Transmigrated Into an Ancient Filial Piety Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (GL) - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Ji Yuan ate breakfast and confidently took three taels of silver to Ji Mantun’s place. He saw Ji Huan helping to clean up the dishes.

He stood awkwardly in the dining room of Ji Mantun’s house. No one greeted him.

Ji Yuan had to find a way to ease the situation himself. He spoke up主动ly: “Second Uncle, my father and mother asked me to come and invite Second Sister and the others back. They truly know they did some excessive things before. This time, they will definitely treat Ji Huan and the others well.”

“They did some excessive things? And you didn’t do anything excessive? Everyone in your family is sharper than a monkey. You all schemed against Ji Huan.” Feng Mei didn’t care if Ji Yuan was a scholar. She glared at Ji Yuan and spoke her mind directly.

Ji Yuan gritted his teeth and endured it. He came to bring Ji Huan and the others back. If he argued now, it would be a loss not worth taking. Ji Yuan forced a smile and bowed to Feng Mei. “Second Aunt, you’re right. Second Sister suffered a lot at home. As her younger brother, I didn’t stand up for her, which was my fault. But this time, the family sincerely invites Second Sister back.”

“Sincerely? Do the people in your family even have such a thing?” Ji Fu took the dishes Feng Mei handed him and sneered mockingly.

Ji Huan wiped the table and watched Ji Yuan stand there awkwardly. She had seen enough of the spectacle before she spoke: “Second Uncle, it’s okay. I’ll talk with Ji Yuan in the room. Don’t worry.”

“Ji Huan, you must not soften your heart. If you soften your heart, I’ll feel it’s not worth it for you.” Feng Mei hurriedly reminded her.

Ji Huan gave Feng Mei a pale smile. “Don’t worry, Second Aunt.”

Ji Huan put down the cloth in her hand and left the dining room. Once she was out of the dining room, the pale expression on her face had already vanished. She didn’t care about Ji Yuan behind her and walked straight to the room.

“The other three taels of silver you wanted, I brought them. Now you can come back with me, right?” Ji Yuan looked at Ji Huan ahead and asked.

Ji Huan sneered. “I need to get the silver first, don’t you think, Third Brother?”

Ji Yuan felt chills from Ji Huan’s words. Why did Ji Huan’s tone feel so off? Was this still the honest Ji Huan?

His heart filled with doubts as he followed Ji Huan into the room.

Ji Huan sat casually on a long bench. She tapped the table lightly with her hand and glanced at Ji Yuan. “Where’s the silver? Put it here.”

Ji Yuan didn’t expect Ji Huan to act so commanding toward him. He felt some displeasure in his heart. “Don’t you have anything to say?”

Ji Huan glanced at Ji Yuan and said: “What do I have to say? You put the silver down, and everyone will be happy. If you don’t put the silver down, in a few days, I’ll take a broken bowl and beg in the village or the county town. Oh, by the way, I heard you scholars are the most compassionate. Maybe I’ll go beg at the gate of your Zhibo Academy. I might even earn a fortune.”

“Ji Huan, you…” Ji Yuan’s face turned red with anger. His hand pointing at Ji Huan trembled slightly.

“I’m telling the truth. If you came to deliver the silver, put it down, and then we’ll talk.” Ji Huan tapped the table with her fingertip and said nonchalantly.

Ji Yuan feared what Ji Huan just said. He suppressed his anger. At the same time, his gaze toward Ji Huan carried a bit more scrutiny. Was this still the obedient, foolishly filial Ji Huan?

Ji Yuan took out the three taels of silver and placed them on the table. His tone softened a bit. “Second Sister, I put the silver here. Let’s go back early, or Father and Mother will worry.”

“They’re afraid of being drowned by the villagers’ spit, aren’t they? But for the sake of the money, I’ll reluctantly agree.” Ji Huan quickly tucked the three taels of silver into her bosom. In fact, she had already stored the three taels in her system space. The one tael from yesterday was also stored there. After all, returning to the Ji family this time, Ji Huan felt those people at home wouldn’t let things go so easily.

“Second Sister, when do we leave?” Ji Yuan hurriedly asked.

“Naturally, we leave now.” Ji Huan said as she walked out the door.

She brewed her emotions. The overbearing demeanor from earlier was gone. When she reached the dining room, Ji Huan’s expression carried a hint of exhaustion. Ji Yuan’s mouth twitched a few times watching her.

When did his old workhorse Second Sister become so skilled?

