Chapter 56:

Jicheng entered with the medicine, and the room was instantly filled with the bitter scent of herbs. Chunfu pinched her nose and gulped it down in one go, the bitterness spreading from her mouth to her throat and stomach, wrinkling her delicate face in discomfort. It wasn’t until Jicheng slipped a piece of fruit into her mouth that the sweet juice washed away the bitterness, like a small stream pushing away the filth, and her expression finally softened.

“I want to sleep a little longer. Call me if you need anything. Once the weather clears, I still have to go to town. I promised to help Jinjuan and Liansheng’s wife with embroidery work. This rain is really troublesome.” Overcome by drowsiness, Chunfu drank some of the plain porridge Jicheng had prepared and fell back asleep.

Jicheng watched as her breathing steadied, her cheeks no longer as flushed as before. He touched her smooth forehead and quietly left. He gathered the clothes they had changed out of the previous day, took them to the back to wash, and hung them inside to dry. Then he fed the other mouths in the household, swept the courtyard, and by the time he finished, the water on the stove had boiled. He poured a bowl and set it aside to cool, intending to give it to Chunfu later when it was warm. Sitting by the edge of the kang, he gazed at her peaceful sleeping face, his strong, handsome features softening with tenderness.

Dark clouds gathered in the sky, threatening another downpour. The muddy village paths were nearly deserted, and a gust of wind sent shivers down everyone’s spine, raising goosebumps. Suddenly, Cen Niu, covered in wounds, dragged Chunju by the collar down a narrow path, cursing loudly. Chunju, her face twisted in misery, pleaded, “A-Niu, can we stop this? I won’t dare again. Don’t make it so we can’t even stay in this village, please?”

Cen Niu sneered. “Now you care about shame? Who gave you the courage to mess around with him, huh? Did you think I’d let you off easy? I swallowed my anger, but did you bring me even half a tael of silver in return? A shameless woman like you—if Ji Kun likes you, I’ll let him have you. Let him give you the good life you want. You two sneaking around must be exhausting. I’m just helping you out.”

Chunju panicked, clutching a roadside tree with both hands, tears streaming down her face as she shook her head. “I won’t go! Cen Niu, please don’t abandon me. I was wrong. You’re forcing me to die. Ji Kun would never take me. Didn’t I help you find work? You can’t deny that!”

Cen Niu only grew angrier, spitting in her face and pointing to his injuries. “You know where these came from? All thanks to Ji Kun. Otherwise, why would I be like this? Save your tears. You can cry to your old flame later.”

Chunju suddenly realized Cen Niu was serious this time. She had resented him for never being home, and when Ji Kun first flirted with her, she ignored him. But the more she thought about it, the more trapped she felt—like all paths had closed, leaving only one dangerous river to cross. She truly regretted it now. Couldn’t she just change?

But she had forgotten one thing: in this world, men could carouse freely, but women were never allowed even a hint of disloyalty. She had cut off her own escape route—who else could she blame? Her panic had barely settled when she realized the only card she had left was the one in her hand. She could only hope it would secure her a stable future.

Chunju let Cen Niu drag her to Ji Kun’s house. Head bowed, she stood quietly in the courtyard, one hand resting on her abdomen.

Cen Niu, like a madman, didn’t care who saw or laughed. He shouted toward the house, “Ji Kun, get out here! If you dare do something shameless, you’d better own up to it. Don’t you like this woman? I figured sneaking around was too much trouble, so I’m here to hand her over to you.”

Neighbors who heard Cen Niu’s voice knew the scandal couldn’t be contained. They rushed out to watch, chuckling as more households joined the crowd in the courtyard. Ji Ershu, already stressed about dealing with the Mu Family Valley folks—wishing he could tear A-Xiang’s gossipy mouth apart—was furious to see another mess unfold. He glared at Ji Kun, who sat there unbothered, then stomped over and kicked him. “What are you sitting around for? Go fix this mess before we become the village joke!”

Rubbing his sore backside, Ji Kun limped outside and glared at Cen Niu. “What’s all this yelling? When did I ever touch your wife? If she were some beauty, maybe I’d consider it, but this trash? Cen Niu, stop making up lies. What’s the point of shouting nonsense?”

