Chapter 385 Try hitting me again
Cheng Yuanyuan's face was originally expressionless, but as soon as she saw Cheng Wanwan, she smiled and walked over quickly.
The man beside her was faster than her, carrying a gift box, and walked towards Cheng Wanwan: "Wanwan, don't you recognize your brother-in-law? But to be honest, it's been quite a few years since we last met. It's my fault, I've been too busy and haven't been able to find time to come to the Cheng family. But as your brother-in-law, I have to say, Wanwan, haven't you become Lady Sui? I heard you're a seventh-rank official now, you're an official, why don't you invite your family and relatives for a feast? What, are you looking down on your brother-in-law?"
"Our Cheng family didn't invite you here!" Old Mrs. Cheng suddenly stood up. "You, surnamed Liu, get out!"
Liu Kui immediately adopted a pleading expression: "Mother, I was wrong before. I had my reasons. Zhao'er has been studying for so many years, but hasn't turned out well. I've spent a lot of money on her education every year. Anyone would have to pay that much... I know I was wrong. That's why I brought this gift..."
Old Mrs. Cheng's face was stern and cold.
Zhao'er started school at the age of three. As long as they were from the Cheng family, they had to help out. The second daughter used to be very sensible. She would give as much money as her family had to her parents. The eldest daughter was also willing to contribute money, but the man she married was too stingy. He wouldn't give her a single penny. Every time, the eldest daughter would secretly take grain from home to subsidize her parents.
From then on, Old Mrs. Cheng looked down on her eldest son-in-law. Of course, Liu Kui was also unwilling to come to the Cheng family. He always felt that the Cheng family had gone mad to risk their entire family for an uncertain future.
He didn't think the Cheng family would produce a scholar, but they actually did. He heard this news from someone while he was drinking and carousing in the street. He also heard that the Cheng family had produced a lady named Sui, but it was only half a year ago. He was surprised to find out now, so he rushed over without stopping.
Having such a prominent relative means you absolutely must try to curry favor with them.
"Mother-in-law, today is a joyous occasion, please don't be angry." Liu Kui turned his head and scolded in a low voice, "Where are the congratulatory gifts we prepared? Hurry up and bring them over."
Cheng Yuanyuan immediately walked over and picked up the box from her hand.
Liu Kui snatched it away, muttering under his breath, "You have no sense at all! How could I have married such a woman..."
Cheng Yuanyuan was meek and submissive, not daring to resist at all.
Cheng Wanwan narrowed her eyes. This Liu Kui was already cursing Cheng's daughter on Cheng's turf. How unscrupulous must he be in Liu's family?
Her gaze fell on Cheng Yuanyuan's neck, where there were bruises. Could it be that Liu Kui had choked Cheng Yuanyuan so badly that she was almost killed?
Her heart sank.
Liu Kui opened the box, which contained the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper) and a string of copper coins. It was clear that he had prepared it with care. Old Madam Cheng's expression finally improved, and she said calmly, "Sit down."
Cheng Zhao left the table, the old scholar also left, and Sister-in-law Cheng went to the kitchen to work, leaving three seats available. Cheng Yuanyuan and her family of three sat down.
"Big sister, let me see your hands." Cheng Wanwan took her hand. The back of her hand was cracked, her palms were covered in calluses, and there was dirt that had accumulated over the years and could not be washed off under her fingernails.
When I rolled up my sleeves, I could see burns and abrasions on my arms.
"It's alright!" Cheng Yuanyuan immediately put down her sleeves. "The dishes today are really good, there are even pork and cabbage meatballs. Come on, Sanmao, have a meatball."
She picked up a meatball and fed it to the boy next to her, clearly indicating that she didn't want to talk about the topic.
The boy quickly tried to pick it up with his chopsticks, but the meatball was too slippery. He couldn't hold it and it slid onto the table, falling into the soup bowl. The soup splashed up and landed on him.
