Chapter 98: Unwelcome Visitors Causing Trouble

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Gu Chengyong held Jiaoyan in his arms, while Wen Qi and Wen Ping supported Shaoyuan. The group hurried toward the Miao family’s home. Wen Xiu glanced back toward Qi Xuemei and a boy of about seven or eight—the boy was Qi Xuemei’s younger brother, and he had just run to the Gu family to deliver the message.

“Miss Qi, young Zhengyang, thank you both for today. When Jiaoyan feels better, we will come to formally thank you.” If Qi Xuemei had not stepped forward to stop it and sent Qi Zhengyang to notify the Gu family, Jiaoyan and Shaoyuan would have suffered greatly today. Wen Xiu sincerely expressed his gratitude to them.

Qi Xuemei waved her hand casually. “Don’t be so formal with us. Hurry and check on your little sister. Also, the Jiang family holds considerable power in the village. Jiang Kaiyu is the only male heir of the Jiang family this generation, and everyone treats him like the apple of their eye. You’ve beaten him—best figure out how to handle this situation quickly.”

Wen Xiu cupped his hands toward Qi Xuemei. “Thank you for the reminder, miss. I’ll take my leave now.” With that, he sprinted toward Miao Suwen’s home.

Miao Suwen was at home drying medicinal herbs, while Ruyun and Ruyue were busy with embroidery inside. At that moment, Gu Chengyong rushed in with the children. “Cousin, quickly come see the kids. Jiaoyan and Shaoyuan have been beaten.” Gu Chengyong had no time to explain further and called out as he entered the courtyard.

Miao Suwen hurried over to Gu Chengyong and saw Jiaoyan in his arms, her face flushed with a large red mark. Nearby, her own son looked worse—his face bruised and purple, his clothes stained with dirt, clearly having been kicked.

Anger welled in Miao Suwen’s heart, but she held it back. “Quick, bring the children inside. Let me take a look.”

They all moved into the east room. Ruyun and Ruyue packed up their embroidery. “Uncle, what’s going on? How did Jiaoniang end up beaten?” Ruyun asked anxiously.

“Don’t ask now. Help me fetch some warm water and clean white cloths,” Miao Suwen said, waving her hand to signal Ruyun to help.

Ruyun nodded and went out with Ruyue to get water and cloth. Then Miao Suwen began examining the children’s injuries. Jiaoyan’s were quite serious; the boy who hit her was strong, and she had bitten him, which had enraged him to strike harshly.

“Brother-in-law, I’ll prepare some medicine for Jiaoyan later. She’ll need to take it for a while and rest properly. She’s feeling dizzy and nauseous now; if not treated well, she might have lasting damage,” Miao Suwen sighed.

Jiaoyan knew in her heart that she probably had a mild concussion from the blow. She blamed her small frame; at six years old, she was simply too fragile. “Master, I’m fine. You should check on Shaoyuan instead. He got kicked many times—don’t let him injure his muscles or bones,” Jiaoyan said weakly.

Miao Suwen nodded and told Jiaoyan to lie still on the kang (heated platform). Then she turned to her son. Shaoyuan was indeed battered, covered in countless bruises and swelling, clearly from the other children’s blows. Fortunately, his injuries were only superficial; no bones or tendons were damaged.

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“Shaoyuan is fine. I’ll apply some medicinal wine, and after a few days’ rest, he should recover,” Miao Suwen said, relieved.

“Son, tell me exactly what happened today,” she asked, finally inquiring about the incident.

She trusted her son; Shaoyuan was not the type to cause trouble. But she needed to understand the full story to decide how to proceed.

Shaoyuan recounted everything that happened in the wilderness. “We didn’t provoke them at all. They came up and kicked over the basket on my back and started hitting me. I was angry, so I fought back and hit the boy named Jiang.”

Miao Suwen nodded. “Alright, I understand. This isn’t your fault. But next time, if the same thing happens, just avoid it. It’s better to have fewer troubles. Look at you—you’re hurt, and Jiaoyan isn’t doing well either.” She didn’t blame Shaoyuan but advised him to be less reckless.

Shaoyuan understood his mother was worried and quickly nodded. “Mom, I got it. I’ll remember next time.”

“Cousin, keep the two children here to rest. I’ll go to the Jiang family to find someone. I want to see how the Jiang family disciplines their son. Such a young age and already so tyrannical—does their family even respect the law?” Gu Chengyong said after hearing Shaoyuan’s account and seeing the children stable. He stood up to leave.

