Chapter 16: A Big Trap is Waiting for Her 

Du Jinhua certainly wasn’t unaware of their intentions. She immediately sat down and began crying.

“My heavens! Why is my life so miserable? I’ve been stuck with two unfilial daughters-in-law, and to divide the family, they’ve broken my arm!”

Du Jinhua’s crying was full of emotion, her voice rising and falling dramatically, creating the perfect image of a poor, tortured mother-in-law suffering under the cruelty of her daughters-in-law.

Although everyone knew what kind of person Du Jinhua was, seeing her in this pitiful state, they couldn’t help but believe her words.

“Look at these daughters-in-law, beating their mother-in-law to divide the family! How could they do something so cruel?”

“No matter what, she’s still the mother of your husband. How can you beat her like this just for the sake of dividing the family?”

“As the saying goes, a family should not divide as long as the parents are alive. Your mother-in-law is still around, and for the sake of dividing the family, you beat her like this? There’s no way you can justify this!”

Faced with the neighbors’ accusations, Chen Cuihong and Ma Guichun gritted their teeth in anger.

That damn old hag! She’s so good at causing trouble!

No wonder Jiang Jiuyue beat her so badly. She deserved it!

Meanwhile, while the Jiang family’s mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were embroiled in chaos, Jiang Jiuyue had already arrived in her family’s village with her three daughters.

Since her parents had passed away, the original Jiang Jiuyue hadn’t returned home. As they reached the village entrance, they ran into Jiang Jiuyue’s childhood friend, Fang Ling. Upon seeing Jiang Jiuyue, Fang Ling was stunned for a moment.

“Jiuyue? Is it really you? What brings you back?”

Fang Ling knew the circumstances surrounding the Jiang family, and seeing Jiang Jiuyue back in the village was a huge surprise.

Jiang Jiuyue had good memories of Fang Ling as a childhood friend, so she smiled kindly at her.

“My brother sent someone to deliver a message. He said my nephew is getting married, and I should bring my daughters back for a visit.”

After hearing this, Fang Ling was a little puzzled. “Your nephew is getting married? I haven’t heard anything about that.”

Jiang Jiuyue blinked. “It’s the message from my sister-in-law from the village where my husband’s family lives. She told me that my nephew is getting married, and my brother said I, as his aunt, should come back.”

Fang Ling shook her head. “I haven’t heard that Jiang Dalang is getting married. I’ve only heard that he’s been talking to a girl from the neighboring village. And I heard her family is quite wealthy—apparently, they’re offering several acres of land and even a mule as a dowry!”

Jiang Jiuyue narrowed her eyes. Fang Ling wouldn’t lie to her. Since even the locals didn’t know about Jiang Dalang’s marriage, it was clear that her “convenient” brother must have other motives for asking her to come.

“It’s fine. Since it’s an engagement, the wedding must be soon. I haven’t been back in so long, so it’s good to catch up with relatives.”

Fang Ling thought about it and agreed. After all, with Jiang Jiuyue’s parents gone, her brother was her last support from her maternal family. If she had a good relationship with her brother, she could be more confident in her husband’s family.

“Well, hurry back and settle in. Make sure to come visit me! My youngest son is three now, and he hasn’t met you, his aunt, yet!”

Jiang Jiuyue smiled. “I have a lot to take care of this time, but I’ll definitely come visit when I have the chance. If not this time, then next time. We’ll stay in touch!”

Fang Ling didn’t think much of it. She just assumed that since Jiang Jiuyue was back, it would be easy for her to visit her maternal family more often. With a smile, she agreed and headed home.

After she left, Jiang Jiuyue glanced in the direction of the Jiang family’s house, letting out a cold laugh. Her “convenient” brother probably had a big trap prepared for her!

But she was genuinely curious to see what her brother, Jiang Shengrong, and his family were plotting with this so-called marriage.

“Ah, Jiuyue! You’re here! Shengrong was still talking about you last night, waiting for you to come home as soon as possible!”

Shengrong is Jiang Jiuyue’s older brother, Jiang Shengrong, and this woman is his wife, Zheng Caixia.

Zheng Caixia greeted Jiang Jiuyue with a radiant smile that made her feel oddly uncomfortable, as if her enthusiasm was a little too much. She eagerly welcomed Jiang Jiuyue’s three daughters into the living room.

“Jiuyue, you sit down for a moment. Your brother went to the fields. I’ll go catch a chicken and make a nice chicken soup to welcome you!”

Zheng Caixia was overly enthusiastic, more than one would expect. As soon as Jiang Jiuyue arrived, she was already rushing to catch a chicken and make soup for her.

Jiang Jiuyue didn’t refuse. After all, who would turn down some chicken when it was offered?

However, she was now certain that the Jiang family had a big trap waiting for her, perhaps one that was meant to lead her to her doom.

This was because the Zheng Caixia she saw in front of her was completely different from the sharp-tongued sister-in-law she remembered. She was overly friendly, as though afraid Jiang Jiuyue wouldn’t notice something was wrong.

But Jiang Jiuyue didn’t intend to expose her. She simply wanted to see what kind of trick Jiang Shengrong and his wife were planning to play on her.

After sitting in the living room for a while, there was a noise from outside as Jiang Shengrong, her older brother, returned from the fields.

The moment he saw Jiang Jiuyue, he immediately changed his usual attitude. His manner was gentle, warm, and even a little too sweet.

“Jiuyue, why don’t you stay for a few more days this time? Your sister-in-law has already tidied up a room for you, and we’ll make sure you stay very comfortably.”

Jiang Shengrong had a smile that seemed to please. Jiang Jiuyue didn’t refuse and nodded in agreement.

She had planned to stay for a few days anyway; a short stay wouldn’t give her enough time to handle the Jiang family’s property.

Upon hearing her agreement, Jiang Shengrong was overjoyed. He hurriedly led her and the three daughters to the room that had been prepared for them.

That room was actually the one where Jiang Jiuyue used to stay before she married. It had been converted into a storage room, but it was hastily cleaned and arranged into a simple living space. Though it was modest, it was still suitable for temporary accommodation.

Jiang Jiuyue wasn’t picky; after all, she was only staying for a few days. As long as the room wasn’t leaking or drafty, it was fine.

Once they were settled in, Jiang Shengrong found an excuse to leave.

Jiang Jiuyue had just unpacked her things when she overheard Jiang Shengrong and Zheng Caixia talking outside the window.

Their voices were low, but Jiang Jiuyue’s hearing was sharp, and she could make out everything clearly.

“Do you see that? Jiuyue’s husband must have made a lot of money. Look at the clothes her daughters are wearing; they’re made from fine materials. What do you think—should we just ask her to lend us some silver?”

After a moment, Jiang Shengrong spoke again, “She’s had three daughters, so she doesn’t have much say in her husband’s family. She’s probably just here for a visit. Her husband must be afraid of her losing face, so he’s letting her wear those good clothes. But asking her to lend money, how much do you think she’ll give?”

“True. She couldn’t even give birth to a son. If she had done well in her husband’s family, maybe her husband would have made money, and we’d benefit from that too!”

“Alright, enough with that. Don’t think too much. We’ll stick to the plan we discussed earlier. The people over there are waiting. Once we send that girl over, we’ll get the money, and with that silver, we’ll have enough for Da Lang’s wedding gift.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jiuyue’s brows furrowed deeply.

It seemed like Jiang Shengrong and his wife were planning to sell one of the three sisters for some silver to help pay for her brother Jiang Dalang’s wedding gift.