Song Zhaoxi took a step forward, and the Ji family instinctively took a step back.
Old Madam Ji suddenly realized they were in their own home. She stopped and shouted angrily, “Song Zhaoxi, you’re nothing but a bandit! Everyone, judge for yourselves! Our family has more women than men. It wasn’t easy for us to save a little money, and we still have to support a scholar. She lives in our house, stole my money, and used it to eat and drink well. Does that make any sense?”
At first, no one was certain whether Song Zhaoxi had actually stolen any money. But after Old Madam Ji’s loud accusations, the lie almost became the truth.
Indeed, most of the villagers had worked themselves to the bone for half their lives and still hadn’t saved much money. How could Song Zhaoxi possibly have earned silver on her own?
Seeing the situation, Ji Xue quickly ran home and brought the village head over.
She was rather excited.
If Song Zhaoxi had merely been secretly eating good food behind the Ji family’s backs, that would be one thing. But if she had stolen money, then she had committed theft—one of the “Seven Grounds for Divorce.”
The Ji family could throw her out immediately!
The village head soon arrived, his face dark with displeasure.
“Why does your family have an uproar every other day? If you love making a scene so much, you might as well build an opera stage and perform on it!”
The Ji family looked embarrassed, so Ji Xue stepped forward to smooth things over.
“Father, you can’t blame the Ji family. Song Zhaoxi stole money and doesn’t appreciate how hard our family works. She’s gone too far! Besides, every disturbance has been because of her.”
The villagers sighed.
“Little Xue is so sensible. She should’ve been the one to marry into the Ji family.”
“Exactly. Unlike Song Zhaoxi, who barged in and stole another woman’s place, then goes on to do such shameless things.”
“Someone like her isn’t worthy of Scholar Ji at all. She should just leave on her own!”
Seeing that the villagers were all on their side, the Ji family felt utterly vindicated.
Song Zhaoxi wasn’t angry in the slightest. After everyone had cursed enough, she calmly said, “Finished? Grandmother Ji says I stole your money. Why don’t we report this to the county magistrate? I have both witnesses and evidence of how I earned my money. Oh, and let me kindly remind you—falsely accusing someone is punishable by a beating.”
What?
Old Madam Ji’s arrogance instantly diminished.
To country folk, the county magistrate was an enormous official. Unless absolutely necessary, they would never dare report something to the authorities.
Besides, Old Madam Ji had a guilty conscience. She counted her few pieces of silver twice every morning just to be at ease. There was no way anyone could have stolen even a single coin under her watchful eye.
Seeing that Old Madam Ji had quieted down, Song Zhaoxi’s cold gaze swept over the onlookers.
“As for those who spread rumors and slandered me, you can be punished as well.”
Silence fell over the crowd.
Ji Xue was unwilling to give up. Frowning, she said, “Even if you didn’t steal money, Grandmother Ji manages all the family’s finances. She’s an old woman who eats coarse buns while working in the fields. What gives you the right to feast by yourself at home?”
Song Zhaoxi gave Ji Xue a cool glance.
“Miss Ji Xue, this is our family’s private matter. You’re meddling a little too much.”
“I…”
Ji Xue’s face flushed red.
As the village head’s daughter, she had always carried herself proudly in front of the villagers. She didn’t want anyone to realize that she was competing with Song Zhaoxi for a man.
The village head sighed inwardly. How could he not know what his precious daughter was thinking?
He coughed lightly.
“Miss Song, why be so aggressive? Let me say something fair. A country has its laws, and a family has its rules. It’s not easy for Aunt Ji to manage such a large household by herself. Since you’ve earned money, you really shouldn’t spend it all on yourself.”
“The village head truly understands reason.”
With the village head supporting them, the Ji family straightened their backs even more. They even secretly hoped that this lunatic, Song Zhaoxi, would pull out a kitchen knife and slash at the village head like she had at home.
Then she’d really be doomed!
Unexpectedly, Song Zhaoxi smiled.
“The village head is right. But who said I belong to the Ji family?”
“Song Zhaoxi, what do you mean by that? Are you planning to leave on your own? Fine! But if you go, leave everything behind!”
The delicious aroma of fish soup drifted from the kitchen. The Ji family was practically drooling and had no patience left to argue.
“Hah. When a man marries a wife, even if he doesn’t follow every custom and ceremony, he should at least provide the proper bride price.” Song Zhaoxi’s voice wasn’t loud, yet every word left the Ji family speechless. “You took advantage of my poor state of mind and tricked me into marrying Ji Changfeng to bring him good luck. I never agreed to this marriage! If you insist that I’m a member of the Ji family, then first pay me the bride price you owe me. And as for these things I bought, they were purchased before your family’s proposal, so they’re mine.”
“Pah! You shameless little bitch!” Old Madam Ji nearly exploded with rage. “Marrying our Changfeng is a blessing you earned over eight lifetimes, and you still dare ask for money?”
“Others may treasure that blessing, but I, Song Zhaoxi, do not.” Her expression turned cold. “Today, you have two choices: either pay me the bride price you owe me, or when Ji Changfeng returns, we’ll draw up divorce papers and go our separate ways. And if anyone dares set their sights on my money again, I’ll fight to the end.”
With that, Song Zhaoxi turned and returned to the kitchen, shutting the door behind her and not letting even the slightest scent of the food reach Old Madam Ji.
Behind her came the furious roars of the Ji family:
“Song Zhaoxi, you’d better keep your word! If you don’t divorce Changfeng, then you’re a damned turtle bastard!”