Chapter 137: Break His Leg

She laid out the whole matter about Ruxin, and Qiao Mai frowned when she heard it.

"That bastard actually treated Xin'er like that?"

"Yeah, I never expected this. Tell me, what did my family ever do to him that he would treat Ruxin this way?"

Qiao Mai tapped the table with her finger, thought for a moment, "Let's go find Mayor Qian."

Lu Sanniang was a bit uneasy, "With such a disgraceful matter, how could I possibly go looking for him?"

"You, your daughter is just like you—a dull block of elm that never catches on. In the future you'll be his person; who else will you turn to for support? Moreover, Mayor Qian is capable; his men will investigate this case and will surely uncover the truth, much faster than you could on your own."

Qiao Mai took her hand and went to the Mayor's House; after hearing Qiao Mai's words, Mayor Qian was also so angry his face turned bright red.

"San Niang, don't worry. It's getting late today, but first thing tomorrow morning I'll send people to investigate thoroughly. Cases like this in great mansions are countless. If I'm not mistaken, this boy already has a beloved, but her family isn't rich, his parents disapprove, so he likely kept a concubine elsewhere, doesn't touch Xin'er, and probably promised that woman to marry Xin'er; they only care about money and influence."

"If that's really the case, what am I to do with my daughter?"

"Stay here and manage the shop well; you have Double-sided Embroidery skills, you won't go hungry wherever you go. When you meet a suitable match in the future, we'll consider remarriage."

"Was it you who saved him? Or your parents? I was kneeling in the Yiguan, people pitied me and gave me credit on account, those blood‑sucking old merchants have so much money in hand yet they wouldn't give it; inside there is also my hard‑earned money, but my son fell ill and they wouldn't spare a single coin, watching him die helplessly. Why should I go back? Tell me why I should go?"

"The incident may be over, but the wound is etched in my heart forever. Clan Head of the Yuan Family, please return. I would never go back to the Yuan Family even in death. The glory I bring in the future belongs only to my wife and family; see you out!"

"I can't get past it! Blood‑thirsty parents, indifferent clan members—you're telling me to move on? What about my wife's sacrifices? Who will repay her? I've already spent several thousand taels of silver on my wife; will you cover it?"

"I've placed her back in her original Zhai; I want to go back there with Ruyi to keep her company."

Mayor Qian and Lu Shopkeeper both looked at her, swallowed, and said, "If people find out, we'll be sued."

"Indeed, now you bring up the Yuan Family Bloodline, but when I was suffering, why did no one mention that I am of the Yuan Bloodline?"

"Let's investigate first, then talk."

"I'm scared; I don't dare to marry again. This kind of incident is too shameful."

"One who hasn't endured others' suffering shouldn't advise others to be good; when one day your wife, your child are tormented to death, then you'll understand."

The three made their decision; Lu Shopkeeper finally steadied her mind, and when she got home she began to cry.

Ruxin now is at a loss; she's experienced few things, and such bizarre events falling upon her leave no time to wear down; she won't accept it all at once.

"See you out!"

Qiao Mai said lazily, "This is so troublesome; break his leg so he'll spend his life lying on the couch."

"Fine, fine, you go ahead; we'll see. But you're just a little scholar—what do you think you are, some great figure?"

"If that's really the case, we'll tarnish the Feng Family's reputation and then Divorce by Mutual Consent; anyway the dowry was stolen, nothing left to fight over. Moreover, a family like his is a sham marriage; we'll sue, he's already been promoted, ruining his Shizi."

"It's my fault; I chose such a family for her back then, ruined my daughter."

"Yuan Jiaqi, you should return to the Yuan Family, right? Uncle decides, how about you split off a branch from the Yuan Family?"

"Without clan members, I, Yuan Jiaqi, will create my own clan; when others are defeated I watch coldly, when they get a chance I know you pick up what's ready, what beautiful dreams are you chasing?"

But the Qiao Family received several guests, and those guests were the four brothers of Yuan Jiaqi, accompanied by the clan head of the Yuan Clan.

"Excuse me, what business do you have?"

"Um, um, what should we do about this?"

"That's all in the past now."

That day, Lu Shopkeeper took people to move everything back home; Qiao Mai had people help move and also helped clean the Lu residence.

"You, you—"

"Mother, I really don't know what to do; I don't dare think about Divorce by Mutual Consent."

"Hmph, nothing in this world is free, same with marriage; she didn't sell herself to me, I married into her family, she gave our father‑son a home; can you afford that?"

"Silly child, even if others mock, they're mocking the Feng Family; just live peacefully, later go collect the debts, mother will accompany you."

Lu Sanniang lightly tapped her arm, "You child, why always think of the worst? Mother thought it would be too lonely for you living here alone, so she brought your sister back to keep you company."

"We also don't know what to say; everyone makes mistakes, once they correct them you can't just let them off?"

The Yuan Clan head, angry, pointed at him, "You, you must know, without clan members' support, even if you become an official, you'll still be criticized."

"If you have nothing else, Yuan still needs to attend class, so I must decline."

The Yuan Family Four Brothers looked at Yuan Jiaqi, "Old Fifth, can't you just get past this hurdle?"

"Your master is what kind of person, you know that; just now she dragged me to ask the mayor, asking him to send people to investigate."

"If you want to go, go; I won't stop you. If you want to return, return; there's always a courtyard for you here."

"You, he treated you like that, and you still can't let go of him?"

"Now, now—"

The next day, Mayor Qian dispatched two squads: one to Fucheng, the other to County Town, launching a detailed investigation into Feng Yinshi.

"No, I'm afraid people will talk about me; I'm scared that after Divorce by Mutual Consent I won't know what to do."

"But you are, after all, of the Yuan Family Bloodline."

A handful of older women from outside walked in; the Yuan Clan head glared at Yuan Jiaqi, who got up and left.

"Chuan'er is fine, isn't she?"

"Yuan Jiaqi, we heard you were promoted as a scholar, we came to congratulate."

"Mother, I'm sorry!"

"Hmph, without you clan members I'd only get better; from the moment I left the Yuan Family gate until now, hasn't it been evident?"

In the Keting, Yuan Jiaqi sat at the head, while the Yuan Clan head and his four brothers sat opposite.

"Sorry, I voluntarily severed ties with the Yuan Family, never thought of returning; I owe my current fortune to my wife's blessing, and if I rise in rank and wealth, only my wife can bear it."

"Hmm, thank you!"

"Miss, thank you!"

Qiao Mai comforted, "Don't feel bad; she also nodded, she liked Feng Yinshi. I once told her some faults of the Feng family, she immediately refuted, and seeing that stance I knew words wouldn't work."

"Mother, why are you back too? Did the master send you back?"

She is your wife, so of course she came.

Seeing that Lu San-niang also moved back, Ruxin could no longer afford to be sad.

Then we won't let anyone know.

Why are you so stubborn?

People like this must never stay any longer; that sort of person only has his heart set on a concubine. He won't lay a hand on Ruxin, but in the end, when murderous intent surfaces, he'll drug your maiden and your life won't be spared.

After saying that, everyone fell silent at once, and finally Yuan Jiaqi spoke.

No, I, Yuan Jiaqi, swear to heaven that I will not be entered into the Yuan Family genealogy, nor will I ever enter the Yuan Family's gate.

Get out, get out of my house!

Yuan Jiaqi, recalling the time Chuan'er fell ill, his anger flared instantly; his eyes reddened and he felt like devouring those people.

Fifth brother, don't be angry, we'll leave right now and come back to see you after a while!

Get out, get out!

(End of chapter)