Yingzi couldn’t help but laugh.

Over there, Yingzi’s father was still tangled up with Lian Huahua.

"...We came with good intentions. You’re the junior here, and we didn’t critique your manners. When you came to visit, we were the first to welcome you. How can you not even understand basic courtesy?" Yingzi’s father lectured Lian Huahua. "You’re the daughter of the County Magistrate and the wife of a wealthy household, yet you lack more refinement than we do. If word gets out, aren’t you afraid people will gossip about you? What’s the matter? Just because your family has money, you think you can look down on us?"

"Let me go! Let me go!" Lian Huahua, both furious and flustered, finally managed to push Yingzi’s father away.

At this moment, instead of turning away and leaving, Lian Huahua raised her hand and slapped Yingzi’s father hard across the face.

"Pah! Look at yourself in a puddle before talking! What kind of kinship do we even have? Acting all high and mighty—you think you’re worthy? Your daughter was a concubine for my father, just a lowly woman. My mother can kick her out with a single word, sell her off, or even beat her to death without facing any legal consequences!" Lian Huahua pointed at Yingzi’s father and cursed. At this moment, she shed her delicate demeanor, her aggressive tone and mannerisms resembling Lady Zhou.

Lian Huahua threw an angry tantrum, causing Yingzi’s mother to step back. Yingzi’s father, initially stunned and somewhat cowed, sniffed sharply, his big eyes darting back and forth as if recalling something. Then, he straightened his chest and stood firm.

"You insolent little brat! If you still recognize your father, you should call my daughter your second mother, and us your grandpa and grandma. When you see us, you ought to kneel and pay your respects!" Yingzi’s father gestured animatedly at Lian Huahua. "We’re here with goodwill, yet you dare act so disrespectfully? Believe it or not, I’ll teach you a lesson on your father’s behalf!"

Saying this, Yingzi’s father began rolling up his sleeves.

Lian Huahua was so angry that her eyes rolled back. She looked left and right, realizing there was no one else around. She thought about shouting for help but reconsidered, knowing that if Aunt Sun, Xiao Hong, or even Song Hailong came over, her own dignity would suffer.

What infuriated her more was how Lian Manman had slipped away quickly, offering her no assistance at all.

Although Yingzi’s father struck an intimidating pose, he didn’t actually hit Lian Huahua. Instead, he firmly grabbed her clothing and refused to let go. It seemed he’d been emboldened by something, but he was still somewhat apprehensive of the Song Family, given that Lian Huahua was both Lian Shouren’s daughter and a Song Family daughter-in-law.

Even so, this situation had already embarrassed Lian Huahua enough.

Now completely enraged, Lian Huahua lost her temper. She spread out her hands, her sharp nails aiming straight for Yingzi’s father’s face. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Yingzi’s father dodged repeatedly but couldn’t entirely avoid getting scratched.

Yingzi’s mother, initially stunned by the scene, sprang into action only when she saw blood appear on Yingzi’s father’s face. With a sudden shout, she lowered her head and rammed into Lian Huahua’s waist.

Lian Huahua let out a painful cry as she was knocked to the ground.

"You’re completely out of line! Just wait and see!" Lian Huahua clutched her waist but still cursed defiantly.

"Pah!" Yingzi’s mother spat at Lian Huahua.

"You’re the one scheming behind our backs against my Yingzi, making it so she had to leave far away! You robbed us of our chance to see her. If Yingzi were still in the county town, wouldn’t her life be better than staying with your father now? You think we wanted this arrangement? It was all your rotten meddling that ruined my Yingzi’s prospects!" Yingzi’s mother, still with a dazed expression, spat her bitter words with venom.

Lian Manman was standing by the courtyard gate, entirely stunned by the scene.

She had always thought Yingzi’s mother to be mild-tempered. Who could have guessed that, when provoked, she could be just as bold and fierce?

"We came with good intentions." Yingzi’s father said condescendingly to Lian Huahua. "Knowing you’d arrived, we specifically brought your little grandaunt here to entertain you. For your sake, I even planned on sending her over alone and heading back myself, lest your husband feel awkward seeing me. But you show no gratitude..."

Lian Manman exchanged a knowing look with Zhang Caiyun. So it was that Yingzi’s parents, dressed freshly and neatly, had shown up intending to join the meal as escort guests.

Among rural households, it was customary to invite someone—whether a person of high prestige or someone with close ties to the guest—to accompany them during a meal. Such invitations were seen as marks of honor.

Yingzi’s father and mother thought they were important enough to qualify as escort guests upon hearing that Lian Huahua had arrived, leading them to come over.

It was indeed... beyond words, Lian Manman thought.

What she didn’t realize was that Yingzi’s father, upon hearing about Wu Lang’s success in the Tongsheng exam and Lian Shouxin’s celebratory gathering, had wanted to attend the day before as an "escort guest." However, because the guest list included distinguished figures such as Scholar Wang and the village Lizheng, Yingzi’s father had felt intimidated and opted not to go.

Today, upon learning that Lian Huahua was visiting—a relative who shared closer ties—they decided to try their luck, hoping to enjoy a meal. Additionally, Yingzi’s father and mother felt that Lian Shouxin’s family had always been cold toward them. They saw Lian Huahua’s presence as an opportunity to smooth things out, possibly nudging Lian Shouxin to recognize their "real kinship" so that they could strengthen ties and visit more often in the future.

Yingzi’s father dared to provoke Lian Huahua because he’d received reassurance from Yingzi herself.

Lian Huahua sat on the ground, her emotions a mix of shame, humiliation, and fury. She realized that without outside help, she was no match for Yingzi’s parents and would only suffer even more. Slowly, she stood, and when Yingzi’s parents were distracted, she took the opportunity to dash off toward Lian Manman’s home.

Lian Manman and Zhang Caiyun quickly moved away from the doorway, pretending to be playing casually in the courtyard.

Before long, they saw Lian Huahua storming into the gate, her face flushed and panting heavily. Once inside, she finally exhaled in relief, her legs giving out slightly and nearly causing her to collapse. Sweat dotted her forehead—running away in such haste, she had twisted her ankle.

"Sister Huahua, what happened to you?" Lian Manman asked purposefully.

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Here’s your second update. As the month draws to a close in its final hours, I humbly ask for your continued support with pink tickets.

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Ruoyan’s completed farming novel recommendations:

Book title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Full text and extra Chapters complete) (Click below for a direct link)

Synopsis: Transported into the body of a wrongfully accused ruined woman, she starts afresh with a little son, embarking on a sweet and simple life alongside an economical and reliable man. (To be continued... If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian.com to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)