CHAPTER 743: CHAPTER 743: SELL HER IF SHE WON’T MARRY

Upon hearing Section Leader Lin’s words, Lin Da grew fearful again: "Is there really no other way?"

Section Leader Lin said firmly: "If you want to survive, if you want to live a good life, don’t harm the Gu Family, and don’t think about marrying Le Niang off to Company Commander Qin."

Exhausted from talking, Section Leader Lin bluntly continued, "I’m tired of arguing with you all. I’ve laid everything out, so let’s divide the family assets. After the separation, if you wish to court death, be my guest, but don’t drag me down with you."

Lin Da, feeling a tightness in his chest, urged in a flattering tone: "Little brother, the New Year is almost upon us, what are you talking about, dividing the family? Just hand over the house deeds, land deeds, and silver to our mother, and we can talk about this after the New Year."

Lin Da feared that Section Leader Lin might deceive them. If they actually split the family assets, and Section Leader Lin continued to work at the Military Office, Lin Da’s smaller household would stand to lose out.

Section Leader Lin scoffed: "Suit yourself, but before we divide, the house deeds, land deeds, and silver should remain in my possession. These things were earned with my life, and it’s thanks to me that you can even cultivate Mingya Grass."

Section Leader Lin paid them no more heed, and upon leaving the house, found You Erxi hiding behind the distant haystacks and reassured them: "Don’t worry, my family are all cowards; they dare not trouble Company Commander Qin or Miss Gu anymore."

You Erxi responded with a cold laugh: "You’d better keep a close eye on them, don’t let them do anything stupid again."

Section Leader Lin really was foolish, serving the master as a soldier, he should have known of the master’s affection for Miss Gu Er, yet he dared to plot against the master and Miss Gu Er, trying to marry his own sister to the master, truly seeking death in earnest.

"The master, considering that you served under him, only stripped you of your Section Leader position. With the New Year’s approaching, cherish these days," You Erxi finished, then waved his hand dismissively, indicating that Section Leader Lin could leave.

Suddenly, Section Leader Lin knelt down and pleaded, "Brother, could you please speak to Company Commander Qin for me, see if I can continue to serve in the Military Office? I don’t need to be a small Section Leader anymore, just being a soldier would suffice."

You Erxi shook his head: "Too late, once unfaithful, never trusted again."

With that, You Erxi drew his knife, signaling for Section Leader Lin to leave quickly.

Section Leader Lin returned home, disheartened, realizing he had definitively lost his position. But to stay alive, he had no choice but to comply with what You Erxi and the others had demanded.

You Erxi and his group did not leave the Lin Family and continued to keep a close watch nearby, to prevent the Lin Family People from foolishly troubling Miss Gu Er.

Knowing they had not yet left, Section Leader Lin grew even more frightened. The next day, he personally went to the town’s blacksmith shop to find Wu Da, and discussed his and Lin Leniang’s marriage situation.

However...

"I have already resigned from my duties at the Military Office to pursue business ventures. If you were interested in marrying into my family because I was a small Section Leader, then I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed."

Wu Da, on the other hand, was not concerned and was ecstatic: "I’m already twenty-three and was once betrothed, but my bride-to-be died before we could marry. If your family is willing to marry Le Niang to me, I’ll treat her well. As for my parents, I will persuade them. As long as Le Niang’s womb proves fertile and she bears a son, all will be well."

Though Section Leader Lin’s loss of official position did affect the marriage arrangements between the two families, his parents cared more about having a grandson.

Pleased with the response, Section Leader Lin found the Wu Family to be reasonable, not the kind of family that despised the poor and loved the rich: "With the New Year fast approaching, it’s too rushed to settle the betrothal now. After the Lantern Festival, your family can come to propose."

"Eh, don’t worry Second Uncle, my family will definitely hire an official matchmaker to arrange the marriage properly and honorably," Wu Da was very happy, wanting to treat Section Leader Lin to a drink, but Section Leader Lin declined: "Let’s drink some other time. Right now, I have to hurry and buy New Year’s goods to take home."

