Transmigrated Into an Ancient Filial Piety Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (GL) - Chapter 17

Chapter 17

“Mother, it’s bad, it’s bad, something happened outside,” Ji Sen shouted while he ran.

“What are you yelling about so early in the morning?” Liu Fengmei asked. She argued with Ji Huan that morning, and she felt very angry. When she heard Ji Sen’s shouting, she opened the door with annoyance.

“Mother, you and Father hurry to the courtyard gate and see. Many people from the village came, and Ji Huan is there too,” Ji Sen said anxiously, unable to explain clearly.

Liu Fengmei and Ji Mantun looked at each other. They hurriedly walked outside. Ji Yuan and Ji Ming, along with their wives, heard the commotion and followed toward the courtyard gate.

As soon as the Ji family came out, the villagers started pointing at them and talking.

Even though Liu Fengmei and Ji Mantun experienced many things, they felt a bit scared. Liu Fengmei looked at Ji Huan, who stood nearby with red eyes. She forced a smile and said, “Ji Huan, what exactly happened?”

Before Ji Huan spoke, Second Aunt Feng Mei stepped in front of her and said, “What happened? Your family is really heartless. If I had a filial daughter like Ji Huan, I would wake up laughing from my dreams. Look at how your family treated Ji Huan all these years. You didn’t even spare her when she was sick. Is there any family like yours in East Ox Village?”

“Exactly, how much work does Ji Huan do every day? You don’t even treat her like a person,” a villager said.

“I wanted to stand up for Ji Huan long ago, but she was too filial and wouldn’t let me. This time, your family must have hurt her deeply,” another villager added.

“What kind of family is this? So harsh to their own daughter?” someone else said.

The voices of discussion rose from all directions. Ji Yuan wanted to hide in a hole. He glared at Ji Huan, who stood not far away. If this incident ruined his reputation, how could he face his classmates later?

Liu Fengmei heard everyone’s words, and her heart sank. She looked coldly at Second Aunt Feng Mei and said, “Feng Mei, don’t talk nonsense. How have I treated Ji Huan badly?”

“You still dare to say that? Doesn’t Ji Huan do all the daily chores in your house? We’re not blind. Who fetches water and chops firewood every day? We can see it. We just didn’t know your family could be so cruel. Ji Huan was so sick just a few days ago, and now you’re forcing her to work again,” Second Aunt Feng Mei replied without hesitation.

“When did we force her? We agreed this month everyone would take turns doing chores. Ji Huan, how could you slander your parents? I raised you for nothing,” Liu Fengmei said. Unable to argue, she squeezed out a few tears and cried.

However, few villagers felt sorry for her. Everyone knew Ji Huan was honest and wouldn’t lie. Seeing Liu Fengmei deny it only made them pity Ji Huan more.

Ji Huan sighed heavily, lowered her eyes, and said, “Mother, I won’t talk about past things. Let’s just talk about today. Big Brother’s family only started doing chores this morning, and they already got furious with me. I’m really afraid staying at home will get me scolded to death. You always favored the other brothers, and I won’t say much about that. The monthly allowance I’m supposed to get always goes to Big Brother, Third Brother, and Fourth Brother. In your eyes, are they the only children of the Ji family? Am I just an old ox working for you?”

Liu Fengmei opened and closed her mouth. In fact, it was true. The original Ji Huan worked every day, and the villagers all saw it. Even if Liu Fengmei argued, it would only make things worse. No one would believe her.

Ji Mantun’s face turned red and white with anger. In all his years, no one ever criticized him like this.

At that moment, the crowd parted. The village head, along with a few strong Qianyuan men, arrived. He heard about the situation on his way and also heard Ji Huan’s words.

Ji Huan had a hard life these years, but it was the Ji family’s private matter. As the village head, he couldn’t interfere much. However, since Ji Huan spoke her heart today, he couldn’t ignore it. At the very least, he couldn’t let Ji Huan suffer.

When the villagers saw the village head, they stepped aside.

The village head looked at Ji Huan, then at Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei. He sighed heavily and said, “This is outrageous, truly outrageous. Ji Mantun, I heard about your family’s matters long ago. Your favoritism is beyond measure. Only because Ji Huan is honest and never complained, you two managed to push an honest child to this point. I really don’t know what to say to you. You’re a disgrace to East Ox Village.”

“Village head, no, don’t listen to their nonsense. Our family gets along fine,” Ji Mantun said. Feeling humiliated, he tried to defend himself, but the village head interrupted him.

“You get along fine, but only Ji Huan and her wife suffer. They work like oxen for you and get no kind words in return. It’s truly chilling. Ji Huan, tell us how you want to handle this. I’m here, and they won’t dare do anything to you,” the village head said. He glanced at Ji Huan, saw her gloomy expression, and felt even more sorry for her.

Ji Huan thought quickly in her mind. In ancient times, people valued filial piety and family unity. Suggesting a family split would be best not to come from her. The current conflict wasn’t enough to justify it either. She put the idea of splitting aside and looked at the crowd with a gloomy expression.

Ji Huan took a deep breath, bowed to the crowd with red eyes, and said, “Thank you, uncles and elders of the village, for today’s matter. Otherwise, I would surely be labeled unfilial.”

“What are you talking about? We’re neighbors in the same village. Many of us watched you grow up. Why be so polite?” Aunt Yuan quickly said, and many voices agreed.

