Zhang family's eldest son pointed at Zhang Fangcao, sputtering incoherently for a long time.
The eldest sister-in-law of the Zhang family, who had been silent, swiftly raised her hand and slapped Zhang Fangcao.
"I'll beat you to death, you unfilial daughter! Have I raised a white-eyed wolf all these years with your father? Don't you think about your mother and father, or your brother? What's wrong with us benefiting from you?" The seemingly honest woman spoke words that were infuriating.
Zhang Fangcao covered her face. "I won't agree anyway. Mother, if you're willing, just beat me to death. Besides, can't you understand? Aunt's words don't count, and your plans have fallen through."
After a pause, Zhang Fangcao continued, "When I get back, I'll do more embroidery and earn more money."
"Pah, how much can that earn?" the eldest sister-in-law of the Zhang family spat. "It's better to find a good family. Your aunt is unreliable, and Mother will find someone reliable. Mother only wants you to be well-kept and fair-skinned for a good marriage, not to be married off to a peasant. There are plenty of wealthy families; we don't have to cling to this one."
Qi Zhenzhen, standing by, was stunned. How could a mother be so heartless? Was she determined to sell Zhang Fangcao for money?
Zhang Fangcao looked at her mother in disbelief. She had always thought her parents doted on her, never letting her do the sun-scorching labor, only household chores. Now she realized their true intentions. She had always pitied the unfortunate maid in the village who became a concubine, but it turned out she was the most pitiable.
"I disagree, I'll never agree even if I die," Zhang Fangcao gritted her teeth. "If you force me to become a concubine, I'll hide a pair of scissors... and see if you get riches or disaster then."
"You, you dare!" the eldest sister-in-law of the Zhang family said with an unfriendly face. "If that's the case, I'll find a matchmaker to sell you when we get back, and you can do whatever you want. I hear they sell for a lot of silver in those pleasure houses!"
After speaking, the eldest sister-in-law of the Zhang family stepped forward and pulled Zhang Fangcao out, turning her head as she walked to address Lin Ruixia, "Brother-in-law, hurry and hitch the cart to take us back."
Zhang Fangcao, half-dragged, had a ashen face.
At the old lady's signal, Lin Ruichun and Lin Ruixia quickly followed.
"They're finally gone..." Lin Ruixue patted her chest.
"But what about Fangcao..." Qi Zhenzhen was a little worried.
"They are family. Even if her parents really do something to her, it's not something we can intervene in," Lin Ruixue said helplessly. "You don't need to feel guilty; they probably had this idea all along."
Even so, Qi Zhenzhen still felt uneasy.
"Mother, I've been standing here for a while and I'm a bit tired. Can I go back to my room first?" the younger Mrs. Zhang asked obsequiously.
The old lady looked at the younger Mrs. Zhang twice and nodded. "Eldest daughter-in-law, Ruixue, help her, lest she bumps into anything."
The younger Mrs. Zhang had this intention. Having been in-laws for several years, she understood the old lady somewhat. Today's matter might not be easily resolved. To appease the old lady's anger, she had no other way but the "amulet" in her belly.
The old lady clearly saw through her thoughts, which was why she asked the eldest daughter-in-law and sister-in-law to help her. This way, the younger Mrs. Zhang couldn't use her pregnancy to her advantage.
The younger Mrs. Zhang was essentially carried into the room, and as soon as she entered, the old lady closed the door.
"What did you promise me before you came?" the old lady asked, suppressing her anger.
"I promised you I wouldn't cause trouble, and I didn't!" the younger Mrs. Zhang put on a wronged expression. "I know Mother always dislikes me, but you can't wrongly accuse me."
"You're acting, keep acting! The only reason you weren't kicked out with your brother and sister-in-law just now is because of the child in your belly! If you honestly admit your mistake, I might soften my heart and keep you. But if you remain stubborn like this, once the child is born, our Lin family will truly have no place for you." The old lady spoke frankly. "This is the second or third time, and I feel I've been lenient enough with you. I've said what I needed to say, and your sister-in-law has also reminded you countless times, but you just don't get it. You can't blame others for this."
"Mother, I didn't..." the younger Mrs. Zhang didn't want to admit her calculations.
"Do you think this old woman is stupid?" Old Mrs. Lin's face grew increasingly displeased.
"Mother, I'm truly thinking of Zhenzhen... Sister, Sister, you know, men from the lineage of the Young Lord, how could they possibly only marry one wife?" the younger Mrs. Zhang continued to argue.
"What does it matter to you how many wives he marries?" Lin Ruixue rolled her eyes. "We all know what kind of person you are. This matter was deliberately stirred up by you. You deliberately spoke out of turn to lead the Young Lord to Zhenzhen!"
"Even if that's the case, the Young Lord has to be angry. I'm not an immortal, how could I know if he would be angry?" the younger Mrs. Zhang, determined not to admit anything, believed that as long as she persisted, they couldn't do anything to her.
Lin Ruixue sneered. "Do you really think everyone is foolish? Are you the only smart one? Zhenzhen knows all your little tricks. As for the Young Lord's anger, it was merely to cooperate with Zhenzhen, to see what your true intentions were."
The younger Mrs. Zhang's expression changed instantly. "I..."
"What else do you have to say? Your courage is truly immense! I knew you were restless, but I didn't know you could be this restless. Forget about distant relatives, even close blood relatives wouldn't be schemed against by you like this!" the old lady reprimanded. "Our family's current good life is all thanks to Zhenzhen. If you don't show gratitude, you're always trying to benefit yourself and your maternal family. What right do you have?"
The old lady enumerated all the foolish things the younger Mrs. Zhang had done. Only then did the younger Mrs. Zhang become afraid. "Mother, I was wrong, I know I was wrong. I'll never dare to do it again. My brother and sister-in-law and Fangcao have already left, and they didn't cause any impact on Zhenzhen. Please spare me. I'll go apologize to Zhenzhen now, I'll kneel before her, I..."
Lin Ruixue shot the younger Mrs. Zhang a disdainful look and was about to retort when she heard a commotion outside.
When she went out, she saw the Lin brothers and the Zhang family of three had returned.
"Sister, hurry and invite the physician," Lin Ruichun instructed Lin Ruixue when she came out.
"Carry her into the room first," Qi Zhenzhen also anxiously arranged. She was fine when she left, so how could she be unconscious now?
Everyone hastily carried Zhang Fangcao into the room and laid her down. Feixu and Erxi brought clean water to wipe her. Qi Zhenzhen learned from Lin Ruichun that after leaving the village and going downhill, Zhang Fangcao, unnoticed, jumped directly from the cart. The downhill speed was fast, and when she jumped, her forehead hit a stone, causing her to faint immediately.