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The people of the Liu family changed their expressions immediately upon hearing that Liu Siniang had left. They went from surprise to frowns, then anger. Yang Shi and her daughters-in-law began exclaiming, while Liu Wuniang covered her mouth, wearing an expression of disbelief.
Upon observing this scene, Su Zhi, recalling how their eyes had darted around earlier, doubted that their anger stemmed solely from concern for Liu Siniang. She suspected they were feigning anger to extract benefits from the Zhao family after showing solidarity with Liu Siniang. This was Su Zhi’s initial impression, considering how the Liu family’s greed had been exposed when they schemed against Liu Siniang’s money.
“Oh, Siniang! My poor Siniang! How could you leave? Were you forced by the Zhao family?”
Yangshi reached out and grasped Liu Siniang’s hand, appearing to be deeply concerned as she gazed at Liu Siniang. However, in her mind, she was thinking that the Zhao family had pushed Liu Siniang to this state. If they wanted a divorce, they could have it, but they should profit from the situation. Perhaps they could even extract some money from them!
Dabao’s wife also approached, saying, “Mother, there’s no need to ask. It must have been the Zhao family’s doing. Sister Siniang is such a hardworking woman, flawless in every way. They must have found fault somewhere! We must stand up for our sister; we can’t let them drive her away like this. How will she live in the future? Even if she remarries, she’ll need dowry! Sister, rest assured, your sister-in-law will find you another good family. We won’t be as ruthless as the Zhao family!”
Dabao’s wife observed Liu Siniang, noting her pallor and frail body. It was evident she was not thriving; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been childless for over three years in the Zhao household. Yet, she wasn’t unattractive, so finding her a new family wouldn’t be difficult. Ah, there was a man in her maternal village who had supposedly lost three wives, but he had some wealth. Rumor had it that he was willing to pay for a wife and sought someone with strong luck, believing it would complement his own. Wasn’t this the perfect match they were preparing for Liu Siniang?
Liu Siniang withdrew her hand from Yang Shi’s grasp and said, “My affairs are no longer your concern. I have divorced. I won’t go back to the Zhao family, and as for my future, you need not worry about it.”
“That won’t do! Even if you’ve divorced, you must go back to them. You must have been deceived by them, Siniang. You need to tell Auntie what reasons the Zhao family used to force you into divorce. How much divorce money did they give you? Have you retrieved all your dowry?”
Su Zhi, seeing Liu Siniang frowning, walked over and gently pulled her back, saying, “That Zhao Daliang from the Zhao family has developed wandering eyes and wants to marry another woman. Sister divorced; she didn’t have much dowry to begin with, so divorcing means she leaves with nothing. Auntie and Sister-in-law, please refrain from asking further.”
Dabao’s wife cursed, “Damn it! Our Sister has been there for over three years, working like a horse and a cow, and now they’re kicking her out just for some seductress! This is outrageous! We must demand some money from them, or we’ll take them to the authorities!”
Dabao’s wife, upon hearing that Zhao Daliang was planning to marry another woman, thought about how she had heard that Liu Siniang’s husband was often away on business and now could afford to bring women home. It seemed he had money, so it was a perfect opportunity to demand some money from them! What were a mere four taels of silver spent today? They would surely return with much more!
Liu Yangshi echoed alongside, reassuring Liu Siniang and promising to support her, while also calling on Liu Damu and Liu Dabao to seek justice for Liu Siniang.
Su Zhi, observing the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law bickering and putting on a show, became even more convinced that they were planning to demand money from the Zhao family, but not for Liu Siniang, rather for themselves.
“Auntie, you shouldn’t go now; it’s pointless. The divorce papers have been signed, and they are no longer involved. Going there would only bring you humiliation. Oh, you really care for Sister Siniang. If you had intervened earlier, she wouldn’t have reached this divorce. That seductress would have been ousted. It’s a shame; all these years you never went, and the Zhao family has forgotten you. Even Sister Siniang didn’t know how much you cared for her. If she knew you were cold on the surface but warm at heart, she would have come to you.”
Su Zhi sighed, watching the awkward expressions of the Liu family and hearing laughter outside. She thought, “You’re here acting, thinking everyone is foolish!” After over three years of not standing up for their niece’s rights at her in-law’s home, now that she’s divorced, they want to go demand money. No matter who hears it, they wouldn’t believe their intentions were solely for their niece’s benefit. Wanting to be good people isn’t that easy.
