Chapter 46: Turning the Tables

When he heard his grandmother wanted to break off the engagement, he didn’t even hesitate.

He agreed right away.

“Mother, I’ll go with you. My mother told me, the more people we have, the more imposing it looks. And I’m half a Zhoujia Villager myself—if their village head tries to side with them, I can speak up for us.”

Sun Fu also grabbed a firewood stick.

He spoke fiercely.

Though the two families didn’t get along, that was only within the clan.

When facing outsiders, they were still united.

If his wife’s family was being cheated, of course he’d stand up for them.

“Alright, then come along. Ají, Axiang, stay home with your little sister and keep watch. Don’t go wandering.”

After instructing her two younger grandsons, Zhang Jinlan was ready to set off.

“Grandma, I want to go too—take Fubao with you!”

Jiang Fubao felt a deep unease in her heart.

For once, she dropped her usual obedient demeanor, rushed to her grandmother, and clung tightly to her leg, refusing to let go.

“Fubao, what’s gotten into you today? This is serious family business, you can’t mess around! Stay home, we’ll be back soon.”

Zhang Yanzi hurriedly tried to pry her daughter’s hands loose.

“No, I won’t! I want to go! Grandma, please take me!”

Jiang Fubao’s unease only grew. She had a strong premonition that something was about to happen.

So she clung with all her might, refusing to release her grip.

Zhang Yanzi dared not hurt her daughter, so she was left fretting on the side.

“Enough—bring Fubao along. Yanzi, hold her tight and follow behind.”

For once, Jiang Shoujia spoke up.

He knew his wife would be rushing to the front line to argue, so better to have the youngest daughter-in-law carry the child. It would be safer that way.

“Fubao, later if Grandma ends up quarreling, don’t be afraid.”

Zhang Jinlan stroked the back of her granddaughter’s head, face full of love.

“Mm! Fubao will be good!”

Jiang Fubao nodded hard.

Soon, the group left Jiangjia Village.

The unlucky brothers Jixiang and Jiají were left behind to guard the house.

When people are angry, even their steps grow faster.

In less than half an hour, they reached Zhoujia Village.

The Jiang family headed straight for Zhou Chenshi’s home.

Just in time—they ran into them leaving, apparently on their way to the fields.

“You conniving lot, stop right there! Zhou old woman, your granddaughter’s been fooling around with men, yet you pretended she was in a rush to marry and tried to trick us! If I hadn’t found out, my family would’ve been deceived! Today we’re here to break the engagement. If you don’t want to lose all face in the village, then return the bride price at once!”

Zhang Jinlan’s voice wasn’t overly loud.

Though furious at being tricked, she still cared about a girl’s reputation—if a young woman lost her name, her life would be ruined.

So, as long as things hadn’t been torn too far, she wanted to resolve it peacefully.

If the Zhou family were sensible and returned the silver, she would bury the matter in her heart.

But Zhou the matchmaker? That one, she wouldn’t let off.

A whole village was gossiping. Who would believe the matchmaker hadn’t known?

Once the engagement was broken, she planned to storm her house next.

“What nonsense are you spouting? My granddaughter is pure and untouched, a good and proper maiden. Who is she unclear with? Where’s your proof? Just because you heard idle chatter, you come accusing us? Think you can break off an engagement? Not a chance!”

Zhou Chenshi’s eyes flickered when she saw the Jiang family storm in, but remembering they had no evidence, she straightened her back and snapped back.

“Oh? So you’re not afraid to make a scene? Fine then, I won’t hold back either. Everyone listen—Zhou family’s granddaughter has been sneaking around! A girl carrying on with men in town—who knows what indecent things she’s done? And yet they dared to trick us, saying my grandson was in a hurry to wed, when all they wanted was our silver!

No dowry, yet putting on airs like you dote on your granddaughter—ptui! Old hag, full of dirty tricks! Rotten to the core! If you don’t return the money today, the Jiang family will never let you off. Come, everyone—hear this! Zhou family’s granddaughter has been fooling around with men!”

Seeing Zhou Chenshi refuse to yield, Zhang Jinlan hardened her heart.

Hands on hips, she bellowed at the top of her lungs.

Since the Zhou family lived in the middle of the village, her powerful voice carried like a modern loudspeaker.

From the entrance to the far end, her words blew across the whole village.

Soon, people came running from their homes and fields to watch the spectacle.

Even the matchmaker Zhou arrived.

“Oh dear, what’s all this? You just set the betrothal, and already fighting? Whatever it is, let’s talk it out.”

The matchmaker hurried to mediate, utterly confused as to what had happened.

“Out of my way! I haven’t even settled with you yet. Tell me, when has my Jiang family ever wronged you? And you had the gall to introduce us to such a vile family? Aren’t you afraid of heavenly retribution?”

Zhang Jinlan’s spittle sprayed right across the matchmaker’s face.

Before she could even respond, the two families were back to cursing each other out.

Around them, a crowd of Zhou villagers gathered, whispering.

Zhou Chenshi began to panic.

She hadn’t expected Zhang Jinlan’s voice to carry so far. Now the entire village knew.

“Oh heavens, I can’t live anymore! I’ve been ruined, and now he denies me—I might as well hang myself at the door!”

Suddenly, Zhou Yuanyuan wailed shrilly.

The Jiang family froze, stunned.

Everyone turned their heads toward her.

In her mother’s arms, Jiang Fubao’s heart pounded faster and faster.

She sensed that this Zhou Yuanyuan was about to pull a dirty trick.

“Jiang Tongjin! Curse you! That day when the matchmaker brought us to your house, you forced yourself on me in the courtyard while no one was around! You swore we’d wed quickly, that you’d treat me well. And now? Now you want to break the engagement? How am I supposed to live?”

Tears poured from Zhou Yuanyuan’s eyes.

Her words left everyone present stunned.

“Lies! When did I ever force you? We only exchanged a few words in the courtyard, ten sentences at most! In that short time, what could possibly have happened? I’ve never even touched you! If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable! Who would believe such nonsense?”

Jiang Tongjin’s face flushed crimson with rage.

“Oh, so you admit it was just that little while? I didn’t even despise you, yet you dare withdraw now? You’re cutting off my way to live! If you wanted to cancel, you could have come quietly to our house, but instead you barge in here, shouting for the whole village to hear.

You’re just trying to force me to my death, so you can silence me forever! Then no one will know your vile deeds!

Grandmother, forgive your unfilial granddaughter. Today this scoundrel has driven me to despair. I can’t go on… In my next life, I’ll repay you properly.”

Zhou Yuanyuan wiped her tears, then hurled herself toward the courtyard wall.

Her pace was deliberately neither fast nor slow—just enough for her mother to catch her.

“My poor daughter! How can your fate be so bitter? Before you’re even married, you’re defiled! You gave yourself, and now they want to cast you aside, even drive you to death! If you die, how could your mother go on living? No, even if I die, I’ll take this to the magistrate! I’ll make the officials give you justice!”