C8 Beauty

"Since you're aware of your limitations, you should just quietly work the fields from now on. Don't entertain any inappropriate ambitions, or don't blame me if I disown you as my son!" Old Madam Han scolded. "And to think you'd bully Laoliu's Wife? You've got some nerve!"

"Mother, I understand. It won't happen again," Han Laosan mumbled, his pride wounded by his mother's harsh words, unable to lift his head.

Old Madam Han, observing her third son's dejected state, felt no satisfaction. She knew that once certain thoughts took root, even if suppressed momentarily, they would eventually resurface, changed.

Ann Yan, unaware of Old Madam Han's inner turmoil, was impressed by how she had quelled Han Laosan's defiance. She gazed at her mother-in-law with admiration, wishing she could exclaim, "Grandma is invincible!" if only the situation allowed.

"Why are you staring at me? I'll make this clear: what I said to Laosan applies to all of you. If anyone has objections, speak up now. Cause any trouble later, and don't blame me for turning my back on you!"

"Mother, you have our word, we won't cause trouble. We're living peacefully now, all thanks to Sixth Brother. We haven't forgotten his generosity and wouldn't dare harbor any forbidden thoughts. That would be lower than low," Han Laoda declared, echoing his inner conviction. As the eldest, he should have been the one to serve in the military, but it was his youngest brother who had taken on that duty, leaving Han Laoda with a lingering sense of guilt.

Especially since the trouble caused by Laoliu's Wife could largely be traced back to her husband's military service, Han Laoda felt an even deeper remorse. His mother had recently spent twenty silver taels to find a new wife for Laoliu, and although Han Laoda had the least objections, he was still skeptical. It wasn't the money that bothered him, but the hasty decision based solely on the woman's looks. And indeed, Laoliu's Wife had proven to be quite the handful since joining the family, though there seemed to be signs of improvement.

"Big brother, what kind of talk is that? Is Laosan not your brother just like Laoliu is?" Liao Xiaofang complained, clearly upset.

Han Laoda was already frustrated and disappointed with Laosan's attitude, and now Laosan's wife was speaking out, yet Laosan himself remained silent, confirming Han Laoda's suspicion that Laosan shared his wife's sentiments. Laosan was certainly not the type to rein in his wife's words, a clear sign that his priorities had shifted.

Han Laoda gave Liao Xiaofang a cold look but chose not to stoop to her level. Turning his attention to Han Laosan, he said sternly, "Hmph, let no one be accused of ingratitude without expecting me to forget our brotherly bonds!"

Liao Xiaofang, still defiant, was about to retort when Han Laosan pulled her back, silencing her protest.

To Ann Yan's surprise, Laosi and his wife, typically the instigators, remained silent throughout the entire exchange.

"Our eldest brother is right. We're still in debt to our gratitude towards Sixth Brother. It would be despicable to harbor any ill will," they agreed.

Han Laosi and Zhao Xiaomei were united in this sentiment. Despite their dislike for Ann Yan, they were genuinely thankful to Sixth Brother and eager to curry favor with him now that he was successful.

"Big Brother and Laosi have hit the nail on the head," chimed in Han Lao'er. "I won't stand for any wrongs against Sixth Brother. Mother, please don't make such embarrassing remarks in the future." He quickly made his stance clear.

"Good. As long as you all remember what you've said today," Old Madam Han responded, content with the outcome. She was aware that Laosi and his wife might not be entirely sincere, their motives likely mixed with self-interest. But she got the commitment she wanted.

With all the families taking a stand, the third brother and his wife, already subdued by the old lady's earlier reprimand, had nothing more to add.

Han Rui and his sister had been anxious, not anticipating such a turn of events. They knew their stepmother was formidable, often outmaneuvering their aunts who would take out their frustrations on them. Unlike their birth mother, they had no emotional bond with their stepmother, but they also didn't dislike her. This incident, however, had them looking at Ann Yan with newfound respect and admiration.

Ann Yan sensed their change in attitude and felt a twinge of pride. She had always been fond of children, particularly well-behaved and sensible ones like Han Rui and his sister. Given the chance, she was more than willing to foster a good relationship with these two children who had come into her life unexpectedly.

Old Madam Han paid little attention to Han Rui and his sister, showing no concern for their opinions. However, she was quite attentive to her daughter-in-law, Ann Yan. Ann Yan's recent actions not only failed to displease the old lady but actually earned her admiration.

This was no ordinary matriarch. As a widow who had raised several sons without anyone daring to cross her, Old Madam Han was renowned for her fiery temperament. Had she shown any sign of weakness, her family's estate would have been devoured long ago. It was clear that she favored those with a strong spirit.

Particularly in Ann Yan's case, with her husband, the sixth brother, often away at the military camp, it was crucial for her to be self-reliant. Ann Yan had never been one to be taken advantage of, and rather than settling for a quiet life, she stirred things up. This new side of Ann Yan pleased the old lady even more.

When Ann Yan shared two of her potato pancakes with Han Rui and his sister, Old Madam Han, worried her precious daughter-in-law might go hungry, quickly added the extra three pancakes to Ann Yan's bowl.

"Laoliu's Wife, with Old Liu away so often, you've had it tough. Eat up. As long as you're content and live well with the sixth brother, anyone who dares to trouble you will have to answer to me—I'll cut them down!" Old Madam Han declared with authority. Now that everyone had made their stance clear, she saw no better time to assert her dominance over the other daughters-in-law.

"Thank you, Mother," Ann Yan replied, unabashedly enjoying her potato pancakes.

"There's no need for thanks. Just keep living well with Old Six—that's all I ask," the old lady retorted. She then cast a stern glance at the third and fourth brothers' wives, who were visibly discontent. "Don't you dare feel resentful. Don't think just because it's Old Sixth, you have to defer to his wife. What if I am biased? Laoliu's Wife is beautiful, and that's that! I've always had a soft spot for beauty. If you want to be favored, then make an effort to be more pleasing to the eye. Complaining about my partiality while lacking in looks yourselves is just ridiculous. I'm tired of your constant grievances!"

Hearing Old Madam Han's blunt words, Ann Yan nearly choked on her laughter. Her mother-in-law certainly had unique tastes. A sudden thought crossed her mind: "I've won over my mother-in-law with my beauty."