Chapter 57: Severing Ties

Zhao Huilan, who had been hopping about merrily just moments ago, heard that she actually wanted to cut all ties with her and scrambled to her feet, pointing her finger at Ruan Qin's nose: "Say that again! You ungrateful wretch!"

"Unfilial, unfilial, I am unfilial! Go report me to the yamen in town! I was too filial before, so you bullied me again and again, bullied the Chi Family. I used to endure it, but now I don't want to endure it anymore. I want to sever ties!"

Zhao Huilan's face flushed red as she said angrily: "Fine, fine, fine! Sever ties! If you want to sever ties, then sever ties! Bring out the silver!"

"We're severing ties, what silver do you still want?"

"Hmph, you white-eyed wolf, I raised you and even found you a husband so you'd never worry about food or clothing. Now you want to sever ties, you have to give me silver! Otherwise, don't even think about it!"

Hearing this, the villagers couldn't help but look at her with disdain.

"Truly getting worse with age. The girl is already married, and she still demands silver to sever ties. Does she have no shame?"

"Exactly. How many things have they taken from the Chi Family over the years? All together, if not ten taels, then at least five, and they still have the nerve to ask for more."

Zhao Huilan ignored what others said, chin raised and eyes glaring: "I want ten taels of silver. As long as you can produce ten taels of silver, I'll agree to sever ties! Otherwise, even if we take it to the prefectural yamen, I will never agree!"

Just then, the sound of horse hooves came, and several yamen runners on horseback stopped at the Chi Family's gate.

Seeing the yamen runners, the villagers were both frightened and curious, peering over the wall to look inside.

Zhao Huilan's heart gave a start.

Why had the yamen runners come?

Could it be that someone had reported to the authorities?

"Which of you is Chi Nan Yi?" The yamen runner's face was cold, his gaze sweeping through the crowd.

Zhao Huilan stepped forward quickly, pointing at Chi Nan Yi: "Her! It's her! She is Chi Nan Yi! Sir, arrest her quickly!"

Hearing this, the yamen runner glanced at her: "Arrest?"

"Yes! Aren't you here to arrest her?"

"Where did this crazy woman come from?" The yamen runner waved his hand: "Irrelevant people, get out at once."

Scolded by the yamen runner, Zhao Huilan didn't dare make a sound. She retreated a few steps and looked at Chi Nan Yi with a smug expression.

The little wretch's comeuppance came fast! She must have done something shameful, even people from the yamen came. Let her be so arrogant just now, now she'll get what's coming to her.

"This common woman is Chi Nan Yi. I wonder what business you have with me, sir?"

The official looked her over a few times, his attitude much better than before: "Miss Chi, you rendered meritorious service in controlling the locust plague. The commandery has given commendation, and the County Magistrate ordered me to deliver your reward." As he finished speaking, he clapped his hands, and several runners pushed wheelbarrows in: "A total of one hundred catties of fine rice and fine flour, thirty taels of reward silver, ten bolts of cotton cloth, and two books of miscellany. His Honor said the young lady might enjoy them."

There really was a reward.

Chi Nan Yi took the two books of miscellany, a trace of a smile flashing across her face.

When Lord Xie departed back then, he had indeed said there would be a reward. She had taken it as a casual remark and not given it another thought. She hadn't expected a reward to actually be delivered today.

"Many thanks, sir."

"It is only proper. His Honor said that if not for Miss Chi, the entire Qingjun County would likely have had no harvest at all this year. This small reward is insignificant compared to the young lady's merits. Please do not find it lacking. In the future, if there are rewards from the palace, they certainly will not leave the young lady out."

"In that case, this common woman thanks you in advance."

"You're too polite."

The Chi Family all wore expressions of delight. Zhao Huilan, who had been waiting at the gate to watch a good show, cried out in alarm: "Not a punishment, but a reward? Sir, could there be a mistake? She's a jinx, how could His Honor reward her?"

"Jinx? You old woman, Miss Chi is the benefactor of all of Qingjun County. Do not say such things again, or His Honor certainly will not let you off!"

Hearing this, even though Zhao Huilan was unwilling, she didn't dare say anything.

"Miss Chi, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave first."

"Wait!" Chi Nan Yi stepped forward and said with a smile: "This common woman does indeed have a matter to trouble you with."

"Please speak, young lady."

Chi Nan Yi's gaze swept over Zhao Huilan, whose face was full of resentment, and she said with a smile: "To tell the truth, this person who was just speaking with you is my sister-in-law's own mother. Ever since my sister-in-law married into our family, she has come frequently to demand things, from something as small as a needle and thread to pots and pans, and even money. Previously, knowing full well that she was already pregnant, she still shoved her hard. Now my sister-in-law wants to sever ties with them, but she demands silver from us. I ask you, sir, to uphold justice for us."

The moment Chi Nan Yi opened her mouth, a bad premonition faintly rose in Zhao Huilan's heart.

Hearing her actually bring the matter out into the open, she cursed inwardly several times.

The yamen runner frowned deeply and glanced at Zhao Huilan: "What do you have to say?"

"This commoner..." What could she dare to say?

Everything Chi Nan Yi said was true. She naturally didn't dare argue, especially with so many villagers standing nearby.

"Hmph, it seems everything Miss Chi said is true. Since you refuse to agree to severing ties, Miss Chi will write a petition and take it to the yamen, and His Honor will naturally uphold justice for you."

"Yes, many thanks, sir."

Zhao Huilan trembled, her gaze shifting away to the side.

After the yamen runner left, Chi Nan Yi looked at Zhao Huilan: "Well? Are you severing ties or not? If not, I will go to the yamen. When that time comes, we'll settle old and new accounts together. Whatever you've taken from the Chi Family, you'll spit it all back out exactly as it was."

"You!" Zhao Huilan gritted her teeth and looked unwillingly at Ruan Qin.

This damned girl, to actually think of severing ties. It was all the fault of this little wretch of the Chi Family. Ever since she came back, Ruan Qin, that little white-eyed wolf, had started slipping out of control.

But now, not severing ties was no longer an option. The yamen runner had said as much. At the yamen, they would surely favor the Chi Family. When that time came, not only would they have to sever ties, they might really have to spit some things out.

"Hmph! Sever them then! You really think you're some kind of prize, a money-losing good-for-nothing. I don't even want you!"

She spat at Ruan Qin and turned to leave, but before she had taken a few steps, Chi Nan Yi called her back.

"What else is there?"

"The document hasn't been written yet!"

Someone like Zhao Huilan, if the matter of severing ties wasn't put down on paper, would surely go back on her word.

Chi Nan Yi handed the document, already stamped with a fingerprint, to Ruan Qin. Her face was full of a relieved smile, while Zhao viciously glared at their family, then turned and left quickly.

"It's wonderful. I finally have nothing to do with them anymore." Ruan Qin's eyes were slightly red as she looked at Wen Xiangwan and said: "Little sister, thank you."

"Sister-in-law, we're family. Thanking each other is too formal. Now that we have silver, you just focus on taking good care of your health and safely delivering the child."