Transmigrated Into an Ancient Filial Piety Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (GL) - Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Zhou Xiaochun quickly finished her task. She explained the divorce between Ji Qiao and Zhang Liangcai to the village head of Xiniu Village. She also told him about Zhang Liangcai beating Ji Qiao until she was covered in bruises.

Li Cunfu had heard about the Zhang family’s affairs before. However, it was their family matter, and Ji Qiao had never come to him for help. He couldn’t interfere. Now, seeing the two had divorced, Li Cunfu nodded. He said, “Good, I already had someone record it. You take this divorce document back.”

“Thank you, village head,” Zhou Xiaochun said. She took Ji Qiao’s copy of the divorce document and returned to the Ji family.

At the Ji family’s house, the village head and other villagers were still there.

“Father, Xiniu Village registered everything,” Zhou Xiaochun said. She handed the divorce document to Ji Qiao. She added, “Ji Qiao, this is the divorce document. You keep it safe.”

Ji Qiao looked at the divorce document in front of her. Tears filled her face, but her eyes carried a smile. She said, “Thank you, thank you all. I finally got divorced.”

Ji Huan also breathed a sigh of relief. Both villages had recorded the divorce. This meant the divorce process was complete, with official records.

Liu Fengmei and Ji Mantun felt heartbroken. Fifty taels of silver—they had taken it. How could they think of giving it back?

The village head’s gaze turned to Ji Mantun. He said, “Ji Mantun, I warn you. You better behave. Since Ji Qiao got divorced, she will live here again. As for Zhang Liangcai, you go back to Xiniu Village early. Our village doesn’t welcome people like you.”

Zhang Liangcai sat dazed on the ground. After being scared several times, he didn’t dare resist now. The divorce was recorded by both villages. It was set in stone. Whatever he said was useless.

“Alright, everyone can leave now,” the village head said. He felt uneasy, worried Ji Mantun and others might cause trouble. He looked at Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei again. He said, “Ji Qiao is your own daughter. The villagers know this. If you don’t want to be drowned in their spit, treat Ji Qiao well.”

After speaking, the village head turned to Zhou Xiaochun and Er Zhuzi. He said, “You two should care more about Ji Huan and the others. If anything happens, tell me quickly.”

“Don’t worry, Father,” Zhou Xiaochun replied quickly.

As the village head and others left, only the Ji family remained in the courtyard. Ji Huan’s gaze turned to Zhang Liangcai, still sitting on the ground. She said, “Zhang Liangcai, you and Ji Qiao are divorced. You’re not welcome here. Leave quickly.”

Zhang Liangcai leaned on his crutch and slowly moved toward the courtyard gate.

Liu Fengmei wasn’t ready to give up. She chased after him. She asked, “Son-in-law, are you really divorced like this?”

Zhang Liangcai didn’t want this either. But Ji Huan had pushed him into a water tank earlier, nearly costing him his life. He didn’t dare say anything else. Ignoring Liu Fengmei, he quickly hobbled out of the courtyard with his crutch.

After Zhang Liangcai left, Liu Fengmei sat in the courtyard and began crying and cursing. She said, “What a sin, truly a sin. I raised two daughters, and neither is filial. They got married and then divorced. Worthless, both are worthless.”

Ji Huan’s lips curved slightly. She walked slowly to Liu Fengmei. She said, “Mother, if I were you, I’d check how much money you still have. The Zhang family might come for it in a few days.”

“It’s all because of you, Ji Huan. You forced your sister to divorce. That fifty taels of dowry money—let’s see if you can pay it for Ji Qiao,” Liu Fengmei said, pointing at Ji Huan and shouting angrily.

“Do you still have any shame? You took that money. You want me to pay? Not a chance,” Ji Huan said. She ignored Liu Fengmei and walked to Ji Qiao. She said softly, “Rest in the room for a bit. This afternoon, we’ll clean out your old room.”

Ji Qiao nodded. She felt embarrassed about always sleeping in her sister’s room. Now divorced, she felt a huge weight lifted from her heart. She said, “Alright, Sister. Thank you so much, you and Sister Yubai, for helping me.”

The young girl’s eyes were still red, but this time it was from joy over the successful divorce.

“No need. Come on, it’s cold outside. Let’s talk in the room,” Ji Huan said. She held Ji Qiao’s hand with one hand and Little White Rabbit with the other. They returned to the room.

