The Crazy Son-In-Law

The sun was warm, and the air was filled with the scent of spring. When Yao Cen’s family arrived at the ancestral home, more than ten cars were already parked in front of the gate.

Liu Yunxiang walked with her head held high, like a proud rooster, her high heels clicking against the ground as she crossed the high threshold. The sound seemed to cheer for her return to the Yao family. As they entered the courtyard, they could hear a lively discussion among the younger members of the Yao family in the main hall. When they saw Yao Cen’s family approaching, they stopped talking and looked at them.

The scene was quite different from what Liu Yunxiang had imagined. Even if there was no grand welcome, she expected a more formal atmosphere, which left her feeling a little disappointed. The looks on the faces of the Yao family members were strange, a mix of anticipation and… pity?

Yao Han, Li Chunlian, and others showed no signs of frustration after their defeat, instead looking at them with contempt. Yao Cen and his family entered the main hall, greeted Yao Zhenshu, and then Yao Zhenshu stood up expressionlessly and said, “Let’s go to the ancestral hall.”

Without further ado, Yao Zhenshu led the way out, followed closely by Yao Cen’s family. Returning to the family tree was an important event in the family, so they didn’t think much of it. Only Liu Yunxiang secretly sighed, “I almost thought we are dealing some royal family. It’s just a few words, why make such a fuss?”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

The Yao ancestral hall was an ancient building located on the west wing, separated from the front courtyard by a wall. On special occasions, the Yao family members would come here to offer incense and worship.

“Kneel down,” Yao Zhenshu ordered after lighting incense and standing to one side with a solemn expression. He addressed Yao Jianguo’s family.

The usual cotton mats for kneeling were missing today, but it wasn’t the time to ask about it. The three of them knelt down.

“Yao Jianguo, as the head of the family, your words should represent Liu Yunxiang and Yao Cen, right?” Yao Zhenshu asked. The three of them looked at each other, and Liu Yunxiang and Yao Cen remained silent, tacitly agreeing.

Yao Jianguo nodded, “Yes.”

“In that case, swear in front of our ancestors and the entire Yao family that you will never betray the Yao family or do anything to harm its interests,” Yao Zhenshu said with authority.

Yao Jianguo was confident he could fulfill this promise. Facing the ancestral tablets, he swore solemnly and sincerely, “I, Yao Jianguo, , swear to our ancestors that I will never betray the Yao family or harm its interests. If I break this oath…”

After the oath, Yao Zhenshu said briefly, “Alright, I announce that from now on, Yao Jianguo’s family is back in the Yao family line. Bow your heads.”

Yao Jianguo and his family bowed as instructed. After finishing, Liu Yunxiang, who didn’t find the expected sense of superiority and was dissatisfied with the tedious process, was eager to get up.

“Kneel down! I haven’t finished speaking yet! Who told you to get up?!” Yao Zhenshu scolded, his voice suddenly louder than before.

Startled, Liu Yunxiang instinctively knelt back down, and Yao Jianguo and Yao Cen shuddered as well.

“Just as unruly as before,” Li Chunlian muttered disdainfully, looking at Liu Yunxiang.

“Yao Jianguo, you have indulged your wife and daughter. They defied us, humiliated the family head, stole the formula of the Yao family, and violated our family rules. Your crimes are unforgivable. According to the family rules, you will receive thirty lashes. Do you have anything to say?” Yao Zhenshu said sternly.

Yao Jianguo looked at Yao Zhenshu, puzzled, thinking he had misheard, “Uncle Zhenshu, what… what are you talking about?”

“Is he acting? Has he forgotten how Yao Cen angered Uncle Zhenshu. He was even sent to hospitalized. And he forgot how his wife even dared to demand Uncle Zhenshu personally apologize? Isn’t that humiliating the family head?” Li Chunlian asked loudly.

“Hah, it turns out this is a trap. Stand up, what are you kneeling for!” Liu Yunxiang pulled Yao Jianguo and Yao Cen to their feet, her face flushed with anger.

“Liu Yunxiang and Yao Cen, as women of the Yao family, you have repeatedly disrespected the family. They shall receive twenty slaps!” Yao Zhenshu continued to announce righteously.

As soon as his words fell, there was a slap sound. Li Chunlian had quickly stepped forward and slapped Liu Yunxiang in the face.

Liu Yunxiang, unprepared for the sudden attack, stumbled and nearly fell, covering her face and glaring fiercely, “How dare you hit me?”

Slap!

Li Chunlian slapped her again, “Didn’t you hear Uncle Zhenshu’s words? Twenty slaps! Why wouldn’t I dare?”

Liu Yunxiang was not one to be easily bullied. She immediately charged at Li Chunlian, and the two began to fight. The scene instantly descended into chaos. Several women from the Yao family quickly stepped forward and, without any pretense, grabbed Liu Yunxiang and pinned her to the ground.

For the Yao family members, the formula was now in Yao Zhenshu’s hands, and following him would bring enormous benefits, so they naturally knew which side to take.

“Let go of my mom! What are you doing?! Get away!”

“Grandpa Zhenshu, please do something!”

Yao Cen tried to pull people away while shouting with all her might, but she was quickly overpowered and pinned to the ground as well.

At the same time, several men from the Yao family had also pinned Yao Jianguo to the ground. His face was red with rage, and for once, he yelled out loud, “Uncle Zhenshu! Tell them to stop! If my wife and daughter have done something wrong, let me bear the responsibility alone!”

“They are adults and don’t need you to bear it!” Yao Zhenshu said coldly, “Let the family rules be served!”

“Sorry, Uncle Jianguo.” Yao Han, holding a whip, walked over to Yao Jianguo with a sinister smile.

He then shouted at the people holding Yao Jianguo, “Tie him up!”

Soon, Yao Jianguo was stripped of his outer clothing, leaving only a shirt on his upper body, and was tied to a wooden post nearby.

Slap!

Yao Han showed no mercy, whipping Yao Jianguo. Yao Jianguo grunted in pain, feeling as if a knife had been slashed across his body. His neck veins bulged, and he gritted his teeth.

He was a “scholar,” and had never experienced such pain.

“Dad!”

“Yao Han, stop it!”

Yao Cen’s hair was disheveled, her face covered in dirt as she struggled on the ground, screaming helplessly.

She never imagined that they would face such a fate. Although she had complaints about Yao Zhenshu’s unfair treatment, she never thought he could be so despicable and ruthless. If she had held any hope for the Yao family before, it was now completely gone. Was this the so-called blood connection of family?

She could hardly believe it.

“Yao Zhenshu! What on earth do you want?” Yao Cen stared at Yao Zhenshu with a penetrating gaze, her heart-wrenching question ringing out.