CHAPTER 223: CHAPTER 223: FORMER FIANCÉE

Don’t be fooled by Sun Manzhi’s small size; his grip is surprisingly strong. Mrs. Duan’s hand was instantly reddened by his slap.

"My cousins went out to fetch water and haven’t returned yet. These buns are reserved for them.

Besides, didn’t you eat the meat buns earlier? Why are you snatching our family’s buns now?"

Since arriving in Lu State, water hasn’t been scarce, but food is incredibly expensive. They can only fill their bellies with rice soup daily. However, it’s different for Mrs. Duan and Ning Chuyu; their carriage is full of food. In addition to buns, there are various pastries. Sometimes, Mrs. Duan leisurely drives the carriage while munching on sunflower seeds.

It’s truly exasperating to compare oneself with others.

Back then, when rescuing Ning Chuyu and her mother, the Sun family had several men injured by bandits’ knives. After driving the bandits away, they even helped bury Ning Baoku, so it’s not an exaggeration to call them lifesavers, right?

But look at how they’re treating their saviors!

Not only are they stingy, but they’re also infuriating.

They want to follow us, seek our protection for the mother and daughter, yet they don’t contribute at all. Are all the benefits for them?

We drink thin gruel while they eat solid food; we walk while they ride in a carriage.

The more Sun Manzhi thinks about it, the angrier he gets.

It’s not just Sun Manzhi who resents Mrs. Duan and Ning Chuyu; all the Suns share this sentiment.

If it weren’t for Su Jingchen, they wouldn’t have allowed them to follow long ago.

Sun Daji’s wife is displeased, "Oh, you... While you eat buns and pastries, you never share with us. How could you have the nerve to ask for our buns?

You should be grateful we’re letting you follow us. Keep this up, and you won’t be coming with us; let you and your daughter fend for yourselves."

"Who said we’re following you? We’re following Brother Jingchen. Don’t you know I was originally his fiancée?" Ning Chuyu, unable to sit still seeing her mother being bullied, steps into the ruined temple, shouting at Sun Daji’s wife.

Sun Daji’s wife puts her hands on her hips, "If you were originally his fiancée, stop mentioning it. As a girl, how can you be so shameless?

Su Scholar told us it’s unrelated to the old engagement and that he’s only letting you follow out of pity.

If it weren’t for Su Scholar, I’d have dealt with you and your mother long ago."

Ever since the mother and daughter started following them, Sun Daji’s wife has been angry with them.

It’s also because of their thick skin. Back in Qing City, when they finally found a cave at nighttime, even though there were dozens of Sun family members, they had to give the best spots inside to the mother and daughter.

And that would’ve been fine, but at midnight, Mrs. Duan kicked her in the face. How could she not be angry?

Mrs. Duan claimed it wasn’t intentional, but Sun Daji’s wife didn’t believe it. They were sleeping head to head, so how could her foot end up on her face? Was she sleeping or practicing acrobatics?

After a heated argument, by morning, Mrs. Duan claimed her dry rations in the carriage were stolen, pointing fingers at the Suns and accusing them.

Calling them muddy legs and starving ghosts reincarnated—the curses were truly unpleasant.

At that time, Sun Daji’s wife rolled up her sleeves, ready to lash out at Mrs. Duan, but was held back by others.

Then there was the time Mrs. Duan and her daughter spoke ill of Sun Manyu, overheard by Sun Daji’s wife, who retaliated verbally.

How dare you speak ill of Manyu? With four elder brothers above her, she’s the only daughter, cherished by the Sun family.

And your family? Just a daughter, without even a son—do you think you’re so special?

In fact, Sun Manyu isn’t particularly favored in Sun Fourth Master’s household, otherwise, he wouldn’t be arranging to sell her. But to provoke Mrs. Duan, Sun Daji’s wife spoke as hurtfully as possible. Could she reveal that Sun Manyu almost got sold? Impossible!

Thinking about their long, hungry walks while Mrs. Duan leisurely munches on sunflower seeds in her carriage, Sun Daji’s wife is incensed—how can there be such a disparity between people?

Sun Daji’s wife has suggested more than once that Mrs. Duan shouldn’t follow them, but Mrs. Duan stubbornly insists, claiming she’s following her Su Family nephew.

Sun Daji’s wife is driven to rage at Mrs. Duan’s audacity.

Without Su Scholar, they would struggle to move forward one step.

Throughout the journey, Su Scholar contributed both money and effort. He could’ve left them behind, but he didn’t.

Having received Su Scholar’s kindness, everyone advised Sun Daji’s wife to endure until reaching Lu State out of respect for Su Scholar.

Mrs. Duan shamelessly coming for buns reignited Sun Daji’s wife’s suppressed fury.

"Even if the engagement between the children is broken, the Ning Family and Su Family are still connected. The bond between my master and Su Master spans many years. What’s wrong with me eating two buns? If you won’t let me eat, I’ll eat them just to spite you!"

Mrs. Duan saw with her own eyes Su Jingchen returning with the buns.

Although Su Jingchen went with that short fellow to buy buns, given her knowledge of the Su Family lad, Su Jingchen likely paid for them.

Since Su Jingchen bought the buns, why shouldn’t she and her daughter eat them?

Saying this, Mrs. Duan reached again for the buns, but before bending halfway, her arm was grabbed.

Yu Xiaolian yanked Mrs. Duan’s arm, tossing her back forcefully and said coldly, "These are for my Fourth Uncle and Fifth Uncle. Who are you?"

Mrs. Duan staggered from Yu Xiaolian’s shove, nearly falling, but Ning Chuyu caught her from behind, preventing her from toppling.

"You..." Mrs. Duan opened her mouth to curse Yu Xiaolian but was pulled towards the temple exit by Ning Chuyu.

Mrs. Duan resisted, "Why are you dragging me? How dare this brat lay hands on me? Let go, I need to ask him..."

Ning Chuyu desperately pulled her mother, refusing to let go, "Mother, mother, just listen..."

How did her mother’s brain grow into such a shape?

With so many Sun family members, she dares to fight them. If things got physical, a spit from each Sun could drown them.

Didn’t she notice how the Suns moved when her mother charged forward?

Ning Chuyu sensed that if her mother truly clashed with this kid, the Sun family members would swarm over and beat them.

And she noticed Brother Jingchen’s expression had turned grim, clearly displeased. Ning Chuyu feared if her mother continued causing trouble, they could be abandoned.

She had no intention of going to Caozhou to seek the Ma Family; she wanted to stay with Brother Jingchen. If things got too tense, how could they continue following?

After Mrs. Duan and her daughter left, Yu Xiaolian asked Sun Daji’s wife what was going on, questioning why they’d traveled together.

Sun Daji’s wife explained through gritted teeth, recounting events while pulling Sun Daji over, insisting on showing Yu Xiaolian the scar on Sun Daji’s arm.

Thankfully, Sun Daji remained rational, firmly holding his sleeve down, shouting at his wife, "What are you doing? What do you think you’re doing?"

Though Xiaolian is cross-dressing, she’s not a genuine man, so how can everything be shown?

Sun Daji cast a sideways glance at his wife, wondering if Mrs. Duan had angered her into senselessness.