Nian Zhenzhen's indignation did not resonate with Nian Jiaojiao. After all, the other party had been very protective of her "good sister" before. Since it was a willing matter then, what was there to complain about now?
Thus, Nian Jiaojiao said, "Lend you money, of course, I can."
Nian Zhenzhen suddenly looked up, disbelieving, "Really?"
Nian Jiaojiao: "Naturally, as long as you write an IOU."
Nian Zhenzhen's expression stiffened, "I, an IOU?"
Nian Jiaojiao's tone rose, "What? You don't even want to sign an IOU? Do you plan to default?"
Nian Zhenzhen felt a bit embarrassed. This was because she had originally planned to "borrow the money and the other party would not be able to urge me, a blind person, to repay it." However, hearing the other party's impatient tone, her heart tightened, and she quickly said, "I'll sign!"
...
Nian Jiaojiao handed over the drafted note and said, "A total of thirty taels of silver. Just sign your name and make a thumbprint on the far right edge."
At this moment, Nian Zhenzhen hesitated.
Nian Jiaojiao raised an eyebrow, "What? Don't you trust me? Then I'll call one of your classmates over."
"No, you don't have to." Nian Zhenzhen shook her head quickly. Her classmates now avoided her like the plague. She smiled fawningly, her tone carrying a hint of sycophancy, "Nian Ansou is the top scholar of the Xiu Cai exam, how could she cheat someone like me who is blind?"
Nian Jiaojiao smiled faintly, remaining silent.
Nian Zhenzhen continued, "It's just that this loan... can it be a little more? Not much, just a hundred taels of silver..."
Nian Jiaojiao sneered, "You have such a big appetite, not much? 100 taels? We are from the same town. Since you know I'm also from Shanshui Town, you should know that 30 taels is enough for a common farmer to live comfortably for two years. How can Junior Nian not be satisfied?" After speaking, she pulled the IOU from Nian Zhenzhen's hand. "Since you're not satisfied, then forget it."
Nian Zhenzhen groped in the air and hurriedly said, "I'll sign! I'll sign right away!"
Nian Jiaojiao handed the IOU over again. Nian Zhenzhen dared not delay any longer and immediately signed it. Nian Jiaojiao put away the IOU, tossed the thirty taels of silver onto the table, and turned to leave. However, before leaving, she left a piece of advice: "The prices in the academy are not high. Thirty taels of silver, spent normally, will last at least a year."
Nian Zhenzhen clutched the silver tightly, standing silently in place.
...
A month later.
"Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock..."
Creak—
Xuan Yi opened the door and froze when he saw the visitor.
"Xuan Yi."
Xuan Yi came back to his senses upon hearing the other person's call and said, "Wife's mother."
The visitor was Nian's mother, Nian Ritian.
"Where is Jiaojiao?" Nian's mother asked.
Xuan Yi felt a little uneasy. He knew that Nian Jiaojiao had dug out Nian Zhenzhen's eyes, so he was worried that Nian's mother had sensed something and had come to question him. However, Xuan Yi already had few expressions, so even if his inner thoughts were many, they did not show. "My wife is out, she hasn't returned yet."
"Oh, why are you still blocking the way? Aren't you going to let me in?!" Nian's mother frowned at Xuan Yi. She increasingly looked down on this ugly and strong second husband.
As Nian's mother walked, she asked Xuan Yi, "I heard Jiaojiao is the top scholar now."
Xuan Yi nodded, "Yes."
As they spoke and walked, they arrived at the main hall. Nan Qing, who was sitting in the main hall, was also startled when he saw Nian's mother. He then rose and bowed to Nian's mother, "Wife's mother."
Nian's mother looked Nan Qing up and down, disbelieving, "You, your eyes are better?" As she spoke, she waved her hand in front of Nan Qing's eyes.
Nan Qing took a step back and said, "Yes, I can see clearly now."
"How, how was it cured? Can blind eyes be cured? Is that right?" Nian's mother suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Nan Qing's arm, looking at him eagerly.
Nan Qing frowned and looked at his captured wrist. Nian's mother, not exerting force at this moment, had such great strength that Nan Qing felt his wrist was about to be crushed. Most importantly, he was always particular about cleanliness and disliked others getting close to him.
At this moment, Xuan Yi stepped forward and quickly said, "Wife's mother, you're hurting second brother."
Nian's mother glanced at Xuan Yi displeasedly, then released her hand. At this moment, Xuan Yi explained, "Nan Qing wasn't completely blind before, he just had blurry vision. Eating more pig liver made it better." Xuan Yi's words made Nian's mother somewhat disappointed. Zhenzhen's eyeballs being dug out were clearly not something that eating pig liver could fix...
...
In the evening, Nian Jiaojiao returned home and saw her mother chatting with her five husbands in the main hall.
"Mother." Nian Jiaojiao was a little confused. Her mother should not know her address.
Nian's mother appeared very enthusiastic upon seeing Nian Jiaojiao, "You child, you got married and didn't tell me. I heard this is Master Tong, your daughter has good taste." Nian's mother was very satisfied that Nian Jiaojiao had finally married into a distinguished family.
Nian Jiaojiao looked at the five husbands gathered together, realizing they had been sitting for a while. At this moment, Nian's mother pulled Nian Jiaojiao to sit in the main seat beside her. "Jiaojiao, you must be tired from studying at the academy. Have some tea."
Nian Jiaojiao took the tea but didn't drink it. Instead, she asked, "Mother, is there something you need me for?"
Nian's mother glanced at the five husbands. Nian Jiaojiao frowned, "They are all family, just say whatever you need to say."
Nian's mother then said, "You already know that your sister Zhenzhen is blind." In fact, the reason Nian's mother came to Qingzhou was also due to Qi Qinghe and Chen Jie. A month ago, unable to bear Nian Zhenzhen's pestering, they decided to notify Nian Zhenzhen's family to have her mother take her back. Thus, they wrote a letter to their daughters, who then informed Nian's mother.
Upon receiving the news, Nian's mother rushed to Qingzhou. Seeing that Nian Zhenzhen's eyes had indeed been gouged out, she was overwhelmed with grief. However, from her daughter, she learned that Nian Jiaojiao, the top scholar, had given her money. It was then she realized her eldest daughter had actually achieved the top scholar position in the Xiu Cai exam. Although Nian's mother was happy, she feared that if Nian Zhenzhen knew that person was Nian Dabao, it might cause her emotional imbalance, so she did not inform Nian Jiaojiao that she was Nian Dabao. She only made inquiries herself and thus found Nian Jiaojiao's residence.
Nian's mother continued, "Jiaojiao, it seems you still care about sisterly affection. Thank you for giving Zhenzhen money."
Upon hearing this, Nian Jiaojiao and the five husbands had mixed expressions. Nian's mother, unaware of the truth, suddenly became extremely angry and said loudly, "However, Zhenzhen's eyes were gouged out by a vicious and poisonous villain. This matter cannot be let go like this!" As she spoke, she pulled Nian Jiaojiao's hand and said, "Jiaojiao, you are the top scholar now and know many people. You must avenge your sister!"
Vicious and Heartless · Jiao: ...