Chapter 100: Coercive Measures

As Madam Yang listened to these words, her fingers gripped the fabric over her chest tightly. She was well aware that Mother Li had never known a day of peace since marrying into this house.

They were, after all, Gu Dacai’s parents, and no matter how much of a scoundrel he was, he dared not lay a hand on them. But Mother Li was different; she was an outsider who had married in. Whenever Gu Dacai felt even the slightest bit of displeasure, he would inevitably take it out on her.

As for the clamor coming from Gu Dacai, no one paid him any mind, nor did anyone deign to answer his outbursts.

"Xiao Yao, I know... I know your mother has endured half a lifetime of grievances here. I know all of this..."

Madam Yang spoke haltingly, as if the words were being dragged from her soul. She looked at her son, then took two steps back, her expression pained.

"If your mother truly wishes to divorce, then let her divorce."

Her heart was no longer here, and keeping her in this house was futile. Furthermore, Madam Yang feared that if things continued this way, her wretched son might one day beat the poor woman to death. Although Mother Li’s own family rarely visited, if she were to die, word would surely reach them, and they would come to cause a scene.

"Old woman, how could you agree to this..." Old Man Gu stammered, panicked by Madam Yang’s decision. How could she possibly agree? If they divorced, their son would be left without a wife.

"Enough, hold your tongue. I know what you want to say, but I have no choice. We cannot let her come to harm here!" Madam Yang retorted. "We failed to raise our son properly, but we cannot let someone else's daughter die in this house."

Their life had been spiraling downward, and just thinking about the future made Madam Yang feel she could no longer hold on. If only her son were willing to listen and change his ways, but the crux of the matter was that he had no intention of doing so.

"I do not agree to this divorce! You old hag, stay out of my business, or I’ll beat you too, see if I don't!" Seeing Madam Yang nod in agreement, Gu Dacai flew into a rage, spewing insults indiscriminately.

Gu Xiaoyao, who was pinning him down, heard his vile language and kicked him squarely in the back. Gu Dacai collapsed face-first onto the ground.

"Thank you, Grandmother, for your understanding. Please, fetch the village head so we can draw up the divorce papers now."

Gu Dacai, having been kicked, was not about to give up so easily. He thrashed about, trying to rise. "Father, you must think clearly! I cannot provide for you in your old age. If I divorce Mother Li, both children will go with her. When the time comes and no one is left to care for you, you will rot away alone in this house."

This struck a raw nerve for Old Man Gu. Wasn't his greatest fear that there would be no grandson to shatter the ceremonial basin at his funeral? Although his younger son had children, they were currently living with the eldest. If his eldest son were left without heirs, wouldn't his family line come to an end?

"No, no, there shall be no divorce! Unless Little Shu is willing to stay with the Gu family, my son cannot be left without heirs!"

Gu Xiaoyao cast a cold glance at Gu Dacai, then looked at Old Man Gu, who was shaking his head frantically.

"If there is no divorce today, it won’t be as simple as being hung from a tree," she said, running her hand along the blade of her sickle. It had been sharpened to a keen edge, catching the light with a cold, metallic glint. "This blade hasn't tasted anything yet, and I suspect human blood might be quite something."

Fortunately, it was Madam Yang who usually called the shots in the household. She was more farsighted than Old Man Gu and did not obsess over the immediate concerns.

"Very well," Madam Yang said. "I will go fetch the village head to write the divorce papers."