Mother Shen turned and shot the Su family a vicious glare. “If they really dare to report this, just make a scene. Once you start causing trouble, they’ll back down.”
Shen Yunzhi felt her heart grow colder by the second.
The Su family were all mild-tempered and easygoing. That was precisely why Mother Shen had agreed to this marriage in the first place.
On her wedding night, her mother had taught her how to manipulate the Su family.
Whenever something happened — or even when nothing happened — she was to throw a tantrum. The Su family, eager to keep the peace, would always compromise.
“This time that trick won’t work.”
“The Su family hadn’t even planned to make this trip. I had to cause a huge scene before they agreed. They’ve already hired a legal scribe at the yamen to draft a formal complaint. Once we return, they’ll file it.”
“How dare they?” Mother Shen’s face filled with disbelief.
Shen Yunzhi gave a cold laugh. “My mother-in-law is well liked. This time, you’ve touched the Su family’s bottom line.
Yunhai’s schooling relies on the Su family’s connections. If the Su family makes a public fuss and ruins the Shen family’s reputation, your second son’s marriage may fall apart — and Shen Yunhai can forget about attending the academy.”
Shen Yunhai was indeed talented in his studies. To secure his place at the academy, Shen Yunzhi had caused a massive uproar in the Su household, forcing her father-in-law to seek help from a relative who had passed the provincial exam.
Shen Yunhai had not disappointed. At fourteen, he passed the county-level exam. At seventeen, he became a xiucai.
She had once taken pride in such a nephew, believing that once he succeeded, her own life would improve.
She never expected that after he passed the provincial exam, the first thing he would do was sever ties with her.
In her previous life, it had been his doing that her legs were broken.
“If the Su family dares ruin my grandson’s future, I’ll fight them to the death!” Mother Shen shouted.
“And what would that accomplish? Seizing the Su family’s money is wrong no matter how you twist it. I’ve said my piece. Whether you return the money is up to you.”
Grinding her teeth, Mother Shen dug into her pouch and produced half a tael of silver. “That’s all there is.”
Shen Yunzhi snatched the purse and glanced inside. There were at least ten taels.
Mother Shen lunged to grab it back, but Shen Yunzhi dodged easily and tossed the silver to Su Jingci.
“Go hire a doctor for your grandmother.”
Without hesitation, Su Jingci ran off.
“You wretched girl! That was money for your brother’s marriage!” Mother Shen struck at her in fury.
After venting her anger, she added bitterly, “I heard besides the compensation money, the authorities will also send grain and supplies. Fine — let the Su family keep the money. When the next batch of goods arrives, we’ll take you and the goods back together.”
Shen Yunzhi watched her with a faint, knowing smile.
Her mother had always relied on her obedience and filial nature to exploit her, determined to squeeze every last drop of usefulness from her.
If she didn’t even care whether her daughter lived or died, why would she care about anyone else?
She glanced at the items on the donkey cart. “If I go back, I should show a bit more sincerity, shouldn’t I?”
She grabbed a few chicks from the cart and handed them to the Su family members nearby.
“My mother-in-law is unwell. She needs nourishment. These chicks will serve as supplements.”
The Su family members clutched the chicks and ran off as if fleeing.
Mother Shen was left gasping in rage.
She had intended to use Shen Yunzhi to squeeze more benefits from the Su family. If this continued, her own household would be stripped bare instead.
“Get those things back right now! Otherwise I’ll never acknowledge you as my daughter again. If anything happens to you in the Su family in the future, no one will help you!”
Shen Yunzhi nodded thoughtfully.
Mother Shen thought her daughter had taken the bait and urged her to hurry back and get the goods.
But Shen Yunzhi said instead, “After what happened this time, the Su family will definitely be on guard against me. Why don’t you write a severance letter? That way, the Su family will think I’ve admitted my mistake. When the rest of the compensation money arrives, they’ll let me keep it.”
“What did you just say?” Mother Shen stared at her in disbelief.
“It’s just to fool the Su family. They’re angry right now — going head-to-head won’t work.” Shen Yunzhi coaxed patiently. “Once I get the remaining compensation and goods, I’ll come back. Then you can arrange a good marriage for me.”
“Yes, yes, you’re right. We must stabilize the Su family first.” Mother Shen never once believed Shen Yunzhi would truly cut ties.
“Mother, I saw officials carrying more goods toward Xiaohe Village,” her second brother added.
“Mother, decide quickly. If the Su family locks those things away, we won’t get a share.”
Panicking, Mother Shen discussed it with her two sons. They agreed to placate the Su family first and secure the goods.
The second son wrote the severance document and handed it to Shen Yunzhi.
As she prepared to leave, Mother Shen grabbed her arm. “Once you get the goods, come back immediately. I’ve already found a match for you — Blacksmith Li in the east of town.”
“He has two tiled houses and a solid trade. I used connections to secure such a good match for you. This time, I’ll prepare more dowry so you can remarry in glory.”
In her heart, Mother Shen’s calculations clicked loudly.
The Su family had nothing left to squeeze. But Blacksmith Li offered five taels as bride price.
Five taels to marry a widow — that was a profitable deal.
And with a blacksmith in the family, they’d never have to pay for ironwork again. Another saving.
Shen Yunzhi sneered inwardly. In her previous life, she had obeyed her mother and married him.
Her mother demanded ten taels in bride price — yet gave her only a single cotton quilt as dowry.
Blacksmith Li had a violent temper. Beatings and scoldings were routine. As for her three brothers, they offered no protection. When they couldn’t gain anything from her, they wouldn’t even let her through the door.
Watching Shen Yunzhi leave, Mother Shen felt a flicker of unease. This time, her daughter seemed different. She couldn’t say how — only that something had changed.
But she soon dismissed the thought. Shen Yunzhi was young and widowed. She couldn’t possibly remain chaste forever. In the end, she would still have to rely on the Shen family.
“Second son, go later and check. If the officials really deliver more compensation, have your sister hide it. We’ll find a chance to haul everything back.”
The Su family wasn’t as easy to manipulate as before. They would have to coordinate inside and out to strip the Su family clean.
No sooner had Shen Yunzhi left than Shen Erlang chased after her.
She sent the other Su family members away and stayed behind to meet him alone.
He repeated Mother Shen’s instructions word for word.
Even though she had long since seen through the Shen family in her previous life, hearing it again still hurt.
“I’ll return to the Su family first. If anything happens, I’ll send word.”
“You must hurry,” her second brother pressed anxiously. “My wedding is on the eighteenth of next month. Don’t delay it.”
“I understand. Go back now. Don’t let the Su family see you and grow suspicious.”
After sending him off, Shen Yunzhi did not return home.
Instead, she headed for the back mountain.