At this moment, the Zhang family's courtyard was also full of discussions and noise. Unlike the usual commotion and anger, Zhang Guoqing's two brothers were watching happily. Zhang Guoqing repeatedly told everyone not to fight when they were excited, especially not to swear, just watch, and at most talk to acquaintances, and let people know their family's helplessness and grievances through public opinion, which would be better if they could get everyone's sympathy.

Zhang Guoqing finished speaking, ignoring his brothers' rolling eyes, and went back to open the door of the west wing. He said worriedly, "Jiaojiao, why don't you just stay at home? I'll go. I know what's going on."

"No, I'm getting anxious if you keep trying to persuade me. I've been waiting for a long time, why did she just get here? Could she have run away after walking such a short distance? Go and check on her, don't let her run away, and don't let her in and dirty our house, ruining our feng shui. Look, aren't there more and more people? The more people, the better. Mom and Dad, all of you go outside and take a look. I plan to be the last one to appear." Zhou Jiao looked even smaller in her thick clothes and cotton-padded jacket. Her sallow little face looked so pale that it was distressing.

Everyone in the yard was speechless after hearing this. This confinement period was too boring. She wanted to make trouble too much. She didn't know if a little kid like Jiaojiao could handle it. Seeing that the parents-in-law had left, Lin Juhua stepped forward and stared at Zhou Jiao's face again and again. She couldn't help but cover her mouth, and her shoulders trembled.

Mai Miao, who had emerged from the inner room, looked at her worriedly. Zhou Jiao pushed the two children inside, gently comforting them, telling them not to come out and to help her look after their little brother. She really didn't want the children to witness that scene; shrewish women cursing and quarreling were detrimental to their upbringing and future. Besides, if the crowd got out of control and they got squeezed, it would be disastrous.

Zhou Xue's voice was already shouting, "Zhou Jiao, you bitch, you must die a miserable death. You eat and drink from my family's food. If it weren't for my mother, you would have died long ago."

"Zhou Jiao, come out and explain yourself clearly. When did I steal your dowry? Why don't you dare come out? You are a bastard who was born by a mother but can't raise her."

Very good, originally she wanted to spare her life and make sure she was safe and sound, but now that’s not necessary, this time she will nail her down in one go and see if Zhou Jiao is easy to bully?

Seeing that the time was almost up and she couldn't let her husband bear the brunt of the burden, Zhou Jiao slowly walked out. She could still hear many people in the crowd shouting, "The golden baby is out." If she hadn't been able to hold back her laughter, she would have laughed to death.

Standing on the steps at the gate, Zhou Jiao just looked at Zhou Xue silently, like a shrew, with disheveled hair, untidy clothes, swearing, waving her claws and teeth, and looking ferocious, and was stopped by the crowd from moving forward. After a while, Zhou Jiao went down another step. From beginning to end, her face was calm, and her eyes were as deep as water. She just looked at her silently, and slowly the people around her quieted down and wanted to listen to what Jinwa said.

At this time, only Zhou Xue was cursing, swearing, crying, throwing tantrums, and using all her tricks. Zhou Jiao remained silent, with a calm face, looking at her coldly. Zhang Guoqing came to her side and supported her with one hand, while using the other hand to prevent Zhou Xue from getting angry.

Zhou Jiao looked around at the 500-plus people around her, and she finally spoke up, "Zhou Xue, keep on cursing. I don't know how to use such vulgar language. I haven't been taught that in my upbringing."

Zhou Xue cursed loudly: "Zhou Jiao, you bastard, you have a mother but no mother to raise you, you will not die a good death."

Zhou Jiao still said calmly: "My mother raised your family."

Those standing nearby erupted in laughter, not forgetting to spread the word. She was going to force Zhou Xue to say something even more unpleasant. How could this be enough? She had been holding a grudge. She had resented her mother for seventeen years. They had twisted her mind, manipulated her life, and profited for their family. Why? Who did Zhou Jiao owe this to? Who was she holding back?

"You said how much of my dowry is yours? I stole it from you. Tell me clearly, when did I ever steal your things? This has always been mine."

Zhou Jiao knew that the time was almost up and she didn't want to dawdle any longer, thinking that Mr. Zhou would be arriving soon.

Zhou Jiao said with contempt, "I know you've always been jealous of me. My grandfather was a general, and your grandfather was Huang Damao. Many years ago, the father-in-law, mother-in-law, son and daughter-in-law wore the same pants. You hate him, but there's nothing you can do. You're still you, and I'm still me."

Those around him burst into laughter, and outsiders were also shouting loudly: "Father-in-law, mother-in-law, son and daughter-in-law are wearing the same pants~"

Zhou Xue was furious and ashamed. She rushed forward with all her might, but was stopped by someone. She cursed, "You son of a bitch! Your mother gave birth to you and now doesn't want you. You were born by a mother but not raised by one. If it weren't for my family, you would have died long ago."

Zhou Jiao still looked at her with contempt and said, "I know you have always been jealous of me. You wish you were me. You hate your mother. You envy me for having my mother. My mother is noble and beautiful. And your mother, in the beginning, relied on the piece of meat in her belly to marry into our Zhou family. No matter how much you hate her, she is still your mother."

There was no one around to pass on the message, but there was still a lot of whispering. After all, this was a scandal.

Zhou Xue was so angry that she wanted to jump up and hit someone, but was stopped again. "You're talking nonsense, Zhou Jiao, you're going to die a miserable death. You said that on purpose. Who would envy you? You're an unwanted bastard, a bastard who brings bad luck to others."

Zhou Jiao raised her voice this time, "Ask your father. Your mother ruined our Zhou family's century-long reputation. She was the pride of the Huang family and made them rich. But she's a disgrace to our Zhou family. She ruined two sons. She's incredibly stupid."

For hundreds of years, my Zhou family has been clean and honest from generation to generation. They have made great contributions to this country. Generation after generation have kept their backbones straight. There has never been a traitor, a collaborator, a villain, or a child born out of wedlock.

Have I ever complained about my grievances outside of society over the years? No. Have I ever done anything to disgrace my ancestors outside of society over the years? No.

Originally, family disgrace should not be made public, but you have been scolding me for so long today, and you have been repeating the same thing over and over again, talking about dowry. I, Zhou Jiao, have the inherent pride of the Zhou family. Money is something outside of one's body, and I have never cared about it.

Since you want to speak out in front of everyone today, come to my door to deny it, and want to force me to admit to the false accusation, then let us talk. Otherwise, you really think I am a dough that you can pinch as you like, and let your eldest son bully and exploit me as much as possible.

You say your mother raised me, but I want to know how. Besides the money my mother sent me every month, who ate the formula milk my grandparents, my mother, my two aunts, and my aunt sent me? The four of you shared it. I was raised on the formula my grandmother snatched away. When I was ten, people told me I looked like a chick. The elders and villagers all knew it. You four, all big and strong, raised me, but you bullied me in secret, and your mother just stood by and laughed.