Ji Huan and the others went back to the room. Liu Fengmei had no one to perform for anymore. She stood up and ran to find Ji Mantun. She said, “Husband, what do we do about this? If the Zhang family really comes for the fifty taels, do we really give it back?”

Ji Mantun stomped his foot heavily. He said, “Of course not. Ji Qiao and Zhang Liangcai signed the divorce document. Both villages recorded it. It’s set in stone. Didn’t Ji Huan say Ji Qiao was beaten black and blue? If they dare come for the silver, we’ll use that to talk. We might even squeeze more silver from the Zhang family.”

“Right, why didn’t I think of that? But Ji Qiao’s back home now. Another mouth to feed. We can’t afford to let her eat for free,” Liu Fengmei said unhappily.

“She can’t eat for free. Since she’s living here, Ji Qiao must do the household chores,” Ji Mantun said. He sighed, his eyes full of scheming. He reached for his tobacco pipe but remembered Ji Huan had thrown it away.

Ji Mantun’s face turned dark with anger. He cursed, “What a sin, what a sin. Wife, come help me find my tobacco pipe. I don’t know where that unfilial Ji Huan threw it.”

“Dear, slow down. Let the kids help look,” Liu Fengmei said.

While Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei searched for the tobacco pipe, Li Yulan pulled Ji Ming back to their room.

She glanced at the courtyard. Seeing no one there, she whispered to Ji Ming, “Is your sister planning to stay? Our family’s already poor. Ji Dong and Ji Xi need money for school. Now Ji Qiao’s back. You better talk to your mother. We need to save money for our two sons’ schooling. I won’t let my sons be mud-legged farmers.”

“I know. Don’t worry. Mother loves Ji Dong and Ji Xi the most. She won’t ignore them. Besides, Ji Qiao’s back. More mouths to feed, but also more hands to work,” Ji Ming said. Ji Qiao was easier to control than Ji Huan. She couldn’t come back to her family and eat for free after a divorce.

“How’s the injury on your face? It scared me earlier. Husband, stay away from Ji Huan in the future. She’s crazy enough to kill someone,” Li Yulan said. She thought of Ji Huan pushing Zhang Liangcai into the water tank and still felt scared.

“I know. She’s been strong since she was young. Even four or five Qianyuan together might not beat her. I won’t listen to our parents’ nonsense anymore. It could cost me my life,” Ji Ming said. Thinking of earlier events, he still felt terrified.

~~

After Ji Huan woke up early, she argued with the Ji family. Then villagers came, and she put on a show for half the day. Now, she was starving, her stomach empty. She grabbed a basin, washed her face briefly, and went straight to the kitchen.

The rest of the Ji family could eat or not. She, Ji Qiao, and Little White Rabbit needed to eat something.

With that thought, Ji Huan started a fire and cooked a pot of rice porridge.

Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei returned. Seeing smoke from the kitchen, they felt hungry too.

“Dear, who says our kids aren’t filial? This must be Ji Ming or Ji Sen knowing we didn’t eat this morning and cooking for us,” Liu Fengmei said. She finally felt a bit better.

Ji Mantun sighed heavily. He said, “We didn’t raise them for nothing. Let’s go see what they made.”

“Alright,” Liu Fengmei replied. She followed Ji Mantun to the kitchen. Then they saw Ji Huan standing at the stove, cooking.

Ji Huan saw them but didn’t want to talk. She focused on the porridge in the pot.

Ji Mantun looked at his nearly broken tobacco pipe. He glared at Ji Huan fiercely and turned to leave the kitchen.

Liu Fengmei didn’t want to be alone with Ji Huan, afraid Ji Huan would mock her again. She quickly chased after Ji Mantun. She said, “Husband, wait for me, wait for me.”

Ji Huan glanced at their retreating figures and snorted lightly. The rice porridge in the pot soon started bubbling. When it thickened slightly, Ji Huan ladled out three large bowls. She placed them on a wooden tray and carried it back to her room.

“Eat something first. We’ve been hungry all morning. Come on,” Ji Huan said. She set the large bowls on the table.

Ji Huan and the others hadn’t eaten since last night’s conflict with Zhang Liangcai. They were truly hungry now. The three sat down quickly and drank the rice porridge Ji Huan made.

Jiang Yubai ate the fastest. This bit of porridge was barely enough to fill Little White Rabbit’s stomach.

