Chapter 1359: 1356: Slap in the Face

Chapter 1359: Chapter 1356: Slap in the Face

“…Yes,” Chu Qingxiang nodded. Having said this, she became even more fixed on the idea.

Madam Zhang had run out of things to say.

She suddenly understood why Mother wanted her to say these words.

According to Qingxiang’s thinking, if Song Lu continued to fail the imperial examination, their marriage would inevitably run into problems. As an embittered couple, she would never be happy.

“Then let me ask you, when you married Song Lu, was it because of him as a person, or because of his status as a scholar?”

Chu Qingxiang frowned, this question reminded her of the times Madam Huang scolded her for being profit-seeking.

“Of course it’s his potential. And, well, there’s nothing majorly wrong with him as a person,” Chu Qingxiang replied somewhat impatiently.

“But what if Song Lu never passes the examination?” Madam Zhang’s voice was heavy, carrying a weariness she didn’t even notice.

Upon hearing this, Chu Qingxiang felt instantly displeased, “Mother, how can you say such demoralizing things?”

“Don’t change the subject. Just answer me honestly,” Madam Zhang grasped her hand, squeezing with some force, her gaze steady on her daughter.

Chu Qingxiang’s expression turned sour as well. She herself didn’t dare think of that outcome because it seemed like she couldn’t accept it from the bottom of her heart.

She had always been competitive. When discussing her marriage, she had the best match.

She was supposed to live a life not unlike that of Third Aunt’s. How did it turn into a mistaken start, not achieving any of the goals she set for herself from the beginning to the end?

She used to think her family needed to bask in her glory. Who knew the Chu family would thrive so well? Clearly, it was she who needed to bask in its light.

“Then he’ll keep taking the exams,” Chu Qingxiang clenched her teeth and said.

“Where will you get the silver?” Madam Zhang looked at her tiredly. “I can give you silver now, but what about when Mother gets old, stops managing the household, or, let’s say, passes away? Who will give you silver then?”

“I will earn the silver myself,” Chu Qingxiang shouted angrily, her cheeks flushing with humiliation and annoyance.

“Fine, you will earn the silver yourself from now on. I don’t expect you to be filial to me, but I can’t give you too much silver anymore,” Madam Zhang had never thought she’d one day speak such harsh words to her daughter. Ignoring Chu Qingxiang’s upset expression, she continued, “Your grandmother is aware that I have been giving you silver. She suggests that either we find another imperial examination graduate for you to marry now, or you rein in your desires and live contentedly with Song Lu.”

“Grandmother said that?” Chu Qingxiang raised her voice, her expression growing uglier.

“Yes. After telling you this today, Qingxiang, I don’t want you to resent me in the future. If you really can’t stand your current life, then Mother will find you an official to marry. This opportunity has been secured for you by your grandmother using the last of her face by begging your Third Uncle. Just bear in mind that after this, she will no longer care for you, because she has given you what you wanted and doesn’t wish to bask in your light. She will disown you.”

Chu Qingxiang was overwhelmingly shocked, biting her lip hard, “Mother, Grandmother can’t treat me like this.”

She was so angry she started crying, “Why? I am also part of the Chu family! Why do you all get to enjoy while I am the only one living like I am neither human nor ghost?”

“Because it’s your life that you’re living!” Madam Zhang’s eyes were bloodshot. Hearing her true feelings, she couldn’t hold back any longer and slapped her daughter across the face, “Did I marry any better than you? And yet I live with it!”

“What have you contributed to this family to think we must satisfy your endless desires!”