Chapter 60: In a Minute I

Cough cough! Zheng Qinghe coughed heavily twice.

Aunt, you're not happy to the point of being foolish—how could you mention Xiao Liangchen in front of Jiang Li? If Jiang Li found out that his wife used to like another man, would he be happy?

Zheng Clan also realized she had misspoken, and quickly tried to make up for it, saying, "Compared to anyone, she's not lacking."

She glanced nervously at her own son-in-law, afraid he would become suspicious.

Jiang Li, on the other hand, hadn't thought much of it; he just felt the name Xiao Liangchen was a little familiar, as if he'd heard it somewhere, but couldn't recall it at the moment.

After entering the house, Jiang Li greeted each member of the Zheng family in turn.

The Zheng family were very curious about Jiang Li, occasionally sizing him up; even the three-year-old Suo'er hid behind her mother, clutching a rabbit, to peek at him.

Everyone was muttering to themselves.

Who would have thought the marriage spurned by Du Mingzhu would be so terrible? They insisted on forcing Ah Man to substitute as bride, and yet this new son-in-law needs no introduction—he is extraordinarily handsome and courteous in his dealings, and now he's even become the constable of Wutou County, clearly a capable man.

Such an excellent son-in-law—why exactly did Du Mingzhu not take a liking to him?

But if you think about it, Du Mingzhu's mind has always been unlike ordinary people's; perhaps she simply doesn't like good looks.

Otherwise, why would she have ruined Ah Man's face in the first place?

After the greetings, the dishes were served.

It was the new son-in-law's first visit, so naturally they couldn't neglect him; the Zheng family went to great lengths, slaughtering the old hen they'd kept for years, swapping coarse rice for white flour, and stir-frying the several cuts of meat Du Ruo and her husband had sent, filling a large table abundantly.

Even the New Year feast hadn't been this lavish.

At the table, Du Ruo recounted to the Zheng family everything that had happened during her trip to the county, in full detail.

Including how the little shack was burned, Liu Jinü was brought to justice, and she and Jiang Li had rented a place to live.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Qinghe was so angry she nearly smashed her bowl, "That dead pearl—truly I don't know whose spiteful nature she inherited, she's far too vicious and malicious!"

Zheng Lao Jiu, however, considered things more long-term, "Although this time we've cut off one of Du Mingzhu's claws, the Du household still has many servants; if she ever comes back to cause trouble…"

After all, a spear in the open is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is hard to guard against.

They also couldn't possibly stay cooped up at home forever, relying on just a dog for protection.

"Don't worry, Uncle." Du Ruo said with a smile, comforting him, "It won't happen again anytime soon; Du Ren Mei should be keeping her under control, and after this incident he also fears that if Du Mingzhu causes too much trouble it will affect his official career."

In Du Ren Mei's mind, prospects and benefits always come first; even his own biological daughter must step aside.

So for now there's no need to worry too much about Du Mingzhu taking revenge on them.

Hearing this, the Zheng family all cheered up.

These years, under Du Mingzhu's persecution, they've lived as if walking on thin ice, relatives scattered, and now they can finally catch a breath.

The happiest of them all is Zheng Clan.

Her daughter married such an excellent man—thoughtful, capable, good‑looking; there couldn't be a better match!

The mother‑in‑law looks at her son‑in‑law and grows ever more satisfied.

She keeps piling food into Jiang Li's bowl, wishing she could scoop out her own heart and put it there, making Du Ruo beside her feel jealous.

"Mom, you only care about your son‑in‑law and ignore me?" she said, cheeks puffed, voice angry.

Zheng Clan glanced at her, "You're married now; from now on you answer to your husband, I won't bother with you anymore."

Du Ruo: "…… "

Could it really be that a married daughter is like spilled water?

Jiang Li's lips twitched slightly, then he shared half the vegetables in his bowl with her, whispering, "Don't worry, I'll definitely look after you."

Du Ruo turned her head and gave him a sweet smile.

Seeing this, Zheng Qinghe couldn't help but shudder.

Hmm, so mushy.

Yet she couldn't help feeling a sour taste in her heart for no reason, and suddenly found Jiang Li a little displeasing to the eye.

You got lucky, kid, humph.

The meal lasted a long while; by the time they finished, the sun was already slanting west, and Du Ruo and Jiang Li prepared to head back.

Jiang Cheng and Jiang Wan were fine, but the dog almost didn't make it.

Stone also didn't know what was wrong with him; he insisted on keeping the dog for a few more days, wanting to take the dog to fight.

He said the village's fatty, relying on his size, kept bullying him, and he wanted the dog to give the fatty a proper lesson.

Du Ruo laughed despite herself; in the end, Stone's mother stepped in and forcibly hauled her son back.

Afraid the master's family would abandon him, Tie Dan hurriedly slipped and jumped onto the wagon, lying at Jiang Wan's feet, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible.

Joke—maybe a little tiger could consider it, but the fatty? No way; he's afraid one swipe would kill a person, and then the master would still have to wipe his own backside.

