The Xie family’s third branch originally had seven daughters, and now with Xie Jinzhu, there were eight.
The eldest branch had three daughters: Xie Dahua and Xie Sanhua, who were already married, and Xie Wuni.
The second branch also had three daughters: Xie Erni and Xie Sini were already married, and Xie Xiao Liu had just been betrothed before the New Year.
The third branch had lost their eldest daughter to an early, unexpected death years ago, leaving only Xie Xiao Qi and the original host.
Of the seven older sisters, four were already married and settled, while three remained unmarried.
Yet over the past decade or so, all seven sisters—whether in matters of marriage or toiling away at home—had revolved entirely around the original host.
Xie Wuni, with her fiery temper, had long since exhausted herself from scolding and could only lean on Xie Dahua, who wept with sorrowful eyes.
Apart from Xie Dahua, the other married sisters had not yet returned home.
Xie Xiao Liu stared blankly at Xie Jinzhu, her face full of timidity, not daring to interject.
Xie Xiao Qi had been inside the house taking care of Old Mrs. Xie all along and had not uttered a word.
Amidst the sudden lull of mingled grief and anger, Xie Jinzhu took out the pouch she had retrieved and handed it with both hands to Eldest Uncle Xie.
“This is the thirty taels I forced from the family three days ago. Most of it was borrowed with the help of my two uncles and sisters. I’ll return this portion first, and I’ll find a way to repay the rest as soon as possible.”
The hole dug by the original host was even bigger than the Xie family’s dilapidated thatched hut; thirty taels was merely a drop in the bucket.
But at least it was a clear stance.
A stance that left everyone present deeply astonished.
Under their skeptical or scrutinizing gazes, Xie Jinzhu said with great certainty, “I won’t deny the debt or run away.”
“I didn’t know exactly how much debt the family owed before, but now that I do, I won’t shirk a single coin.”
The sins committed by the original host should have had nothing to do with her.
But now that she occupied this body, from this moment on, she was Xie Jinzhu, and Xie Jinzhu was Xie Jinzhu.
She couldn’t stand by and watch Third Master Xie and his wife be dragged back into the mire because of the original host’s mistakes.
The Xie family had been very good to the original host.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, she would live on as a member of the Xie family.
A timely and responsible declaration could only bring benefits, not harm.
Eldest Uncle Xie held the heavy pouch in his hand, his expression complicated. “A child like you, with a mouth bigger than the sky.”
“Do you know what the family’s situation is? Do you think you can just say you’ll repay it and it’ll be done?”
“No matter how much, I will repay it!”
Seizing this rare opportunity, Xie Jinzhu said earnestly, “I was wrong in the past, and I truly have no face to say more.”
“I beg my uncles, aunts, and sisters to give me a chance to turn over a new leaf. I will definitely make up for my past mistakes and never act recklessly again!”
In the memory of the Xie family, this was the first time they had seen the spoiled child bow her head and admit her mistakes.
It was also the first time they had heard such reasonable words from the mouth of the Xie family’s Little Eighth.
But who would believe it?
Eldest Aunt pulled Second Aunt aside and said weakly, “She already knows she was wrong, so maybe we should…”
“Anyone can talk big!”
Second Aunt’s eyes were red as she gritted her teeth. “Well, you say you’ll repay it so nicely. Then tell us all right here—when do you plan to repay it? And how?”
Xie Jinzhu immediately raised her hand with four fingers pointing upward and declared firmly, “Starting today, I set a monthly deadline. I will contribute at least ten taels of silver to the family each month on my own, with no upper limit, until all the debts incurred because of me are fully repaid!”
“If I fail to keep my word, I will accept any punishment without complaint!”
Xie Jinzhu’s bold declaration stunned Second Aunt for a moment.
But what followed was an even more overwhelming wave of mockery and fury.
Ten taels of silver a month!
This was an astronomical sum no one dared imagine!
The third branch of the Xie family worked themselves to the bone outside, and though they brought back the highest wages each month, it was at most six hundred coins.
Even with the combined efforts of the first and second branches, they could barely scrape together enough to make up one tael—and that was only possible by pooling the resources of all three branches.
Not only had Xie Jinzhu made an outrageous boast, but she had also blatantly treated those who toiled so hard as fools who couldn’t do the math. How could those with hot tempers not be furious?
Xie Dahua stopped Xie Wuni from causing a scene.
The eldest uncle and his wife could only shake their heads with bitter smiles.
The enraged Second Aunt pushed Second Uncle Xie aside and continued her relentless scolding.
Xie Jinzhu had no chance to defend herself, unable to get a word in edgewise.
Just as the argument was about to escalate into a physical fight, Xie Xiao Qi, who had been absent until then, stepped out and stood beside Xie Jinzhu, saying, “Second Aunt, the doctor said Grandma needs rest. It’s too noisy.”
