Blind Zhu said, “Who are you? Eating with your hands is so disgusting!”
“Right, your hands are so dirty!”
“Such bad manners!”
The kids made a fuss, and suddenly everyone in the room was looking at that table.
Seeing that his own son was grabbing food from the plates with his hands, even though Blind Zhu had incredibly thick skin, he still felt a little embarrassed.
He quickly put down his chopsticks and walked over to the kids' table, pulling Zhu Jinbao down.
Zhu Jinbao was holding a big meat bone in his hand, gnawing on it happily, and of course didn't want to leave the table. He immediately started crying and making a fuss.
Blind Zhu saw that everyone in the room was giving them cold looks, father and son, and he couldn't get off the stage for a moment either. Angrily, he gave his son a slap.
Zhu Jinbao let out a cry and burst into loud sobs, throwing himself on the ground.
Even so, he didn't let go of the big piece of meat in his hand.
Seeing her son get hit, Luo couldn't sit still either. Still holding her chopsticks, she rushed over and fiercely punched Blind Zhu's back twice.
She yelled hoarsely, "You bastard, are you trying to beat him to death? Good-for-nothing wimp, only knows how to bully at home, have the guts to bully outsiders!"
While hugging Zhu Jinbao in her arms and coaxing her dear son.
Luo was used to being domineering at home. Seeing Blind Zhu standing there cold-faced, not coming over to help her and their son, she got even angrier. The chopsticks in her hand were flung at her husband without a second thought.
Blind Zhu instinctively dodged it, and the chopsticks hit the wall behind him with a snap, bouncing back out, just barely grazing past Jiang Yuqing's cheek.
Jiang Yuqing was frightened at first, then felt a sharp pain on the left side of her face. She couldn't help but cry out loudly.
A baby's face is so tender, being hit by such thick chopsticks at high speed, Jiang Yuqing's face immediately swelled red in one area, with faint traces of blood seeping out, looking particularly shocking.
Now the hornet's nest was truly stirred up.
Old Lady Hu saw that the darling of the family had been beaten like this, and shook with anger. She slammed her chopsticks heavily on the table.
Pointing at the family who was still making a scene, she yelled, "Eldest, second, third son, what are you standing around for? Go get the hoes, beat these shameless lowlife scoundrels out! If you want to die, go die in your own home! Don't come making trouble in my house!"
Before the three brothers could react, Zhu had already taken the initiative to grab a hoe and rush over.
She fiercely whacked Blind Zhu and Luo over the head, while crying and cursing, "Get out, get out back to your Zhu house!
You can't stand seeing me do well, wishing I was dead, right? What bad karma did I accumulate in my previous life, to be born from the same womb as you? You want to harm me this much!
Get out, get out of my house! From now on, I'll consider you all dead! Get out, get out!"
For a time, the room was in chaos. Second Master Jiang was busy coaxing his wife, the women were busy coaxing Jiang Yuqing, busy looking for a doctor.
The Jiang family's other sons, regardless of what they were holding in their hands, frantically beat Blind Zhu and Luo.
Making trouble at the hundred day celebration of their precious darling, and even injuring her, it was absolutely unforgivable.
Even Zhu Jinbao was secretly kicked several times, beaten until several people were crying out in pain, ducking like rats.
If they weren't afraid of killing someone and getting into legal trouble, the Jiang men would have greeted the heads of this couple with their staffs.
Among them, Jiang Wenyuan was the most vicious.
He deliberately targeted the most painful spots that were hidden and not visible from the outside.
Don't be fooled by this guy's usually refined, gentlemanly demeanor. Among the three Jiang brothers, he was the most cunning.
To use Jiang Yuqing's words from her past life, he was a white-faced black heart, a smiling tiger. Anyone who offended him usually didn't end up well.
This time the Zhu family troublemakers messed up his darling daughter's hundred day celebration and injured her, he was resentful enough to tear them apart alive.
The Jiang family people beat Blind Zhu's family far away, naturally also attracting many onlookers.
Hearing that they made a huge ruckus at the Jiang's and even injured Jiang Yuqing, the Jiang clanspeople were immediately furious.
