CHAPTER 85: CHAPTER 85: DON’T BURN ALL YOUR BRIDGES

Meng Ruyu angrily glared at Meng Yao, stomped her foot, and went after Meng Qingshan.

The government officer was ordered to question Meng Zhu, and Meng Yao, after saying a word to the village chief, took the officer back home.

When they left, the County Magistrate instructed the officer a few things. Although Meng Yao didn’t hear clearly what was said, Zhao Xiaoshu did, and had already told Meng Yao on the way back.

The County Magistrate said that since Meng Zhu was a married woman, he should just go through the motions.

So, Meng Yao was not worried about anything.

But Meng Zhu didn’t know this and was very nervous.

Li Changning was also very nervous, fidgeting with Meng Zhu’s hand.

Li Chang’an, on the other hand, was calm and composed, conversing with the officer without any sign of nervousness.

The officer was polite as well, speaking with an effort to maintain some elegance. He asked a few simple questions and then bid farewell.

Meng Yao, knowing the customs, quickly caught up and insisted on stuffing a piece of Silver into the officer’s hand.

About two taels.

Though it pained her, she knew she couldn’t skimp on it.

The officer did not refuse, calmly accepted the Silver, cupped his fist toward Meng Yao, and rode off.

Once the officer was out of sight, Meng Zhu finally breathed a sigh of relief and questioned Meng Yao about what had happened.

Meng Yao recounted everything in detail, and Meng Zhu’s expression changed several times. She opened her mouth several times but ended up saying nothing, finally turning her words into a long sigh.

"I will go back once to get the lock piece for you," Meng Zhu stood up.

"Then I will go with you." Meng Yao was worried.

"The County Magistrate has already given the order; he must honestly hand it over." Meng Zhu gently patted Meng Yao’s hand, "You wait at home; I’ll be back soon."

Meng Yao had no choice but to let Meng Zhu go.

Meng Zhu returned to her natal home with mixed emotions.

Meng Ruyu was crying, and Meng Qingshan was silently smoking his dry tobacco pipe.

Neither of them noticed her return until she spoke up.

Meng Qingshan was initially stunned, and then he began to curse Meng Yao, accusing her of being ungrateful and lamenting that because of Meng Yao, the family was falling apart. Then he complained, saying that at his age, the only one he could depend on now was Meng Zhu.

"Father, why do you blame Yaoyao for all this? Isn’t it your own doing?" Meng Zhu’s tone was icy.

She knew Meng Yao was not a biological member of the Meng Family, so she could reluctantly understand why they never liked Yaoyao. She believed that since they received Silver Coin from Yaoyao’s family, they should take good care of her. They didn’t treat her well, so she treated her well.

People’s hearts are made of flesh; over time, Meng Zhu truly regarded her as her own sister.

If the Meng Family had indeed raised the original self, it was merely by giving some food.

In reality, it seemed more like Meng Zhu raised the original self.

Thus, Meng Zhu became both sister and mother to the original self.

"You child..." Meng Qingshan was somewhat embarrassed.

"Yaoyao is still soft-hearted. If I were her, I would make you cough up those one hundred and twenty taels of Silver," Meng Zhu said through gritted teeth.

"You are part of the Meng Family; you share no blood ties with her!" Meng Qingshan exclaimed.

"You always said that marrying a daughter is like throwing water out. From the day I got married, I was no longer part of the Meng Family; I am part of the Li Family." Meng Zhu enunciated each word, "Blood ties? I may share blood ties with you, but do you treat me well?"

Meng Qingshan was speechless.

"I’m not here to hear you play the victim card. Bring me the lock piece that was on Yaoyao back then," Meng Zhu said.

Meng Qingshan’s eyes darted around, but before he could speak, Meng Zhu continued, "Before you try any tricks, think about how you will contend against the County Magistrate. Or are you thinking of going to the Government Office to reunite with mother and elder brother?"

"No matter what, Yaoyao saved the young master of the County Magistrate’s household. Moreover, the County Magistrate personally severed her ties with the Meng Family. Think carefully before you act, and consider if you can bear the consequences!" Meng Zhu added.

Despite his reluctance, Meng Qingshan could only retrieve the lock piece wrapped in a cloth from the box where Madam Sun stored money and stuff.

Meng Zhu took the lock piece and turned to leave.

Meng Ruyu clutched onto Meng Zhu’s sleeve and spoke pitifully, "Aunt, the Government Office wants a fine silver; Grandpa says the family has no Silver Coin."

Whether or not there is Silver Coin, Meng Ruyu knew well enough; her mother always liked to tell her that Grandma had stored a lot of Silver.

Although she didn’t know the exact amount, Meng Ruyu knew that their family was likely the richest in the village.

At this critical moment, the old man was reluctant to draw out Silver, not because they lacked it, but because he was unwilling to put it out.

She felt hatred in her heart but was helpless.

Meng Zhu was a bit surprised, clearly not believing that there would be no Silver at home.

Meng Qingshan’s eyes were somewhat evasive, "There is some, but it is not enough. If the fine silver isn’t enough, the hard labor cannot be reduced. It would be better to keep those Silvers and not be left penniless when they return."

Meng Zhu laughed, realizing that the coldest and most emotionless person in the family was this seemingly amiable man.

The ones doing hard labor were his only son and the person who bore him children and stayed by his side for years.

He could harden his heart against them, which showed just how selfish a person could be.

"I don’t have any Silver either," Meng Zhu pried open Meng Ruyu’s fingers, "This is the Meng Family’s affair; as a married-out daughter, I can’t help much."

If there really was no Silver at home, considering the kinship, she would certainly not stand by and do nothing.

But now, clearly there was Silver, yet not a coin was given, expecting her to become a fool? In your dreams?

"Father, as a father and daughter, I have some words for you: don’t be too ruthless. My brother is young and strong; let him do the hard labor. But mother is old; how can she endure it? After all, she has been with you all these years."

Meng Qingshan remained silent.

Meng Zhu said nothing more and simply left.

The lock piece lay in Meng Yao’s palm; it didn’t look thick but felt heavy. One side was engraved with "longevity for a hundred years" and the other with auspicious Ruyi patterns, surrounding a "Yao" character. At first glance, it looked ordinary, but upon closer inspection, it was exquisitely delicate.

Moreover, the engraved name clearly indicated it was custom-made.

From this alone, Meng Yao could deduce that the original self’s biological parents were not likely poor. Otherwise, why spend so much Silver to make a longevity lock for her?

It’s just unknown what happened that led them to send the original self to the Meng Family.

Meng Yao thought that after so many years, the truth would be hard to uncover.

A longevity lock crafted so meticulously indicated that the original parents cherished the original self greatly; hence, they surely wouldn’t abandon her. But over these years, they’ve remained silent, and apart from something preventing them from coming, Meng Yao couldn’t think of another possibility.

She hopes the original self could reunite with her gone parents.

As for this lock piece, if there’s an opportunity in the future, she would find a prosperous temple to offer it, accumulating some merits for the original self and her parents.

Meng Zhu softly suggested, "Sketch out the appearance of this lock piece. Your brother-in-law travels extensively; ask him to inquire at each silver shop he visits about any clues. This lock piece is so exquisitely made, not just any silver shop could craft it!"