Volume One, Chapter Six: The Grandmother's Majesty

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Liu Yanran’s good intentions were mistaken for disdain toward the General’s Residence. The matriarch’s face darkened toward her. Liu Yanran felt she was utterly unreasonable! The reason troublemakers are called such is precisely because the barefooted fear not those wearing shoes. When they turn ruthless, they fear nothing. Could they really be afraid of the General’s household, with its family members and two spoiled brats? The Imperial Guards? Would the Imperial Guards heed the orders of a mere patrol inspector? Besides, even if Shu Zijun could muster some force, by the time the Imperial Guards arrived, it would be too late! She only wanted to drive this little bastard away, not lose herself in the process! She hurriedly tried to calm things down: “Great-aunt, please don’t be angry.” “Servants! Why haven’t you thrown this little bastard out yet?” The matriarch roared in frustration when no one moved and Liu Yanran kept trying to reason. Before the shout, Lady Shu had already shown foresight and covered Little Joy’s ears with her hands. Shu Erye, who had already retreated upon Liu Yanran’s warning, immediately stood up again at the matriarch’s shout, yelling toward the door, “Are you all deaf? Didn’t you hear the old lady’s orders?” A few maids and elderly servants reluctantly stepped inside. Lady Shu tightened her hold over Little Joy’s ears and finally raised her head, speaking calmly: “Mother, second brother, Little Joy is merely a child. There’s no need to make such a fuss.” The maids stopped in their tracks. It wasn’t laziness; the masters hadn’t yet made a decision. That couldn’t be blamed on them. The matriarch sneered coldly, “Child or not, she’s a little liar. If you don’t throw her out, do you intend to keep her here, feeding and pampering her?” Lady Shu smiled faintly, her gaze warm and gentle at Little Joy. “Little Joy is so young; what could she possibly understand? Why jump to malicious conclusions based on a single word? To me, such a clever and adorable child, whether or not she is Zijun’s flesh and blood, would be a great blessing if we raised her well in the General’s Residence.” Little Joy knew Lady Shu covered her ears to shield her from harsh words, but she had seen all sorts of people and wasn’t afraid of these bluffs. She reached out her chubby little hand to tug at Lady Shu’s, saying, “Grandmother, you don’t need to cover my ears. I can hear everything.”

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Lady Shu sighed helplessly and lowered her hand, instructing Shu Zijun, “Take Little Joy out to play.” Shu Zijun was already impatient. If it weren’t for the fact that the ones making a fuss were his grandmother and second uncle, he would have already lost his temper. Hearing his mother’s command, he immediately scooped up Little Joy and left without looking back. Little Joy stuck out her tongue at those inside the room. Grandma’s authority is fierce, and these people are no match. She wasn’t afraid at all. Shu Erye stomped angrily, “Hey! This matter can’t just be left unclear! Our General’s Residence isn’t naive. Just because she says her father is handsome, do we have to take it out on Zijun and raise someone else’s child for no reason?” “Raising a child requires money. Even if you manage the household, sister-in-law, you can’t just recklessly spend the General’s money.” The matriarch nodded repeatedly. Raising a child isn’t like raising a cat or dog. Food, clothing for all seasons, daily expenses, tutors, dowry—it all costs a fortune. The first branch has no daughters, but the second branch has three. She already thinks one is too many! The eldest daughter-in-law surely knows this! Why would they tolerate another mouth to feed? Lady Shu’s expression darkened instantly, her voice cold: “Second brother, rest assured. The General’s Residence’s income is limited, barely enough for daily expenses. I never expected to rely on the public funds anyway.” Over the years, if it weren’t for her dowry supporting the household, would the General’s Residence have lived so comfortably? Every single person here depends on the first branch for support, and now they want to blame her? Does she have such a soft temper? Shu Erye, reckless as ever, faced her with a cold expression and retorted, “Sister-in-law, aren’t you being a bit unfair? Our General’s Residence owns countless fertile fields, shops, and estates. How could we be in such a deficit?” “Servants, bring the accounts!” Lady Shu’s face darkened further as she raised her voice to order. Liu Yanran did not expect Lady Shu to be so firm. But this was family business, and as an outsider, it was inappropriate for her to stay. She quietly withdrew. The matriarch shot Shu Erye a glare. “You reckless man, what nonsense are you spouting? Look at how much you’ve upset sister-in-law. Apologize to her immediately!” She had seen the accounts before; she knew well the income from the General’s estates. And such a large household spent silver like water every year.

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Now, apart from the small estate Lady Shu provided, the entire second branch had no income. Who gave him the courage to raise his voice in front of the eldest daughter-in-law? “Mother, you’re the backbone of our General’s Residence. How can you let your daughter-in-law have such control over you?” Shu Erye was also anxious and began to speak without thinking. The matriarch’s old face flushed red. She grabbed a teacup and hurled it at Shu Erye. “You unfilial son, what do you think you’re doing? I’m still alive! Who gave you the right to covet the General’s estate?” “Every household is run by the matriarch. Your sister-in-law works hard to care for the family. You’d better behave and stop stirring up trouble, or I’ll skin you alive!” Shu Erye realized he had misspoken and quickly begged for mercy. “Mother, please don’t be angry. It’s my fault for being foolish. I’m just upset over such absurd nonsense about you adopting a child.” “Who in the world would rush to become a father like that?” “I’m just worried Zijun has gone astray.” Lady Shu sneered inwardly. Her son’s reckless behavior had become an excuse for others with ulterior motives—her just deserts! She had always thought he was young and, with his father absent so often, she was reluctant to discipline him harshly. But if they thought they could control her, they were mistaken. “It’s good that your second uncle realizes his mistake. I will naturally discipline Zijun if he errs. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.” Lady Shu stood and, with a perfunctory bow to the matriarch, turned and left. The room echoed with the matriarch’s angry scolding: “Second son, I’ve given you too much these years, and it’s spoiled you.” “If you dare to covet what your sister-in-law manages, you’d better make sure your wife’s mouth is big enough to swallow it without choking!” “You can’t even produce a son, yet you think about all these useless things. Do you take me for an old fool?” “Since your sister-in-law insists on raising that little bastard, let it be for now. But since she may not be the biological child, what if she can’t find a chance to drive her out later?” Shu Erye was still deeply resentful. “Mother, she already looks down on you, and you still indulge her like this?”