If You Have the Guts, Kill Me
Madam Tang spoke animatedly, her mind already imagining Zhang Zhaocai becoming Zhang Mu's and Wu Caiwei's son, and all of Zhang Mu's family fortune would eventually belong to Zhang Zhaocai—what a windfall.
Although the Zhang family wasn't as wealthy as the Su family, Madam Tang thought that since Wang refused to adopt Zhang Zhaocai as her son, settling for Zhang Mu's family was not a bad alternative.
Madam Tang's mental calculations were clicking away proudly, thinking she was the smartest to seize the opportunity, when suddenly Wu Caiwei's baby in her arms started crying loudly.
Madam Tang's expression changed instantly. She jumped up and rushed over to see the child in Wu Caiwei's arms: "What's going on? Wasn't this baby killed by bandits? How is it still alive? No, it should be dead!"
Lingdang grabbed Madam Tang's shoulder, holding her down, eyes full of mockery and disdain: "So you actually wish Lady Wu's son was dead?"
Madam Tang blurted out without thinking: "Oh dear, it would be better if her son were dead, then my Zhaocai could become her son, and all her family fortune would belong to my Zhaocai!"
Zhang Zhaocai lowered his head beside them, his face burning with shame. Deep down, he didn't agree with his mother's actions, but she forced him to come, dragging him along, so he had no choice but to follow.
Especially in front of Lingdang now, Zhang Zhaocai felt he couldn't hold his head up.
After saying it, Madam Tang realized she had let something slip and quickly covered her mouth. But then she thought, since Wu Caiwei's son was alive and the plan to adopt Zhang Zhaocai had failed, she no longer needed to flatter Wu Caiwei. Let the slip-up be; after all, they wouldn't want her Zhaocai anyway.
So Madam Tang put on a careless face and said, "So what? I just hope your son dies. What are you going to do about it? If you have the guts, go kill me!"
As she spoke, Madam Tang jumped up, thrusting her face forward and pointing at herself: "We're all common folk with the same surname. You think having a few lousy coins makes you great? You dare to hit people, but the authorities will still catch you! I curse your son to die an ill fate, just hurry up and die! My mouth is on me; what business is it of yours? I'll make you furious!"
Wu Caiwei had just gotten her son back after losing him and feared something might happen to the child. Angered by Madam Tang's curse, her eyes reddened as she comforted her son and glared at Madam Tang: "You vile creature, you won't have a good end!"
"La la la! I'm alive and well, making you furious! But you, your own son was kidnapped, nearly died—tsk tsk, serves you right! This time you were lucky the child survived, but with your behavior, there will definitely be a next time. Next time, you might not be so lucky. Who knows? Your son might be killed!" Madam Tang was sure they were just farmers and that Su Li wouldn't dare do anything to her, so she shamelessly stirred up trouble.
"Mother, stop! That's going too far." Zhang Zhaocai couldn't stand it anymore and pulled on Madam Tang's hand to persuade her.
Madam Tang forcefully shook off Zhang Zhaocai and cursed, "You ungrateful brat who turns your elbow outward! Everything I make you do is for your own good, and you mess it up, then dare to side with outsiders against your own mother! Truly a wasted life, unfilial brat!"
Whenever Madam Tang brought this up, it was about how she had incited Zhang Zhaocai to attempt to ruin Yin Dou but failed. Su Li already harbored anger and had long wanted to deal with Madam Tang, but recently she had been busy searching for the child, letting Madam Tang run wild a bit longer. She hadn't expected this woman to even dare to be so insolent!
Su Li glared coldly at Madam Tang: "Madam Tang, watch your words. Next time, who knows who might be killed."
Madam Tang spat and sneered, "Su Li, you shameless wench, I say whatever I want, none of your business! I just like talking like this to make you furious!"