They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 318 It's better to be a villain.

Granny Qin Qing sneered, "Everyone here is a sensible person. When we bought this girl, she was skin and bones and had been sick several times. We spent a lot on medicine and recuperation, so of course she's not getting paid now. Her life belongs to the madam, so what need does she have for wages? Don't even think about it! Get out of here, or if you dare to cause any more trouble, don't blame us for being impolite!"

In reality, the costus root is paid, but it's the easiest way to say it, so let's say it this way.

Even the fourth brother was furious and resentful, and slunk away in a sorry state.

Unexpectedly, he didn't give up and came back in a couple of days. He didn't cause trouble or pick fights, but he just stubbornly refused to leave and kept watch outside the yard.

Mu Xiang used to go out often, but now she doesn't dare to go out at all, because if she does, he will pester her.

Even if he sold a death contract, would Mu Xiang really lay a hand on him?
Mu Xiang was both angry and ashamed. "He's just a dead pig who doesn't care about boiling water. I never expected him to act like a scoundrel. It's all my fault for dragging Madam into this."

Granny Qin could only sigh inwardly.

The lady was widowed, and this mansion was considered grand and spacious in the village, admired by everyone. The master and servants lived there very comfortably and conveniently.

However, compared to truly wealthy households, it was still too small, and there was no way to buy or hire male servants to live there.

It's indeed inconvenient not having any male members in the family.

Xu Zhichun sneered, "It seems he really thinks we're easy targets. Granny, take Chunfen with you and chase him away with a stick."

Xu Zhichun explained everything in detail, and Granny Qin Qing's eyes lit up, her spirits high. "Yes, Madam."

When the Spring Equinox made his move, even the fourth brother was dumbfounded.

He fell heavily to the ground, ignoring the pain, and tried to shout things like "He's hitting me! He's killing me!" to extort money. Unexpectedly, Chunfen stepped on his chest, and Granny Qin Qing poked his throat with a wooden stick. The fourth brother was so frightened that he was too scared to move.

Granny Qin Qing's eyes flashed, her voice cold and cruel: "What do you want to shout? Are you trying to accuse us of hurting you so you can extort money from Madam? Madam said that if you really do that, she has nothing to say and will definitely pay compensation. But we can't let this injustice go unpunished. We might as well break both your legs, cripple you halfway through your life so you can only lie in bed and never move again. Madam won't mind paying one or two hundred taels of silver. We'll see if you're alive to take the money and whether you're alive to spend it!"

“Even if word gets out, no one will say it’s the madam’s fault. You’ve clearly sold the incense and signed a death contract, yet you keep coming to our door acting like a rogue and harassing us. We’ve tried to persuade you to leave several times, but you won’t. Our madam cares about her reputation, so she can’t just let you loiter around the house all the time. In her anger, she ordered us to teach you a lesson. As servants, we were just trying to protect our mistress, and we were a little too harsh. That’s understandable, isn’t it?”

"Afterwards, at worst, Madam will personally apologize to your family and give them a hundred or two hundred taels of silver. Guess what your family will say then?"

Every word Qin Qing said made the fourth son's face turn ugly, and eventually he was filled with shock, anger, and exasperation.

He wanted money, but he didn't want to be paralyzed and bedridden.

He wasn't afraid of the old woman, but he also knew how strong this silly girl was. He could absolutely cripple her without hesitation.

If they really become disabled or paralyzed, their family members will receive one or two hundred taels of silver. They'll be ecstatic! At that time, no matter what the Xu family asks them to say, they will definitely agree without hesitation.

What have I become?
Has it become someone else's path to wealth?

Seeing his expression change repeatedly, sometimes angry, sometimes gritting his teeth, and sometimes furious, Granny Qin Qing snorted, "If you've figured it out, get out of here and don't come back! If you do, you'll lose these legs! Chunfen, let him go."

"Oh!"

Spring Equinox withdrew her foot, but still stared at him with an unfriendly expression.

Even the fourth brother felt a chill run down his spine and ran away as fast as he could, never daring to come back.

Mu Xiang was overjoyed. "Thank you, Madam!"

Xu Zhichun smiled. If she hadn't seen that Mu Xiang was a sensible person, she wouldn't have chosen to resolve things this way.

Now things have finally calmed down. It's definitely more satisfying to be the bad guy.

Mu Xiang can finally go out safely again.

The villagers were very curious about her background.

She didn't mince words; when asked, she would tell the truth, exaggerating her situation to make it sound even worse.

Anyway, even the fourth brother didn't have a good reputation to begin with, so it doesn't matter if he gets smeared even more.

The more he is smeared, the more reason I will have to deal with him ruthlessly if he comes back to bother me in the future, and no one will gossip.

She didn't care about such gossip, but she couldn't help but think about the lady's feelings.

Upon hearing this, everyone was filled with righteous indignation. They cursed Lian Laosi for being inhuman while feeling both sympathy and pity for Muxiang.

This little girl had such a hard life, she was so pitiful!

Fortunately, now that I'm with Madam Xu, all my hardships have finally come to an end.
The New Year is just around the corner.

Liang Mingxuan has also returned from his school break.

With him joining the family, and the arrival of the Spring Equinox, the house became much livelier.

During the Spring Festival, Xu Zhichun's home was bustling with activity for a long time, with many people coming to visit.

Some came for Madam Shanci, while others came for Master Tongsheng.

Xu Zhichun and Liang Mingxuan treated them both very politely.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the place is always bustling with visitors.

Fortunately, we have everything we need at home and enough manpower, so we can handle things with ease.

Liang Mingxiang also went home.

Zhang and Uncle Liang became smug again, praising their youngest son extensively, saying things like how excellent his studies were, how much his teacher praised him, and how all his classmates admired him. Their words were more eloquent than a song.

After all, he was still a student who had passed the imperial examination. In the eyes of the villagers, although Liang Mingxiang was not as good as Liang Mingxuan, he was still much better than their own children and grandchildren, which made them quite envious.

Besides, who knows if he'll be even more successful in the future? It's not worth offending their family, is it?
When the couple started praising each other, everyone listened and echoed their praise.

Zhang's tail was practically wagging in the air.

Unexpectedly, during the Spring Festival, many people came to visit, saying they were visiting "Liang Tongsheng" (a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations), but they only recognized Liang Mingxuan as a Tongsheng. Some people went to the wrong house and went to Uncle Liang's house instead. Before Uncle Liang's family could even be happy, they realized their mistake when asked. They awkwardly smiled and apologized and quickly left, leaving Uncle Liang's family quite upset.

"Liang Tongsheng, Liang Tongsheng, isn't my Mingxiang a Tongsheng? These people have no taste, bah!"

"Just you wait, they'll regret this in the future, humph!"

Liang Mingxiang was also embarrassed and angry. He felt even more awkward and refused to leave the house. He couldn't bear to hear anyone mention Liang Mingxuan's name in front of him.

Madam Han also felt that an opportunity had come. It was the New Year and the first month of the lunar calendar, so why not visit someone who was smiling? Would she really turn someone away?