Shangguan Wan'er's Deed of Sale

Madam Shangguan's eyelids twitched violently; this was it, her identity was exposed.

Zhou Wanwan said expressionlessly:

"Shangguan Wan'er, you really are willing to say anything for the sake of marriage."

You dare to fabricate such a lie? You say your mother was a "slender horse" in Yangzhou, then isn't your father a joke?

Then isn't your Shangguan Mansion a joke?

I've never seen anyone do that before; it's killing a thousand enemies while injuring eight hundred of your own.

Or is it that you can't get what you want, so you blame everything on others?

Shangguan Wan'er looked at Zhou Wanwan and said, "What's it to you! Why are you spouting nonsense here? What business is it of yours?"

Zhou Wanwan said helplessly, "Since you say your mother was a 'skinny girl' in Yangzhou, then you must have some evidence. You can't just make baseless accusations, can you?"

Shangguan Wan'er scoffed and said:

"Of course I have evidence. If you behaved well in my house, then it would be fine."

Since you're so ungrateful, I'll slap you in the face in front of everyone.

"Bring me her indenture."

Sure enough, a short while later, someone brought out a box, which was locked.

Shangguan Wan'er smiled and said:

"Do you really think I have no backup plan? I already had one when you first entered the Shangguan Family."

Fortunately, it came in handy today. I'm going to skin you alive today.

Shangguan Wan'er opened the box directly; inside the box was another box, and inside that was a lock.

Shangguan Wan'er laughed and said, "See? I went to great lengths for you."

She opened the box again, and there was another box inside.

It has three floors, and there really is a contract of servitude inside.

Then Shangguan Wan'er solemnly handed the indenture to Zhou Mingyang's mother, who was standing next to her.

Zhou Mingyang's mother slowly opened the contract of sale, and after a long while, she frowned and asked, "What is this?"

Shangguan Wan'er snorted coldly:

"Naturally, it was my mother's indenture... Bah! Naturally, it was that slut's indenture."

Madam Zhou, please read it aloud so everyone can hear it clearly.

The lady beside him also urged:

"Madam Zhou, please read it quickly!"

In front of so many people, I'm also curious, could this Madam Shangguan really be a "slender horse" from Yangzhou?

"Yes, yes, read it out loud! Let everyone hear it!"

Madam Zhou said helplessly, "Forget it, I can't read it. Who among you is willing to read it? You can come and read it yourselves!"

Countess of Yongning sighed and said, "I'll read it myself!"

She glanced at the indenture, coughed, and said:

"Shangguan Wan'er owes Zhou Wanwan a total of 100,000 taels of gold. On the sixth day of the ninth Yueyue of Yong'an in the Great Xia, all debts will be repaid."

If Shangguan Wan'er is unable to repay all the debts by the due date...

She then voluntarily sold herself into slavery under Zhou Wanwan's name, and was subject to her master's orders, sale, and placement for the rest of her life.

There is no possibility of redeeming oneself or going back on one's word in this lifetime, and relatives and friends are not allowed to obstruct or demand the return of one's freedom.

This contract was written voluntarily by Shangguan Wan'er, without coercion or duress, and takes effect immediately upon its signing.

Everyone was stunned. Countess of Yongning said, "There are also fingerprints and Shangguan Wan'er's signature on it."

Shangguan Wan'er rushed over, looked at the indenture, and said, "Nonsense! This is all fake! How could I possibly sell myself to Zhou Wanwan and give her 100,000 taels of gold? This is all fake!"

Zhou Wanwan coughed and said:

"Sigh! I didn't want to make this matter so big."

But you insisted on showing this contract of servitude in front of everyone; isn't that like shooting yourself in the foot?

"Oh! Look at you, your indenture expires tomorrow. I was thinking of giving you some time to renew it, but now there's no time to even do that."

Shangguan Wan'er shouted loudly:

"Zhou Wanwan, you're talking complete nonsense! When did I ever owe you money?"

How exactly did you manage to put the contract of servitude in this box?

Zhou Wanwan frowned and said:

"You should have kept this box very safe, with layers upon layers of protection. Who could possibly open it right under your nose?"

You put something in the wrong place and then blame me. Why don't you consider that it might be your own fault?

The ladies around sighed and said:

"I never thought Shangguan Wan'er was crazy before, but now I think she really is."

Is it proper for a well-bred young lady to casually slander her stepmother?

"Look at how she treats her stepmother! She only gives her one tael of silver a month. What matriarch can live on one tael of silver?"

"No wonder the Shangguan Family hasn't been able to afford a banquet in recent years; it turns out they're short of money!"

"Tsk tsk tsk... Whoever marries a woman like that is doomed. I, for one, will never let my son marry a woman like that."

Madam Shangguan nearby, wiped away her tears and said:

"Please don't blame Wan'er, it's all my fault for not being good enough. I haven't been considerate enough to her."

Wan'er, I promise I'll treat you well from now on. I won't ask for any living expenses each month; Yun'er and I can manage on our own."

Shangguan Yun'er looked stubbornly at Shangguan Wan'er and said:

"Sister, it's all my fault, it's all my fault."

If you're angry, hit me, but don't hit my mother. I... I'll accept the punishment willingly.

Zhou Mingyang stared intently at Shangguan Wan'er and said:

"Shangguan Wan'er, you've really gone too far! Slandering your own mother, slandering your own sister, what else wouldn't you do?"

"If my Zhou Family really married a daughter-in-law like you, even my mother would have to kowtow to you!"

Madam Zhou's expression changed. Indeed, Shangguan Wan'er's actions were truly outrageous.

Everyone could see that Shangguan Wan'er was deliberately making things difficult for that mother and daughter.

Actually, the mother and daughter were usually very careful at home, and only now do we realize that they had suffered such a great injustice.

Looking at Shangguan Yun'er, Madam Zhou said with heartache, "You silly girl, you've suffered so much injustice, why didn't you tell me?"

Shangguan Yun'er lowered her head and said, "I'm not wronged. As long as you're happy, Yun'er 'm happy."

Madam Zhou held Shangguan Yun'er's hand and said, "I used to think you were weak and only knew how to cry, but now it seems that you are the strong one."

Shangguan Yun'er smiled and said, "Auntie, you flatter me."

Madam Zhou took her hand and said, "My son Mingyang has always told me that he really likes you. In that case, I'll have a matchmaker come to our door tomorrow."

Madam Shangguan beamed and said, "Madam Zhou, I really didn't expect you to be so generous. Thank you so much."

Madam Zhou looked at Madam Shangguan and said:

"You've really suffered all these years. You have no idea what kind of rumors have been spread about you and your daughter."

"You two are said to be extremely vicious and cruel, torturing your stepdaughter in every way; many people can't stand it."

Madam Shangguan gave a wry smile and said, "That's not true. I have no other intentions. I just want to raise my children well."