Grandma Cheng frowned: "How did you teach the child? He can't even hold chopsticks properly!"
She specially wore her new clothes, but several drops of oil splattered on them. If she can't wash them off, how can she wear them out in the future?
Seeing his mother-in-law's anger, Liu Kui kicked the chair away and stood up. He grabbed Sanmao by the collar with one hand and threw him forcefully onto the open ground beside him: "You little brat, you're just a disgrace to the Liu family. I'll beat you to death!"
He cursed harshly, and his blows were even harsher. With one slap, a bright red handprint appeared on Sanmao's face.
"Why are you hitting the child!" Cheng Yuanyuan's eyes widened in horror as she rushed over and hugged the child tightly. "He didn't mean to..."
"It's all because of you, you spoiled woman!" Liu Kui's fists and feet landed on Cheng Yuanyuan, gritting his teeth and lowering his voice, "And you, you're really tight-lipped. Your own sister became a seventh-rank lady, and you kept it a secret from me. What, are you afraid I'll benefit from your Cheng family's status? ...I'm the eldest son-in-law of the Cheng family, it's my right to benefit from it, you clueless woman, I'll beat you to death!!"
"Bang!"
A teacup suddenly smashed on Liu Kui's head.
He stopped moving, turned around, and saw Cheng Wanwan standing behind him.
"Hitting your own wife and son in public, do you think you're so great!" Cheng Wanwan sneered. "Try hitting them again!"
Liu Kui was somewhat intimidated by Cheng Wanwan's gaze.
Just as he was lost in thought...
Cheng Wanwan lifted her skirt and kicked Liu Kui hard in the shin. As Liu Kui bent over, she kicked him in the stomach.
"you!"
Liu Kui was truly enraged.
He was a reckless scoundrel who beat people in public because he thought it was a family matter of the Liu family and the Cheng family had no right to interfere.
But this sister-in-law jumped out and embarrassed him.
"What do you mean, 'you'!" Cheng Wanwan sneered, raising her hand to slap him. "How does it feel to get slapped?"
She pointed to her face. "Of course you can hit back, but let me tell you in advance, assaulting a court lady is a serious crime."
Cheng Zhao said with a stern face, "The lightest punishment is thirty strokes of the cane, the heaviest is three years in prison. Does Uncle want to try prison food?"
Liu Kui clenched his fists so tightly they cracked. He wanted to hit back, but he knew that his sister-in-law's status was now truly different. Many people in the county were talking about Lady Sui, and even the county magistrate treated her with deference. He dared not confront her directly.
He wanted to back down, but had no way to back down.
The head of the Cheng family also came over: "Today is a joyous day, everyone calm down. Liu Kui, you were indeed wrong in this matter. The child is so young, why did you hit him?"
"You really have some nerve causing trouble at the Cheng family's house," Old Mrs. Cheng said coldly. "Alright, everyone sit down and eat. Now get back to your homes. Just seeing you all makes me angry!"
The old lady doted on her own grandson, but never on her grandson-in-law. She could tie Er Gou and San Niu to a tree back then, but now, seeing San Mao beaten like this, she didn't show the slightest emotion on her face.
Cheng Wanwan tugged at the corner of her lips.
It's impossible to expect the Cheng family to support Cheng Yuanyuan.
Although it was only the first time she had met Cheng Yuanyuan, the attraction of blood ties and the innate sense of closeness made it impossible for her to ignore it.
She helped Cheng Yuanyuan up: "Big sister, let's go sit over there and chat for a while."
Cheng Yuanyuan patted Sanmao's head, her eyes a little red.
Cheng Wanwan picked up a rice bowl from the table, filled it with all the dishes, and handed it to the child: "Sanmao, go up in the carriage to eat, stay away from your father."
Sanmao nodded, thanked them, and then, holding his rice bowl, got into the carriage and left the courtyard.
The Cheng sisters went to sit in a storage room on the east side of the Cheng family home.
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