But right now, she didn't have time to think so much, Ji Xinhe's face turned cold: "Did you collect the money? Why didn't I know about this? So, a decent girl like me is not getting married, but sold?"
The aunt also got angry when she heard this: "Isn't that the truth? But I thought your dad wouldn't be so heartless, after all, you are his own daughter. You are not in such a desperate need of money, why go through all this? I guess it's that braggart Zhu Rou San talking nonsense."
Ji Xinhe sneered in her heart. Ji Dashan wouldn't dare to do this, but it didn't mean Lady Ding wouldn't. It was good that the aunt didn't know the truth. Ji Xinhe thanked her and hurried home.
Before she got close, she already saw a three-layered crowd gathered at the Ji's family gate.
Amid the commotion, she could distinctly hear Zhu Rou San's outrageous voice: "I paid the money, and I want the person owed. Are you guys treating me as a fool, thinking my twenty silver is all for nothing?"
Ji Xinhe's heart sank, it was indeed Zhu Rou San. She quickly put down her basket backpack and took advantage of her small stature to squeeze into the crowd.
Ji Dashan was looking dumbfounded at this moment: "We...we didn't take the money, is there a misunderstanding with this?"
Zhu Rou San pointed straight at Lady Ding: "Ask her, then you'll know. Your wife took the money long ago!"
Zhu Rou San hadn't yet fully recovered, he was sitting on a stretcher, it seemed someone had brought him here. Even if he couldn't get out of bed, he wasn't going to swallow his anger – he had to see this through personally.
Ji Dashan looked at Lady Ding, apparently incredulous. A flash of panic crossed Lady Ding's face: "I, I, indeed took the money, but, but isn't the marriage something we should think about long term? I didn't have time to tell you."
"Such a big event······"
Lady Ding flared her eyes: "Am I not considering your hardship working in the field every day? At least let me handle such trivial matters until there are some results before I tell you."
With just a glare, Ji Dashan immediately backed down, calming his fury.
Ji Dong and Xiao Bei stood in the courtyard, glaring fiercely at Ji Dashan. If Ji Dashan had just stood up and forced Lady Ding to return the money, everything could have been settled. But judging from the current situation, Ji Dashan, even when it concerns his own daughter's marriage, wouldn't make his own decisions. He would probably follow Lady Ding's plan and simply hand over Xin He to Zhu Rou San.
Thinking of this, Ji Dong grew angry and rushed forward to speak. At that moment, Ji Xinhe burst forth, still looking bewildered at the scene in the courtyard: "Dad, what's going on? Do we owe someone money? Why have they come to our house?"
Ji Dashan's face turned red, feeling embarrassed to look at Lady Ding.
After all, she was his own daughter. Even if his affection was shallow, he was still too embarrassed to say 'you were sold'.
Ji Dashan was shy, but Lady Ding wasn't. When Lady Ding saw Ji Xinhe return, her eyes lit up.
"Oh, Xin He, you're back? Xin He, come over here, see who's here?"
Zhu Rou San turned to look at Ji Xinhe, but saw a cold gleam in her eyes. Zhu Rou San shivered all over, the pain in his lower body worsening. His fat cheeks uncontrollably twitched.
That cold look disappeared swiftly when she met Zhu Rou San's gaze, and was replaced with a look of innocence: "So it's Zhu Rou San? The Zhu Rou San Mom told me about?"
Lady Ding was taken aback, and then she laughed even happier: "Yes, yes, it's him, you······"
Ji Dong anxiously grabbed Ji Xinhe: "Xin He, get back in the house, so you don't cause any gossip out here."
Ji Dong was really anxious. His sister seemed to have snapped back to her senses yesterday, but why is she acting stupid again today? Didn't everyone know why Zhu Rou San was here?
However, Ji Xinhe smiled at Ji Dong: "Big brother, are you confused? Zhu Rou San is not an outsider, why should we avoid him? We will be seeing him often in the future, don't make him feel alienated."
Ji Dong widened his eyes in disbelief. Had Ji Xinhe gone crazy? But when he saw her blink, Ji Dong suspected it wasn't that simple. He quieted down a bit and stopped talking.
Listening to Ji Xinhe, Zhu Rou San thought she's got it; she was ready to behave properly. He looked at her with a lecherous glint in his eye.
Seeing this, Lady Ding was even more delighted. Whether Ji Xinhe was mad or demented, she just went over and affectionately took Ji Xinhe's hand: "Xin He really knows her place. After all, this whole matter is a good thing, why the big fuss? It's a joyous occasion for our Ji family to be connected with the Zhang family!"
