Transmigrated Into an Ancient Filial Piety Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (GL) - Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Ji Mantun was so choked by Ji Huan’s words that he almost couldn’t catch his breath. Ji Huan’s way of speaking now could truly infuriate anyone. Ji Mantun pointed at Ji Huan and stammered, “You, you, you…”

He “you’d” for a long time but couldn’t say anything substantial.

Ji Huan interrupted Ji Mantun’s words. “Father, you should clear your mind. ‘Better to tear down ten temples than ruin one marriage’ depends on the context. With your level of understanding, you shouldn’t throw around phrases like that. Zhang Liangcai is such trash that this saying doesn’t apply to him. Alright, it’s late, so go back and rest to avoid getting so angry you have a stroke.”

Ji Huan ignored the two and walked straight toward her room’s door. Jiang Yubai, knowing Ji Huan was outside, happily moved the bench from the doorway and quickly opened the door.

Ji Huan entered the room and, not forgetting to smile at Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei, said, “Alright, you two should disperse early too. Oh, right, don’t you need to go take care of Zhang Liangcai? Hurry up then, don’t delay.”

Saying this, Ji Huan didn’t look at their reactions and directly closed the door.

Ji Mantun, furious, pointed at the door and said, “Look at her, this is just too outrageous, too outrageous!”

Liu Fengmei didn’t dare speak. Hadn’t she already been scolded by Ji Huan before? How could she not know?

“Head of the house, Ji Qiao doesn’t understand things. We need to keep up appearances. Let’s go check on Liangcai and say some good words to him. We can’t let them really divorce,” Liu Fengmei said anxiously.

“Yes, let’s go. None of these people let us have peace,” Ji Mantun said with a sigh.

The two then went to Ji Yuan’s room. By now, with Ji Sen and Ji Ming’s help, Zhang Liangcai had changed into Ji Yuan’s clothes. Although Ji Yuan was extremely unwilling, for the sake of the silver after the New Year, he endured it.

Seeing Zhang Liangcai sitting at the table sulking, Ji Mantun spoke kindly to persuade him. “Liangcai, Ji Huan has been like this with everyone lately, exploding at the slightest thing. No one in our Ji family dares to provoke her now. You’ve been wronged in this matter, and I apologize on Ji Huan’s behalf. But this has nothing to do with Ji Qiao. She’s your wife. Between husband and wife, fights start at the head of the bed and end at the foot. You can’t divorce Ji Qiao over this.”

Zhang Liangcai had just been slapped several times, and his head was still buzzing and a bit dazed. He took the hot egg Ji Sen handed him and rolled it on his face, then spoke somewhat blankly. “Where’s Ji Huan? Has Ji Huan gone back to her room?”

“She’s gone back,” Liu Fengmei replied.

Hearing Ji Huan wasn’t there, Zhang Liangcai breathed a sigh of relief. “I didn’t plan to divorce Ji Qiao, but what about Ji Huan?”

“We’ll find a way with Ji Huan. I’m the head of this household, so naturally, we can’t just listen to Ji Huan. Good son-in-law, rest assured, tomorrow we’ll definitely let you take Ji Qiao back,” Ji Mantun said, though his heart was uncertain. For now, he needed to stabilize Zhang Liangcai.

Zhang Liangcai’s lips curved upward, but as soon as he moved, he grimaced in pain. Good, very good. Wasn’t Ji Huan protecting Ji Qiao? Once back home, he’d make Ji Qiao pay double for what Ji Huan did to him.

Thinking this, Zhang Liangcai felt slightly better. “Alright, you can rest assured. As long as Ji Huan doesn’t interfere, I definitely won’t divorce my wife.”

“Good, good. I’ve asked Xiuxiu and the others to prepare a room for you. Tonight, you can sleep in Ji Qiao’s old empty room. The bedding is all newly changed,” Liu Fengmei said with a quick smile.

Zhang Liangcai nodded. “Alright.”

He sighed deeply. Normally, when he slept, he’d casually order Ji Qiao to fetch water or such. Tonight, it seemed that wouldn’t be possible.

