After Transmigration, I Picked Up A Husband and Daughter
Chapter 207 The Last Hope

Chapter 207: Chapter 207 The Last Hope

All sorts of harsh words stripped away their remaining dignity and face like sharp blades, one layer at a time.

Although the elderly couple tried their best to remain calm, their trembling hands and tightly pursed lips still betrayed their anxiety and agony.

In the midst of the noisy crowd, the village chief’s eyes were unusually resolute, fixed intently on the pillar of the Jiang Family—Jiang Xunzhong, hoping that he would step forward and stabilize the situation with the authority of a family head.

The village chief understood that this was not just about the future of the Jiang Family, but also about the harmony and stability of the entire village.

Jiang Xunzhong finally could not restrain himself amidst the jeers and sarcasm, especially when he heard someone question his filial piety, saying he was so heartless even towards his own son, Changping, that a surge of blood rushed to his head.

The image of responsibility he had painstakingly built up over these days could not collapse simply because of a few outside remarks.

Indeed, those seven taels of silver were not a small sum, but for the remaining sixty taels, the Jiang Family had plenty of reasons and needs to hold on to them.

After quickly weighing the pros and cons in his mind, he took a deep breath and, with an unmistakable determination in his voice, declared, "Let’s do as the village chief suggests, give the extra silver to those who need it, and we will retain sixty taels for unforeseen necessities."

Upon hearing this, the village chief’s face immediately blossomed into a smile, and he hurriedly brought out his brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, ready to draft the watershed separation contract.

Xie Xinghua, on the other hand, wore a look of shock. Could those seven-plus taels of silver really belong to her? The sudden news was almost too much for her to believe.

While Jiang Xunzhong was immersed in the praise of the villagers, savoring the glorious moment of being recognized as the head of the family, he was suddenly struck on the back of his head.

"What do you mean by ’do’? That’s my hard-earned money. Is it up to you to decide?"

Lady Zhao’s voice exploded like thunder, startling the people around her into turning their heads.

For a long time, Lady Zhao had reached her limit with Jiang Xunzhong’s acts of making decisions on his own.

And Jiang Xunzhong, humiliated in public like this, his face turned ashen in an instant.

In the past, he might have chosen to endure in silence, for he had long been accustomed to playing the role of the submissive one.

But today, everything was different; he was no longer the ever-acquiescent Jiang Xunzhong.

Realizing that if he continued to swallow his pride, others would simply see him as weak and incapable, that the misfortunes of the Jiang Family would all be attributed to his incompetence, he could not tolerate such a situation occurring.

So, a courage unlike any he had felt before surged from the depths of his heart, and he spun around, slapping Lady Zhao without hesitation.

"I am the master of this house, and everything shall go according to my arrangements!"

His voice was slightly hoarse from the firmness, "If you dare utter another word, you will bear the consequences!"

Displaying the authority of the head of the family before all those watching, Jiang Xunzhong felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and achievement.

The eyes of those around him carried surprise, awe, and a bit of disbelief, all of which made him feel both novel and exhilarated.

In that instant, it seemed as if the entire world was within his grasp.

As he walked with steady and forceful steps, each stride radiated confidence and dignity, the kind of self-perceived leadership quality that made him feel like a pine on the mountaintop, standing tall and unyielding, regardless of the storms.

In his eyes, the awed glances of those around him seemed to silently convey that the newly promoted head of the family had finally demonstrated the boldness and grace that was expected of him.

Yet, reality was like a bucket of cold water poured over one’s head, as onlookers harbored their own calculations.

It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck the heart of the Jiang Family, turning the usually gentle Jiang Xunzhong into someone unrecognizable. His rage and impetuosity, like that of a wild beast out of control, caused those who had once been close to cast strange looks his way, feeling a chill in their hearts and secretly thinking: The mild-mannered Jiang Xunzhong of the past had vanished with the wind, and the person standing before them now was just a stranger whose soul had been twisted by sorrow.

Perhaps it would be wise to avoid him in the days to come.

The slap from Jiang Xunzhong was not only a concentration of his entire body’s anger and strength but also signified a complete farewell to his past weak self.

Lady Zhao’s face bore the brunt of this irresistible force in an instant, her body stumbling backward involuntarily, her ears ringing, her vision filled with countless golden stars as if her consciousness was temporarily disconnected amidst the pain and shock.

When her vision gradually cleared, all she felt was her swollen, burning cheek, and the pain intertwined with the humiliation in her heart, sparking an unprecedented rage and determination within her.

Meanwhile, whispers of the separation had quietly spread throughout the village, with the contract at the village chief’s place weighing on everyone like a heavy stone.

The still damp ink seemed like destiny’s cruel mockery, binding the names of the two families tightly together yet tearing them apart.

Xie Xinghua, clutching more than seven taels of silver coins, walked briskly, unable to conceal the unease in her heart. This sudden windfall was like a sweet rain yet mixed with unknown risks.

In Jiang Xunzhong’s arms lay the remaining sixty taels of silver, each silver ingot shimmering with a cold and tempting light, symbolizing power and desire.

Xie Xinghua’s actions were as swift as strong winds, intent on reclaiming everything she believed belonged to her. However, Jiang Xunzhong countered with an unexpectedly flexible response, easily neutralizing her offensive.

His eyes gleamed with cunning and resolution, his voice deep and firm, "This silver should rightfully be guarded by me."

His words revealed an undeniable authority, as if declaring that the dominion over this family had completely changed hands.

Lady Zhao felt as if a sword had pierced her heart. She stared at Jiang Xunzhong in disbelief, the sharpness in her eyes cutting through all pretense.

"What do you mean? Why should my money be managed by you?"

Her questioning was full of resentment and fury, each word seeming to ignite sparks in the air.

Jiang Xunzhong’s stance became even more unyielding, his tone revealing an uncompromising firmness, "Since we are a family, why distinguish between yours and mine? As the head of the family, it is only right that I control the finances. If you do not obey, do not blame me for taking stern measures."

His statement was like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing the last flicker of hope in Lady Zhao’s heart.

Lady Zhao’s grief and anger overflowed like a broken dam. Her cries and struggles in the courtyard became a one-woman show devoid of sympathy.

The onlookers, initially curious or taking pleasure in the misfortune, began to disperse once her wailing lost its novelty, leaving only her lone figure in the dusty air, appearing all the more desolate.

A few who had always harbored ill will towards her were especially unwilling to miss this rare spectacle. They wore smiles of schadenfreude, reveling in her discomfiture and humility.

Elsewhere, Xie Xinghua clutched the silver coins and the separation contract as if holding the key to a new life, hurrying back inside her house.