Chapter 10: A Severed Bond

Ma Weiping narrowed his eyes. An imposing aura spread through the room without a word spoken. No one dared to breathe too loudly.

Common folk like them never dared to cross an official.

Old Madam Lin, who had been so fierce moments ago, now shrank behind Lin Daguo.

“If you’re marrying off your granddaughter for her own good, then why won’t you agree to the husband she chose herself?” Ma Weiping fixed Old Madam Lin with a gaze sharp with anger.

He had only recently taken up his post in Pingyang Town, but he had already seen plenty of cases where daughters were sold off for money.

He had a daughter of his own. He understood all too well.

“That Xiao Hanting is a cripple! He went to the capital for the exams and came back with both legs useless, dragging along two burdens as well. How could I bear to send my poor granddaughter to such a life?” Old Madam Lin wailed, tears and mucus streaming down her face.

The villagers nodded in agreement. Marrying Master Liu might not guarantee a good life, but marrying Xiao Hanting would certainly mean a life of hardship.

“You decide for yourself.” Ma Weiping turned to Lin Qinghuan, his look both reassuring and firm, showing he had her back.

Lin Qinghuan did not change her mind. “I want to marry Xiao Hanting.”

“You ungrateful girl! I’ll…” Old Madam Lin raised her hand to strike again, but she stopped when her eyes met Ma Weiping’s gaze.

Still, she refused to give in so easily. “Fine, marry Xiao Hanting if you must. But then don’t even think about getting the money your parents left behind. It’ll be your grandfather’s and my retirement fund. After all, once you marry that cripple, you’ll be lucky to have one meal a day. You think you’ll be able to support us?”

Ma Weiping frowned. He was about to speak when Lin Qinghuan cut him off.

“How about this: I’ll only take my own share. Qingyu’s portion can go to you for your old age. And I have one more condition.”

Lin Qinghuan knew the two old bastards wouldn’t let her off easily. Losing a little money was inevitable.

“What condition?” Old Madam Lin watched her warily, afraid she would make some outrageous demand.

“You will have the magistrate draw up a deed of severance. From now on, Qingyu and I are no longer part of the Lin family. Neither side will interfere with or visit the other.”

Lin Daguo’s face darkened like storm clouds.

He knew Lin Qinghuan would not have an easy life, but hearing her say they should sever ties made them look like the ones clinging on. It was embarrassing.

“Hmph! If anyone’s severing ties, it’s the Lin family cutting you off! What right do you have?” Lin Daguo shook his sleeves with faux dignity, holding himself high.

Old Madam Lin quickly tugged at his sleeve. This old fool, why agree to sever ties? If they kept the girl under their thumb, they could still squeeze money out of her.

Lin Qinghuan didn’t care. As long as they could sever ties, it didn’t matter who proposed it.

Lin Qingyu stood to the side, uncertain and anxious. He was still young and didn’t fully understand what severing ties meant. But his heart ached for his sister. She had saved him from Master Liu’s grasp and was fighting the whole family alone, while he couldn’t help at all. He was useless.

Then his sister’s words echoed in his mind: ‘Qingyu, do you trust me?’

Strangely, his restless heart calmed. No matter what his sister decided, he would stand firmly by her side.

“Very well. Lin Qinghuan and Lin Qingyu sever ties with the Lin family. They will take only ten of the thirty taels. From this day forward, you have no connection to each other.” Ma Weiping announced the result in a deep voice.

He had wanted to advise Lin Qinghuan, to tell her that severing ties was no small matter and that perhaps she should try separating from the family first.

But her attitude was so resolute and her expression so determined that he swallowed his words.

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