Ji Mantun had Ji Ming and Ji Sen help Zhang Liangcai to Ji Qiao’s old room. Only then did he let everyone else disperse. Once everyone was gone, Ji Mantun hurriedly asked Ji Yuan, “Third son, among us, you’re the most educated. Think of something quickly. What can we do to keep Ji Huan from meddling in Ji Qiao’s affairs?”

Ji Yuan was stumped. Ji Huan now was impervious to persuasion, explosive at the slightest provocation, and completely disregarded filial piety. He wished he could avoid her, so what solutions could he have?

Ji Yuan sighed. “Father, it’s not that I don’t want to think of something. Ji Huan has changed too much. She won’t listen to anything we say.”

“What can we do then?” Ji Mantun said anxiously, pacing back and forth in Ji Yuan’s room. Suddenly, his eyes lit up.

“I have an idea.”

“Head of the house, what idea? Tell us quickly,” Liu Fengmei asked joyfully.

“When Ji Qiao married Zhang Liangcai, his family gave fifty taels of silver as a bride price. I’ll give five taels of it to Ji Huan. I don’t believe Ji Huan will still oppose us,” Ji Mantun said through gritted teeth, as if giving those five taels was like cutting flesh from his body.

“Five taels? Why give her so much?” Liu Fengmei’s heart nearly bled.

“We have to make some sacrifices this time. I don’t believe Ji Huan can resist five taels of silver. Once she takes the money, she’ll be like us, benefiting from Ji Qiao. Then she’ll have no reason to let Ji Qiao divorce,” Ji Mantun said, calculating in his heart.

Ji Yuan nodded in agreement. If everyone got their hands dirty, no one could point fingers. “Father, that’s a good plan. Last time, Ji Huan insisted on getting those four taels of silver, which shows she loves money.”

Hearing Ji Yuan say this, Ji Mantun’s heavy heart immediately lightened. “With you saying that, I’m relieved. Let’s go rest first. Tomorrow morning, I’ll give Ji Huan the five taels and have her let Ji Qiao go.”

Ji Yuan nodded along.

As Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei returned to their room, Liu Fengmei still felt pained. “Head of the house, giving Ji Huan so much money, I really can’t bear it.”

“Tch, isn’t it better than Ji Qiao being divorced and us having to pay back the Zhang family fifty taels?” Though their Ji family had some income from farming over the years, fifty taels was a huge sum. With that money, supporting Ji Yuan would be much easier.

“That’s true,” Liu Fengmei agreed.

…

On Zhang Liangcai’s side, Ji Ming had already left, but Ji Sen was still diligently helping. He boiled a pot of hot tea for Zhang Liangcai. “Brother-in-law, see if you need anything else? I’ll prepare it for you.”

“No need. I didn’t expect you to be so decent. I didn’t bring anything valuable this time, so take this string of cash as thanks for helping me tonight,” Zhang Liangcai said, his face still burning with pain. Being beaten by Ji Huan earlier had left his pride in tatters.

Seeing Ji Sen’s diligence, he gave Ji Sen a hundred wen to show his family wasn’t short on money.

Ji Sen’s eyes lit up at the sight of Zhang Liangcai’s money. He declined with a smile, “How could I accept this?”

Though he said that, Ji Sen’s hand had already reached out and taken the money from Zhang Liangcai.

Zhang Liangcai’s head was still buzzing, and he had no mood to talk more with Ji Sen. “You can go back now. If I need anything, I’ll call you.”

“Alright, alright, brother-in-law, you rest early. I won’t disturb you,” Ji Sen said with a smile as he left the room. Instead of returning to his room, he headed straight out of the courtyard. Having no money to gamble before, now that he had some, Ji Sen couldn’t resist.

What did his sister’s fate matter? Money was king.

After Ji Huan returned to her room, she laid out all the medicines on the table. “I’ll go boil some hot water. Later, you should wash up a bit, then use the medicinal wine on your wounds, and finally apply the ointment.”

Ji Qiao looked at the items on the table and nervously glanced at Ji Huan. “Sister, these must be expensive.”

“Not expensive. Your health is important. Don’t think too much,” Ji Huan said as she went to the kitchen to boil water.

