Chapter 24

So You’re Trying To Rob Us?

Xie Heng looked at the spot where Zhao Chuchu had grabbed him. He slowly moved away.

Zhao Chuchu could tell what he was doing. She gave him a small brow raise.

What a modest man!

Madam Yang didn’t notice that they were having a silent conversation. “Chuchu, um, Granny used to be very worried about getting sick and dying, which is why I said all those things. Could you please not take what we said to heart? You’re from the Zhao family, and we’re all your relatives and older people...” she groveled.

“Before I married Xie Heng, you told the village that you disowned me and cut me off. You said that from that day on, we would have nothing to do with each other. Are you changing your mind now? You want me to leave right now?” Zhao Chuchu snapped.

“You’re fawning over me for no reason, so you must have something else in mind. Don’t think for one second that I can’t figure out what you’re doing. Don’t forget what you said then. The Zhao family has nothing to do with me.”

Madam Yang’s smile stiffened a little. She said, “Do you know what you’re saying, Chuchu? We haven’t asked for money from you because Zhizhi died. If you don’t stop, we’ll see each other at the government office!”

She had only managed to keep her pretentious act up for less than ten minutes before showing her true colors.

Xie Heng calmly retorted, “Go ahead. Everyone here saw Zhao Zhizhi lie to people. She almost caused the deaths of others because of what she said. I’m pretty sure this is all part of a bad plan by the Zhao family. You can go to the government office, where we can discuss this further. I’ll see this through to the end!”

Madam Yang had only informed Zhao Chuchu of her intentions as a way to intimidate them.

But now that Xie Heng had said those words, she felt a little scared.

“Nonsense! It was you two who forced Zhizhi to die!” Madam Yang feigned fierceness despite her trepidation. “Don’t...don’t think because you’re a scholar that I’ll be afraid of you. Zhao Chuchu, regardless of what happens, I was the one who gave birth to and raised your father. He’s dead now, so you should be fulfilling your filial duty to me in his place!”

“So?”

“Go get the money you received for giving out prescriptions. You have to give it to me!”

When Madam Yang said those words, everyone else in the Zhao family emerged as well. They surrounded Zhao Chuchu and Xie Heng.

“Get the money out quickly, Zhao Chuchu. I did the math, and you stole a lot of silver from our village.”

“You owe your grandmother your loyalty, so you have to give her the money you earned!”

“If you don’t give it to her, you’re not being honorable, and we’ll have to kick you out of Lengshui Village. You are a scholar, Xie Heng. Are you sure you want to be known for being traitorous? Once we tell the bureau about it, they will take away your title as a scholar.”

The Zhao family started getting more and more aggressive. Their eyes glimmered with greed as they reprimanded Zhao Chuchu and Xie Heng.

There were so many towns and villages in Yuanjiang County. Zhao Chuchu had earned at least several hundred ingots of silver.

On top of that, Li Jiang had told Xie Heng that the imperial court would also reward Zhao Chuchu.

Just imagine how many silver ingots that would be!

Madam Yang may have been braver because of how many people were on her side. She put her hands on her hips. “Don’t blame us if we do something drastic because you won’t give us the money now!” she said furiously.

“Are you saying you will snatch it from me?” Zhao Chuchu remained calm and composed as she said, “But I’m warning you right now—I’m not in a good mood. Don’t blame me for fighting back!”

“Mom, cut the crap and get the money from her first. This bitch was the one who killed Zhizhi. She has to pay for Zhizhi’s death!” Zhao Zhizhi’s father, Zhao Baogen, glared at Zhao Chuchu fiercely. If he could’ve, he would have skinned her alive.

“I’m going to kill this bitch to avenge my poor daughter.” Madam Ma pounced toward her.

“Stay back and watch,” Zhao Chuchu told Xie Heng as he pushed her out of the way. He initially wanted to stand in front of her.

Xie Heng staggered aside. When he regained his balance, he was shocked by what he saw.