Chapter 100: Maintain Vigilance

The Jiang family had come to the Gu household aggressively, intent on exerting their will over Gu Chengyong, only to have their true motives exposed to the public by their own son. To make matters worse, they were then ruthlessly rejected by Miao Suwen and her son in front of everyone present. This time, the Jiang family had suffered a humiliating defeat.

The eldest of the Jiang family had no choice but to throw out a few harsh threats before slinking away with his people in tow. What else could he do? Stay and let people mock them? He led his followers out of the Gu compound and headed straight home.

"Father, so I just took that beating for nothing today?" asked Jiang Kaiyu, who was being carried on someone's back, feeling deeply resentful.

"Shut your mouth, you useless wretch! If it weren't for you, would I have been subjected to such humiliation today? Go home and stay put. If you ever dare to go out and stir up trouble again, I’ll break your wretched legs!" The eldest Jiang was boiling with rage, and his son was the only available target for his frustration.

Old Madam Jiang, who had also come along, saw her son scolding her grandson and naturally rushed to his defense. "Eldest, don't you dare scare the boy! Yu'er is still young; what does he know? If you frighten him out of his wits, you’ll be the one to regret it!" With this precious grandson by her side, the old woman could not bear to see him scolded.

Hearing his mother’s words, the eldest Jiang felt even more stifled. If he had approached the matter of marrying Miao Suwen discreetly, there might have been a chance. But now, with his son having shouted it out in public, Miao Suwen would never agree, if only to protect her own reputation. He had long been infatuated with Miao Suwen’s beauty, and now that he was returning empty-handed, how could he feel anything but bitter?

He dared not defy his mother, but he kept his fury bottled up inside, gritting his teeth in silence. "Gu Chengyong, Miao Suwen, just you wait. You’ll get what’s coming to you."

Leaving aside the Jiang family’s schemes for revenge, back at the Gu household, once the crowd had dispersed, the elder patriarch of the Gu family called Gu Chengyong into the house. Gu’s second uncle, who hadn't left yet, was also beckoned inside by his brother.

"Dayong, how could you have possibly offended the Jiang family? What kind of people are they? Their second son is a magistrate serving elsewhere! In these past few years, the Jiang family has become a different beast in our village. Who left in the village dares to cross them?" As soon as they entered the room, the elder patriarch began sighing heavily.

"It’s all because of that woman surnamed Miao! If she didn't act so flirtatious and loose every day, would the eldest Jiang have ever set his sights on her? Now look, the Jiangs will surely hold a grudge against our whole family. Second brother, I don't care what you say—you must drive that distant cousin of your wife’s away! They cannot be allowed to stay in the village; they are the root of this disaster!" Madam Li, who had come over from the kitchen, launched into a stinging tirade as soon as she entered.

Gu Chengyong frowned. Madam Li had only been behaving herself for a few days before reverting to her old ways. He was displeased, but not wanting to cause a scene during the holiday, he said nothing. He simply stood up to leave. "Father, Mother, Jiaoyan is still at the cousin's place. If there is nothing else, I’ll go check on her. The cousin says Jiaoyan needs to rest for a good while."

As Gu Chengyong left, his second uncle followed suit, bidding his brother farewell and leading his own sons out after him. "Dayong, don't listen to your father and mother. The Gu family must not be spineless. No matter how arrogant the Jiangs are, as long as we live our lives honestly, we have nothing to fear from them."

***

Hearing his second uncle’s words, Gu Chengyong felt a little better. "Second Uncle, thank you and the cousins for today." Regardless of anything else, the fact that his uncle had brought his sons to back him up proved that the Gu clan remained united; no one would be allowed to bully them. This brought genuine warmth to Gu Chengyong’s heart.

"Why say such things between us? We are all of the Gu family. If you are bullied, I lose face too, don't I?" the second uncle said with a wave of his hand and a smile.

"Still, you must be careful from now on. The Jiangs don't play fair. Their second son has only been successful for six or seven years, yet they’ve already seized a great deal of land in our village. Many families have been bullied into silence. They are ruthless and cruel; I fear they might strike in the dark."

Gu Chengyong raised an eyebrow. He had been away for many years and rarely returned, so he truly hadn't realized the Jiang family was this brazen. To act so lawlessly just because they had a relative who was a magistrate—it was truly rare.

