Transmigrated Into an Ancient Filial Piety Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (GL) - Chapter 51

Chapter 51

“I think you’re really crazy. Alright, you guys hurry up and leave. I’ll keep an eye on Ji Yuan,” Ji Wen said as she blocked Ji Yuan’s path.

Xiao Lu and another maid, Zhu’er, quickly supported Yu Ting to go back and find their guards. Seeing this, Ji Yuan still wanted to rush over, but Ji Wen grabbed him and, with a little force, threw him out.

“Ji Wen, are you jealous of me? Are you jealous of me? You actually stopped me. Don’t you know this ruined everything I worked for?”

Ji Yuan cried and shouted hoarsely at Ji Wen. He tried to get up and block Yu Ting from the other direction, but Ji Wen stopped him again. “I’m helping you. Do you even know what you were just doing? That’s against the law.”

“I don’t care. She’s my Kunze. If it weren’t for you, I might have already bonded with her. I’d be the Yu family’s prized son-in-law, don’t you get it? Ji Wen, I’ll settle this score with you sooner or later. Just you wait!” Ji Yuan cursed while struggling with Ji Wen.

On Yu Ting’s side, without Ji Yuan’s scent suppressing her, she was starting to feel a bit better, though she still smelled the unpleasant fishy odor on her body.

“Miss, I didn’t expect him to be that kind of person. When we get back, we must make the master deal with him properly,” Xiao Lu said, crying. Their miss, raised so delicately, had never suffered like this.

“Hurry back to the carriage. Let’s leave first,” Yu Ting said, still shaken. She really hadn’t expected Ji Yuan to dare treat her like this.

Soon, the three returned to the gate of the Ji family’s courtyard. Ji Ming and Li Yulan were still waiting outside. Seeing Yu Ting return, both of them smiled broadly.

“Miss Yu is back. Come inside for some tea and rest,” Li Yulan said, reaching to help Yu Ting.

Yu Ting stepped back twice to avoid her and said to the guards at the gate, “We’re leaving. Head back to the county now.”

Hearing Yu Ting’s orders, the maids and guards got busy. The two maids helped Yu Ting onto the carriage.

Li Yulan, sensing something was wrong, tried to stop them. Yu Ting said to the guards beside her, “What are you waiting for? Pull her away.”

The guards, who had been hesitant because these two were Ji Yuan’s relatives, saw their miss was angry and quickly acted.

The coachman started driving the carriage away, and the guards hurriedly followed.

Li Yulan’s voice kept ringing out from behind, “Miss Yu, what’s wrong? Did our family upset you somehow?”

No one responded. The carriage moved quickly, and the guards had to walk fast to keep up. Soon, the carriage disappeared, leaving only scattered dust on the dirt road.

“What’s going on?” Li Yulan anxiously grabbed Ji Ming’s hand and asked.

Ji Ming was confused too. “I don’t know. Everything was fine during dinner. How did it turn out like this?”

“Hurry, I’ll go tell Father and Mother,” Li Yulan said, rushing into the courtyard. If this fell through, Ji Yuan’s promises wouldn’t come true.

“Father, Mother, Miss Yu left with her people,” Li Yulan shouted as she ran into the courtyard.

“What? Why did she leave so suddenly? Where’s Ji Yuan?” Liu Fengmei and Ji Mantun hurriedly came out of the courtyard.

“I don’t know. Miss Yu’s attitude was much colder than at dinner. Did she fight with Third Brother?” Li Yulan asked anxiously.

Little White Rabbit was sitting at the table mending clothes. Hearing the commotion outside, she glanced at Ji Huan and whispered, “Sister, does Miss Yu know something?”

“Probably. Anyone with a mouth who asks around in the village would easily find out what kind of person Ji Yuan is. It’s a good thing Miss Yu didn’t fall for him,” Ji Huan said with a smile, then propped her chin and watched Little White Rabbit quietly mending.

About the time it takes to burn one incense stick later, Ji Yuan returned to the Ji family courtyard, looking dejected.