Ji Xinhe laughed: "Yes, I've heard long ago that the Zhang family is quite prosperous in our village. Zhu Rou San seems to be very affectionate. If Sister Xiulan marries him, she is sure to lead a comfortable life. I, as her sister, am so envious. Since Zhu Rou San is here today, I should congratulate them and bless them in advance by calling him brother-in-law."
Ji Xinhe's initial words were agreeable. But the moment her last words came out, Lady Ding instantly turned pale.
"What, what are you talking about?!" Lady Ding's voice rose.
Ji Xinhe looked confused: "Mom, what's wrong? Didn't you tell me a few days ago that you found a good match for Sister Xiulan and it's Zhu Rou San? I was quite pleased to hear that."
Then she turned to Ji Dong: "Big brother, didn't you hear it too?"
Ji Dong was taken aback. As an honest man, he nodded without hesitation: "Mom did say it. I even tried to dissuade her because Zhu Rou San seems to have a bad temper. But mom said that shows Zhu Rou San is a real man and I wouldn't understand; Xiulan will definitely be happy after the marriage."
Xiao Bei quickly joined in: "She did! Mom even said she took Zhu Rou San's betrothal money in advance herself. It was twenty silver!"
Ji Xinhe smiled, her eyes curved: "Mom, twenty silver as a betrothal present is not a small amount. It seems Zhu Rou San's sincere intention to marry Sister Xiulan is as clear as daylight."
Lady Ding widened her eyes. Before she could fully react, she saw Ji Xiulan rush out from the house, almost murderous: "Ji Xinhe, what nonsense are you talking about!"
Ji Xinhe blinked: "What? Mom hasn't told Sister Xiulan yet? I guess Mom wants to surprise her. But my brothers and I already know. Today, let's congratulate Sister Xiulan in advance."
Lady Ding was so furious it made her stutter: "Bull...Bullshit! When did I ever say I was going to marry Xiulan to Zhu Rou San? You shameless little mean girl, this marriage is yours. What does it have to do with my Xiulan?!"
Ji Xinhe's eyes cooled down slightly, but her lips still held a faint smile: "Really?"
On ordinary days when people argue, Ji Xiulan would not even leave her room, lest it tarnish her "deep-boudoir lady" like reputation. She believed that quarreling was something that only rural women would do.
But today, when she saw the fire was about to burn her, her true nature was immediately exposed. Her sharp and mean appearance truly showed that she was Lady Ding's own daughter.
Almost putting her hands on her hips, Ji Xiulan scolded, "What does this marriage have to do with me? Ji Xinhe, don't you slander me and ruin my innocence! You should just accept the marriage and feel honored to marry Porky San! Are you using me as a shield?"
Xiao Bei loudly and impolitely said, "My brother and sister heard it too! Our mom said the wedding was for Sister Xiulan! Why are you saying it's for my sister now!?"
"You!"
Ji Xinhe coldly snorted, "That's right. When this marriage was settled, the most important thing was exchanging the Geng Tie. I still have mine. Porky San said that the marriage has been settled and only Sister Xiulan's Geng Tie is with mom. It must have been given already, right?"
Looking anxiously at Lady Ding, Ji Xiulan heard Lady Ding immediately say, "I didn't give it! When did I give it? This wedding was just verbally agreed upon. It was supposed to be discussed with your father and then the Geng Tie would be sent to the Zhang Family."@Setter.setter_callback
If it weren't for the fact that Ji Dong had kept Ji Xinhe's Geng Tie, Lady Ding wouldn't have cared about her life and death. She would have simply sent her to the Zhang Family.
Only then did Ji Xinhe say, "Luckily it was only verbally agreed upon. I see that Sister Xiulan is unwilling. Perhaps she doesn't want to get married. It's better if Mom quickly returns the money and cancels the marriage. It would also save Sister Xiulan from feeling wronged in the future."
Lady Ding was almost furious to the point of madness, "Stop your nonsense! Porky San's wedding is yours!"
"Because Mom said it's mine, it's mine? Mom didn't exchange the Geng Tie, didn't tell my dad, and didn't inform me. Now all you have is the twenty liang of silver from Porky San, and you're saying I'm his wife? Mom, this is not marrying me off, it's selling me off!" Ji Xinhe sneered.
Upon hearing this, the villagers couldn't help but discuss amongst themselves.
Lady Ding's face turned pale, "What selling or not selling? In marriage matters, parents' orders and matchmaker's words are what matter! Are you a naive little girl saying nonsense here?"
