Siheyuan (traditional courtyard house): Don't touch my parents!

"Stop talking nonsense, you accepted it when I offered it to you, didn't you?"

"What should I do now that I've been caught red-handed?"

"What to do? Whatever! Take your pants off, take your coat off too."

I'll wash your cotton-padded trousers first, since you can't wear mine anymore. I can make do with your cotton-padded jacket for a couple more days.

"You'll just have to stay in bed for the next couple of days," Jia Zhangshi said irritably.

"What should I do if I need to use the restroom?"

"Use the chamber pot, and have your father empty it," Jia Zhangshi said matter-of-factly.

"Oh... Really nothing? What if the He family comes knocking on our door?"

"What could possibly happen? At worst, we'll just lose some money. What's a few eggs worth?"

I don't believe He Daqing would actually send me to the police station. If he dares, go back to your village and call all your uncles.

Jia Zhangshi's tone remained firm.

"I dare not leave the city..." Jia Dongxu muttered to himself.

"Hmph, how could I have given birth to such a good-for-nothing!"

"I'm just trying to save my life; everyone outside is armed... Mother, why don't you go to the He family and apologize?"

"No way! They don't need a few eggs, what's wrong with me taking a few?"

"Mother, that's stealing..."

"I'll teach you to steal! Steal! Steal!"

Madam Jia picked up a feather duster and gave Jia Dongxu a good beating.

"Sigh, what a pity about those eggs, I didn't get to eat a single one."

Even after being beaten, Jia Dongxu was still thinking about food.

"All she does is eat, eat, eat! I wonder who she took after!" Madam Jia cursed as soon as she opened her mouth.

"That's just like you, old man..." Jia Dongxu muttered under his breath, his neck hunched.

"What did you just say?" Jia Zhangshi instantly bristled, raising the feather duster in her hand again.

"It's nothing, it's nothing! Mother, please don't hit me. Getting angry is bad for your health, and if you move around too much, you'll have to eat an extra bowl of rice..."

"Hmph." These words struck a nerve, and Madam Jia immediately stopped.

"Mom, please go out for a moment, I'm taking off my pants."

Jia Dongxu had just been hit a few times and was covered in sweat; his pants felt incredibly uncomfortable.

"Just take your clothes off. I've seen every inch of your body before, at least eight thousand times. What's there to be ashamed of?"

Clean it up quickly, or it won't wash off easily!

"Mother..." Jia Dongxu said, his face flushed, making a final struggle.

"Alright, alright, I'll turn my back, okay?"

After a rustling sound, Jia Dongxu's voice finally came through:

"Mom, that's enough. Could you please find me a clean pair of underwear? I really can't wear these anymore."

"Okay, okay, take off your cotton-padded coat too. It's so cold, and I still have to go through all the trouble of washing your clothes. It's all your fault!"

Madam Jia turned around and saw that her son had already crawled into bed, so she gave him instructions.

Jia Dongxu dared not talk back, since he had caused this whole mess by accidentally falling down.

After Li Guixiang left, Chen Shuxiang first asked He Yuzhu how much the things he brought back cost, and then carefully inquired about the details of the journey.

Seeing that the journey was safe and uneventful, she didn't ask any further questions.

Not long after, Xu Damao slowly swayed over.

Chen Shuxiang smiled and began to scold Xu Damao, saying that his mouth was always too harsh and unforgiving.

Xu Damao just stood aside and chuckled foolishly, without refuting anything.

Seeing this, Chen Shuxiang waved her hand and let the two boys go outside to play by themselves.

After the two children played in the yard for a while, He Yuzhu asked Xu Damao to help him wash the vegetables.

He then turned and walked towards the backyard—hadn't his mother just said she wanted to invite the old lady over to uphold justice? He might as well take this opportunity to invite the old lady over for a meal.

He Yuzhu carefully helped the old lady walk back, and the two had just reached the door of the He family's house.

The old lady glanced at Jia Zhangshi, who was washing her cotton-padded jacket and trousers in the yard, and a look of doubt appeared in her eyes. She lowered her voice and muttered something softly.

Washing such thick cotton-padded clothes in this cold weather, what will I wear after they dry? Won't I freeze?

"I'll explain everything to you in detail after we go inside," He Yuzhu quickly replied in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, the old lady didn't ask any further questions.

After the grandmother and grandson went inside, Jia Zhangshi immediately began to curse in a low voice in the courtyard.

You old geezer, you little bastard, why didn't you just fall and die on the road with me!

She scrubbed the clothes with more force, the icy well water freezing her hands red and causing her excruciating pain.

As soon as the old lady entered the inner room, she gently sniffed the air and then let out a soft, puzzled "hmm."

Shuxiang, is your milk coming in?

Not yet. Chen Shuxiang had nothing to hide from the old lady and answered truthfully.

Why is there a faint milky smell in this room...?