Ji Ming hurried over and asked, “Ji Yuan, what happened? Why did Miss Yu leave so suddenly without a word? Did you two fight?”

As he spoke, Ji Ming noticed the strong fishy smell on Ji Yuan. “Wait, why do you still have your own scent on you?”

Ji Yuan’s clothes were disheveled, and he no longer had the smug look from when he returned that morning. His gaze swept over everyone, and he cursed loudly, “I told you all to behave well, but you scared Yu Ting away. Now it’s over. She and I will never be together.”

“No, Third Brother, it was her first time here. It’s normal for us to be enthusiastic. You can’t blame us,” Li Yulan muttered back, but seeing Ji Yuan’s state, she quickly stepped back a few paces.

Ji Yuan glared at the Ji family, his eyes finally landing on Ji Huan’s door. Like a madman, he laughed loudly, “Hahaha,” and then crazily kicked at Ji Huan’s door.

Ji Huan had already heard the noise outside. She stood up with a cold face, opened the door, and kicked Ji Yuan hard, sending him flying far away. He landed on the open ground in the courtyard, writhing in pain.

“This isn’t a place for a useless thing like you to make a scene. Your own bad character is why Miss Yu, after asking around in the village, found out what kind of trash you are. Someone like you dreaming of climbing high? Go back to your room and keep dreaming,” Ji Huan said coldly, looking at Ji Yuan rolling on the ground.

Ji Yuan felt pain in his chest and backside. He was starting to sober up a bit and pointed at Ji Huan, cursing, “Ji Huan, don’t forget we’re family. If I can’t marry into the Yu family, what good does that do you?”

Ji Huan looked at him coldly. “Whether you live or die has nothing to do with me. A proper girl from a good family being deceived by trash like you is the real misfortune. I suggest you behave. I smelled that fishy odor on you—your scent, right? Releasing your scent on a Kunze in public is against the law. Instead of threatening me, you’d better think about what to bring to jail.”

Ji Yuan’s face turned pale at Ji Huan’s words. He had indeed tried to drag Yu Ting to the woods to force a bond, but he hadn’t thought of the consequences. Now, hearing Ji Huan, he was so scared he cried.

“Mother, Father, help me. I don’t want to go to jail. I still have to take the exams,” Ji Yuan cried out.

Ji Mantun was stunned. “You—you really did that? What are we going to do? Oh, heavens.”

The courtyard was filled with crying and Ji Yuan’s voice, sobbing and explaining, “I just thought if I made it happen, the Yu family wouldn’t back out. I acted on impulse. Father, save me. I don’t want to go to jail. Save me.”

The crying outside was too much for Ji Huan. She shut the door.

Jiang Yubai whispered, “Sister, do you think Miss Yu will really report him to the authorities?”

Ji Huan sat back on the stool and shook her head. “Probably not. I just said that to scare Ji Yuan. After all, the Yu family is one of the richest in Qingyuan County. Reporting this openly might affect Miss Yu’s and the Yu family’s reputation.”

“That’s too bad,” Jiang Yubai muttered softly.

Ji Huan nodded too, but not reporting didn’t mean the Yu family couldn’t deal with Ji Yuan. As a powerful family in Qingyuan County, it was too easy for them to handle someone like Ji Yuan with no money or influence.

The crying outside gradually died down, and Ji Yuan calmed a bit. Realizing the Yu family likely wouldn’t report him, he felt slightly relieved. He tidied himself up and prepared to head back to the academy, looking dejected.

The Ji family was no longer as cheerful as they had been that morning. They all looked wilted, like frostbitten eggplants.

As Ji Yuan left Dongniu Village, walking on the dirt road back to the county, a group of men with wooden sticks suddenly appeared.

Ji Yuan’s heart sank, thinking he was being robbed. “Good sirs, please spare me. I’m just a scholar. Please let me go.”

“Ji Yuan,” the leader called out.

Ji Yuan instinctively replied, “How do you know my name?”

The next moment, he was surrounded and beaten mercilessly.

On the shaded road, Ji Yuan’s screams echoed. “Ah, spare me, good sirs. I’m engaged to the Yu family’s young miss. You can’t hit me. Hitting me is offending the Yu family.”