"Don't worry, Second Uncle, I will be vigilant." Gu Chengyong knew well that in officialdom, officials simply protected one another. Regardless of the rank of the Jiang family’s official, they would have many powerful connections behind them. With protectors from above, the Jiang family would face no consequences no matter how they acted. To those who only cared about status and career, the lives of commoners meant nothing.

The second uncle nodded. "As long as you are on your guard, that’s good. Sigh, a higher official can crush those below him. Since you no longer hold a post, it’s best not to clash head-on with the Jiangs. And as for the niece from the Miao family, remind her to be careful not to give them an opening." The second uncle, a warm-hearted man, offered a few more earnest words of advice.

By then, they had reached the second uncle’s home, and he led his sons into the courtyard. "Dayong, come in and sit for a while. Let your second aunt fix a few good dishes, and we can have a drink and talk."

Gu Chengyong shook his head. "Second Uncle, I won't go in today. I don't know how Jiaoyan is doing, so I need to go check on her." With that, he strode off toward the Miao household.

Upon arriving, he found Madam Feng sitting on the edge of the *kang*, looking at Jiaoyan—who was lying flat—with profound heartache. During the confrontation with the Jiangs, Madam Feng had slipped out the side gate to check on her daughter and had been devastated by her disheveled state.

"We’ve been away for so many years, and Jiaoyan has never suffered the slightest grievance. I never expected that in just a month since returning home, she would be beaten twice. How can my heart not ache?" Seeing her husband enter, Madam Feng could not help but shed tears.

"Mother, don't be sad. I'm fine, it was just a slap. I'll be fine once I grow up; then no one will dare bully me," Jiaoyan said from the *kang*, trying to comfort her mother.

"Alright, Ziyu, don't cry either. There are many wild children in the village, and some are bound to be mischievous. The Jiang boy just went too far. We’ll be more careful from now on. Whenever Jiaoyan goes out, someone will accompany her. This won't happen again," Gu Chengyong said softly, his own heart aching to see his wife like this.

"Mother, don't worry. From now on, we brothers will be by Jiaoyan’s side. We will practice our martial arts diligently. Once we are strong, no one will dare bully us," Wenxiu and Wentao added from the side.

Comforted by her husband and children, Madam Feng eventually stopped crying. "Sigh, our family is better off, as we are all together. But what about the cousin? They are just a lone mother and child, and with Axi and Alu so busy, and Ruyun and Ruyue just girls—if something were to happen, what would they do?"

Since the Jiangs had openly stated their interest in Miao Suwen today, she feared they wouldn't give up. If they harbored malicious intent, it would be a disaster. "Cousin, why don't you move back and live with us? There are more people there, and we can look out for each other."

Miao Suwen shook her head. "Cousin, it’s alright. I’ve encountered such things before. I’m not afraid of people more powerful than the Jiangs, let alone them. In a few days, I’ll ask around the village and get two dogs to watch the house. Ruyun and Ruyue will be with me during the day, and Axi and Alu will be here at night. I don't believe the Jiangs would dare to retaliate so blatantly."

Miao Suwen was a gentle woman who rarely lost her temper, but that didn't mean she lacked backbone. She was clearly angry, and deeply so, though her refinement prevented her from making a scene. "You and your husband have enough constraints where you are; we won't go over and cause trouble. It’s fine here."

"Master, I will study martial arts diligently. Once I’ve mastered the skills, I’ll see who dares to bully me. Then I can protect my mother and Yan'er," said Shaoyuan, who had been sitting by Jiaoyan’s side. The young boy’s face was bruised and swollen, yet the solemnity and determination on his face were deeply moving.

"Good. Master will spare no effort in teaching you well. Remember, no matter what happens, only when you are strong can you avoid being bullied and protect your loved ones." Gu Chengyong admired this spirit in Shaoyuan and was very pleased by his words.

After Jiaoyan rested on the *kang* and took the medicine Miao Suwen had prescribed, she felt the dizziness and nausea subside. It was the Dragon Boat Festival, and there was still much to do at the Gu house. After consulting with Miao Suwen, Gu Chengyong decided to take Jiaoyan home to recover.

"Yan'er, rest well. Come back in a few days when you’ve recovered. Make sure someone accompanies you whenever you go out, understand?" Miao Suwen said as she saw them off, still worried. "Remember to take your medicine. You are still young; do not let any lingering illness take root."

"Master, I understand, don't worry. I'll be back on my feet in a few days," Jiaoyan said from her father’s arms, smiling at Miao Suwen and Shaoyuan. "Brother Shaoyuan, you should rest well too. Don't go out for a while."