Driven by revenge, Li showed no mercy, completely catching Xiao Yan off guard. Xiao Yan grabbed at Li haphazardly but failed to catch her, instead being beaten so badly that she couldn't lift her head.
Although Widow Liu was acting like a rogue, howling and beating Granny Zhu, it was entirely in the manner of a peasant woman throwing a tantrum, without any order or method.
Granny Zhu, on the other hand, was quite skilled at beating people. Seizing the opportunity, she kicked Widow Liu in the back of the knee, knocking her to her knees. Then she proceeded to scratch Widow Liu's body.
Before long, they had widow Liu beaten until she was screaming and yelling.
Xiao Zhengde also looked down on Widow Liu and rushed into the house first.
Xiao Yi and Xiao Dayong couldn't stand her even more. Seeing that their own people had the upper hand, they couldn't wait for that widow Liu to suffer a few more blows to deflate her arrogance and prevent her from thinking that she was the boss of the family and no one dared to touch her.
This beating served as a reminder to her to recognize her place and not to act recklessly just because Old Man Xiao dotes on her.
They fought fiercely, and Widow Liu screamed in agony, frightening her youngest son into crying loudly as well. When Old Man Xiao heard the old man's cries, he came out of the house with a pang of heartache, and Xiao Zhengde didn't even bother to entertain him.
When he went outside, he saw his most beloved concubine being beaten by Li Shi and a woman he didn't recognize. Xiao Yan was sitting on the ground crying with her hair disheveled, and the child was wailing. He was so angry that the veins on his forehead were throbbing, and he shouted loudly.
"Li family, are you trying to turn the world upside down? Stop it now!"
Li acted as if she hadn't heard, and slapped Liu twice more.
She used to try to reason with me, but now she's too lazy to even talk to me. Anyway, you can't reason with unreasonable people, so I'll just beat them until they submit. After all, she's not my mother-in-law, just a concubine, beating her isn't considered insubordination.
As for the old man's dignity, he himself has no shame, so who can he expect to save face for him?
But it was Granny Zhu who, seeing Old Man Xiao come out, let go of Widow Liu and came first, brushing the dirt off her clothes and ruffling her hair, then standing tall and proud.
"This must be our in-laws! I'm Xiao Yi's mother-in-law. To be honest, we haven't met yet, but I have met your mother before. How is she?"
I said, "Your family is really going too far. Even if your mother-in-law is busy, you shouldn't let a lowly concubine come out and chatter and boss people around. A concubine is a concubine; she's not fit for respectable people. Your mother-in-law hasn't even taught her proper manners, yet she lets her out in public. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"
Old Man Xiao wasn't afraid at all. Firstly, his family had made many jokes and he was used to them. Secondly, he not only didn't think they were jokes, but he also felt that at his age, it was quite an honor to be able to take a concubine and have a child in his old age!
That proves he's capable!
He didn't have a good impression of Granny Zhu. He didn't care much about the second son in the first place, so how much would he care about his mother-in-law?
Moreover, that unfilial son of the second son, when he was enjoying his good life, didn't care about his father at all. He acted like this, and now that he's back, he hasn't even gone to teach him a lesson yet, and they dare to cause trouble at the old house!
Harboring resentment, she naturally didn't give Granny Zhu a friendly look. With a cold snort, she stepped forward and pulled Widow Liu up.
When Widow Liu saw that she had found her pillar of support, she immediately pleaded with Old Man Xiao to stand up for her, but Granny Zhu and Madam Li had already turned and gone inside.
It's obvious they're here to divide up the family fortune. If they get it, great; if not, they'll rob it; if they can't get it, they'll beat them.
Since they've made this decision, they're already prepared to break off all ties.
Li and Granny Zhu meant that they didn't want to be mistreated and wanted to return to their hometown.
Whatever else, I don't care.
Old Man Xiao was so angry at their attitude that he trembled all over.
But things are different now. Hopefully, he won't need to step in; Old Mrs. Xiao can just throw a tantrum and get everything sorted out.
That's because Old Madam Xiao is her biological mother, so even if she goes too far, none of her children dare to lay a hand on her.
Who does Widow Liu think she is? If she had been more restrained and kept to her place, she might have been given some dignity. It's just a good thing they came with their sarcastic remarks. If they hadn't beaten her up, she really wouldn't have known her place.
When Widow Liu saw that even Old Man Xiao couldn't do anything to them, although her face was still crying pitifully, her heart skipped a beat. She immediately realized that these two brothers who came to her door today probably didn't have good intentions.
Moreover, given the two brothers' attitude towards Old Man Xiao, it's likely that Old Man Xiao can't even speak properly anymore.
At this moment, Widow Liu suddenly felt a little guilty and regretful. She was also afraid that they would come to stand up for her mother, since she had indeed gone too far with Old Madam Xiao.
He also regretted that he shouldn't have been so quick-witted, and that he had gotten beaten up for nothing.
However, the fact that Widow Liu could take this path clearly shows that she has enough shamelessness.
Seeing that she couldn't gain any advantage, she didn't dwell on it, got up, picked up the child, and went straight into the house.
Even if they hadn't fought, she still had to come in and listen to what they were here for today. If it concerned the interests of the mother and daughter, she wouldn't be so easy to talk to.
When Xiao Yi and Xiao Dayong entered the house, they went to see Old Madam Xiao first. Since Xiao Yi left, he had not seen Old Madam Xiao for three or four years. It would be unreasonable for him not to go in and see her when he came back this time.
Although Xiao Dayong lived nearby, he had been heartbroken time and time again by Old Mrs. Xiao and hadn't visited for two years, so he went to see her as well.
The two entered the house and saw his mother lying on the kang (a heated brick bed) emaciated, with sunken eyes and a pale face. There was also a lingering smell in the room, which moved them deeply.
She lamented how much she had favored Lao Si and Xiao Yan; now that she was bedridden, it seemed that Lao Si's wife and Xiao Yan hadn't taken good care of her.
When Grandma Xiao saw Xiao Dayong and Xiao Yi, she was so excited that she cried out loudly, unable to speak clearly or move her hands, but her eyes kept following the two of them.
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