Wu Da, upon hearing this, didn’t insist on treating Section Leader Lin but bought him quite a few nice gifts, and even specially purchased a pair of silver cloves: "This is for Le Niang’s New Year’s gift. Please, Second Brother, help me pass it on to her."

Section Leader Lin looked at the pair of silver cloves and, though they were made of silver, their weight was substantial: "Alright, rest assured, I will deliver them to Le Niang."

However, once he arrived home, Lin Leniang threw a fit and smashed the silver cloves: "Pah, can’t even afford a pair of gold cloves and still dreams of marrying me, Lin Leniang? Dream on!"

Smack – Section Leader Lin slapped Lin Leniang across the face: "Behave and get engaged to Wu Da. Marry him and live your life. Make a fuss again, and I’ll sell you off to Jiangnan to be a slave."

Mrs. Lin’s eyes lit up upon hearing this; she had heard that brothels and painted boats in Jiangnan offered high prices for girls.

Her eyes immediately turned to appraise Lin Leniang, looking her up and down.

Hmm, not bad looking, something of a village beauty. If she were sold to a Jiangnan brothel, she could fetch at least twenty taels of silver.

Section Leader Lin found Mrs. Lin’s appraising gaze towards Lin Leniang disgusting. How could his brother have married such a vile woman? It was also his family’s fault for being too poor back then and not being able to afford a substantial dowry, which led to the marriage to Mrs. Lin Zhu.

When Lin Leniang heard that Section Leader Lin intended to sell her, she was greatly shaken and, coming back to her senses, sobbed, "No, how could Second Brother possibly sell me off?"

"Heh, I’ve lost my Section Leader position and now need silver to start a business. You think I wouldn’t sell you to make up the silver?" Section Leader Lin didn’t indulge her, pointing at the courtyard gate he spoke, "It’s not the first or second time a family in our village has sold off a daughter. Lin Jinhua and Lin Hongye were both sold, do you think you’re some precious lady who can’t be sold? Ask Mrs. Lin Zhu, does she or does she not want to sell you for money?"

Lin Leniang immediately looked at Mrs. Lin Zhu and asked angrily, "Elder sister-in-law, tell me, do you really want to sell me for silver?"

Lin Leniang was truly not very bright. Given Mrs. Lin’s look when appraising her earlier, there was no need to even ask this question.

Mrs. Lin said, "Le Niang, your Second Brother has lost his position and is feeling down. If he really does sell you, don’t blame him."

With those words, she not only admitted her desire to sell Lin Leniang for money but also pushed all the blame onto Section Leader Lin. Truly, she was playing the part of a doting elder sister-in-law!

Section Leader Lin felt like vomiting. He deeply regretted letting greed cloud his judgment in scheming against Company Commander Qin, ending up in this plight.

He steeled his heart and told Lin Leniang, "I’ll give you two choices. One is to marry Wu Da and live well with him. The other is to be sold to Jiangnan and serve as a slave or maidservant for someone else, and if you’re unlucky, you might even end up in a brothel."

Lin Leniang, terrified at the thought of ending up in a brothel, didn’t dare to make any more fuss and just threw herself into Mrs. Lin’s arms, crying, "Wuwuwu, Mother, what should I do?"

Mrs. Lin said, "Good girl, don’t cry now. The Wu Family resides in town and runs a shop; this marriage is not a bad match. Before Company Commander Qin came into the picture, didn’t you think the Wu Family was quite good?"

"But now with Company Commander Qin in the picture, how can the Wu Family compare? Company Commander Qin is going to be a General in the future," Lin Leniang cried hard, pleading with Mrs. Lin, "Mother, Mother, please help me. You can also enjoy a good life if I marry Company Commander Qin."

Mrs. Lin, however, did not agree. Her second son already spoke to her last night, saying that Mrs. Lin Zhu was unkind and that he would take care of her in her old age. If she wanted to live a good life in her later years, she would have to keep an eye on Le Niang and make sure she married into the Wu Family.