Seeing Shen Xuanqing take two more steps forward, Lu Daxiang shrank back in fear, his last words trembling.
Little brother? Lu Gu wiped his tears, choking back a sob before finding his voice. "What little brother? He’s Lu Wen’s little brother, not mine. You and Du Hehua spoiled him rotten, letting him learn from her to pinch and hit me. Where were you back then?"
Lu Wu was indeed young, not even seven yet. As a son, Lu Daxiang doted on him, naturally indulging him. And because Du Hehua had given birth to a son, securing his lineage, Lu Daxiang treated her well too. Over time, swayed by her whispers, his favoritism shifted entirely to Lu Wen.
Lu Daxiang was momentarily speechless at the question. Finally, he sighed and said, "Xiao Wu’s just a child. He doesn’t know any better. You’re grown up now, why hold a grudge against him?"
Lu Gu’s tears fell again, his lips pressed tightly together. Struggling to steady his breath, he asked, "And when Du Hehua beat and cursed me, where were you then? Now you come asking me to feed you? What kind of logic is that?"
Seeing Lu Gu in tears, Shen Xuanqing’s patience ran out. Before Lu Daxiang could defend himself, Shen Xuanqing spotted the wooden door bolt by the gate, picked it up, and said coldly, "You shameless old fool. Your precious Lu Wen is living it up in town, eating well. If he’s so filial, even his leftovers would be enough for you. Now get lost."
"If you don’t leave, I’ll break your other leg."
Seeing him grab the door bolt, Lu Daxiang nearly collapsed in fear, his voice shrill: "Guzi, are you really going to let him hit your dad?"
"You unfilial bastard, standing by while your father gets beaten!" Suddenly, a figure emerged from behind a large tree on the side path - Du Hehua. Disgusted that Lu Daxiang hadn’t gotten anything and full of contempt for Lu Gu, she screeched, "No wonder you’re a bastard, you don't even care about your own father!"
"Lu Daxiang, I told you long ago, this son was a waste of over a decade of food and money! An ungrateful white eyed wolf, turning his back on us the moment he got ahead. How noble!"
Shen Yaoqing, who had just stepped out, heard her cursing and shouted, "What kind of shrew dares spew filth here?"
Furious, Shen Xuanqing commanded Dahui: "Bite!"
Dahui immediately lunged forward, baring his fangs and sinking them into Lu Daxiang’s calf. As the lead dog, his aggression spurred the other dogs to snarl and charge.
"Ah—!" Du Hehua screamed as the black dog rushed at her, fleeing in panic. Lu Daxiang howled in pain, and soon the cacophony of barks and shouts drew villagers over.
Shen Yaoqing sneered. "Your beloved Lu Wen climbed the social ladder by seducing the wealthy, doing unspeakable things. They say people envy what they lack, you can’t stand Guzi’s decency, so you try to dirty him with your words."
Lu Gu had only ever seen the dogs hunt animals. Seeing them bite people was far more brutal, so he tugged at Shen Xuanqing’s sleeve anxiously.
Understanding without words, Shen Xuanqing whistled, and the four big dogs released their holds but continued baring their teeth, still looking vicious.
Du Hehua, nearly scared out of her wits, could no longer curse. Clutching her leg, she wailed on the ground. Lu Daxiang, surrounded by Dahui and Guaizi, sat frozen, sweat beading on his forehead like soybeans.
A few villagers stood on the side path, including Da Chen and his wife. Seeing the dogs had stopped biting, Dachen called out, "Daqing, what’s going on?"
Shen Yaoqing, quick-witted and unwilling to give anyone ammunition, replied loudly, "Nothing much. Just caught two rabbit thieves. Good thing we have dogs, caught them red-handed."
Lu Gu was stunned for a moment before realizing how clever this excuse was. Otherwise, Du Hehua would’ve surely framed them.
Dachen immediately played along, exclaiming, "How outrageous! Thieves bold enough to strike in broad daylight! Quick, drag them to the magistrate, with so many witnesses, the judge won’t go easy on them!"
Hearing herself labeled a thief, Du Hehua panicked: "Nonsense! We’re not thieves, we came to see someone!"
"You shrew, who are you here to see? Our families have no ties. Admit it, you came to steal!" Shen Yaoqing retorted coldly.
Sensing the situation turning against them, Lu Daxiang cursed at Du Hehua: "Shut your damn mouth and help me up!"
"Dahui, Guaizi." Lu Gu stepped out of the gate, hesitating briefly before calling the dogs back.
Hunting dogs usually only obeyed Shen Xuanqing when attacking prey, but at Lu Gu’s call, they hesitated. Seeing this, Shen Xuanqing whistled, signaling them to return.
Only then did Du Hehua dare approach to help Lu Daxiang up.
Lu Gu looked at them, his expression still grim, his voice slightly nasal. "You sold me off - a death contract, no less. Now I have no father, no stepmother. I severed all ties with your Lu family long ago."
Some things were better ended cleanly.
Having said that, he turned to Shen Xuanqing, unsure how to handle the two intruders.
Shen Xuanqing understood and whispered, "Don’t worry, we won’t actually take them to the authorities. Just a scare. Commoners have never had an easy time filing lawsuits. Without solid evidence, we could get in trouble too. Go inside. Brother and I will handle this and send them away."
Lu Gu hesitated but let Shen Xuanqing guide him back into the house, calling Guaizi to follow. He also scooped up the two puppies that had been "barking" at Lu Daxiang, lest they get trampled if a fight broke out.
Shen Xuanqing exchanged a glance with Da Chen, who caught on and tugged his wife’s sleeve, calling out to the nearby aunties and grannies: "Alright, show’s over! Dogs aren’t biting anymore. Oh, Granny, my mom wanted to borrow a shoe pattern from you yesterday, Xinrui can go with you to get it."
With no onlookers left on the side path and no neighbors interfering, Shen Xuanqing strode forward and blocked Lu Daxiang and Du Hehua’s escape.
His face hardened as he grabbed Lu Daxiang’s collar, dragging him toward the mud wall beside the house, the long door bolt still in his other hand.
The sight made Du Hehua immediately want to scream for help, but Shen Yaoqing, following close behind, threatened, "Scream, and I’ll break your leg too."
For all her shrewishness, Du Hehua was in Qingxi Village territory, just her and Lu Daxiang, with no backup. And since Shen Xuanqing had already broken Lu Daxiang’s leg once, she knew Shen Yaoqing’s threat was real. She didn’t dare make a sound.
Lu Daxiang, shorter than the unusually tall and strong Shen Xuanqing, trembled as he was dragged into the shadows by his collar.
Once they stopped, Shen Yaoqing, bringing up the rear, said coldly, "We let you off before, but since you came asking for trouble today—thieves get their hands chopped off in court."
Du Hehua wanted to argue, but the situation was dire. Her eyes darted around nervously, full of fear and wariness.
Shen Xuanqing said nothing, releasing Lu Daxiang’s collar.
Then—
A heavy fist slammed into Lu Daxiang’s stomach, doubling him over in pain. Another punch sent his head snapping to the side, blood and saliva spraying as a tooth flew out.
Despite his pitiful state, Shen Xuanqing’s expression remained icy. "Talk, why are you here?"
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