Joining the avenging army, they chased Blind Zhu's family far out of the village before stopping.
Some even directly declared that they were never allowed to come to Xijin ferry again, or they'd be beaten every time they were seen.
Bah! Damn scum!
Although Blind Zhu's family was driven away, no one was in the mood to continue eating. They just shoved in a few mouthfuls before hastily ending the meal.
Fortunately the doctor came to examine her and said it was just a minor abrasion. It only looked so serious because a baby's skin is tender.
He left a bottle of mild medicinal oil and instructed them to apply it three to four times a day, apply for three to five days and it would be fine. He also said there would be no scarring. The Jiang family finally felt relieved.
After sending off the doctor, Grandpa Lu's family also wanted to leave.
They were worried about their granddaughter, but firstly there was no room in their daughter's crowded house.
Secondly, after what happened today, the in-laws' house would have some matters to deal with, it would be inconvenient for them to stay here, so they could only go back first.
Before leaving, they repeatedly urged their daughter and son-in-law to take good care of the child, and send someone to Xiushui Bay to notify them if anything happened.
Jiang Wenyuan and his wife personally escorted Father-in-law's family to the door.
Taking advantage of when his wife was talking to her mother, Jiang Wenyuan seemingly casually said to his uncle, "There have been rats at home recently, gnawing and ruining the family heirlooms.
Although they've been temporarily driven away for now, who knows which day they might sneak back.
Does uncle have any good methods to deal with this rat problem?"
Lu Pingzhang glanced at his brother-in-law, his gaze profound, "Just a few rats, no need for my brother-in-law to worry. I have plenty of medicine to guarantee I can eliminate the illness."
Jiang Wenyuan smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, "Then I'll have to thank uncle for this."
On the way back, Chen asked her husband, "What riddle were you two speaking just now? What's all this about rats and medicine, I don't understand at all?"
Lu Pingzhang looked at his wife meaningfully, "You'll understand tomorrow."
Old Scholar Lu glanced at his son but just smiled without speaking.
After the Lu family left, Zhu cried again, confessing guiltily to Lu, "Sister-in-law, I really wronged you.
I didn't expect my older brother and Luo to become more and more unreasonable after so many years.
Not only did they ruin precious' hundred day celebration, but hurt her like this too. I, as her aunt, have let precious down. I really deserve to die..." As she spoke, she cried again.
Although Lu felt aggrieved in her heart, she also understood this wasn't Zhu's fault. Having a brother and sister-in-law like that, there was nothing she could do.
So she patted Zhu on the back to comfort her, "Don't cry anymore, today's matter isn't your fault at all. You don't need to blame yourself.
We have been sisters for many years, I know very clearly what kind of person you are. Moreover, the doctor also said precious was just lightly injured, it'll be fine after applying the medicinal oil for a few days.
If you keep crying, I'm afraid our house will flood." She didn't know before that Zhu could cry so much, crying until her head hurt.
Lu Yuwan felt sad, she must not let Second Aunt cry again in the future, she really cries too much.
Lin and Old Lady Hu also comforted at the side. Old Lady Hu said, "Sister-in-law, you're a good one, this is not your fault. I'm also at fault.
If not for thinking about that bit of familial face, I should've chased them out earlier, then none of this would've happened afterward."
After this, Zhu finally felt a bit better, but was still depressed.
Jiang Yuqing cried for a while, then fell asleep when she got tired.
When she woke up, she saw Second Aunt hugging her, eyes brimming with tears apologizing, "Precious, Second Aunt has wronged you.
Those scum came and not only ruined your hundred day celebration but even injured you. Second Aunt really deserves to die." As she spoke, she cried again.
"Wah wah, don't be sad, it's not your fault, if you want to blame then blame those bad guys. Don't cry, I'll feel heartache if you keep crying."
Dumpling comforted while speaking, and stretched out her two chubby arms, wanting to hug Zhu.
But her little arms were too short, she could barely reach Zhu's face.
She simply changed to using her four chubby dimpled hands to wipe away Zhu's tears: "There there, Second Aunt, don't cry.
Look, I'm fine now, you've cried until you look like a rabbit!"
