Chapter 69: If Hands Can Speak, the Mouth Won’t

“What if Grandma Jiang gets implicated because of me? I wouldn’t forgive myself… no, I have to help her!”

Inside the room.

Qian Xile paced back and forth, chewing her fingers, looking extremely anxious.

“Sis-in-law, don’t go out. Don’t worry, Grandma is fine. Aunt and Grandma are the fiercest ones—nobody can take advantage of them.

Besides, my uncle and big brother are out there too. My uncle’s strength is unmatched—no one can beat him. Hurry and pack your things, Grandma will take you away soon.”

Afraid she might rush out and make things worse for Grandma,

Jiang Fubao quickly hugged her future sister-in-law’s leg, blocking her path.

“What sis-in-law, I—I haven’t married your brother yet.”

Qian Xile was so shy that she stammered.

“Sis-in-law, sis-in-law, just pack your things.”

After being a child for so long, Jiang Fubao had grown mischievous. She decided to tease her future sister-in-law, pretending not to understand, deliberately calling her “sis-in-law” again and again.

Only when Xile’s face turned crimson did she finally stop, grinning sneakily.

It took quite a while before Qian Xile calmed herself enough to stand up.

“Fine then, I’ll listen to you. Fubao, you sit tight here. Sis-in-law will go—ugh, no! I—I’ll go pack my things.”

She spoke too quickly and slipped again.

At that moment, she wished she could crawl into a hole.

She fled to the cabinet, pretending to busy herself.

Jiang Fubao held her laughter in so hard her belly hurt.

Her future sister-in-law was truly fun.

At first sight, she’d thought her personality would be like Aunt’s—fiery and mature.

Seeing how embarrassed Xile was now, not even daring to look back,

Fubao took the chance to quietly open the door and peek outside.

In the courtyard, the quarrel was fierce.

Zhu Pan’er’s insults grew nastier and nastier.

Then Grandma stepped forward and slapped her hard.

“Pa—!”

The sound echoed, so loud it hurt just to hear it.

Fubao bared her teeth in sympathy, as though she herself had been struck.

Dazed, Zhu Pan’er froze for several seconds before reacting.

She shrieked, scrambled up, and lunged at Zhang Jinlan to hit back.

Fubao’s heart jumped to her throat, terrified her grandma might get hurt.

Luckily, Aunt reacted quickly.

With a grappling move, she grabbed Zhu Pan’er by the collar and shoved her to the ground, then shouted for all to hear:

“I’ve put up with you long enough! Did you think marrying into Qianjia Village could cover up what you did years ago? Everyone look here—this Zhu Pan’er is from my own Zhu Village.

When she was a child, she personally sold her own younger brother. Because of her, her family fell apart—dead, mad, ruined—all just for a few pieces of candy. With such a vicious heart, you’d all best keep away from her, lest she harm you someday!

And now, instead of living quietly as a proper wife, she dares bully her little sister-in-law? Her marriage is none of your business! Our two families already arranged it—Qian Xile will be my daughter-in-law from now on! You dare spit venom again, I’ll beat you to death myself! Filthy, lowly thing, ptooey—”

Zhu Yingqiu spat right in Zhu Pan’er’s face, feeling immensely satisfied.

“Ahhh! I’ll kill you!”

Since Zhujia Village was far away, few in Qianjia Village knew her past.

Now that her secret had been exposed by Zhu Yingqiu,

Zhu Pan’er went mad.

Without even wiping her face, she scrambled up, clawing wildly.

But Zhang Jinlan grabbed her hair, pinning her in place.

“Pa-pa—!” Zhu Yingqiu seized the chance and slapped her twice, left and right.

Even though her own spit smeared Pan’er’s face and touched her hand, she didn’t mind.

After all, it was hers—who would despise themselves?

“Qian Ping’an! You’re just going to stand there and watch me get beaten? Sons, come save your mother! Your father’s useless, I only have you!”

Zhu Pan’er’s head and face throbbed with pain.

Seeing her husband just standing there watching, she grew even angrier, tears streaming.

“Mother, I’ll save you—!”

Her eldest son, Qian Guangzong, the most filial, only ten years old, but fat enough that if he charged, Zhu Yingqiu might not withstand it.

Luckily, Jiang Dahe was there today.

He strode forward and kicked Guangzong square on his fat backside, sending him sprawling.

Then came Qian Guangyao and Qian Guangzu, ages nine and eight.

Before they could even strike, they were already lying beside their brother.

“You—you shouldn’t do this, they’re just kids. How can you hit them?” Cowardly Qian Ping’an finally muttered a single trembling protest.

“If I truly wanted to hit them, you’d have lost your bloodline by now.”

Jiang Dahe said coldly. He and his son Jiang Tongjin stepped on the three boys’ chests—not hard, just enough to keep them down.

The women’s battle—men would not interfere.

Zhang Jinlan and her daughter-in-law beat Zhu Pan’er black and blue.

Not until she could no longer utter a word did they let go.

“Pah! I’ve long wanted to hit you. I endured all these years. You ruined your own family, and still dare live shamelessly? Heaven itself should smite you! And you dare demand a bride price? Should I dig you a grave instead?”

Zhu Yingqiu hawked up phlegm and spat it on her forehead, feeling utterly refreshed.

Zhang Jinlan released her grip.

Zhu Pan’er collapsed to the ground.

If not for her trembling hands, people might think she was dead.

The villagers watching weren’t any kinder.

None ran to fetch the village head, let alone step in to help.

Clearly, they’d long despised Zhu Pan’er.

After all, a young shrew could never beat seasoned ones—especially two against one.

Zhu Pan’er was utterly defeated.

The matchmaker watching was wide-eyed.

“Xile, bring Fubao out—we’re leaving! From now on, don’t come back to this family. With such a sister-in-law, better to have none. Don’t worry—when you marry into our family, I’ll treat you like my own granddaughter.”

Zhang Jinlan shouted toward the inner room, loud enough that not only those inside, but all the villagers outside heard clearly.

Qian Xile had few belongings—just three patched, ragged sets of clothes.

She packed them, then took Jiang Fubao’s hand and came out.

“Grandma, are you hurt?”

Fubao ran up, looking up with worry.

“Grandma’s fine, perfectly fine. People like that just need a beating. With a foul mouth like hers, Grandma won’t waste words.”

Zhang Jinlan wiped her hands on her back before picking up her granddaughter.

Together, the group left the Qian household, proud and unbothered.

“Why not let Xile stay at my place for now?” the matchmaker suggested.

“No. After all this, what if that woman recovers and comes to your house to make trouble? No need to drag you in. Don’t worry, I’ll arrange things properly for Xile. She’ll stay at my neighbor’s place—I’ve a good relationship with them.”

Hearing Zhang Jinlan’s words, the matchmaker sighed in relief.

As long as Xile wasn’t moving straight into the groom’s household, it wouldn’t hurt her reputation.