Chapter 983: Chapter 983: The Fan Family Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law

The courtyard was tense, like a bowstring stretched to its breaking point.

At a glance, Shu Yu saw a bench placed in the center of the courtyard. On it, Xiao Yun was struggling furiously but couldn’t resist the strength of two old women, who held her down firmly. Someone stood to the side holding two large paddles.

If Yuehua hadn’t arrived in time, those paddles would have already come crashing down.

Apart from this, there were two individuals who appeared to be masters standing in the courtyard.

The younger one was likely Ms. Mei, the Eldest Young Mistress of the Fan family. Beside her stood an older woman whose sharp gaze and hostile expression suggested she was Mrs. Fan, Ms. Yu.

Earlier, Shu Yu had heard from an old woman who came to report that Xiao Yun had a conflict with Ms. Mei.

But judging from the scene, Ms. Yu had also gotten involved.

Yuehua facing two opponents–one of whom was her senior as a mother-in-law–was at a clear disadvantage.

Sure enough, before Yuehua could say a word after storming into the courtyard, Ms. Yu had already rebuked her harshly, “What are you doing? Barging into your elder brother and sister-in-law’s courtyard without the slightest propriety–what kind of behavior is this?”

Ms. Yu’s presence forced Yuehua to suppress her urge to charge at Ms. Mei and tear into her.

Taking a deep breath, Yuehua addressed Ms. Yu, “Mother, it was wrong of me to storm in impulsively, but Sister-in-law detained my servant without even informing me. She was about to kill Xiao Yun without giving me any explanation–I couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Xiao Yun has been by my side since childhood. No matter what mistake she made, shouldn’t Sister-in-law consult me before taking action against her?”

Standing with Mrs. Fan by her side, Ms. Mei felt no pressure from Yuehua’s challenge. She sneered, “Consult you? You only know how to protect her. What would that achieve? Xiao Yun may have been with you since childhood, but now that you’ve married into the Fan family, she is a servant of the Fan household. As the Eldest Young Mistress of the Fan family, do I not have the right to discipline a maid?”

Ms. Yu nodded in agreement, “Your Sister-in-law is absolutely correct. Third daughter-in-law, you’ve been married into this family for half a year. Surely you don’t still think of yourself as an outsider and treat this maid like she’s your own kin?”

Yuehua was about to deny it immediately. Ms. Yu’s words were clearly an attack on her character, as if trying to pin an unwarranted accusation on her.

Yet if she were to deny it, she would have to concede that Xiao Yun was indeed a servant of the Fan household.

From the back, Shu Yu furrowed his brow slightly. Ms. Yu and Ms. Mei were clearly being unreasonable, relying solely on their seniority to force Yuehua into submission.

Thankfully, Yuehua wasn’t someone who grew up cloistered in the boudoir.

She quickly regained her composure. “Mother, regardless of the circumstances, there must always be a valid reason to punish servants, otherwise, how can anything be done fairly? What exactly did Xiao Yun do wrong for Sister-in-law to decide to kill her? I…”

However, before she could finish, Ms. Yu interrupted her loudly, “Third daughter-in-law, don’t try to change the subject. I’m asking you directly: Do you see yourself as part of the Fan family? Is your heart with the Fan family or not?”

Yuehua truly disliked this mother-in-law.

Shu Yu couldn’t help but laugh in frustration. Yuehua wanted to argue rationally, yet Ms. Yu only wanted to use her authority to oppress Yuehua and defend her eldest daughter-in-law at all costs, wasn’t that it?

“Third daughter-in-law, you still haven’t answered my question. Is this how you show respect to your elders?”

Yuehua cursed inwardly, feeling utterly exasperated. It was like a scholar encountering a soldier–you couldn’t reason with someone unwilling to listen. Damn it.

Just then, a familiar voice with a hint of amusement suddenly came from behind.

“Yuehua, I think your mother-in-law is right.”

Yuehua spun around abruptly, only to see Shu Yu standing behind her, remarkably siding with her mother-in-law.