In the beginning, when she still had some personal belongings, she gave the money to Zhuzi, thinking that as long as she could live a good life.
But who knew that Zhuzi's requests for money would become more and more excessive!
Later, Zhuzi discovered something else: if he asked Song Yanrou for money and she refused, he would have his mother, Madam Liu, continue to torment Song Yanrou.
If Song Yanrou complied, Zhuzi would then advise Madam Liu to give Song Yanrou a few days of good living.
With this back and forth, the meager possessions Song Yanrou brought with her were far from enough for Zhuzi and his family's insatiable demands.
Soon, Song Yanrou was truly penniless.
Most of the items in her dowry chest had been given away, and even her daily hair ornaments and jewelry had largely gone to Zhuzi. What else could there be?
And so, the day finally arrived.
This morning, Zhuzi returned home drunk and again reached out to ask Song Yanrou for money.
Song Yanrou knew that every time he got money, he would go out drinking and whoring with his disreputable friends, so she naturally refused.
Furthermore, she truly had nothing left to give.
Unexpectedly, Zhuzi's mind turned, and he told Song Yanrou that if she couldn't provide the money, she should go to the nunnery and ask her concubine mother.
Zhuzi said that although the Second Concubine of the Song family had gone to the nunnery for penance, she must have had some possessions before. It would be better to give these hidden treasures to them than to keep them.
Song Yanrou naturally knew that her concubine mother had some savings, but that was her last resort, and she could not give it to Zhuzi.
Song Yanrou refused Zhuzi, and Zhuzi threatened that if Song Yanrou wouldn't, he would go find the Second Concubine himself.
After all, the Second Concubine only had Song Yanrou as her daughter, and Song Yanrou had Zhuzi as her husband, so she should naturally give all her good things.
Hearing this, Song Yanrou was naturally unhappy.
Unable to bear it any longer, she argued with Zhuzi.
Madam Liu, who was outside, overheard this. How could she stand it?
Madam Liu grabbed a broom and entered the room, directly beating Song Yanrou!
Although Zhuzi still did not lay a hand on her, this time he became a full accomplice, helping Madam Liu restrain Song Yanrou, leaving Song Yanrou to passively endure the beating.
The rain outside grew heavier, and Madam Liu's blows to Song Yanrou became more brutal.
Until Song Yanrou was beaten to the ground, Zhuzi still viciously warned her, saying that she must go and demand things from the Second Concubine. If he did not see the money by tomorrow, he would not let Madam Liu be so lenient!
In her desperation, Song Yanrou could only think of one plan: to escape that so-called home!
However, Zhuzi seemed to realize that Song Yanrou would not obey so easily.
He found people to follow Song Yanrou, and indeed discovered that Song Yanrou was not heading towards the nunnery, but towards the Song family.
So, those people began to chase Song Yanrou, and Song Yanrou scrambled back to the Song family.
Regarding this matter, the servant at the door could testify: "When the Third Young Lady returned just now, this servant did indeed see a group of people following behind her. However, it was raining heavily at the time, and when those people saw the Third Young Lady enter the house, they did not come further. This servant did not think much of it."
Having said this, Song Yanrou, who had just sat down, knelt before the Old Madam once more: "Grandmother, please, save your granddaughter! Granddaughter knows her mistakes, truly knows her mistakes!"
The Old Madam found this unbelievable upon hearing it: "That family dared to treat you like this? No matter how bad off you are, you are still a daughter of the Song family! Are they not afraid of death?"
Song Yanrou cried even harder: "Zhuzi said that he used to see me as a daughter of the Song family, but now he sees that the Song family doesn't care about me. He says I am a jinx and a bringer of bad luck that the Song family has abandoned!"
"Enough, stop crying!"
The Old Madam gave a look to Granny Yin behind her: "Since your rooms are still here, go take a bath and change your clothes. Have someone make you a bowl of ginger soup, so you don't catch a cold. Now that you are back, they won't dare to hit you today. Go tidy yourself up first, then come back. Otherwise, what will your father think if he sees you like this after returning from court?"
Song Yanrou nodded repeatedly, then got up, dripping wet, and walked towards the back.
Only after she left the front hall did the Old Madam turn to the First Madam: "What are your thoughts on this matter?"
The First Madam was somewhat dismissive: "Didn't that Zhuzi marry her when she was desperately wanting to? Who knows if this isn't a ploy to gain sympathy? When your ladyship softens her heart and gives them some money, she'll happily return. People like them, isn't this what they're after?"
In fact, what the First Madam said was not entirely unreasonable.
But clearly, the Old Madam did not agree, and instead continued to look at Song Chaoyu: "Fourth girl, what do you think?"
Song Chaoyu's brows furrowed slightly: "I don't think... it looks like acting. If it were acting, they wouldn't hit her in the face. Third Sister's face has many wounds, and a girl's face is her life. Moreover, Third Sister has indeed lost a lot of weight, so I don't think it's fake."
The Old Madam nodded and glanced at the First Madam: "You, you've been away from the capital for a few days, and you don't ask or care about anything anymore, have you? After returning, you've only been thinking about preventing Song Jiaojiao from entering the Prince of Ning's mansion, haven't you? Don't you know? That Zhuzi frequents brothels and entertains his disreputable friends every day. I know that all his money is squeezed out of Third Girl!"
Scolded by the Old Madam again, the First Madam quickly lowered her head and then muttered: "But isn't that what she wanted? Back then, she insisted on marrying that lowly fellow, and we said everything we could. Now that she's like this, can she blame me?"
"Bang!"
The Old Madam slammed her hand heavily on the table: "Isn't she a daughter of the Song family, and your daughter too?! Are you not going to take responsibility for this matter?"
The First Madam was startled but ultimately did not dare to provoke the Old Madam: "I will, of course, I will! That man bullying her like this is bullying our Song family! Mother, how should we handle this?"
The Old Madam looked at Song Chaoyu again: "Fourth girl, what do you say?"
Song Chaoyu actually did not want to get involved in Song Yanrou's affairs, but since the Old Madam had asked, she hesitated: "Actually, Third Sister's situation has long been a joke among people in the capital. If it weren't for Second Sister being the Princess of Ning, the Song family would have been laughed to death. Therefore, this matter depends on whether Third Sister is willing to continue living with Zhuzi. If she is willing, then Zhuzi must be controlled. If she is not willing, then it's even easier!"
In her past life, this Zhuzi also lived quite prosperously, which was truly disgusting.