Chapter 177 – The Yan Family’s Condemnation
As Long Yu savored the familiar taste of scrambled eggs with green onions, a dish frequently prepared by Ms. Zhong during his recovery in the dilapidated temple at Shaoyao Village, he found himself surprisingly nostalgic. He eagerly tried each dish, clearly enjoying the simple but delicious meal.
Ms. Zhong, somewhat flustered by the unexpected compliment from Long Yu, urged him to eat more, “It’s just simple home cooking. Please, eat as much as you like, General Zhan.”
Long Yu, without any hint of pretense, continued to enjoy the meal. His genuine appreciation and down-to-earth demeanor brought a smile to Yan Xiaosi’s face. The General, though aloof, seemed to be a decent person.
“We don’t stand on ceremony here in our humble home. Guard Long San, please join us,” Ms. Zhong invited warmly.
Long San, already tempted by the aroma of the stir-fried wild mushrooms and pork, glanced at Long Yu for permission. He knew better than to sit and eat with his master without approval.
“Why are you looking at me? If you’re not hungry, keep standing. If you are, come and eat,” Long Yu said.
Grateful, Long San quickly took his place at the table, feeling the pressure of dining with his master. He ate a bowl of rice hurriedly, then returned to his position by the side.
Just as Long San finished his meal, a furious voice echoed from the cave entrance. “Yan Xiaosi, you cursed broom star, come out here!”
It was Ms. Li. Ms. Zhong’s face fell upon hearing her voice.
Yan Shuqin, unaware of the reason for Ms. Li’s anger, looked nervously towards the entrance. “Why is Aunt Li here so late?”
“Yan Xiaosi, you dare to send your uncle to the county jail!” Ms. Li continued her tirade.
“Mother, don’t just stand there yelling. Let’s go in and drag out that bastard Yan Xiaosi,” Yan Wenfeng, fuming with rage, suggested.
He had learned of his father’s imprisonment from the county jail and immediately reported back to his grandfather.
“Wenfeng is right. Let’s go in and capture that ungrateful, heartless little devil,” a voice filled with age and sorrow added.
Yan Xiaosi set down her chopsticks, a hint of a smirk on her lips. It seemed the entire Yan family had arrived tonight.
Realizing the Yan family had come for her daughter, Ms. Zhong asked, “Xiaosi, what happened between you and your uncle? How did he end up in the county jail?”
Yan Shuxue, worried that Ms. Zhong might scold Yan Xiaosi, quickly came to her defense. “Mother, this isn’t Xiaosi’s fault. Uncle proposed to Big Sister on behalf of the county magistrate, and Xiaosi rejected Uncle on Big Sister’s behalf. Uncle held a grudge and bribed some ruffians from Xize County to target Xiaosi. Today, after Xiaosi and I finished our errands and were returning to Big Sister Peak, those ruffians suddenly appeared and blocked our path. If General Zhan and Miracle Doctor Murong hadn’t shown up in time, Xiaosi would definitely have been injured.”
Hearing Yan Shuxue’s explanation, Ms. Zhong was deeply saddened. She couldn’t believe how cruel the Yan family had been, not only driving them out of their home but also hiring thugs to harm Yan Xiaosi.
As Yan Shuxue finished explaining, the Yan family burst into the cave, furious.
The first branch of the family, led by Old Master Yan and accompanied by several servants, had arrived. Most of them had never seen Long Yu, except for Yan Bozhang and Yan Wenfeng, who had met him at the county office.
Ms. Li, upon entering, glanced at the masked man sitting across Yan Xiaosi and began berating Ms. Zhong. “Look at what your son has done! He got his own uncle thrown into the county jail!”
Ms. Zhong, usually submissive and controlled by Ms. Li, unexpectedly stood up for her daughter in front of Old Master Yan. “Xiaosi is my child. He may be mischievous, but he’s not bad-natured. If her uncle hadn’t gone too far, Xiaosi wouldn’t have acted against him. His imprisonment is his own doing; Xiaosi is not to blame.”
Ms. Li, shocked by Ms. Zhong’s defiance, turned to Old Master Yan, “Father, listen to what they are saying!”
With Yan Bozhang now in jail and his career ruined, Old Master Yan, who had high hopes for him and Yan Wenfeng, was seething with rage. Clutching his cane tightly, he glared at Yan Xiaosi. “You wretch, kneel and apologize to your aunt right now!”
Ms. Zhong immediately stepped in front of Yan Xiaosi, shielding her. “Father, Xiaosi has done nothing wrong. Why should she kneel and apologize? It was your son who hired thugs to harm Xiaosi and Shuxue. If anyone should apologize, it’s your daughter-in-law to Xiaosi and Shuxue.”
Old Master Yan, feeling disrespected by his daughter-in-law, who had always been meek and powerless, was now furious. “This is insubordination! Seize them all!”
Yan Wenfeng, recognizing Long Yu, tried to signal to Old Master Yan and Ms. Li, but they were too consumed by anger to notice.
As the Yan family moved to apprehend them, Long San quickly stepped forward to protect Ms. Zhong.
Long Yu set down his chopsticks, his cold gaze falling on Old Master Yan.
