Chapter 287: Listen, If You Must

Chapter 287: Listen, If You Must

"Shut your mouth," Madam Qu spoke in a restrained voice, her eyes rolling upwards, exuding a fierce demeanor. "What good are you here? You can neither bear sons for the Chen family nor possess the skills to navigate social intricacies. Marrying you into our family was the biggest regret of my life!"

Second Young Mistress Xu turned pale but still stood firm in front of Second Young Master Chen Cai and Xianjin, stubbornly refusing to yield.

Third Young Mistress Sun's eyes were slightly red. After peeking in and seeing that her son and stepdaughter were fully clothed—one with a pillow and quilt on the bed, the other lying on the floor—she let out a long sigh of relief.

Thank goodness!

Thank goodness her son was also cowardly!

Better safe than sorry! Cowards live longer!

Yet, thinking of her husband, who had his legs broken the previous night, a bitter sadness welled up in her heart. Yesterday, Chen Fu received news and hurried back to the estate. Upon returning, he stormed into Castor Hall to confront his mother-in-law. Naturally, the old madam had never regarded Chen Fu highly and spoke to him with stinging words. The two were like firecrackers and flints—quick to ignite.

Chen Fu wanted to rescue his daughter from Yiyuan, but the old madam warned that if he dared to go, she would break his legs.

As Chen Fu stepped out of the courtyard, a massive log fell behind him, and he was immediately struck thirty times. The last blow was particularly heavy, causing him to howl in pain before losing consciousness.

"...Third Master's condition is uncertain. After all, we're family. Please reconsider," Sun Shi finally spoke, tears streaming down her face.

"What did you say?" Xianjin's eyes blazed as she immediately turned to Sun Shi.

Sun Shi wept, "Your father was beaten and hasn't regained consciousness. The old madam forbade us from calling a doctor, saying it would be better if he died!"

Xianjin's anger surged as she whipped her head towards Madam Qu. "Even a mother wouldn't harm her own child. Madam Qu, why must you go this far?"

Madam Qu, seeing the high candle stands and the joyful characters pasted all over the windows in the hall, smiled leisurely, her expression calm and composed as she looked at Xianjin. "Naturally, I care for my son. It's up to you whether you care for your father—the moment you wed is the moment I send Chen Fu for medical treatment."

Xianjin clenched her fists in disbelief. She had considered eight hundred ways Madam Qu might coerce her into submission but had overlooked this one!

"Third Master was struck thirty times, mostly on his waist and legs. Especially those legs—they must be broken. He's currently in the stable, running a high fever. If he doesn't receive medical attention soon, his life may not be in immediate danger, but his already not-so-bright mind might be permanently damaged."

Madam Qu, with her hands folded in front of her abdomen, smiled at Xianjin. "Ask yourself, though I may not treat you well, your father has always been caring towards you. Can you really bear to delay his treatment?"

Madam Qu smiled again. "I wonder if it was intentional or unintentional that the plump girl who used to follow you around, Zhou Ergou, and those stewards you promoted aren't here now... Steward Zhong, who comes from a scholarly family, is not someone I can easily control... After much thought, I have no choice but to rely on your father."

Xianjin gritted her teeth, her mind racing. Could a concubine divorce? Was there a precedent for a concubine divorcing? Should she agree for now, save Chen Fu, and figure out a plan later?

Xianjin stood still, her face shifting between green, white, black, and red.

She believed Madam Qu was capable of doing everything she said.

Madam Qu had always treated Chen Fu with indifference.

What should she do now?

Should she feign obedience to save Chen Fu? Or should she risk it all and test Madam Qu's limits?

For the first time, Xianjin hesitated, unsure of what to do. She recalled the abrupt scream from last night. Now thinking about it, it did seem to be Chen Fu's voice.

Xianjin looked at Chen San Ya, who was huddled on the ground, then at Sun Shi, who was tearfully bewildered. With a determined look, she was about to speak.

"Grandmother—"

A voice, tired yet carrying a mix of exhaustion and urgency, interrupted.

Everyone turned around, and Xianjin lifted her chin, looking forward.

Chen Jianfang was dressed in a long sky-gray robe, arriving after a long and arduous journey, looking gaunt and weary. He stood in the courtyard, his eyes tired and his lips pressed tightly together. He lifted his long robe and strode forward, his gaze first landing on Xianjin before slowly shifting toward Madam Qu.

"Why did you come back!" Madam Qu's voice was unavoidably sharp, "There are only five months left! Only five months! You're about to take the imperial exam! Why did you return? Don't you want to pursue a career in officialdom anymore?"

Chen Jianfang looked at Madam Qu with sorrow in his eyes.

Madam Qu felt as if an invisible hand was squeezing her throat, and it took her a while to recover, "Don't look at your grandmother like that!"