Jiang Cheng was quite interested in driving the wagon, so he simply sat outside and let his older brother teach him.

Little girl Jiang Wan hadn't seen her elder sister‑in‑law for several days, missing her terribly; along the way she chattered nonstop, tugging at Du Ruo to talk about what she'd seen and heard in the county.

Not long after, the wagon arrived at Xiushan Town.

Afraid of bumping into people, Jiang Li drove slowly; when they reached East Street, suddenly the road ahead was blocked.

A crowd had gathered in a circle, pointing and chattering at whatever was inside, not knowing what spectacle they were watching; faintly came a woman's scolding and a child's crying.

Jiang Cheng, who loves to join in the fun, jumped down from the wagon at once and ran over to find out what was happening.

Not long later he returned, his face darkened several shades.

"What's wrong, Little Three? What happened up ahead?" Du Ruo lifted the curtain and asked.

Jiang Cheng pursed his lips, looking reluctant to speak, but still said, "It's none other than that Zhu woman, causing a fuss over selling her daughter!"

Zhu woman? Li Yaozu's mother?

Du Ruo's thoughts turned, "Which daughter is she selling?"

The Zhu woman had borne ten children in all—two sons and eight daughters; selling daughters, three remain at home.

Jiang Cheng snorted, "The youngest one."

Du Ruo hadn't spoken yet, Jiang Wan suddenly squeezed out from behind her, face deathly pale, voice trembling badly, "Is it Chunhua? Is it Chunhua?"

Jiang Cheng nodded silently.

Chunhua was Wan'er's only friend in the village; if Chunhua were sold, Wan'er would surely be heartbroken.

That Mrs. Zhu, she's really not a decent person!

Jiang Wan's little face instantly fell, her eye sockets also reddened.

She pleaded, looking at Jiang Li, "Big brother……"

Jiang Li secretly sighed, drove the carriage to the side of the road and stopped, then lifted Jiang Wan down, "Come on, let's go take a look."

He knew that if he ignored this matter today and let Chunhua be sold by her mother, Wan'er might blame herself for life.

Du Ruo also followed.

In the midst of the crowd, Mrs. Zhu stood with her hands on her hips, cursing, spittle spraying onto the face of the madam opposite her.

"We agreed, you paid the silver to buy the person, but now you've suddenly gone back on your word, saying you'll only give ten taels! I pah, is this how you run your brothel? You don't keep your word? Let me tell you, if you don't give me today, I'll beat her to death and throw her at your doorstep! I dare those stinking men to step over my daughter's corpse to enter your Qunfang Pavilion!"

The madam wasn't easily frightened either; she instantly gave a scornful laugh.

"Oh dear, I'm so scared, afraid you'll tear down our Qunfang Pavilion."

As she spoke, she flicked the scarf in her hand, "Everyone, don't listen to her, well, what I said originally was, first look at the person then set the price, only those with a decent appearance get a bid, take a look at this little girl, tsk tsk tsk……"

The crowd followed her finger and looked.

Only see, on the ground knelt a girl about ten years old, her hair a messy mess like a chicken coop, her clothes torn and ragged, barely covering her modesty, her skin dry and cracked, her face full of a sallow complexion.

She wasn't outright ugly, but certainly not good-looking either.

"You all see that, right? Not to mention she's too young, just this third-rate goods, where's the value? Ten taels of silver is the price I squeezed out with gritted teeth!"

The madam took out a ten-tael silver note, shook it in her hand, her face full of impatience, "I'm not going to argue with you, if you want to sell, do it quickly; if not, get lost—I'm busy, I don't have time to waste here with you."

Mrs. Zhu glanced at the few burly men standing behind the madam, gritted her teeth, and reached out to take that silver note.

Chunhua rushed over, clutching Mrs. Zhu's legs and wailing heartbrokenly.

"Mother, I don't want to be sold here… please, I'll be obedient from now on! I promise to eat less, work more, and never talk back! Mother, will you take me back?"

Although she's young, she also knows this isn't a good place; once you go in, your life is ruined.

She would rather be beaten and scolded every day at home than be sold to this terrifying place.

But Mrs. Zhu was determined to sell this daughter.

If it weren't for this dead girl's big mouth, her son wouldn't have been arrested and thrown into jail to suffer; now whenever she sees this dead girl she gets angry.

Moreover, her son still has to serve three years in jail; if she doesn't make preparations, what if he starves in there? Or freezes? Or gets sick?

Without money, who will look after him?

Thinking of this, Mrs. Zhu shoved her daughter's hand away, cold-faced, saying, "Don't blame Mother for being cruel; Mother has no choice, this is your fate."

Having said that, she reached out and took the silver note.

At the same time, a familiar mechanical sound suddenly rang in Du Ruo's mind.

"Ding—Buying and selling children is against heavenly principle! Please, host, find a way to save Li Chunhua; upon success you'll receive a points reward! Go on, host, make that damned old woman furious!"

