Old Man Bai watched as the clan leader prepared to put ink to paper, his eyes darting around. "Wait!"
The clan leader shot him a look of utter disdain, his tone clearly displeased. "What else do you want? If you have something to say, spit it out!"
Old Man Bai hobbled forward, cast a glance at Tang Youyou, and let out a cold snort. "Since you are so insistent, I have no choice. But from this day forward, you are forbidden from entering the Bai family ancestral grave!"
Upon hearing this, Old Man Tang exploded. "You shameless old scoundrel, what do you think you’re doing?"
The clan leader also scolded him, "Old Man Bai, you are becoming increasingly muddled. Regardless of everything, Tang was legally married to Hansong. Besides, she remained chaste for five years after he left. Even if you break ties, the children still bear the Bai surname and carry the blood of my clan. Do not push your luck!"
Mother Tang was also furious. "You foul-mouthed bully, I think you haven't been beaten enough!"
Old Man Bai didn't cower, his tone remaining relentless. "Let me tell you all, today I am going to write a letter of divorce on behalf of my eldest son. My family wants nothing to do with these ungrateful wolves; who knows if they are even Hansong’s own flesh and blood!"
"Smack!"
Mother Tang could take no more. Tears streaming down her face, she cried, "Nothing good ever comes from a dog's mouth! You old decrepit fool, I’ll fight you to the death today!"
She moved to grab Old Man Bai’s hair, but Tang Youyou pulled her back and shook her head.
Inside, she was churning with suspicion. There was a hole in Old Man Bai’s logic—if the man was already dead, why write a divorce letter? Something was fishy.
"You silly girl, why are you holding me back? I’m going to tear his mouth off!"
Tang Youyou whispered a few words into Mother Tang’s ear. The older woman’s eyes widened, and she froze in place.
Tang Youyou narrowed her eyes and looked at Old Man Bai. "He has been dead for five years. What is the point of writing a divorce letter now?"
A flicker of panic crossed Old Man Bai’s eyes, but he quickly lifted his chin. "It’s... it’s because you are a jinx who brought misfortune to my son! If you want to sever ties, it must be done on my terms!"
Tang Youyou didn't miss his facial expression, and her hands clenched involuntarily. If that were the case, could Bai Hansong still be alive? Otherwise, wouldn't his actions be completely redundant?
She made an immediate decision. "Divorce and total severance of ties, or there is no deal!"
If she were to be 'divorced' by a dead man, she would become the laughingstock of the entire village. Furthermore, if Bai Hansong really wasn't dead, his failure to reach out to the original host for all these years proved he was a total scoundrel. She couldn't wait to be rid of him.
The clan leader sighed. "Tang, you don't have to do this. You stayed faithful to Hansong, and it hasn't been easy for a woman to raise five children alone all these years. If Old Man Bai has no shame, the Bai clan still has a reputation to uphold."
If word of this got out, the Bai clan would be a laughingstock, and no one would ever want to marry their daughters into their families.
Old Man Bai grew anxious. "Fine, divorce and sever ties. I agree. But listen, Clan Leader, this is a matter between our two families, so please stop interfering. Worry less and you might live a few years longer!"
The clan leader’s beard trembled with rage as he pointed at him. "How did my Bai clan produce such a piece of scum like you..."
Old Man Bai arched his eyebrows, offering no rebuttal. His goal had been achieved, and he was in a great mood.
Old Man Tang glared at him, then looked at his daughter and sighed. "Brother Bai, let's just leave it at this. Truly, we have troubled you!"
The clan leader shook his head, sighed again, and began to write.
No sooner had he finished the four copies of the agreement than the Village Chief arrived with a group of people. Seeing Mother Wang bruised and battered and Second Elder Bai clutching his chest, Tang Youyou felt immensely satisfied.
"Come, put your thumbprints on these!"
Mother Wang looked at Old Man Bai, appearing as if she had more to say. The latter kept winking at her, and she didn't understand why. "Old man, was your eye injured in the fight?"