“Ji Huan, he didn’t do anything to you, did he? You can’t agree to go back just like that.” Ji Fu hurriedly said, looking ready to back Ji Huan up.

Ji Huan smiled bitterly and shook her head. “Second Uncle, Second Aunt, thank you for taking care of me these past two days. But I am a Ji family member after all. Now, because of me, Father and Mother can’t hold their heads up in front of the villagers. Ji Yuan still has to take the imperial exams in the future. If this spreads, it won’t be good for his reputation. I thought a lot these past two days. I should go back. Perhaps this is my fate.”

As she spoke, Ji Huan sniffed, and her eyes reddened.

Before Feng Mei could speak, Ji Fu looked exasperated, as if hating iron for not becoming steel. “They bullied you so much, and you still think for them? Ji Huan, Ji Huan, what should I say about you? Even a living Buddha isn’t like you.”

As Ji Fu spoke, he glared at Ji Yuan. Ji Yuan was so scared he stepped back several times. Ji Fu was tall and strong. One punch, and Ji Yuan might be done for. Better to keep some distance.

Ji Huan smiled bitterly and shook her head, looking like a soft persimmon. “They are family after all. Father and Mother can treat me badly, but I can’t be unfilial to them. Brother Fu, thank you for your kindness. Take care of Second Uncle and Second Aunt. Yubai and I will go back now.”

“Ji Huan, Ji Fu is right. If you go back like this, they’ll definitely bully you again. You can’t go back.” Feng Mei also hurriedly劝说ed, grabbing Ji Huan’s arm to stop her from leaving.

“Second Aunt, they are my family after all. I really can’t watch them suffer because of me. This matter was my fault for not thinking it through. I shouldn’t have made things big in the first place. If it affects Ji Yuan’s future, I’ll regret it to death.” As Ji Huan spoke, tears faintly welled up in her eyes.

Ji Yuan stood to the side, stunned, unable to speak due to Ji Fu’s intimidation. But when Ji Huan was alone with him earlier, she wasn’t like this at all. What was Ji Huan trying to do?

Jiang Yubai felt nervous. Her hands clenched tightly together. Ji Huan’s current appearance reminded her of the past. Had Ji Huan gone back to her old self? Jiang Yubai’s heart tightened, and her face paled. Her gaze fixed on Ji Huan, afraid to miss a single detail.

Since her mother passed away, only these past few days had she felt like a human being. If Ji Huan went back to her old, foolishly filial self, Jiang Yubai would become a walking corpse again.

“You child, what should I say about you? You’re too kind-hearted, too filial. That’s why they dare to bully you like this. Sigh, I know I can’t keep you here. But if they dare to bully you again this time, I’ll send Ji Fu and Ji Wen to help you. You must not endure it alone.” Feng Mei’s eyes reddened as she spoke.

“Thank you, Second Aunt. Yubai and I will take good care of ourselves. Don’t worry.” Ji Huan hurriedly said.

When her gaze fell on Jiang Yubai, she saw Jiang Yubai’s face was even paler than hers. Ji Huan paused, thinking Little White Rabbit’s acting wasn’t as good as hers, was it? Then she realized Little White Rabbit was afraid she’d become that foolishly filial girl again.

Ji Huan quickly moved to Jiang Yubai’s side and took her hand. Her face still carried that pitiful look, but the hand holding Jiang Yubai’s squeezed slightly, discreetly pinching Jiang Yubai’s palm.

Jiang Yubai’s eyes widened slightly. Seeing Ji Huan’s face still showing that same expression, she almost doubted the pinch in her palm was her imagination.

Seeing Little White Rabbit still dazed, Ji Huan looked at Ji Yuan and pinched Jiang Yubai’s palm twice more. “Third Brother, give us a moment to pack up, and then we’ll leave.”

“Oh, okay.” Ji Yuan was still stunned by Ji Huan’s series of actions and hadn’t processed it yet. He could only respond automatically.

Ji Huan smiled with red eyes at Ji Mantun and the others, then led Jiang Yubai out by the hand.

Once back in the room with the door closed, Ji Huan dropped the pitiful act and smiled at Jiang Yubai softly. “Scared? Don’t worry. Even if we go back, we won’t let people bully us like before. Besides, this time we’re not going back for nothing. We made the Ji family spit out four taels of silver.”

As Ji Huan spoke, she opened her hand. In her palm were the four taels of silver she had just taken out from the system space with a thought.