"Zhu'er, go to the kitchen and get busy cooking. I have a few words to say to the old lady." Chen Shuxiang used this excuse to send He Yuzhu away.

"Okay, Mom, I'll go get busy in the kitchen right away," He Yuzhu readily agreed.

After He Yuzhu left, Chen Shuxiang briefly told the old lady how she got the milk powder.

However, she attributed all the credit to He Daqing.

After hearing this, the old lady only gave one serious piece of advice.

Even if the Qing Dynasty were to be more careful and possess some martial arts skills, it still wouldn't be able to withstand a real battle.

"I understand, ma'am, please don't worry." Chen Shuxiang nodded quickly in agreement.

Then the old lady asked again: I just saw Jia Zhangshi washing cotton-padded jackets and trousers outside. What is she doing in such cold weather?

Upon hearing this, Chen Shuxiang couldn't help but burst out laughing.

He then told the old lady the whole story, from beginning to end.

The old lady laughed for a while, but her face quickly darkened.

This Jia Zhangshi really needs to be taught a lesson. I, the old lady, kindly rented such a nice house to them, and she's deliberately trying to ruin the atmosphere in my courtyard!

If it weren't for the fact that Lao Nian was honest and reliable, I would never have rented the house to them, no matter what I said.

"You can handle it however you see fit. They really need to be taught a lesson," Chen Shuxiang chimed in.

"Yes!" The old lady nodded heavily, already having made up her mind.

After lunch, the old lady waited for He Yuzhu and Xu Damao to wash and clean all the dishes and chopsticks and put them away properly.

Only then did she slowly speak: "Grandson, help Grandma go for a walk over to Old Jia's house, and help her digest her food."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu immediately understood what the old lady was going to do, and he chuckled as he got up and helped her walk outside.

Xu Damao followed closely behind, always eager to watch the drama unfold.

With such a lively spectacle to watch, how could he possibly be absent?

When they arrived at the Jia family's door, the old lady did not allow He Yuzhu to go up and knock on the door.

Instead, he raised his cane and began to smash it against the Jia family's gate.

Who's that damned bastard out there? Can't even knock properly? Are you just asking for trouble?

Thump, thump, thump—The old lady's face darkened, and she pounded the cane even harder.

You damned bastard, how dare you run wild at my doorstep? Didn't your mother teach you any manners?

You dare to bang on my door? Believe me or not, I'll smash your face with a broom!

Madam Jia thought it was He Yuzhu or Xu Damao deliberately causing trouble at the door, so she quickly got off the kang, slipped on her shoes, grabbed a broom, and rushed to the door.

The old woman outside the door had a frighteningly gloomy face, so even though she had heard the door open inside, she was still alert.

The cane still slammed down hard without warning.

You little brat, are you never going to stop?

Jia Zhangshi initially thought that He Yuzhu and Xu Damao were playing pranks and causing trouble at the door again.

But as soon as the door opened, a thick, heavy cane came crashing down on her.

She screamed in fright, her legs went weak, and she collapsed to the ground with a thud.

The cane grazed her scalp and struck empty air, a fleeting look of regret crossing the old woman's face.

Xu Damao watched excitedly from behind, constantly poking He Yuzhu's lower back with his hand.

He Yuzhu turned around and glared at him fiercely, and Xu Damao's smile instantly froze.

Then he raised his chin at He Yuzhu and winked, signaling him to hurry up and join the fun.

"Grandma, what brings you here?" After calming down a bit, Madam Jia slowly got up from the ground.

A fawning and ingratiating smile immediately spread across his face.

"What, can't I come here, old lady?" the old lady retorted coldly.

"Didn't my old man just send you the rent money a few days ago?" Jia Zhangshi quickly explained.

I'm not here to collect rent today, but to ask if you're planning to continue renting this house.

Huh? We've been living in this house just fine, we never thought about moving. Jia Zhangshi was still confused and didn't understand what was going on.

"Heh, what I mean is—I don't want to rent to your family anymore." The old lady gave a cold laugh.

We don't owe you any rent, so how can you just decide not to rent the house anymore?

"Old lady, you have to be reasonable!" Jia Zhangshi hurriedly retorted.

To be reasonable? My yard was peaceful and quiet before, but now a thief has appeared.

You expect me to reason with you? In the past, I would have broken your hand and thrown you out.

"Do I need to waste my breath talking to you, old lady?" The old lady's tone became increasingly stern.

Who's the gossip who's spreading rumors? It's just a few eggs, aren't you afraid of rotting your tongue and feet if you talk too much!

Madam Jia then realized that the old lady had come for this very reason.

So you're allowed to do it, but others aren't allowed to say anything? I won't argue with you any further.

I'll have Xiao Jia come to my place tonight, and I'll refund the remaining room fee to him.

"Your whole family is moving out tomorrow!" The old lady's tone left no room for argument.