“Oh, Sister, there’s still some peach blossom pastries you brought me,” Jiang Yubai said. She took out the peach blossom pastries Ji Huan had bought. They had eaten one bag before, and one bag remained.

“Yes, eat these to tide you over. We’ll make something else at noon,” Ji Huan said, smiling.

Jiang Yubai, worried Ji Qiao might feel shy, quickly placed a few peach blossom pastries in front of her. Ji Qiao hurriedly declined. She said, “Sister Yubai, you and Sister eat. I’m not hungry. The porridge is enough.”

“It’s fine. We’ll all eat together. If you like them, I’ll buy more next time I go to the county,” Ji Huan said. She picked up a peach blossom pastry. Her appetite was small. After two pastries and a large bowl of porridge, she was completely full.

Ji Qiao ate two pastries and refused to eat more. The remaining six pastries all went into Little White Rabbit’s stomach. Even then, Jiang Yubai was only half full.

Seeing Little White Rabbit finish her porridge, Ji Huan asked softly, “Want more? There’s still some in the pot.”

Jiang Yubai nodded. She said, “I’ll get it myself.”

“I’ll go with you,” Ji Huan said. The Ji family was like mad dogs right now. She didn’t feel safe letting Little White Rabbit go alone, so she followed.

They reached the kitchen. The rice porridge was still simmering in the big pot. Ji Huan had lowered the fire earlier to prevent a blaze. The porridge was still steaming. Jiang Yubai quickly ladled another bowl.

She looked at Ji Huan shyly and mumbled softly, “Sister, am I eating too much?”

Ji Huan reached out and ruffled Little White Rabbit’s hair. She said softly, “Not at all. Little White Rabbit needs to eat well to be cute and chubby.”

Jiang Yubai, holding her bowl, glanced at Ji Huan. Her ears turned redder. Sister always treated her like a little rabbit to raise.

“I’ll put out the fire. Let’s go back and eat,” Ji Huan said. She began extinguishing the fire under the stove.

As they talked, Ji Sen and Wang Xiuxiu came over. They were hungry too. Seeing Ji Huan, Ji Sen stepped back several paces, his back still aching.

Wang Xiuxiu stood at the door, not daring to enter. She called out dryly, “Second Sister.”

Ji Huan nodded at her. She said, “There’s some porridge left in the pot. Take it and eat. But remember to wash the pot.”

“Okay, Second Sister, we’ll do it right away,” Wang Xiuxiu said quickly, seeing Ji Huan wasn’t too hostile.

Ji Huan glanced at Wang Xiuxiu and shook her head helplessly. Such a good girl—how did she end up marrying Ji Sen, that gambling addict?

Ji Huan and Jiang Yubai left the kitchen. Ji Sen quickly bowed and nodded to Ji Huan. He said, “Second Sister, you worked hard. If there’s anything in the future, just let us do it, hehe.”

Ji Huan didn’t bother with such people. They’d do anything for money. She and Jiang Yubai went straight back to their room.

In the kitchen, Wang Xiuxiu saw Ji Huan leave. She quickly called Ji Sen in. She said, “Look, the porridge in the pot is just enough for us two.”

Ji Sen glared at Wang Xiuxiu coldly. He said, “When did you get friendly with Ji Huan? She doesn’t even talk to me. Why would she bother with you?”

“What do you mean?” Wang Xiuxiu asked, looking at Ji Sen.

Ji Sen glared at her again. His back still hurt from being thrown. He didn’t dare cause trouble. He just went into the kitchen, ladled a bowl of porridge, and took it away.

Wang Xiuxiu ladled the remaining bowl of porridge, cleaned the big pot, and then carried her porridge back to their room.

After Ji Huan and the others finished their porridge, Ji Qiao insisted on washing the bowls. Ji Huan stopped her. She said, “You’re still injured. Be good and rest. Heal your wounds first. This isn’t heavy work. Yubai and I can handle it.”

“Yes, just focus on recovering these next few days,” Jiang Yubai added, persuading her too.

Ji Qiao finally gave in. She felt uneasy doing nothing. Before she married, her parents treated her harshly. Now, divorced from her husband’s family, they’d surely dislike her even more.

Ji Huan and Jiang Yubai went to the kitchen and cleaned the bowls. Ji Ming and Li Yulan also came to the kitchen. Their two kids were crying from hunger. They had no choice but to come cook.

