Chapter 18: A Slightly Fierce

"Young master, that's a top scholar!"

Xie Lu was speechless.

Following such a little brat, anyone whose heart isn't strong enough is bound to die young.

Xie Zian chuckled and said, "A top scholar is still a person!"

"Besides, the mischievous child can at most be beaten a few times; what else can be done?"

In Xie Zian's view, his two little brothers‑in‑law returning now must be to vent against their sister.

Of course, if they don't do that, then, to Xie Zian, those two little brothers‑in‑law aren't worth a single ounce of his sincere effort.

Knowing that his future daughter‑in‑law is not favored by her parents, in Xie Zian's mind, his future father‑in‑law and mother‑in‑law can be completely sidelined.

To Xie Zian, giving and receiving have always been equal.

The bonds of blood require genuine affection to maintain.

"Young master, as long as you're happy!"

Xie Lu rolled his eyes when Xie Zian didn't notice.

"Uncle Lu, tell me, now that Madam Shen San has returned, will my marriage to a bride encounter any mishap?"

"It definitely won't!"

Xie Lu isn't foolish.

The little brat in his family can truly accomplish anything he sets out to do.

Even back then, under the young miss's suppression, he could still maneuver things to succeed.

Now that the young miss has become Empress, the distance is even greater.

Moreover, when the young miss hears that the little brat is finally going to take a bride, she will probably petition the Emperor for a royal marriage decree.

Only, if there is a royal marriage decree, then why does the little brat have himself go to the officials to make a formal visit, and what is the purpose?

What puzzles Xie Lu even more is that the little brat insists that he tell the officials that this legitimate son of the Xie Family is being ignored and has now been exiled.

This maneuver, no matter how you look at it, doesn't feel like it's meant to make the marriage happen.

Could it be that he's worried the Shen Family will start currying favor?

With the little brat's abilities, even if the Shen Family comes knocking, any huge matter is just a matter of his word.

I can't figure it out, I just can't!

……

When Lu Shi finished arranging her makeup, a carriage happened to pass the intersection leading to the Zheng Family residence.

"Stop!"

Lu Shi spoke, halting the carriage.

The rough maid who was hurrying with the carriage stepped forward quickly, lifted the horse seat, and then saw Lu Shi, dressed in splendid attire and looking tidy, step out of the carriage.

From the second carriage behind, the brothers Shen Zheng Dun and Shen Zheng Yi jumped out one after another.

"Go, call the gate!"

Lu Shi indeed does not value Shen Yunyao, the young lady, but Shen Yunyao's broken engagement and Zheng Wangshi's actions during that time still left Lu Shi displeased and angry.

She truly does not like her daughter.

But her dislike stems only from Shen Yunyao's birth, which caused her great suffering, making her constantly recall the nightmare of once walking through the Ghost Gate.

What is Zheng Wangshi, anyway?

On what grounds does she dislike her young lady?

So what if Zheng Si Que is a top scholar?

Lu Shi's own family has also produced a top scholar!

The accompanying guards, hearing this, immediately stepped forward and pounded the Zheng Family's main gate with a bang‑bang.

Such conduct is undoubtedly rude.

However, Lu Shi did it deliberately.

Zheng Wangshi is already trying to force her daughter to death; does she still expect her to be courteous to the other side?

The man at home is useless; Lu Shi is not without a temper.

"Who are you?"

"This is the house of a top scholar!"

"Did you eat a bear's heart and a leopard's gallbladder?"

The Zheng Family's gatekeeper, startled by the knocking, jumped out from the side door, and his temper flared instantly.

"Get Zheng Wangshi out for me!"

Lu Shi stepped forward and said coldly.

After she spoke, the brothers Shen Zheng Dun and Shen Zheng Yi also took a proper step forward and shouted in unison, "Get that top scholar of yours out!"

The gatekeeper didn't recognize Lu Shi, but upon seeing the identical looks of the brothers Shen Zheng Dun and Shen Zheng Yi, instantly guessed their identities.

No need to ask, they're here to pick a fight!

The gatekeeper dared not speak further, hurried inside to inform Zheng Wangshi and Zheng Si Que.

"Mother, in a moment, let us brothers step forward!"

After the Zheng Family gatekeeper entered, Shen Zheng Dun looked at Lu Shi and spoke seriously; he was small in stature, but his expression was very adult‑like.

Lu Shi glanced at her eldest son and said, "What? Do you want to be the head of the household now?"

"Son…"

Shen Zheng Dun hurriedly replied.

"I dare not, not that I don't want to!"

"Mother, you're just twisting the argument!"

Facing his mother's difficulty, Shen Zheng Dun said he felt wronged.

Unfortunately, Lu didn't reason with him at all.

Not long after, a Zheng Family gate guard returned, saying that since the Zheng Family and the Shen Family were to never have any contact again, they wouldn't invite Lu in, and naturally, she wouldn't be allowed to come out to see her.

"Now, what do you plan to do?"

"They've hoisted a 'no‑fight' banner, avoiding combat!"

Lu looked at her two sons, with a teasing smile.

Shen Zheng Yi immediately spoke, saying: "According to military strategy, we can use a war of insults to enrage the opponent!"

"But if the other side is set on being a coward, no matter how much we insult them, they can just pretend not to hear!"

"So, I suggest we just break in!"

"Anyway, anyone named Zheng is already due for a beating!"

After hearing the younger son's words, Lu felt a headache.

At first, the younger son's words gave her the impression that he was clever, but after the later part, Lu realized she was wrong.

Lu ignored the younger son and fixed her gaze on the older son.

Shen Zheng Dun thought for a moment and said, "I actually think, since this mother and son intend to never have any contact with the Shen Family, perhaps some old debts should be settled now?"

Because of the old‑generation friendship between the two families, and Shen Yunyao's engagement to Zheng Si Que, the Shen Family would send a generous gift to the Zheng Family on every holiday.

Since the Zheng Family's fortunes had declined, their return gifts fell far short.

Of course, these reciprocal gifts of goodwill can't be judged by their monetary value.

But their Third Branch treats Zheng Si Que as a brother‑in‑law, so those gestures must be tallied precisely.

"Not bad, you still have some sense!"

Having heard the older son's suggestion, Lu was fairly satisfied.

"Knock again!"

"Just say, 'Madam is here to settle the account!'"

"Weren't we supposed to never have any contact again?"

"Then, as you wish."

The Zheng Family gate guard was clearly standing beside them, yet the guard acted as if he hadn't seen him, continued to knock, and it was obvious the guard came prepared—not slapping the door with his hand, but wielding a stick.

"My mother‑in‑law is a bit fierce!"

Xie Zian, who was watching the spectacle among the onlookers, felt an inexplicable unease at the scene.

He had clearly found that this mother‑in‑law was indifferent to his young daughter‑in‑law, so why was she causing such a ruckus this time?

Could there be some hidden truth behind this?

(End of chapter)