her exhausted figure.

"Take a ride?" He offered. "Three cents. There’s space."

Madam Tian’s lips parted instinctively——oh, how she wanted to sit down, to rest her aching feet. But then she hesitated. Three cents.... That was enough to buy a steamed bun for her husband.

The ox cart trundled away, leaving her to continue her slow, weary trek.

By the time she finally reached the county town, the sun had already climbed high into the sky.

Her legs trembled from exhaustion. She couldn't hold out any longer.

Spotting a small street stall, she made her way over and bargained for a piece of cake at two cents, managing to coax the seller into giving her a free bowl of noodle soup.

As she sat there, eating and regaining her strength, she reminded herself of her mission——she had come to bring Zhuguo back home.

After finishing her meal, Madam Tian straightened her clothes and headed toward Xia Mingyue’s house.

Standing before the gate, Madam Tian took in the sight of the house. It was neat and well-maintained, nothing extravagant but exuding an air of quiet elegance. When the door opened, she was taken aback by the woman who stood before her.

Xia Mingyue was young and beautiful, her features dignified and refined. Her composed demeanor made Madam Tian feel instinctively small——her own worn-out clothes and thin, malnourished frame only emphasized the stark contrast between them.

Subconsciously, she pulled at the fabric of her sleeves, trying to smooth out the wrinkles.

"Madam Xia, I'm Zhuguo’s mother. My surname is Tian," she said hesitantly. Her eyes darted past Xia Mingyue, searching the house. "Is Zhuguo here?"

Xia Mingyue arched an eyebrow and gave a slow, deliberate nod, as if digesting the information. Then, a wry smile curled her lips.

"Oh? You are Zhuguo’s mother?" She let out a small, mocking laugh. "That’s odd. Mister Jiang came by just yesterday, insisting that you were gravely ill and that Zhuguo had to rush home to see you. Imagine my surprise——overnight, a miracle doctor must have cured you. Not only are you well enough to get out of bed, but you even managed to walk all the way to the county town. How miraculous...!"

Madam Tian flinched, caught off guard by the obvious sarcasm. Her fingers tightened around the edge of her sleeves.

"Madam Xia, please don’t misunderstand. I was afraid that Zhuguo would be too shy to discuss marriage matters directly, so I... I made up an excuse," she admitted, lowering her voice. "We have arranged a wonderful match for Zhuguo, but she ignorantly ran away. I was hoping you might know where she is."

She hesitated before adding, "If Zhuguo is here, please allow me to take her home. She’s stubborn——she won’t listen to me, but she respects you. Please, Madam Xia, help me persuade her."

Xia Mingyue folded her arms, her gaze sharp and assessing.

Not only had this woman come to retrieve her daughter, but she also wanted Xia Mingyue to help convince her?

Madam Tian's gaunt face, her desperate tone——it all painted a bleak picture. She wasn’t just a mother; she was a woman wholly devoted to her husband, willing to sacrifice anything, even her daughter’s future, for him.

It was hateful and yet, pitiful.

"Zhuguo mentioned that you and Mister Jiang have been married for many years," Xia Mingyue said slowly, tilting her head. "And that he has studied for just as long. Yet, after all these years, he remains merely a scholar?"

Merely?

Madam Tian's eyelids twitched.

Was Xia Mingyue looking down on her husband? Did she think becoming a scholar was easy?

"My husband has studied diligently, but bad luck has kept him from passing his exams," Madam Tian retorted, her tone turning defensive. "This year, he will surely succeed."

Xia Mingyue hummed in amusement. "Is that so? If he does pass, then he will become an official, correct?"

"Of course." Madam Tian lifted her chin slightly, pride flickering in her eyes.

"When that happens, Zhuguo will be the daughter of an official. If marriage is what you’re concerned about, she would be better suited to a match with the son of another official, don’t you think? A mutually beneficial alliance could help Mister Jiang’s career. Why settle for an old merchant? Besides it wouldn't be good for his reputation to have a daughter married to an old man, with a status of a concubine... no matter how wealthy her husband's family is."

