Chapter 24: Almost Infuriating the Brother-in-Law to Death

Liu Shi and Liu Lanzhi’s faces turned green upon hearing those words.

Liu Lanzhi scowled, tugging at Young Master Li’s sleeve as she said, “Husband, she’s just a foolish girl from the countryside. How could she possibly be some celestial fairy descended to earth?”

Young Master Li’s expression immediately darkened. With a stern face, he reprimanded Liu Lanzhi, “How can you speak like that? No matter what, she is still your elder sister.”

Being scolded by her own husband—especially in front of the stepsister she had always despised—Liu Lanzhi’s face twisted in grievance. “Husband, you’re my husband. How could you take her side?”

At that moment, Young Master Li suddenly recalled something his father had told him when he got married. Originally, the plan had been for him to wed the so-called foolish daughter of the Du family, but his mother had intervened and switched her with the younger sister instead.

Now, as he looked at Liu Lanzhi and then at Du Wanchun, his anger only grew.

He had given up a celestial beauty, only to marry an ill-tempered, unattractive shrew!

The more Young Master Li thought about it, the angrier he became. He suddenly roared at Liu Lanzhi, “Why shouldn’t I take her side?! If it weren’t for you and your mother meddling, she would have been my wife!”

The moment those words were spoken, Liu Shi and Liu Lanzhi’s faces turned even uglier. They were completely dumbfounded, standing frozen in place like mutes, unable to utter a single word.

Du Wanchun quickly helped Zhou Ruiyuan to a seat, wanting nothing to do with Young Master Li’s nonsense.

Liu Shi shot a furious glare at Du Wanchun, itching to lash out at her. But when she glanced at Young Master Li and her own daughter, she forced herself to swallow her anger.

Stepping forward with a forced smile, she tried to smooth things over. “Dear son-in-law, come, sit down and have some tea.”

Young Master Li’s expression eased slightly. He quickly turned his attention back to Du Wanchun, eagerly leaning forward as he took a seat beside them.

Liu Shi wasted no time pulling Liu Lanzhi into the kitchen.

At that moment, Du Dajiang returned. Since both his sons-in-law were visiting, he had made a special effort to buy fine wine and meat for the occasion.

As he entered and saw the two young men, he beamed, striding forward and bowing slightly in an extremely respectful manner. “Young Master Li, welcome!”

On the side, the real Young Master Li had just taken a sip of tea. Upon hearing this, he immediately spat it out, choking so badly that his eyes filled with tears. “Father-in-law, what’s wrong with your eyesight? I am Young Master Li!”

Du Dajiang was stunned, completely failing to react for a moment. Realizing his mistake, he panicked and quickly turned toward the plump, pig-faced Young Master Li, hastily correcting himself, “Ah, dear son-in-law, my apologies.”

Only then did Young Master Li’s expression improve. With a smug glance at Zhou Ruiyuan, he sneered mockingly, “Father-in-law, your eyesight is terrible. How could you mistake that poor scholar for me?”

Du Dajiang hurriedly apologized, blaming his old, failing eyes for the mix-up.

His gaze returned to Zhou Ruiyuan, still filled with disbelief. He had never expected the supposedly crippled eldest son of the Zhou family to be so well-built and dignified in appearance. His guilt over marrying his daughter into the Zhou family lessened slightly.

“So, you’re the eldest son of the Zhou family?” Du Dajiang asked, scrutinizing him.

Zhou Ruiyuan slowly stood up and greeted him with a respectful bow. “Greetings, Father-in-law.”

Seeing the tall and graceful young man before him, Du Dajiang was once again taken aback. “Wasn’t your leg supposed to be crippled?”

Zhou Ruiyuan replied calmly, “Father-in-law, my leg was indeed injured, but it has improved recently. I can now manage to stand with some effort.”

Du Dajiang nodded in satisfaction.

On the side, Young Master Li once again began his sarcastic taunts. “So, not only is he a poor scholar, but he’s also a cripple.”

Then, raising an eyebrow at Du Wanchun, he smirked. “Tell me, dear sister-in-law, are you planning to become a widow while your husband is still alive?”

His tone was full of insolence. Du Wanchun’s eyes turned cold as she let out a mocking laugh. “Whatever my husband is like, you wouldn’t be able to comprehend. There’s no need for you to worry yourself, dear brother-in-law.”

Young Master Li lazily fanned himself with his folding fan and crossed one leg over the other. “I think he’s just a useless cripple.”

Du Wanchun’s patience had worn thin. Her tone sharpened with ridicule as she retorted, “Young Master Li, you seem quite sure about that. Could it be that you have a fondness for men and can tell at a glance whether my husband is ‘useless’?”

Young Master Li was caught off guard. His leg, which had been casually propped up, slipped, and he tumbled straight off his chair.

With a loud thud, his large, flabby body crashed onto the floor.

Du Dajiang hurriedly rushed over to help him up. “Oh! Dear son-in-law, are you all right?”

Young Master Li gritted his teeth, his entire body trembling with rage. His hand clenched around his fan so tightly that it shook. He pointed at Du Wanchun, wanting to curse her, but he was so furious that the words got stuck in his throat. “You… you…”

Du Dajiang quickly tried to soothe him. “Dear son-in-law, don’t be angry. We’re all family, after all.”

As he spoke, he shot a glare at Du Wanchun.

Du Wanchun had long known that her father was biased, but she hadn’t expected it to be to this extent. Fine then—she had already given up hope in him anyway.

She had no intention of staying for the meal any longer. Looking straight at Du Dajiang, she asked, “Father, before my mother passed away, didn’t she leave me a pair of silver earrings and a pair of red hairpins?”

Du Dajiang froze. Only now did he realize how different his once simple-minded daughter had become. In the past, she had been foolish and obedient, but today, she was like an entirely different person.

Hurriedly, he shook his head. “No, before your mother died, she only left you that wedding dress.”

Du Wanchun stood up, her expression serious. “Father, I remember it clearly. Mother left me a pair of silver earrings and a pair of red hairpins—she said they were meant for my wedding. How could you say they don’t exist? Unless… you kept them for yourself?”

Those very silver earrings and red hairpins had long been given to Liu Shi by Du Dajiang.