“Still talking nonsense? Come on, hit his mouth. Let’s see how long he keeps lying.”

At the leader’s command, several men rushed forward, slapping Ji Yuan’s face repeatedly with crisp sounds.

In no time, Ji Yuan’s face swelled up like a pig’s head.

“Alright, go easy. The master said not to kill him,” the leader instructed, kicking Ji Yuan a few more times. “A toad dreaming of eating swan meat. Keep dreaming.”

After the five or six strong Qianyuan men finished, Ji Yuan’s face was swollen like a pig’s head, his body covered in bruises.

He pointed at them, “You—aren’t you afraid I’ll report you?”

“Go ahead and report. Let’s see if the officials believe the Yu family or you. If you dare report, we’ll make sure you’re locked up for years. Try it if you don’t believe me.”

With that, they left Ji Yuan lying on the dirt road, gasping heavily.

In the end, he limped back to the village, passing by many onlookers.

“Hey, isn’t that Ji Yuan? He was so smug this morning. How’d he end up like this?”

“Who beat him? If it weren’t for his clothes, I wouldn’t have recognized him. Swollen like a pig’s head.”

“Haha, exactly. With his character, he thought he could marry a county miss? Hilarious.”

“Looking like that, he probably can’t even take this year’s preliminary exam.”

Ji Yuan covered his bruised face, ignoring the gossip, and stumbled back to the Ji family.

“Father, Mother, save me,” Ji Yuan cried nonstop as he entered the courtyard.

Liu Fengmei and Ji Mantun rushed out to see him. Liu Fengmei burst into tears at his state. “My son, who beat you like this?”

“Why’s your face so swollen?” Ji Mantun’s eyes reddened too.

Ji Yuan threw himself into Ji Mantun’s arms, crying, “It was the Yu family. That wretch Yu Ting had me beaten.”

“What do we do? Should we go to the county and report it?” Ji Mantun said, wanting Ji Ming to borrow a donkey cart to take Ji Yuan to report.

Ji Yuan quickly shook his head. “No, Father. The Yu family’s already made arrangements with the county office. If I go, I’m walking into a trap. We just have to swallow this.”

“That wretch Yu Ting doesn’t know what’s good for her. You’ll pass the exam this year, become a scholar, and make her regret it,” Ji Mantun said angrily, still thinking his son was great and could pass.

Ji Yuan deflated. “Father, help me find a doctor first. In this state, please ask Big Brother or Fourth Brother to request leave for me at the academy.”

“Alright, I’ll tell them,” Ji Mantun agreed.

“It’s all Ji Wen’s fault. If she hadn’t stopped me, I’d have sealed things with Yu Ting. I won’t let that wretch go, or Ji Huan either. It’s all Ji Huan’s fault,” Ji Yuan rambled in anger, never mentioning his shameless attempt to force Yu Ting. In his mouth, it was all others’ fault.

“Alright, alright, it’s their fault. Don’t ruin your health over it. Father will help you apply medicine,” Ji Mantun said, heartbroken.

After sending Ji Yuan back to his room, Ji Mantun went to Ji Ming. “Eldest, your fourth brother’s been beaten like that. Go to the academy to request leave for him and bring back his books.”

Ji Ming saw Ji Yuan’s dream of marrying a rich woman had collapsed, and their family wouldn’t gain anything either, so he didn’t want to go. It was half a day’s trip, after all.

“Father, Ji Dong and Ji Xi still need someone to watch them at home. Why not let Ji Sen go? He’s got nothing to do anyway,” Ji Ming dodged.

Ji Mantun pointed at Ji Ming angrily. “Fine, you won’t go? When your brother passes the exam and becomes a scholar, don’t come groveling.”

Ji Ming thought about how Ji Yuan had failed for four years and firmly shook his head. “I definitely won’t grovel.”

He muttered softly, “And he’s not likely to pass anyway.”

“You—you’re trying to kill me! Fine, don’t go. When Ji Yuan succeeds, don’t expect any benefits,” Ji Mantun said, then went to Ji Sen.

