Chapter 11: A Clean Break

At this point, Old Madam Lin could only grit her teeth and agree, but she added another condition.

“I’ve already settled everything with Master Liu. If you can’t marry him, then you deal with it yourself. I won’t bother with you!”

She had already accepted the betrothal gifts. Master Liu wouldn’t let such a loss go. If Master Liu went after Lin Qinghuan, she would have to spit out all ten silver taels she took from the Lin family!

“Whoever stirred up trouble should settle it themselves. Starting today, I’m a married woman. Can she force a married woman into marriage?” Lin Qinghuan shot a sidelong glance at Old Madam Lin. That old witch’s abacus beads were practically flying in her face.

Making her spit out the meat she had swallowed would sting for a long time.

“Your Honor, the severance document is ready.”

Someone handed the detailed severance paper to Ma Weiping. He only skimmed it before passing it to Lin Qinghuan for review.

The document was simple. It essentially stated that from now on, the two parties would go their separate ways with no further connection.

Lin Qinghuan had no objections. She and Lin Qingyu scrawled their signatures in quick strokes.

“That girl is usually so quiet and unnoticeable. Who would have thought she’d do something like severing family ties?”

“Maybe she’s possessed by something unclean. The way she looked at Old Madam Lin, she seemed ready to eat her alive.”

“Good thing she’s marrying that cripple Xiao Hanting. She won’t cause trouble for anyone else in the village.”

The gossiping women watched with arms crossed, enjoying the spectacle. After all, it was someone else’s family affair.

With officials present, Old Madam Lin, no matter how reluctant, could only watch bitterly as Lin Daguo signed his name to protect the money already in her pocket.

With Ma Weiping and the village head as witnesses, the validity of this severance document was unquestionable.

Lin Qinghuan let out a long sigh. The mountain pressing on her heart shattered into pieces. From now on, the Lin family could never control her or take any advantage from her again.

“Qingyu, let’s pack our things.”

Call it packing, but the siblings had pitifully few belongings. Only two worn-out clothes were truly theirs.

Old Madam Lin immediately followed them into the room with disgust. “I warn you, since you’ve severed ties, there’s no talk of dividing the family. You can’t take anything that belongs to the Lin family.”

Lin Qinghuan gave a cold laugh. In the cramped little room, she spread her hands and raised an eyebrow at the old woman, as if to say, What could I possibly take? A handful of dust or the stale air?

Old Madam Lin clearly realized the point, and her face flushed red. But she didn’t think she was wrong. A worthless wretch should be grateful for a place to sleep and food to eat, let alone ask for more.

Stuffing their only two sets of clothes into a bundle, Lin Qinghuan pulled Lin Qingyu and walked out of the room without looking back.

Her thin frame seemed to harbor immense strength, so resolute and determined.

The scene stunned the onlookers.

Old Madam Lin’s eyes only grew more hateful. This wretch was more and more like her short-lived father. If not for the scheme she used back then, Third Lin would have long since left the Lin family with his wife and children, never toiling endlessly for the family’s money.

Ma Weiping watched Lin Qinghuan with a hint of sorrow. Based on the villagers’ description of Scholar Xiao, her marriage would likely mean a life of starvation.

“Old witch! Qinghuan’s parents worked for years and handed over all their wages, even the compensation money! And you won’t give them a single grain of food? You’re heartless!”

A sharp, scolding voice rang out. Erniu pushed through the crowd, rolled up her sleeves, and pointed at Old Madam Lin, letting loose a torrent of curses.

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