"I..." Zhu Xi was clearly startled. Seeing her father's stern face, her eyes immediately welled up. "Sister-in-law... I'm sorry."
"I'm fine." Wu Fang forced a smile despite the pain. Zhu Di, seeing his wife's wronged expression and suppressed tears, became angry.
"Don't you just like Liu Zihua! Jealous that Fu Zhiqing is pretty, you can't stand her, always antagonizing her, badmouthing her as promiscuous behind her back. And you expect no one to talk about it? With your foul temper, who would dare marry you! Whoever marries you is unlucky!" Zhu Di pointed at Zhu Xi and yelled.
"Eldest Brother, that's too much!" Zhu Qi was taken aback and quickly intervened.
"Where am I wrong! If I hadn't heard her slandering her with my own ears, I wouldn't have believed it. Her words were more vulgar than Old Aunt next door. I almost thought I recognized the wrong person! A teenage girl, spewing such filth!" Zhu Di was furious.
"Is that true?" The village head looked at Zhu Xi, his cold eyes full of anger.
"..." Zhu Xi lowered her head, not daring to speak. Her silence was an admission.
"Very good! Excellent indeed! You don't study properly in school, but you've excelled at learning all the dirty gossip in the village." The village head's deep, angry voice frightened everyone. Aunt Liu looked at Zhu Xi with concern.
"You like Liu Zihua, but you need to see if you're worthy of him! He'll return to the city sooner or later. Do you think he'll stay in the village for you? Stop dreaming! Even if he were willing, I wouldn't be! Give up on that idea now!" the village head sneered.
"Dad!! Why! What makes me unworthy of him!" Zhu Xi said in disbelief. "Are you my dad? He relies on you here in the village. If you say the word, why wouldn't he marry me! Dad, I really like him. Can you ask him to marry me?"
"Simply because you're a country bumpkin! He's the son of a city official! You and he are not from the same world!" the village head said coldly. "Your father is a trivial official, he might have some say in the village, but to outsiders, he's nothing."
Zhu Xi lowered her head dejectedly. Seeing her pathetic state only made the village head angrier. "Get back to your room! You're a disgrace!"
"Keep an eye on her. If she does anything foolish, you can go back to your maiden home too!" The village head's cold gaze swept over Aunt Liu, who stood nearby, and he said angrily.
"Why are you yelling at me! Am I not the one who spoils her usually?" Aunt Liu glared back at the village head, who paused.
"I don't need you to tell me, I'm going back to my maiden home tomorrow!" Aunt Liu said coldly. She finished her meal in a few bites, threw down her bowl, and went back to her room to pack.
"Hey, you! What's wrong with me saying a few words to you..." The village head quickly put down his bowl and chased after her.
Zhu Di, Wu Fang, and Zhu Qi were left looking at each other.
Zhu Di and Zhu Qi exchanged glances, accustomed to their parents' arguments.
"Wife, are you alright?" Zhu Di asked, looking at the red mark on Wu Fang's hand that hadn't faded yet, his voice full of concern.
"I'm fine." Wu Fang shook her head and looked at the room with worry. "Father-in-law and Mother-in-law... will they be alright?"
"Don't worry! They'll be fine!" Zhu Di waved his hand with a smile.
Wu Fang's heart finally eased. She was about to pick up her bowl to eat when Zhu Di snatched it away, intending to feed her. "Your hand is injured, I'll feed you!"
"...Eldest Brother, I'm still here!" Zhu Qi said speechlessly, watching his own elder brother. Was he trying to show off that he didn't have a wife?