Siheyuan: Reborn Silly Pillar, Taking Control of the Entire Courtyard

Chen Lanxiang looked at the clean bowls and plates on the table, sighed softly, and showed a hint of relief on her face.

"He is much more filial than before. Before, he only knew how to eat and play foolishly, and he had a stubborn and unruly temper. He wouldn't listen to anyone."

The old lady took a sip of her tea and slowly said, "Don't say that in front of the children. They're grown up now and have their pride."

"How could that be?" Chen Lanxiang quickly waved her hand. "I was just mentioning it to you privately."

"It's good that you know what's going on." The old lady put down her teacup, her eyes darkening slightly.

"Zhu Zi is no longer the little kid he used to be; you have to treat him like an adult."

Chen Lanxiang nodded: "I know."

The old lady changed the subject, her gaze sweeping coldly over the Jia family's half of the courtyard, her tone carrying a hint of ruthlessness:

"By the way, the Jia family keeps causing trouble, it never ends. In my opinion, we should just kick them out!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Lanxiang frowned slightly and softly advised:

"Even a cornered dog will jump over a wall. That Zhang Ruhua is a complete mangy dog. It's not worth getting bitten if she gets on your nerves."

"Are you just going to let it go like that?" The old lady raised her eyebrows, clearly unhappy. "Why should they get off easy?"

I'm telling you, I'll make the decision—make them move from the west wing to the rear room, and vacate the west wing for my eldest grandson, Zhuzi!

"That tiny, dark side room, is it even fit for my eldest grandson?"

Chen Lanxiang was startled and quickly waved her hand:

"Grandma, this is unacceptable! Zhuzi is so small. Our family has already taken up your main room; how can we take up the west wing as well?"

"What's wrong with that!" The old lady slapped the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), her voice full of confidence.

"In the past, you were the proper masters, and Zhu Zi should have lived in the east wing. The west wing was an injustice to him!"

Chen Lanxiang was still somewhat hesitant: "But Zhang Ruhua has such a shrewish temper, can she handle it? She'll definitely throw a tantrum again."

"Whether she does it or not, she has to move it!" the old woman said firmly.

"I'll have Daqing call Jia Laonian over tonight. If his family doesn't want to move, I won't rent this house anymore!"

My wife doesn't need his pittance in rent!

Chen Lanxiang thought about it and realized she couldn't keep swallowing her anger forever, so she finally nodded:

"Alright, when the Qing Dynasty returns, I'll have him go find Jia Laonian."

"Let the Jia family move to the first courtyard; the middle courtyard will be quieter, and it'll save us from being bothered by seeing them every day."

"That's right!" The old lady nodded in satisfaction.

"A kind person is often bullied, and a good horse is often ridden. We're already being kind by not bullying anyone."

If you're truly bullied to the point of exhaustion and don't fight back, you'll just be seen as a pushover!

Chen Lanxiang responded softly, "Yes, I understand, Grandma."

They were chatting animatedly, unaware that back when the old lady first entered the central courtyard...

Jia Zhangshi had already peeked through the window crack and could see everything clearly.

All noon, Jia Zhangshi was restless and anxious.

She was afraid that the old lady would bring the He family to her door and beat her up again.

It wasn't until the afternoon that the He family took the old lady back to the backyard.

Madam Jia finally breathed a long sigh of relief, her heart finally at ease.

But as soon as things calmed down, her shrewish temper flared up again, and she pointed towards the backyard and muttered curses:

"That old geezer almost scared me to death! The He family is no good either, just a bunch of thugs!"

After cursing a few times, her eyes darted around, and suddenly she thought of something.

He immediately turned to look at Jia Dongxu, who was huddled in the corner, and whispered the order:

"Dongxu, from today onwards, you keep a close eye on that kid from the He family!"

As soon as he leaves the house, you secretly follow him. Tell your mother everything when he comes back: where he goes, who he talks to, and what he takes!

Jia Dongxu shuddered in fright, shaking his head vigorously like a rattle drum:

"Mom, it's too dangerous outside. It's freezing cold. I don't dare to go."

"How can you be so spineless!" Seeing her son's timid and cowering appearance, Jia Zhangshi was furious.

