Chapter 18: Out with the Old, In with the New

Hearing Tang Xiaorou, Grandpa Tang frowned and asked, “What do you want to say?”

Tang Xiaorou smiled at Grandma Tang and the others. “Grandpa, it’s better if we talk privately.”

Grandpa Tang snorted coldly. “Just say what you have to say. Don’t beat around the bush.”

Tang Xiaorou looked at Grandpa Tang with an amused expression. “You really want me to say it now?  It’s not impossible. Today, I went to the end of the village…”

Before Tang Xiaorou finished, Grandpa Tang interrupted. “Let’s talk outside in the courtyard.”  His gaze darkened as he gestured for her to follow.

Tang Xiaorou had anticipated this and followed Grandpa Tang outside.

Grandma Tang frowned. “Why go outside? Can’t we talk inside? Is there something we can’t hear?”

Tang Jianhua was also puzzled. “What does that crazy girl want to say to Father?” He frowned at Tang Jianshe. “Jianshe, have you talked to Qin Xueqiong and Erya? If they continue like this, the family will be in chaos.”

Tang Jianshe hung his head in shame.

“I haven’t talked to them yet.” He hadn’t even been able to enter his room these past few days, let alone talk to them.  The family had been in turmoil since the plan to marry Erya to Yang Erzhu was discovered.

“You need to hurry. Rufang is about to marry Wenyan. The family can’t cause any more trouble.”

“Brother, I understand.”

In a corner of the courtyard, Tang Xiaorou stated directly, “Tang Jianhua isn’t Grandma Tang’s son; he’s Widow Xia’s son.”

Grandpa Tang’s eyes widened, but he quickly composed himself.  He said coldly, “Tang Xiaorou, you can’t just say anything. I saw your uncle born with my own eyes.  Grandma Jin delivered him; everyone can testify that Jianhua is your grandmother’s son.”

“Really? Then who’s in the small mound in the grove at the end of the village?”

Grandpa Tang looked at Tang Xiaorou with a sinister expression. “What else do you know?”

“Not much.  You and Widow Xia had Tang Jianhua, and Grandma Tang’s biological son died shortly after birth. That’s all.”

Tang Xiaorou stared coldly at Grandpa Tang. “You’ve seen my methods. I wouldn’t say this if I couldn’t protect myself, my mother, and the children. If you’re thinking of harming me, you’re wrong. Before you can act, I can make you disappear without a trace.”

Grandpa Tang recalled his unconsciousness, realizing that Tang Xiaorou was no longer the timid girl she used to be.  And from her words, she dared to kill.

“You dare!”

“Of course I dare. You’re old; it wouldn’t be unusual if you suddenly died. Several people your age in the village have already passed away.” Tang Xiaorou’s casual tone made her even more terrifying.

Grandpa Tang felt a chill down his spine. He suddenly realized they had made a mistake he shouldn’t have tried to marry Tang Xiaorou to Yang Erzhu; otherwise, none of this would have happened.

“So what exactly do you want?”

Seeing Grandpa Tang’s softening attitude, Tang Xiaorou smiled. “I don’t want anything. I just want my mother to divorce quickly.”

Grandpa Tang nodded. “Okay, I promise you. I’ll make your parents divorce as soon as possible.”

“It’s best to settle this in the next two days, or I don’t know what I’ll do.”

Seeing Tang Xiaorou smiling while issuing threats, Grandpa Tang’s face was very unpleasant, but he nodded. “Okay, I understand. I’ll have Jianshe and your mother handle the divorce in the next two days.”

“Grandpa, I’ll be waiting for the good news.”

Tang Xiaorou turned and left.

Grandpa Tang watched her go, his gaze deep.

After Tang Xiaorou returned, Qin Xueqiong immediately asked, “Xiaorou, how did it go? What did Grandpa Tang say?”

“Don’t worry, Mom. Grandpa Tang will make you and Tang Jianshe divorce soon.  You’ll just need to handle the paperwork, and you’ll be free of him.”

Qin Xueqiong breathed a sigh of relief. “Really? That’s wonderful.”

On the other side, after Grandpa Tang returned, Grandma Tang asked, “Old man, what did that crazy girl say to you? Why did you go to the courtyard to talk?”

Grandpa Tang didn’t answer but looked at Tang Jianshe. “Jianshe, come outside with me. I need to talk to you.”

Tang Jianshe nodded.

Watching her husband and youngest son leave, Grandma Tang frowned. “What’s going on? What did that crazy girl say to the old man? Why did he call Jianshe?”

Tang Rufang had been seeing Jiang Wenyan out, so she didn’t know about Grandpa Tang and Tang Xiaorou’s private conversation.  Hearing Grandma Tang, she became curious. “What did Grandpa and Tang Xiaorou talk about?”

Tang Jianshe finally learned the truth.

“What… you want me to divorce Qin Xueqiong tomorrow?”

Tang Jianshe looked at his father incredulously. “Father, why? Did that stinky girl, Tang Erya, say something to you? How could you agree to her? I’ll go find her.”

“Stop.”

Grandpa Tang looked at his youngest son with a gloomy face. “What?  My words don’t matter anymore?”

“Father, that’s not what I meant.”

Grandpa Tang snorted coldly. “Since my words still matter, you’ll divorce Qin Xueqiong tomorrow. Don’t ask any more questions.”

“Father…”

Grandpa Tang turned and stared at Tang Jianshe.

Tang Jianshe stopped mid-sentence and nodded. “Okay, I understand.”

Seeing his son agree, Grandpa Tang’s expression improved.  He offered a sweetener. “After you divorce Qin Xueqiong, I’ll find you a younger wife.  Maybe you can even have a son.”

Tang Jianshe’s eyes lit up at the mention of a son.

“Father, is that true? Can I marry again?”

“Of course. Out with the old, in with the new. I’ll definitely find you a wife who can bear you a son.”