Li Yulan saw Ji Huan and the others there. This time, she wisely kept quiet. Seeing Ji Huan’s calm expression, Li Yulan tried speaking. She said, “Ji Huan, don’t blame your big brother for earlier. It was your parents who told him to stop you. Don’t hold it against him. We’re all family. We’ve got many days ahead, right?”

Ji Huan’s gaze turned to Li Yulan. Her lips curved slightly. She said, “That’s hard to say.”

She didn’t bother with Ji Ming and the others. She took Jiang Yubai and left.

Ji Ming’s face was still swollen. He rubbed his aching face and muttered quietly, “What’s so great about her? Does she really think she’s something?”

Li Yulan smacked Ji Ming and made a “shh” gesture. She said, “Quiet down. Stay away from Ji Huan’s trouble in the future. Your parents are so clever, making you and Ji Sen stop Ji Huan. Why didn’t they make Ji Yuan do it? They’re biased toward Ji Yuan. Next time they ask you to do something like that, don’t do it.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not stupid. After getting hit by Ji Huan, you think I won’t learn?” Ji Ming said, rubbing his face and wincing.

“Good to know. Hurry and cook. Your sons are waiting,” Li Yulan said. She started preparing the meal.

Perhaps scared of Ji Huan’s beating, Li Yulan, for the first time, cooked for Ji Huan and the others too. She carried a tray of food to their door.

Ji Huan heard the knock and wondered who it was. She saw Li Yulan, holding a wooden tray full of food.

“Ji Huan, I’m apologizing for your big brother. We made lunch and thought to bring some for you. Please don’t hold it against him. You’re siblings,” Li Yulan said, smiling.

Ji Huan snorted lightly and took the tray. She said, “Thanks for the effort.”

“It’s only right. We’re family. Eat up. I’ll go now,” Li Yulan said. Seeing Ji Huan accept the food, she felt relieved. She was afraid Ji Huan would retaliate against Ji Ming. With Ji Huan’s strength, even four Ji Mings couldn’t beat her.

Ji Huan brought the food into the room and set it on the table.

“Strange. Big Sister-in-law’s attitude toward us wasn’t like this before,” Jiang Yubai said, puzzled.

“Ji Ming just took a punch from me. Li Yulan’s afraid I’ll hold a grudge and go after him again. That’s why she’s being nice and bringing us food. Otherwise, why would she bother?” Ji Huan said.

As she spoke, she arranged the food. She had just eaten breakfast and wasn’t hungry. She let Jiang Yubai and Ji Qiao eat more.

Jiang Yubai’s appetite was no surprise. She could easily eat another steamed bun and half a bowl of vegetables. Ji Qiao ate half a bun and couldn’t eat more. In the end, only Little White Rabbit ate heartily.

After lunch, Ji Huan planned to clean Ji Qiao’s old room. The blankets Zhang Liangcai slept on the previous night were all taken down to wash. The bedcovers and sheets were replaced too.

Ji Qiao and Jiang Yubai washed the bedcovers and sheets in the courtyard. Ji Huan tidied the room. She even went to Zhou Xiaochun and got some discarded rice paper. Then she boiled glue and helped Ji Qiao repaper the windows.

After she finished the windows, Ji Qiao and Jiang Yubai hung the washed sheets and bedcovers in the backyard.

Ji Huan was about to rest when more people arrived in the courtyard. This time, it was Zhang Liangcai, his parents, and five strong young Qianyuan men behind them.

Zhang Liangcai’s father, Zhang Fugui, spotted Ji Qiao immediately. He pointed at her and said, “Ji Qiao, we treated you like our own daughter. Not only did you force our Liangcai to divorce you, but you also had someone beat him like this. You must give us an explanation today, or we won’t leave.”

Ji Huan glanced at Zhang Fugui, then at Zhang Liangcai. She smiled slightly at him and said, “Looks like I went too easy on you earlier. You dared go back for reinforcements? Didn’t get enough of the water tank?”

“Father, look, Ji Huan’s threatening me again,” Zhang Liangcai said, hiding behind Zhang Fugui.

“Ji Huan, look what you did to my son. If you don’t give me an explanation today, you won’t have a good day,” Zhang Fugui said. With several Qianyuan behind him, his tone was loud and fearless, dismissing Ji Huan entirely.

