Chapter 12: Taking the Wrong Eye

The four of them could be said to have exerted all their strength in the fields and at home to fight for that one-third of an acre.

If you didn't know any better, you'd think they were being taken advantage of.

The old man lay on the ground crying, and their children and daughters-in-law were not idle either.

They grumbled incessantly.

"The Duke's mansion looks down on poor relatives."

"They all treat us like beggars, just dismiss us at will."

"We are all from the same roots, but now they turn on us faster than turning a page."

Their tone and demeanor were even better than the actors at the South Gate opera house.

With crying and wailing, the scene became chaotic for a while.

Shang Yukuan couldn't bear it, so he anxiously looked at his uncles and aunts and immediately comforted them, saying, "Sixth brother just spoke too quickly, uncles and aunts, don't be upset."

Unfortunately, just such a light sentence couldn't calm down these old folks who had been relying on their seniority for many years.

It had been three years since Du Jingyi entered the door, and it was the first time she had seen such a big scene.

She had thought that the troublesome relatives in her own family were annoying enough, but she hadn't expected that the Duke's mansion would be no less troublesome.

Interesting, interesting.

She had a look of amusement in her eyes, but it hadn't shown yet when she was reprimanded by the woman next to her.

"Sixth sister-in-law really knows how to be a good daughter-in-law. When your own husband defies his elders and provokes everyone's anger, not only do you not advise him, but you also stand by and watch? You don't even offer a helping hand."

The speaker was a square-faced woman, the eldest daughter-in-law of the third branch.

In terms of seniority, she was Shang Erlang's wife, Guan.

She had been married for several years and had given birth to three chubby grandsons.

Therefore, she was also someone who could speak up in the third branch.

Her family was also in the business of the Shang family, but not as wealthy as the Du family.

In the early years, she married into the Duke's mansion because of its reputation, but in recent years, her dowry had either filled the holes in the family or paid off her husband's gambling debts, leaving her with very little.

So she set her sights on the ten thousand taels of gold bestowed by the emperor.

Unexpectedly, her grandparents had been defeated by Shang Ji in front of everyone. Naturally, she wanted to find an opportunity to regain both face and substance.

This was one reason.

There was another reason.

If there was someone she resented the most in the mansion, it was Du Jingyi.

Both were daughters of the Shang family, why should she only be able to marry a commoner like Shang Erlang?

She had to clean up after him every day, while Du Jingyi could marry the young master of the Duke's mansion.

Now he had become the illustrious General of the Valiant Cavalry, making her status even more noble.

Therefore, since Du Jingyi entered the mansion, she had been ridiculing her in front of others and behind her back.

At this moment, she jumped out to embarrass Du Jingyi, but unfortunately, she had picked the wrong person.

Du Jingyi smiled, but her eyes were cold.

She retorted, "Second sister-in-law is joking. When I married into the Duke's mansion, my respectable grandparents and mother-in-law had already passed away. I thought I only had to serve my father-in-law, but I didn't expect to have such a large extended family waiting for me. But, second sister-in-law, as a legitimate granddaughter-in-law, you didn't offer any help, and instead pushed all the blame onto me, a distant relative. It seems you are a well-mannered person."

Du Jingyi had rarely paid attention to these people before, thinking it was unnecessary.

But today, in front of Shang Ji, they were trying to step on her.

Even a clay figure had a temper, let alone Du Jingyi, who was decisive in business.

Her retort left Guan red-faced, not knowing how to respond.

When she spoke, everyone's expressions changed.

Madam Wei squinted her eyes, suddenly feeling that she had underestimated this sixth daughter-in-law.

It seemed she was quite eloquent.

Elder sister-in-law Liu stared at Du Jingyi's back, frowning slightly, with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

They had lived in the East Courtyard for three years, and she had dealt with Du Jingyi a few times.

But every time she looked for her, she was either resting or preparing meals, always with a cheerful and contented smile.

She had thought she had a soft temper, but she had obviously misjudged her.

As for Du Jingyi's legitimate husband, Shang Ji, he felt a sense of satisfaction at this, but it quickly turned into anger. He turned to Luo Yuan and said, "Since the two uncles are so concerned and can't stop talking about it, I will show some kindness. Luo Yuan, have someone come in to take the two uncles to guard the mausoleum, and they can return home in ten days!"

"Yes!"

He had long wanted to deal with this large group of relatives who were not on the same page as him. But today was a good day to receive the imperial edict, so it wasn't easy to shed blood.

So he decided to send them to guard the mausoleum, to avoid their constant nagging.

The crowd, who had been crying and shouting, suddenly fell silent, all looking at Shang Yukuan for help.

But he couldn't control his son, so he wore a pained expression.

As for Shang Ji, he didn't want to be entangled with them in this matter.

He turned and walked to the front of Elder sister-in-law Liu and the others, showing an unprecedented respectful attitude, and bowed to them, saying, "Elder sister-in-law, you take Ping'er and Xueniang back to Xitang Courtyard first. I will go to the ancestral hall with Madam to offer incense to my mother and elder brother, and then I will return."

He spoke briefly, but his meaning was clear.

In this entire mansion, only these three people could receive his attention.

As for the other relatives, whether they choose to hang themselves, throw themselves into a well, or hit a pillar, he didn't care.

The eldest sister-in-law, Mrs. Liu, gave a deep, helpless nod after casting a glance at Shang Ji.

Afterwards, she bowed towards Shang Guogong's direction, then took her son and younger sister-in-law away without looking back.

Observing this, Shang Ji walked over to Du Jingyi.

He glanced at the "relatives" and "elders" on the ground, causing everyone to immediately quiet down, wondering if he had anything else to say.

Unexpectedly, Shang Ji lifted his head and looked at his father, Shang Guogong, indifferently saying, "Father, my wife and I need to go to the ancestral hall to offer tea to mother, so we won't stay long."

Du Jingyi, standing next to him, also refused to become involved in these people and matters, and said after bowing, "I take my leave."

After speaking, the couple left the main hall with steady steps.

Seeing the two of them leaving without hesitation, the old folks were completely embarrassed.

Although they still had complaints on their lips, they were rendered powerless.

Madam Wei could only sigh and say, "It's all my fault, the family has become so lax, and the rules haven’t been properly established. Uncles, aunts, and elders, please get up quickly. Soiling the clothes is a minor issue, it's trouble if one gets injured."