Second Aunt’s anger subsided slightly, but she was still fuming. “Seventh girl, don’t you defend this…”
“She might have exaggerated, but isn’t it best that she’s willing to repay?”
Xie Xiao Qi didn’t even glance at the surprise on Xie Jinzhu’s face, speaking calmly, “She was a scoundrel before, but if she’s willing to change, isn’t that better than staying the same?”
“When Second Sister and Fourth Sister were at home, my parents treated them well, and their dowries were earned by my mother staying up late embroidering handkerchiefs for respectability.”
“Second Aunt can scold her all you want, but why drag my parents into it?”
Xie Jinzhu had said many times that they could direct their anger at her, but no one listened.
Xie Xiao Qi was different.
Xie Xiao Qi wasn’t a scoundrel of over a decade, and everyone in the family knew exactly what kind of character she had.
Xie Xiao Liu finally mustered the courage to pull Second Aunt back. “Mother, Seventh Sister is right.”
“Third Uncle and Third Aunt have never wronged our family, and Grandma is still sick. Please stop arguing.”
Second Uncle Xie also stepped forward to intervene.
In her anger, Second Aunt remembered Old Mrs. Xie’s illness and spat fiercely at Xie Jinzhu. “If the old lady recovers, fine. But if anything goes wrong, even your dog’s head won’t be enough to make up for it!”
With that, she grabbed Xie Xiao Liu’s arm. “Foolish child!”
“Even though I gave birth to you, your temper is nothing like mine!”
At a time like this, how dare you side with the third branch!
Xie Xiao Liu covered the pinched spot, not daring to talk back, and half-coaxed, half-persuaded Second Aunt back to the second branch’s room.
The eldest uncle also turned and left with a sigh.
Eldest Aunt looked at Xie Jinzhu helplessly, then at Xie Xiao Qi with reddened eyes, and said resignedly, “Whether it’s a boy or a girl, they’re all children of our Xie family.”
“Take good care of the old lady. Call us if anything happens. I’ll come get you when the meal is ready.”
Xie Wuni was dissatisfied with her mother’s softness and wanted to say something, but Xie Dahua, looking uneasy, covered her mouth.
Xie Dahua forced a smile as she pulled Xie Wuni along. “Seventh Sister, do try to talk some sense into Third Uncle and Third Aunt. As for Jin Zhu…”
Xie Dahua hesitated, sighed, shook her head, and led Xie Wuni away.
The three branches of the Xie family had not yet divided the household, all living together.
Centered around the Old House, two small thatched huts were built on each side—the eldest branch on the left, the second branch on the right.
The third branch, because they had a sole male heir, lived in the Old House with Old Mrs. Xie.
This special treatment was once a sign of favor, but now it felt more like a mockery.
Xie Jinzhu looked at Xie Xiao Qi’s pale, cold face and felt a lump in her throat. “Seventh Sister, thank you for helping me…”
“I didn’t want to help you.”
Xie Xiao Qi cut her off, her voice icy. “I just couldn’t bear to see Father and Mother suffer any more because of you.”
For over a decade, their parents had been steeped in bitterness, tormented by the old master’s obsession and dying wish.
They had gained no blessings from this false son; instead, they had exhausted themselves for this impostor.
To let them be criticized and blamed for this—anyone with a conscience would feel deeply ashamed.
Xie Xiao Qi shot Xie Jinzhu a scornful glance, saying nothing but making her meaning clear: You have no heart.
Xie Jinzhu: “…”
Xie Jinzhu was forced into silence as she followed her inside.
Third Master Xie and Madam Wang looked at their two daughters entering and exchanged a glance, seeing only bitterness in each other’s eyes.
After sighing repeatedly, Madam Wang couldn’t help but ask, “Jinzhu, do you know how to earn money?”
Xie Jinzhu opened her mouth weakly, her mind going blank again as she thought of the original owner’s actions.
Right.
That waste of a person only knew how to spend money.
The waste had never once considered earning it.
Seeing this, Madam Wang’s expression grew even more bitter. “All your life, the silver you spent was handed to you without effort.”
“You’ve spent plenty of ten-tael silver pieces, but do you have any idea how ten taels of silver are earned?”
To rashly claim she’d earn ten taels a month to repay the debt—the words sounded bold, but where would the silver come from?
Father Xie stood up, wiped his face, and said hoarsely, “The grain shops have been hiring lately. I’ll go find another job.”
Every bit of work counted. No matter how little he could earn, it was better than nothing.
Xie Jinzhu froze for a moment before hurriedly blocking the doorway with both hands, stopping Father Xie in his tracks and declaring firmly, “No need!”
If she let the third branch go out and slave away to repay the debt, her spine would truly be broken by the shame.
Xie Jinzhu pleaded earnestly, “I can handle this. Please, don’t take on any more work for yourselves.”
“Give me a chance, okay?”
“One month, just one month!”
“I’ll show you I can earn it!”