Bringing back the hot water, Ji Huan, as a Qianyuan, felt it wasn’t appropriate to stay in the room. She instructed Jiang Yubai, “Yubai, help Ji Qiao apply the medicine later. I’ll wait in the dining hall for a bit.”

“Okay,” Jiang Yubai nodded.

Ji Qiao looked at Ji Huan, wanting to speak but hesitating, as if she’d caused her sister a lot of trouble.

The young girl timidly stood by the wooden basin, slowly undressing to wash her wounds.

At first, Jiang Yubai thought Ji Qiao only had injuries on her arms and shoulders. But under her clothes, her chest, back, and thighs were almost entirely covered in wounds. Jiang Yubai’s eyes reddened at the sight.

“These were all caused by Zhang Liangcai?”

Ji Qiao sniffled and nodded. “He’d hit me to vent his anger at the slightest thing. A few times, I even wanted to die, but the Zhang family stopped me. I couldn’t even die.”

Jiang Yubai didn’t know how to comfort Ji Qiao. The wounds alone showed what kind of life Ji Qiao had endured at the Zhang family. “It won’t happen anymore. We’ll all help you.”

Ji Qiao’s eyes reddened, and tears fell. “Yubai sister, Mother and Father won’t let me leave the Zhang family. They took fifty taels when they married me off. They definitely don’t want to return the money.”

“Don’t worry, there’ll be a way. Focus on healing your wounds first,” Jiang Yubai quickly comforted her. She also found the situation tricky, but thinking of Ji Huan, her anxious heart calmed.

Ji Qiao obediently washed her wounds, then used the medicinal wine. For spots she couldn’t reach, Jiang Yubai helped apply it.

The medicinal wine from Doctor Yu not only disinfected but also promoted bl00d circulation. It stung terribly on the wounds. After applying it, Ji Qiao’s face was covered in cold sweat, and she looked frighteningly pale.

But after applying the ointment, Ji Qiao felt a cool sensation on her wounds, much more comfortable than before.

Ji Huan stayed in the dining hall for nearly an hour, estimating Ji Qiao had finished applying the medicine, before returning to the room. “How is it?”

“The medicine’s all applied, but Ji Qiao has so many wounds,” Jiang Yubai said, unable to continue.

Ji Huan nodded. She had guessed as much. She pursed her lips, looked at Ji Qiao sitting obediently, and softened her voice. “Apply the medicine properly these few days and focus on recovering.”

Ji Qiao looked up at Ji Huan, her hands nervously clenched together. After a long pause, as if making a firm decision, she said, “Sister, I don’t want to go back to the Zhang family. Divorce or being divorced, I really don’t want to go back.”

“Okay, stay here with peace of mind. I’ve got everything handled,” Ji Huan said gently.

The young girl sniffled timidly. “Thank you, sister.”

“No need to thank me. Tonight, you and Yubai sleep here. I’ll sleep in the dining hall,” Ji Huan said. The room had only one bed, and sleeping on the floor in winter was too cold. She’d make do in the dining hall for the night.

“Sister, I’ll go to the dining hall. How can I let you sleep there?” Ji Qiao was already full of unease. Her sister had helped her so much; how could she let Ji Huan have nowhere to sleep because of her?

“You’re injured. Be good and recover quickly. Stay here tonight,” Ji Huan said, taking an old quilt from the cabinet.

Thinking it over, Ji Huan added with concern, “Yubai, if anything happens tonight, come find me in the dining hall.”

“Got it, don’t worry,” Jiang Yubai replied.

Ji Huan then left with the quilt. In the dining hall, she found a cloth and thoroughly wiped the wooden table. The Ji family’s dining table was long, so with the quilt spread out, it served as a bed. It wasn’t a time to be picky. Ji Huan laid out the quilt, lay down, and soon fell asleep.

In the room, Ji Qiao was still shaken and couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning.

Jiang Yubai gently patted Ji Qiao’s hand to comfort her. “If you can’t sleep, you can talk to me.”

“Yubai sister, I really can’t take it anymore. If I go back with him this time, he’ll definitely beat me to death,” Ji Qiao said, her body trembling at the thought.

