Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s-Chapter 431 - 416 the young ones stay, the older ones go!

"So you’re using ancestral teachings to coerce us now? Why not mention that your granddaughter was pregnant out of wedlock? Back in the old days, she’d be thrown into the river for that!"

"In-law, that’s not fair," Ye Binyi said slowly, deliberately, with precision. "When Sangsang came to our family, did you give her a dowry? Not a single penny. Since there was no dowry from your side and no betrothal gifts from ours, we’re even. As for the wedding, you’re aware that Jinghuai is in the military—he’s barely home a couple of times a year, so there’s no way to hold a grand ceremony. Besides, you don’t understand. Here in the city, it’s not like in the countryside where weddings require extravagant banquets, gold necklaces, and gold bracelets for show. Times are tough now; even our superiors are watching closely. Weddings need to be modest and simple, without too much fanfare."

"And sure, I’ll admit Sangsang is good. She’s better-looking than most rural girls. But it’s not like we were desperate to have her. You don’t know this, but I always hoped my son’s wife would be educated, well-mannered, gentle, and virtuous. Do you have any idea about the young women in our family circles? Every single one of them has at least graduated from college, with many continuing their studies. Not one of them stopped at high school."

"In-law, let me be honest with you. If you don’t like our family, you can leave. We are more than willing to compensate Sangsang for the damages. But Yanyan’s last name is Jiang, and his household registration is now with the Jiang Family. On this point, I will not back down."

Tian Sangsang pressed her dry lips together and tried to raise her eyes, making every effort to hold back her tears.

"Grandma." Meng Shuyan, who had been silently listening, suddenly looked stubbornly at her and said, "I want to go back with Mom. If Mom doesn’t come back, I won’t go back either."

He gripped Tian Sangsang’s hand tightly, showing his resolve to stand or fall with his mother.

For Meng Shuyan’s sake, Ye Binyi eventually relented. She softened her tone and said, "Alright, your mom can come back with you." Once they were home, she’d find a way—she was confident she could keep her grandson there.

Ye Binyi’s earlier lengthy tirade had shaken Grandma Tian profoundly.

Suddenly, she pointed at Ye Binyi and yelled furiously, "Pah! You shameless wretch! I’ve never seen such a despicable mother-in-law as you! My granddaughter worked so hard to give your family a child, and now you want to keep the boy while kicking her out? Let me tell you something today—you can forget about it! You’ve already taken advantage of her, and now you want to ruin her future? You heartless old hag! If a woman like you were married into our village, our people would drown you in their spit! I... pah!"

Grandma Tian spat on the ground, visibly fuming with rage.

Tian Sangsang hadn’t anticipated such an outburst. She hastily intervened, genuinely distressed. "Grandma, please don’t do that. Let’s talk this through calmly." Spitting, of all things!

"Don’t stop me! She’s treated you like this, and you still want to stop me? I wish I could beat this shameless woman to death!"

Thankfully, Jiang’s father was quick to pull Ye Binyi aside, sparing her from being hit by the spit. If it had landed on her, Ye Binyi might have fainted from sheer disgust.

Grandma Tian’s scolding was unparalleled. Ye Binyi had never been humiliated like this before, and her face alternated between shades of green and pale white. When she glanced at the speck of spit on the ground, it churned her stomach, making her gasp for air.

Tian Sangsang felt a pang of alarm—was her mother-in-law now falling ill from anger? A wave of deep exhaustion surged through her, and she feared she might lose control and collapse.

"Binyi, Binyi!" Jiang’s father, panicking, hurriedly took out the medication he always carried and gave it to her.

After swallowing the pills, Ye Binyi’s breathing finally steadied, but her face had turned frighteningly pale.

"Mom!" A tall figure rushed in from outside. Jiang Jinghuai supported her, visibly concerned. "Please don’t get upset."

With her son back by her side, Ye Binyi seemed to gain a sense of security. She weakly nodded her head.

After a moment, Jiang Jinghuai’s deep, dark eyes shifted, and he addressed them politely, "Grandma, Second Aunt." The way he addressed them suggested he hadn’t just arrived—he might have been outside for some time.