Guessing Ji Sen’s response might be the same, he took out fifty wen. “Ji Sen, take these fifty wen and make the trip. Your second brother’s injured and needs to rest for a few days. Request leave for him at the academy and bring his books back.”

“Only fifty wen?” Ji Sen grumbled, thinking it was barely enough for a small bet.

“Take it or leave it,” Ji Mantun said, annoyed, starting to pocket the money.

Ji Sen quickly grabbed his hand. “Father, don’t be hasty. Fine, I’ve got nothing else to do. I’ll go.”

~~

In the Yu family mansion in Qingyuan County, Yu Bin paced angrily. “I thought Ji Yuan was decent, but he’s such a scoundrel. Tingting, don’t worry. I’ll make sure he has a hard time at the academy.”

Yu Ting leaned on the bed. After inhaling Ji Yuan’s scent that morning, she still felt nauseous. After taking medicine, she felt slightly better.

“I never want to see that man again. He’s disgusting,” Yu Ting said, then added, “This time, I owe Ji Wen. If she hadn’t helped me, I might’ve really been bullied by Ji Yuan.”

“Alright, tomorrow I’ll personally bring gifts to Ji Wen.”

“And Ji Yuan’s sister, Ji Huan. She warned me to ask around in their village, or I wouldn’t have known Ji Yuan’s true colors,” Yu Ting said, leaning on soft bedding.

“The Ji family warned you?” Yu Bin was surprised. People said bad apples came from bad trees, yet the Ji family had good people?

“Yes, his second sister is different from the rest of the family. At dinner, she hinted at it, but the others cut her off. Later, when I went out for air, I met Ji Huan. She told me to ask a few villagers, and I’d know what Ji Yuan was really like,” Yu Ting continued.

“So, we should prepare a thank-you gift for Ji Huan too?” Yu Bin felt it was odd.

“No, I heard in the village that the Ji family exploits Ji Huan. Even if you send gifts, they probably won’t reach her. Let’s remember this favor and repay it later,” Yu Ting said after thinking.

“Alright, I’ll follow your lead. Rest at home for a few days. I’ll have gifts prepared for Ji Wen,” Yu Bin said, giving Yu Ting more instructions before leaving.

Yu Ting lay in bed, thinking of Ji Wen’s scent from that morning. Ji Wen had released her scent to suppress Ji Yuan’s. Yu Ting buried half her face in the blanket, as if she could still smell that faint white peach fragrance.

Indeed, a person’s scent matched their character. Ji Wen looked clean and kind, and her scent was just as pleasant.

Thinking of this, Yu Ting felt inexplicably shy. Thinking about a Qianyuan’s scent in bed felt like something a lovesick girl from a storybook would do.

After a while, Yu Ting called Xiao Lu in and whispered a few words in her ear.

Xiao Lu looked troubled and finally said, “Miss, stories about village female Qianyuan and rich young ladies are pretty niche, right? I don’t think I’ve ever seen that type. Where would I buy one?”

Seeing her maid’s troubled look, Yu Ting said, “What’s so hard? Find the authors of the storybooks I’ve read before and ask them to write one to my specifications. Offer more silver, and someone will write it. But tell them to hurry. I want to read it soon.”

“Got it, Miss. You’re so clever. I’ll find someone to write it right away,” Xiao Lu said, hurrying out.

Meanwhile, Ji Sen had reached Ji Yuan’s academy. The academy had already been informed by Yu Bin, so when someone came to get Ji Yuan’s things, his dorm mates ignored Ji Sen.

“Excuse me, where are Ji Yuan’s books?” Ji Sen asked, looking at them.

Sun Tiancheng, annoyed, pointed casually. “Over there. Why ask? You’re interrupting our studies.”

“Hey, can’t you talk nicely?” Ji Sen snapped. He couldn’t beat Ji Huan at home, but he could handle these scholars.

Wang Lu looked at Ji Sen with disdain. “Do you know who Ji Yuan offended? I suggest you grab the stuff and leave before you end up dead without knowing why.”