“Don’t be afraid. With Ji Huan here, as long as you don’t want to, they can’t take you,” Jiang Yubai said, trusting Ji Huan completely, believing she was possessed by a ghost.

“Since I married him, he’s always beaten me. His mother is somewhat reasonable but only protects Zhang Liangcai. Some of the things he did to me, I can’t even speak of…” Ji Qiao said, crying intermittently.

Even without hearing it all, Jiang Yubai understood, as Ji Qiao’s wounds under her clothes were undeniable.

Jiang Yubai didn’t dare get too close to Ji Qiao, fearing rumors from past years that she might curse others. She only gently patted Ji Qiao’s hand to comfort her.

It was very late when Ji Qiao, exhausted, fell asleep with red eyes.

Early in the morning, Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei went to knock on Ji Huan’s door. The knocking was urgent, accompanied by Liu Fengmei’s shouts. “Ji Huan, wake up quick! Your father and I have important matters to discuss with you. It’s good news.”

Ji Huan, with an aching back from lying on the wooden table, was woken by the noise. She sat up on the table, opened the door, and looked outside, seeing Liu Fengmei and Ji Mantun already knocking at their room’s door.

Ji Huan’s brow furrowed slightly. “What’s the matter so early?”

Seeing Ji Huan come from the dining hall, Liu Fengmei was stunned but still approached with a smile, pulling Ji Mantun along.

Ji Mantun looked at Ji Huan, sighed, and said, “Ji Huan, my tone was too harsh yesterday. I want to discuss something with you. Don’t worry, it’s really good news this time.”

Ji Huan scoffed lightly, clearly not believing the Ji family’s talk of good news.

“What is it?” Ji Huan asked, her gaze on Ji Mantun, her eyes calm.

“Here’s the thing. When Ji Qiao got married, the Zhang family gave us fifty taels of silver as a bride price. I’ve been saving that money for you siblings. You mentioned before that your mother and I have treated you poorly these years. So, I thought to take five taels from that fifty to compensate you. Five taels isn’t a small sum…”

Ji Mantun was about to continue when Ji Huan interrupted. “Compensate me? You mean you want me to hand over Ji Qiao, right? Have you ever thought about compensating Ji Qiao? You spend the money from selling your daughter so shamelessly. How can there be parents like you in this world? It’s laughable.”

“Ji Huan, don’t be foolish. That’s five taels of silver. You couldn’t earn that in years,” Ji Mantun said, getting anxious when Ji Huan didn’t take the bait.

“I’m not like you. Even if I starve, I wouldn’t trade my family for silver. Want Ji Qiao to go back with Zhang Liangcai? I’m telling you, it’s impossible,” Ji Huan said with a cold snort, turning back to the dining hall, grabbing her quilt, and returning to her room.

Ji Qiao and Jiang Yubai were already up. When Liu Fengmei had knocked earlier, Ji Qiao had been anxiously watching the door. Seeing Ji Huan return, she asked timidly, “Sister, what did Mother and them say to you? I don’t want to go back with Zhang Liangcai. If he takes me back, he’ll definitely beat me to death this time.”

The young girl cried softly with red eyes. Ji Huan comforted her gently. “Don’t worry, I’m here. They can’t take you.”

Thinking it over, Ji Huan went straight to the room where Zhang Liangcai was staying. She pushed open the door. Zhang Liangcai had just dressed, likely woken by Liu Fengmei’s noise. Seeing Ji Huan, his remaining leg nearly gave out.

Pointing at Ji Huan for a long time, he finally stammered with a swollen face, “Second, second sister, why are you here?”

Ji Huan waved her hand at him. “I’m not your second sister, and I didn’t want to come find you. I already saw what kind of person you are yesterday. I’m here to discuss divorce.”

“Divorce? That won’t do,” Zhang Liangcai replied immediately. Under Ji Huan’s cold stare, he faltered. “Second sister, I spent fifty taels to marry Ji Qiao. How could we just divorce? Even if I agreed, my parents never would.”

Ji Huan’s lips curved into a smile. “Is that so? Were all those wounds on Ji Qiao’s body from you?”

Cold sweat broke out on Zhang Liangcai. “Second sister, I didn’t mean to. Really, I didn’t. I won’t dare do it again, I swear.”