Cen Niu wasn’t fazed. He shoved Chunju forward, and she stumbled, falling to the ground. Her face paled as she clutched her belly, scrambling up when she felt no pain, then standing aside to watch the chaos unfold.

Cen Niu spat and sat on a small wooden stool in the yard, wincing as his injuries stung. “Now you’re denying it? This woman was defending you to me just days ago. Since she’s so fond of you, why should I keep her? Might as well let you have her. Ji Ershu, isn’t a free daughter-in-law something to smile about?”

Someone in the crowd spoke up, voice heavy with disapproval. “Cen Niu, that’s too harsh. She’s been your wife for years. How can you say such cruel things?”

Ji Ershu tapped his pipe sharply. “A dog’s mouth can’t spit ivory. Who knows what schemes you’re plotting? Don’t pin everything on my Ji Kun. A woman with no shame—who’d want her?”

Cen Niu smirked at Chunju, who stood silently to the side. “You hear that? Your father-in-law says you’re too shameless. Ji Ershu’s a respected man in the village. I may not be a good person, but I have my pride. With a woman like you, what choice do I have? I don’t want you anymore. Since I’ve got time, I’ll deliver you to Ji Kun and settle our little matter from the other day. Even if nothing comes of it, I won’t let these injuries go unpaid.”

Ji Kun’s face remained calm, but inside, turmoil raged. He’d thought it was just a bit of fun between consenting adults—he never expected Chunju to take it seriously, or Cen Niu to try and pin it on him.

“Who saw anything? Just because we talked a few times, suddenly there’s a scandal? That’s ridiculous. Maybe you’re the one who can’t satisfy her, and she’s gone mad with longing. But don’t drag me into it.”

Chunju had known this would happen, but hearing Ji Kun’s words still cut deep. She had brought this on herself, fooled by his sweet talk. Why couldn’t she have just lived quietly like other women? Even if it was like Jinjuan’s life, it would’ve been better than this.

She and Cen Niu had been married for years. Even if there was no love, there was effort. Yet now he spoke to her like a stranger, each word a knife to her heart. She had lost face, and Cen Niu had stripped her bare. Her last hope was the card in her hand—but even if forced to accept her, what then?

Cen Niu gave her a smug look before turning a venomous glare on Ji Kun. “Don’t want to talk about that? Fine. Let’s talk about your cousin Jicheng. That’s something worth discussing, isn’t it?”

Ji Ershu whipped around to glare at Ji Kun, silently warning him not to go too far. The murmurs of the crowd grated on his nerves, and he forced a smile. “Cen Niu, what nonsense are you spouting so early? If you two have marital problems, why bring them here? Ji Kun and Jicheng are fine—what’s there to say? Everyone, go home. It’s about to rain, and you won’t make it back if you dawdle.”

Cen Niu stood abruptly, sneering. “That’s not true, Uncle. Your son isn’t as kind as you think. He promised me three taels of silver if I got Jicheng fired from his job. Where do you think these injuries came from? Even though it didn’t work, I lost my job and got beaten. And now my wife’s been sleeping with your son. Shouldn’t I get something out of this? I’ll take her to the village head later to divorce her. Here’s your ready-made daughter-in-law—just give me four taels, and we’ll go our separate ways.”

Chunju burst into tears, rushing to Cen Niu and grabbing his sleeve. “I was wrong! Please, for the sake of all these years, don’t throw me away. Cen Niu, I can’t live like this. You’re forcing me to die!”

Cen Niu shoved her away, wiping his hands in disgust. “You disgust me. Don’t touch me. Go to whoever wants you. I can’t give you a good life, and I won’t stand in your way. If you’ve got a heart, help me squeeze more silver out of them. I paid to marry you—it’s only fair I don’t lose both the person and the money.”

No one expected Cen Niu to tear off the mask so brutally. The whispers were now confirmed, and the crowd’s gazes turned scornful. No matter how bad a husband was, what she’d done was unforgivable. If Cen Niu really wanted to, drowning her in the pond wouldn’t be excessive.