Ji Sen hadn’t expected Ji Yuan’s mess to reach the academy. Seeing Ji Yuan’s beaten state, he realized the Yu family must have informed the academy too. If he pushed further, he’d only get himself in trouble.

Ji Sen said no more, packed Ji Yuan’s books into a bundle, and left quickly, afraid of being targeted by the Yu family.

On the way back, Ji Sen stopped by the village’s small gambling den, lost all fifty wen Ji Mantun gave him, and even owed a few dozen more.

Having lost the money, Ji Sen behaved and delivered the book bundle to Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan, who had just applied medicine, felt irritated seeing Ji Sen bring his books. He wasn’t cut out for studying, and he usually spent his time socializing or chasing rich Kunze. He had no confidence in this exam.

Ji Yuan irritably took out his books and saw they were covered in turtle drawings.

Ji Yuan panicked and shouted, “What’s wrong with my books?”

Ji Sen, tired from the trip to the county and mocked by Sun Tiancheng and others, was in a bad mood. Hearing Ji Yuan’s question, he snapped back, “Don’t you know? The Yu family’s already talked to your academy. Be careful when you go back. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Tears welled up on Ji Yuan’s swollen face. Looking at the turtle-covered book covers, he could already imagine being ostracized by his classmates at the academy.

Ji Yuan’s teeth gritted audibly, startling Ji Sen, who feared Ji Yuan might go crazy and slipped out.

Ji Yuan’s bloodshot eyes stared at the books, roaring viciously, “Ji Huan, Ji Wen, you won’t get away with this. Just wait!”

The next morning, a group arrived in Dongniu Village, led by Yu Bin on horseback, followed by eight mansion guards and a carriage loaded with goods.

Yu Bin dismounted at the village entrance and asked a villager heading back, “Excuse me, where’s Ji Wen’s house?”

“You’re looking for Ji Wen?” The villager found it curious, especially seeing the loaded carriage behind Yu Bin.

“Alright, young master, you’re from the city, right? Ji Wen’s house isn’t far. I’ll show you the way.” Ji Wen was well-liked in the village, so the villager was happy to help.

Yu Bin didn’t let the villager guide him for free, having an attendant hand over a string of one hundred wen. “Brother, this is for you. Thanks for showing the way.”

“No need, you’re too kind. It’s just a few steps.”

“No way, I’ve taken your time. Please take it,” Yu Bin insisted, and after some persuasion, the villager accepted the money and led the way more enthusiastically.

“Young master, are you related to the girl who came to our village yesterday?” the villager asked.

“Yes, that’s my sister,” Yu Bin said, handing the reins to an attendant and chatting with the villager.

“I know it’s not nice to talk behind people’s backs, but you seem like a good person, so I’ll say it. Except for Ji Huan and a few others, the Ji family isn’t full of good people. If your sister really wants to marry Ji Yuan, you should think twice.”

“Thanks for the advice. My sister and Ji Yuan are done,” Yu Bin said, chatting a bit more.

From the villager’s words, Yu Bin learned more about the Ji family and Ji Yuan, as well as what kind of person Ji Huan was. Soon, they reached Ji Wen’s house.

“Is Ji Wen home?” Yu Bin knocked on the courtyard gate.

Footsteps came from inside, and soon the gate opened. It was Ji Wen.

“Who are you?” Ji Wen looked at Yu Bin, puzzled. She didn’t know rich young men like him.

“I’m Yu Ting’s brother, Yu Bin. Thank you for saving my sister yesterday. I brought gifts to thank you,” Yu Bin said, surprised to see Ji Wen was quite refined-looking.

“I saw what happened and helped. It’s what I should do. You don’t need to give gifts. We village folk don’t fuss about that,” Ji Wen quickly refused. She’d help anyone being bullied in that situation.

“I know you’re a good person. It might not mean much to you, but it’s a big deal to our Yu family. If you don’t accept, our whole family will feel bad. Please take it, for my sister’s peace of mind,” Yu Bin said.

