Chapter 1787: Divorced

Chapter 1787: Divorced

The shopkeeper was also annoyed; he could understand it happening once or twice, but beyond that, it was crossing the line.

He wrote a letter to his employer, the girl's uncle, explaining the situation. The uncle instructed him to give Chen Bing another three hundred taels all at once, and consider the matter settled once and for all, with no further communication.

Following the instructions, the shopkeeper wrote a contract, affirming that the debt of gratitude was repaid.

Although Chen Bing was reluctant to let go of such a lucrative opportunity, as someone without power or influence, he dared not protest much. In the end, after negotiations, they agreed on three hundred and fifty taels.

With the initial five hundred taels, Chen Bing had managed to pocket a total of one thousand taels of silver.

For ordinary folks, that was a sum beyond imagination, something they couldn't earn in a lifetime.

With this substantial amount of money in hand, Chen Bing led an unusually carefree life.

As Grandma Fang's health improved, she noticed that Chen Bing's attitude towards her had become perfunctory. She finally sensed that something was amiss.

However, by the time she learned the truth, it was already too late. Chen Bing had used the money to open a shop in the town.

The shop wasn't large, but it was indeed profitable.

Grandma Fang confronted him and caused a scene, but Chen Bing was fearless. He wrote a divorce letter, citing her lack of financial contribution.

Grandma Fang had a temperament somewhat akin to Shu Yu's grandmother; she couldn't tolerate such humiliation and wouldn't accept such a man. However, she was also unwilling to simply let things be. Why should Chen Bing take advantage of her reasons to swindle so much money from her, ultimately benefiting from it?

She refused to agree. They had only been married for two years, and according to the laws of the land, a man needed to financially support his wife for at least three years before he could divorce her.

But Chen Bing was indifferent; if Grandma Fang didn't want to leave, he had his ways.

He started openly appearing with other women in front of Grandma Fang, insulting her by saying she was like a hen that couldn't lay eggs. He claimed she had no family or backing now, and she wouldn't have children in the future, so she might as well just wait for death.

Given Fang Granny's already poor health, Chen Bing's torment exacerbated her condition.

She attempted to approach the shopkeeper, but he paid no heed to her. He claimed that with the contract, their relationship was severed, and he wouldn't interfere in their affairs. As long as they didn't bother him, it was fine.

Grandma Fang felt cornered, with no other options but to go to the local authorities to report Chen Bing's behavior.

However, Chen Bing had already bribed one of the constables in the county office. As Grandma Fang neared the county office, she was thrown out before she even entered.

It was Grandma Guan who saw her and brought her home.

By that time, Chen Bing could already be considered "wealthy and powerful." For people like them, who lacked resources and connections, they simply couldn't contend with him.

Grandma Guan tried to persuade her, saying that she was the last remaining member of the Fang family now, and she should take care of her health. If she allowed herself to be worn down to death, how could she face her family in the afterlife?

As long as the green hills remain, there's no fear of running out of firewood.

Grandma Fang thought of her sister; given her sister's personality, if she knew how she had been mistreated, she might have jumped out of the grave in anger.

Listening to Grandma Guan's advice, Grandma Fang calmed down and, with a peaceful heart, had a conversation with Chen Bing.

She could leave, but she had no money, and she was still sick. Chen Bing had to provide her with money.

She proposed two hundred taels as a starting point. Chen Bing, of course, was reluctant, and after some bargaining, they settled on one hundred taels. However, Chen Bing stipulated that Grandma Fang was forbidden from entering the county town in the future; he didn't want to see her.

Grandma Fang agreed. Though she felt stifled, she used the hundred taels of silver to finally improve her health.