Miao Suwen didn’t stop him. This matter needed resolution. Jiaoyan and Shaoyuan shouldn’t be bullied without consequence. If their parents didn’t confront the Jiang family, the other side might think they were afraid, and the Gu and Miao children would suffer even more in the future.

“Brother-in-law, I’m just a woman. It’s not easy for me to argue with them. I’m counting on you,” Miao Suwen said quickly.

Gu Chengyong nodded and stepped outside. Before he reached the middle of the yard, Wen Sheng came running, out of breath. “Second Uncle, hurry home. Many from the Jiang family have come, saying they want to settle accounts with you.”

Gu Chengyong raised an eyebrow. “Good. I haven’t even gone to their place yet, and they already dare to come here? Let’s go back and see.” His anger flared. These people really thought Gu Chengyong had fallen from grace and could be bullied at will?

Miao Suwen heard this inside and, furious, followed outside. “Wait, I’ll go too. Shaoyuan, come with us. I want to see what the Jiang family intends.”

So Gu Chengyong led his sons, accompanied by Miao Suwen and her son, toward the Gu family home. On the way, they passed the door of Gu Ershu’s house, where Gu Ershu came out with his three sons and grandsons.

“Dayong, so you’re here. Come, I’ll accompany you. The old Jiang family really thinks no one is left in ours? Bringing people to our door—damn them.”

Gu Chengyong felt touched by Gu Ershu’s support. His uncle was truly unwavering. “Thank you, Uncle, and thanks to all the brothers,” Gu Chengyong nodded to the three men of the Gu family.

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This was no time for idle chatter, so they hurried back to the old Gu family home. Before even entering the courtyard, they heard loud shouting.

“You’ve got some nerve, beating someone from the old Jiang family? If you don’t give us an explanation today, I’ll smash your old Gu house to pieces!” A woman’s voice barked.

“Ah, Miss Jiang, this must be some misunderstanding. The Jiang family is powerful and wealthy, with officials outside the village. We’re just common folk—how could we dare hit your young master?” came the voice of Li Shi.

Gu Chengyong frowned. His stepmother was useless. No matter how powerful the Jiang family was, they couldn’t just give in like this. How could the Gu family hold their heads high in the village in the future?

“The Jiang family’s kid is arrogant and bullies others. Instead of disciplining your son, you flaunt your power at others. The Jiang family really has excellent family values, huh?” Gu Chengyong said coldly.

In the old Gu courtyard stood a dozen or so strong men, each holding sticks, clearly ready to fight at the slightest provocation. On the other side, Gu Chengyong’s parents and brothers looked pale.

Gu Chengyong and his group entered and faced the Jiang family members. “Who here is that kid’s parent? I want to ask, is this how you raise your children? Only about ten years old and already so arrogant and tyrannical. What will they become when they grow up? Bullying men and women, oppressing the villagers?”

“Just because someone in your Jiang family is an official, you think you’re all that? With your behavior, you’re only inviting trouble for your relatives in office. If someone reports your family to the court for bullying villagers and oppressing the common people, I wonder if the government will punish you,” Gu Chengyong said without fear, having seen many officials before and not intimidated by their connections.

Among the Jiang family stood a man in his mid-thirties. Hearing Gu Chengyong’s words, his eyes flickered. He stepped forward. “I’ve heard that the second son of the Gu family has been roaming for years and is quite capable and knowledgeable. Seeing you today, it’s clear you’re extraordinary.”

“My son Kaiyu is indeed mischievous and always causing trouble. That’s for us to discipline, not others. You hit my son without reason; this must be explained,” the man said, obviously protective.

“Ridiculous! So your son is allowed to beat others, but no one can fight back? Is your son more precious than others’ children? They’re all human. If they hit others, they should expect to be hit back. Who do you think you are? The emperor?” Gu Chengyong mocked without fear.

“Second brother, don’t talk nonsense. This is the Jiang family, the biggest landlord in our village. Many families here are tenants of the Jiang family. If you keep talking like this, you’re asking for trouble,” Li Shi suddenly warned Gu Chengyong from beside him.

“Big brother, take your wife aside. The men are talking business here, not for women to speak,” Gu Ershu said displeased, scolding Li Shi.