Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 213 Don't hesitate if you can solve the problem with money

Zheng Sanniang was also anxious: "My husband beat me and threatened to sell me off in my own home."

"Even if my parents-in-law saw or heard it, they wouldn't testify for me."

"But he treats Xiao Zhuzi like this, how can he be a father to a child? No matter how difficult it is, I will divorce him and take Xiao Zhuzi away from the Li family."

Lu Lang looked at the little pillar sitting in Zheng Sanniang's arms, holding a sandbag in his hand, but turned his head to look at Zheng Sanniang's little pillar.

He said thoughtfully, "I wonder where Li Changgen drank yesterday. Did anyone see him forcing the child to drink?"

"His behavior is already child abuse. If someone sees it and is willing to testify, not only can you divorce smoothly, but you can also keep Xiao Zhuzi with you."

Zheng Sanniang's eyes lit up with hope after hearing this, but then it went out again: "I asked Xiao Zhuzi in detail today. My husband took him out to play. The place they went to was crowded and noisy."

"The child couldn't explain where he was. He just said he had been sitting for too long and wanted to go home, so he couldn't help crying."

"My husband poured him a bowl of sweet water and told him to go home after drinking it. Xiao Zhuzi fell asleep after drinking it. When he woke up, I brought him back home."

Shen Yu was very disappointed when he heard this. The child was too young and he had no idea where Li Changgen took him.

Even if Li Changgen was really seen drinking, where could he find witnesses?

Lu Lang also shook his head: "This kind of thing needs to be investigated in court. Only when the father has indeed harmed the child can a divorce be granted and the child can be allowed to live with the mother."

"Any case reported to the county government cannot just listen to the victim's one-sided story. There must always be a step for the suspect to prove his innocence."

Lu Lang continued, "When Xiao Zhuzi was drunk, only your family saw him. Now he has recovered both physically and mentally."

"Even if we take him to the county government office, we won't be able to find out that he was drunk."

"When Li Changgen denies that he ever gave the child alcohol, you won't be able to do anything about it."

Shen Yu was silent for a moment, and quickly went over the events of the past two days in his mind.

Zheng Sanniang couldn't help crying again. Xiao Zhuzi wiped her tears with his little hands, and kept saying, "Mom, don't cry, don't cry."

The child's understanding and thoughtfulness made everyone in the room feel sad.

If this child continues to live in the Li family in the future, I really don’t know what the outcome will be.

Shen Yu stared at Zheng Sanniang and her son, and his eyes suddenly swept to Zheng Sanniang's raised arm. Because she was wiping her tears, her sleeve slipped down a little, revealing a purple scar on her arm.

Shen Yu hurriedly asked Lu Lang: "What if there is evidence that Li Changgen beat his wife? Can they be granted a divorce?"

"Li Changgen is a gambler and violent, and is not fit to take care of a three-year-old child."

Lu Lang said: "What kind of evidence is that? It has to be recognized by the government."

Shen Yu walked over and picked up Xiao Zhuzi from Zheng Sanniang's arms, then turned around and let Jiang hold him. She pulled Zheng Sanniang up and was about to roll up her sleeves.

Zheng Sanniang was a married woman. She had been taught since childhood to keep her head down and her clothes neatly arranged in front of strange men. She would never let anyone see her arms.

She subconsciously pulled her arm away and stepped back.

Shen Yu advised: "Sister Zheng, let Master Lu take a look at the wound on your arm. It was Li Changgen who beat you up. You did nothing wrong."

Zheng Sanniang then lowered her head and took a small step forward. Shen Yu pulled up her arm and slightly rolled up her sleeves, revealing the purple bruises on her forearm. It was frightening to see under the candlelight. It was unknown how hard Li Changgen had hit her.

Lu Lang took a look and immediately turned his head away, avoiding sight.

Shen Yu pulled down Zheng Sanniang's sleeves and said, "Sister Zheng was beaten all over yesterday. Li Changgen was also very cunning. He hit her in places that were hidden by her clothes and could not be seen."

"Can this be considered evidence? When I go to the county government to file a lawsuit, I can ask a doctor to examine the injury."

Lu Lang waited until Zheng Sanniang took Xiao Zhuzi back and sat down again before he said, "This can only be considered physical evidence, but did anyone see Li Changgen beating her? If not, the case will be delayed."

Although Lu Lang knew that the following words would be even more disappointing, he continued, "If Li Changgen said that Madam Zheng fell herself, and Li's parents-in-law refused to admit it, it would be difficult to successfully file a complaint."

Zheng Sanniang choked up and said, "But it was clearly my husband who beat me."

Shen Yu understood that as long as no one was killed and there was no evidence, it would be a waste of time to say anything.

Shen Yu felt deeply the helplessness of being a woman.

Everyone in the room was silent. Suddenly Lu Lang asked, "Madam Zheng, do you have any money, such as dowry or private money?"

Several people looked at Lu Lang in confusion, and Lu Lang could only say, "Li Changgen is addicted to gambling. If you can give him some benefits, he will agree to divorce. If both parties voluntarily divorce, it will be much easier for you to file a complaint."

Lu Lang knew that this was unfair to Zheng Sanniang, but his grandfather had taught him since he was a child that not everything in the world is fair.

Don't hesitate if a problem can be solved with money, lest a small matter be dragged down to a big one, which you will regret in the future.

Shen Yu originally wanted to use money to negotiate terms with Li Changgen, but when Lu Lang asked about it, a little hope arose in his heart. Unexpectedly, after talking for so long, things returned to the starting point.

After hearing what Lu Lang said, he could only sigh helplessly.

Zheng Sanniang said, "I have agreed with Miss Shen that she will lend me fourteen taels of silver, and my cousin can lend me five taels. I, I also have a silver lock."

Lu Lang frowned and asked, "Li Changgen wants to use you to pay off his gambling debts. How much does he want to pay?"

Zheng Sanniang answered honestly, "He said it was twenty taels."

Lu Langqu picked up his lunch and tapped on the table: "Prepare more. After paying off the gambling debt with 20 taels, Li Changgen still has no money. He has no gambling money to make up for his losses, so how can he let you and the child go?"

Shen Yu's eyes widened immediately. Need more preparation?

Where can Zheng Sanniang get the money? She won’t borrow from me again, will she?

Sure enough, Shen Yu’s premonition was correct, and Zheng Sanniang immediately looked at him pitifully.

Shen Yu wanted to cry but had no tears. Sister, I am poor too. I still owe the young man sitting in front of me a hundred taels.

Seeing that Shen Yu didn't say anything, Zheng Sanniang knew that Shen Yu had just opened a store and still owed money, so she was really reluctant to borrow more money.

Jiang also frowned. If Shen Yu borrowed more money, the financial pressure would be even greater.

Lu Lang thought for a moment and said, "How about this, I still have ten or so taels of silver here, which is pocket money my father gave me for going to a poetry and wine party with my classmates these past two days."

"The purse is with Qixi. Wait for him to come back and see how much is left. I'll lend it to you first. If you don't need it, just return it to me."