This was the first time Grandma Tian and Second Aunt Tian had met Jiang Jinghuai since coming to the capital. The young man certainly lived up to the image of a soldier: tall, straight, and commanding in his military uniform, exuding a natural authority. He was also strikingly handsome and dignified. Especially his eyes—like a pair of ancient, deep wells—they exuded a chilling aloofness that made the two women uneasy, much like his voice earlier, which discouraged them from causing any further commotion.

"Let’s not stand around anymore. If there’s something to discuss, let’s talk back at home." With that, Jiang Jinghuai cast a fleeting glance at Tian Sangsang.

Tian Sangsang bit her lip; she had no choice but to go along.

Grandma Tian and Second Aunt Tian were eager to go to the Jiang Family home to support Tian Sangsang, so they agreed without much fuss.

**

Upon arriving at the residential compound, they saw sentries guarding the entrance. Grandma Tian and Second Aunt Tian were astonished, instantly realizing the Jiang Family’s high status. But having power didn’t give them the right to bully people from the countryside!

As they ventured further in, they passed by rows of Western-style houses. Occasionally, they’d encounter refined and elegant individuals passing by, which made them even more intimidated.

When they reached their courtyard house, Aunt Zhang took out a key and opened the door.

Jiang Jinghuai instructed Aunt Zhang to prepare a room for Grandma Tian and Second Aunt Tian. Ye Binyi, however, was visibly displeased and maintained an icy demeanor. It wasn’t out of stinginess—providing them with food and shelter was already a form of charity in her eyes—but having to live under the same roof as two crude and vulgar village women was utterly unbearable.

Especially when she thought about the earlier spitting scene, the memory disgusted her to the core. And yet, like tenacious leeches, they weren’t leaving as long as Yanyan was here.

Jiang Jinghuai treated them with courteous politeness, but there was no warmth or closeness in his attitude.

Tian Sangsang felt deeply saddened.

These were her family members. To see them treated so coldly made her feel as though her dignity was being trampled on. While she didn’t expect anything better from Ye Binyi, what about Jiang Jinghuai? Shouldn’t he be warmer toward them? Shouldn’t he take the initiative to show them some care and hospitality?

All he cared about was his mother!

But this was his grandmother and his second aunt as well!

The Jiang Family’s house was a Western-style villa, and the room prepared for Grandma Tian and Second Aunt Tian was worlds apart from the earthen homes in the countryside. It was spacious, bright, with freshly painted white walls, spotless windows, tiled floors, brand-new bedding, and a faintly fragrant scent.

Grandma Tian entered the room and felt immediately uncomfortable—the bright light reflecting off the walls irritated her eyes, worsening her failing vision.

Second Aunt Tian, however, couldn’t suppress her curiosity and began inspecting the room, touching everything. "This house is amazing, Sangsang. Living here is worth it. I could never in my life live in such a luxurious place." Sitting on the bed, she exclaimed, "This bed is so soft! And these blankets feel so fine!"

Grandma Tian scowled at her. "Stop acting like some country bumpkin! People will think we’re trying to climb above our station!"

Second Aunt Tian awkwardly chuckled and, thinking about the tall and handsome nephew-in-law, commented, "Mom, what do you think about Sangsang’s husband? Not bad, huh?"

Grandma Tian considered it for a moment. "He’s certainly impressive, but he’s too cold. It feels like we’re strangers, not family. He’s distant—I can’t tell if he’s good or bad to Sangsang."

Tian Sangsang hadn’t paid much attention to their conversation; she had been in an uneasy mood ever since returning. She really didn’t want to come back to the Jiang Family—why subject herself to such humiliation by facing those disdainful looks? But Grandma Tian and the others insisted.

Resolving herself, she spoke up. "Grandma, Second Aunt, why don’t we leave? It’s not like I can’t afford to live somewhere else. Whatever kind of place you want, I can arrange it for you. Besides, I’ve bought a courtyard house outside. Once it’s renovated, it’ll definitely be more comfortable to live in than here."