Chunju felt the sky collapse above her, plunging her into darkness. The villagers’ stares burned with shame and judgment. Her fate with Cen Niu was truly over—she had dug her own grave. If her family found out, they’d never take her back. Where in this vast world could she go? She didn’t want to die—she wanted to live. So she turned to Ji Kun, her last hope, but her heart froze when she saw he wouldn’t even look at her.

How foolish. She hadn’t believed at first, but his sweet words wore her down. And now, she had only herself to blame. But she wouldn’t let him off so easily. Dignity was a luxury she could no longer afford. She stepped forward and addressed Ji Ershu. “Uncle, I’m carrying your Ji family’s child. If you don’t believe me, we can ask Dr. Han. Cen Niu and I haven’t had children in years. Since he found out about me and Ji Kun, we haven’t shared a bed. This child isn’t his.”

Before she finished, Ji Ersao stormed out of the house. She’d held back long enough—this shameless woman was trying to extort them! “Don’t flatter yourself! Our Ji family doesn’t want trash like you. Ji Kun’s already engaged to a fine girl—pretty and virtuous, nothing like you!”

Her words were restrained compared to what others might’ve said. The onlookers shook their heads at the mess. Ji Kun was truly trouble—first gambling debts, now knocking up Cen Niu’s wife and scheming against his own cousin. What kind of man was this? And Ji Ershu, keeping this good-for-nothing while driving out the decent Ji Liang—what a fool.

A few nosy villagers called out to Cen Niu, “Jicheng doesn’t even interact with them. Why would Ji Kun hold a grudge?”

Cen Niu grinned slyly. “If it weren’t for this woman’s big mouth, I’d never have known the funniest part. Ji Kun’s got his eyes on Jicheng’s Chunfu! He was caught whispering filth to her outside their house at night and got beaten black and blue by Jicheng. Haven’t you noticed he’s been lying low? That’s why.”

Ji Ershu’s face burned with humiliation. His lifetime of dignity had been ruined by Ji Kun. He barked, “Cen Niu, take your wife and leave. My house isn’t open to you two. Birds of a feather—both liars. Get out!” He grabbed Ji Kun’s arm to drag him inside.

Cen Niu only grew bolder. “Ji Kun’s holding a grudge over that beating. Uncle, you can’t hide the truth forever. Blame your poor parenting. I may not be a good man, but I know right from wrong. Jicheng’s well-liked at his job—no way some petty trick would get him fired. I’ve learned my lesson. Today’s about settling accounts.”

Suddenly, an enraged, aged voice cut through the crowd. “We thought we’d found good in-laws, but it turns out you’re rotten to the core. Thank heavens we found out early, or my daughter would’ve suffered. Ji Peng, let’s have a word.”

Unnoticed, a group from Mu Family Valley had arrived—all strong, imposing men. Ji Ershu, fearless as he was, was still old and outnumbered. He hurriedly told his wife to fetch Ji Liang. With the bad weather, Jicheng would surely be home too. The Ji family was under siege—unless he renounced his name, he had to come.

“What kind of talk is this, in-laws? It’s precisely because we admire your daughter that we sent a matchmaker to propose. My eldest son has difficulty walking, so I had my second son step in. Look at him—he’s a fine young man, and our family is well-off. Your daughter would live a life of pure comfort if she married into our household. These people are just jealous of our prosperity, so their words hold no weight.”

Old Man Qi, though appearing kind, was far from simple-minded. Seeing Jicheng’s second son lower his stance, his own arrogance flared up. He spoke with feigned concern, “I’ve kept my daughter at home all this time, fearing she’d suffer even the slightest grievance. That’s why I carefully chose your family. This should have been a joyous affair, yet you deceived us. Such behavior is utterly dishonorable. You’ve wronged my daughter, and you must give us an explanation. The marriage is off—my daughter isn’t worthy of your family. But we won’t swallow this insult. If this isn’t resolved, we won’t leave.”

Jikun immediately understood the underlying message and sneered, “So you’re here to extort money. I’ve never even seen your daughter—her looks are whatever you claim them to be. With intentions like yours, our family would never form ties with yours. What do you want? Let’s see what you can do.”

