Chapter 17: Willing to Marry into the Xue Family

Seeing Song Liyun's complete lack of fear, Song the Second's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. His teeth ground together with a loud clicking sound as he clenched his fists and said, "Fine, let's get down to business! I want to see what kind of explanation you, you little wench, are going to give me."

He wasn't worried that the brothers Song Zhangping and his sibling would escape his grasp; he would settle that debt with them slowly later.

Instead, it was this niece of his, who had only been home for two days, whom he had to deal with properly.

At this moment, he was calculating in his mind: if he couldn't send her to the Xue family, which brothel would yield the best profit!

…………………………………………

An oil lamp was lit in the main room. Having been driven out by Song the Second, Granny Gu and Little Mrs. Gu could only hide outside the door to eavesdrop.

"Second Uncle, everyone in the village already knows I am to marry Master Xue, so there is no need to hide it anymore. There is nothing to hide about. As long as I marry well, others will only have envy."

Song Liyun stood with her hands behind her back, speaking to Song the Second with a cold expression.

In contrast to her composure, Song the Second's face remained dark. "I don't believe a word you say."

He had just considered tying Song Liyun up and giving her a beating, but the villagers' ears were currently pricked, listening for news. If he made a move now, a crowd would surely rush in.

Having learned his lesson from before, he did not want to provoke public indignation.

As for whether he could actually beat Song Liyun, that was another matter entirely. Therefore, no matter how furious he was, he had to force himself to remain calm and listen to her.

Now that Song Liyun said she wanted to marry into the Xue family, he truly found it hard to believe.

What if this wench treated Master Xue with the same attitude? He would be sending a jinx straight to him, and Master Xue would surely think he had sent her as an enemy agent.

"What will it take for you to believe me, Second Uncle? You've already accepted a deposit from someone else; can you return it, or perhaps send a different bride instead? Or is Master Xue's marriage something that you are capable of arranging?"

Song Liyun gave a contemptuous smile, revealing a row of white teeth, which made her somewhat thin and sallow face look quite charming and lovely.

But in Song the Second's eyes, it looked like a row of sharp knives pressed against his throat.

How would he dare to arrange Master Xue's marriage!

"What are you planning?"

Song the Second was nothing more than a rogue from the countryside. He had learned many ways to be unreasonable and shameless from Granny Gu, but he didn't possess much strategic intellect.

He couldn't understand why Song Liyun wasn't begging to break off the engagement, but was instead eagerly delivering herself to his doorstep.

"Second Uncle, let me be blunt with you! I have agreed to this marriage with the Xue family, and the reason is exactly what I told you before: Master Xue is old and won't live many years. Once he dies, I can inherit his property and bring it back for the family to use," Song Liyun explained slowly and methodically.

*Money again.* Song the Second's heart throbbed as he listened: *This girl is truly ruthless!*

Master Xue was already sixty; he indeed didn't have many years left.

If this girl could truly outlive the old man and bring the silver back, he could forgive her.

Song the Second felt a sense of conflicting greed and hatred toward Song Liyun.

If Song Liyun could marry into the Xue family and be obedient, he would have endless silver at his disposal, but she was unfortunately covered in thorns, making her impossible to control.

Seeing Song the Second's hesitation, Song Liyun pursed her lips and smiled happily, dimples dancing at the corners of her mouth. "However, you must go to the Xue family and make things clear. If I am to marry in, it must be done according to the proper rules of the three媒 (matchmakers) and six certificates. You cannot just throw me into a sack and send me away. If you have any wicked intentions and try to do that, I will have Master Xue kill your entire family."

Song the Second's face froze, and his eyes bulged. "You dare!"

"Why wouldn't I dare? You are an experienced man, Second Uncle; you should understand how things work between the sheets. As long as I make Master Xue happy, whether I send silver or knives into this house later will, naturally, be up to me."

Song the Second's face turned pale instantly. He had truly intended to pack her in a sack and send her off.

But he never expected an unmarried girl to speak so directly about matters of the bedchamber.

Furthermore, he had to admit she was right.

Now that Song Liyun was talking about sending knives or silver, she was effectively threatening him; he could not afford to offend her.

"You... what exactly do you want? Don't forget, Daping and Xiao'an still need to live at home. If you send knives, they will be the first to receive them. Besides, would Master Xue even agree to marry you according to the proper rules?" Song the Second said sharply, his jowls trembling.

"Second Uncle, don't be nervous. This is exactly what the two of us need to discuss. As I said, I am willing to marry into the Xue family. Of course, I want my brothers to live well, so why would I harm them? As for whether Master Xue agrees or not, that is my business."

"Then what is it you actually want?" Song the Second was becoming increasingly bewildered. Since this wench was willing to marry into the Xue family herself, she wouldn't cause trouble for the family.

Seeing that he was finally following her line of thought, Song Liyun said indifferently, "Second Uncle, I want them to split the household and live separately."

"No!" Song the Second refused without a second thought. Split the household?

After splitting the household, who would work the fields? Who would gather firewood to sell for money? He still needed Song Zhenping to work like an ox or a horse for the rest of his life!

Moreover, with the corvée labor approaching, splitting into two households would mean two quotas of labor. He wasn't insane.

He shot a sidelong glance at Song Liyun, his expression saying, *'So that's how it is, but it's nothing special.'* All this circling around and threatening him just to get the brothers to split the household?

In his mind, she was dreaming. As long as he held the two brothers in his hands, he could deal with them whenever he wanted. No matter how formidable this little wench was, once she married out, she would only dare to be mouthy.

Song Liyun said no more. She knew she had said enough.

If she continued, Song the Second would never agree to let the brothers go.

It seemed that silver would not be enough to make Song the Second let go; she would have to use something more ruthless.

As the saying goes, one can survive a crime against heaven, but one cannot survive a crime against oneself.

To kill the spirit.

Simple physical pain was far too merciful for villains like Granny Gu and Little Mrs. Gu.

Since they enjoyed torturing other people's children, they should see how it felt to have their own children tortured in the same way.

Song Liyun's gaze was cold, making Song the Second's spine chill and causing a dull ache in his groin. Only then did she speak: "Second Uncle, you had better consider this carefully!"

Having said that, she ignored his expression, turned to the door, and pulled it open with a sudden jerk.

The Gu mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, who were pressed against the door eavesdropping, could not stop their momentum and tumbled into the room in a heap.

(End of Chapter)