USWHC -Chapter 317 Lucky Parents (Part 7)

Old Madam Zhu, seeing everyone react this way, got even more excited. She started bawling, tears streaming and nose running, shouting, “You don’t need to stop me! As long as I die, she’s sure to change her mind!” She kicked and ran, heading straight for the wall—was she really going to crash into it?

At that moment, a loud voice shouted, “Wait!”

Everyone thought Zhu Jie had softened and was planning to forgive her mother. They all looked up, but then another sentence came:  If you want to kill yourself, at least do it outside. Dying against my wall is way too unlucky!”

What? That actually made sense? Everyone immediately turned toward the voice—and saw that it wasn’t Zhu Jie speaking, but Old Madam Ji.

This immediately sparked outrage. The villagers pointed at Old Madam Ji and scolded, “The Ji family is heartless! They actually watch someone try to die!”

“Exactly! Even if she’s family now, can’t they at least try to persuade her? Help calm down their daughter-in-law!”

“Don’t be naive. The Ji family finally got a cheap daughter-in-law. Of course, they hope her whole family dies so they won’t have to pay anything!”

Old Madam Zhu secretly felt delighted hearing this, but outwardly, she wailed even louder, “Yes! I shouldn’t dirty your land. I’ll go outside to die!” Saying that, she ran straight toward the door.

The doorway, however, was surrounded by people. As soon as she ran, some kind-hearted villagers stopped her, pleading, “Big sister, you can’t die! Even if your children are unfilial, why should you die?”

Some even offered advice, “Yes! This daughter needs a good beating. It’s one thing to not listen at home, but trying to force your mother to die? That’s big-time unfilial!”

Zhu Shishi quickly stepped forward to reason with her: “Mother, your sister is just angry. Don’t take it to heart. Once we get home, we can calmly talk to her and persuade her.”

Their words sounded so realistic that everyone was fooled. Even Old Master Ji softened and spoke up, “In-law, Jie’er is a good child. She may be temporarily upset, but as adults, we can’t let our emotions follow hers. Don’t worry—I’ll help persuade her. Once she calms down, I’m sure she’ll accept you!”

Zhu Jie was stunned. Really? Even Old Master Ji believed them? That was way too easy.

Then Old Master Ji whispered, “How about this—we don’t make it so complicated. We can give some money now, formally engage her, and you don’t even have to take her back yet. This way she won’t argue with you. As for the wedding, we’ll definitely hold it later. Don’t worry, we’ll hold it!”

“See? The father-in-law is fair and reasonable!” Zhu Fenzhi thought. Great! Zhu Jie’s reputation was already ruined; once they got the money, this round would be a total victory. Whether they held the wedding later didn’t matter to him.

He continued, “Since everyone from the village is here, let’s go ahead with the engagement now!”

Old Master Ji hurriedly said to Old Madam Ji, “The five hundred taels of silver we handled earlier—do we still have it? Quickly, give it to the father-in-law!”

“Five hundred taels? Are you crazy? You want to buy a broken woman who’s had a miscarriage for five hundred taels? Your head must be fried! People like her, we don’t even want!” Old Madam Ji immediately protested.

“Hey? Listen to how she speaks about my daughter! What’s wrong with my daughter? Even if she had a miscarriage, she’s better than your son! And she looks down on people? Now I’ll set this right: one thousand taels, not a bit less!” Old Madam Zhu shouted stubbornly, her voice strong and determined. She no longer sounded like someone wanting to die.

“One thousand taels? In your dreams!” Old Madam Ji snapped, clearly annoyed. “I’m not afraid of your anger. You can take her back now if you want. My son is now a scholar, rich and reputable! Worried about marrying? Not a cent needed. There are plenty of unmarried girls waiting!”

While speaking, Old Madam Ji proudly showed off, “You don’t know? My son already has a girl in mind, one he was previously engaged to. We know her background well, she can marry him soon!”