Seeing Ji Wen hesitate, Yu Bin, fearing she’d refuse, said to his servants, “Come on, help move these things into the courtyard.”

“Yes, young master.”

The servants started unloading boxes of unknown items into Ji Wen’s courtyard.

Ji Wen couldn’t let them stand outside, so she invited them in. “If Young Master Yu doesn’t mind, come in for some tea before you go.”

“Of course not. You’re my sister’s savior. If my father wasn’t busy today, he’d have come with me,” Yu Bin said.

“You’re too kind. How could I trouble Master Yu to come himself? Have some tea. It’s just village tea, not as good as the county’s. I hope you don’t mind,” Ji Wen said, pouring ordinary flower tea.

Yu Bin, though he rode a horse, was thirsty. He drank the cheap flower tea sold in the county, but since it was from his sister’s savior and he was indeed thirsty, he drank two more cups.

Ji Mancang and Second Aunt Feng Mei came out of the room and saw the large boxes in the courtyard, hurrying to the dining area.

“Who’s this?” Second Aunt Feng Mei asked, seeing a richly dressed young man beside her daughter.

“This is Miss Yu’s brother. I helped Miss Yu yesterday, and Young Master Yu came to give thank-you gifts,” Ji Wen explained.

“We can’t accept that. Young Master Yu, you brought too much. We can’t take it. Please have it taken back,” Second Aunt Feng Mei urged.

“How could that do? Ji Wen truly helped my sister. Sending some things is only right. Don’t worry, they’re not worth much, just a token of gratitude. Please accept them, or my sister won’t sleep well,” Yu Bin said.

After some back-and-forth, Yu Bin was insistent, so Ji Wen and her family kept the gifts.

Yu Bin sat a bit longer before preparing to leave. “By the way, do you know where Ji Huan’s house is? My sister’s safe thanks to her blunt advice, or we wouldn’t have known what Ji Yuan was like. I want to thank her.”

“Of course. Ji Huan’s our relative. Her family’s situation is complicated, but she’s a good person. You’ll see when you meet her. Let Ji Wen take you,” Second Aunt Feng Mei said with a smile.

Soon, Ji Wen led Yu Bin to the Ji family’s gate and went in to call Ji Huan out.

Seeing an unfamiliar young man, Ji Huan asked directly, “Something up?”

“Thank you for helping my sister yesterday,” Yu Bin quickly said.

“No need. I couldn’t stand seeing someone jump into a fire pit. It’s a small thing,” Ji Huan said with a casual smile, happy to see Ji Yuan, that hypocrite, get what he deserved.

Yu Bin took out a dark green jade pendant and handed it to Ji Huan. “This is a pendant I carry daily. Take it as a thank-you gift. If you ever need help, bring this to my house. Whatever the Yu family can do, we’ll do our best.”

Ji Huan took the pendant. It was dark, palm-sized, with “Bin” carved on the front and two lifelike dragons on the back. She didn’t refuse and smiled. “Then I’ll thank you for your kindness, Brother Yu. I’ll keep the jade.”

Yu Bin was relieved she didn’t refuse. After chatting a bit more with Ji Huan, more people came out of the courtyard.

Ji Mantun saw Yu Bin’s lavish clothes, comparable to Yu Ting’s from yesterday, and asked, “What’s your relation to Yu Ting?”

“I’m her brother. Got a problem?” Yu Bin, with his mansion guards, wasn’t afraid of Ji Mantun. He wished he could drag Ji Yuan out and beat him again.

“You—it’s you who had my son beaten like that. I’ll fight you!” Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei lunged at Yu Bin, but his guards stopped them.

Liu Fengmei saw Ji Huan wasn’t helping and yelled, “Ji Huan, what are you standing there for? Come help me and your father!”

Ji Huan chuckled lightly and stepped back. “I’m not crazy. What do you want? For me to go mad with you?”

“Ji Huan, you ungrateful girl, turning against your own family. You’re just watching your parents and brother get bullied,” Liu Fengmei cried and wailed.