Ignoring the expressions of the Liu family, Su Zhi extended her hand to halt them from speaking and continued, “Although Sister Siniang has divorced now, it’s never too late for your concern. She has left her husband’s home with nothing and urgently needs money. As you mentioned, she is still young and may encounter a good match in the future. Having money as a dowry would be even better. Fourth Sister knows your financial situation isn’t comfortable, so she doesn’t want to burden you.”
Yangshi quickly added, “We may not be well-off, but the Liu family isn’t easy to bully. We can still help Fourth Sister demand some money from the Zhao family. Sister, we haven’t visited you all these years not to disturb your life. Your mother-in-law isn’t easy to get along with. We were worried that if we visited too often, she would mistreat you. We never thought that by not going, she would still harm you. Why didn’t you come to us? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been driven out. You’re such a pitiful girl!”
Liu Wuniang joined Yangshi in pretending to wipe away tears.
Dabao’s wife brought up finding a new family for Liu Siniang again, thinking that even if they couldn’t demand money from the Zhao family, they could marry her to the man who had lost his wives, expecting to gain some money from it!
Liu Siniang replied, “I’ve said it before; there’s no need to involve the Zhao family anymore. I have no ties left with them. You don’t have to worry about me coming back to live with you and freeload off you. I have a place to go.”
Upon hearing Liu Siniang’s words, the Liu family hurriedly urged her to return home, stating that it was uncommon for a woman divorced from her husband’s family not to return to her maternal home. They didn’t want others to criticize them for being heartless.
Su Zhi smiled gently and said, “Auntie, you are truly kind-hearted and care for Sister Siniang so much. However, you don’t need to worry about her returning here; she has a place to stay. What concerns me is that she doesn’t have any money on her now. For a divorced single woman, that can be quite unsettling. If you genuinely care for her, please help her.”
As Su Zhi spoke, the expressions of the Liu family all changed. Money was their top priority, and their earlier warmth towards Liu Siniang was driven by the intent to demand money from the Zhao family, effectively selling Liu Siniang for cash. Now that Liu Siniang insisted on not involving the Zhao family and not returning to the Liu family home but asking for money directly, how could they comply?
Liu Yangshi said, “Siniang, as you just heard, we are not well-off. Giving away four taels of silver earlier already cleaned out our savings, leaving us unable to provide any more money for you, Siniang. If you don’t mind, come back to stay with us; we won’t let you go hungry.”
Liu Wuniang chimed in, “Exactly, Sister Siniang. As a divorced woman, staying away from your maternal home might invite gossip! Instead of spending money, why not come back and live with us? If you feel uncomfortable staying in our house, we can find you a good family to marry into, with my sister-in-law’s help.”
Lianhua, smirking nearby, remarked, “Oh, Wuniang, you’re quite skilled in these matters. Are you thinking about marriage?”
“Lianhua, hush. A young girl shouldn’t be talking about marriage so casually. Show some modesty,” scolded Zhao Yangshi, addressing Lianhua but indirectly hinting at Liu Wuniang’s lack of modesty.
Liu Wuniang’s expression shifted, glaring at Lianhua, but the memory of the recent argument with Lianhua that led to the loss of four taels of silver made her hesitant to cause more trouble.
Liu Siniang spoke coldly, “I won’t trouble you with these matters. I won’t borrow money from Uncle and Aunt. If you don’t have money, it’s fine. Just return my parents’ house and land to me. I’ll sell them independently, and the money from the sale should be sufficient for my needs.”
“What?!”
Liu Yangshi hesitated for a moment, then shrieked, “Siniang, what nonsense are you talking? What do you mean by asking us to return your parents’ house and land? Your parents had sold their land and house to us long before you were married; the ownership had been transferred to our family. How could we return them to you? Are you confused because of the situation with the Zhao family that led you to say such things in haste?”
Liu Siniang responded, “I’m not confused. Indeed, my parents did sell the house and land to you. However, back then, you didn’t have the money, so we agreed on a written IOU. Village Head and several elders in the village are aware of this. You never settled this debt with me.”
Upon Liu Siniang’s words, even Liu Damu’s expression changed.
Liu Dabao said, “Sister Siniang, you’re mistaken. We did give you the money! How can you accuse us of not settling our debt? Just because you my sister, just got divorced, don’t think I’ll let you falsely accuse our family like this!”
After a brief pause, Liu Damu added, “Siniang, don’t feel uneasy staying with us. Come back home; we won’t mistreat you. It’s unfair for you to slander us like this.”
“That’s right. If news spreads that you just divorced and are now accusing your Uncle’s family of withholding your inheritance, your reputation will suffer even more. Don’t make foolish decisions!”
Although Liu Yangshi’s words seemed like advice to Liu Siniang, they carried an underlying threat.