Chapter 31: Try Hitting Her

Xu Yunjun, though unaware of what had transpired, took off running the moment he heard someone was going to beat his older sister. With agile movements, he managed to dodge Xu Guodong and his entourage.

"Sister! Run! Father is coming to beat you!" Xu Yunjun burst into Zhao Jiao's small courtyard, shouting at the top of his lungs.

Inside the room, Zhao Jiao rose upon hearing his voice. Just as she reached the doorway, she saw Xu Yunjun rushing in, his face etched with panic. She signaled for Liuxu to let him in.

"Sister..."

"Don't panic, it's fine. Come inside and tell me slowly." Zhao Jiao greeted him with a calm expression. "Yunxiang, fetch a basin of water so he can wipe his face; he’s covered in sweat from running."

"Sister, Concubine Qiu told you to run! Father has brought people—" Before Xu Yunjun could finish, the blustering voice of Xu Guodong echoed from outside.

"You rebellious wretch! Have you lost your mind? Daring to strike your own father, you beast of a creature..."

Hearing Xu Guodong’s tirade, Zhao Jiao turned toward the courtyard gate and sneered. "Indeed, he is a beast of a creature. Yunxiang, watch over young master Jun! Do not let him come out." There were some sights a child should not see.

"Sister..." Xu Yunjun clung to Zhao Jiao’s sleeve, his face filled with anxiety.

"It’s alright, don't worry. I will go see what's happening. You stay inside and be good."

"I’m going with you, Sister!" Seeing Xu Yunjun’s stubborn expression, Zhao Jiao had no choice but to let him follow.

Xu Guodong had already arrived at the gate with his men, but seeing Liuxu standing guard, he felt a lingering sense of trepidation.

"Step aside!"

"The Miss has given orders: without her permission, no one is to enter!" Liuxu stood as immovable as a wooden post.

Zhao Jiao stood under the eaves, watching. Xu Guodong peered past Liuxu at her and shouted, "If you come out now, kneel, and beg for forgiveness, I might spare your life! Otherwise, I will beat you to death today for your unfilial behavior!"

Zhao Jiao’s face remained cold and disdainful. Ignoring him, she instructed Liuxu, "If anyone dares to enter, strike them down!"

Liuxu responded with vigor, "Understood, Miss!"

Outside the gate, Xu Guodong’s face turned the color of a pig’s liver in rage.

"Beat your way in! She has truly gone mad..."

The servants, though fearful, dared not disobey. They rushed forward with sticks, relying on their numbers. Unfortunately, before they could even step inside, they were floored by Liuxu, one after another, left wailing in agony.

Xu Guodong looked around, his heart fluttering with panic, yet he could not swallow his pride. "Get up! All of you, go! Call everyone in the estate here. I refuse to believe—"

"Master, it’s too terrifying... How can we keep such a person in the inner residence? Let him go. If he doesn't leave, we shall report him to the authorities!" Concubine Qiu had grasped the crux of the situation; she thought if she could just get rid of this martial expert, she could torment that Fifth Girl however she pleased.

Xu Guodong found her suggestion reasonable. He turned to Liuxu and said with arrogant condescension, "How much silver is she paying you? I will double it. Leave now, and I will overlook the fact that you injured me. This Fifth Girl has clearly lost her mind; you have such martial skills, don't waste them on her. It would be a pity—leave now!"

A cold glint flashed in Liuxu's eyes. Just as he was about to speak, Madam Qiu arrived in a hurry.

"What is the meaning of this? All of you, withdraw!" The servants, who had been reluctant to fight anyway, took the Madam’s word and stood still.

"What are you doing here? Stay out of this!" Xu Guodong, having nowhere else to vent his fury, showed no shred of respect for Madam Qiu.

Concubine Meng seized the opportunity to slip into the courtyard. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her expression flustered as she stood before Zhao Jiao. "You... get inside the room!"

"Don't panic, Concubine Mother, it's alright!" But how could Concubine Meng not panic? She was timid by nature.

