Chapter 133: Causing Trouble at the Door
“What’s going on?” Su Wenyue asked with narrowed eyes when she heard Xiao Xi had come back with information.
“Miss, it’s because of Jiang Chunlan’s matter. The Jiang family members heard the news and came knocking on our door. The old master and the old lady are explaining things to them right now. I don’t know if they’ll cause trouble here?”
Xiao Xi said worriedly. Normally, she wouldn’t be concerned; with her protection, the miss wasn’t someone who could easily be taken advantage of. Even against the Jiang family members, she wouldn’t be afraid. But now that the miss was pregnant, negligence couldn’t be allowed. Many people from the Jiang family had come. If they started arguing and shoving, with so many people it could get out of hand, she feared they might accidentally hurt the miss. And just when that was a concern, Uncle wasn’t around. Seeing the Jiang family’s aggressive behavior a moment ago, Xiao Xi thought they were all barbarians.
“It’s the Jiang family, huh.” Su Wenyue responded with an ‘oh,’ not particularly surprised. It had been several days since the news that Jiang Chunlan was locked up in the county government had spread, and it was time for the Jiangs to show up. Given how Yang Juxiang treated Jiang Chunlan, she was obviously valued in the Jiang family and it was only right that they would come to see her.
Jiang Chunlan had been arrested along with those bandits by Han Yu and delivered to the county government. The case was straightforward; plus, the young guys didn’t really have the guts, they had been incited by Jiang Chunlan without foreseeing the severe consequences. Upon seeing the county magistrate, they were so scared that a strike of the gavel frightened them into confessing everything. The Su Family had already notified the government in advance, so what would happen next was predictable.
“Miss, those people are quite rough. If they come looking for us later, I fear they might hurt you. Miss, you should stay in your room and not go out later. It’s better if I deal with them,” Xiao Xi thought of this as the only good solution.
Su Wenyue was fully awake at this point and squinted her eyes after hearing Xiao Xi’s words, conveying a hint of dangerous intent, “What a joke! I haven’t done anything guilty, so why should I hide in my room? Jiang Chunlan harmed me, the Jiang family members are the ones who should feel ashamed. Besides, am I someone who shies away from trouble? If someone comes to my door and I just hide away, won’t I become a laughingstock if word spreads? Then anybody would dare to come knocking on my door in the future.”
Listening to Su Wenyue speak so decisively made Xiao Xi even more anxious, “Miss, now is not the time for pride. I know you’re not someone timid or afraid, but you’re not alone now; you need to think about the child in your stomach. If you are feeling upset, we can take revenge later. There’s no need for a head-on clash with them; it’s not worth it!”
Su Wenyue sighed at Xiao Xi’s anxiousness. She had lived two lifetimes; how could she not understand the gravity of the situation? However, Xiao Xi’s suggestion was unfeasible.
“Xiao Xi, don’t worry. Your miss is not that reckless, and I wouldn’t disregard the child in my womb. But your idea won’t do. Not to mention, the Jiangs are still my mother-in-law’s relatives. Out of respect for my mother-in-law, it wouldn’t be right for me, as the daughter-in-law, to ignore the Jiang family members. Besides, I’m only going to meet them, not fight with them. With you by my side protecting me, being cautious should suffice.”
Xiao Xi knew Su Wenyue’s reasoning was sound, and although still somewhat worried, there was nothing she could do, “Alright then, miss. Please be very careful, and don’t let the child in your stomach get hurt. If the Jiang family members get physical, hide behind me.”
At the moment, the Jiang family members were having a heated argument with Mrs. Yang. Because of Jiang Chunlan’s issue, the sisters Yang Juxiang and Yang Guixiang had completely fallen out, with no regard for past affection.
“Eldest Sister, I trusted you and that’s why I entrusted Chunlan to you, allowing her to stay with the Han Family. Now such a thing has happened. My good daughter has been sent to the government by your son, and her future is ruined. How could you be so heartless!”
“Sister, I didn’t want this either, but Chunlan really did something terribly wrong this time. Fourth child was furious and insisted on sending her to the government; I couldn’t stop him. I don’t know what’s gotten into Chunlan; she’s becoming more willful, and actually got involved with those idle young guys from the village, almost harming Fourth Daughter-in-law,” Mrs. Yang explained.
“What do you mean, that’s not what Chunlan is like. I’ve raised my daughter well for over a decade; how did she turn out like this after arriving at the Han Family? She’s obviously been framed and used. I don’t care about anything else now. Just return my daughter to me, or this matter isn’t over!” Yang Juxiang said furiously.
Although they hadn’t done anything wrong, Jiang Chunlan’s troubles began at the Han Family, and Mrs. Yang felt somewhat responsible. She wanted to explain further when Mrs. Wang unexpectedly appeared.
“Aunt is right, Cousin Chunlan is a sensible girl. She wouldn’t do such a thing. It must be someone who begrudged Cousin Chunlan and set a trap for her to fall into, leading her astray,” she said.
After the separation, Mrs. Yang was still her mother-in-law, but could at most scold Mrs. Wang, who now didn’t shrink back like before and stirred up more trouble.
Seeing Mrs. Wang say this, Yang Juxiang didn’t speak but scrutinized Mrs. Wang as if to judge the sincerity of her words.
When Mrs. Wang saw Yang Juxiang’s reaction, she stepped forward even more, “Aunt, Cousin Chunlan and I were always very close, I know her character very well. The incident occurred because Fourth Son and his wife were too harsh on Chunlan, and she acted foolishly in a moment of anger. Fourth Daughter-in-law was only slightly injured, but who knew Fourth Son would insist on sending Chunlan to the county government? He truly doesn’t care about family bonds, and now with a girl like Chunlan in the government’s prison cell, what future can she have? You must stand up for Chunlan, aunt.”
Mrs. Wang even pretended to wipe away tears while speaking, and Yang Juxiang, hearing Mrs. Wang’s words, was uncertain how to feel, her lips curling into a faint sneer, “Brother Lin’s Wife is quite kind-hearted, so considerate for Chunlan!”
“See what Aunt is saying, I should…” Mrs. Wang thought Yang Juxiang was taking her seriously and felt a surge of satisfaction, putting on an even more convincing act, but before she could finish speaking, she was slapped across the face by Yang Juxiang. The slap was powerful, leaving a red mark on Mrs. Wang’s face instantly.
“Aunt, what are you doing, why are you hitting me!” Mrs. Wang, stunned by the slap, thought to herself with a mix of confusion and resentment: Has this old lady gone mad? She couldn’t understand why Yang Juxiang, instead of confronting the true culprit Su Wenyue, was taking her anger out on her.
Yang Juxiang’s face was filled with cold mockery, “You little wench, don’t think I’m unaware of the dirty tricks you’re up to. Chunlan was led astray by your instigation. Both you and the Fourth Son’s couple are no good; you’re no better, hmph!”
After saying this, Yang Juxiang, vigorous and resolute, led the Jiang family members toward Su Wenyue’s room.