By the time Jiliang arrived, tensions between the two sides had already escalated. Qiaoyun had tried to stop him at home for a long time, but he couldn’t stay away—this matter partly concerned him. If things had been made clear from the start, it wouldn’t have come to this. He had promised Qiaoyun this would be the last time; henceforth, no matter what happened, he wouldn’t rush over without a second thought.

Qiaoyun, unable to rest easy, lingered at home before finally deciding to follow. Along the way, she overheard people talking about the situation—rumors of a fight breaking out. Panicked, she changed direction and hurried to Jicheng’s house. After all, he was Jiliang’s elder brother. Though Jiliang stubbornly refused to acknowledge him, deep down, he still cared. If his elder brother could say a few words, perhaps Jiliang wouldn’t resort to violence—his frail frame couldn’t withstand a beating.

But when she arrived, panting, she saw Jicheng pushing his mother out the door, his face stern and cold. “Let Second Uncle clean up his own mess. I’m busy—Chunfu needs me. Second Aunt, you’d best hurry back before something else goes wrong.”

Qiaoyun’s heart wavered uneasily as she watched her mother-in-law stomp away in frustration. Hesitantly, she approached Jicheng. “Big Brother, I… could you please talk some sense into Jiliang? I’m afraid he’ll get hurt. Our family still depends on him. If he’s injured again, what will become of me and this unborn child?”

Jicheng regarded her coolly, his silent pressure making Qiaoyun shrink back. After a long pause, he finally spoke. “I’ve said I won’t interfere in your affairs anymore. Jiliang can live his life as he pleases—I have neither the time nor the inclination to care. If he ever comes to his senses, it’ll be the day the sky cracks open. Chunfu has caught a chill. You should leave. Right now, you’re the closest to him. If even your words don’t get through to him, mine certainly won’t.”

Though she had expected rejection, Qiaoyun fought back tears and forced a smile. “I know the mess we’re in is our own doing. But he told me earlier—he said this would be the last time. Big Brother, I beg you, please go and see. His parents only protect Jikun. If things escalate, Jiliang won’t come out unscathed. He’s a fool, easily swayed, but no matter how reckless he is, he’s still my child’s only support. Big Brother, you’re our flesh and blood—you can’t just turn away.”

Jicheng entered with a bowl of medicine, its bitter scent filling the room. Chunfu pinched her nose and gulped it down, her face scrunching in disgust as the bitterness spread from her mouth to her throat and stomach. Only when Jicheng slipped a piece of fruit into her mouth did the sweetness wash away the bitterness, like a clear stream flushing away filth. Her expression softened.

“I want to sleep a little longer. Wake me if you need anything. Once the weather clears, I still have to go to town—I promised Jinjuan and Liansheng’s wife I’d ask about embroidery work. This rain is truly a nuisance.” Overcome by drowsiness, Chunfu drank some of the plain porridge Jicheng had prepared and drifted back to sleep.

Jicheng watched her steady breathing, her cheeks no longer flushed. He touched her smooth forehead, then stood and left. He gathered yesterday’s clothes into a wooden basin, washed them at the back, and hung them indoors to dry. After feeding the rest of the household, sweeping the yard, and boiling water on the stove, he poured a bowl to cool for Chunfu. Then he sat by the kang, gazing at her peaceful sleeping face, his stern features softening with tenderness.

Dark clouds gathered overhead, threatening rain. The muddy village paths were nearly deserted, the biting wind raising goosebumps. Suddenly, Chenniu, covered in bruises, dragged Chunju by the collar down a narrow path, cursing loudly. Chunju wept and pleaded, “Chenniu, can’t we stop this? I won’t dare again—please, don’t make it so we can’t stay in this village!”

Chenniu scoffed. “Now you care about shame? Where was your fear when you were sneaking around with him? Huh? Did you think I’d let this slide? I swallowed my anger—did you bring back even half a tael of silver? A shameless woman like you—if Jikun wants you, he can have you. Let him give you the good life you crave. You two must’ve worked hard hiding your affair. Well, I’m here to make it official.”

Chunju panicked, clutching a roadside tree and shaking her head desperately. “I won’t go! Chenniu, please don’t abandon me—I was wrong! You’re forcing me to die! Jikun would never take me in. Didn’t I help you find work? You can’t deny that!”

