The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law
Chapter 568 - 578: Discussing Divorce

Chapter 568: Chapter 578: Discussing Divorce

"You wish to divorce me?" Master Jie thought he had heard wrong. She actually proposed a divorce?

"Yes, a divorce. I believe I have done nothing wrong; it is you who disdains me, so it shall be a divorce."

Hmph, what’s the difference between a divorce and sending a wife away? Right, the Jie Family does not allow sending a wife away, hence she speaks of divorce.

"Is this true?"

Even though he heard her say such words himself, he still couldn’t believe it. Was she really willing to divorce? What did divorce mean for a woman? She had used all means to marry into this family.

Miss Du looked up and surveyed the room - the decaying doors and windows, the leaky roof, not a single warm spot on her body.

Scarcity of food and clothing, not even enough candlelight to brighten the place - wasn’t that enough?

He wouldn’t let her occupy this position forever. If she didn’t leave, death was the only option.

She was the only one left of the Yu Family; the skill of Yu embroidery could not cease in her hands. She couldn’t just die in this desolate courtyard! After realizing all this, she continually aspired to survive.

With a bitter smile, she said softly, "You are after my life; why should I stay? The art of Yu embroidery must not end with me."

"I am after your life?" Master Jie exclaimed in surprise.

As the words fell, he immediately remembered that she lived here at his bidding. When she fell ill, he had locked the courtyard gate to prevent her from seeking medical treatment. It was Aqing who did it, but it was also on his orders, so wasn’t that tantamount to him desiring her death?

Seeing her speak so calmly about the divorce, he didn’t know why, but a sense of panic rose in him.

Wasn’t relinquishing her position as the principal wife what he had always wanted? Why the panic now?

Master Jie hurriedly shook his head, casting aside the inexplicable emotions in his mind, and sighed, "It’s rare for you to see the light on your own. If I had known it would come to this, why go through all that trouble in the beginning? It has caused unrest for the entire family. Very well, if you can convince father to agree, we will divorce."

Miss Du’s eyes showed no emotion, only her face was too gaunt and pale. She nodded slightly and said, "Thank you! I will definitely persuade Master Jie to agree!"

Master Jie suddenly scrutinized her, and by the faint light of the fire, he saw her harrowing sickly appearance and felt a sudden pity for her.

Perhaps it was because she would soon be irrelevant to him; he found he no longer abhorred her as before.

Neither of them spoke, and the room fell into a silence that was almost eerie.

Just as Miss Du was about to speak, Master Jie preempted her.

"Despite everything, Master Du has been an old acquaintance of the Jie Family, and you are his daughter. After our divorce, I cannot treat you too unfairly. I will have the Accountant’s Office give you some silver, to ensure you have no worries about food and clothing later in life."

However, Miss Du replied indifferently, "That won’t be necessary. The Yu Family’s embroidery workshop and the Du Family’s properties are all in my name. Once I leave your family, I will manage those neglected shops and estates back to prosperity."

Master Jie grew somewhat irritated upon hearing this.

This woman, even now, couldn’t she comply a little? Must she still argue with him over money?

He said angrily, "Our agreement is a divorce, not sending a wife away. If you leave empty-handed, where will that leave the honor of the Jie Family? The Yu Family’s embroidery workshop has been closed since your mother’s death, and what property does the Du Family have? A few neglected estates and a decrepit house that no one would buy even if it were sold cheap. How would you manage? As a woman, do you still intend to conduct business in public?"

"Fine!" To prevent him from uttering anything more offensive, Miss Du had no choice but to shut him up with that word.