I don't know how much time had passed, but fatigue surged over Su Yu like a tide, her eyelids becoming heavier and her thoughts growing hazy.
Eventually, in a dazed moment, she unknowingly leaned against Jiang Ziling and drifted off to sleep.
Her even breathing sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet night like a long cradle song, soothing both of their weary souls.
The next morning, sunlight poured through the window grilles into the room, waking the sleeping Jiang Ziling.
He tilted his head slightly and felt a soft presence in his arms, thinking it was his daughter Xixi seeking fatherly affection, he subconsciously held her tight.
Jiang Ziling's heart suddenly cleared, realizing she must have gotten exhausted massaging him last night and ended up naturally in bed after falling asleep.
Looking at the sleeping Su Yu in his arms, her serene and beautiful face seemed even more peaceful in the morning light, prompting Jiang Ziling to reluctantly let go of this rare closeness.
Moments later, he carefully adjusted his position, trying not to disturb her, laid her gently down, and then meticulously covered her with the blanket, his movements as delicate as if handling a fragile piece of art.
As he was getting up, Jiang Ziling caught a glimpse of the satisfied smile at the corner of Su Yu's mouth, making ripples in his heart.
He quietly left to busy himself with boiling water and preparing breakfast, attempting to dispel the gloom of the previous night with the ordinariness of daily life.
However, the calm did not last long.
Suddenly, the shrill and piercing curses of Lady Zhao came from outside the door, "You little slut, get out here, I'll beat you to death..."
Along with the cursing, there were also loud banging noises on the door, shaking the entire cottage as if it were trembling. "Get out!"
Jiang Ziling clenched his teeth, yanked the door open, stepped aside, then quickly stepped out, firmly closing the door behind him, standing in front of Lady Zhao like a solid barrier.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Jiang Ziling asked coldly, his gaze piercing, not backing down.
Lady Zhao glared with round eyes, pointing at Jiang Ziling and cursing loudly, "Good for nothing rascal, you think you're something? It's all your fault, bringing that bastard home, causing Youfu to end up like this!"
"He's your own brother, how could you bear to conspire with outsiders to harm him?"
Lady Zhao's face twisted with rage, her wrinkles deepening as she brandished the broom like a weapon.
"I'll teach you a lesson!"
With a stern shout, Lady Zhao swung the broom, aiming a fierce blow at Jiang Ziling.
The strike's ferocity brought a whooshing sound as it barreled toward Jiang Ziling's face.
Jiang Ziling's eyes narrowed, bracing himself as he took the blow. Though the broom was swung forcefully, it couldn't move him in the slightest.
As Lady Zhao readied another swing of her broom, he decisively acted, swiftly grabbing her wrist and giving a firm push.
Lady Zhao lost her balance and fell to the ground, sitting in shock as she looked up at Jiang Ziling.
This son, whom she had berated for over twenty years, dared to lay a hand on her?
"You... you dared to push me?"
Lady Zhao was shocked beyond measure, but what swelled in her more was fury, "Even though I'm not your birth mother, I am still your father's wife, married to him in honorable wedlock. To treat me this way is unfilial! I'll report you to the Yamen and have you thrown into jail!"
She declared indignantly, her eyes flashing with resolute light.
Su Yu had long been woken up by the noise outside and hearing Jiang Ziling's response to Lady Zhao, she was completely dumbfounded.
Was this his idea of "I'll handle it"?
In those days, filial piety was paramount, and once someone was branded 'unfilial,' the stain could never be washed away for life.
She couldn't allow Jiang Ziling to suffer such an injustice for nothing. For the sake of their home, and for Jiang Ziling, she decided to take matters into her own hands to resolve the turmoil.
With momentum like a rainbow, Su Yu hesitated not a moment before pushing the door open, her aura of determination spreading instantly.
Her gaze blazing, she shouted, "Go to the Yamen? Very good! The night before last, your good-for-nothing son broke into my home armed with a sharp blade and nearly caused a disaster. I was just about to report this to the government myself so that they can capture him quickly, to prevent him from continuing his wicked ways and endangering the neighbors. Since that's the case, let us go together and witness justice be served!"
Her stride was firm as she walked directly towards the ashen-faced Lady Zhao, the corners of her mouth curving into a sinister, charming smile reminiscent of a hellish blossom blooming in the dark of night, utterly terrifying.
Seeing this, Lady Zhao's lips trembled violently with rage, her fingers stiffened with fury as she pointed at Su Yu and Jiang Ziling, struggling to contain the fury in her chest, she shrieked intermittently, "You... you both... you conspired against Youfu, tormenting him to within an inch of his life! You..."
"And what of it?"
Su Yu's eyes were sharp, as if piercing through the soul. She sneered dismissively, and without waiting for Lady Zhao to finish speaking, anticipated her reaction, swiftly sidestepping to avoid Lady Zhao's charge and deftly tripping her. Lady Zhao lost her balance and fell spectacularly, crying out in pain, completely disheveled.
Su Yu looked down from her vantage point at Lady Zhao collapsed on the ground, her tone indifferent and icy, "Yes, I did it on purpose. What can you do to me?"
Her blunt words were like a chill wind to the bone, turning Lady Zhao's raging fire into endless fear and despair.
Lady Zhao struggled to get up, but pain and fear mingled, rendering her speech incoherent, "You... how can you be so cruel!"
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Su Yu cut her off coldly, "I remember quite clearly, it was you who first suggested laying a hand on Jiang Youfu. Now that things have spiraled out of control, you dare accuse me? Blame yourself for your heartlessness and leaving no room for remorse. It is truly poetic justice that Jiang Youfu has a mother like you."
Upon hearing this, Lady Zhao felt as if she'd been struck by lightning, shock and anguish swirling in her widened eyes. Suddenly, as if coming to a realization, she fiercely lifted her head, staring at Su Yu, her voice trembling, "You... you deliberately plotted against us? How malicious you are!"
"Malicious?"
Su Yu's mouth curved up into a mocking cold smile, "This is just the tip of the iceberg."
She leaned down, close to Lady Zhao's ear, her voice chilling and low, "Your precious grandson, barely three months old, I'm afraid his life isn't as tough as your son's, now is it?"
At these words, Lady Zhao's complexion went deathly pale, horror and pleading flashing through her eyes, "You... you wouldn't dare?"
Su Yu stood up, lightly dusting her skirt, her demeanor indifferent as if none of what had just happened actually occurred, "What wouldn't I dare? Go ahead and try me."
Her words were calm yet resolute, like the icy depths of an abyss, striking dread into the heart.
At this moment, Su Yu's eyes were as fierce as Yama himself, her penetrating gaze sweeping across Jiang Xunzhong and Fang Qin, who were already scared witless, scarcely daring to breathe, frozen like statues.
Inwardly, Su Yu scoffed at them, these shrinking turtles who strutted around with borrowed authority, only to turn into mice at the first sign of trouble.