Hearing the insults from her mother-in-law and husband, Li Xiu's grip on her daughter tightened.

Looking at the mean-spirited mother-in-law and indifferent husband before her, the grievances in her heart surged up instantly, her eyes reddening, tears welling up.

Over the years, she had worked tirelessly, serving them diligently, but all she received in return were endless beatings and scoldings.

When her own family faced trouble, and her younger sister was about to be taken away to pay off debts, she had begged her husband multiple times to lend some silver to save her family, but instead of help, she got more beatings and scoldings.

She had just survived a disaster at her family’s home, filled with joy over her brother's success, but upon returning to her in-laws, it was still endless mistreatment and humiliation.

Why?

Her brother was now a registered combat soldier of the Imperial Court, a hero guarding the border. She was the sister of a combat soldier, no longer a weak woman to be bullied at will.

In the past, she thought her brother had died on the battlefield, leaving her with no support, forcing her to endure in silence.

Now, with the news that her brother was not only alive but had become a combat soldier, she had a pillar to rely on and the courage to resist.

Li Xiu took a deep breath, straightened her previously hunched back, and her timid gaze became incredibly firm.

She raised her head, meeting the cold stares of her mother-in-law and husband, and spoke each word clearly.

"You don't need to treat me so harshly anymore! My brother, Li Xuancang, joined the army at the border two years ago. Now, he slays barbarians and fights demons, and has been registered as a regular army soldier of Great Yan."

Fearing her mother-in-law and husband wouldn't believe her, she recounted everything that happened in Green Creek Village.

"The county yamen's official personally came to Green Creek Village to deliver the good news. From now on, the Li Family is exempt from all taxes and corvée, fully protected by the government."

"Landlord Qian came to collect debts, but upon hearing my brother is a combat soldier, he was so frightened he knelt down and begged for mercy, canceling the debt and fleeing in panic."

Boom!

These words were like a thunderclap, instantly stunning Yang Cuihua and Zhang Erzhu.

The meanness and indifference on their faces froze instantly, their eyes filled with disbelief, as if they had heard the most incredible news.

"What... what did you say? That brother of yours, who was taken as cannon fodder, became... became a combat soldier of the Imperial Court?"

Yang Cuihua's voice trembled, her sharp tone vanished, her face full of shock.

Zhang Erzhu also widened his eyes, stepping forward, his tone urgent.

"Is what you said true? You're not lying to us?"

Li Xiu held her daughter, her tone firm and confident.

"Every word is true, spoken by the county yamen's official, and the whole village can testify."

This matter was well-known in Green Creek Village and would soon spread far and wide, impossible to fake.

In the next moment, the attitude of the Zhang family mother and son underwent a dramatic reversal.

The fierce look on Yang Cuihua's face disappeared, replaced by a fawning smile. She quickly stepped forward, reaching out to help Li Xiu hold the child.

Gone was any trace of her previous meanness, her tone now exceedingly polite.

"Oh dear! Xiuer, why didn't you tell us such great news earlier? I was just speaking casually before, don't take it to heart."

"Quick, come inside, come inside, it's windy outside, don't let my dear granddaughter catch a cold. You must be exhausted from running back all the way, I'll go boil some eggs and make you a meal."

Zhang Erzhu also shed his usual indifference, hurriedly stepping forward, carefully supporting Li Xiu, his face full of smiles, his tone ingratiating.

"Xiuer, I was wrong before, don't be angry."

"From now on, you don't have to do any housework, I'll take care of everything. You just rest well and take good care of our daughter."

"Your brother is a combat soldier of the Imperial Court, that's an honor for our entire family!"

"From now on, we're relatives, one family. With your brother around, our family can finally hold our heads high."

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The two of them surrounded Li Xiu, fussing over her, eager to please.

They were afraid of neglecting her, afraid of making her unhappy, a stark contrast to their earlier harsh words and cold stares.

Li Xiu looked at the two fawning faces before her, her heart a mix of emotions, with grievances, relief, and pride for her brother.

Her brother's hard-earned status not only protected her family but also gave her the backbone to stand up, so she no longer had to endure humiliation and bullying from her in-laws.

Li Xiu felt a sourness in her heart, tears welling up in her eyes, the feeling of having someone to rely on was truly wonderful.

"Xiuer! What's wrong with you? Please don't blame your mother!"

Seeing Li Xiu's tears fall, Yang Cuihua and Zhang Erzhu turned pale with fright.

