Chapter 12: Returning to Her Parental Home (Part 2)

Not long ago, Madam Hu had worn the jade bracelet into the village to show it off. Word quickly reached Old Madam Lin’s ears.

That was how she learned that on the day Yun Shiyue came to present the betrothal gifts, he had brought the Zhao family many valuable items—
among them, several exquisite jade bracelets.

Old Madam Lin felt that Zhao Ruhua marrying Yun Shiyue and receiving such precious betrothal gifts were all thanks to her, the old matriarch.

Therefore, she believed that some of the betrothal gifts rightfully belonged to her.

So, she came today to “claim her share.”

Who would’ve thought that Madam Hu would be so stubborn? When Old Madam Lin asked for the bracelet, she refused outright.

But the old woman coveted that bracelet badly. Relying on her status as an elder, she tried to snatch it.

In the struggle, the bracelet slipped from Madam Hu’s wrist and fell to the floor, shattering into pieces.

This was the scene Zhao Ruhua walked in on.

“You—how can you say that about me?” Old Madam Lin screeched.
“I only wanted to take a look at your bracelet! How can you slander me for trying to grab it?”

“And even if I did want it, could you really refuse me? Don’t forget, without this old woman, your family is nothing!”

“If you still want my support, if you still want to call me Mother, then don’t be so stingy!”

A moment ago, she had denied snatching the bracelet. The next, she was scolding Madam Hu for being tight-fisted.

Hearing this, Zhao Ruhua was certain her mother had told the truth.

“Grandmother, that bracelet was a gift from me to my mother,” Zhao Ruhua said coolly.
“If you want a jade bracelet, you should have your own sons or daughters buy one for you.”

“Why come and grab my mother’s? What will people say if they hear about this?”

Zhao Ruhua wasn’t afraid of her.

If not for her parents’ face, she would’ve torn into Old Madam Lin already.

Being old didn’t make one automatically right.

She had given the bracelet to Madam Hu as a gift. What business did Old Madam Lin have taking it?

Now the bracelet was broken—was she satisfied?
Seeing her mother cry in heartache—was she happy?

Already in a temper, Old Madam Lin grew even angrier at Zhao Ruhua’s words.

“You wild girl! You dare lecture your grandmother?”

“You gave her the bracelet, so what if she uses it to honor me? Everyone knows a daughter-in-law’s best things should go to her elders!”

She made no attempt to hide her intent, fully relying on her seniority to press down on Zhao Ruhua.

But Zhao Ruhua didn’t back down—if anything, she grew sharper.

Madam Hu didn’t stop her. Father Zhao wasn’t home. There was nothing to be afraid of.

Zhao Ruhua sneered.
“Honor you? And why should we honor you?

People talk about respecting the elderly, yes. But respect and filial piety go both ways. A real elder also loves and protects the younger generation.”

“You only know how to demand filial piety. You expect everyone to hand over anything good they have just to please you.

But what have you ever given in return? Have you ever cared for your juniors?

If you were good to my mother, then yes, she should respect and honor you.

But if you treat her badly, why should she bow and scrape to you? Did you raise her for a single day? Has she ever eaten your rice for free?”

“And that bracelet? It was mine. Why should I give it to you?

Even if my mother had given it to you, I would take it back.

Since I was little, have you ever held me in your arms? Bought me a dress? Given me a single meal?”

“You think I should honor you? The only reason I even call you ‘Grandmother’ is for my father’s sake.”

“Otherwise, who do you think you are? Step outside this house and see who even knows you!”

Her words cracked like firecrackers, one after another.

Madam Hu had stopped crying and made no move to intervene.

The two sisters-in-law standing nearby were pale with fright, too scared to utter a word.

Old Madam Lin’s face turned an ugly shade of green.

She jabbed a finger at Zhao Ruhua, about to unleash a torrent of scolding—
but Zhao Ruhua slapped her hand away.

“What are you pointing at me for? Going to call me unfilial and disrespectful?

Fine, I’ll admit it. Today, I’m being ‘unfilial and disrespectful.’”

“You broke my mother’s jade bracelet. I want silver for compensation.

If you don’t pay today, this matter isn’t over.”

“Go ahead and spread rumors in the village. Cry to my uncles and have them come scold me.

If you don’t pay for the bracelet today, I’ll fight you to the end.”

Hands on her hips, eyes blazing, Zhao Ruhua looked downright fierce.

Old Madam Lin opened her mouth several times, only to be cut off again and again.

“You… you… you unfilial wretch!”

It took her half a day just to spit out that one insult.

But Zhao Ruhua had already said it first, taking the sting right out of it.

She lifted her chin and gave a sidelong glance.
“That one? I’ve already used it. Pick a new one.”

“If you can’t think of any, I can help you.”

“You can call me a dog, a white-eyed wolf, a shameless wench, a money-losing good-for-nothing…”

Once she started, she rattled off a long list of curses.

With no one stopping her, she completely let herself go.

Last time, when Li Hongyun came to break the engagement, if her father hadn’t stepped in, she could have cursed Li Hongyun until his own parents disowned him.

Old Madam Lin: “…”

How was she supposed to keep scolding like this?

For the first time in her life, she was utterly outdone in a shouting match.

All her life in Baishi Village, no one had ever dared challenge her like this.

She’d never lost a quarrel. No one had ever beaten her at it.

Who would’ve thought she’d be defeated today—by this “wild girl”?

How had she never noticed this sharp tongue before? Today, it was like the girl had transformed.

Madam Hu, meanwhile, felt a deep, private satisfaction.

As a daughter-in-law, she had always lacked confidence against Old Madam Lin.

She could quarrel with peers or juniors without fear.

But with her mother-in-law, she always felt restrained.

If word spread, people would point fingers, and she would be branded unfilial.

But Zhao Ruhua was different.

She wasn’t of this era, and she didn’t care one whit about the villagers’ opinions.

If Old Madam Lin made her unhappy, she would make the old woman equally unhappy.

“You… you…”

Old Madam Lin fumbled for words, all her usual scoldings stolen.

Zhao Ruhua stood tall and proud.
“I’m right here. Go on—scold me. I’m waiting.”

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