Madam Qu pointed inside the house, "An unmarried man and a woman alone in one room... I, out of compassion for Xianjin, who has been raised in the Chen family since childhood, didn't wish to make a fuss, only wanting to cover things up peacefully! She lacks virtue and cannot endure solitude. The Chen family has already provided her with food and shelter..."

"Grandmother!" Chen Jianfang raised his eyes again, his gaze filled with suppressed rage, "I already know the whole story! Why do you handle things like this..."

Chen Jianfang swallowed his remaining words, turned his back, and stood with an imposing demeanor, "All of you, get out!"

The Chen family's servants didn't want to witness this mess! Upon hearing this, they all scattered in a bustle.

The matchmaker hesitated, eyeing the money she was due.

Chen Jianfang was concise, "Get out!"

The matchmaker: "Right away!"

She immediately turned around, swinging her large hips, following the crowd out.

Now, only the second and third branch families, Xianjin, San Ya Chen, and the tense grandmother and grandson remained in Yiyuan.

Sun Shi quickly helped her son to his feet, crying desperately as she looked around, and finally, in a moment of resignation, sat down on the ground.

Chen Cai let out a breath of relief.

Madam Qu was about to speak again.

Chen Jianfang gave her no chance, "Immediately send for a doctor to come to the house and diagnose Third Uncle! All the servants who were just here need to be checked. If they are on a dead contract, they can be ignored, but if they are on a live contract, whether by coercion or enticement, this matter must be nipped in the bud and cannot be spread!"

Chen Jianfang looked at Chen Cai with a more respectful tone, "Second Uncle, I would ask you to handle this matter."

Chen Cai nodded repeatedly, "Good! I'll take care of the outer courtyard, and your aunt will handle the inner courtyard. It will be done!"

The second branch couple also left.

Chen Jianfang turned to Sun Shi and Sanlang, his tone less gentle, "Third Aunt, why don't you take your son to check on Third Uncle?"

Sun Shi immediately got up from the ground, grabbed her son, and fled out as fast as she could. Forget it! With the head of the Chen family back, the good life of feasting and luxury was just around the corner!

Now, only Xianjin, Madam Qu, and Chen Jianfang were left.

Chen Jianfang's gaze could finally rest openly on Xianjin.

"Jin Jie'er, if you want, you can go."

Chen Jianfang spoke, but quickly added, "You can go to the west wing, have some tea, change clothes, and get a good sleep; if you don't want to leave, you can stay here, and it would be good to listen to many things."

Though he said this, the last part was delivered slowly and with a lingering tone.

It was clear he didn't want Jin Jie'er to leave.

Xianjin nodded and then turned to leave.

Isn't sleep wonderful?

She hasn't slept on a pillow for several days.

The buckwheat pillow she stole from San Ya Chen yesterday is both tall and hard, and aside from being good for health, it's practically useless.

Explanation of some developments in the plot from yesterday (1.28)

(Some author reflections on the previous text: First, some readers mentioned that it was clearly stated that Xianjin doesn't rely on men, so why would she rely on Chen Jianfang to escape the Chen family? The author responds: Chen Jianfang's appearance was beyond Xianjin's control; it was a spontaneous act by Qiao Hui. Moreover, Chen Jianfang does not intend to help Xianjin escape. Please continue reading to understand this issue.

Second, why is Xianjin considering becoming a concubine when there are bodyguards available? This seems out of character for her! The author responds: I believe this is actually the most fitting plot for her character. Xianjin is from the modern era, and she has never been wrapped up in ancient feudal ideas. In her mind, this is a sham marriage. Chen San Ya can't do anything to her. In the entire 700,000-word novel, there hasn't been a single mention of chastity or purity, which shows that Xianjin doesn't care. She has enough confidence not to care. Using this sham marriage, which she doesn't take seriously, to secure a treatment opportunity for her stepfather, I believe this is what makes her a true strong female protagonist, rather than relying on bodyguards to apply pressure.

Third, why not use the bodyguards! Xianjin has always used the bodyguards to gather intelligence. She cannot risk exposing them because they are Qiao Hui's ace in the hole, as mentioned in the previous text. She will not actively expose the bodyguards unless her personal safety is seriously threatened.

Fourth, why not use the bodyguards to investigate the scream? The author's mistake. The author didn't think of that, and fixing it now would affect the outline. So, let's just say Xianjin, who is usually meticulous, made a small oversight and came across as a bit careless.

Fifth, Ah Yuan is a ten-year veteran author, and this book is already 700,000 words. I hope everyone has confidence in Ah Yuan's control over the major plot points and confidence in the direction of the main characters and minor storylines. At the same time, Ah Yuan deeply reflects on why everyone had such a big reaction: I write slowly... Because I write at a slower pace, the daily updates might feel disconnected, so some readers don't want to wait—to make up for this, Ah Yuan has decided to try to write more... But I ask everyone to give Ah Yuan some patience and trust. Thank you all for your patience and trust. I appreciate your support!)