Chapter 32 Like a Defeated Rooster

Chapter 32: Like a Beaten Dog

These words hit home for Xi Jiaojiao.

"I'm already fifteen. Although Mother is favored, she can't possibly give me as much dowry money as Eldest Sister did. And as a concubine's daughter, what decent family would have me? Not to mention the Marquis's mansion—even a provincial graduate or a commoner who passed the imperial exams wouldn't marry me. Am I only fit to marry a merchant? I just can't accept that..."

Lv Zhi sighed too. Even though the Second Miss was favored, those gentlemen who passed the exams... of course they'd marry into official families.

The Second Miss and Concubine Yu, aside from having some money saved up, had no edge whatsoever next to daughters of official households.

"Lv Zhi, you've heard it too, right? Even though the Marquis of Changping's title is being downgraded with each generation, it's a sure thing that Young Master Yang will inherit it. And he's a scholar who's already passed the county exam—he's got a bright future ahead...

It's just a pity that my mother doesn't know how to plan for me. If she were willing to spend some money, I could become the Marchioness in the future—that'd be a sweet deal."

Lv Zhi thought to herself, the Second Miss was totally obsessed, treating marriage like a business deal.

Word of what happened here naturally reached Xi Qianyue and Zeng Shi through the maidservants.

Zeng Shi trembled with anger—right under her nose, that concubine's daughter was trying to seduce her own daughter's husband!

And this son-in-law was truly no good either, didn't even have the sense to avoid suspicion.

"Go tell the Second Miss to copy 'Admonitions for Women' a hundred times. She's not to leave the courtyard until she's done."

But Xi Qianyue comforted her: "Mother, why be angry? Let's just look after ourselves and hold onto our money. Nothing else matters."

Zeng Shi looked deeply at her daughter: "You're still so young. It's all my fault for arranging such a terrible marriage for you. In our own home, he dares to act so brazenly—imagine what you must be going through in that mansion.

From what I hear, you've kicked up a fuss in the Marquis's mansion and taken control of your money, but if a woman doesn't have her husband's affection... doesn't have children by her side..."

The more Zeng Shi spoke, the more distressed she became, tears brimming in her eyes.

Xi Qianyue took the chance to give her a heads-up: "Mother, if one day I divorce and come back home, don't be too upset."

"How can you divorce? After a woman divorces, how can she marry into a good family?" Zeng Shi grew anxious. "Treat your husband well and win his heart—that's what matters. Listen to me, all this money is just worldly possessions. I originally thought that since the Marquis's mansion would rely on your money, they'd definitely stick to you and treat you well, not give you a hard time."

Xi Qianyue felt helpless. That's how this body's mother thought, but she didn't know that people's hearts change easily, that there are too many ungrateful people, and some are just greedy ingrates.

Forget it, she'd take things one step at a time. Arguing about this was pointless—she didn't even know how long she'd be stuck in this book.

She nodded obediently, and only then did Zeng Shi breathe easy.

Yang Xingxian strolled to the main courtyard, sensing something off about the atmosphere, but he didn't think much of it.

Zeng Shi looked at him as if she wanted to say something, but in the end said nothing, just told him to eat more.

On the way back, Yang Xingxian got on the carriage under Zeng Shi's earnest gaze.

"Don't do these pointless things anymore. They cause me trouble."

Before he'd even settled in, Xi Qianyue hit him with that line.

The smile that had just spread across Yang Xingxian's face instantly froze.

"What's wrong with you, woman? Am I not doing you a favor? I came all the way here out of the goodness of my heart to pick you up, and you give me this attitude."

"Hah! I don't need your so-called 'face.' And I didn't punch you in front of my mother just now—that's already more than you deserve."

Yang Xingxian squawked: "What? You were gonna punch me in front of my mother-in-law?"

His voice was a bit loud, and Achang, who was following outside, turned pale. The Young Master had met with his sister-in-law, and the Eldest Madam had found out. This was bad, really bad.

Xi Qianyue stopped talking, ignoring him completely.

Yang Xingxian also wisely chose not to provoke her. Thinking of the inkstone tucked in his robe, he was feeling pretty good.

If he got the chance, he'd milk his sister-in-law for more good stuff later...

"My second sister is quite charming and lovely, isn't she?"

Suddenly, Xi Qianyue said icily, making Yang Xingxian jump.

"No, no, no... I just ran into her and exchanged a few words."

Yang Xingxian didn't know why he was so flustered. Only after he spoke did he think—he hadn't done anything, so why was he panicking?

But the whole way back to the Marquis's mansion, Xi Qianyue didn't say a word.

Yang Xingxian figured the matter was closed.

But unexpectedly, Xi Qianyue and her maidservants followed him all the way, putting him and Achang on edge.

When they reached his courtyard, Xi Qianyue shouted: "Shut the gate!"

The maidservants obeyed without a word, slamming the gate shut in an instant.

Yang Xingxian went pale: "What are you gonna do?"

"I don't care how you fool around with women. But you dared to break my mother's heart right under her nose! I'll beat you senseless!"

Yang Xingxian barely registered her threat when he felt a gust of wind coming at him. He instinctively stepped back two paces, but a sweep caught his knee, and with a "thud," he fell to the ground.

He grimaced in pain, his "graceful and elegant" demeanor completely gone, leaving him looking completely wrecked.

Achang trembled as he came forward to help Yang Xingxian up: "Eldest Madam, you... if you have something to say, say it. If you resort to violence like this, the old Madam won't let you get away with this."

Xi Qianyue waved him off: "What's she gonna do to me?"

Seeing her about to saunter out, Yang Xingxian hissed: "I'm divorcing you!"

"Divorce me? Fine! Pay back the money first! Otherwise, I'll turn you in and make sure you can't even sit for the imperial exams."

Yang Xingxian was like a beaten dog. If his reputation was ruined, how could he find a good teacher? How could he get anyone to vouch for him?

She was right—he wouldn't even be able to take the exams.

"This vile woman!"

Yang Xingxian ground his teeth in fury.

Achang trembled in fear, terrified Yang Xingxian would pin the blame on him again.

"Young Master, check quick—is the inkstone still okay?"

Yang Xingxian's attention was diverted, and he momentarily forgot about taking his anger out on Achang. He quickly reached into his robe and pulled out the precious inkstone.

"Good, not a scratch on it."

Yang Xingxian looked at the treasure in his hands and forced himself to calm down.

"Master, with this inkstone in hand, our chances of seeking an audience with the Great Confucian Scholar are much improved."

"Indeed, I'm not gonna lower myself to argue with that Vile Woman. Once I pass the exams to become a provincial graduate and then a metropolitan graduate, and inherit the title, I'll make that woman pay."

Achang breathed a sigh of relief, since the young master had apparently forgotten about his role in the matter. Though it was he who had instigated the visit to the Xi family, leading to another beating for the master, at least they had come away with a treasure.

"Get Liu Mei and Lian Ye in here to wait on me."

Achang felt a twinge of fear: "Perhaps it's best not to, sir... If the mistress finds out, who knows what trouble she'll stir up. Instead, let me take a look and see if we should call for a physician?"