She was tricked into marriage for three years, then remarried a childless, tough guy and became preg

Shen Tang didn't look at Liu Jinhua, wiped away her tears and continued:

"Before my mother passed away, the Lu family came to propose marriage, saying they would treat me well. My mother didn't even ask for a bride price, and even gave them her own dowry."

But in the three years since I married into the Lu family, I've been treated like a slave.

I had to get up as soon as the rooster crowed, not only to work in the fields, but also to do all the housework—laundry, cooking, feeding the chickens and ducks—and wash everyone's dirty clothes. In the dead of winter, my hands were covered in layers of chilblains.

Shen Tang stretched out her trembling hands. Although it was summer, the chilblain marks on the back of her hands were still very obvious.

As Shen Tang spoke, the onlookers began to discuss among themselves, and some of the more compassionate ones couldn't help but wipe away their tears.

"What kind of life is this? When Shen Tang was with her parents, she was treated like a treasure. When did she ever have to do farm work?"

"The Lu family claims it's to repay a debt of gratitude, but after marrying her off, they treat her child like this? Aren't they afraid of retribution?"

Liu Jinhua gritted her teeth, not daring to lift her head. This Shen Tang seemed like a completely different person.

Before, I wouldn't have dared to say so much in one breath, let alone greet an acquaintance.

But what she said made perfect sense, so Liu Jinhua gritted her teeth and said:

"Shen Tang, that's a harsh thing to say. How many rural women don't work? Our Lu family didn't mind that you can't have children. You married such a handsome young man like Jing Shen, what are you so dissatisfied with?"

"That's true. Lu Jingshen is the only college student in our village. Shen Tang is marrying above her station," someone chimed in.

When Liu Jinhua saw that she had the upper hand, she immediately became smug.

"Jing Shen is now a technician at the garment factory, and there are plenty of female workers who like him. But Jing Shen didn't reject her; instead, she made a scene."

She even jumped into the river yesterday. I heard a man rescued her; I bet he groped her all over! Ugh—how shameful!

Liu Jinhua slapped her thigh and sighed.

The onlookers started making a noisy commotion.

"What are you talking about! Someone saved someone and you called it a mistake?"

"Exactly, it's disheartening to hear such words. If everyone thinks like that, who will dare to save people in the future?"

Shen Tang smiled slightly, it seemed that the public's values ​​were still quite sound.

Following Liu Jinhua's lead, Shen Tang continued:

"Yes! Your son is so charming. Even the daughter of the garment factory manager, Yang Xinyue, is completely infatuated with him! Your son went to her house and said he would divorce his wife as soon as possible and then marry her properly."

Lu Jingshen, who had been standing behind Shen Tang with his hands in his pockets, immediately replied upon hearing her words:

"Shen Tang, don't talk nonsense and ruin someone's reputation."

Shen Tang glanced at him sideways. He wouldn't say a word no matter what she said, but he would jump up immediately when Yang Xinyue was mentioned.

They really protect her very well.

"I'm not making this up, it's what her younger brother said himself. Didn't you go to Yang Xinyue's house this morning to coax her? If you really like her, then we should break up."

You can't have someone else on your mind while making me work like a slave for your family. I, Shen Tang, may not have any family protecting me, but you can't treat me like this!

As Shen Tang spoke, tears streamed down her face again.

She's a really talented actress; her tears are like a tap, always ready to be turned on.

"Oh dear, this is so pitiful. If Shen Qingshan were alive, he wouldn't stand by and watch his daughter be bullied like this."

"If my daughter and son-in-law acted like that, I'd skin them alive!"

An old man in the crowd was filled with righteous indignation.

Looking at her tear-streaked face, Lu Jingshen suddenly didn't know what to say. He opened his mouth, gritted his teeth, and whispered:

"What exactly do you want?"

"I, Shen Tang, am not the kind of person who makes trouble unnecessarily. Since your Lu family cannot tolerate me, I can leave."

Liu Jinhua looked at Shen Tang suspiciously. Was there really such a good thing?

It would be so much easier if she left. Once Lu Jingshen marries Yang Xinyue, the entire Lu family will rise to prominence. She can then go to the city and live a good life.

Thinking of this, a smile involuntarily appeared on Liu Jinhua's face as she looked at Shen Tang.

"You chose to leave yourself; the Lu family didn't kick you out."

"Since we're leaving, let's settle all the scores from these past years."

As Shen Tang spoke, she took out a small notebook from her cloth bag.

In the morning, while Lu Jingshen went to see Yang Xinyue, she sorted out the IOUs that the Lu family had accumulated over the years.

Including all the hard work she's done for the Lu family over the years, every single one of it needs to be accounted for to them.

Liu Jinhua frowned as she looked at Shen Tang's posture. What was he doing?

Oh—she's probably planning to put it in writing; that's quite thoughtful. That's the right way, so she won't have any disagreements later.

Liu Jinhua said loudly, "Let's make this clear while everyone's here, so we don't regret it later."

"Okay," Shen Tang pushed the notebook in her hand to Liu Jinhua, "This is the money your Lu family owed our family before, a total of 226 yuan and 52 cents. These are the IOUs."

"When my mom passed away, she left me my bankbook and property deed. You said you were afraid I'd lose them and would keep them for me, so I'm returning them now!"

"This is the general ledger," Shen Tang said, looking at Lu Jingshen. "College student, come and check if it's correct."

Lu Jingshen clenched his fists tightly. He knew about these accounts even without Shen Tang mentioning them.

Liu Jinhua made him marry Shen Tang so that these debts would be nullified.

Liu Jinhua jumped up immediately, "What did you say?!"

Shen Tang, you've been married into our family for three years. For these three years, we've provided you with food and drink, and I've treated you like my own daughter. And now you're bringing up old grievances with me?

Your mother said when she arranged this marriage that all past grievances were wiped clean!

"My mom did say that. But what she said was, 'If you treat me well, then it's all over.' Have you treated me well?!"

Shen Tang slammed his hand on the table, startling Liu Jinhua and even making Wang Cuixia sit up straight.

This Shen Tang is really tough! I've never seen her stand so straight before.

Wang Cuixia's heart pounded with anxiety. Would they come after her again later?

Liu Jinhua stammered, "How...how have we treated you badly?"

"You treat me well, yet you make me wash clothes in the dead of winter? You treat me well, yet you make me empty the whole family's chamber pots? You treat me well, yet your son has been married to me for three years and then left me in the countryside for three years? You treat me well, yet he has a lover outside?"

Your whole family is heartless and ungrateful!

Let's settle this score today, not a penny less!

"And for the past three years, I've worked hard at your house, taking care of your food, drink, and daily needs—that all has to be paid out to me!"

"Heaven and earth bear witness! When have we ever treated you so harshly? This is slander and defamation!"

Liu Jinhua immediately denied it.

"Alright, then swear an oath now. If what I say is true, I will make sure your Lu family line ends and you, Liu Jinhua, have no one to care for you when you're old, and no one to bury you when you die."

Shen Tang took a step forward and stared intently at Liu Jinhua.