Chapter 46: The Deep Bond of Sisterhood — Part Twenty-Two

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Master Zhang scowled, “You’re still my son, yet you believe outsiders over me. I cherish Qingyao, but I haven’t wronged you or your brother. What you’re saying makes me sound like some unforgivable villain.”

“You didn’t wrong me, but you wronged my mother and brother!” Zhang Qingdong, having received news from home, suspected something was amiss. He thought perhaps his two elder sisters’ families were arranging marriages for their children and that he was summoned to help decide. As their uncle, it was fitting to be involved in such matters. Having lived far away before, he couldn’t assist much, so after settling his affairs, he planned to spend some quality time with family. In short, he genuinely thought it was good news at home and looked forward to reuniting with relatives, feeling quite pleased on the journey back.

But as soon as he got off the carriage, Madam He delivered a shock.

Then his father shattered all his previous understanding.

Actually, the letter from home alluded vaguely to the couple’s quarrels, but he hadn’t taken it seriously. He had long known his parents’ relationship was strained but never imagined it would escalate to separation, nor that his summons home was for this reason.

That was one thing, but what he couldn’t accept was the suspicion that his father had killed his elder brother because of his aunt’s child.

Zhang Qingdong had brought the midwife’s daughter here, hoping the family could close the door and discuss matters privately. After all, if his father sacrificed his own son for his sister, letting this slip would only bring disgrace.

Yet, his father refused to admit it.

The midwife’s daughter was an ordinary villager, her family poor due to her son’s situation. Always busy, once the matter was discussed, she intended to leave.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going home. Could you please arrange a carriage for me?”

No one replied.

By all logic, the midwife was the culprit. But since she was dead and her daughter’s life so miserable, Madam Zhang didn’t know whom to hate. Though she didn’t plan to retaliate against the midwife’s daughter, she wasn’t inclined to show her kindness either.

The midwife’s daughter glanced around and said, “This is indeed my mother’s fault. She was greedy and caused many deaths. If you want to sue, I’m willing to testify in court.”

But the person was already gone. What good would a lawsuit do?

It couldn’t bring the dead back or ensure the midwife’s true punishment.

“You’re not allowed to leave,” Master Zhang said. “The moment you open your mouth and accuse me of harming my own son, the whole family turns against me… that won’t do!”

The midwife had earned plenty from her wicked deeds, and her daughter had learned some of it, so she wasn’t afraid. Calmly, she said, “If you want to settle this, then it must go to court, and let the officials judge.”

If Madam Zhang sought revenge, she’d accept it. But her father-in-law was the real culprit.

In her eyes, while her mother was at fault, those who maliciously bribed her were far worse. Her mother had paid the price, but those people all prospered, especially the wives who bore sons. With their children, they secured their status, some even moved out of the household to live separately, rising from concubines or handmaidens to true mistresses.

Whenever the midwife’s daughter thought of this, her heart churned. She even hoped Master Zhang would persist and take the matter to court, exposing all her mother’s misdeeds, letting the children be sorted accordingly, and making everyone bear their due consequences.

Master Zhang opened his mouth, “The people don’t fight the officials. You threaten to go to court so easily—you’re not afraid of ruining your mother’s reputation?”

Even though the person was dead, reputation mattered. But to the midwife’s daughter, the living mattered more.

If exposing her mother’s deeds could restore the children to normal, she would do it without hesitation.

She looked at him defiantly: “Do you dare?”

Master Zhang naturally did not. He faltered mid-sentence, meeting the mocking glances of his wife and children.

Zhang Huiniang spoke up, “You think we don’t dare, so you spout nonsense here, right?”

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The midwife’s daughter snorted coldly, “Go ahead and sue. I’m ready anytime!”

With that, she strode away.

Silence fell. Madam Zhang slowly wiped the tears from her face. “Zhang Hui, you monster!”

Master Zhang looked helpless. “I did not—”

“Then go to court and sue!” Madam Zhang pressed on, “If you really dare, and the officials uncover the truth, then I’ll believe you’re innocent!”

Master Zhang glared at her, “Don’t stir trouble. The family business is so busy, when would I have time?”

Madam Zhang fixed him with a cold stare, enunciating, “Zhang Hui, I want you to pay with your life for my son!”

Her voice was sharp, tinged with a bloody edge.

Master Zhang had never seen her so fierce. He frowned. “Don’t listen to outsiders—”

“You’re the outsider,” Madam Zhang said, her face alight with fury. “You are my enemy.”

Chu Yunli hurried forward to calm them, “Let’s talk reasonably. If there’s a grudge, settle it properly. Don’t ruin your health with anger.”

Master Zhang: “...This poor kid—how could he encourage his parents to become mortal enemies?”

Zhang Qingdong also stepped forward to comfort his mother. Seeing the two children by her side, Madam Zhang’s agitated emotions gradually settled.

