Chapter 11: Someone Comes to Provoke

Chapter 11: A Challenge Arrives

Xu Shi smiled, retreated into the carriage, and closed the door, only to turn and find three pairs of eyes, six in total, fixed on her.

Her old face flushed crimson.

"Mother, are you hot?"

Jiang Han, the dutiful child, immediately nudged aside Jiang Yaozu, who was blocking the carriage window.

"Mother, sit by the window; it's cooler here!"

Xu Shi took a few deep breaths, calming the flush on her face. She moved over, picked up a palm fan, and began fanning the children.

"I'm not hot, Han Jie'er, sit properly and be careful not to fall. Yao Ge'er, you too, sit still."

She then leaned down and touched Jiang Wan's forehead.

"Wan Jie'er, are you feeling alright? Just hold on a little longer. We've already entered Maocheng; we should be at our residence very soon."

Jiang Wan was too weary to speak, merely blinking tiredly to indicate she understood. She truly hadn't expected that this body, neither weak nor particularly delicate, would be so unlucky as to get carsick. For someone who used to ride an e-bike at speeds of up to eighty miles per hour, this was quite embarrassing.

Seeing the child's discomfort, Xu Shi said no more, focusing instead on fanning with both hands, diligently trying to cool down her three children.

Fortunately, the coachman outside was skilled. After entering the city, he drove without a single stop, and in just over an hour, they pulled up to a rather impressive and elegant residence.

"We're home! Everyone, come on out!"

Jiang Huailiang jumped off the carriage shaft, tossed the horsewhip to an approaching servant, and turned to help his wife and children disembark.

"Elder Brother Jiang, have you brought your sister back?"

Just as Xu Shi opened the carriage door and leaned out, she heard a clear, feminine voice greeting them from in front of the carriage. She looked up to see a young woman in red standing beside her husband, appearing quite familiar with him.

Jiang Huailiang paused for a moment before forcing a smile and nodding in response.

"Yes, this is my wife, your sister-in-law! Wife, come down quickly. Miss Zhu has come to welcome us."

After all, they were a couple who shared a bed, and with just those few simple words, Xu Shi understood a great deal. She cast a cool glance that sent a shiver down the spine of the burly Jiang Huailiang.

"Sister, you must be exhausted from the long journey from your hometown. Please come inside and rest. I've already made all the arrangements, just waiting for your arrival!"

Zhu Mingzhi beamed warmly, especially pleased when she noticed the scars on Xu Shi's aged face. Her words were filled with blatant provocation.

Hmph, just a disfigured, ugly countrywoman. Look at that weathered face and those rough hands—what could she possibly use to compete with me for the position of the general's wife?

The disdain in the other woman's eyes was unmistakable, so Xu Shi responded with a gentle, slight curve of her lips. She allowed her husband to help her down from the carriage, smoothed her slightly disheveled dress, and then raised her eyes to meet the challenge.

"Thank you for coming out to welcome and assist us, Miss Zhu. My husband and I are truly grateful. May I ask which family you belong to? Once I've settled in and freshened up, we will surely choose a day to visit your esteemed parents with my husband, bringing gifts to thank them for raising such a warm-hearted person as Miss Zhu."

Her words were a subtle yet sharp mockery. Those who didn't understand, like Jiang Han and Jiang Yaozu, simply watched with wide eyes. Those who did, like Jiang Wan, could hardly contain their applause. She had thought it was her turn to shine when she heard that woman speaking from inside the carriage. Who knew her mother was no pushover? She could make someone spit blood with just a few words. Truly impressive!

Zhu Mingzhi was indeed seething, wanting to gnash her teeth! Wasn't it said that Elder Brother Jiang's country wife was an orphaned refugee? Yet, Xu Shi spoke so eloquently, clearly educated and well-versed in the ways of a gentry household! What had gone wrong? Could this truly be Jiang Huailiang's humble wife?

The disdain in her eyes was instantly replaced by scrutiny.

"Sister, please don't be so formal. We'll all be like family anyway; this is just my duty. I..."

"Father, Mother, my head hurts terribly. Can you please stop chatting with people outside? I want to lie down and rest."

A clear, crisp voice, unmistakably belonging to a young girl. Zhu Mingzhi took a step to the left, peering around the tall figure of Jiang Huailiang. Her eyes flickered.

This old woman, Xu Shi, actually bore him three children?

"Wan Jie'er, are you feeling unwell again? Father will take you inside to find a doctor."

Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Huailiang quickly interjected, diligently helping all three children out of the carriage. Just then, the elderly couple of the Jiang family were also being assisted out of the carriage behind them.

Zhu Mingzhi blinked, then put on a gentle smile and warmly stepped forward to greet them.

"Zhi'er pays respects to the Elder Master and Elder Mistress. You must be exhausted from the long journey. Please come inside with me. A welcoming feast has already been prepared, awaiting your presence!"

Old Wang Shi, who had also been feeling dizzy for half the journey, had just set foot on the ground when a young, beautiful woman warmly approached her with an almost overwhelming familiarity. The old lady was a bit confused, unable to figure out what was happening. But fearing she might offend someone in this new place and cause trouble for her son, she quickly nodded, responding repeatedly.

"Oh, no, no, not tired at all. We old folks are used to toiling in the fields—what's a little travel fatigue? Thank you, dear girl, for your help. Later, I'll have my daughter-in-law prepare a feast in return. She's been managing household affairs for years and will surely handle it quickly. Miss Cicada, you can just come and enjoy the meal. Please don't bring any gifts—I'm not a petty person. Just come empty-handed!"

Old Wang Shi was somewhat hard of hearing and couldn't understand why such a fine young lady would be called "Cicada." Weren't the daughters of wealthy families supposed to have elegant names? Though she didn't understand, she was always polite and reasonable in front of outsiders, so she responded with courtesy.

Xu Shi and Jiang Wan both smiled faintly.

Zhu Mingzhi clenched her fingers in anger. Was this old hag doing it on purpose? Here she was, a young lady of status, lowering herself to be pleasant to these country bumpkins, only to be humiliated like this?

"Elder Mistress, you may call me Zhi'er, as in *lingzhi* (glossy ganoderma)."

She clearly emphasized the last few words with extra force. Fortunately, Old Wang Shi heard clearly this time and laughed awkwardly in embarrassment.

"Well, isn't this old woman just getting on in years? My eyes are dim, and my ears aren't what they used to be. I must have misheard earlier. Please don't take it to heart, Miss Lingzhi."

Her husband, unable to bear it any longer, tugged at her sleeve helplessly and reminded her loudly, "What Miss Lingzhi or Miss Ginseng? If you can't make proper conversation, just say less. Leave dealing with people to our daughter-in-law. We illiterate folks shouldn't cause a scene. Don't go causing trouble for our son!"

"Yes, yes, daughter-in-law, come here quickly!"

Though Old Wang Shi often nagged her daughter-in-law, she was no fool and knew Xu Shi was exceptionally clever.