Chapter 135: Rushing to Protect
“What are you doing? With Fourth Younger Brother not at home, you bully two defenseless women and feel no shame!” Han Hu shouted, outraged by the sight of so many people picking on his brother’s daughter-in-law. The Jiang family members had become too much to bear. Despite Jiang Chunlan’s actions some time ago, Han Hu had restrained his displeasure for the sake of Mrs. Yang but couldn’t suppress his dissatisfaction any longer after seeing the Jiang family’s current behavior.
When Han Quan saw Han Hu speak up, he didn’t say anything; instead, he quickly stepped in front of Su Wenyue and Xiao Xi, clearly intending to protect them.
Xiao Xi was relieved to see Han Hu and Han Quan arrive, a hint of joy appearing on her face. She had been worried about not being able to protect Miss fully while tussling with the Jiang family members. Now, with the help of Han Hu and Han Quan, she no longer had to worry. She could handle this motley crew from the Jiang family herself, having been trained by the Su brothers from a young age; Xiao Xi’s Kung Fu was not for show.
“Big Brother, Second Brother,” Su Wenyue said as she saw Han Hu and Han Quan come to her aid. She didn’t show anything on her face, but her heart filled with gratitude and warmth.
“Fourth younger sibling, don’t worry. You’ve done nothing wrong. Let’s see who dares to bully us from the old Han family!” Han Hu’s words were firm, leaving the Jiang family members with ugly expressions. They were close to succeeding—if Su Wenyue agreed, they would have the silver. But now, Han Hu and Han Quan had come to interfere.
Both Han Hu and Han Quan were men of imposing stature, and years of labor in the field had made them strong. The Jiang family had been aggressively confronting the two weak women, but now they were wary of fighting with the two Han brothers. Even the boss of the Jiang family didn’t rashly speak up. They were indeed bullies who feared the strong.
“What are you doing, Brother Hu, Brother Quan? This is a matter between us and Brother Yu’s wife. It’s not your business, so stay out of it,” Yang Juxiang said, exploiting her status as an elder.
Han Hu didn’t play along with Yang Juxiang. With Fourth Younger Brother not at home, he could not allow someone to bully his brother’s daughter-in-law.
“Aunt, you’re mistaken. Fourth Younger Brother is my brother; in his absence, it’s our duty, as brothers, to take care of his home. Moreover, you’ve brought so many from the Jiang family to our doorstep; how can I ignore it? Even ordinary people wouldn’t stand by and watch you bully two defenseless women.”
“Weak women, you say? Su Wenyue is a vicious woman who put my cousin in her current state. Are you telling us we can’t seek justice? Brother Hu, I know you’re not unreasonable, so stay out of this,” Yang Juxiang said with feigned patience, now visibly irritated.
“I know about Cousin Chunlan’s situation. It’s not Fourth Brother’s daughter-in-law’s fault. You can’t blame her for it,” Han Hu stood his ground.
“Alright then, it seems you Han family members are all ganging up against us! Let’s see if you really have the guts to lay a hand on your elder,” Yang Juxiang taunted as she reached for Han Hu, certain that he wouldn’t dare retaliate because of her status as an elder. If he did, she’d accuse him of disrespecting his elders, and the Han brothers would definitely not come out on top.
“Big Brother, Second Brother, step aside. Don’t get involved. Just watch from the side,” Su Wenyue suddenly spoke up.
“Fourth younger sister-in-law, this… You’re a defenseless woman, and Fourth Younger Brother isn’t home. We, as your older brothers, can’t just stand by and watch you be bullied,” Han Hu thought Su Wenyue didn’t want him to be troubled by Yang Juxiang and had thus grown fonder of her. Not only was Fourth Younger Sister-in-law capable, but she was also kind-hearted. Fourth Younger Brother was indeed fortunate.
“Don’t worry, Big Brother. Although I’m a defenseless woman, I’m not easy to bully. Since Aunt mentioned that this is a grudge between our Fourth house and the Jiang family, I shall resolve it myself. If Big Brother and Second Brother are concerned, just watch from the side.”
“Alright then,” Han Hu conceded, seeing Su Wenyue insist. Moreover, the way she spoke made it clear that she could handle Yang Juxiang herself, and it indeed wasn’t a good look for him, a grown man, to be harassed by her.
Yang Juxiang saw Han Hu and Han Quan step aside and a glint of triumph flashed in her eyes. Despite what Su Wenyue had said, as long as the Han brothers didn’t intervene, she couldn’t believe they wouldn’t be able to handle the two weak women.
“Su Wenyue, what will it be? Will you agree to our terms or not? Don’t blame me if I’m not polite!”
“Is that so? I’d like to see how impolite you can be!” Su Wenyue was completely unfazed by Yang Juxiang’s threats. The Jiang family members, prompted by Yang Juxiang, started to move toward Su Wenyue with clear ill-intent. The Han brothers, having promised to stay out of it for the moment, wore anxious expressions, while Xiao Xi still positioned herself in front of Su Wenyue.
“Xiao Xi, step aside and let them through!” Su Wenyue instructed Xiao Xi.
“Miss!” Xiao Xi, against her usual obedience, did not follow Su Wenyue’s command, puzzled as to why her mistress would issue such an order, her face filled with concern and confusion.
“Xiao Xi, step aside!” Su Wenyue commanded coldly, her tone leaving no room for discussion. Despite her concern, Xiao Xi reluctantly made way.
Su Wenyue’s actions puzzled not only Xiao Xi but also the Jiang family members, especially Yang Juxiang, who knew of Su Wenyue’s competence and ‘cunning.’ They became more suspicious.
“Come on, I’d like to see who dares to lay a hand on me! I managed to send Jiang Chunlan to the County Government Jail; I can do the same to all of you under the charges of intruding into the civilian house and causing injury. Try touching me and see what happens! The County Government Jail has plenty of space; they won’t mind locking up a few more offenders.”
This statement from Su Wenyue stunned the Jiang family members, their eyes filled with fear as they thought of Jiang Chunlan locked in the County Government Jail with no release in sight. Despite their efforts and the silver they had spent, they couldn’t even get a glimpse of her. What if they ended up locked up too?
The County Government Jail was feared for its brutal treatment of prisoners, where no one was treated as human. They had once seen someone who had come out after several years inside, a thief from a neighboring village. The man was a far cry from before his imprisonment, having aged considerably, his once plump frame now bony and his face marred with unhealed scars, evidence of severe mistreatment.
“Su Wenyue, don’t scare me. I don’t buy your bluff. Who do you think you are, to threaten sending us to the County Government Jail just like that!” Despite feeling her dignity had been insulted by her own people’s reactions, Yang Juxiang maintained a tough stance, inwardly just as apprehensive about Su Wenyue’s words.
“Bluff or not, you’re welcome to try. I won’t stop you,” Su Wenyue said with a half-smile. Though she did nothing, her words chilled the Jiang family members to the core; they glanced at each other, none daring to move a muscle, afraid of giving Su Wenyue any leverage to send them to the County Government Jail.