Madam Tian blinked.

That... that made sense.

She had initially been reluctant about Zhuguo’s match with the Zhang family, but Jiang Yihe had convinced her——saying they were too poor to provide for Zhuguo and that at least the Zhang family could offer her comfort.

But now, when Xia Mingyue put it that way...

"My husband only wants Zhuguo to live a good life...," she murmured, uncertain. "He may not have considered it at the moment."

"Jiang Langjun has been in the academy for a long time and is well versed in the ways of the world. He may have thought of these things. He probably just thought of ways to deal with them and felt that these were not a big deal."

"What ways...?"

"If he divorces his wife and abandons his daughter and cuts off all ties with you two, he can naturally preserve his own reputation." Xia Mingyue replied.

Perhaps, in order to fully preserve his reputation, he may conspire something more sinister.

He may deny his blood relationship with his daughter. Raising a daughter who was not his, would certainly preserve his reputation and perhaps..., even be viewed as an act of virtue.

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Chapter 94: The Debt Has Its Owner

Or, he may put all the blame of his daughter's marriage on his wife, Madam Tian, and pretend to be furious about it to the point of divorcing her.

These were merely Xia Mingyue’s speculations. They were cruel thoughts, and she kept them to herself.

Madam Tian, however, was visibly stunned by Xia Mingyue’s words. Her face twisted with anger. "You’re talking nonsense! My husband and I share a deep love——we would never divorce!"

"Then why didn’t he accompany you to fetch Jiang Zhuguo today?" Xia Mingyue asked, her tone calm but piercing. "Is it not because he fears the wagging tongues of others? That his reputation would be tarnished if he were involved in this matter?"

"My husband only wishes to focus on his studies and write his articles." Madam Tian snapped. "Do not slander his reputation again, or I will not let you off easily!"

She had remained passive when her daughter was about to be pushed into a miserable marriage, but the moment Jiang Yihe was insulted, she erupted with fury.

Xia Mingyue took a deep breath, suppressing the irritation bubbling within her. "Fine. If that is how you see it, then let it be. But you will not be taking Jiang Zhuguo."

"Why?" Madam Tian was taken aback, her voice rising in frustration. "Madam Xia, is all of this just to prevent Zhuguo from marrying? You are merely an employer who hired her for work. You have no authority over her. Why won’t you let me take her?"

"Because Jiang Zhuguo owes us money." A deep, gruff voice cut in.

Wu Xiong strode into the courtyard, followed by a group of men. The smile he usually wore was gone, replaced by a stern, menacing expression. His men, all wielding weapons, mirrored his imposing stance.

Madam Tian recoiled, fear flashing across her face as she instinctively took two steps back.

Wu Xiong pulled up a stool and sat down, crossing one leg over the other. He tilted his chin up, regarding Madam Tian with a look of disdain. "Are you Jiang Zhuguo’s mother?"

Madam Tian had never faced such an intimidating presence before. Her voice wavered as she nodded cautiously. "Just now..., you said Zhuguo owes you money? What do you mean?"

One of Wu Xiong’s men smirked and stepped forward. "Jiang Zhuguo came to our Sifang Casino to gamble. She refused to accept her losses and borrowed one hundred taels of silver, hoping to make a comeback. Unfortunately for her, she lost everything. Now she owes us a full hundred taels."

Wu Xiong flicked a speck of dust from his sleeve. "She refuses to sell herself to pay off the debt, so she’s working for Madam Xia instead. But the five hundred copper coins she pays each month aren’t even enough to cover the interest. Who knows how long it’ll take for her to clear the debt at this rate? Since you’re here to take her away, you should settle her dues first. A hundred taels——pay up."

Madam Tian’s face drained of color. A hundred taels? That was an astronomical sum. She had never even seen so much money in her life. Trembling, she shook her head. "Zhuguo would never go to a gambling house! You’re lying!"

