Chapter 10: An Endless Supply of Peanuts

“Chuchu, Uncle always thought you knew your place. Other matters aside, the important occasion of a daughter’s return to her marital home is not something a young girl like you should be handling.”

As soon as Xiang Zhi entered, he began to reprimand her with feigned concern. “Even if your father is away and your mother cannot step forward, aren’t we here to help? You should have come to the residence earlier to ask your grandmother to take charge; Third Uncle and I could have supported you. There was no need to make such a disgraceful scene.”

Xiang Qian chimed in, “Exactly. How could a little girl be out there entertaining an outsider? Do you not care about the reputation of the General’s household?”

“The General’s household bears the Yun name; what does that have to do with you?” Yun Zhaozhao retorted sharply, causing everyone in the Jing’an Marquis’s residence to scowl in unison.

“How dare you!” Madam Lian slammed her cane against the floor with a sharp clatter, her narrow eyes flashing with malice as she glared at Yun Zhaozhao. “Disrespecting one’s elders is unfilial and insolent! Any reputable family would punish such behavior severely with family discipline!”

“Ha, and do those reputable families not often rely on their sons-in-law from lesser branches to mooch off them? The entire family residence is bought by the concubine’s son, yet they still want to claim the house as their own and act as the lady of the concubine’s household?” Yun Zhaozhao’s words were like trampling the pride of the Jing’an Marquis’s household into the dust.

“You—you…” Madam Lian was so furious she could barely breathe, on the verge of collapse.

“Zhaozhao, you wicked child! Look at how you’ve upset your grandmother. This is blatant unfilial conduct!” Xiang Qian accused, his tone stern and righteous.

“Cut it out. You call that unfilial? If either of you brothers had even a shred of filial piety, would she, at her age, have to shamelessly mooch off a concubine’s son’s family? While your son enjoys prosperity, she charges ahead; when he fails, she feigns illness. You all coordinate so well, you might as well perform on stage together. Isn’t that better than begging from the very family you once oppressed?”

“Zhaozhao, you little—ah!” Xiang Qian’s scream was cut short as Madam Lian suddenly went silent, her face twisted in pain.

“Third Brother, are you alright?” Xiang Qian released his grip, revealing a tooth mixed with blood resting quietly in his palm.

“Uh... uh, damn it!” Madam Lian glared fiercely at Yun Zhaozhao, “You wretch—”

“Crack!”

A sharp, familiar snap echoed, and Madam Lian’s snarling expression froze as though time had stopped.

“That was just the appetizer. If anyone else speaks rudely, I have plenty more peanuts ready!” Yun Zhaozhao said coldly with a smirk.

“Fine, fine indeed!” Madam Lian was so angry she lost her head, not even bothering to continue her tirade. “If the General’s household refuses to acknowledge me as the legitimate mother, then Xiang Zhan, that bastard,I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.