Chapter 165: Taking Their Lives? Not That Easy!
Since many people were already working for Yu Haojie, Yu Zhengqing decided not to join in. Instead, he planned to dig a small reservoir at home with his family to collect rainwater for watering their vegetable patch.
However, when he heard the news that Yu Meiyao had brought back, his expression changed instantly.
He immediately took the sword hanging on the stone wall and was about to rush out when Old Madam Chen blocked his way.
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
Old Madam Chen glared at her son, eyes filled with frustration and anger.
“Hah, our father is at it again, bending over backward for people who don’t care about him,” Yu Yingying’s voice rang out lazily from inside the cave, full of sarcasm.
Yu Zhengqing’s face darkened.
Ever since Yu Yingying lost a leg, the whole family had doted on her, indulging her every whim. Even he had tolerated her bad temper.
So even though she was mocking him now, he didn’t react—he simply pushed his mother gently aside and turned to his two stunned sons.
“Those people might have bad intentions. Haojie isn’t home, and I’m afraid they’ll try to harm Xiao Luo and Lady Ye.”
Then, he shot a stern glance at his two motionless sons. “Why are you still standing there? Get your weapons!”
Hearing this, before Old Lady Chen could even start scolding, Chang Huilan was the first to object.
“They brought this upon themselves. If they want to be so flashy, they’d better learn to handle the consequences. Husband, I say let them deal with it! Ever since the second branch started making a spectacle of themselves, selling goods to everyone, I knew trouble would come knocking sooner or later. And now, it’s happening.”
As she spoke, Chang Huilan had already moved forward to block the cave entrance. Her eyes flashed with disdain—her hatred for Ye Jiamei had only deepened.
Especially after learning that Ye Jiamei had put up a sign for a medical clinic. Seeing her own daughter’s crippled body only fueled her resentment.
And now, they expected her husband and sons to protect those people? Not a chance!
“Lady Chang is right. That bastard Yu Haojie is just trying to steal your thunder. Why are you still running after him? Stop embarrassing yourself, my good son!”
Old Madam Chen, who no longer dared to be as domineering as before, had learned to be more manipulative. She even added a rare “good son” at the end of her sentence, hoping to persuade him.
Yu Zhengqing listened to their words, his expression unreadable. His tightly pressed lips showed no signs of wavering, but his silence left his stance unclear.
Seeing this, Yu Meiyao quickly chimed in.
“Father, I think Grandmother and Mother are right. They’re showing off by clearing such a massive area—over a hundred acres! Sooner or later, they’ll attract the attention of other forces in the wilderness. If they can’t even handle a dozen men from the stone houses, how will they deal with the real threats out there?”
She walked up to him, looking obedient and sweet as she gently persuaded him.
Chang Huilan and Old Madam Chen’s words hadn’t swayed Yu Zhengqing, but Yu Meiyao’s reasoning made him hesitate.
Yes… If he didn’t let them suffer a little, who knew how much more trouble his brother would stir up?
If he attracted bigger enemies, then they’d all be in real danger.
Yu Zhengqing’s furrowed brows slowly relaxed. He put his sword down and tossed it to Chang Huilan before picking up a hoe and turning to his two sons.
“Let’s dig the reservoir.”
Seeing his decision, the women inside the cave subtly exchanged knowing glances, their lips curling into satisfied smirks.
Yu Xiaoran and his younger brother obediently picked up their tools and followed their father out. Even seven-year-old Yu Xiaoyun didn’t want to be left behind and scampered after them.
“Heh, Meiyao is the clever one. If your father ever starts siding with those bastards again, just use this trick,” Old Madam Chen said, her wrinkled eyes glinting with a scheming light.
Chang Huilan didn’t say a word, but she put down the basket she was about to take outside and turned back.
Just as she reached the entrance, Old Madam Chen called her back.
“A mere concubine hasn’t moved, and you, the wife, are going out to work? I say let those men do all the digging. Make them so exhausted they pass out the moment they get back—that way, they won’t have the energy to meddle in that bastard’s affairs.”
Yu Meiyao leaned back against the stone wall, her lips curling into a sinister smile. “Grandmother, I think we should just kill that whole family of bastards. Then, all their supplies will be ours.”
Lady Lan, who was tidying up in the background, froze for a split second at those words. But she quickly composed herself and continued working as if she hadn’t heard a thing.
Yu Yingying’s words made Old Madam Chen slap her thigh in excitement. Her wrinkled face lit up with greed.
“That’s a brilliant idea! If we take their grain, vegetables, medicine, and that wretched Yu Luo’s silver notes, we won’t have to worry about surviving in this godforsaken place!”
She openly displayed her avarice, already envisioning a future of comfort.
The cave might be rough, but as long as they had enough food and supplies, what else did they need? Besides, they still had Lady Lan and her daughter as servants—life was already as good as it could get.
“Yes, Grandmother, you don’t even know! That wretched girl’s family even has wooden beds inside their cave! Once they’re dead, we won’t just take their stuff—the cave itself will be ours. You won’t have to sleep on cold, hard ground anymore!”
Yu Meiyao’s eyes gleamed with envy as she recalled what she had seen outside Yu Luo’s cave.
She still couldn’t understand how Ye Jiamei’s family managed to smuggle in so many valuable items without anyone noticing.
Hearing this, Old Madam Chen’s smile faltered for a moment, then returned in full force. The thought of sleeping in a proper bed was too tempting.
“You’re such a thoughtful child, Meiyao. You’re absolutely right! Everything they own will be ours—including that cave!”
“Don’t get too excited yet. Yu Haojie’s family isn’t the same as before. Those crossbows they have rarely miss. Killing them won’t be easy. And if we really do kill them, my husband will definitely go into a rage.”
Chang Huilan’s voice was calm, but her words were a warning.
For a moment, the excitement in the cave dimmed slightly.
But Old Madam Chen’s eyes flickered with calculation. “Hmph! There’s always a way to deal with things. We just have to be careful about it.”