“Aren’t you getting what you deserve? This is your own doing. Isn’t it because Ji Yuan acted shamelessly first? If you really care about Ji Yuan, let go,” Ji Huan said, growing more disgusted with the Ji family, though she didn’t say the rest.

Ji Yuan, likely hearing the commotion, ran out of the room. “Father, Mother, let go quick. If you don’t want to ruin me, let go.”

Hearing Ji Yuan, Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei let go and stepped back to their son.

Ji Yuan, with his swollen face, knelt before Yu Bin with a thud, stunning even Yu Bin.

“A man’s knees are worth gold. Why are you kneeling? Get up,” Yu Bin said, furious.

“Brother Yu, help me. I know I was wrong. I want to see Tingting again. Please ask her to forgive me this once. If I marry into the Yu family, I’ll treat her well. Please give me another chance,” Ji Yuan said urgently, his eyes full of obsession.

Hearing he still wanted to see his sister, Yu Bin kicked him, sending him sprawling. “You dare mention my sister? I’m telling you, trash like you, if you think of her again, it won’t just be a beating like this. If we don’t cripple you, it’s because the Yu family’s incompetent.”

Ji Yuan clutched his chest, lying on his back. Everything had been fine before. How did it come to this? It’s all Ji Huan’s fault, all Ji Huan’s fault!

That thought consumed his mind. He couldn’t take revenge on the Yu family—they were too powerful. Ji Wen had Ji Mancang’s family backing her. The only one he could target was Ji Huan.

“Ji Huan, it’s all you. You ruined me. You ruined me. I’m not done with you,” Ji Yuan laughed maniacally, lying in the courtyard.

Yu Bin frowned, worried for Ji Huan’s safety since she saved his sister.

“Ji Huan, why don’t you and your wife come stay in the county? If you don’t mind, I can arrange a place to stay and work with good pay.”

Ji Huan knew Yu Bin meant well, fearing Ji Yuan might lash out. But Ji Huan was waiting for someone to do just that. With Ji Qiao’s matter settled and her growing closer to Little White Rabbit, there was nothing left for her in the Ji family. She already had plans.

“Thanks for the kindness, Brother Yu, but I don’t want to go to the county yet. If I get the chance later, I’ll definitely visit,” Ji Huan politely declined.

Yu Bin nodded, not pushing. “Alright, when you come to the county, you must find me. My sister and I will throw a feast to thank you properly.”

“Definitely,” Ji Huan said, seeing them off. Ji Yuan was still half-dead on the ground, with Ji Mantun and Liu Fengmei fussing over him. Ji Huan found it boring and went back to her room. Ji Ming’s family and Ji Sen’s family stayed out of it the whole time.

They knew Ji Yuan had no value to exploit, so they didn’t want to get involved.

Back in her room, Ji Huan thought for a moment and came up with an idea. She went to the cabinet, rummaged through clothes, and pulled out the wedding outfit she wore before. Though it was a wedding outfit, it still had many patches. Ji Huan was amazed—the original owner really had no status at home; even her wedding outfit was tattered.

Seeing Ji Huan take out the wedding outfit, Jiang Yubai was puzzled. “Sister, why’d you take this out?”

Ji Huan smiled, walked over with the outfit, hooked an arm around Little White Rabbit, and whispered a few words in her ear.

“Sister, aren’t you a ghost? Aren’t you afraid of red?” Little White Rabbit asked, still confused.

Ji Huan pinched Little White Rabbit’s cheek and sighed. “I’ve told you so many times, I’m really not a ghost. You little bad rabbit, you just don’t believe me.”

“No way you’re not! You totally are~” Jiang Yubai pouted and nuzzled Ji Huan, acting spoiled, as if she wouldn’t let it go until Ji Huan admitted she was a ghost.

Looking at the starry-eyed Little White Rabbit in her arms, Ji Huan sighed and gave in. “Alright, alright, I’m a ghost. Happy now, little bad rabbit?”

“Mm-hmm,” Jiang Yubai nodded happily.

“Don’t forget what I just told you,” Ji Huan said, poking Little White Rabbit’s cheek to remind her.

“Don’t worry, Sister!”