"Mom said it's a marriage issue. Of course, I have to obey. But this is not a marriage issue. The marriage is not settled, the Geng Tie is not exchanged, and there's nothing. It's just that Mom personally owes Porky San twenty liang of silver. This is a financial dispute. It's only natural for a mother to repay her debts. If you're really too poor to exchange the money, selling your daughter to repay the debt is not impossible. After all, I am the daughter of the Ji family. If Mom wants to sell me, what else can I say?"
While talking, Ji Xinhe turned to Ji Dashan and said, "Dad, I am unfilial. I haven't been able to serve you and mom well for the past fifteen years. Now that our family has taken the twenty liang of silver from Porky San's family and can't return it, Mom insists on selling me to him, and I have no choice but to obey. From now on, I can't be filial to you. In a few days, it will be my mom's death anniversary. I hope you can light a stick of incense for me at my mom's grave, so I can fulfill my filial piety."
Ji Dashan felt ashamed and was almost unable to speak. The excellent marriage that Lady Ding initially talked about was twisted into an ugly issue of selling daughters by Ji Xinhe's few words.
The villagers couldn't help but feel indignant, "Old Ji, your family is not considered poor to that extent! How could you even do such a thing as selling your daughter? Xinhe is such a well-behaved girl, how could you bear it?"
"That's right! You can't erase your conscience just for twenty liang of silver!"
"Pay back the money you owe! If you don't want to repay, you use your daughter to settle the debt! What kind of thing is this? It's not like you're truly poor and can't afford to eat!"
Lady Ding's face turned red like a pig's liver. At this moment, she realized that she had been played by this girl.
Ji Xinhe helplessly said, "Everyone, don't say anymore. My mom owes Porky San money and can't repay it. There's nothing she can do."
"That, that's not about owing money at all! That's obviously the betrothal gift money!" Lady Ding said angrily and bitterly.
Porky San was getting annoyed by the commotion and shouted, "Don't try to fool me! I don't care who it is. Either marry a daughter or return the money! Otherwise, do you really think I'm a fool to be played with?"
Ji Xinhe sneered and looked at Ji Dashan, wanting to see if he had the face to publicly say that he would sell his daughter to pay off the debt.
Xiao Bei suddenly burst into tears, "My sister's head bandage has not been removed, yet she forced herself to get up and work because she was worried about our family's chores. Now, Dad is going to sell my sister for the twenty liang of silver that Stepmother borrowed privately. If my birth mother were alive, I don't know how heartbroken she would be. In a few days, it will be our mom's death anniversary. It's better for Xiao Bei to die and go to the afterlife to tell my mom about the suffering my sister is enduring, so she can protect her. Otherwise, how can my sister live on!"
Ji Dashan felt guilty. The key issue was that there were so many outsiders watching that, if he really agreed to sell his daughter at this moment, he would be ridiculed in the future. He turned to Lady Ding and said, "You better return the money. We'll talk about this later..."
Lady Ding was infuriated to death. She really wanted to slap Ji Dashan to death right then, but couldn't say anything cruel in front of so many people. She had to swallow her pride, "Well, since the marriage is not happening, I'll return the money."
Porky San was also furious, "Where's the money!?"
Not only did his marriage fall through this time, but he was also lectured by Ji Xinhe and almost lost his manhood. How could he tolerate this anger? But he didn't dare to expose the collusion; otherwise, he would be brought to the government office, which was the thing common people feared the most.
Lady Ding stepped forward and said with a smile, "I can't get the money right now. Let's wait until next time."
All the money had been spent on herself, Xiulan, and her son for clothes and jewelry. There was nothing left, and Lady Ding never intended to repay it.
But Porky San was not easy to fool, glaring menacingly.
However, Lady Ding quickly approached him and whispered, "Don't worry, I will definitely get Ji Xinhe to marry you. Tonight, I will make this happen!"
Porky San gave her a suspicious look, but seeing Lady Ding's confident expression, he was somewhat convinced. Compared to the twenty liang of silver, he naturally wanted to marry a wife even more. With his bad reputation, only someone like Lady Ding, who would mistreat her stepdaughter, would be willing to marry off her daughter. Ordinary families would not marry their daughters even for thirty liang of silver.
More importantly, Ji Xinhe had already annoyed him! He had a grudge in his heart and was determined to marry this girl back to teach her a good lesson!
Once he thought of this, Porky San's eyes ignited with anger and he gritted his teeth, "Then I'll trust you one more time!"
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