As autumn deepened, the nights became especially chilly. Jiang Yutao led the carriage into the courtyard and snuggled inside.

"Achoo—" His sneeze was so loud that it could be heard clearly both inside and outside the house.

Sun Miao'er wanted the two of them to make their point. She had stopped Jiang Yutao outside just now to teach him a lesson.

Hearing the sneezing outside, Sun Caiping walked to the door with a heavy heart, but was reluctant to touch the latch. "Miao'er, let him in. I'll explain to him that this can't go on."

Sun Miao'er yawned and moved the wooden bolt aside. Hearing the door open, the person outside staggered out of the carriage. "Caiping, you've finally agreed to see me!"

Jiang Yutao grabbed Sun Caiping's shoulders, excited as if he had found a treasure, "Let's go home!"

"Go home?" Sun Caiping stood frozen in place, her empty eyes suddenly coming back to life, but there was no joy in them, only indifference and disgust.

“What am I going back for? To continue serving the Jiang family, being ordered around by you, Jiang Yutao, or to wait for your Jiang family to drain me dry?” Every word she uttered was like a tearful lament, each condemnation a culmination of years of suppressed resentment.

Jiang Yutao was taken aback by her barrage of questions, as if struck by lightning, and didn't know how to answer.

After thinking for a while, he put on a forced smile and shamelessly approached her, saying, "Good madam, let's talk about it at home. The Jiang family can't do without you!"

During the two weeks that Sun Caiping was away from home, Jiang Yutao suffered greatly. His concubine could only sing songs to amuse him, and even cooking a meal was like a death sentence for her. Because the family was short of money, the only washerwoman packed her bags and ran away overnight because she couldn't get her wages.

Jiang Yutao then realized Sun Caiping's importance and wished she could grow wings and fly back to clean up the mess.

However, fantasies are always beautiful. When the people he sent were turned away, he realized that something was wrong and sent a carriage to follow them in person the next day.

Sun Caiping remained motionless and said calmly, "It's too late."

Jiang Yutao had said this many times before, and Sun Caiping was tired of hearing it. He would often scold and beat her before giving her a piece of candy.

Every "I was wrong, I won't do it again" made Sun Caiping firmly believe that Jiang Yutao's original intention was good.

During her time at the Sun family's house, she had a profound realization: old habits die hard, and Jiang Yutao would not change; her persistence was meaningless.

Looking back, endless suffering and torment still await you; leaving is the best relief.

The wooden door closed again, and the room fell silent once more.

Sun Caiping closed her eyes and leaned against the bed, her face showing exhaustion. "Miao'er, you are young, but you are more insightful than your aunt. I have been mentally challenged for so many years, and I almost dragged my mother and the Sun family down with me."

“I’ve heard everything about you from Mother. If my elder brother were alive, he would be proud to have a daughter like you.” Sun Caiping said, then laughed. “How wonderful it was when Father and my elder brother were still alive.”

Sun Miao'er stepped forward and sat down with her, holding her hand, which was icy cold. "Auntie, things will get better in the future. I'll find you some work. We, the Sun family, will live together. What do we care about those Jiangs?"

"Okay, okay, it will be alright." Sun Caiping repeated this sentence several times, as if she was also trying to persuade herself not to look back.

Sun Miao'er came out of Sun Caiping's room and walked across the courtyard to her own room, but was stopped by Jiang Yutao.

"My dear niece, it's kind of you to keep Caiping company until so late." Jiang Yutao poked his head out of the carriage, his eyes sweeping over Sun Miao'er, completely different from his earlier repentant demeanor.

Sun Miao'er glared at him with disgust and didn't intend to say anything.

To her surprise, as she walked forward, Jiang Yutao jumped out of the carriage. "Niece, don't go! Come and chat with your uncle."

"Uncle, you are the elder, and Miao'er is the junior. What is there for us to talk about?" Sun Miao'er coldly shut him down. It's true that a leopard can't change its spots. Fortunately, her aunt was determined this time and did not intend to go back with him.

Jiang Yutao instead blocked Sun Miao'er's way, "Why is Miao'er throwing a tantrum? She was fine the last few times, wasn't she?"

The little girl who never dared to look people in the eye before is now acting like she's eaten chili peppers.

"Uncle, it's getting late, I need to go back and rest."

Sun Miao'er took two steps to the left, trying to get around Jiang Yutao. This guy really doesn't know his own limitations.

Perhaps he's used to teasing others and has never encountered a tough opponent.

Jiang Yutao raised his hand and touched Sun Miao'er's face, grinning lecherously.

Sun Miao'er stepped aside and quickly retreated a few steps. "Uncle, don't force me to call for help. Aunt is still inside."

"Her?" Jiang Yutao sneered. "Anyway, I'm not expecting her to come back with me. Wouldn't it be a waste not to take advantage of her before she leaves? Miao'er, you're so beautiful, why don't you come with me?"

Sun Miao'er's heart skipped a beat, and she swept the broom at Jiang Yutao, saying, "How can you say such a thing? Have you wasted all your education?"

By this time, Sun Miao'er had become too lazy to call him "Uncle-in-law," since she wouldn't be anymore anyway.

"Ouch!" Jiang Yutao didn't expect Sun Miao'er to attack him with a broom. Caught off guard, he was hit hard by the broom and fell flat on his back on the ground, crying out in pain.

He already had a loud voice, and it was quiet at night, so his voice woke up the Sun family.

Xiaoman and Xiaoning hurriedly opened the door and came out, "What happened, sister!"

Sun Miao'er threw the broom on the ground. "It's okay, I'm killing bedbugs!"

"Sister is lying, there are no bedbugs in this sky!" Xiaoman blurted out, unaware of what had happened.

Xiao Ning made a shushing gesture, "Xiao Man, this is not the same as that bug." After saying that, he pointed at Jiang Yutao and pulled Xiao Man aside.

Sun Caiping came out of the house, her face ashen as she stared at the scene before her, and almost shouted, "Get out!"

Jiang Yutao wanted to explain something, but seeing Sun Caiping's bloodshot eyes and her face, which was paler than a ghost, he immediately shut his mouth and woke up the coachman in the carriage, "Let's go!"

I dared not linger for even a moment longer.

Jiang Yutao had just slunk into the carriage when Sun Caiping rushed over, picked up a broom from the ground, and started yelling and waving it at the carriage, cursing, "Get out, Jiang Yutao, get out of here!"

Her condition gradually spiraled out of control, and even after the carriage disappeared from sight, her voice still echoed over the Sun family's residence.

Over there, Jin was woken up from her sleep and cursed from a distance, "What are you doing, calling back a spirit in the middle of the night!"

Sun Miao'er rushed forward, snatched the broom from her hand, and reassured her, "Auntie, it's alright!"

Sun Caiping suddenly quieted down, hugged Sun Miao'er in her arms, and murmured, "I'm sorry, Miao'er, it's all my fault, I almost got you hurt."