“Exactly, we know what kind of person you are. No one in the village is more filial than you. If one day you’re called unfilial, it definitely wouldn’t be your fault,” a villager said.

“Right,” another agreed.

“Exactly, some people don’t deserve to be parents,” someone else said.

The villagers spoke up, all sarcastically criticizing Ji Mantun and his wife.

Ji Huan clasped her fists and bowed to the crowd again, then continued, “Because of the two taels of silver from the Jiang family’s dowry, my family made me marry Jiang Yubai.”

Jiang Yubai, pushed to the edge of the crowd, turned pale. Ji Huan didn’t want to marry her. Then what about Ji Huan’s kindness to her these past few days? Jiang Yubai’s eyes reddened. Was she unwanted again?

As Jiang Yubai’s heart raced with confusion, she heard Ji Huan’s next words.

“Fortunately, Yubai is a very good person. I know the village has some rumors about her, but those rumors will surely fade in time. Since she married into the Ji family, she hasn’t had a single comfortable day. Besides being forced by Mother to do chores every day, she endures Mother’s endless insults. What did she do wrong? She did so much for the Ji family, yet Mother only lets her sleep on a straw pile. In the cold winter, Mother, did you ever think about whether she’d survive?”

Ji Huan sniffled and continued, “Of course, that’s how it is. A dispensable daughter paired with a dispensable wife. Perhaps in your eyes, if Yubai and I died early, it would save the family some food.”

“No, no…” Liu Fengmei tried to argue, but Ji Huan interrupted her.

“Since we’ve reached this point today, it seems the Ji family can’t accommodate us. Yubai and I will leave. Even if it’s cold in winter, freezing outside is better than being scorned at home. Father, Mother, forgive your unfilial daughter. I won’t be able to care for you in the future,” Ji Huan said, sniffling and wiping her dry eyes with her sleeve.

Wasn’t this just a strategic retreat, like green tea tactics? Wasn’t it easy? She could do it effortlessly.

As she spoke, Ji Huan pretended to bow deeply to Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei, but Second Aunt Feng Mei and Aunt Yuan stopped her.

Second Aunt Feng Mei advised, “Everyone knows you’re filial. They treated you like this, so why bow to such parents?”

Second Uncle Ji Manchun stood aside, sighed, and said, “Big Brother, how could you treat Ji Huan like this? If your family really can’t accommodate them, let them move to my place.”

“No, we never said we couldn’t accommodate Ji Huan. You’re slandering us, slandering us,” Ji Mantun said, his face turning green. But one person couldn’t argue against hundreds of villagers. Their words nearly drowned the Ji family.

The village head shouted loudly, “Enough, stop arguing. Let’s hear what Ji Huan says.”

The village head looked at Ji Huan, patted her shoulder, sighed, and said, “Ji Huan, what do you say?”

“Yubai and I have nowhere to go. Going to Second Uncle’s would disturb their family, and I feel bad about it. Everyone, don’t worry about us. Yubai and I will find a way to earn a living. At worst, we’ll just starve,” Ji Huan said, her face showing a desolate expression, her eyes lacking any spark.

Second Aunt Feng Mei quickly said, “Child, don’t say such unlucky things. Spit a few times, quick.”

Ji Huan had no choice. Under Second Aunt’s gaze, she spat three times. Second Aunt Feng Mei finally relaxed.

“It’s just two extra pairs of chopsticks. You and Jiang Yubai move to my place. Let’s see what they can do to you,” Second Aunt Feng Mei continued to persuade.

The village head nodded and said, “Manchun, if you have an empty room, take them in for a while. It’s hard to find work in winter. I’ll cover Ji Huan and Jiang Yubai’s food. I’ll have it sent to your house later.”

Ji Manchun quickly waved his hand and said, “No, you can’t do that. That’s like slapping my face. Ji Huan is our family’s child. If she stays with us, how can I let you provide food? It’s just a meal. I can afford it.”

The village head sighed and looked at Ji Huan, saying, “Alright, it’s settled. You two go back and pack your things. I’ll stay here and make sure no one stops you.”

Liu Fengmei saw the mocking gazes from all directions and felt deep regret. She never imagined Ji Huan would say these things to outsiders, and so convincingly, with tears and reason.

She reached out to grab Ji Huan, but Ji Huan dodged with a swift move, not letting Liu Fengmei catch her. With a sorrowful look, she went to find Jiang Yubai outside the crowd.

She took Jiang Yubai’s wrist and walked heavily into the Ji family’s courtyard.

Ji Mantun wanted to persuade Ji Huan, but the village head glared at him and said, “I’d like to see who dares stop Ji Huan today.”

Ji Mantun frowned at Ji Huan, sighed heavily, but didn’t dare step forward to stop her.

Ji Huan entered the courtyard and saw Little White Rabbit looking at her with worry. Ji Huan dropped her bitter expression, winked at Little White Rabbit, leaned close to her ear, and whispered softly, “Don’t worry, I did that on purpose just now.”

Little White Rabbit opened her mouth, clearly not expecting Ji Huan’s tearful performance to be an act.

—

Translator’s Note:
Little White Rabbit refers to Jiang Yubai, the female character Ji Huan married due to the Jiang family’s dowry. In the text, Ji Huan uses this term affectionately when speaking to Jiang Yubai at the end, indicating it’s a nickname for her.