Wu Xiong let out a lazy chuckle and pulled a piece of paper from his robe. "Black and white, clear as day. Jiang Zhuguo’s debt, signed and stamped by her own hand. What, planning to default? That’s rare. I’ve been collecting debts for over a decade, and I’ve never seen anyone try to run from Sifang Casino."

"Boss, why waste time? Let’s just break one of her legs. She’ll understand then." One of the thugs sneered.

"No need for that," Wu Xiong replied, unbothered. "We can just take her to the county magistrate. Let him summon Jiang Yihe. Since he’s at the academy, it’ll be easy. Let’s see if he dares deny this debt in front of his classmates and teachers."

Jiang Yihe was a man who valued his reputation above all else. If word got out that his daughter owed a gambling debt, the humiliation would be worse than death.

"The debt belongs to Zhuguo. You should only go after her!" Madam Tian panicked. "Why involve my husband?"

"If Jiang Zhuguo can’t pay, her parents must." Wu Xiong’s voice was casual but firm. "You claim you’ve found her a good marriage. The bride price must be substantial. Use it to settle the debt."

Madam Tian paled further. The bride price was only fifty taels——half of what was owed. Even if she sold Zhuguo, it wouldn’t be enough.

"Hurry up! We don’t have all day!" One of the men barked impatiently.

"If you bring a hundred taels, we’ll hand over Jiang Zhuguo. Otherwise, she works until the debt is cleared."

"The money is at home!" Madam Tian blurted. "I’ll go fetch it——"

Home? Where others might overhear?

If this matter became public, tongues would wag. The village would gossip that Jiang Zhuguo was a gambler who owed an enormous sum. Worse, Jiang Yihe would blame her for failing to raise their daughter properly.

Madam Tian’s breath hitched. She lowered her head, her voice pleading. "Everyone, this is a serious matter. I must discuss it with my husband. Allow me some time. I will return with an answer."

"Trying to run from the debt?" One of the thugs scoffed.

"It’s fine." Wu Xiong raised a hand. "Let her go back and discuss it. If she runs, we still have Jiang Zhuguo. And if needed, we have Jiang Yihe. The monk may run, but the temple remains. There isn’t a single debt in this town that Sifang Casino can’t collect."

He leaned forward slightly, his grin slow and predatory. "Go on. Have your talk. Then come back and tell us how you’ll pay."

Madam Tian nodded frantically. She dared not linger, afraid they might change their minds and drag her to Jiangjia Village themselves. With hurried steps, she fled.

Only when she was long gone did those in the courtyard let out a collective sigh.

"That went smoother than I expected," one of Wu Xiong’s men remarked. "I thought she’d put up more of a fight."

"So coward." Wu Xiong frowned, folding the forged document carefully and tucking it away. "A mother is supposed to be strong for her child. But Madam Tian never once asked about Zhuguo’s well-being. Not where she was, not if she was safe."

His jaw tightened. "She only panicked when she thought we’d trouble Jiang Yihe. If she truly cared for her daughter, she would have at least tried to negotiate something better for her."

He spat onto the ground. "Pathetic."

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Chapter 95: Not Worth It

Xia Mingyue pursed her lips and said calmly, "There are thousands of kinds of things, and so are people."

Though her tone was even, the words carried a weight that lingered in the damp morning air. This statement applied not only to the Madam Tian but also to Jiang Yihe, whose true nature had now been laid bare for all to see.

Jiang Zhuguo, standing at the threshold of the house, had heard everything. She understood what Xia Mingyue meant and had witnessed firsthand the full extent of Madam Tian's reactions. The veil had been lifted from her eyes, and the bitter reality settled heavily in her heart.

Her mother had truly disappointed her.

In the past, she had always believed that her mother had suffered for the sake of her father. She had endured hardship, swallowed grievances, and done everything to keep their fragile family together. But today, Jiang Zhuguo realized that it was more than that——her mother had not only suffered but had also dragged her down into the abyss alongside her.

