TPITWOHEF

Chapter 176

"My wife listens to me! She's a person of the Chen Family in life and will be a ghost of the Chen Family in death. Of course, all the money she earns belongs to my Chen Family!"

A tall, muscular man with dark skin, still holding a blacksmith's hammer in his hand, his arm as thick as a bowl, pulled his young wife who dared not make a sound and trembled in fear. He glared at Aunt Pei.

"So what if she's a concubine from the palace? Even if the honorable magistrate came, he couldn't interfere in our private family matters!"

"Husband, I'll give you the wages when I get them, please don't be angry. Let's go home," the timid wife pleaded, on the verge of tears.

At the entrance of the sewing courtyard, there were already many women - wives, mothers-in-law, and young girls - who wanted to sign up, as well as men watching the commotion.

She was being dragged and scolded by her husband, unable to lift her head, just wanting to escape.

"You'll give it to me later?" The blacksmith clenched his fist. "You wench, you've got the idea of hiding money for yourself. Who knows if you'll secretly stash some away, and how much!"

"I'm the only one who can collect the money when it's paid!" The man glared at Aunt Pei, threatening with his fist.

Aunt Pei was so angry she was panting. "Chen Dazhu, you're really something, coveting even a woman's hard-earned money..."

"Ask my wife," Chen Dazhu glared, dragging his timid wife in front of him. "Does she dare? Isn't she afraid I'll beat her?"

As he spoke, his fist turned into an open palm, about to slap the woman's face.

The Ji sisters watched, almost trembling.

Is this what married life is like for women?

Parents' orders, matchmakers' words.

When a woman is told to marry, she has no choice but to obey.

But after marriage, who will guarantee their married life?

If they are beaten and scolded at will, with no autonomy, losing both their person and property, will their parents and brothers come to their rescue?

Where is the responsibility of the matchmaker's words?

The Ji sisters felt anxious and uneasy.

"What? Jing Country is like this too! I thought it would be different..." Yuan, the maid, turned pale.

"Chen Dazhu, if you dare hit her, I'll report you to the authorities right now!" Aunt Pei and two other sewing aunts rushed forward.

"Go ahead, report me!" Chen Dazhu was fearless, clearly not the first time he had raised his hand against the women in his family.

"Oh, isn't that Constable Xu drinking tea over there? Constable Xu, are you going to arrest me? I'm disciplining my own wife, come and arrest me! Which law have I broken?"

At the neighboring teahouse, an officer with a large sword at his waist, who was about to sit down, heard this and looked embarrassed. "Chen Dazhu, take your family matters home. If you cause trouble on the street and it gets out of hand, don't blame me for being impolite!"

"Alright, I'll listen to you, Constable. I'll go home right now to teach this disobedient wife of mine a lesson!" With that, Chen Dazhu dragged away his now crying wife.

Aunt Pei and the surrounding women were so angry their chests were heaving.

The Ji sisters closed their eyes, unable to bear the sight.