He reached out and gave Jia Dongxu a solid slap on the neck.

"You're four years older than He Yuzhu! In two more years you'll be able to work in a factory!"

Other people dare to go out, but you don't? Are you missing an arm or a leg?

Jia Dongxu rubbed the back of his head, looking aggrieved: "That means we'll have to wait another two years..."

"Are you going or not?" Jia Zhangshi's eyes widened, and she turned around to start looking for a broom handle.

"If you don't go, I'll beat you up today!"

"Mother! Mother! Don't hit her! Don't hit her!" Jia Dongxu cried out in fear, backing away repeatedly.

"I'll go! I'll go with him, okay?!"

Only then did Madam Jia put down the broom and let out a cold snort:

"That's more like it. You don't need to do anything, just follow from a distance and don't get spotted."

"Once we really get something good, Mom will buy you meat and let you eat your fill!"

Jia Dongxu looked puzzled and muttered to himself, "What good could there be in following that idiot..."

"You know nothing!" Madam Jia raised her hand to hit her again. "Just follow me when I tell you to, stop talking nonsense!"

"Oh!" Jia Dongxu immediately shrank his neck and reluctantly replied.

Seeing his resigned state, Jia Zhangshi knew that without offering him some incentive, this boy definitely wouldn't work properly.

So he lowered his voice and seduced her with a mysterious look:

"Don't look so reluctant, just do as your mother says."

Who knows, you might even be able to get your wedding money, and maybe even a house, all at the same time!

Jia Dongxu's eyes lit up instantly, and he asked incredulously:

"Mom, you're not lying to me? You think you can get a house and a wife just by following that idiot?"

"Get the hell out of here!" Jia Zhangshi cursed angrily.

"I'm talking about a house and money for getting married! You're not even fully grown yet, and all you think about is women! I'll show you what's what!"

This time she didn't hold back, and swung the broom handle in her hand, striking Jia Dongxu hard.

Jia Dongxu was dressed warmly, so he wasn't in much pain; he just deliberately let out an exaggerated "Ouch!"

Then he started to drift off, his mind filled with thoughts of his wife, the house, and delicious food.

Looking at the lewd and stupid expression on her son's face, Jia Zhangshi spat in disgust:

"What a useless piece of trash! You're completely unreliable!"

After she finished scolding, she sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and stared blankly into space.

But those triangular eyes were filled with nothing but gleaming silver dollars and countless treasures.

At this moment, our protagonist, He Yuzhu, is completely unaware that...

Some people have already set their sights on him.

He was being relentlessly pestered by Xu Damao, who wanted to continue playing mahjong.

The two boys squatted in a snowdrift in the front yard, retrieving quite a few of the pellets they had shot earlier.

Xu Damao then pleaded and begged until he got a whole bunch of new marbles from his father, Xu Fugui.

They are now fully prepared, ready to make a big splash.

The sky gradually darkened.

When He Daqing returned home from get off work at the factory, he immediately sensed that something was amiss.

Chen Lanxiang recounted everything that had happened during the day to He Daqing.

From Zhang Ruhua's slander of He Yuzhu as a thief to her public tantrums, not a single word was omitted.

He Daqing was furious upon hearing this, and immediately rolled up his sleeves, ready to rush to the Jia family to settle the score:

"This is outrageous! How dare she slander my son! I'll beat her to her knees and beg for mercy today, or I'm not a He!"

Chen Lanxiang quickly grabbed him and whispered the old lady's arrangements.

After listening, He Daqing's anger subsided slightly, and he nodded in agreement:

"The old lady is the most thoughtful. Let's do as she says!"

Let's teach them a lesson first. They really don't know what's good for them, so kick them out!

On the other side, the Jia family.

Jia Laonian dragged his tired body back from the factory, and as soon as he entered the door, he sensed that something was wrong.

He looked Jia Zhangshi up and down, and immediately noticed the lingering swelling on her face.

He immediately frowned and asked, "Did you go out and cause trouble again today?"

Madam Jia's eyes darted around, and she quickly shook her head: "No, no! I've been staying at home, I haven't gone anywhere!"

"Nothing?" Jia Laonian pointed at her face. "What happened to your face? It's red and swollen!"