Du Ruo lowered her head and glanced at Jiang Wan.

The little girl's eyes were already brimming with tears; if Jiang Li hadn't been holding her back, she might have already rushed forward.

Actually, even without this mission, Du Ruo had no intention of standing by and doing nothing.

It was for Jiang Wan, but not entirely.

Seeing such a small child fallen into the dust, to be insulted and abused by those stinking men—if one hadn't seen it, it could be overlooked, but having seen it, Du Ruo truly couldn't just sit by and do nothing.

Du Ruo glanced at her husband, Jiang Li, who gave her a nod.

She then stepped forward, "Wait a moment!"

Everyone looked over.

Mrs. Zhu first stared blankly, then upon seeing who came, her eyes instantly filled with hatred's flame, "Is it you?"

Du Ruo gave a slight smile, "Aunt Zhu, selling your daughter?"

Mrs. Zhu gritted her teeth and glared at her, "What, throwing fire oil is illegal, but selling a daughter isn't?"

Du Ruo secretly rolled her eyes.

Woman, you should be glad you live in ancient times; if you were in the modern era, you'd be thrown in jail in a minute!

"Selling a daughter is certainly not illegal," Du Ruo said with a smile, "but I, like you, feel raising a daughter to this age is no easy feat; ten taels of silver is really too little. How about this: I'll give you the money, you sell her to me?"

Chunhua suddenly lifted her head, her eyes suddenly gaining spirit.

Mrs. Zhu, meanwhile, was surprised and opened her mouth wide.

But soon she burst out laughing loudly, even tears spilling from her eyes.

"So you want this dead girl, huh? I'd rather not sell her to you! Not even one tael would I sell! I'd rather sell her into the brothel, to be a pillow for thousands and a mount for ten thousand, than let her enjoy happiness with you!"

At this moment, Mrs. Zhu had completely lost reason to hatred, "You don't know, I originally didn't want to sell her; it's all because of you, you've ruined my family's honor, this dead girl is also an accomplice, so I won't let her have an easy time. If you want her, you can—unless you kneel and beg me, if you kneel I'll sell her to you, so go on, kneel, hahahaha……"

Du Ruo furrowed her brows.

Is this woman crazy? Even if she hates herself to the core, she shouldn't use this to spite someone; Chunhua is still her biological daughter, no mother acts like this.

The onlooking crowd also couldn't stand it, blaming Mrs. Zhu for being excessively cruel.

Mrs. Zhu utterly ignored them, instead looking smugly at Du Ruo, "How about it, will you kneel or not? If you don't kneel, I'll just sell her to Qunfang Pavilion."

The light in Chunhua's eyes faded bit by bit.

She knew Du Ruo could never kneel; even if she did, her mother would surely regret it, she was just playing with people.

Du Ruo truly couldn't kneel; she and Chunhua hadn't reached that point.

At that moment, Jiang Li spoke, "Forget it, wife, come back."

Du Ruo nodded, turned, and retreated into the crowd.

In passing, she pinched Jiang Wan's palm, winked at her, signaling her not to act rashly.

Jiang Wan immediately felt relieved.

For some reason, she felt that her older sister-in-law definitely had a way to save Chun Hua.

Over there, Zhu Shi acted all triumphant, shoved the ten‑tael silver note into her bosom, stamped her fingerprint on the deed of sale, and watched as several burly men came to drag the person away.

The brothel madam glanced at Du Ruo, her eyes gleaming, "Du Niang Zi, do you still want this girl?"

Zhu Shi's smile froze.

"Of course I do." Du Ruo walked over, eyeing the brothel madam suspiciously, "But how do you know my surname?"

The brothel madam covered her mouth and giggled, "Oh, Du Niang Zi, you've underestimated me—what in this whole Xiushan Zhen don't I know? You sold that fish‑and‑mutton dish to Zui Meng Ju across the street, and it landed me in a terrible spot; of course I want to see who's got this much skill."

Du Ruo suddenly understood.

So it was because the fish‑and‑mutton dish had snatched Qunfang Pavilion's business, which is why the pavilion's madam had long noticed her.

"Well, this girl…"

The brothel madam directly handed over the deed of sale, "It's yours now."

She smiled, "But I have a condition—I hope Du Niang Zi can also sell me a recipe; it's not that I must compete with Zui Meng Ju, but I want Qunfang Pavilion to have a proper signature dish as well."

Du Ruo never expected things to turn out so smoothly, against expectation.

She had originally planned to wait for Zhu Shi to sell Chun Hua to the brothel madam, then buy the girl back from the madam and make a quick profit, figuring the madam wouldn't refuse.

Who would have thought, the brothel madam wasn't particularly interested in Chun Hua, but was far more interested in her recipe.

As for the recipe, that's easy enough.

Du Ruo took the deed of sale, smiling, "It's a deal!"

Zhu Shi stared in shock, jumped up with both feet, "No way, I don't agree!"