Reclaiming What Is Mine

As Madam Xiao scolded Hua Qianqian, the latter forcefully snatched the jade bracelet from Xiao Lan’s hand.

Traces of blood from Xiao Lan’s hand were still visible on the edges of the bracelet. Hua Qianqian disdainfully grabbed a piece of tattered cloth and wiped away the bloodstains.

Fuming with anger and pain, Xiao Lan’s face turned pale as paper, and she cried out loudly: “Hua Qianqian, how dare you treat me like this! If my hand is injured, I will let my brother divorce you!” Sobbing and stomping her feet, she shouted at Madam Xiao, “Mother, quickly fetch my elder brother and make him divorce her! Mother, my hand hurts so much!”

Madam Xiao was infuriated and gritted her teeth as she cursed, “You mad woman, how dare you harm my daughter! Kneel and apologize to her. You will only rise when she has calmed down!”

“Apologize? What have I done wrong?”

Hua Qianqian’s tone was calm as she threw the bloodstained cloth in front of Xiao Lan and her mother.

“This bracelet is part of my dowry, and it is only natural for me to take it back. Not only this bracelet, but the fabric of the dress you are wearing is also from my dowry. Shall I assist you in taking it off?”

“You…” Madam Xiao was so enraged that she couldn’t speak.

Hua Qianqian’s unexpected behavior shocked her. This woman used to be as humble as a mouse in her presence.

Although they did take these things from her, she never dared to utter a word. Today, who gave her the courage to lay hands on them?

Xiao Lan bit her lip angrily and retorted, “Hua Qianqian, how can you prove that this bracelet is your dowry? It was a gift from my elder brother to me! You wretched woman, you stole my belongings and dare to turn the tables! Kneel now, apologize to me, return the bracelet, or I will make my elder brother divorce you!”

Hearing Xiao Lan’s words, a hint of mockery flashed in Hua Qianqian’s eyes.

This younger sister-in-law of hers hadn’t changed a bit.

In her previous life, this woman almost swallowed up most of her dowry, and it was this younger sister-in-law who had her beaten and crippled when she was slandered.

“Well then, go and fetch your elder brother,” Hua Qianqian said lightly, “It’s a good opportunity for us to settle everything. I brought thirty-two dowry chests when I married into this family, and now only ten remain. If you take it without asking, it’s considered stealing. If you don’t return them, we can involve the authorities.”

“What did you say?” Madam Xiao widened her eyes.

Most of Hua Qianqian’s dowry had already been squandered by her and her daughter.

Even if there were some remaining, they wouldn’t give them back.

Her son was going to achieve great things in the future, gain higher rank, and marrying this woman had already brought enough shame to her son.

What difference would a few dowry items make?

Madam Xiao didn’t know what had gotten into Hua Qianqian.

She couldn’t be bothered to argue with this wretched woman and angrily shouted at the maidservants behind her, “Are you all made of wood? This wretched woman disrespects her elders! Quickly seize her and lock her up in the firewood room!”

Upon hearing Madam Xiao’s roar, two maidservants responded with a “Yes, Madam” and pounced on Hua Qianqian.

However, Qiutao, who was still tidying up things on the side, became furious when she saw someone bullying her young Lady.

She angrily threw the things in her arms to the ground and rushed forward, pushing away one of the maidservants reaching for Hua Qianqian’s hand.

In an instant, chaos erupted in the courtyard.

“Hua Qianqian, how dare you fight back! You will be thrown into the pond for assaulting your mother-in-law! Quickly, go and call for help to capture this madwoman and her maidservants!” Madam Xiao wasn’t afraid of mistreating Hua Qianqian; the people from the Hua Mansion would come looking for trouble.

Hua Qianqian had been married into the Yongning Earl’s Mansion for half a year, and as far as the Hua Mansion was concerned, she was like water thrown away, hardly cared about.

Even if they locked Hua Qianqian up, no one would stand up for her. They could simply claim that she had gone mad.

Just as the maidservant was about to go and call for help, someone walked briskly into the courtyard.

Seeing the chaotic scene, Xiao Yan’s face turned as cold as the ice and snow on the top of Changbai Mountain.

“Brother, you finally came!” Xiao Lan’s eyes instantly filled with tears upon seeing Xiao Yan.

“Brother, look at what this wicked woman has done to my hand. How can I face people in the future?” Upon seeing her bleeding hand, Xiao Yan’s peach blossom-like eyes seemed poisoned as he angrily asked, “Hua Qianqian, what exactly do you want?”

He had said it before, how could this woman easily divorce him?

He had naively believed that she had changed!

Madam Xiao, seeing that Xiao Yan had come wearing only a thin robe, felt a pang of heartache.

Since marrying Hua Qianqian, her son had been burdened with inner turmoil and had become much thinner.

If he fell ill again, it would truly be unbearable, even if she killed Hua Qianqian ten times over!

“My son, why do you come? I can handle things here. Your wife… this wicked woman has gone mad. I’ve ordered someone to capture her and send her to the countryside. She won’t appear before you again to cause trouble!”

Upon hearing his mother’s words, Xiao Yan pursed his lips and looked at Hua Qianqian, seemingly waiting for an explanation.