Chapter 017: Already Have a Countermeasure

Xiao Bei's heart raised with worry, she anxiously said, "What should we do? Last time Lady Ding almost caused a disaster for sister, even caused sister to fall and hurt her head, this time..."

"Last time was last time, we're not so easy to mess with anymore, she can't just manipulate us anymore. Don't worry."

Ji Xinhe's words inexplicably offered comfort, even the usually restless Xiao Bei calmed down a bit, stunned for a moment, before nodding: "Okay."

There was a trace of surprise in Ji Dong's eyes.

Ji Xinhe blinked, looking at Ji Dong: "Brother, what's wrong?"

"Xinhe, you've changed a lot."

"Perhaps hitting my head last time knocked some sense into me. Is it bad that I've changed?" Ji Xinhe tilted her head, seeming a bit more playful.

Ji Dong, however, smirked, "There's nothing wrong with it. If you're more awake and stronger, I'm happy."

Only then did Ji Xinhe laugh. She suddenly remembered the matter of hunting the wild boar and still had to tell them about it.

After Jixinhe had locked the doors and windows, ensuring no one was outside, she gathered Ji Dong and Xiao Bei into the room, lowered her voice and said, "I almost forgot to mention, I went up to the mountains today and happened to run into Brother Wu, a hunter from our village, hunting a wild boar."

Ji Dong's eyes widened, "Were you hurt?"

"No, I was originally just frightened, but I gave a little help. I helped Brother Wu capture the boar. As a token of his gratitude, Brother Wu said that I will get some silver once the boar is sold." Ji Xinhe said.

"What kind of help did you give?"

"When I first saw the wild boar, I was scared stiff. But in a moment of desperation to protect myself, I shot an arrow from the bow and accidentally hit the boar in the eye. The boar eventually died. Brother Wu said, when the boar is sold in town, it will be worth almost ten taels of silver, including the hide. When he gives me my share, we'll have money to get through the winter." Ji Xinhe said nonchalantly.

However, Ji Dong and Xiao Bei listened in shock, "You ran into a wild boar? This creature is incredibly fierce. It's a relief you're okay."

With God's blessing, we now have a small fortune. I was initially worried that this winter would be tough, but now it looks like it may not be so hard." Ji Xinhe looked out the window at the chilly wind blowing and said somberly.

Ji Dong sighed, "It's all because your brother isn't good enough to give you a better life. You have to take on this dangerous task... that boar... luckily you're okay. But even if we get the money, I'm afraid Lady Ding..."

Ji Xinhe's face sank, "Brother, don't worry. I made it clear with Brother Wu that this boar has nothing to do with me in public. Later when he gives me the money, I won't let it fall into Lady Ding's hands."

Xiao Bei clenched her fist, "The money sister risked her life to earn, we can't just give it away!"

Since Xiao Bei was unaware of Ji Xinhe's true strength, she naturally assumed that the hunting process was extremely dangerous.

Ji Xinhe pursed her lips, then continued, "I realized today that we can't stay in this family. As soon as the matter with Porky San is over, we must separate!"

Xiao Bei and Ji Dong were in agreement, "Yes!"

——

Ji Xiulan was so furious she almost turned the table over, "I totally misjudged Ji Xinhe before. I thought she was obedient and honest, but now it seems that she's full of cunning tricks. She's deliberately slandering me, she must be jealous of me. What happens to my reputation if it's ruined by her? What will Zhiru think of me? That mean person!"

Lady Ding quickly held Ji Xiulan to comfort her, "Why do you bother with such a lowly girl? You're not like her. You're going to be a scholar's wife and an official's wife! She's just a village girl, you'll only lose face by arguing with her."

Lady Ding treated her own daughter like a precious princess, it seemed she had completely forgotten that she herself was just a village girl and a burden.

Ji Xiulan was still furious, "If it weren't for so many people watching, I'd tear that girl's mouth!"

Feeling wronged, she threw herself in Lady Ding's arms: "Mother, if others think I have anything to do with Porky San, maybe Zhiru won't want me anymore. He hates women who cause drama. Don't let that shameless Ji Xinhe off easily."

Lady Ding snorted, "How could I let her go? Now I've seen that girl's true colors, and I can't stand her anymore, I must marry her off into Porky San's family!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Xiulan felt a bit better and quickly said, "Exactly! Let her marry Porky San and be beaten to death by him!"

Lady Ding sneered, "No need to tell me that. Porky San's violent temperament is well known to everyone. He's already killed three wives. What's one more, Ji Xinhe? And she had a big conflict with him. Didn't you see the look he gave Ji Xinhe? It was like he wanted to eat her alive. Once Ji Xinhe is married to him, he probably wouldn't take more than a month to torture her to death."

Porky San now can't get out of bed, all thanks to Ji Xinhe. Even though it wasn't spoken of openly, Porky San held a deep grudge in his heart!

"Then mother should hurry up and marry off this mean girl. I can't stand seeing her face now!" Ji Xiulan growled maliciously.

Ji Xinhe used to be humble, always bowing her head timidly, just like any ordinary village girl. But now, for reasons unknown, she exuded an aura of elegance, making her thin, sallow face appear somewhat pretty.

This alone was enough to make Ji Xiulan green with jealousy, because she knew, High Zhiru paid extra attention to Ji Xinhe this morning!

"You can rest assured. The amount of salt I've eaten is more than the rice she's had. She's just a little girl, how could she be my opponent? Just wait and see!" Lady Ding grinned ominously.

——

"You three useless wretches, hiding in your rooms to laze about, aren't you? Get to work! Living here for free, eating free food, I must really have done something in my past life to deserve this punishment in the Ji family!" Lady Ding was swearing outside, if it wasn't for the door being locked from the inside, she'd probably barge in.

Ji Xinhe, Ji Dong and Xiao Bei exchanged glances, before heading out one after another. Lady Ding had disappeared for a while, probably planning with Ji Xiulan, and now that she suddenly started fussing, it was highly likely that she had figured out how to marry her off to Porky San.

As soon as Ji Xinhe came out, Lady Ding became even more agitated, pointed at her nose and scolded, "You shameless girl, you treat yourself as some kind of ancestor just because you have a scrape on your head? You expect me to take care of you? You spent the whole day only gathering this little amount of wild vegetables?"

After the day's events with Porky San, Lady Ding was filled with suppressed rage, and naturally let off steam at any opportunity. However, the part she miscalculated was that today's Ji Xinhe was no longer the one she knew from the past.