At the gate, Madam Qiu saw that Zhao Jiao was unharmed and felt a measure of relief. Having long been disappointed in Xu Guodong, she no longer felt the need to restrain herself.

"Master, what do you mean by 'stay out of this'? I am the mother of these children and the mistress of this house. With such a commotion, how can I not intervene?"

Xu Guodong flew into a rage. "You have the gall to speak? Look at what you’ve turned this household into! They say a man should choose a virtuous wife. As the primary wife, you have the duty of discipline and instruction. That wretched girl is so lawless, and you are to blame!"

"He’s right! To spoil a concubine’s daughter like this—so arrogant and disrespectful to her elders—it’s all because you, the primary wife, have failed to govern! If I were in charge, would it have come to this? You have no ability, yet you cling to the position. Are you trying to ruin our Xu family?" The Old Madam had finally found a target for her ire, her arrogance flaring up.

"Mother, don't get angry, mind your health..." Concubine Qiu gloated inwardly while pretending to be solicitous.

"Mother is right. From now on, you will no longer manage this household. Look at what it’s become! It’s because I lacked a virtuous helpmeet that I have failed to receive a promotion all these years..."

Madam Qiu’s body swayed, nearly fainting, and she had to lean on her wet nurse to remain standing.

"Master, you must speak with a conscience. All these years, has the Madam not done her utmost for every affair in this house? If there is no credit, there is at least hard work. To say such things—you are breaking the Madam’s heart!" The wet nurse, heartbroken, could not help but speak up for her mistress.

"Wet nurse, say no more!" Madam Qiu straightened her back. Having made a decision, she looked at Xu Guodong with a resolute expression and said, word by word: "Decades of marriage! So, in your eyes, I am that worthless. Xu Guodong, I was truly blind back then. Very well, since you feel I am unworthy of being your wife, I shall grant your wish. Today, I will write to both our families to inform them: I want a divorce! From now on, we shall go our separate ways, and let us both find peace apart."

"Madam..." The wet nurse cried out, embracing her, feeling that the sacrifice was unjust.

Xu Guodong stood frozen, unable to believe what he had heard. "You want to... divorce me?!"

"Yes! I want a divorce!" Madam Qiu’s reply was exceptionally firm.

"It seems she has lived a life of ease for too long. At her age, she’s still throwing such tantrums! She isn't even afraid of being a laughingstock. How shameful!" The Old Madam scoffed, looking at Madam Qiu with contempt.

Concubine Qiu, however, was overjoyed. If they truly divorced, she could become the mistress of the house!

"Stop this madness. I have no time to bicker with you today. Go back to your own quarters!" Xu Guodong said, waving his sleeves with impatient disdain.

"Xu Guodong, I am not mad. If I am mad, it is because you drove me to it. Your true colors are finally revealed. Let me tell you one more time: I want a divorce. You are the ones who should get out. This residence is my dowry, and Concubine Meng’s deed is also in my possession. The Fifth Girl is now registered under my name. Today, I forbid you from touching them, and you shall not!"

"You..." Xu Guodong looked as if he had been slapped across the face. His face turned crimson, and he stood pointing at Madam Qiu, unable to utter a single word.

"Brother Jun, from the day you were born, has he ever taught you a single word? Has he ever held you or comforted you even once? Has he ever worried about finding you a tutor?" In the heavy silence, Zhao Jiao spoke, taking Xu Yunjun’s hand and walking toward the courtyard gate.

"No!" Xu Yunjun shook his head, his voice strained.

"He never cared for me either; he sold me for five thousand taels. Such a father—let’s not have him anymore, shall we?"

"...Okay!" Xu Yunjun’s voice grew louder, filled with spirit and courage.

"Good child!" He was sensible, courageous, and decisive. At his age, he was truly remarkable.

"Xu Guodong, did you hear that clearly? We are severing ties with you! You need not preach about being unfilial—you aren't even worthy of the word!" Zhao Jiao looked at Xu Guodong and declared, word by word.