“Nonsense!” Cui Anren's face turned red with anger.

“Enemy invasion, what does it have to do with you, little girl! I don't know if you've been possessed by evil or deceived by someone, deliberately finding such absurd reasons to break off our engagement. I beg you, Wan Wan, come back with me. If you continue like this, the Cui family will become a laughingstock.”

At this moment, Prefect Li smiled and said, “Mr. Cui, you are mistaken. The rise and fall of a country is the responsibility of every individual. Although Miss Ji is young, she has a sense of patriotism that is admirable.”

“Sir, you are right. This is indeed the desire of a common woman's heart.”

I raised my hand, took off my hairpin, and my hair fell loose. Then, I took out a sharp pair of scissors from my sleeve, gritted my teeth, and cut off half of my hair.

My unusual behavior stunned everyone in the hall.

Cui Anren hurriedly took the scissors from me, “Ji Wan Wan, have you gone mad?”

“I'm not mad.” I looked firmly at the astonished Prefect Li, “A woman cuts her hair to show determination. If the enemy does not retreat, I will not tie up my hair!”

Prefect Li sighed, “Miss, you are truly a person of strong character.”

My aunt cried as she approached, embracing me, “Wan Wan, what did I do to make you angry? Alright, Auntie will kneel down and apologize to you, good child, you can't become a nun!”

I looked at this woman pretending to be caring, unmoved, let her kneel if she wanted to.

I turned and took out a sandalwood brocade box from the cabinet, placed it on the square table, and said to Prefect Li, “I invited you here today to bear witness. My father was a wealthy merchant in Huaiyang, leaving me an inheritance of nearly thirty thousand taels, currently deposited in the government's warehouse. I am willing to donate it all to purchase winter clothes and provisions for the soldiers defending against the enemy. Though it may be a drop in the bucket, it is my heartfelt gesture.”

Upon hearing this, my aunt, like an angry cat, sharply objected, “No! Who allows you to arbitrarily dispose of this money!”

See, as soon as money is involved, the fox's tail is revealed.

Realizing she was being too obvious, my aunt softened her tone slightly and said to Prefect Li, “What I mean is, Wan Wan is still young and may not consider things thoroughly.”

I was furious and wanted to tear this old woman's mouth, but I restrained my temper and said calmly, “I have reached adulthood and can think for myself. This is the inheritance my parents left me, and I believe I have the right to decide how to use it.”

I deliberately shed a few tears and continued, “When I was young, I came to Songyang Prefecture and was fortunate to be well cared for by Auntie. Therefore, I am gifting Auntie the four shops on South Street. I am unfilial, and I won't be able to serve you properly in the future.”

I had seen the account books for those four shops, all of them were losing money, and I didn't want to burden myself with them.

My aunt stomped her foot in anger, “What about the house deeds and land deeds?”

Realizing her mistake, my aunt quickly fell silent.

“Hmph!” Luan Zhong couldn't help but sneer, “Madam, you keep mentioning your niece, but every word revolves around money and property deeds. Miss Ji has already given you a lot, you should be content. Don't be too greedy, you should leave a little for the young girl.”

My aunt hurriedly explained, “That's not what I meant, I meant...”

“Enough!” Prefect Li interrupted my aunt, then glanced at Cui Anren with a mocking tone, “So, your family's properties are actually purchased by Miss Ji. Today, this official truly has gained new insights.”

Prefect Li looked at me, “Miss Ji, have you truly made up your mind?”

I nodded firmly, “Yes.”

Cui Anren shouted, “I disagree! You are my fiancée, you must listen to me, come back home with me immediately.”

Suddenly, Luan Zhong walked up to Cui Anren, whispered a few words in his ear with a smile.

I saw Cui Anren's face change, he looked like an eggplant hit by frost, glaring at me with hatred, “Ji Wan Wan, you better not regret this!”