Upon seeing the person who arrived, Chen Zhancai's already expressionless face instantly darkened.
The people who had just entered the courtyard were his father-in-law, Liu Dashan, and his three brothers-in-law.
Liu Dashan had three sons and one daughter, who lived in the next village. His family owned more than ten acres of fertile land, making them a middle-class family in their village.
The three sons stayed at home to farm, and all of them got married and had children.
His daughter, Liu Fengjiao, became pregnant with his child. At the time, he was sixteen or seventeen years old and the most promising young man in the surrounding villages. Liu Dashan was overjoyed to be able to marry his daughter to him.
As time went by, he took the exam year after year, but never passed and became a scholar. Liu Dashan looked down on him more and more.
In the first few years, he was treated well with good food and drink, but later, whenever Liu Dashan came to visit, he would become extremely rude, throwing dishes and bowls, and making veiled insults.
His brothers-in-law looked down on him even more, believing him to be a useless, good-for-nothing who couldn't benefit from his good fortune.
After drinking some cat urine, they became like swaggering animals, always picking fights and causing trouble. Chen Zhancai had been beaten up by them quite a few times.
Liu Dashan not only did not stop it, but also gloated over it.
The last time I saw Liu Dashan was five years ago, when Liu Dashan pointed his finger at me and berated me mercilessly.
'Chen Zhancai, Chen Zhancai, look at your pathetic state!'
You try to pass the imperial examinations every year, but you fail every year. I think you're just a blockhead. You'll never amount to anything by just studying hard!
I was truly blind to have married my daughter to a good-for-nothing like you.
My daughter is the worst luck imaginable, she's had to live with you!
If you have any self-awareness, you'd better write a letter of divorce right away and stop ruining my daughter's future!
He still remembers those words vividly to this day, as if they still echo in his ears.
People have dignity, and trees have bark; how could he endure such humiliation? He immediately severed ties with Liu Dashan's family and vowed never to set foot in his father-in-law's house again.
Now that he has passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, these people shamelessly come to flatter and fawn over him. It's true what they say: when you're poor, no one cares even in the bustling city; but once you become famous, everyone's a relative.
Chen Zhancai stared coldly at Liu Dashan as he walked in from outside the gate, showing no intention of going to greet him.
Old Mrs. Chen was heartbroken over the loss of the set of writing implements and really wanted to snatch it back, but Chen Han didn't give her a chance at all. He held the box tightly in his arms, and she was so angry that the fleshy flesh on her face trembled up and down.
Suddenly, Liu Dashan walked in from outside the courtyard, and a look of disdain flashed in his eyes.
As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face; guests are always welcome, especially in-laws.
Suddenly noticing that Liu Dashan was carrying a large piece of pork, she immediately beamed and went to greet him.
"Oh my goodness~~ Who do we have here? Aren't these our in-laws? What brings you here?"
Liu Dashan beamed with joy, his face crinkling with laughter. "Sister-in-law, congratulations! I just heard the news that my son-in-law passed the exam, so I brought my whole family to congratulate him."
"That's right, our whole family got up early to travel. Luckily, we ran into an acquaintance who was driving a carriage on the way, otherwise we would have missed my son-in-law's wedding banquet," Granny Liu greeted with a smile.
Grandma Chen smiled and nodded, "Congratulations, congratulations! You came all this way, why did you bring anything?"
"Of course, of course. My son-in-law has studied diligently all these years and has now passed the imperial examination. As his father-in-law, I don't know what to give him. I only know that he loves to eat meat, so I specially cut off two catties of pork rump for Zhancai to nourish his body." Liu Dashan said, handing the meat in his hand to Old Lady Chen.
"Okay, okay, I thank you on behalf of Zhancai from my family." Old Mrs. Chen happily accepted it.
Seeing that Chen Zhancai was somewhat displeased, Liu Fengjiao quickly whispered, "Husband, my parents did go too far before, but no matter what, they came to congratulate you. Please go and greet them for my sake, okay?"
Chen Zhancai frowned, recalling the various humiliations his father-in-law's family had inflicted on him in the past, and his anger flared up.
But then I thought, aren't they just trying to curry favor? Since they've come here so groveling, I might as well take this opportunity to save face.
Thinking of this, he smiled faintly.
"My dear wife, what are you saying? My father-in-law was just disappointed in me. As the saying goes, 'If you're not family, you won't enter the same door. Once you're family, you're family.' As a junior, how can I hold a grudge against my elders?"
After saying that, he straightened his chest, strode up to Liu Dashan, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, please accept my bow."
"Good son-in-law, please don't stand on ceremony." Liu Dashan hurriedly smiled and offered a helping hand.
Granny Liu also pretended to be sincere and stepped forward to grab Chen Zhancai's hand, "Oh my good son-in-law, good son-in-law, good half-son, you have really made us proud. When you pass the imperial examination, don't forget your mother-in-law. I brought Liu Bao, Liu Gen, and Liu Gou to congratulate you."
As she spoke, she pulled her three sons closer, "Hurry up and congratulate your brother-in-law!"
The eldest brother, Liu Bao, grinned and said, "Congratulations, brother-in-law, on passing the imperial examination! You're sure to have a high position and great power in the future. Don't forget your dear brother-in-law when you become successful!"
"Brother-in-law, congratulations! You're amazing! Don't forget us in the future!" Liu Gen and Liu Gou shouted at the same time.
Seeing their smiling faces, nodding and bowing, Chen Zhancai couldn't help but snort coldly, "Don't worry, I, Chen Zhancai, am a man of honor and loyalty. I believe in repaying even the smallest kindness tenfold. I will never forget the kindness you have shown me. Just wait and see if you can benefit from my good fortune!"
The last sentence was spoken with particular clenched teeth.
Upon hearing this, Liu Bao sighed in utter exasperation, "Brother-in-law, look at you! We brothers were just joking around with you before, why are you still holding a grudge!"
“Brother-in-law, as the saying goes, ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child.’ Brother-in-law, you have to kick us. We used to dote on you, slapping you or kicking you whenever we felt like it. That’s because we were close. But from what you just said, it sounds like you’re going to settle scores with us later!” Liu Gen also chimed in.
Liu Gou shrugged, adopting a nonchalant attitude. "Brother-in-law, that's not right of you. We brothers were a bit ruthless before, but there were reasons for it. Now we're taking the initiative to make amends with you so that you won't hold a grudge. What, you've passed the imperial examination and you're still putting on airs with us?"
......
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