Madam Su was once again surprised after listening to Xie Liangchen's words and couldn't help but scrutinize her once more.
The young girl and Madam Su locked eyes, her gaze was clear, and the corners of her mouth slightly curved upwards, displaying a faint smile on her face. The smile made her appear more radiant, and upon closer inspection, even sincere.
Madam Su couldn't help but think, this is unbelievable.
The Su Family held a caravan in their hands, and Madam Su managed several shops. Now, looking at Xie Liangchen's demeanor, it was as if she were facing a large merchant, presenting her wares with a smiling face to negotiate prices.
Madam Su remained stoic: "The marriage between the Su and Xie Families was agreed upon due to our good relations. How can you use it for calculations?"
Xie Liangchen acted as though she hadn't heard and continued on her own: "Now that I am orphaned, if the Su Family breaks the agreement, they would undoubtedly face criticism. Eldest Master Su is destined for a great future; how could he have such a blemish? But if the proposal to break the engagement comes from us, it's different, and it can be easily explained to everyone involved."
Before Madam Su could speak, Xie Liangchen suddenly withdrew her smile, her expression becoming unusually cold: "Otherwise, if I marry into the Su Family, I won't be able to avoid facing the Master and Madam every day."
This was a threat. Madam Su frowned, and her words instilled some fear as if the Miss truly had a way to marry Huaiqing if she didn't agree.
Madam Su felt an increased distaste for Xie Liangchen.
She had long wanted to annul this engagement, but Old Master Chen refused to relent. She dared not make decisions on her own for fear of angering him, which would make her life in the Su Family difficult. If Xie Liangchen insisted on this, Old Master Chen would no longer blame her.
Madam Su coldly asked: "What do you want?"
Xie Liangchen's smile reappeared, once again seeming amiable: "I want to take my mother's dowry and the lands my father acquired, leave the Xie Family, and once these are done, all grievances can be erased."
After finishing, Xie Liangchen handed the divorce letter to Madam Su.
Madam Su was stunned as she watched Xie Liangchen's change in demeanor, as if the previous threats were merely a dream that never happened. She took a long breath, unsure what emotions she was feeling, both resenting Xie Liangchen's coercion and rejoicing that the matter was soon to be resolved.
Madam Su asked: "What lands did your father acquire?"
"Mountain lands," Xie Liangchen replied, "When my father purchased the land, there were documents. However, these documents are not currently in our possession."
Madam Su understood that those documents must be held by Second Old Master Xie, and if he refused to hand them over, Xie Liangchen had no solution.
Xie Liangchen continued: "Logic dictates that even without the documents, it would not be a problem, as the government office would have a copy. But these years, due to continuous wars, the government office caught fire, and it's uncertain if they can still be found there."
In her previous life, Xie Liangchen went to the government office, and the result was that it had caught fire, making the mountain land documents impossible to find; no doubt uncle had arranged that.
Xie Liangchen said: "I hear that the Su Family often visits Zhenzhou, Madam Su must know people in the government office. Please ask Madam to help me find those documents so that even if Uncle refuses to give up the papers he holds, the land can rightfully belong to me."
Xie Liangchen understood the nature of her uncle's family. Even if this time, they reluctantly gave her the land, they would feign that the documents were lost and refuse to give them as evidence. Given time, when the lands could earn Silver, uncle would turn against her and cause endless trouble.
She wanted to secure the land to prevent giving uncle any chance.
The entire affair was meticulously calculated by Xie Liangchen. Madam Su inwardly sneered, thankful that the marriage would be annulled; otherwise, marrying someone like that would turn the Su Family upside down.
Madam Su lifted her eyelids: "I can try." It's merely a matter of greasing some palms in the government office. Although Xie Liangchen might go back on her word after obtaining the land, it's worth a try since it's the simplest way to resolve the engagement.
Xie Liangchen nodded: "Then please have Madam make the arrangements. My uncle should have already received the news and will soon return."
Madam Su certainly didn't want to stay in this room, so she carefully asked about the details of the lands, quietly instructed the housekeeper to go to the government office, and then left with her people.
Old Mrs. Chen rubbed her eyes. She saw Madam Su storm in and out, while her granddaughter sat on the bed, smiling like a little fox.
Xie Liangchen said: "Grandmother, someone is helping us, we just need to wait for the news."
Old Mrs. Chen also wanted to laugh but feared she was laughing too soon.
"Alright, you've been busy for half the day; you should rest for a while." Old Mrs. Chen stepped forward to help Xie Liangchen lie down.
Xie Liangchen was indeed quite tired: "Then I'll sleep for a while."
Old Mrs. Chen tucked the quilt around her granddaughter: "Sleep, and leave the rest for grandmother to handle."
As she spoke, Xie Liangchen had already closed her eyes, falling into a deep sleep.
Old Mrs. Chen looked at her granddaughter, seeing her fall asleep so quickly. She wanted to ask what she should do next.
...
Mrs. Qiao hurried over, only to be stopped in the courtyard by the Su Family's housekeeper.
The Su Family's housekeeper said: "Madam is in the room talking with Miss Xie; please wait a moment."
Mrs. Qiao couldn't help but frown. This was the Xie Family, yet they had to adhere to Madam Su's arrangements? Although she was annoyed, she didn't dare express it, as they would rely on the Su Family's kinship in the future.
Finally, when Madam Su stepped out of the room, Mrs. Qiao rushed forward: "Madam, how did it go? What did Liangchen say?"
Madam Su's brow was furrowed, evidently trying hard to restrain her anger: "Chen could not be persuaded; she insists on going to the village with her grandmother.
I have spoken all the good words I can, to no avail. Second Madam must make swift arrangements."
Seeing Madam Su so discomposed with regards to Xie Liangchen, Mrs. Qiao couldn't help but feel delighted. She did her utmost to hide it: "What shall we do? Going to a place like Chen Family Village, surrounded by common farmers, in the future..."
Madam Su coldly replied: "My Huaiqing will certainly not marry a farm woman. If she insists, we must find someone else for this engagement."
Madam Su glanced at Xie Rulan as she spoke.
Xie Rulan felt her heart racing.
Mrs. Qiao finally regained her composure: "Second Madam, calm down; let's talk about it in the main hall."
Just as Mrs. Qiao finished speaking, she saw Old Mrs. Chen also coming out of the house.
Old Mrs. Chen saw Mrs. Qiao and asked: "Has Second Old Master Xie not returned? Is the carriage ready? It's late today, we must leave early tomorrow morning. We need everything prepared for us, not missing a single item."
After speaking, Old Mrs. Chen turned and left without acknowledging anyone.
Madam Su couldn't help but let out a cold snort.
Mrs. Qiao was about to speak with Madam Su again when she heard the steward reporting: "Madam, Eldest Master Chen has brought Second Old Master Xie."
Second Old Master Xie was now the patriarch of the Xie Family. The Chen Family called him here, surely for this matter.
Mrs. Qiao instructed: "Quickly invite Second Old Master Xie to the main hall." Previously, she hesitated a little, but after hearing Madam Su's words, she couldn't wait to send Xie Liangchen away.
Only after Xie Liangchen left could her daughter, Xie Rulan, have a better life.
After contemplating these things, Mrs. Qiao called over the house steward: "Where is the eldest sister-in-law's dowry? Find ways to gather it promptly."