Tang Youyou’s mouth twitched—Old Man Bai was definitely hiding something.
"Uh, Tang, didn't you say you were going to the magistrate to file this today? Why aren't you going yet..."
She rolled her eyes. Hah! Did he think she was stupid? She had been in a rush earlier, fearing he might go back on his word, but things were different now.
It looked like Old Man Bai was even more anxious than she was, which only confirmed her suspicions. Besides, filing at the magistrate's office would require some bribery; she certainly wasn't going to waste a single copper!
"I'm not in a rush. I can go whenever."
"How can that be? This matter must be settled today!"
Tang Youyou stared at him with a mocking, half-smile. "Why? Are you in such a hurry to be reincarnated? If you want to go, you go. My family is in no rush!"
The children standing to the side looked at each other in confusion. What was their mother doing? She had been so urgent just a moment ago, and now she wasn't?
Old Man Bai pointed a finger at her in rage. "You little harlot, you have no respect for your elders!"
The clan leader and the Village Chief sat to one side, watching the show, whispering to each other with faces full of mockery.
Bai Ruoyi looked at him with disgust. "Old Man Bai, please make one thing clear. We have just severed all ties and have no relationship whatsoever. What kind of elder are you supposed to be?"
Tang Youyou was a bit surprised. Her eldest son was usually honest, steady, and a bit naive; he rarely spoke with such sharp, cold words. It seemed he was truly hurt to his core this time. She walked over, patted his shoulder, and shook her head.
Old Man Bai was burning with rage. He pointed at everyone in the courtyard, saying, "Good, very good! You just wait, you two—just you wait and see!"
He turned his head and roared at his younger son, Bai Hanfa, "Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and borrow an ox cart to go to the county town with the Village Chief to file the papers!"
Bai Hanfa muttered weakly, "Father, I haven't even had breakfast yet!"
"Smack, smack, smack!" Several slaps landed, and he saw stars.
He clutched his cheek, eyes wide with disbelief. This was the first time his father had hit him in front of so many people.
The Village Chief’s leisurely voice drifted over. "Go home if you want to make a scene! If you want to get this done today, you'll need to pay a little something to grease the wheels."
Hearing this, Old Man Bai grimaced in pain as he pulled a few pieces of broken silver from his pocket and held them out to his son. Watching the boy's greedy eyes, he suddenly remembered something, pulled his hand back, and turned to offer the silver to the Village Chief instead.
"I ask that the Village Chief please look after this matter!"
The Village Chief snorted and took the silver. "What? Are you expecting me to walk to the magistrate's office?"
Old Man Bai kicked his younger son and roared, "Why are you still standing there like a fool? Go to Zhuanzi’s house and borrow the ox cart!"
Bai Hanfa dared not voice his anger and scurried away.
The clan leader shook his head and looked at Tang Youyou’s family. "Tang, if you have any difficulties in the future, come find me!"
Tang Youyou nodded and saw them out of the courtyard.
Just as she turned back, she caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye and dodged.
It was Second Elder Bai’s wife, Lady Zhou, who had thrown a stone. "You bitch, you hurt my husband’s chest! Pay up for the medicine!"
Tang Youyou looked at the family behind her and asked, "What? Are you all expecting me to pay for his medical expenses too?"
A thin, frail little girl retreated to the side and shook her head.
Lady Zhou shrieked, "Xiao Qing'er, you money-wasting brat! I’m selling you tomorrow!"
Xiao Qing'er ran for her life, tears streaming down her face. She truly wished Lady Zhou wasn't her mother.
The others were somewhat afraid, but they steeled themselves and nodded. "Debt must be repaid; it is only right. You hurt someone, so you must pay for the medicine!"
Tang Youyou stared at the boy in front of her with a mocking smile. "Oh? Then you tell me, how much would be appropriate for me to pay?"
A flash of delight crossed the boy’s eyes as he blurted out, "At the very least, five taels of silver!"