Chapter 1823: "I Gave Her Two Taels of Silver"

Chapter 1823: "I Gave Her Two Taels of Silver"

In this turn of events, she had ventured into a path from which there was no return.

Half an hour later, Tao Ling returned, only to find Master Jin entwined with Tao Qin.

Tao Ling caught them in the act, and her screams drew the estate's servants, leading to a chaotic scene that spiraled out of control.

Tao Qin lay unconscious on the bed, while Tao Ling rushed home to inform Zhang Shi.

When the panicked Zhang Shi arrived at the estate, Master Jin calmly informed her that both daughters were his, and now he intended to marry Tao Qin.

Zhang Shi wanted to refuse, but the thought of offending Master Jin and the fact that Tao Qin had lost her innocence, making it difficult for her to marry well, left her with no choice.

With things having reached this point, she could only nod in agreement.

Subsequently, Tao Ling and Zhang Shi brought the still-unconscious Tao Qin back home.

When Tao Qin woke up and learned she was to marry Mr. Jin, who was well past fifty, she reacted as though struck by lightning, breaking down in a fit of hysteria.

She claimed she had been manipulated, asserting that Tao Ling must have drugged her. How else could she feel so unwell and not even recall her actions with Mr. Jin?

She declared her intention to confront Tao Ling and fight her.

By now, Tao Ling could no longer pretend. She admitted her actions without hesitation, but what did that change? Tao Qin was already bound to Mr. Jin, so could she really refuse the marriage? If she did, the entire Tao family—Tao Qin, Zhang Shi, and even the cherished younger brother—would be at Mr. Jin's mercy.

In that moment, Zhang Shi's gaze towards Tao Ling was filled with fear.

She never thought her typically submissive second daughter could harbor such profound resentment and animosity.

The Tao household was now a chaotic mess. Tao Qin resented Tao Ling to the core and wanted to drive her out.

Coincidentally, Tao Ling had no desire to stay in such a household. She packed her belongings and directly returned to the Tao family village.

Meng Han said to Shu Yu, "We went to the Tao family village today to visit relatives, and we stumbled upon Tao Ling. I found it strange, so I asked a question out of curiosity, and that's how I heard about this astonishing news. After returning to the village, Tao Ling confessed everything to the village elder. Though he found her actions distasteful, he didn't kick her out, considering she's still a young girl."

As of now, Tao Ling lived in the old house that once belonged to the Tao family.

She was industrious; she tidied up the courtyard, repaired the roof, and cleared a plot of land for planting vegetables once the weather warmed.

Every day, she went to the mountains to gather firewood and find things to eat. The villagers knew of her actions; some found her frightening, avoiding her out of fear that she might scheme against them. But some sympathized, considering her circumstances, and secretly left her some food.

Shu Yu spoke thoughtfully, "Perhaps, this is what she wanted. By confessing her actions to the village elder, she not only silences Zhang Shi and Tao Qin but also shows that she won't be easily bullied."

With time, people will come to understand her true nature, and things will gradually change.

Meng Han nodded, glanced around, and then whispered to Shu Yu, "Um, actually, I went to see her and gave her... two taels of silver."

Shu Yu looked surprised, and Meng Han's face turned crimson. "I just thought she's pretty amazing. I really dislike Tao Qin and my aunt. When she confronted Tao Qin, I was happy. She's on my side. She's having a tough time now, so I wanted to help her a bit."