"How old is Zheng Mingsheng, and he married our Xiuxiu, clearly benefiting from this. At this point, shouldn’t he be ready to bleed some money?"

"Our Xiuxiu is still young. Her husband’s age means he might not be able to accompany Xiuxiu for a lifetime. The Zheng family clan is large and extensive; when her husband is gone one day, and if Xiuxiu wants to live uprightly, she’ll have to rely on her brothers and nephews from her maiden family."

"In adversity, true feelings are revealed. Whether Zheng Mingsheng cares about Xiuxiu can be seen from whether he’s willing to take out money this time!"

"Mother, if we truly get exiled, once we’re gone, we’ll have no life to return to see you. Mother, from then on, who will take care of you and father in your old age? Who will be there for your funeral, who will make the spirit banner, and smash bowls for you?"

"Mother, making the Zheng family come up with this money won’t affect Xiuxiu. It can even give Xiuxiu a chance to get rid of those freeloaders at home who need to be dealt with."

Lady Zhou was persuaded, so she sent a message wanting to see Lian Xiuxiu.

Lian Xiuxiu came, and Lady Zhou moved her with emotions, persuaded her with reason, so she would have Third Old Master Zheng provide money to atone for Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi.

Lian Xiuxiu was not very knowledgeable, she single-mindedly listened to Lady Zhou’s advice. After returning home from prison, she pressured Third Old Master Zheng to take out money to bribe for the redemption of Lian Shouren and Lian Shouyi’s exile sentences.

Third Old Master Zheng spared no effort in order to persuade the government office to deal lightly with Lian Shouren and others. He spent money, exerted effort, and exerted influence everywhere. Yet, despite his age and frail health, he worked tirelessly. However, Lian Xiuxiu was indifferent to all of this, only fixated on having Third Old Master Zheng continue to work connections, or she would make a scene and cry incessantly.

A young wife is the sky.

Third Old Master Zheng indeed pulled himself together again and made connections everywhere. To redeem Lian Shouren and others, not only did it require solid relationships, but also a substantial amount of money. Third Old Master Zheng sought out connections everywhere, raised funds from various places, naturally causing a lot of dissatisfaction and opposition. But Third Old Master Zheng was determined, as long as Lian Xiuxiu was satisfied.

Perhaps he thought that upon seeing how hard he worked, Lian Xiuxiu might voluntarily give up her demands?

In short, once the debts were gathered, and the relationships were smoothed out, the money was sent to the yamen. Third Old Master Zheng wasn’t able to personally greet his in-laws coming out of prison, as he fell ill.

Lian Xiuxiu wasn’t by his side. She took people and a carriage to the prison to pick up Old Master Lian, Lady Zhou, Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi, and others to temporarily stay at the Zheng family home. However, before the carriage reached the Zheng family’s gate, bad news arrived.

Third Old Master Zheng was dead.

Years of overwork, coupled with being alienated by friends and relatives, left Third Old Master Zheng depleted. It’s pitiful; he risked his fortune and life for a young wife, yet at his deathbed, the young wife wasn’t by his side, leaving only a few old concubines who had fallen out with him.

Lian Xiuxiu was stunned. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

The Zheng family held a funeral for Third Old Master Zheng, and Lian Xiuxiu cried until the world seemed to turn dark. The Zheng family hated Lian Xiuxiu deeply, but as long as Third Old Master Zheng was alive, everyone kept face for him. Now, Third Old Master Zheng had died because of Lian Xiuxiu. The sons and grandsons of the Zheng family wanted to seal Lian Xiuxiu inside Third Old Master Zheng’s coffin.

Without entering Third Old Master Zheng’s coffin, Lian Xiuxiu was already half scared to death.

At this moment, Old Master Lian, Lady Zhou, Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi, and the others could only stand helplessly outside the Zheng family’s main entrance.

It was an elderly member of the Zheng family who stopped the matter in the final moments, stating that it would ruin the family’s fortunes and feng shui to lose face thus.

In the end, Lian Xiuxiu escaped with her life, and from that day on, she would remain a widow for Third Old Master Zheng, spending her remaining life in a small convent in the Zheng family’s backyard, living by her means and never setting foot outside the convent.

Lian Xiuxiu agreed herself, but at that point, what choice did she have but to agree?

Lian Shouren, Lian Shouyi, and others, fearing retaliation from the Zheng family sending them back to prison, took the opportunity of the Zheng family’s busy funeral preparations to escape.

In the process, two people were lost, namely Zhao Xiue and Yingzi.

As for how these two got lost, no one knows.

And so, this family gathered whatever little belongings they had left, barely hiring a cart, and fled back to Thirty Mile Camp in utter dismay.

Understanding the ins and outs of the matter, Lian Manman then understood why Old Master Lian upon reaching Thirty Mile Camp would insist on staying at her house first, and insist on having Lian Shouren and others kneel and pay respects to the Imperially Bestowed Archway.

"The hearts of the Old Zheng family are poisoned," Lady Zhou cried and wailed for half a day, yet her voice was strong, "They resented simply killing Xiuxiu; they want Xiuxiu to suffer in bits and pieces. My poor Xiuxiu. Old Fourth, and those two bastards, Eldest and Second, I can’t rely on them. My poor Xiuxiu. She truly suffered from being naïve. Old Fourth, you can’t watch your sister suffer. You must think of something to save Xiuxiu."

"Old Fourth, you have the archway, you have the gold. Didn’t Wu Lang also just pass the scholar’s exam? Only you can save Xiuxiu from our family." Lady Zhou raised her head, her eyes gleaming chillingly, fixing on Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang.

"As long as it saves Xiuxiu, I’m willing to be a cow or horse for you in the next life. My Xiuxiu, you’ve hurt your mother deeply."

"I’ll kowtow to you, Old Fourth, Wu Lang, I’ll kowtow to you, please save Xiuxiu." As she spoke, Lady Zhou frantically knelt and began kowtowing loudly to Lian Shouxin and Wu Lang.

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Here’s the first update, asking for Pink votes.

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Recommendation for Ruoyan’s completed farming novel:

Title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Complete with extras) (There is a direct link below, click for instant access)

Synopsis: Transmigrated as a falsely accused ruined woman, carrying a little bun, embarking on a sweet life with an economically eligible man. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to cast recommendation votes, monthly votes at Qidian (qidian.com), your support is my greatest motivation.)