Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Everyone is Here
Grandpa Xia flew into a rage, and only then did the door of the third branch creak open slowly. Third Uncle Xia and Third Aunt Xia appeared, heads bowed as usual, without any expression and moved at a snail’s pace.
Xia Lan bit her lip as she followed behind them. The young ones, Xia Zhu and Xia Ju, peeked into the courtyard, got frightened by the sight, and immediately retreated.
“Grandpa, Grandma…” Knowing she couldn’t rely on her own parents, Xia Lan intended to move toward the main house but was met with a fierce glare from Aunt Xia, stopping her in her tracks.
“Look, Chuyi’s uncle, everyone is here now, so why don’t we go inside…” As soon as the people from the third branch arrived, Grandpa Xia hurriedly suggested to Uncle Xia.
“No need,” Uncle Xia gestured with his hand. “We’ll talk right here.”
“I, Zhao Minglang, act with integrity and sit with dignity. There is nothing that cannot be spoken of under the bright sun!” Uncle Xia said powerfully.
Grandpa Xia clenched his teeth. Uncle Xia remained unaffected, and Grandpa Xia ultimately had no choice but to concede, saying, “Well then, her uncle, speak your mind. We’re all family here; everything can be discussed and negotiated.”
This was hinting to Uncle Xia that, being relatives, he shouldn’t go too far.
Uncle Xia didn’t even glance at Grandpa Xia as he began to speak slowly without hurry.
“Now that all the relevant parties are here, I have a few questions to ask everyone present.”
Uncle Xia’s eyes were ablaze as he spoke each word deliberately.
“First of all, I would like to ask Mr. He, what is the reasoning behind the He Family calling off my niece Xia Chuyi’s engagement and instead choosing Xia Lan?”
“Mr. Xia, Grandmother-in-law, what is the reasoning for you to have Chuyi pretend as though this engagement never existed?”
“And you, Eldest Xia, your daughter comes to the second branch, bullying Chuyi, demanding Chuyi find her a job, what is the reasoning behind this?”
With three questions asked in a stern tone, the Xia and He families looked at each other, at a loss for words.
No one answered for a long time, so Uncle Xia first turned his gaze to Mr. He.
Mr. He dared not speak, so Mother Xia answered in a submissive tone, “This matter, this matter is not my family’s fault; you ask Xia Lan…”
“Ha!” Uncle Xia scoffed, “You are right. So then, Xia Laosan, what’s the matter with your daughter usurping someone else’s marriage?”
Being called out, Third Uncle Xia shrank his shoulders slightly, lifted his eyelids, and with his head bowed, said, “My daughter’s affairs, I don’t manage them; you ask her yourself, don’t ask me.”
“Dad!” Xia Lan cried out, eyes red.
Third Uncle Xia and his wife hung their heads, indifferent.
“If children are untaught, it’s the father’s fault. Xia Lan and Xia Mei lack manners; naturally, I turn to those of you who are parents,” Uncle Xia declared coldly.
“When have I ever lacked manners?” Xia Mei, accustomed to being brash at home, countered boldly with the presence of the leading household.
“Shut up, I didn’t ask you! You interrupt your elders so casually; is this your upbringing?” Uncle Xia reprimanded Xia Mei sharply.
“All of you in-laws, give me an explanation. Bullying a mother and her daughter while I’m away, what exactly are you after?”
Uncle Xia directed all the issues to the adults.
After all, if it was just a dispute among the younger generation, his involvement wouldn’t be quite appropriate.
If it’s an issue with the elders, however, he has every right to question them.
“This matter, it’s a long story…” Since Xia Lan’s matter involved the reputation of the Xia family’s daughters, Grandpa Xia had no choice but to try and persuade Uncle Xia again, “So, why don’t we go back inside and discuss this slowly?”
“What, can none of you in-laws speak up?” Uncle Xia narrowed his eyes, “Then let me say it for you!”
“The He Family called off the engagement and switched to Xia Lan because He Qing had a questionable relationship with Xia Lan!”