Ji Huan stayed calm. She casually pulled over a worn wooden chair and sat down confidently. Zhang Fugui was stunned. Was his tone not fierce enough? Why did Ji Huan seem completely unafraid?

“Ji Huan, what’s that supposed to mean? You don’t take me seriously? Where are your parents? Call them out! They took my fifty taels of silver. Divorce is fine, but make them return the money!” Zhang Fugui shouted aggressively.

“Yes, make them return the money,” Zhang Liangcai said timidly from behind Zhang Fugui, afraid Ji Huan might grab him again.

Ji Huan nodded at Zhang Fugui. She thought for a moment before speaking. She said, “You make a good point.”

She turned and looked toward Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei’s room. She shouted, “Father, Mother, return the money!”

Now Zhang Fugui was stunned. He pointed at Ji Huan and stammered, “You, you, you…”

“Are you a stutterer?” Ji Huan asked curiously, seeing he couldn’t speak.

“What nonsense are you talking? Me, a stutterer? Go call your parents!” Zhang Fugui said, furious.

“I say, Zhang Liangcai’s father, use your brain a little. We’ve been shouting in the courtyard for so long. My parents should’ve heard us by now. They’re not coming out, which means they’re pretending not to know, trying to push this onto me. But what’s the use of pushing it onto me? I’m dirt poor, not a single tael of silver. Why don’t you send those lackeys behind you to fetch them? It’s the room to the left of the dining hall, with two strings of corn hanging at the door. Go on,” Ji Huan said.

Seeing no one behind Zhang Fugui moved, Ji Huan frowned. She said, “What are you standing there for? The Zhang family didn’t hire you for nothing, did they? You’re just going to stand there like door gods? Go call them! Do I have to teach you this? Honestly, I’m done.”

Ji Huan looked exasperated and turned to Zhang Fugui. She said, “Look at the help you brought. They don’t know how to do anything.”

Zhang Fugui had come full of confidence, imagining countless scenarios, but not this one. Was Ji Huan crazy? Why was she siding with them?

Zhang Fugui’s fierce expression nearly cracked. He signaled to the men behind him. He said, “Go call them, but don’t lay a hand on anyone.”

“Got it, Uncle Zhang,” the leader said. He took two men and went to knock on the door.

Ji Huan sat on the chair, her smile growing wider. Joking aside, did Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei think they could outsmart her? She’d come from a world of palace intrigue dramas; she knew all the tricks. They wanted to pin this on her? Not a chance.

Liu Fengmei and Ji Mantun were furious.

“This Ji Huan, helping outsiders scheme? She caused this mess; she should deal with it,” Ji Mantun said, hearing the knocking outside, his brows furrowed tightly.

“Who says otherwise? She’s so fierce with us but not with the Zhang family?” Liu Fengmei said, dissatisfied.

But as the knocking grew louder, Ji Mantun had no choice. He opened the door.

Seeing three strong young Qianyuan at the door, he quickly forced a smile. He said, “Oh, I’m getting old, my ears aren’t what they used to be. Thanks for the trouble, brothers. Let’s go, let’s go.”

Following Zhang Fugui’s instructions, the three didn’t trouble Ji Mantun. They let Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei walk out themselves.

Liu Fengmei shouted loudly, “Eldest, Fourth, we have guests. If you want to stay in the Ji family, come out and greet them.”

Seeing the other side had many people, Liu Fengmei called her sons for help but deliberately left out Ji Yuan. He was her favorite, and she feared these people might hurt him.

Ji Ming and his wife, and Ji Sen and his wife, were reluctant. If not for future concerns, neither family wanted to get involved in this mess.

Ji Huan saw almost everyone had come out, except Ji Yuan. Her smile widened. She looked at Zhang Fugui, grinning. She said, “Zhang Liangcai’s father, do you know what my parents’ weakness is?”

Zhang Fugui was dumbfounded. Was Ji Huan scared silly? Why was she telling him her parents’ weakness? Still, he followed her lead and asked, “What is it?”

Ji Huan’s face was full of smiles. By now, Liu Fengmei and Ji Mantun had come over. Ji Huan moved her stool aside and said slowly, “Ji Yuan, of course. Look, my parents called all us siblings out, but they couldn’t bear to call their precious third son, Ji Yuan. If you don’t believe me, ask Zhang Liangcai if I’m right.”