Zhou Zhengye let out a mocking laugh.
“Our Zhou family can no longer afford to keep a grand Buddha like you. Today you’ll leave with Madam Zhou. I hope you find a good master and enjoy a bright future.”
He had expected to see fear and panic on Guan Xiyue’s face.
Or perhaps to see her kneel down and beg for forgiveness.
Instead, he got neither.
Not only did she refuse to yield, she looked completely unconcerned.
“You’ve really suffered putting up with me,” Guan Xiyue said casually. “Although I did enter your household to ward off misfortune and save your life. But now that I’m no longer useful, it’s perfectly normal for you to throw me away. Completely understandable.”
Noticing the knowing look on Madam Zhou’s face, Wan Shi worried that unfavorable rumors might spread in the future.
She immediately scolded Guan Xiyue.
“What nonsense are you talking about? Your good fortune has simply been exhausted. Keeping you in the Zhou family would only bring disaster. Just look at what you did—you gave our family’s secret recipe away to the He family. Since you’re not of one heart with us, naturally we can’t keep you.”
Guan Xiyue remained calm.
“Madam Zhou, what are you talking about? I sold my braised pork recipe. What does that have to do with your family? Since when did it become the Zhou family’s recipe? The broker is already here, so let’s finish this quickly.”
What followed was a round of bargaining.
To her annoyance, Guan Xiyue discovered that she was indeed worth only three taels of silver.
A new contract was drawn up.
She pressed her fingerprint and signed it.
Zhou Zhengye spoke coldly.
“Don’t even think about taking so much as a needle or a thread from the Zhou family.”
Suddenly, Guan Xiyue raised her voice and shouted at the top of her lungs:
“What a disgrace! What kind of den of wolves and tigers is this Zhou family? Treating your lifesaver like this!
Who wants your precious needles and threads? Not only am I leaving without taking anything, but while I was here I couldn’t even get enough food to eat!
I saved your life, and you pushed me so hard that I smashed my head open. I almost lost my own life in this place!”
Wan Shi hurriedly urged Madam Zhou to take her away.
How embarrassing!
Had Guan Xiyue been possessed by some evil spirit?
How else could she have suddenly become so terrifying?
Looking outside, she saw maids and servants craning their necks to watch the spectacle, whispering among themselves.
The thought of the Zhou family becoming the county’s favorite gossip by tomorrow made her blood pressure rise.
She would have to discipline those servants thoroughly.
The moment Guan Xiyue stepped through the Zhou family’s gates, she burst into laughter.
She laughed so hard she nearly doubled over.
It felt wonderful.
She had deliberately waited until the sale was finalized before shouting.
Served those heartless rich people right!
After she finally laughed herself out, she noticed Madam Zhou staring at her with sympathy.
The broker assumed that being sold had driven her half-mad.
The Zhou family was one of the county’s wealthiest households.
Even as a concubine, she had lived without worrying about food or clothing.
Life was already difficult enough for a woman in this world.
Now she would be wandering alone, with no support.
Sympathy aside, business was business.
As agreed, Madam Zhou allowed Guan Xiyue to buy back her freedom for five taels of silver.
She tore up the contract of sale and spoke politely.
“I could tell from the first glance that you were destined for great fortune, young lady. If you ever need anything from this old woman, just come find me.”
Guan Xiyue was in an excellent mood.
“Of course. One day I’ll certainly be buying servants and maids of my own. When that time comes, remember to pick out the good ones for me.”
At last, she had escaped the Zhou family.
More than half a month had passed since her transmigration.
A new life was finally beginning.
Although she could now see the dawn of freedom, she still had matters to settle.
Leaving the Zhou family did not automatically make her truly independent.
Guan Xiyue still had five taels of silver left in her storage space.
She spent one tael buying meat, candy, and a bolt of fine duck-egg-blue cotton cloth.
Then, with extravagant generosity, she spent ten copper coins to hire an ox cart.
Her destination was Datong Village—her original home.
However, she was not heading to her family’s house.
Instead, she went directly to the village head’s residence.
The village head’s wife, Madam Li, saw the ox cart stop outside their gate but failed to recognize the visitor.
The woman who stepped down looked plump and prosperous.
Her black hair was thick and glossy, her skin fair, and she wore a beautiful pomegranate-red dress.
She looked every bit like the wife of a wealthy household.
Only after the visitor handed over a basket containing meat, candy, and cloth did Madam Li finally recognize her.
“Heavens! Isn’t this Xiyue from the Guan family? You really did change after marrying into a rich household!”
Guan Xiyue smiled warmly.
“Auntie, I have some business with Uncle Yang. Is he home? I haven’t visited in a long time. These are just small gifts—please don’t think too much of them.”
Madam Li finally understood why she hadn’t recognized her earlier.
The change was simply too great.
The old Guan Xiyue had always seemed dull and clumsy, with rough-looking features.
The current Guan Xiyue was still plump, but somehow appeared much lighter and more graceful.
Her fair skin and constant smile gave her an unexpectedly refined air.
For a fleeting moment, she even resembled a well-bred young lady from a respectable family.
Madam Li secretly clicked her tongue.
Small gifts?
The basket alone was worth a fair amount.
Life in a wealthy household truly transformed people.
It hadn’t even been that long, and Guan Xiyue was already spending money so freely.
Madam Li quickly went next door to fetch Village Head Yang.
When he heard that Guan Xiyue had arrived bearing generous gifts, he returned home smiling.
“Xiyue, what brings you here? If there’s something you need, just say it. If I can help, I certainly will.”
To his surprise, the smiling Guan Xiyue suddenly reddened her eyes.
Tears shimmered on the verge of falling.
“Uncle Yang… I’ve been cast out by the Zhou family.”
Village Head Yang and Madam Li were both shocked.
Cast out?
Then why come to the village head instead of her family?
Village disputes were one thing.
But the affairs of wealthy households in the county city were beyond his authority.
Suddenly, Village Head Yang felt a headache coming on.
Guan Xiyue continued:
“Uncle Yang, I’m not asking you to stand up to the Zhou family for me. I simply have no face to return home.
When I entered the Zhou household, my family already declared that they no longer had any connection with me.
If I return now, I won’t be able to survive there.”
Only then did Village Head Yang understand.
He shot his wife a meaningful glance.
Madam Li immediately caught on.
She stepped forward, placed a comforting hand on Guan Xiyue’s shoulder, and gently said:
“Xiyue, listen to Auntie. Blood ties remain even if the bones are broken. If you’re afraid they’ll mistreat you, your Uncle Yang and I can escort you home and make sure they treat you properly.”
As she spoke, Madam Li could not help sighing inwardly.
What a mess.
She had heard that Young Master Zhou had fully recovered.
Hadn’t Guan Xiyue performed a tremendous service for that family?
Yet they had crossed the river and demolished the bridge behind them.
Weren’t they afraid of losing their good fortune?
Moments earlier, she had felt a little jealous seeing how much Guan Xiyue had changed.
Now she felt ashamed of herself.
The girl was only fifteen years old.
She had become a concubine and then been discarded.
Given the temperament of the Guan family, everyone knew exactly what kind of treatment awaited her if she returned.
Seeing that the atmosphere was right, Guan Xiyue finally got to the point.
“Uncle Yang, I didn’t come here asking to be taken home.
I want to establish a female household registration and open an independent household under my own name.”
Village Head Yang was stunned.
“How can a young woman support herself alone? You don’t even own any farmland. Besides, once you establish your own household, you’ll have to pay taxes and labor obligations yourself.”