The old madam and Auntie Zhuang were both dumbfounded.
They stared at the baskets of things, their faces deathly pale while the temperature inside their heads soared.
In an instant, the old madam exploded.
"You little bitch, who are you cursing? Who the hell brings incense offerings when visiting her parents' home? That old Taoist was right about you. You're a walking death omen, born to bring your father ruin!"
"Exactly! Sister, tell me, how did such a fine man as my nephew end up with a daughter who has no sense of propriety? Just because she married above her station, she thinks she can act however she pleases in her parents' home. In my household, she'd get a proper family punishment!"
With the two of them singing in chorus, the old madam grew even more aggressive.
She roared at Steward Chen, "Bring out the instruments of family punishment! I'm going to teach this little beast a lesson today!"
Steward Chen dared not move. He lowered his head without looking at anyone's expression.
With a sharp crash, Jiang Mother snatched up a teacup and hurled it to the floor.
The old madam and Auntie Zhuang jumped in fright, clinging to each other as they trembled.
Jiang Mother said coldly, "My daughter is coming back to my home. She can bring whatever she likes! Who are you to wag your tongues?"
"You-you're my sister's daughter-in-law! Is this any way for a daughter-in-law to behave?"
Seeing her trembling like that, Jiang Mother found it amusing, and the corners of her lips rose despite herself.
"You live far away in the countryside, so perhaps you don't quite understand the rules in the Imperial Capital."
"Here, we don't obey our elders unconditionally. What matters is who has the strongest backing."
"And in this household,