When Mr. and Mrs. Zhang caught sight of the astronomical figure on the paper, they felt dizzy and terrified.
Mrs. He immediately let out a shrill scream. "Heavens! This is asking for our whole family's life! Where could we get so much money? No offense, but Mrs. Qi, you're being too bullying!"
Qi Jiao gave a cold snort. "No money? Then use a living person to pay off the debt. Hand over Zhang Erlang and we'll call it even. Otherwise, this matter won't end easily!"
Hearing this, Mr. Zhang's face instantly turned ashen. His younger brother was a grown - man. How could his life be in the hands of a mere woman?
Such a disgrace had never happened to their Zhang family!
"No way! Erlang is a real man. Our Zhang family still depends on him to support the family!"
It turned out that Mr. and Mrs. Zhang had been childless for many years after their marriage. They were overjoyed when Mrs. Zhang finally got pregnant last half - year, but unfortunately, she lost the baby.
So Mr. and Mrs. Zhang had the idea of adopting Zhang Erlang's child in the future.
Mr. Zhang's words were really laughable. A Le couldn't help but sneer. "A real man? He can't support the family but only uses his wife and child to get dirty money. Bah! What a scumbag!"
Suddenly, Zhang Erlang rushed out of the house like a whirlwind, glaring at A Le with bulging eyes and raising his hand to fight.
But Qi Jiao and A Le were standing together. The doorway was narrow. Zhang Erlang's crazy appearance really gave Qi Jiao a big scare.
Chun Niang, who had been crying just now, would never let Zhang Erlang hurt Qi Jiao. She rushed forward in a flash and blocked in front of Qi Jiao, but was pushed to the ground by Zhang Erlang...
Seeing this, A Le quickly rushed over and gave Zhang Erlang a hard push. He was also angry and shouted loudly, "What? I'm just telling the truth. If you want to fight, first weigh yourself!"
As he spoke, Qi Jiao winked at him, indicating that there was no need to call in the guards led by Pei Jin outside, so as not to let the Zhang family say they were bullying others with their power and give them a handle.
Zhang Erlang was actually a coward at heart. He only dared to show off in his own house. Plus, he felt guilty, so he had to hold back his anger.
Looking back, he saw Chun Niang's submissive look and felt annoyed. In a fit of desperation, he said, "She's my wife. If you want money, take her to pay off the debt."
Qi Jiao kept a cold face and said nothing. A Le couldn't help rolling his eyes. This Zhang Erlang was really a scumbag!
A Le folded his arms and said disdainfully, "Such a person is worth nothing. Even if you add up your whole family, you can't pay off this debt!"
Mr. Zhang frowned and let out a deep sigh. He spread his hands helplessly and asked, "What on earth do you want?"
At this time, Qi Jiao spoke up. She pointed into the house. "Add the little one too. I don't mind that she's a burden. Maybe she can be sold for a good price when she grows up. Consider it my act of kindness."
Hearing this, Mr. and Mrs. Zhang were no longer worried. They had always disliked Niu Niu for being a girl and couldn't adopt her. Now getting rid of this burden was just perfect!
Without further ado, A Le told Chun Niang to quickly pack up and take the child away.
Judging from A Le's impatient look, an outsider might think he was a heartless human trafficker.
Chun Niang had no choice but to obey. She picked up her daughter Niu Niu from the small room, carried a small, empty bundle, and got into the carriage with Qi Jiao and the others.
During this time, Zhang Erlang didn't even give her a single look. Chun Niang's heart, which was already dead, died even more thoroughly.
Mr. and Mrs. Zhang let out a long sigh of relief. They finally got rid of this troublesome person - although they had sacrificed Chun Niang and her daughter and lost a source of income.
In the carriage, Chun Niang comforted the crying Niu Niu. She tidied up her hair with one hand and bowed deeply to Qi Jiao.
"Madam, you've saved me from the fire and water this time. Chun Niang is willing to be a beast of burden to repay your great kindness."
