The Jiang family hadn't even figured out what was happening when a commotion erupted outside the door.
"That dead girl ran into this courtyard!"
Then, another large group of people rushed in, led by Zheng Dayou, whom they hadn't seen in some time. Behind him were several men in similar clothing.
Jiang Pan recovered and shouted, "Zheng Dayou, what are you doing! Trespassing in broad daylight, believe it or not, I'll report you to the yamen!"
Zheng Dayou snorted, "Jiang Pan, stop trying to scare me with your airs. Do you think I'm happy to come to this broken place? If you hadn't abducted my daughter, I wouldn't even beg to come here, fearing your shabby place would dirty my shoe soles!"
Chen Yuezhi was furious, "What do you mean we abducted your daughter? You know very well how your daughter got in here, and everyone in this courtyard saw it!"
Saying this, she pointed at Zheng Cuier, "Hurry up and drag your daughter away. Filthy bunch, don't dirty my yard!"
Zheng Cuier clung tightly to Chen Yuezhi's leg, refusing to let go. "Auntie, please, I beg you to save me. I'll repay you by working like an ox or a horse."
Chen Yuezhi was very indifferent, "I can't save you, nor do I want to. Let go!"
Zheng Cuier dared not let go; the Jiang family was her lifeline now.
"Auntie, please, save me. Buy me. I can do anything, and you won't lose out by buying me. Please, Auntie, I'll be your ox or horse, I'll serve you tea and water, please buy me, please..."
Chen Yuezhi remained unmoved and tried to push her away, but Zheng Cuier held on tightly.
The other members of the Jiang family couldn't help. Zheng Cuier was a young woman, and Su Shi was pregnant, so she naturally couldn't step forward. The others were even less suitable.
Jiang Wan snorted, chewed and swallowed the sugar figurine in her mouth, stepped forward, grabbed Zheng Cuier by the back of her collar, and patted her shoulders. Zheng Cuier felt both her arms go numb, and her hands involuntarily loosened, hanging down to the ground.
Jiang Wan pulled her aside and casually tossed her away, then stood in front of Chen Yuezhi.
Zheng Cuier rolled a couple of times on the ground before stopping. Seeing Zheng Dayou leading people to grab her, she quickly scrambled to her feet and rushed towards Erlang.
Erlang, caught off guard, was hugged by Zheng Cuier.
"Erlang, marry me. I really like you. Marry me, and I'll have children for you."
Erlang turned pale with fright and fumbled to push her away.
Unexpectedly, Zheng Cuier had truly given up. She not only held Erlang tightly but also tried to kiss him, scaring Erlang into shouting, "Dad, Mom, help!"
If the occasion were different, Jiang Wan could have laughed.
Jiang Wan stepped forward again and pulled Zheng Cuier away. This time, she dragged her directly to Zheng Dayou and said, "Hurry up and take your daughter and get lost! Otherwise, I won't be polite!"
The men Zheng Dayou brought quickly stepped forward and restrained Zheng Cuier.
Zheng Dayou stared fixedly at Jiang Wan, "Little brat, you've got quite a mouthful! I'd like to see how you're going to be impolite!"
The Jiang family immediately surrounded them, glaring at Zheng Dayou, "What do you want? Believe it or not, we won't let you leave this door today!"
Zheng Dayou sneered, "Do you know who my son-in-law is? Go ask around. How dare you yell at me, you'll have it coming!"
Jiang Wan smiled disdainfully, "Tell me, if your good son-in-law knew about your family's good deeds, would he still be willing to pay so much silver for your daughter? These people were sent by your good son-in-law, right? They all heard what your daughter said when she hugged my second brother. Do you think they'll tell your good son-in-law when they go back?"
Zheng Dayou's face suddenly darkened. He didn't dare to stay any longer and quickly had people drag Zheng Cuier away.
Zheng Cuier cried out desperately, "Save me, please save me..."
Jiang Wan closed the main door and clapped her hands, "Save you? As our unsuspecting benefactor!"
Saying this, she glanced at Erlang, "Second brother, you're really useless!"
Erlang looked distressed, "But I didn't know she would do something like this?"
"Don't make excuses! If you didn't react in time, it's your mistake!"
Jiang Wan was very serious, "You need to practice your reactions well, otherwise, if you encounter such a situation again in the future, you'll definitely suffer!"
Erlang scratched his head, "I can practice, but how? I don't understand."
Jiang Wan had a method, "I'll guide you later."
Erlang raised an eyebrow, "You?"
Seeing his disbelieving look, Jiang Wan smiled faintly, "Yes, it's me. Second brother, you'd better be mentally prepared, I won't go easy on you."
Erlang didn't take this matter to heart at all.
Jiang Pan and Chen Yuezhi's expressions were not very good. Jiang Wan didn't want them to be angry about such a thing, so she quickly asked, "Dad, Mom, have you found a school for little brother?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Yuezhi's expression eased considerably, "We found one. We inquired around the county, and many people recommended Scholar Zhang's private school in the east of the city. The tuition there isn't expensive, eight hundred wen a month, including one meal. Many children from other families are taught there."
Jiang Wan smiled, "When will little brother start school?"
"Tomorrow we'll go buy him some school supplies, and the day after tomorrow he'll officially start school."
Mentioning school, Sanlang couldn't help but smile.
He had always wanted to go to school, but the family didn't have the conditions before, and Old Man Jiang and Old Lady Jiang would never agree, so he had never brought it up.
Now that he finally had the opportunity to go to school, he cherished it immensely.
"Dad, Mom, Big Brother, Second Brother, Little Sister, I will definitely study hard, achieve success, bring honor to the family, and ensure that our family is no longer looked down upon!"
Jiang Pan felt a surge of warmth and patted Sanlang's shoulder, "Remember what you said, study hard. If you don't study well, I'll break your legs!"
Sanlang nodded heavily, "I will definitely achieve something in my studies!"
After all this commotion, it was almost noon. Chen Yuezhi quickly called Erlang into the kitchen to help her with the fire.
Before long, smoke rose, and the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen.
After finally getting the food served, just as the family sat down to eat, the door was knocked.
Little Pony flapped its wings and flew over to call out twice. Jiang Wan's brows immediately furrowed.
The Su family had arrived.
Chen Yuezhi, while carrying dishes out of the kitchen, told Sanlang to open the door. Jiang Wan wanted to stop her but had no valid reason.
As soon as the door opened, Su family's eldest daughter-in-law, Tian Shi, and second daughter-in-law, Zhang Shi, walked in. Seeing that the Jiang family hadn't eaten yet, they both's eyes lit up.
"Oh, it's really better to be early than to be late. We're hungry from walking, so let's eat together."