Jiang Yubai saw the silver in Ji Huan’s hand and couldn’t believe it. She had been with the Ji family for over half a year and knew exactly what kind of people Liu Fengmei and Ji Mantun were. They had silver and would give it to their eldest son or subsidize their third son, Ji Yuan, but never to Ji Huan.

“Two taels of this silver are your dowry. It should be yours to keep. But we need to be careful after going back, in case the Ji family pulls some tricks. I’ll hold onto the silver for now. When we have our own home, I’ll let you manage the money.” Ji Huan quickly explained.

Jiang Yubai felt a quiet relief in her heart, and a faint sweetness warmed her chest. Ji Huan’s future plans included her and even entrusted her with managing the money.

“No need. You keep the silver. I’ll listen to you.” Jiang Yubai hurriedly said.

Ji Huan saw Little Rabbit being obedient and her eyes curved slightly. “Good. I’ll put the silver away. Let’s grab our clothes and go back with Ji Yuan.”

“Okay.” Jiang Yubai nodded, her movements to pack the clothes no longer hesitant.

When the two returned to the dining room with their things, Ji Yuan was being questioned by Feng Mei and the others. Seeing Ji Huan had packed, Ji Yuan quickly said: “Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Father and Mother are urging us. My second sister and I will leave first. We’ll visit another day.”

Feng Mei didn’t look at Ji Yuan. She turned to Ji Huan. “Poor child, remember to come to us if anything happens. Don’t suffer in silence.”

“Second Aunt, I understand. Don’t worry.”

Feng Mei gave Ji Huan more instructions for a while before letting them go.

Ji Huan and Jiang Yubai left the courtyard, the pitiful expression still on Ji Huan’s face.

What she was doing now was paving the way for splitting the family later. Feng Mei had a great relationship with the village’s big gossip, Aunt Yuan. Even if Ji Huan suffered grievances, for the sake of her parents’ and brothers’ reputation, she still returned home reluctantly. This news would likely spread quickly. Then, the villagers would only think Ji Huan was both righteous and filial, and their contempt for the rest of the Ji family would grow.

When enough people talk, rumors become truth. Even if Ji Huan did something she shouldn’t in the future, no one would believe the Ji family’s side.

“Ji Huan? Where are you going?”

They hadn’t walked far when Ji Huan and the others ran into Er Zhuzi.

Ji Huan forced a pale smile. “I’m going home. Staying at Second Uncle’s place isn’t a long-term solution. Besides, I heard my father and mother can’t hold their heads up in the village because of this matter. I really can’t watch them suffer like that. It’s all my fault for being unfilial. If I hadn’t said those things yesterday, my father and mother wouldn’t be unable to hold their heads up.”

Er Zhuzi’s face showed indignation. “Ji Huan! How can you blame yourself? They’re the ones who did wrong. You mustn’t blame yourself. Did Ji Yuan force you to go back? If they forced you, I’ll take you to the village head right now. Don’t be afraid of them.”

Ji Huan shook her head, her face showing a desolate expression. “Don’t go to the village head. I’m going back willingly. Besides, the village head is so busy every day. Yesterday’s matter already troubled him enough. Let’s not add more trouble. Thank you for your kindness. I think my father and mother have probably changed for the better.”

Er Zhuzi was so angry he nearly stomped his feet. “Ji Huan, how can there be someone like you? You’re bullied and still speak up for them. I’m really done with you, ugh.”

With that, Er Zhuzi was exasperated by Ji Huan’s soft persimmon act and stormed off.

Once Er Zhuzi was gone, a faint, barely noticeable smile curled on Ji Huan’s lips.

Ji Yuan had been watching Ji Huan, and the more he saw, the less he understood. The only explanation was that Ji Huan regretted it and truly wanted to go home to be a foolishly filial daughter. But why did he feel Ji Huan was acting strange?

Along the way, they met a few more groups of people. Seeing Ji Huan was going home, they all劝说ed her not to go back. Ji Huan stuck to her earlier words. The villagers felt indignant on her behalf and sighed at her filial piety.

When Ji Huan and the others neared the Ji family courtyard gate, there were no outsiders around. Ji Huan dropped her earlier expression and led Jiang Yubai toward the room.

Ji Yuan called after her from behind. “Ji Huan, Father and Mother are still waiting for you in the dining room. Aren’t you going to see them?”

Ji Huan shot a cold glare back, making Ji Yuan’s whole body shiver.

The words Ji Huan spat from her lips were even colder than her gaze. “No time.”