Meanwhile, Zhang Huiniang and her mother shrank into a corner, mute and motionless like deaf, blind, and mute people. But some things cannot be avoided by hiding. Madam Zhang sipped her tea and asked sharply, “Zhang Huiniang, did you know about this at the time?”

“I didn’t,” Zhang Huiniang answered without hesitation. “If I had, I would have stopped it. I was close to my brother and truly wanted him to help raise my child. But I would never harm anyone to benefit myself—I’m not that cruel!”

Madam Zhang clearly didn’t believe her, mocking, “Fine, I’ll believe you if you swear on your three children that if you knew, they will all suffer terrible fates and die without heirs.”

Zhang Huiniang’s eyes widened, “You’re so vicious.”

“Heaven is watching. Since you didn’t do it, such misfortune won’t befall you. What are you afraid of?” Chu Yunli cut in, stepping closer. “If you won’t swear, you’re guilty. You knew what was going on or knew what my father planned but feigned ignorance and did nothing, right?”

Her gaze was fierce. Zhang Huiniang startled and stepped back, “My brother is the eldest son of the family. His decisions can’t be changed by me. Even if I spoke up, what could I do?”

Madam Zhang’s eyes reddened with rage.

So, it was true that Master Zhang ordered the midwife to kill the child, and Zhang Huiniang knew but did not prevent it.

Zhang Qingyao had never known this and turned pale with fright. Earlier, she had sent the two children away; now, alone in the corner, she trembled uncontrollably.

She survived only because someone else had died, freeing a place for her.

Madam Zhang could not accept the truth. Though she had calmed down somewhat, anger flushed her face as she glared at Master Zhang like she wanted to devour him.

“You killed your own child!”

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Master Zhang denied it, serious-faced, “I did not. It was you who killed him. At the time, you and your child were in danger—only one could live. I chose you. You survived; the child did not.”

“That’s not true!” Madam Zhang suddenly exploded, sweeping the teacup and teapot to the ground with a crash. “Zhang Hui, that was your own son! How could you do that?”

The cups shattered in disorder. Still unsatisfied, Madam Zhang grabbed a stool and hurled it, then lunged at him, her sharp nails raking his face and body.

Master Zhang tried to dodge but couldn’t.

The couple fought fiercely with no one breaking it up. Zhang Qingdong wanted to intervene but was held back by Chu Yunli. As for Zhang Huiniang and her mother, they did not step forward but retreated instead.

When they finally parted, Master Zhang’s face and neck were streaked with blood, looking utterly disheveled. He tidied his hair and scolded, “Crazy woman! Even if you don’t divorce, I’ll dismiss you!”

Madam Zhang collapsed on a chair, sobbing as though releasing years of grievances and guilt over the child’s death, gasping for breath.

Chu Yunli stepped forward, “If you take them in, neither Qingdong nor I will come back anymore.”

“You…” Master Zhang trembled, pointing at her, “How did you become so cold-hearted?”

“If killing your own child yet caring for others is called warm-blooded, then my blood is indeed cold—and will never warm this life,” Chu Yunli said with contempt. “In this world, no one’s blood is truly warm.”

Zhang Qingdong stepped forward, “So who leaves? You decide.”

Master Zhang was torn; he couldn’t bear to part with anyone, but they could not coexist. He looked at Zhang Huiniang and smiled bitterly, “Sister, you go first…”

“Brother!” Zhang Huiniang pressed, “What promise did you make when mother left? Father and son don’t hold grudges overnight. Qingdong is only temporarily angry with you and will forgive you someday—he will grow up… But if you cast out our family, we’ll be homeless. We’re all women, and the only male is still a minor. Won’t that just invite bullying?”

By the end, she was crying openly, mother and daughter clinging together in sorrow.

Master Zhang was persuaded, looking troubled as he turned to Zhang Qingdong. “Your aunt has nowhere to go. If I really send them away, they’ll have to borrow lodging from others again, which you know is shameful…”

Though he spoke gently, everyone understood his choice. Zhang Qingdong looked at his father with deep disappointment.

“You clearly care only about them. If so, why did you bother marrying and having children?”

With those words, ignoring his father’s hesitation, he helped his mother and left.

Zhang Qingdong’s wife had just settled in the courtyard after returning from afar. Used to living with her parents, she felt uneasy at her in-laws’ home. Hearing of their departure, she quickly packed and left with the children.

Madam Zhang glanced back at the gate, sneering, “You killed my son and still want the Zhang family fortune? Dream on!”

Author’s note: Thank you to the lovely angels who voted and watered with nutrients between March 15, 2022, 23:59:12 and March 16, 2022, 21:51:13~

Special thanks for the nutrient watering: Silly Cat upstairs, Wu Nan (20 bottles); aberteoh (5 bottles); Purple Melody Clear Lotus (2 bottles); Luoluo, Jun Ruocheng, suibian (1 bottle each);

I deeply appreciate everyone’s support and will continue to work hard!