Chenniu grew even angrier, spitting in her face and pointing to his injuries. “Know where these came from? All thanks to Jikun! Otherwise, why would I be like this? Save your tears for your lover—you can whine to him later.”

Suddenly, Chunju realized Chenniu was serious. She had resented him for never being home, and when Jikun first flirted with her, she ignored him. But over time, resentment festered—like all paths had closed, leaving only one treacherous crossing. She truly regretted it now. Couldn’t she just change?

But she forgot—in this world, men could carouse freely, while women were held to impossible standards. She had severed her own lifeline. Who else could she blame? Her panic subsided slightly—she still held one last card. Perhaps it could secure her a stable future.

Letting Chenniu drag her to Jikun’s house, she kept her head down, hands resting on her abdomen as she stood quietly in the yard.

Chenniu, like a madman, didn’t care about drawing a crowd. He shouted toward the house, “Jikun, get out here! If you dare do shady deeds, dare to own up! You like this woman? I figured sneaking around was too much work, so I’m here to hand her over!”

Neighbors, recognizing Chenniu’s voice, knew the scandal could no longer be hidden. They rushed out to watch, exchanging knowing glances as they gathered in the yard.

Second Uncle Ji, already stressed about dealing with the Mu family, wished he could tear Ahxiang’s gossipy tongue to shreds. Now another crisis erupted. Glaring at Jikun, who sat unfazed, he stomped over and kicked him. “Why are you sitting here like a fool? Go fix this mess before we become the village joke!”

Rubbing his sore backside, Jikun limped outside and glared at Chenniu. “What’s all this noise? When did I ever touch your wife? If she were some beauty, maybe I’d consider it, but this trash? Chenniu, quit your nonsense. Got proof?”

Chenniu, unfazed, shoved Chunju forward. Caught off guard, she stumbled and fell, her face paling as she clutched her belly. Feeling no pain, she stood and retreated to the side, silently watching the chaos unfold.

Chenniu spat and sat on a wooden stool, wincing as his injuries flared. “Done and now you deny it? This woman defended you against me just days ago. Since she’s so devoted, why should I keep her? Consider this my gift. Second Uncle Ji, a free daughter-in-law delivered to your door—why aren’t you smiling?”

A bystander frowned. “Chenniu, that’s too harsh. She’s been your wife for years. Must you twist the knife?”

Second Uncle Ji rapped his pipe sharply. “A dog’s mouth spews no ivory. Who knows what schemes you’re plotting? Don’t pin your wife’s misdeeds on my son. What man would want such a shameless woman?”

Chenniu smirked at Chunju, who stood frozen. “Hear that? Your father-in-law says you’re not worth it. Second Uncle Ji is a respected man. I may not be a saint, but I’ve got pride. Stuck with a woman like you, what choice do I have? I’m done with her—here’s your chance, Jikun. And let’s settle that little matter we discussed. Even if the plan failed, these bruises weren’t free.”

Jikun’s face remained impassive, but inwardly, he seethed. He’d thought it was just a fling—how had Chunju taken it seriously? And now Chenniu, this scoundrel, was trying to extort him.

“Who saw anything? A few words exchanged, and suddenly there’s an affair? Ridiculous. Maybe you’re the one who can’t satisfy her, Chenniu, driving her mad with desire. But fantasies aren’t proof.”

Chunju’s heart ached at Jikun’s words, though she’d expected this. She had brought it upon herself, lured by sweet nothings. Why couldn’t she have endured like other women? Even a life like Jinjuan’s would’ve been better. Why had she chosen this path?

She and Chenniu had been married for years—if not love, at least shared hardship bound them. Yet now he spoke to her like a stranger, each word a knife to her heart. She had lost face, and Chenniu had stripped her bare. Her last hope rested on one final gamble—but even if forced to accept her, what then?

Chenniu shot her a triumphant glance before turning venomous eyes on Jikun. “Don’t want to talk about her? Fine. Let’s discuss your cousin Jicheng. That’s a topic you can’t dodge.”

Second Uncle Ji whirled on Jikun, eyes blazing. Hadn’t he warned him not to go too far? The murmurs of the crowd grated on his nerves. Forcing a smile, he said, “Chenniu, what nonsense is this so early? Your marital spat has nothing to do with us. And Jikun and Jicheng are on good terms—what’s there to discuss? Everyone, go home. The rain’s coming—best hurry back.”

