Chapter 12: The Sound of Heaven

After Zhao Jiagu and Liu Hong finished discussing, Zhao Jiagu turned to the village head and said, “I can accept your proposal, but… as you all know, the ten taels of silver aren’t actually in my hands. It’s already been pledged to the tavern. Would it be possible for me to write an IOU, and pay it back once I have the money?”

The village head nodded, feeling that Zhao Jiagu’s suggestion didn’t present any problems. He turned to Chen Shuilian and asked, “What do you think?”

Had it been before, Chen Shuilian would certainly not have agreed. She would have fought tooth and nail with Zhao Jiagu, insisting that he pay up immediately.

She didn’t like anyone getting a penny out of her.

But the old Chen Shuilian wouldn’t have been so heartless toward Zhao Jiagu.

Now, all Chen Shuilian wanted was to sever this relationship as quickly as possible. She couldn’t rest until this ungrateful son was gone.

Thinking back to her tragic end in her past life—the cold, rat-infested woodshed, the pervasive smell of mildew—it felt like a nightmare she could never escape.

Zhao Jiagu’s presence reminded her of that hellish experience. But if she could sacrifice five taels of silver to gain peace, it seemed worth it.

“Alright, I agree with the village head’s proposal,” Chen Shuilian said, her tone firmer than before. “However, this IOU must have a deadline. It must be paid back within a year.”

The village head turned to Zhao Jiagu.

Zhao Jiagu nodded in agreement.

“Good, since both of you have no objections, I’ll go ahead and write the document.”

The village head picked up his pen and began writing slowly. Before long, the family division document was finished.

“Here are the two copies for each of you to keep. I’ll take one for notarization. If there are no further objections, then please sign and seal it.”

With the signing and sealing completed, the bond between them was finally severed.

At this point, the village head let out a deep sigh of relief, almost before Chen Shuilian.

He was finally free of this mess!

“I’ll be off then, there’s work waiting for me at home!” the village head said with a grin.

“Please take care,” Chen Shuilian stood up and courteously escorted him out, which made the village head glance at her in disbelief.

Could it be that the sky was really falling?

Why was Chen Shuilian acting so polite?

Forget it, it wasn’t his business. He didn’t want to get involved in the Zhao family’s affairs anymore. Time to make his exit.

Once the village head left, Chen Shuilian looked at…

With that, Chen Shuilian turned to the two glaring individuals and said, “Since that’s the case, both of you get out of my house.”

“Fine, we’ll leave! But don’t regret it!” Zhao Jiagu snapped. He grabbed Liu Hong’s hand, ready to drag her back to the county.

The muddy peasants would just keep envying his good fortune here, huh?!

But as he pulled, he realized he couldn’t move Liu Hong. Confused, he turned to her.

“?”

Liu Hong subtly raised her chin, signaling in a different direction.

Zhao Jiagu followed her gaze.

Ah, he’d forgotten about the true culprit!

If it weren’t for her, would his mother have ever divided the family?

Without needing Liu Hong’s prompt, Zhao Jiagu stormed over and said angrily, “Divorce, today, I will divorce you!”

Wang Miaomiao stood there, looking at the familiar yet strange man before her, unable to say a word. She didn’t know who to turn to for help in this house; all she could do was cry helplessly, the tears flowing like pearls on a broken string, impossible to stop.

“Always crying, crying, crying, but it’s no use!” Zhao Jiagu, clearly expressing his contempt for those who were soft and afraid of confrontation, lashed out at her.

He had held back his anger when dealing with Chen Shuilian earlier, but now it all exploded onto Wang Miaomiao.

Chen Shuilian couldn’t stand it. How dare he bully her! This was an insult to her!

In Chen Shuilian’s mind now, anyone besides Zhao Jiagu was considered family.

She swiftly lunged at him, her hand coming down in a slap without hesitation. “Little bastard! This is my house! You dare make a scene here? If you have guts, go show off outside, don’t show off here!”

“Mother, since we’ve already divided the family, you have no right to interfere in this matter anymore!” Zhao Jiagu shouted back, his neck stiff. “She’s the one to blame for all this, and now I’m going to ask the village head to write a letter of divorce!”

“Divorce? Go ahead, you’re a grandson if you don’t!” Chen Shuilian pointed a finger at him, “I’m telling you straight, if you divorce her, I’ll accept her as my daughter. This house doesn’t need you anymore anyway, and she can take your place.”

Zhao Jiagu was momentarily speechless, his gaze turning cold as he shot a glare at Wang Miaomiao. He began to suspect that maybe she had drugged his mother somehow.

Zhao Jiagu’s suspicion lingered, wondering how his mother could be so eager to take her side today.

“Fine, since you insist,” Zhao Jiagu said in a threatening tone, “Maizhou, come with me. I’ll go to the village head to get the divorce papers, and you’ll bring them back for me. I won’t return to this house anymore!” He added, “Even if you beg me in the future, I won’t come back!”

“Good, don’t come back,” Chen Shuilian replied firmly. “Remember, this is your choice, and don’t come to regret it later!”

“I won’t regret it!” Zhao Jiagu said, trying to convince himself. “Yes, I will marry Liu Hong, and our child will have a good future.”

It seemed like he was trying to reassure himself that he hadn’t made the wrong decision.

But whether or not he would regret it, only time—and he—would know.

Soon, the three of them left the house, and when Zhao Maizhou returned, he had the divorce papers in his hand.

With difficulty, he walked up to Wang Miaomiao. “Sister-in-law…”

Wang Miaomiao shakily reached out to take the papers. The moment she held them, the paper crumpled in her hand, a reflection of her own feelings of helplessness and despair.

What was she supposed to do now?

Go back to her parents’ house?

No one would welcome her there, and they might even scorn her, refusing to let her in.

Stay at Zhao’s house?

Her mother-in-law would be the first to kick her out, and with her temperament, even if she wanted to take a few clothes with her, it wouldn’t be easy.

After all, she hadn’t brought any dowry when she married, and everything she had was provided by the Zhao family.

Was her future doomed to a dead end?

As these thoughts consumed her, her gaze grew vacant, like a dried-up well—lifeless.

Wang Miaomiao only wanted to leave as quickly as possible. She lifted her feet mechanically, walking out of the yard, as if her soul had been drained. Her steps were sluggish, like a puppet on strings.

Suddenly, a voice shattered the silence.

“Miaomiao! why aren’t you cooking at noon? Where do you think you’re going?” Chen Shuilian called out.

Wang Miaomiao froze in her tracks, incredulously turning her head.

Chen Shuilian continued, “What are you staring at? Don’t you dare slack off! I just bumped my head. You want me to cook for all of you? Get moving!”