"Your son Jiang Zhao deserved that beating!" At that moment, Zhang Susu's cold and resolute voice rang out.
Without hesitation, she strode straight to Jiang Youli’s side, shielding her like a mother hen, then glared at Old Master Jiang without a trace of fear. "Even in front of you, Dad, I’ll say it—Jiang Zhao’s words were vile enough to warrant a beating! He deserved it! He might as well have been beaten to death! He’s no better than an animal!"
Her sharp gaze then swept over Jiang Yangxu and Qin Yulian as she added icily, "And you two—Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law—this is all your fault! If not for parents like you, there wouldn’t be a son like Jiang Zhao. Truly, a crooked tree can’t grow straight!"
"You actually had the nerve to come to our home and harass Youli while Ah-Han and I were away! Forget being blood-related parents—even as mere elders in an ordinary family, your behavior is utterly disgraceful!"
Qin Yulian, incensed by the harsh words, snapped back, "Zhang Susu, watch your mouth! You’re the one who’s no better than an animal! No—wait—you are an animal! A barren hen that can’t even lay eggs!"
Tears welling in her eyes, she turned to Old Master Jiang and wailed, "Dad, you see? Didn’t I tell you? Sister-in-law is ready to turn against us all for Jiang Youli’s sake! She claims my son was beaten for saying awful things, but did you hear the filth she just spewed?"
"Besides, we’re family! Does saying a few harsh words justify violence? If that’s the case, shouldn’t I be allowed to hit her too—"
"Enough!" Old Master Jiang cut in sharply. "If this keeps up, my headache will flare again!"
Qin Yulian clamped her mouth shut.
The old master pieced together the situation. "So, to summarize—you went to Youli seeking forgiveness, she refused, and in your frustration, you hurled insults at her. Am I right?"
Qin Yulian, sensing his bias, protested, "Dad, you make it sound like we were wrong for apologizing! Aren’t we all family? Shouldn’t we strive for harmony?"
Jiang Youli scoffed. "Family? Disgusting. The only family I acknowledge are my parents and Grandpa. Calling you ‘Aunt’ is just to spite you—you’re nothing but a brainless fool. No wonder Jiang Yonghe’s mother targeted you. With an IQ like yours, you’re made to be manipulated. Look at you—letting your daughter live in luxury for years before she was finally thrown in jail!"
Qin Yulian choked on her fury, veins bulging. "You—!"
Old Master Jiang had seen enough. "Second Son, since you’ve already signed the severance agreement with Youli, can’t you and your wife just let it rest?"
Jiang Yangxu remained silent.
"What, now that you’ve seen how exceptional Youli is, you regret it? Think you can just take her back? Since when does life hand out second chances so easily? You’re halfway through your years—how can you still be this naive!" The old man slammed his cane against the floor.
Jiang Yangxu’s expression darkened, but he still didn’t speak.
Qin Yulian, however, couldn’t hold back. "Dad—"
Old Master Jiang didn’t let her finish. "That’s enough, Second Daughter-in-law. The only sensible thing you’ve said today is that we are family. Must we really fight to the death? If you insist on making trouble, wait until I’m gone. Until then, behave! Otherwise, I’ll rewrite my will tomorrow and leave the Jiang Family fortune entirely to your third sister—you won’t get a single cent!"
That threat finally silenced Qin Yulian.
Exhausted, Old Master Jiang waved a hand. "Let me settle this today. We’ll drop the matter. Agreed?"
Jiang Yangxu finally spoke. "As you wish, Father."
This time, Qin Yulian stayed quiet.
Zhang Susu glanced at Jiang Youli, knowing she must be seething. "If Youli wants to let it go, then it’s settled. If not, then it’s not."
Qin Yulian bristled. "Sister-in-law, we’re the ones who suffered today! What right does she have to refuse?"
Jiang Youli stated flatly, "You laid hands on Nanny Wang."
Qin Yulian nearly laughed in disbelief. "Her? A maid? I was the one locked up half the day because of you, and you’re worried about a maid getting hurt? How is she the victim here?"
Nanny Wang, startled, soon teared up. The young mistress was too kind—she actually cared about justice for a servant.
Jiang Youli smirked. "That ‘maid’ knew to protect me. You, a heartless wretch, didn’t. Why would I care if you got hurt?"
Qin Yulian was left speechless.
Old Master Jiang studied Nanny Wang thoughtfully before sighing in resignation. "She’s right. What a mess..."
He shook his head. "Second Son, if only you hadn’t schemed back then—if you’d just properly welcomed your daughter home. As for Jiang Yonghe, she’s twenty, raised to be outstanding. It’s not like she’d starve without the Jiang Family. At worst, she could’ve broken off the engagement with Young Master Qi and married into another family. Was it worth all this?"
Jiang Yangxu stayed silent for a long moment before glaring at Jiang Youli behind Zhang Susu, his gaze warning. "Then what do you want?"
Seeing Nanny Wang had regained her strength, Jiang Youli released her arm, stepped past her mother, and strode straight to Jiang Yangxu.
"Out of respect for Grandpa’s presence, I’ll settle for an eye for an eye."
Without giving him time to react, she kicked him squarely in the stomach.
The scene sent Qin Yulian into hysterics.
By the time she processed it, her husband was already on the floor. Her eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
"Jiang Youli!!"
Trembling with rage, she shrieked, "How dare you! Over a maid, you actually kicked your own father?!"
Jiang Yangxu, helped up by bodyguards, clutched his aching abdomen.
Humiliation.
This was the greatest disgrace of his life—and it came from his own flesh and blood.
Even Old Master Jiang was taken aback. He looked at his granddaughter with concern. "Youli, this was too much. There were other ways to stand up for Nanny Wang."
Jiang Youli shook her head. "Grandpa, only ‘an eye for an eye’ counts as true retribution. Anything else is just compromise."
The old man hesitated.
He wasn’t scolding her—only fearing her sharp edges might invite future trouble.
Qin Yulian had been watching Old Master Jiang intently, waiting to see how he’d react to her husband being kicked. When all he offered was a mild remark—not even a reprimand—her fury boiled over.
