Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 36: Beat the snake and follow the stick

Yang Yuan had just finished speaking when Old Mrs. Ding's face darkened.

Captain Yang actually suggested that she, the old lady of the first wife, should agree to marry her husband, Nadaniang.

Although the old lady of the Ding family did not want to force anyone to death, she definitely did not want to agree to bring Dan Niang back, so she tightened her face and said nothing.

Yang Yuan added: "Your Excellency, you are just making the best of a bad situation. I think Dan Niang is very pretty. Once she gets married, she can help your Ding family to expand and prosper.

Besides, she is also smart. Not only can she help you take care of your husband's daily life and diet, but she can also help you do the accounting and check the goods for the Ding family and manage the business. What's wrong with that?"

After hearing this, Mrs. Ding would never agree even if she was beaten to death.

Help my Ding family expand?
I already have four sons and three daughters. Do I still need her to help my Ding family expand?
Once a woman's uterus dries up, she will no longer be able to bear children.

But it’s different for men. Even if he is in his seventies or eighties, as long as that thing can still be used, it can make his life better.

What if that vixen really gave birth to a few children for her husband...

According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, illegitimate children can also inherit half of their father's estate. Wouldn't that be a loss for one's own children?
She also helps my Ding family to settle accounts and inspect goods?
Bah! I have always been in charge of the Ding family's account book.

Does she want to take advantage of me and seize my power?
However, I am already so old, I will definitely go ahead of her, and then I will listen to her and do whatever she says...

When the old man is gone, she will be the aunt and the elder, and the children and grandchildren will not be able to disobey her.

Wouldn't that mean she would spend my Ding family's money, order my children around, and act tyrannically in my home?

What if she can't keep herself safe at such a young age and brings shame to my Ding family...

The more Mrs. Ding thought about it, the more frightened she became, and she kept shaking her head.

“No, no, that won’t work.

If Dan Niang were to get together with that shameless old man, it would be like a vixen marrying a weasel, and they would become two sluts together.

With my old man's health, he will probably die in her belly within a month. This is impossible!"

Yang Yuan smiled slightly and said, "If you don't let me open the door, then I'll open the window."

Yang Yuan said: "There is another way from my parents, that is, my parents will decide and find another family for Dan Niang.

As long as she has someone to rely on for the rest of her life, she won't commit suicide. Do you think this is a good idea?"

Mrs. Ding's eyes lit up and she said happily, "Okay, okay, that's good. It's best for the county lord to handle it this way."

Yang Yuan changed the subject and continued, "But Dan Niang's parents have already sold her to your Ding family.

The documents for buying a concubine are still in your hands, old lady, right?

Dan Niang is already your concubine in the Ding family, and we old parents cannot break the law and marry a girl off twice!"

Old Lady Ding quickly explained, "Captain Yang, I kept the pawning document only to collect the debt from the Fan family.

If Dan Niang is promised to someone else, it will naturally have nothing to do with our Ding family. The pawning document can be handed over to the captain.

But... the Fan family took a full 150 strings of cash from my Ding family, and they never paid a penny back, this..."

Yang Yuan said: "Although the Fan family is rude, as long as they don't let Dan Niang go home, they are right if they don't pay back the money. What do you want your old parents to do?
Besides, the father and son of the Fan family are idle. The father lives a life of debauchery, and the son is addicted to gambling.

I'm afraid that the money from selling my daughter has already been spent by them. How can I get it back?"

Old Mrs. Ding looked gloomy and kept silent.

Yang Yuan quietly observed her expression and adjusted his words in time, saying: "My parents want to find another family for her.

Whether you are someone's wife or concubine, the other party has to pay some money, right?
The money will be given to your family as compensation for buying a concubine, is that okay?" Mrs. Ding immediately became happy again and said repeatedly: "Okay, okay, in this case, I agree."

Yang Yuan smiled and said, "It's just that I don't know when I can find another family for Dan Niang.

Besides, if we want to find her another family, we have to let her be free."

Old Mrs. Ding's heart skipped a beat. Is this asking me to hand over the documents for pawning my concubine first?
If you don’t pay me, where can I find you?
Do I, an old woman, dare to go to the county government office to collect debts from the county magistrate?
Hesitating in her heart, Old Mrs. Ding became hesitant again.

Seeing that she would just lower her head and remain silent at every critical moment, Yang Yuan knew the character of this old lady Ding.

People like this may seem difficult to deal with, but they are actually very easy to handle.

Yang Yuan said amiably, "I think it would be better to estimate the price first and let our county magistrate help her pay for it. If there is more or less, you don't have to be picky."

The grandson of the Ding family was timid and said hurriedly: "That's fine, that's fine."

Yang Yuan said: "Our old parents are willing to help you out of love for the people.

If I marry Dan Niang off to another man, I can't say for sure how much dowry I can get. If it's not enough, I can't let my elderly parents suffer, right?

Look, how much money should the county magistrate advance to your Ding family on her behalf? That would be appropriate."

"Uh……"

No matter how dumb Mrs. Ding and her grandson were, they could tell that the tone was unfriendly.

Old Mrs. Ding glanced at Yang Yuan and saw that he was smiling but his eyes were without any warmth, so she felt empty in her heart.

Mrs. Ding wanted to get back at least 100 strings of cash, but she became timid and lost her courage. She said hesitantly, "Fifty... fifty strings of cash, is that okay?"

Yang Yuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, it was within his psychological bottom line.

Starting a business is difficult. He now only has a bag of jewelry. Although it is valuable, it is troublesome to sell it.

So, save as much as you can.

Use fifty strings of cash to get back Dan Niang's indenture contract and put an end to the Ding family's troubles.

Dan Niang’s parents will have no reason to harass her anymore, so it’s worth it.

Yang Yuan reached into his bosom and pulled out a silver ingot: "Okay, then fifty strings of cash. This ingot of silver is for you. Madam, bring me the document for buying a concubine. I will take it back to the county and present it to my parents."

Old Mrs. Ding’s grandson happily took the silver.

Yang Yuan said in a friendly manner, "I will have to trouble you later, little brother, to go and greet the elder and ask him to go to the county government office with me."

The grandson of the Ding family was stunned and asked in confusion: "Why does Captain Yang want to take my grandfather to the county?"

Yang Yuan said sternly: "This matter was caused by your father-in-law's greed for beauty, disregard for the law, and buying a concubine without the permission of the principal wife.

This incident almost cost someone their life and ruined the morals of the county. When Bendu came, my parents ordered that our father be taken back to teach him a lesson.

The Ding family's grandson's face suddenly changed, and he looked at his grandmother for help.

Old Mrs. Ding was just about to happily go to the back to get the pawning documents.

Hearing what Yang Yuan said, Old Mrs. Ding was also startled.

Although she hated her husband, they were married for life after all, and she couldn't bear to take her husband to the county government to be punished.

Old Mrs. Ding said hesitantly, "Captain Yang, can't you be flexible about this matter?"

(End of this chapter)