Chenniu stood abruptly, sneering. “Wrong, Second Uncle. Your son isn’t as kind as you think. He promised me three taels to get Jicheng fired from his job. Where do you think these bruises came from? The plan failed, but I lost my job, took a beating, and my wife slept with your son. Shouldn’t I get something? I’ll divorce her at the magistrate’s today—here’s your new daughter-in-law. Just four taels, and we’re done. No more trouble between us.”

Chunju burst into tears, clutching Chenniu’s sleeve. “I was wrong! Please, for all our years together, don’t cast me out! Chenniu, I can’t live like this—you’re killing me!”

Chenniu shoved her away, wiping his hands in disgust. “You sicken me. Don’t touch me. Go to whoever wants you. I can’t give you the life you crave, but I won’t stand in your way. If you’ve any heart, help me squeeze more silver out of them. I paid to marry you—can’t let it all go to waste, can I?”

The crowd murmured, shocked by Chenniu’s ruthlessness. The rumors were true—Chunju’s disgrace was now public. Their gazes turned scornful. A woman’s loyalty was absolute—no matter how lacking her husband, betrayal was unforgivable. By rights, she deserved to be drowned.

Chunju felt the sky collapse, plunging her into darkness. The villagers’ stares burned with contempt. Her fate was sealed—she had dug her own grave. Her family would disown her if they knew. Where in this vast world could she go? She didn’t want to die—she wanted to live. Her last hope rested on Jikun, but her heart froze when she saw him—the man who’d sworn eternal love didn’t even glance her way.

How foolish, she didn’t believe it at first, but hearing it too often made her believe, so ending up in this situation is her own fault. Yet she won’t let it go so easily—Jikun shouldn’t think he can shake her off just like that. Dignity is far too extravagant for her now, something she can no longer afford. She took a few steps forward, looked at Second Uncle Ji, and said, “Second Uncle, I’m carrying your Ji family’s child. If you don’t believe me, we can call Dr. Han to examine me. Chen Niu and I haven’t had a child in all these years. Ever since he found out about me and Jikun, we haven’t slept in the same room. There’s no way I could have gotten pregnant on my own.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Second Aunt Ji rushed out of the house. She had been holding back for too long—how could she tolerate this shameless woman trying to extort their family? She immediately lashed out, “Don’t flatter yourself! Our Ji family wants nothing to do with someone like you. Jikun is already engaged to a fine young woman, one with both beauty and virtue, far better than someone as ignorant as you.”

Second Aunt Ji’s words were already restrained—others might have resorted to physical blows. The onlookers clicked their tongues at the chaos, thinking to themselves, *This Jikun really is trouble.* First, he racked up gambling debts, then got Chen Niu’s wife pregnant, and now he’s even scheming against his own cousin. What kind of person is he? And Second Uncle Ji—keeping such a wastrel around while driving out the decent Jiliang—he must truly be losing his mind.

A few busybodies in the crowd raised their voices to ask Chen Niu, “Jicheng doesn’t even interact with them—why would Jikun hold a grudge against him for no reason?”

Chen Niu smirked, his expression lewd. “Don’t even get me started. If it weren’t for that loudmouth Chunju, I’d never have known about this juicy bit. Jikun’s got the audacity—he set his sights on Jicheng’s wife, Chunfu. One night, he was crouched outside Jicheng’s house, whispering filthy things to her, and Jicheng caught him red-handed. Beat him half to death. Haven’t you noticed he hasn’t been wandering around the village lately? That’s because Jicheng laid into him so hard he couldn’t even get out of bed.”

Second Uncle Ji’s face burned with shame. His lifetime of dignity had been utterly ruined by Jikun. He growled, “Chen Niu, take your wife and get out of here. My family wants nothing to do with either of you. Birds of a feather flock together—both of you spout nonsense without a shred of credibility. Enough, just leave.” With that, he grabbed Jikun and tried to pull him inside.