Qi Jiao smiled. "Don't talk about being a beast of burden! It's good that you and Niu Niu can get out of that den of wolves."
Seeing that Chun Niang still looked worried, she asked, "Why are you still so gloomy?"
A flash of hatred passed through Chun Niang's eyes. She tried to control her surging emotions and gritted her teeth. "Now that we're back, but when I think that the Zhang family is still living well without any consequences, I feel so angry. Also, that scoundrel Zhang Er dared to be violent today. If he had hurt you even a little bit, I would never be able to atone for my sin..."
Pei Jin, who had been looking at the scenery, turned his head. "Chun Niang, do you want to take revenge on them?"
Chun Niang looked at Niu Niu's thin and yellow face and nodded vigorously.
Qi Jiao said, "This is easy. Leave it to me and A Jin."
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Three days later, at the Zhang family's.
Matchmaker Chen received a heavy bag of silver and was overjoyed.
Just as she was stepping out of the Zhang family's small gate, Mr. Zhang caught up with her and gave her repeated instructions. "Aunt Chen, please do your best. Help us find a wife for Erlang who is fertile and has a good appearance for bearing sons! Also, she should be beautiful, dignified, and good at running a household. It would be best if she has some wealth!"
Aunt Chen squinted her eyes and sized up Mr. Zhang from head to toe. "As we've agreed, a fertile woman is one price, a woman with a good appearance for bearing sons is another price, and a beautiful, dignified, and virtuous woman is yet another price..."
"Alright, alright, I get it."
Mr. Zhang quickly glanced into the house. Mrs. He was not there.
He took out a money bag reluctantly. "Aunt, this is all I have. The great matter of the Zhang family's inheritance depends entirely on you!"
Matchmaker Chen sneered inwardly. She looked down on the Zhang family's behavior. They said that a blessed woman would never enter an unlucky family. Chun Niang had really suffered all these years.
Seeing Mr. Zhang's stinginess, she snatched the money bag. "Don't worry! I'll definitely find a good one for Erlang!"
Little did Mr. Zhang know that after Matchmaker Chen received the Zhang family's money, she went straight to Qi Jiao.
The silver and the money bag were neatly placed on the table - all earned by Chun Niang.
Qi Jiao warmly entertained her. "Aunt, you've worked hard. Sit down and have a cup of tea."
She took out another bag of silver as a reward for Matchmaker Chen and then handed the silver on the table to Chun Niang beside her.
Chun Niang refused to take the silver no matter what, saying that it should be used as her medical expenses.
After two days of medical treatment, Chun Niang's injuries had improved a lot, but one could still tell how cruel the abuser had been.
Matchmaker Chen sipped her tea and couldn't help sighing about Chun Niang's misfortune. She also took the time to scold the Zhang family for being worse than dogs. They had offended Mrs. Qi and still dared to dream of finding a good daughter - in - law.
Matchmaker Chen was very eloquent. She imitated the Zhang family's appearance and behavior vividly, making Qi Jiao laugh out loud and cheering up Chun Niang a lot.
However, "taking money" meant "doing things". Matchmaker Chen really found a good woman for Zhang Erlang. She was beautiful, virtuous, and had a slender figure. From the back, her hips were as big as a millstone, looking extremely fertile.
The Zhang family was very satisfied.
Only the groom, Zhang Erlang, thought the bride was a bit strange.
The bride was even taller than him when she stood up and could be described as rather stocky.
Fortunately, the bride's powdered and painted face was to his liking, so Zhang Erlang had no objections.
On the wedding night, a shrill scream like a thunderclap came from the Zhang family's small courtyard.
A moment later, Mr. Zhang rushed over in a hurry, his hands trembling. "A catastrophic disaster! Erlang, what's wrong with you?"
Zhang Erlang was lying unconscious in a pool of blood. The bride was nowhere to be seen. Only a red wedding dress was thrown mercilessly on the ground...