If Li Xiu went to report them, accusing them of bullying the family of a combat soldier, they would be in serious trouble.

As the Zhang family mother and son were busy trying to please Li Xiu, a loud and unruly shout came from outside the courtyard gate.

"Mom, brother, I'm back, I'm starving, hurry and make Li Xiu cook for me."

Before the words were finished, a young girl in coarse floral clothes, with her hair in a bun, carrying a basket, barged in carelessly. It was Zhang Chunhua, the unmarried younger sister of the Zhang family.

She was usually spoiled and arrogant, never looking up to the timid and weak Li Xiu.

At home, she ordered people around, pushing all the dirty and tiring work onto Li Xiu, and would scold and beat her at the slightest displeasure, never showing her a kind face.

Usually, as soon as she entered the door, Li Xiu would immediately put down whatever she was doing and obediently go to the kitchen to start cooking, not daring to delay for a moment.

Zhang Chunhua didn't notice the strange atmosphere in the courtyard at all. As usual, she glanced at Li Xiu with disdain and waved her hand impatiently.

"Li Xiu, what are you standing there for? Didn't you hear me? Go cook, I want white bread and a boiled egg, hurry up."

As soon as these words fell, Yang Cuihua's face changed dramatically, and she exploded on the spot.

"Shut up! You dead girl, what nonsense are you spouting? Kneel down."

Zhang Erzhu's face also turned dark, stepping forward, glaring at Zhang Chunhua, raising his hand as if to slap her.

"How dare you speak to your sister-in-law like that? You're getting more and more unruly."

The two of them scolded sharply, their voices urgent and severe, scaring Zhang Chunhua into a daze on the spot.

"Plop!"

Zhang Chunhua was completely stunned, the basket in her hand falling to the ground, looking at her mother and brother in disbelief.

Since she was little, her mother and brother had always been indulgent with her, never scolding or beating her, not even speaking harshly.

Today, they were actually scolding her for the sake of Li Xiu, a sister-in-law who couldn't even bear a son.

"Mom, brother, are you crazy? You're scolding me for her?"

Zhang Chunhua felt both wronged and angry, her eyes instantly reddening.

Yang Cuihua ignored her grievances, quickly stepping forward, covering her mouth, afraid she would say anything else to offend Li Xiu, then turned with a smile to apologize to Li Xiu.

"Xiuer, don't take this ignorant girl's words to heart, it's my fault for spoiling her. I'll discipline her properly!"

After saying this, she pulled Zhang Chunhua aside, lowered her voice, and quickly explained everything about Li Xuancang becoming a registered combat soldier of the Imperial Court, the Li family being protected by the government, and Landlord Qian kneeling and begging for mercy.

"Your sister-in-law's brother is a registered border combat soldier of the Imperial Court."

"He's a hero who slays barbarians and fights demons."

"Our whole family has to respect and honor him. Anyone who dares to offend your sister-in-law is offending a combat soldier of the Imperial Court, and when the government comes, our entire Zhang family will be doomed."

Zhang Erzhu also added coldly from the side, "From now on at home, you're not allowed to order your sister-in-law around. All the laundry, cooking, feeding pigs, and sweeping are your responsibility."

"Your sister-in-law doesn't have to do any work from now on, just enjoy life. If you let her suffer even a little, I won't spare you."

Every word was filled with undeniable severity.

Zhang Chunhua stood there, completely dumbfounded.

The arrogance and haughtiness on her face vanished without a trace, replaced by fear and regret.

A combat soldier... Li Xiu's brother had actually become a high-ranking combat soldier of the Imperial Court?

She recalled all the trouble and abuse she had given Li Xiu in the past, trembling with fear, her face pale, her legs almost giving way beneath her.

If she caused trouble for the combat soldier and implicated the whole family, she would be the Zhang family's sinner.

Zhang Chunhua no longer dared to be arrogant, lowering her head, cautiously looking at Li Xiu, her voice trembling, no longer the domineering tone of before.

"Sis... sister-in-law, I'm sorry, I won't dare anymore. I'll do all the housework, you just rest well, please don't be angry with me."

This was the first time Zhang Chunhua had ever called her sister-in-law. Li Xiu held her daughter, looking at the once arrogant and domineering sister-in-law now trembling with fear, and the grievances and frustrations that had been pent up for years finally dissipated.

She nodded lightly, not saying much.

From now on, in this household, she had firmly established her footing.

With her brother as her support, everything from now on would be different.