"Sister-in-law, stop crying, look even precious is helping you wipe away your tears." Lu said to her daughter, "Isn't that right, Mother's precious!"
"Yes yes." So please don't cry anymore.
"Sister-in-law, look even Qingqing feels heartache seeing you like this." Lu handed over her handkerchief, "Hurry and wipe your tears, tidy up. We still have to make dinner later!"
Zhu took another look at her daughter-in-law's worried face, then gazed into the bright, innocent eyes of her little grandniece in her arms. She nodded slowly, wiped away her tears, and decided to temporarily set this matter aside for now.
The day after Jiang Wenyuan's daughter's hundredth-day celebration, he had to return to the county school early in the morning. The autumn semester was about to start, and he didn't dare delay for even one more day.
Lu was packing the things her husband would need to bring with him tomorrow. Jiang Yuqing felt she should do something for her handsome father too.
She didn't know much about the imperial examinations, only that there were tests on poetry, prose, policy proposals, and argumentation.
Although there were many books in the hospital, most were related to medicine.
However, there was a nationally renowned old professor in the Traditional Chinese Medicine department who was a history buff. He had given lectures on the Hundred Schools of Thought and published books.
His office had a small annex filled with thread-bound books. Perhaps she could go take a look there.
She didn't know what she would find, but her search did unearth many treasures.
There were rare editions of Tang poetry and Song lyrics in traditional Chinese bindings, annotated editions of classical works by famous authors from each dynasty, and even a booklet containing rubbings of old imperial examination papers from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
When Jiang Yuqing took these things out, she really shocked her parents.
But after the previous incident with the lingzhi mushrooms, the couple reacted much more calmly this time.
Jiang Wenyuan flipped through the books briefly and was overjoyed, as if he had obtained priceless treasures.
As the child of an impoverished family, he didn't have easy access to rare books and classics like the children of noble families did. Even consulting famous scholars was out of the question.
For the examinations, all he could do was study diligently on his own. Now his daughter had presented him with annotated works by famous authors that he hadn't even dared dream of obtaining before. How could he not be thrilled and regard them as invaluable gems?
Jiang Wenyuan hugged his daughter and smothered her freshly healed little face with kisses, nearly rubbing her skin raw again. "Sweetie, did you get these books to help Daddy with the exams?"
"Goo goo gah gah!" Yes, they're for you. Read them carefully, they might be useful.
"Sweetie, do you think Daddy can pass the exam this time?"
"Goo goo gah gah!" Daddy, do you think I'm a prophet who can tell the future?
Whether you pass or not depends on your own efforts!
Jiang Father: "Oh, if I can pass, that would be wonderful! With my darling's auspicious words, I hope her daddy can succeed as he wishes!"
Jiang Yuqing: "..." Alright, as long as you're happy.
That night, Old Lady Hu came over to give her son some silver for his trip. Jiang Wenyuan told his parents about how his daughter had given him the books. The elderly couple was even more delighted to hear their precious granddaughter had given their son some extremely valuable books. They exclaimed Jiang Yuqing was a treasure bestowed on the Jiang family by Heaven.
Meanwhile, after Luo and her dumb husband had been driven out of Xijin ferry that day, they had lain in bed for several days before finally feeling alive again.
They had just managed to get out of bed when a group of yamen runners burst in, saying someone had accused them of trespassing and deliberately inflicting harm. Without further ado, they arrested the couple, hauled them to the county yamen, and each was given thirty strokes of the rod.
Afterwards they were locked up in the prison for several more days. By the time they were sent home, they only had half their lives left in them.
Only then did the dim-witted couple belatedly remember that Jiang's third uncle was a clerk at the yamen.
Realizing this, the couple turned even paler. If only they had known—if only they had kept their distance from the Jiang Family.
Now they had been retaliated against, and it was too late for regrets.
After being beaten and jailed, the couple's reputation was completely ruined.
Word was, wagons refused to give them rides to town, afraid of being tainted by these stinking dogs.
With everything going wrong, the two bickered and fought every day, their lives a mess.
But no matter how hard things got, they didn't dare go back to Xijin ferry to court more bad luck. They had truly been frightened into good behavior. Even the thickest skin can only take so much abuse!