Suffering was one thing, but to sell one's dignity, to disregard her own daughter’s life for the sake of a few taels of silver——this was unforgivable.

And her father....

Jiang Zhuguo had long harbored doubts, and today, they were confirmed. Jiang Yihe was a selfish and cold-hearted man. Sister Xia’s words were right——he was a man who could abandon his wife and child without hesitation. A man who thought of no one but himself.

Was such a family, such parents, truly worth her loyalty?

Jiang Zhuguo bit her lip hard, trying to hold back the tide of emotions threatening to spill over. But no matter how hard she tried, the tears came anyway, slipping silently down her cheeks. Wiping them away with trembling fingers, she turned and bowed deeply to Xia Mingyue, Wu Xiong, and the others.

"Thank you, Sister Xia. Thank you, Brother Wu. Thank you, everyone..."

Wu Xiong, a man who rarely knew what to say in emotional situations, looked at Jiang Zhuguo’s tear-streaked face and felt a strange pang in his chest. He rubbed his hands together awkwardly, his usual gruff demeanor giving way to uncertainty.

"Miss Jiang, you're being too polite," he muttered, his voice uncharacteristically soft. Seeing her cry made him feel strangely uncomfortable, as if an invisible claw was scratching at his heart. "Please... don't be sad."

For some reason, her tears unsettled him more than he cared to admit.

Jiang Zhuguo sniffled and forced a weak smile. "I'm not sad anymore."

Because it wasn’t worth being sad over.

Wu Xiong exhaled in relief, scratching his head before saying, "I reckon Madam Tian and Jiang Yihe will come sniffing around again later. You all should keep your guard up and focus on your work."

They needed to show those two exactly who they were dealing with. If they came looking for trouble, then trouble they would find.

"I don’t think Madam Tian will come back," Xia Mingyue interjected thoughtfully. "She’s a timid woman who struggles to make decisions. As for Jiang Yihe..., he’s smart enough to see what’s happening, but he probably won’t make a big move just yet. He knows stirring things up now would be unwise, so I expect he’ll keep quiet for a few days."

As for the future....

That remained to be seen. If they attacked, she would retaliate. If they schemed, she would counter. No matter what, she would not back down.

"Got it," Wu Xiong nodded. "If anything happens, Madam Xia, just send someone to find me."

"Of course," Xia Mingyue agreed, walking him and his men out before turning back to Jiang Zhuguo.

After tidying up, Xia Mingyue said, "I’m heading to the food stall now. You should rest at home, lock the door, and only open it for us when we return. If anything happens, Wu Jin is here."

That alone was enough to handle both Madam Tian and Jiang Yihe if they dared show up again.

Right on cue, Wu Jin let out a confident 'woof', wagging his tail as if to assure them he had the situation under control.

Jiang Zhuguo, however, shook her head. Without hesitation, she grabbed a ladle and began drawing water from the tank. "Sister Xia, wait for me. I’ll come with you and help at the food stall."

She had accepted Sister Xia’s kindness and her wages——she had no reason to sit at home while others worked. More than ever, she needed to stand on her own feet.

Xia Mingyue hesitated for a moment. She felt a pang of sympathy for Jiang Zhuguo, but she also knew that keeping busy would do her good. With a small nod, she relented.

Leaving Wu Jin behind to guard the house, Xia Mingyue and Jiang Zhuguo——whose eyes were still slightly swollen from crying——headed to Xia Ji together.

Meanwhile, Madam Tian rushed home in a panic, her heart pounding against her ribs. She had spent three copper coins on a bullock cart just to get back faster——a price she wouldn’t normally be willing to pay. But today, there was no time to be frugal.

At home, Jiang Yihe sat in the dim light of their small house, absentmindedly flipping through a book. The moment he saw Madam Tian enter, his eyes lit up with expectation. But when he noticed she was alone, his face darkened like a storm cloud.

"Where is Zhuguo? Didn’t you bring her back?"

