Chapter 4: Schemes

Everyone: "..."

Before long, the Yang family, who were on bad terms with the Mu family, burst into loud laughter.

"Isn't that the truth? That's the fastest way to collect money. Even if they lived thousands of miles apart, Madam He would still find a way to collect it."

"Your son's family is already in such a miserable state, yet you continue to pour oil on the flames. Are you even his real mother?"

"I’ve long heard that young Madam He was a flirt, and now she has grown into a truly malicious woman. Today, I’ve finally seen it for myself."

"I’m also having my eyes opened. They aren't mother and son; they are enemies."

"My relatives were thinking of marrying into the Mu family, but now it seems I must advise them against it. If Madam He can be this ruthless to her own son, she’ll certainly be even crueler to a daughter-in-law or son-in-law."

Madam He had never been mocked by so many people at once. Trembling with rage, she glared at Yu Jintzhen and shrieked, "You wretched girl! How dare you curse me? I’ll tear your mouth apart!"

Yu Jintzhen was entirely unfazed, her face bright with excitement. "Do you dare come over here? Next time, I’ll just let you fall into the manure pit."

Madam He’s face turned pale. Looking down at her own disheveled state, she said in shock, "You led me there on purpose?"

Yu Jintzhen admitted it readily, "Yes."

"You!"

"Enough," Mu Gushan urged anxiously. "Mother, don't waste any more time. The sooner we finish this family separation, the sooner we can have peace of mind. Forget about the silver; if we keep dragging this out, we might be implicated ourselves."

Madam He also felt her eldest son was right. She could only cast a venomous glare at Yu Jintzhen. "If your family ever starves to death in the future, don't you dare come begging at my door!"

Yu Jintzhen blinked, then turned to Mu Guhuai. "Godfather, why don't we add one more clause? From now on, even if we starve to death, we will never beg from them. By the same token, if our family becomes wealthy and successful, they are not allowed to come sniffing around like dogs, demanding money or goods from us. Otherwise, the first and second households will die out without descendants."

Before Mu Guhuai could speak, Madam He interjected, "Hmph! We’d be delighted! Add it! As if you could ever become successful? Keep dreaming. If your family ever comes begging to us, your line will be the ones to die out!"

Yu Jintzhen suppressed a laugh and gave a thumbs-up. "Good, worthy of being the matriarch of the Mu family. You truly have spirit."

A look of triumph appeared on Madam He's face.

What is she feeling triumphant about? Is her own biological son having no descendants something to be proud of? Everyone else is ridiculing you.

Village Chief Xu sighed, shaking his head. He quickly drafted the separation agreement in triplicate—one for each party and one to be filed with the local authorities.

Before signing, Mu Guhuai looked at his two older brothers. "Regarding the house we currently live in, which of you wants it? Whoever takes it must give me two taels of silver."

Since they had already burnt their bridges, continuing to live together would only lead to more harassment from his parents and brothers.

It would be better to stay far away from them.

Mu Gushan and Mu Gushui figured that even if they didn't pay, they could just stall for time. Once the third branch was taken away, they would be able to get the house for free. Thus, neither of them spoke.

Mu Guhuai was no fool; he saw through their intentions. "I will sign this only after a moment."

Madam He’s expression shifted abruptly. "If you aren't signing now, when do you intend to?"

Yu Jintzhen said with a smile, "Of course, he will sign only after you have placed everything my godfather mentioned in front of us."

The Yang family burst into laughter again. "Do you think you’re the only clever ones? Do you take everyone else for fools?"

Mu Gushan frowned. "Third brother, when did you become so cunning? Do you really think we would cheat you?"

Mu Guhuai gave a bitter laugh. "From childhood to now, haven't you cheated me enough?"

Mu Gushan was left speechless.

Yu Jintzhen looked toward the five men in black in the distance. "They have been there since my godmother returned. They are likely here to escort her back. If we keep dragging this out and they decide to approach, I don't need to tell you what your fate will be."

Everyone followed Yu Jintzhen's gaze and truly saw the five men in black watching them. The villagers all shuddered in unison.

"When did they get there?"

"I don't know. It’s as if they appeared out of nowhere; I didn't see anyone there just a moment ago."

"It seems the mistake Madam Liu made is quite grave if it requires five men to escort her, just to ensure she doesn't run away."

"The children of the Mu family’s third branch are pitiful. The eldest is nine, and the younger ones are only seven and five, yet their family is facing such a catastrophe."

Mu Delu felt his heart tighten upon hearing this. Dreading further delays, he immediately ordered his family to comply. Fearing for their own lives, no one dared to hesitate.

The third branch had very few belongings, so in less than a quarter of an hour, most of what Mu Guhuai had demanded was placed before Village Chief Xu for him and the third branch to inventory.

In the distance, the five men in black saw the villagers glancing at them, followed by people rushing about in a panic, and they were quite confused.

"Why do they look so nervous after seeing us?"

"In such a remote village, outsiders rarely come. Those people probably think we're here to steal their things."

"What? We’re being suspected of being thieves? This is a disgrace!"

"I’m going to go explain. My lifelong reputation cannot be ruined like this."

"Enough," said the youth standing at the front, who had remained silent until now. "Do not waste time. We likely won't have another chance to come here, so let them misunderstand if they wish."

Seeing that the youth had spoken, the others did not dare to approach. The youth continued to watch the scene ahead, his gaze fixed solely on Yu Jintzhen.

Mu Guhuai had returned, setting down a sack of grain, and turned to look at Madam He and his brothers.

Mu Gushan and Mu Gushui exchanged a look and resigned themselves to handing over one tael of silver each to Mu Guhuai. They both wanted the third branch’s room, so they had to split the cost for now. With this money gone, their lives would truly be difficult from here on out.

Mu Guhuai’s gaze then settled on Madam He.

Madam He pretended not to understand.

Yu Jintzhen said, "Didn't you say the gold bracelet was fake just a moment ago? Why are you reluctant to part with it now?"

Madam He retorted, "The gold bracelet is real, but you’ve eaten plenty of the Mu family’s food over the past two years, and we have to survive too. The bracelet was pawned long ago."

Yu Jintzhen raised an eyebrow. "We don't believe you."

Mu Delu suddenly glared at Madam He. "What time do you think it is? Are you still playing games? Do you have to drag the entire family down with you before you realize the gravity of this?"

With no other choice, Madam He reluctantly pulled the gold bracelet from her bodice. "If I had known it would come to this, I should have spent it!"

Mu Delu also parted with the bracelet, handing it to Yu Jintzhen with a heavy heart.

Yu Jintzhen looked at the gold bracelet in her hand. It bore no inscriptions, only intricate patterns. Suddenly, she looked up and saw several people staring at the bracelet with undisguised greed.