Ji Huan grabbed Zhang Liangcai, lifting him so his one remaining foot dangled. “Once someone hits, they’ll do it again. If I believe you, I might as well believe the pig in the backyard. If you don’t write the divorce letter today, don’t expect to leave the Ji family in one piece. You’ll leave something behind, won’t you?”

“No, Ji Huan, killing is against the laws of The Great Liang Kingdom. Don’t be rash, don’t be rash. Everything can be discussed,” Zhang Liangcai said, truly scared from Ji Huan’s beating, his voice trembling with a sob.

“You’re wrong there. There’s no room for discussion. You two must divorce,” Ji Huan said, throwing Zhang Liangcai to the ground.

The commotion drew the attention of the other Ji family members, including Ji Sen, who had gambled all night.

Seeing Zhang Liangcai on the ground, Ji Sen rushed to help. “Brother-in-law, are you okay? Come on, get up.”

Ji Sen spoke while helping Zhang Liangcai to a nearby chair.

Ji Huan looked coldly at Ji Sen. He noticed her glare and quickly stepped behind Zhang Liangcai.

Ji Huan’s cold gaze turned to him. “Since when did you get so close with Zhang Liangcai? Why don’t you show some concern for Ji Qiao?”

“Ji Qiao’s doing fine. Zhang Liangcai’s family is well-off. Ji Qiao surely doesn’t lack food or drink, which is better than many Kunze,” Ji Sen said, stopping as Ji Huan’s expression darkened.

Outside, Liu Fengmei, Ji Mantun, and others rushed over upon hearing the noise.

“Ji Huan, what are you doing? Stop making trouble. It’s their marital business. Why are you, a sister, getting involved?” Liu Fengmei said discontentedly.

“Yes, Ji Huan. If they divorce because of you, Ji Qiao might resent you later,” Ji Mantun added, fanning the flames.

Ji Huan sneered at them. “You think Ji Qiao’s like you? All you people think about is yourselves, never caring about others’ lives.”

“Ji Huan, what kind of daughter speaks to her parents like that?” Ji Mantun said, angrily pointing at her.

“And what kind of parents are like you? Ignoring your children’s lives for silver? With me here today, if Zhang Liangcai doesn’t sign the divorce letter, he’s not going anywhere,” Ji Huan said, sitting calmly at the table, watching the Ji family.

“Are you going to hold him hostage? Ji Huan, you’re getting more and more out of line,” Ji Mantun said, his face red with anger.

“Am I? You’re too modest, Father. Compared to you bloodsucking ghouls, I’m at least a normal person. You only care about those dozens of taels of bride price but don’t know what kind of life Ji Qiao’s had at the Zhang family. Her body’s barely got an unbruised spot from this beast’s beatings. Last night, some wounds were still bleeding when we applied medicine. Sending Ji Qiao back is no different from killing her.”

Ji Huan’s cold gaze swept over everyone, landing on Zhang Liangcai’s face. “If you don’t sign the divorce letter today, I won’t let you leave the Ji family’s courtyard alive.”

Ji Huan stopped speaking, and the room fell briefly silent.

Hearing this, Ji Mantun grew anxious. “Ji Huan, you can’t talk like that. We can’t have a death on our hands.”

“Whether there’s a death depends on Zhang Liangcai’s choice,” Ji Huan said, looking at his still-swollen face. “You’re staring at me like that. Don’t tell me you think I wouldn’t dare touch you? Think I’m just scaring you, joking around?”

Zhang Liangcai, surrounded by Ji family members, figured Ji Huan was only standing up for Ji Qiao and wouldn’t dare kill. Feeling less afraid, he thought the Ji family would stop her if she tried anything.

Zhang Liangcai tugged at his lips, trying to mimic Ji Huan’s smile, but winced in pain as he touched his wound, sucking in a breath.

“Idiot,” Ji Huan said, glancing faintly at his pig-like face, giving her verdict.

“Ji Huan, don’t think I’m scared of you. Not letting me leave the Ji family’s courtyard alive? You’re just bluffing. I’m leaving today, and what can you do about it?” Zhang Liangcai said, standing up and grabbing his wooden crutch.