But Chen Niu only grew bolder. “Isn’t Jikun just holding a grudge because Jicheng beat him up? Second Uncle, secrets like this can’t stay hidden forever. You’ve got no one to blame but your own poor parenting. I may not be a good man, but I know right from wrong. Jicheng’s well-respected at the construction site—how could someone like me, with my petty tricks, get him fired? I’ve learned my lesson—better to stay out of such schemes from now on. Today, I’m just here to settle accounts.”

Suddenly, a furious, weathered voice cut through the crowd: “We thought we’d found a good match for our daughter, but instead, we’ve stumbled upon a family rotten to the core. Thank heavens we found out early—if she’d actually married into this household, wouldn’t it have ruined my girl’s life? Ji Peng, let’s have a word.”

Unnoticed, a group of men from Mujia Valley had gathered at the back of the crowd—all sturdy and imposing. Second Uncle Ji, though fearless in his youth, was now an old man with no one to back him up. He quickly told his wife to fetch Jiliang. Given the day’s tension, Jicheng was surely home too. The Ji family was under siege—unless he renounced his surname, he had to come.

“What nonsense are you spouting, in-law?” Second Uncle Ji forced a smile. “We sought your daughter’s hand precisely because we admired her qualities. My eldest son has trouble with his legs, so I sent my second son in his stead. Look at him—handsome and capable, and our family’s well-off. Your daughter would want for nothing marrying into our home. These people are just jealous of our prosperity—their words mean nothing.”

Old Qi, though mild-mannered in appearance, was sharp as a tack. Seeing Second Uncle Ji lower his guard, he seized the moment, his tone grave. “I’ve kept my daughter at home all this time, terrified she’d suffer even the slightest hardship. After much deliberation, we chose your son. This should have been a joyous occasion—yet you deceived us. That’s hardly honorable. You’ve wasted my daughter’s time—we demand an explanation. The marriage is off—my girl isn’t worthy of your family. But we won’t swallow this insult. We won’t leave until this is settled.”

Jikun scoffed in understanding. “So you’re here to extort money too. I’ve never even met your daughter—her merits are whatever you claim. With motives like yours, our family would never ally with yours. What do you want? Let’s see what you can do.”

By the time Jiliang arrived, tensions had escalated to a breaking point. Qiaoyun had tried to stop him at home, but he couldn’t stay away—this mess was partly his fault. Had he been clearer from the start, things wouldn’t have spiraled like this. He’d promised Qiaoyun this would be the last time—from now on, no matter what happened here, he wouldn’t rush over without a second thought.

Qiaoyun, unable to shake her worry, had followed later. Along the way, she heard people talking about the fight. Panicked, she changed direction and ran to Jicheng’s house. *After all, he’s Jiliang’s elder brother,* she thought. *Jiliang may act tough, but deep down, he still cares. If his brother says a word, maybe he won’t throw himself into a fight—he’s too frail to take another beating.*

But when she arrived, panting, she saw Jicheng shoving his mother out the door, his face cold and unyielding. “Second Uncle’s mess is his own to clean up. I’m busy—Chunfu needs me. Second Aunt, you’d better hurry back before things get worse.”

Qiaoyun’s heart wavered uncertainly as she watched her mother-in-law stomp away in frustration. Hesitantly, she approached Jicheng. “Big Brother, I… could you please talk some sense into Jiliang? I’m afraid he’ll get hurt. Our family depends on him—if he’s injured again, what will become of me and this unborn child?”

Jicheng regarded her coolly, his oppressive silence making Qiaoyun shrink back. After a long pause, he finally spoke. “I’ve said I won’t interfere in your affairs anymore. However Jiliang chooses to live his life, I have neither the time nor the desire to meddle. For him to wise up, the heavens would have to crack open. Chunfu’s ill—you should go. Right now, you’re the closest to him. If even you can’t get through to him, my words would be useless.”

Qiaoyun had known she’d face rejection, yet she fought back tears, forcing a smile. “I know the mess we’re in is our own doing. But he told me earlier—he said this would be the last time. Big Brother, I beg you, please go take a look. His parents only care about protecting Jikun—if things escalate, Jiliang won’t come out unscathed. He’s a fool, easily swayed, but no matter how wretched he is, he’s still my child’s only support. Big Brother, you’re our elder brother—you can’t just turn away.”