"Can't I just fall by accident?" Madam Jia started to argue unreasonably.

"Old Jia, can't you ever wish for anything good for us, mother and child? All you do is doubt me all day!"

"You damned woman, can't you be a little more careful?" Old Jia saw through her lie at a glance, his tone full of helplessness.

"If you were so capable, would my daughter and I have to suffer this humiliation?" Madam Jia immediately seized the opportunity to retort.

"Look at Yi Zhonghai, he joined the factory later than you, and now he earns twelve silver dollars a month!"

And you? After all these years, you're only making six dollars! You have no skills, and no silver tongue!

Old Jia's sore spot was hit, and his face turned pale and then red, unable to utter a single word in rebuttal.

He could only wave his hand weakly and say, "Alright, stop arguing, go cook, I'm hungry."

The Jia family finished their dinner hastily.

While Jia Zhangshi was washing dishes by the stove, a knocking sound suddenly came from outside the courtyard gate.

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable sense of pressure.

Jia Laonian and Jia Zhangshi exchanged a glance, both seeing panic in each other's eyes.

"Who is it?" Old Jia asked, forcing himself to speak.

"I am He Daqing!"

The voice outside the door was cold and crisp, and Jia Laonian's heart skipped a beat, instantly feeling half-cooled down.

He glared at Jia Zhangshi, lowered his voice and cursed, "It's all your fault," before replying:

"Brother Qing, is there something you need?"

"Come to my house, the old lady has something to tell you."

"Okay...okay, I'll be right there."

As soon as He Daqing finished speaking, he turned and left, his footsteps quickly disappearing into the night.

Old Man Jia could no longer contain himself and pointed at Madam Jia, cursing loudly:

"You good-for-nothing, trouble-making old hag! Is this what you call not causing trouble?"

If he hadn't caused any trouble, would He Daqing have personally come to his door looking for him?

If our family gets kicked out, you can go back to your parents' house!

Madam Jia also lost her temper, put her hands on her hips, and threw a tantrum:

"Old Jia, you've grown some guts, haven't you? You want to divorce me? Let me tell you, don't even think about it!"

If you dare to kick me out, I'll take Dongxu with me!

"Once I remarry into a good family, you can expect your son to call someone else 'Dad'!"

"Snap—"

A crisp slap rang out.

Old Man Jia could no longer bear it and slapped Jia Zhangshi across the face.

Jia Zhangshi was stunned by the beating and didn't react for a long time.

Once she came to her senses, she immediately started crying and screaming, throwing a tantrum.

"You dare hit me? Jia Laonian, you actually dared to hit me! I'll fight you to the death!"

"You! You! You're infuriating!" Old Jia pointed at her, his fingers trembling.

"I'll settle the score with you when I get back!"

After saying that, he slammed the door shut, his face ashen, and strode towards the He family's house.

Inside the house, Jia Dongxu was already huddled up in fear, his head bowed low, not uttering a word, just like an ostrich.

Seeing her son's cowardly behavior, Jia Zhangshi was so angry that she cried and cursed at him:

"Your dad hit me, and you didn't even try to stop him! I've raised you for nothing! You're such a useless piece of trash!"

"I...I dare not, I'm afraid Dad will beat me too..." Jia Dongxu's voice was barely audible.

"Why is my life so miserable—"

Jia Zhangshi plopped down on the ground, slapped her thighs, and began to wail loudly.

Old Jia was terrified the whole way. When he arrived at the He family's door, he took a deep breath before gently knocking.

Upon entering, one sees the old lady sitting upright in the main seat, her face somber and her presence commanding.

He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang stood to the side, their eyes not very friendly.

Old Jia panicked even more, and quickly bent over, speaking cautiously:

"Grandma, what can I do for you?"

The old lady didn't even lift her eyelids, her tone as cold as ice:

"Didn't your stupid wife tell you what she did today?"

With a pained expression, Old Jia answered truthfully, "No, that woman is very stubborn and insists that she didn't cause any trouble."

"Hmph!" The old lady slammed her hand on the table, her voice suddenly rising.

"She didn't cause any trouble? In front of everyone in the yard, she slandered my grandson as a thief and even tried to hit him!"

Tell me, how am I supposed to settle this with you?!