"So what if I hit you?" Shen Qingtang's eyes were icy, her voice not loud but clear. "Your mother has bad legs, but does she not have hands and feet? Can't she find a way to manage herself? For so many years, I've been your slave, taking care of everything inside and outside the house. When have you ever been grateful? Now, just because I didn't prepare a cart for your mother, you have the nerve to question me? Lu Jin, who do you think you are!"
She stepped forward, closing in on him: "Don't try to intimidate me with the 'Lu family.' From today onwards, I, Shen Qingtang, owe your Lu family nothing!"
Lu Jin was speechless after hearing her words.
His chest heaved violently.
I almost couldn't catch my breath.
Her face was as white as paper, and she looked like she was about to faint from anger.
Lu Jin covered his face, stunned for a long time before he came to his senses. His tone suddenly softened, with a hint of feigned gentleness: "Qing Tang, what's wrong? Did something happen? Tell me, don't throw a tantrum like this..."
Shen Qingtang found his pretentious act ironic.
In her past life, she was bewitched by this false tenderness, which led to her tragic end.
Now that I've seen his true colors, I feel a churning in my stomach.
Before she could speak, Lu Jin's mother, Mrs. Lu, came over leaning on her cane, pointed at Shen Qingtang, and scolded, "Shen Qingtang! You've gone too far! How dare you hit your own husband and cousin? Our Lu family has really wasted our time raising you!"
Immediately afterwards, Lu Jin's older sister, second uncle, and third uncle also gathered around, all chiming in with their scolding:
"Exactly! What kind of wife beats her husband?"
"How cruel! They even hit a child!"
You've completely disgraced the Lu family!
Shen Qingtang coldly observed the group of people.
Suddenly raising his hand, palm up, his voice clear and bright, he said, "What? Have you said enough? Want to taste the feeling of being slapped in the face?"
Everyone was intimidated by her demeanor, and for a moment no one dared to utter a sound.
Shen Qingtang turned to the official beside her and said loudly, "Officer, these people are openly gathering and making a ruckus, insulting others. They are clearly dissatisfied with the court's decree of exile and probably want to take this opportunity to cause trouble, right?"
The officers, already impatient with the noise of the group, immediately stepped forward upon hearing this.
He shouted sternly, "Shut up, all of you! If you dare to make another sound, you will be punished for disobeying an imperial order!"
The Lu family tried to argue, but the head constable, unable to contain himself any longer, waved his hand and said, "Teach them a lesson! Let them know the rules!"
The constables, upon receiving the order, raised their whips and lashed out. "Crack! Crack!"
With a few sharp cracks, Lu's mother, Lu Jin's sister, and others screamed in agony, their bodies bearing several clear whip marks.
Lu Jin turned pale with fright and dared not utter another sound.
Shen Qingtang stood aside, coldly watching this scene, her eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.
There's no point in reasoning with these people who are pushing their luck; the only way is to teach them a lesson.
Only then can they be content.
Lu Jin stared at Shen Qingtang's indifferent back, his eyes almost overflowing with hatred.
He couldn't understand how this woman, who used to be so obedient to him, had suddenly become a completely different person.
Not only were they so harsh on him, but they also distanced themselves from the Lu family.
Jiaojiao stood to the side, crying and cursing, seething with hatred.
Without the cart, they could only follow behind the group, inching their way along.
Over here, Shen Qingtang helped her grandfather onto the cart and was about to push it away when her gaze fell on Pei Nian'an not far away.
The child was gritting his teeth and pushing the cart with all his might, on which lay Pei Wuwang.
He was small and weak, and the cart moved very slowly under his hands. His forehead was already covered with fine beads of sweat, which trickled down his cheeks.
His back was soaked with sweat, but he still moved forward silently.
"I'll do it."
Shen Qingtang's elder brother, Shen Minglan, couldn't stand it and stepped forward to take the handlebars.
He was naturally tall and strong, so pushing the cart was effortless for him.
Pei Nian'an breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at him with a grateful smile.
"Thank you, Uncle."
Before they had taken more than a few steps, Pei Wuwang's father suddenly spoke up.
His tone was somewhat matter-of-fact: "Nian'an, your grandma is weak and can't walk anymore, come and push her."
He said.
They wanted to get Da Qinshi onto the cart too, so that one child could push two adults.
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