Chapter Eleven: Marrying into the Husband’s Family, Entering the Wife’s Household

It seemed to be the first time he had been defied, and Xie Tingyun’s face instantly darkened, his gaze toward Xie Changzhi filled with displeasure. As the Taoist had said, this rebellious son was born to bring him misfortune!

From birth, he had never been like a normal child.

Other children were clever and lively, endearing themselves to others. But he, from morning till night, wore a sterner face than his own father, shrinking and trembling awkwardly whenever he saw him.

According to the servants, he didn’t even feel pain when cut by a knife, as if the flesh wasn’t truly his—a freak!

He should never have been spared; he should have been sent far away to avoid being a nuisance before his very eyes. Yet now, he insisted on occupying the best place!

Xie Tingyun said, “Xie Changzhi, no matter where you are, I am your father!”

If they had not been in the courtyard, he would have slammed the table loudly.

“Once married, a woman follows her husband; once entering the family, a son-in-law follows his wife,” Xie Changzhi said, his eyes passing over the two men to meet Cheng Yuan’s gaze in the air.

He straightened his back and spoke each word deliberately.

Those words immediately stunned Xie Tingyun—his eyes wide, his beard bristling, face flushed, pointing fingers as he stammered several “you’s.”

“To acknowledge this rustic village woman as your wife—there runs the blood of our Xie family in your veins! Our family is a noble and refined lineage. You, you, you unfilial son! What misfortune for our house!”

For some reason, Xie Yanzhi, looking at Xie Changzhi’s lifted face—no longer timid as before but with a streak of resolute handsomeness—felt even more displeased. He sneered coldly.

“Do you think Miss Cheng Yuan truly loves you? That becoming her son-in-law makes you remarkable? Xie Changzhi, you are too lowly, you disgrace the Xie name. Climbing into the arms of a feisty village woman, do you really believe you’ve ascended to the heavens? You’re shameless; I’m the one who should be ashamed!”

“I think you’re the one aiming for the heavens! Xie Yanzhi, didn’t I say—the room belongs to Changzhi.”

Cheng Yuan’s cold voice sounded from behind. Xie Yanzhi turned sharply to meet her gaze head-on, momentarily faltering, but perhaps out of anger, he quickly raised his head again.

“Why? He’s just a bastard, a mere servant! Leaving him a place to sleep is generous enough, so why give him the best?”

Seeing Cheng Yuan’s displeased expression, Xie Tingyun immediately spoke, “Miss Cheng Yuan, you don’t understand. Bastards are ignorant and unreasonable; they might ruin that room. It would be better for Yanzhi to stay there.”

Cheng Yuan looked at the two of them speechlessly, feeling for the first time the futility of trying to reason with foolishness.

“He is my husband, after all.”

Cheng Yuan stepped beside Xie Changzhi, placing a hand on his shoulder, causing his body to stiffen instantly.

Her gaze swept over the two men’s faces before raising her voice firmly but without losing grace.

“If I don’t treat my husband well, should I treat you little brats better? Or you, old man?”

Both father and son flushed a deep red, angered.

Cheng Yuan continued, “Don’t drag that bastard and legitimate son nonsense with me. This is Lianshui Village, not the capital! Once you enter my home, even you, Xie Tingyun, must bow your head to me! If you want the good rooms, the good food, earn it with your own strength.”

“Of course, you can choose not to follow my rules.”

A flicker of hope appeared in their eyes.

“Then get out of my house.”

Cheng Yuan smiled sweetly and made a dismissive gesture with her finger.

Xie Changzhi couldn’t hold back a laugh. Under three pairs of eyes, he quickly regained composure and quietly moved a step closer to Cheng Yuan.

The father and son’s faces changed in unison. Before either could speak, Cheng Yuan rolled her eyes, giggled, and added, “Oh, right! Now that Changzhi is my husband living in my home, that’s unquestionable. But as for you two, even if you are from Changzhi’s paternal side, you can’t just freeload here forever. Besides, how could my little temple possibly accommodate two people of such noble status?”

Cheng Yuan sneered, her gaze circling over the two men, leaving them utterly embarrassed.

“What do you want from us? You were the one who brought us back then. If you dare throw us out, I’ll report you to the village chief!”

Xie Yanzhi clenched his fists, eyes blazing like a furious young bull ready to charge.

“At the time, we needed a husband. We thought if you behaved and didn’t cause trouble, having two extra pairs of chopsticks wouldn’t hurt.”

Cheng Yuan smiled with narrowed eyes, then her voice suddenly chilled.

“But now, you two are bullying my husband. How do you think I should handle this? I can’t just keep two bullies who torment my husband here, feeding and entertaining them, can I? Go to the village chief if you want—I won’t stop you. But here in Lianshui Village, on the borderlands, I wonder how much dignity the Xie family still holds? If you can’t even outmatch a feisty village woman like me, you’ll only become the village joke.”

Xie Tingyun was a stubborn old root; his face darkened, he gritted his teeth several times but, seeing the overwhelming white around them, he stood rigidly and asked, “What does Miss Cheng Yuan mean by that?”

“That’s not a question for me, but for Changzhi,” Cheng Yuan replied lazily.

“Ask Xie Changzhi?” Xie Tingyun frowned, clearly never having taken Xie Changzhi’s thoughts seriously.

“You bullied him, so naturally you must apologize to him. If he forgives and lets it go, then so be it. But if he refuses, then forgive me—the house is too small to accommodate you two tonight.”

Cheng Yuan had displayed her protective nature to the fullest.

Yet Xie Changzhi, unnoticed, quietly tugged at Cheng Yuan’s sleeve.

She looked down, clearly seeing the confusion and anxiety in his eyes.

Earlier, his courage to talk back was only fueled by a sense of grievance—a mere verbal defense. But truly watching his father and brother be cast out, he was somewhat worried.

Whether it was the unspoken bond of blood, fear of further bullying, or disbelief at being favored himself, he couldn’t say.

“Miss Cheng Yuan…” His tall frame emitted a voice like a mosquito’s buzz, almost making her laugh in anger.

“I won’t interfere; you decide,” she said.

Then she added, “But I hope you follow what your heart truly chooses.”

Xie Changzhi stared blankly at her retreating figure into the house, silently repeating in his heart: follow what your heart chooses...

Did he still need such a father and brother?

Looking at the two faces resembling his own, Xie Tingyun was turning to soothe the restless Xie Yanzhi. Suddenly, a wave of disappointment washed over him.

For more than ten years, he had still clung to the last shred of yearning for paternal love.

He closed his eyes, voice hoarse, “Father, Xie Yanzhi, you…”

“Let me stay with you and your brother. When we return to the capital someday, I will tell you where your mother’s relics are hidden.”

Xie Changzhi’s eyes snapped open.

Xie Tingyun looked at this bastard son with a faint expression.