The Chief Minister's Ferocious Wife

135 You Lose Nothing by Marrying Into the Family

So, they thought she was giving them false hope when she said she could heal his leg and that her true intention was to kill him?

Zhao Chuchu was speechless.

She said coldly, “What makes you think I am so savage and that I will kill someone on a whim?”

The villager who said this coughed in embarrassment and said, “I was joking. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Even so, Old Mrs. Chen felt that it was strange. She asked, “Chuchu, why did you request the stone mill to be sent to Zhao Guitang’s house?”

“It’s because I like Meilan.” Zhao Chuchu came up with an excuse.

If she genuinely liked Meilan, would she break the latter’s father’s leg?

Old Mrs. Chen did not believe what Zhao Chuchu said.

However, the latter always had her way of doing things, so the rest of them could never guess her true intention if she hid it from them.

Old Mrs. Chen’s elder brother was a man of few words. He directly instructed his sister to lead the way.

Old Mrs. Chen still had much to say, but Zhao Chuchu had walked away.

While they were still far from Zhao Guitang’s house, Zhao Chuchu could hear someone wailing and shouting.

“You have chased us out of the clan, so you don’t have a say in Meilan’s marriage. Who gives you the right to marry Meilan off to Blockhead? Since his family is offering you many betrothal gifts, why don’t you let your daughter marry him?” Madam He’s hysterical scream could be heard from a distance away.

Zhao Chuchu raised her eyebrows slightly.

“Aiyo, what happened here?” asked Old Mrs. Chen as she quickened her pace. “Is someone fighting?”

“Someone wants to force Meilan to marry Blockhead,” Zhao Chuchu told Old Mrs. Chen.

Old Mrs. Chen immediately snorted coldly and said, “It must be Zhao Guiqing’s wife’s idea. Blockhead is Zhao Meijuan’s betrothed. At first, Blockhead was not a fool. When he was four, he nearly died from a fever. Later, they managed to save his life, but he became a fool after he recovered.”

She continued, “Zhao Guiqing is a sly person. He has long wanted Zhao Meilan to take Zhao Meijuan’s place and marry Blockhead. Zhao Guitang and his wife are usually meek. However, on this matter, they have always been adamantly against it. Blockhead’s family is well off. His family must have offered a hefty sum as a betrothal gift for the clan to force Meilan to marry him.”

“All lay load on the docile horse!” Zhao Chuchu said with a sigh. She hastened her footsteps.

Zhao Guitang and his family now lived in the clan’s old residence. The house appeared dilapidated.

However, Madam He’s siblings could not bear to see their sister’s family suffer, so they helped to renovate the house a little. Now, the house was much better than it used to be.

“He is Meijuan’s betrothed. Meilan will not marry him!” roared Zhao Guitang just as Zhao Chuchu was about to enter. “My leg is broken because of you, and I was driven from the clan by you. Now, you want to push my daughter into the fire pit. Mother, am I born from you?”

Old Madam Ma answered coldly, “If I didn’t give birth to you, could you have come from a rock? I am your mother. You will do as I say. Otherwise, you are unfilial! The Hu clan is so nice. It is Meilan’s good fortune to be able to marry into their family. Don’t be foolish!”

“We cannot bear such good fortune. Let Meijuan marry Blockhead. He was originally her man,” said Madam He furiously.

Madam Zhu, Zhao Guiqing’s wife, glared at Madam He with her tiny triangular eyes as she said, “Sis, Meijuan is now dating the son of Ministry Councilor He. Can you bear the consequences of offending Young Master He? The son of the Hu clan is dimwitted, but he likes Meilan. Meilan loses nothing by marrying into their family.”

“You!”

“Look at Meilan. Then look at Meijuan. Meijuan is born to be a rich madam. After she marries into a good family, as her aunt, you will surely benefit from her status too. Moreover, Meilan’s virginity is questionable now. She was alone with Blockhead. Who else will she marry if not him?”

“Blockhead is a fool. What does he know about sex?”

“He doesn’t, but Meilan does. You should be grateful that I didn’t blame you for stealing Meijuan’s man. If you wish to make a fuss, then go ahead and do so. We are not the ones getting embarrassed here.”

Madam Zhu had an indifferent look.

Zhao Chuchu was speechless.

There was someone who was that shameless.

Madam Zhu made her scheme seem so justified.

Zhao Meilan was standing behind Madam He. Her face was pale, and she was weeping. Her entire body shivered uncontrollably. She stood in stark contrast against the arrogant figures of Old Madam Ma and the others.

Standing not far away from Zhao Meilan was a youth with a handsome face and crystal-clear eyes. He seemed restless. From a glance, there was nothing wrong with him. However, his small actions revealed that he was mentally disabled.

Zhao Chuchu roughly knew what was going on.

They must have gone out of the way to invite this youth from the Hu clan to come over as a guest. They brought him to Zhao Guitang’s house and used the worst means to frame Zhao Meilan and this youth from the Hu clan.

Objectively speaking, Zhao Chuchu felt that this youth from the Hu clan had made the right call not to marry Zhao Meijuan.

Although he was a blockhead, his eyes could not lie. He was a very innocent child. More importantly, from what he was wearing, it was apparent that his family was very well-to-do.

“What a coincidence. I seemed to have made it in time for some event,” said Zhao Chuchu, breaking the tense atmosphere in the courtyard. She smiled and asked, “Have I come at the right moment?”

When Zhao Meilan saw Zhao Chuchu, tears rolled down her cheeks continuously. She was at her limit of feeling aggrieved.

“What are you doing here? This is our family affair. Don’t you meddle in it.” Old Madam Ma was a little afraid of Zhao Chuchu, but she still mustered her courage to scold her. After all, this case involved 30 Taels of betrothal gifts from the Hu clan. Old Madam Ma would not let Zhao Chuchu ruin this opportunity.

In Old Madam Ma’s opinion, her eldest son was useless now. On the other hand, Zhao Meilan could still bring in a sum of money for the family.

“I beg to differ. Since when have I meddled in your family affair? I am here because I have something I need to take care of. This is a coincidence. What’s the matter? Are you forcing your eldest son to sell his daughter? Your entire family is here.”

“What are you insinuating? What sale are you referring to? Is it considered selling if we agree upon marriage as a family?” retorted Old Madam Ma furiously. However, she did not dare to curse with every sentence she uttered like before.

“Meilan isn’t even 13 yet. Meijuan is already 15, right? Why is it that the older one isn’t getting married, and the younger one needs to get married first?” questioned Zhao Chuchu.

Although Zhao Guitang was older than Zhao Guiqing, the latter spent his days lazing around and chatting. At night, he had time to indulge in entertainment.

Zhao Guitang was different. He slaved away and fell asleep immediately at night. Where would he have the energy to think about sex throughout his day? Hence, Madam Zhu got pregnant earlier than Madam He. The latter was also chastised countless times by Old Madam Ma for not conceiving for a few years right after their marriage.

Madam Zhu said, “It is fine as long as they are suitable for one another. Didn’t you marry earlier than Zhizhi? Chuchu, this is a clan matter. Since you have already been married off into the Xie clan and have severed connections with the Zhao clan, I would advise that you do not interfere with our matters. If word of this got out, it would not be good for your image.”

Zhao Chuchu smiled and did not say anymore. She made Old Mrs. Chen’s elder brother and the others bring in the stone mill and install it in the pre-built shed in the courtyard.

Forcing a marriage required everything to be settled in one go. However, with the interruption due to Zhao Chuchu’s appearance, the atmosphere became awkward.