Chapter 23: Let’s Become Sworn Siblings with My Grandma

Chapter 23: Why Don’t You Become Sworn Sisters with My Grandma?

The continuous sobbing abruptly ceased, and Zhu Mingzhi instinctively recoiled a step.

Though she dared to be aggressive toward the Jiang couple, she wouldn't dare provoke or seek trouble from the Jiang family’s eldest daughter. The former might only argue, but the latter could truly beat her to death!

"Why are you all here? These are matters for adults. What are you children doing here, meddling in adult business? Hurry up and go out and play."

Xu Shi frowned, trying to shoo the children away, but before she could even get the younger ones to leave, the two elders also walked in, one after the other.

"I could hear all the commotion from far away. Your dad said there’s a big show happening here, right?

What’s going on with you, daughter-in-law?

If there’s an opera singer practicing here, are you keeping it all to yourself? You heartless woman, why didn’t you think to show some filial respect to me and your dad?"

Whether Old Wang Shi was usually muddle-headed or not, at this moment, she was absolutely clear-minded. She openly stood behind her daughter-in-law, giving her full backing.

Why such kindness?

Wasn’t it because her darling grandson was being held tightly in that wretched girl’s grasp? When someone came to call for the elderly couple earlier, it was made clear: if they dared to spout nonsense today, Jiang Yaozu would get double the "fun" later!

After all this time together, how could the old woman not know what kind of "fun" that wretched girl was talking about? For the sake of her darling grandson, she had to play the role of a kind and considerate mother-in-law today.

Old Jiang walked with his hands behind his back, swaying unsteadily with the typical gait of an old farmer, and made his way to his son’s side, shooting him a disdainful glare.

Jiang Huailiang was baffled by his father’s glare and awkwardly asked, "Dad, why did you and Mom come over too?"

Honestly, Jiang Huailiang felt a bit embarrassed having the elderly and children involved in such matters.

"Useless fool, step back and make some room. Don’t get in the way of our eldest daughter handling this."

"What do you mean?"

"Just stay out of it!"

He kicked his son away to watch his eldest granddaughter perform.

Jiang Wan patted her mother’s arm, then stepped forward and looked up to meet the gaze of the Prince of Huai, who was observing her.

"May I ask, Prince of Huai, is it a requirement for generals under your command to sell themselves? Do all other generals have to sacrifice themselves for the country like this?

I’m just a foolish girl from a small place, young and inexperienced. Could you kindly enlighten me, Uncle?"

With just a few words, she knew how to hit where it hurt. The slight smile on Li Zhanghuai’s face gradually faded into awkwardness as she posed one sharp question after another.

How could a grown man like him argue with a little girl? If word got out, how could he ever live it down?

"Well, haha, dear niece, why don’t you chat with your aunt? I just remembered I have some matters to attend to. I’ll head back to the front courtyard now."

True to his role as the big brother, when it was time to be shameless, he had no desire to act decently. He casually threw his wife out to shield himself from the storm.

Zhao Shi, furious, pinched his waist hard through his sleeve, but Li Zhanghuai, being a tough man, didn’t even flinch. He turned and slipped away cleanly.

Since the boss was returning to the front courtyard, how could the underlings have the nerve to stay and watch the drama? They all turned to leave.

As they stepped out, they saw their boss shamelessly perched on the wall, peering inside with great interest. Following his example, a group of rowdy soldiers also rolled up their sleeves and climbed onto Old Jiang’s walls and tree branches.

In the courtyard, Jiang Wan was in her element.

"Let me ask you one last time: are you going to drop this matter and leave my home now, or are you determined to keep pestering us?"

Stared down by that ruthless one's cold eyes, Zhu Mingzhi was already trembling inside. But she thought about how she had staked everything on this desperate battle today. If she failed, her family would surely send her away!

So, mustering her courage, she gritted her teeth and stood her ground.

"How am I causing trouble? Jiang Wan, you’re the one bullying others with your power! My brother genuinely traded his life for your father’s. Just ask him—does he acknowledge this debt or not?"

Jiang Huailiang nodded with a grave expression.

"I owe Mingye my life. Of course I acknowledge it."

"Good that you don’t deny it! How could you forget what you promised my brother on his deathbed—that you would take good care of me? How can you go back on your word now?"

Zhu Mingzhi wept miserably, as if she had no one to rely on.

"He was my only blood brother. After my mother died, he was my only support, and he gave his life to save you! This is a debt you owe me. How can you not repay it?!"

Some of this lament might have been for sympathy, but there was also genuine helplessness in her words. So Jiang Huailiang and Xu Shi remained silent.

Jiang Wan raised an eyebrow.

"My father did promise your brother he would take care of you, but he never promised to marry you, right? There are many ways to take care of someone. Who said it has to be through marriage?

I assume my parents have already told you that my father is willing to become sworn siblings with you. In the future, if you face difficulties in your marital home and come to us for help, as long as it doesn’t violate propriety or harm others, our Jiang family will do everything we can to assist you. We will repay this debt of gratitude."

"Hah, you make it sound so easy!"

Furiously wiping away her tears, Zhu Mingzhi decided to throw caution to the wind! After today’s events, if she couldn’t force her way into the Jiang family, she was doomed anyway!

"Look around Maocheng today—who would be a good match for me? Everyone knows I’ve set my heart on your father. You’re trying to ruin me!

Let me be frank: I’ve set my sights on the Jiang family!

If you don’t give me a satisfactory answer today, I’ll dash my brains out right here in the Jiang home! If I can’t be part of the Jiang family in life, I’ll join it in death!"

"Hah, if that’s your only demand, it’s simple enough."

A cold smile tugged at Jiang Wan’s lips.

"Jiang Laosan, come here."

"Coming!"

The agile little fatty responded immediately, darting over before his eldest sister pulled him to the front.

"Kneel."

"Alright!"

Though he didn’t understand why he had to kneel, Jiang Laosan knew his eldest sister had her reasons. Following her orders meant avoiding a beating.

"Zhu Mingzhi, there are many ways to enter the Jiang family. Why insist on fixating on my dad?

If nothing else works, why don’t you become sworn sisters with my grandma? That way, your status would shoot up instantly.

Of course, if you’re still not satisfied and dead set on marrying into the Jiang family, it’s not like my dad is the only man in the Jiang family, right?"

Jiang Wan turned and pointed at Old Jiang, who looked completely unfazed, then flashed a wicked grin.

"My grandpa might be a bit old, but his mental state is stable—he never loses his temper easily, so you can rest assured.

See, the Jiang family’s legitimate eldest grandson is kneeling right in front of you. If you just nod in agreement, this kid will call you 'Second Grandma' right away. That much, I can decide."