“You… who are you?!” Xu Yaozong held a broom in his hand, trembling as he looked at her.
He had only come out to relieve himself, but when he turned his head, he saw a ghost-like figure in the darkness.
In the Xu family, aside from the original host’s biological father, Xu Lao’er, who had only one daughter, Xu Lao Da and Xu Lao San each had a son—Xu Yaozong and Xu Yaozu.
Among them, Xu Yaozong, as the eldest grandson, was the old lady Xu’s favorite. She often gave him extra food in private.
So Xu Yaozong was the fattest in the Xu family.
Ever since the original host returned to the Xu family, she had been bullied by him many times.
Even the idea of selling her off was first proposed by him.
A person like this was nothing but a disaster if left alive.
With a swift movement, Shen Qingge appeared behind Xu Yaozong. Before he could react, he was already knocked unconscious and taken away.
Only after reaching the mountaintop did she wake him up.
At this moment, Xu Yaozong finally saw her face clearly.
When he recognized Shen Qingge, his trembling legs immediately steadied.
“You damn girl, useless trash, little bitch—you scared the hell out of me! Don’t think that just because you’re married, your life will get better. You’ll always be my dog, serving me for the rest of your life—”
Xu Yaozong’s expression was exactly like Old Madam Xu’s—clearly the result of long exposure.
Just as Xu Yaozong raised his hand, Shen Qingge’s fist struck first.
“Ugh—!” Xu Yaozong was sent flying three meters away.
During the beating that followed, his voice grew weaker and weaker. His insults turned into pleas for mercy.
“I didn’t do those things! It was Grandma’s idea! Go hit her, not me…”
“I was wrong, Great Aunt… you’re my Great Aunt! Please let me go, I’ll never dare again…”
After a quarter of an hour, when Shen Qingge stopped, Xu Yaozong was bruised and swollen all over.
“I… I really won’t dare again…”
(“Spare me, I truly won’t dare again.”)
Shen Qingge rubbed her aching wrist. This body was far too weak—after just a bit of activity, she was already exhausted. She would need to train harder in the future.
“Spare you?”
“Too late.”
Shen Qingge kicked him unconscious again, then took out two long needles from her space and inserted them completely into the top of Xu Yaozong’s head.
With the needles in—he would be mentally impaired for life.
With the needles removed—he would die instantly.
After cleaning up the traces on the ground, Shen Qingge headed toward the Liu family.
As soon as she left, a man dressed in black arrived shortly after.
After checking Xu Yaozong’s condition, he couldn’t help but shiver.
The general’s wife was truly ruthless.
He even began to worry about the general’s future life—though at the same time, he felt a bit excited to see his general being strictly controlled by his wife.
…
At the Xu family.
They didn’t realize Xu Yaozong was missing until the next morning.
The family sat at the table eating wild vegetable buns. Halfway through, Old Madam Xu suddenly realized her precious eldest grandson wasn’t there.
“Lao’er, go call my grandson to eat.”
Xu Lao’er and his wife Zhang didn’t sit at the table—they could only squat by the door with their bowls.
Hearing his mother, Xu Lao’er didn’t dare delay. He put down his bowl and immediately went to Xu Yaozong’s room.
When he didn’t find him, his heart skipped a beat. He searched every room, even the woodshed where he and Zhang lived.
“Mother, Yaozong is missing!”
“What did you say?!” Old Madam Xu stuffed the bun into her mouth and rushed over angrily.
“You can’t even find one person? If anything happens to my grandson, you and that useless wife of yours who can’t even bear a son can get out!”
Xu Lao Da and Xu Lao San echoed her words.
They all pushed the blame onto Xu Lao’er, who lowered his head and accepted it without resistance.
Being the middle child, he had always been ignored. He was used to it—even believed it was his responsibility.
After all, among the three brothers, he was the only one without a son.
In his later years, he would have to rely on his brothers and nephews—so it was only right for him to serve them now.
The entire Xu family searched the village multiple times.
Not only did they fail to find Xu Yaozong, but Old Madam Xu also discovered that a large bag of rice hidden under her bed was missing.
To her, this was like the sky collapsing.
After crying and wailing, she put aside her grief and continued searching for her grandson.
Finally, a hunter from the village found Xu Yaozong in the mountains and carried him back.
Xu Lao Da’s wife cried loudly upon seeing her unconscious son.
“My son! What happened to you? Don’t scare your mother!”
“My poor grandson! Which heartless person did this to you…”
Old Madam Xu trembled as she cried.
The hunter couldn’t stand it anymore and reminded them kindly, “He’s still breathing. Stop crying and quickly get a doctor.”
“I’ll go!” Xu Lao’er reacted first and ran out.
Fortunately, there was a village doctor nearby.
After checking Xu Yaozong’s pulse, the doctor shook his head regretfully.
“His injuries are serious but not fatal.”
“The worst part is his head injury. Even if he wakes up, his mind won’t recover.”
“What do you mean his mind won’t recover?” Old Madam Xu grabbed the doctor’s clothes, refusing to let go.
“You must cure him, or you can’t leave!”
“Yes! My son will become a scholar one day—he can’t become a fool!”
The doctor repeatedly explained it was impossible, but the Xu family refused to listen.
Helpless, the doctor asked the hunter to fetch the village chief.
But the Xu family tried to stop the hunter too, accusing him of causing the injury.
The hunter was stunned—he had done a good deed, only to be blamed.
Furious, he punched Xu Lao Da several meters away and left to get the village chief.