Chapter 198: The Successor Wife – 20

Feng Qingyue never saw the day Zhang Bojian turned over a new leaf. Instead, for reasons unknown, he had somehow fallen into the clutches of gambling.

Even after Father Zhang resorted to using the family’s disciplinary rod, it was useless. Zhang Bojian had fallen into a state of madness, muttering to himself, “The next hand… I’ll make it all back in the next hand. I’ve already figured out the tricks of the trade. Our family will have heaps of silver soon…”

But no matter what he said, Feng Qingyue remained unmoved. She refused to give him a single cent, saying only with biting sarcasm, “Go ask your mother for it. Why are you opening your mouth to me? You actually have the nerve to touch my dowry money…”

Fury rose from Zhang Bojian’s cowardice, and he committed an act of domestic violence against Feng Qingyue.

Feng Qingyue had never suffered such a grievance in her life. She struck back immediately, ordering her dowry maids to join her in beating Zhang Bojian until his face was black and blue.

Mother Zhang cursed Feng Qingyue in a rage, accusing her of failing her wifely virtues by daring to lay hands on her husband, and threatened to divorce her.

Feng Qingyue sneered. “I’m done serving this family! Let me tell you, it’s not your Zhang Family divorcing me—it’s me divorcing Zhang Bojian! This man is a piece of mud that can’t be stuck to a wall¹. Whoever wants him can have him! But you will pay back every bit of my dowry silver that your family owes me, or we’ll see each other in court!”

Both Father Zhang and Mother Zhang were deeply dissatisfied with Feng Qingyue, but the moment they saw she was serious about a divorce, they lost their nerve.

The family was still buried under a mountain of debt. If Feng Qingyue left, wouldn’t the family be completely ruined by creditors?

That simply wouldn’t do!

They worked tirelessly to change Zhang Bojian’s mindset. Zhang Bojian felt as though he were enduring a great humiliation for the sake of a greater cause; suppressing his inner loathing, he began to coax and wheedle Feng Qingyue. He swore an oath that he would change and strive for success in the future, claiming he had only been a bit indulgent lately because he had been in a bad mood.

It was as if Feng Qingyue had been kicked in the head by a donkey²; she actually forgave Zhang Bojian.

She didn’t tell Mother Feng a single word about anything that had happened, which ultimately led to the tragedy that followed.

The entire Zhang Family harbored ill intentions toward Feng Qingyue. They actually came up with a sinister plan: keep the child and get rid of the mother³. That way, Feng Qingyue’s dowry silver would stay with the Zhang Family, and an eyesore would be removed. It was killing two birds with one stone.

By the time Ren Xin returned from her travels, she heard the news that Feng Qingyue had given birth to a son and then passed away due to a difficult labor.

Ren Xin: “???” Hadn’t she only been gone for a year?

The person was just… gone?

Book Spirit Number One was also dazed. What the hell happened?

Both were curious. Ren Xin rummaged through her belongings and finally pulled a capsule out of her pocket.

“Shen Shen, what kind of goodie is this?”

Ren Xin said proudly, “This is a Time Memory Capsule. I think I bought it from a wandering alchemist. I haven’t used it before, so I don’t know if it works well!”

Ren Xin then checked the instruction manual. Surprisingly, all she had to do was adjust the time and set the location coordinates, and she could watch the past like a movie.

Book Spirit Number One said enviously, “Shen Shen, I want one too!”

Ren Xin said disdainfully, “You want a pile of crap!”

Book Spirit Number One: “…” Whose host was this with such a lack of class? Oh, it was its own.

Ren Xin watched the scene of Feng Qingyue giving birth. As expected, there was something fishy. The tonic soup Mother Zhang had provided was spiked.

This was truly disgusting.

To frame a mother in the middle of childbirth… As the perspective shifted, Ren Xin saw the smile spreading across the corners of Zhang Bojian’s mouth. It was filled with coldness and a sense of gratification. With that expression, did it mean he was also in on it?

This man really was a piece of trash!

“Shen Shen, even if you know, you have no way to convict them! You don’t have any evidence.”

Ren Xin arched an eyebrow and let out a disdainful sneer. “Why would I need evidence? I can just make them go confess their crimes themselves!”

Book Spirit Number One: “???”

Translator’s Notes