Useless! Stupid woman!

If she hadn’t brought Jiang Zhuguo home, how was he supposed to face the Zhang family?

Madam Tian, breathless and flustered, nearly stumbled over her own words. "H-husband..., this is terrible... Jiang Zhuguo——!"

She coughed violently, her nerves fraying as she tried to catch her breath. When she finally managed to calm down, she recounted everything——the thugs from the Sifang Casino, the one hundred taels of debt, and Xia Mingyue’s interference.

Jiang Yihe’s expression twisted in fury. "That damn girl! Why in the world would Zhuguo go to a gambling house? And how could she owe so much money?! What are we supposed to do now?!"

Madam Tian, overwhelmed, looked at her husband with pleading eyes. "My husband, what should we do? Should we pay back the one hundred taels and bring Zhuguo home?"

Jiang Yihe’s lips curled in irritation. He had initially assumed that Xia Mingyue was merely meddling in others’ affairs. But now, after hearing Madam Tian’s account, he realized that Xia Mingyue had played him. This was all a ploy——a staged performance to humiliate him and ruin his plans.

It was all too convenient.

Jiang Zhuguo, a girl who had never even stepped inside a gambling house, suddenly owed a ridiculous sum? And that sum just happened to be precisely one hundred taels?

Jiang Yihe didn't believe it but he knew it was Xia Mingyue's doing.

And yet, he was trapped. If he didn’t bring Jiang Zhuguo back, he would lose face with the Zhang family. But if he did, it would mean yielding to Xia Mingyue’s scheme.

Madam Tian, sensing her husband’s hesitation, asked again, "Husband, what should we do?"

Jiang Yihe’s expression hardened. "There’s only one choice——we cancel the marriage."

Madam Tian gasped. "But..., will the Zhang family agree?"

"They’ll have no choice," Jiang Yihe said coldly. "Unless they’re willing to pay the one hundred taels themselves."

But such a thing was unlikely.

Spending one hundred taels of silver just to take in a concubine? No matter how one looked at it, the deal was neither cost-effective nor worthwhile. The Zhang family was no fool. They were shrewd merchants, not sentimental simpletons who would squander a fortune on an impulsive indulgence.

"Zhuguo owes the gambling house one hundred taels of silver...," Madam Tian murmured anxiously. Her hands trembled slightly as she folded a piece of cloth, her thoughts in turmoil. She wasn’t just worried about debt collectors knocking on their door——what truly unsettled her was the possibility that they might go to the academy and humiliate Jiang Yihe in public. The mere thought of it made her stomach twist.

"Every wrong has its perpetrator, every debt has its creditor. Just let them find Jiang Zhuguo and demand it from her." Jiang Yihe’s voice was calm, almost dismissive. He didn’t even lift his head from his book. "Tell them that, and they won’t dare to do anything if you ignore them."

Madam Tian hesitated, unconvinced. "But what if——"

"What kind of trouble could they possibly cause?" Jiang Yihe finally looked up, his expression cold. "Those people only want to humiliate her, nothing more. Xia Mingyue and Jiang Zhuguo think they’re clever, but do they really believe they can walk away from this unscathed? That everything will be fine in the future?"

A sneer curled on his lips. Jiang Zhuguo would turn fifteen next year——the prime age for arranging a marriage. A woman’s reputation and character were everything. Once tainted, even if she somehow cleared her debts, the stain would remain.

Who would dare to marry their son to a girl drowning in gambling debt?

And if Jiang Zhuguo was so insistent on keeping her dignity, refusing to lower herself as someone’s concubine——then fine. Let her live out her days as an old maid, watching opportunities slip through her fingers.

As for himself, a gentleman’s revenge was never too late. Let them laugh now, let them believe they had outwitted him. When the time came——when he had carved his name into the world with success and fame——what difficulty would there be in crushing a mere street food vendor?

Jiang Yihe felt a slow, creeping satisfaction settle within him at the thought.