“What did you say?”
Lin Qinghua’s face stiffened, and she glared fiercely at Jiang A Yao as if looking at a sworn enemy.
How dare this wretched girl stand in the way of her fortune?
Jiang A Yao met Lin Qinghua’s gaze, her expression unflinching in the face of the hostile stare. “When Zhang Chun was engaged, it was agreed that the betrothal gifts would be one thousand large coins. Naturally, Lu Da should also pay one thousand large coins.”
“I gave birth to you, so I decide how much the betrothal gifts should be.”
Lin Qinghua was furious, but Jiang A Yao remained unmoved and said coldly, “To you, I am merely a laborer you gave birth to. Since I have legs, I must work—raising my younger siblings, toiling in the fields—I’ve done it all without fail.”
The memories of the original host were filled with bitterness. Though she was the eldest daughter, she worked day and night, eating less than a chicken and laboring more than a dog. Yet, Lin Qinghua would often beat and scold her.
If not for the engagement with Zhang Chun, she would have long been sold off by Lin Qinghua for betrothal gifts. How could she have lasted until this age?
Lin Qinghua bore the primary responsibility for Jiang A Yao’s death.
“The betrothal gifts are only one thousand large coins. If you refuse, you won’t even get this one thousand.”
Jiang A Yao’s tone was icy, as if she were negotiating a business deal rather than discussing a life-changing event.
If not for the sake of propriety and the fact that she and Lu Da still had to live in this village, she wouldn’t even want to give this one thousand coins.
Lu Da looked at Jiang A Yao. At this moment, she seemed encased in a layer of ice, detached and unfeeling.
Her sharp words were, in truth, a fight for herself.
Though the people around her appeared to have her best interests at heart, not one of them genuinely cared for her or was willing to consider her feelings.
He didn’t care whether he paid one thousand or five thousand coins; he simply couldn’t bear to see Jiang A Yao treated this way.
Jiang A Yao’s refusal to yield made Lin Qinghua feel as if she were being roasted over a fire. She slammed the table abruptly and roared, “Fine! One thousand large coins it is. But from today onward, I no longer consider you my daughter. Don’t you dare take even a needle or thread from the Jiang family in the future.”
“Agreed.”
She had no desire for parents who treated their daughter as less than human.
Jiang A Yao added, “Starting today, I belong to the Lu family. Before I leave, surely I can take my own clothes with me?”
“A Yuan, go with her and keep an eye on the things in the room. If even a single grain of salt goes missing, I’ll skin you alive.”
Jiang A Yuan, suddenly called out by Lin Qinghua, trembled violently. With red-rimmed eyes, she followed Jiang A Yao into the room and stood by, watching as her sister packed her clothes.
“Sis… are you really going to marry that Hunter?”
Jiang A Yuan twisted her fingers nervously, hesitating for a long while before timidly asking the question.
“Yes, I’m marrying him.”
Jiang A Yao’s tone was indifferent, but Jiang A Yuan failed to notice, assuming her sister was still the same as before. She quickly added, “Sis, the Hunter’s family is poor. Why don’t you listen to Third Aunt and marry her sister-in-law’s brother? I heard from Third Aunt that his family owns over ten acres of land, raises pigs and oxen, and has a very substantial fortune.”
Jiang A Yao turned sharply to look at her, her tone turning cold instantly. “Didn’t you hear what I said? That man is a scoundrel who drinks and beats his wife, causing the deaths of his wife and child.”
Jiang A Yuan hurriedly grabbed her arm and pleaded anxiously, “Third Aunt said he’s changed, and his family can offer two thousand large coins in betrothal gifts. Big sister, why choose a life of hardship when you could live a comfortable one?”
Jiang A Yao narrowed her eyes slightly. “Are you trying to secure a better life for me? You’re worried that if I don’t marry, Mother will betroth you instead for those two thousand large coins in betrothal gifts.”
Jiang A Yuan instantly turned pale and burst into tears. “Sister, please… Just agree to Third Aunt’s proposal. There’s still time for you to go out and tell them…”
“Jiang A Yuan!”
Jiang A Yao forcefully pulled her arm away, her voice icy. “If you don’t want to marry, fight for yourself. Don’t try to persuade me.”
After saying this, she picked up her bundle of clothes and turned to leave.
There wasn’t much to pack anyway—just a few pieces of clothing, pitifully small and meager.
“Jiang A Yao, you’re the eldest! Since Zhang Xiucai rejected you, you should obey our parents and marry! Why do you refuse?The hatred in Jiang A Yuan’s questioning extinguished the last shred of affection in Jiang A Yao’s heart.
Without looking back, she coldly replied, “There’s no ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’—only ‘will’ or ‘won’t’. Everyone has their own destiny. You must forge your own path.”
She walked away without caring whether Jiang A Yuan understood her words.
Once outside, she went straight to Lu Da.
She glanced around—a money pouch lay on the table, Lin Qinghua was counting coins, and everyone’s eyes were fixed on the thousand large coins. No one paid her any attention.
Jiang A Yao let out a self-mocking laugh before turning to Lu Da. “Let’s go!”
Lu Da glanced at the Jiang family members. Though they showed no concern, he still bowed respectfully. Then he took Jiang A Yao’s bundle and left with her.
The Lu residence was quite far from the village, standing alone as a solitary household.
Lu Da pushed open the courtyard gate and led her inside.
The Lu family’s house was small, built from packed yellow earth. The kitchen connected directly to the main room, with two chambers further inside—one for his younger sister Lu Mingzhu, and one for Lu Da himself.
The beams showed aged wood, and some roof tiles were broken. It might withstand drizzles, but during heavy rain, the interior would likely drip as well.
After entering, Lu Da set down the bundle. Jiang A Yao looked at him and asked, “Where’s Mingzhu? I’d like to see her.”
At the mention of Lu Mingzhu, Lu Da’s eyes instantly dimmed. He pointed toward his sister’s room. “She hasn’t been well these past couple days—still sleeping.”
Jiang A Yao pushed the door open and saw Lu Mingzhu lying in bed, her breathing faint. She was so thin that the quilt barely showed any contours over her body.
Jiang A Yao sat by her bedside, observing carefully before gently drawing her hand out from under the covers.
Though the Lu family’s house was poor, Lu Da had spared no effort to provide the best for his sister—the quilt on the bed was stuffed with new cotton, soft and thick.
A moment later, shock flashed in Jiang A Yao’s eyes.
This… How could this be the Death Meridian?