Tao Cuiqin hadn’t said much up until now, but the moment she spoke, everyone in the room paled.

He Qiuhua’s heart skipped a beat as she nervously glanced at Yan Xiaoyu.

The youth held his head high, his posture straight as an arrow. His eyes shone with an astonishing intensity. Though his clothes were tattered, his entire being radiated a fearless, unyielding spirit. Her baby face wore a fierce expression, a stark contrast to his former timid self—truly a different person.

As his mother, He Qiuhua knew her child’s temperament better than anyone. These past few days, doubts had begun to gnaw at her. But the villagers held such deep superstitions about these things—if they admitted it, she dared not imagine what fate her little ger might face. So even though she felt uneasy, He Qiuhua refused to acknowledge that something was wrong with her son.

“No, no, Xiaoyu hasn’t… been possessed by that sort of thing!”

Yan Xiaoyue chimed in with her mother: “Xiaoyu’s spirit is strong. Ordinary ghosts can’t touch him. This time, it must be like when he was five—he got scared, and his temper changed.”

The girl’s words were startling, yet she spoke timidly, her expression earnest, as if she genuinely believed Yan Xiaoyu was fine.

“What do you know!” Yan Xiaobao rolled his eyes. “Father, Mother, Grandfather, didn’t you say people have drowned in that river where Yan Xiaoyu fell in? I bet he’s been haunted by a river ghost!“

Yan Xingsheng glanced at Yan Xiaoyu thoughtfully. ”Xiaoyu does seem off. What Xiaobao says isn’t impossible. What should we do?”

“Ah!” Old Master Yan sighed, his triangular eyes sweeping over Yan Xiaoyu with a hint of disdain. “Isn’t there a Taoist priest in Nanling Village? Eldest son, go tomorrow and invite him over to take a look.”

He Qiuhua and Yan Xiaoyue exchanged glances, both looking uneasy. Yan Xiaoyu snorted derisively, his face showing not a trace of fear, but rather a hint of anticipation.

“Father—” Tao Cuiqin looked troubled. “That Taoist charges a hefty fee. Next August, Yonghe will be sitting for the exams, and Xiaobao is also reaching school age. We need every penny right now…”

“Mother, we don’t need to spend money on a Taoist!” Yan Xiaobao beamed with excitement, eager to act. “Why not just drive out the ghost possessing him ourselves?”

He finished speaking and pumped his fist. In that instant, everyone in the room understood.

Yan Xiaoyu felt no surprise at his identity being questioned. Ever since his transmigration, he’d never intended to play the role of his original self, enduring humiliation and compromising his principles like the former owner. He’d rather kill him outright. Besides, he wasn’t afraid of the Yan family’s suspicions.

First, he’d already prepared excuses to deflect their inquiries. Second, he’d exhausted every conceivable method these past days, yet still couldn’t return to the modern world. If the Yans managed to summon a master who could expel his soul from the original body, it might just be a stroke of luck—perhaps it would help him slip back through.

If the original body’s soul remained, then everything would return to its rightful place, and everyone would be happy.

He had considered the possibility of the Yan family inviting Taoist priests or Buddhist monks, but he truly hadn’t imagined Yan Xiaobao would come up with the absurd idea of beating the ghost out. Even more unexpected was that the eldest son and his wife, along with Old Master Yan, seemed to tacitly approve of this ridiculous notion.

Though surprised, Yan Xiaoyu showed no panic. He hadn’t trained in sanda for years for nothing!

Among the Yans, Old Master Yan was too old, Yan Xingsheng was useless, Tao Cuiqin lacked strength, and Yan Xiaobao was still too young. He wasn’t afraid of any of them individually. As long as He Qiuhua and her daughter didn’t turn against him, the rest couldn’t touch him.

Neither Yan Xingsheng and his wife nor the old patriarch raised objections. Yan Xiaobao glared at Yan Xiaoyu with a taunting, sardonic grin before suddenly charging at him.

Yan Xiaoyu’s lips curved upward. He waited calmly, and when the boy was close enough, he effortlessly kicked him to the ground.

“What? Didn’t that day teach you a lesson?” Yan Xiaoyu crossed his arms, his eyes crinkling with amusement. “How can you be so reckless?”

Two days prior, Yan Xiaobao had been forced to apologize to Yan Xiaoyu. Disgusted by their phony display, Yan Xiaoyu—seeking to avenge his former self—demanded Xiaobao kneel and kowtow three times before speaking.

Yan Xiaobao flew into a rage and lunged at him, only to end up just like today—knocked flat before he could even touch him. Later, Yan Xiaoyu forced him to sign a pledge, swearing never to bully the second branch’s siblings again.

The once-meek doormat who never struck back or retaliated had suddenly turned fierce, attacking him twice in a row. Yet he was utterly powerless to resist. Yan Xiaobao pounded the ground in rage, his eyes burning with hatred as he glared at Yan Xiaoyu.

Yan Xingsheng and his wife, along with Old Master Yan, rushed over, shouting to help him up.

“Yan Xiaoyu! Xiaobao is your cousin! How could you be so cruel?!” Yan Xingsheng was so agitated that he was practically spitting.

“Didn’t he start it?” Yan Xiaoyu looked utterly innocent. “Besides, you all said I was possessed by a ghost. If the ghost made my foot move, it wasn’t my fault!”

He Qiuhua gasped in shock: “Don’t… don’t talk nonsense! You didn’t—” She flustered, trying to defend her son, but Old Master Yan and Yan Xingsheng were impatient to listen.

“Brother Yu-ger must truly be possessed by a ghost to strike Xiaobao so viciously!“ Old Master Yan looked at his grandson with heartfelt pity. Without lifting his head, he instructed Yan Xiaoyue, ”Sister Yue, you’re strong. Tie your brother up first. Your uncle and I will figure out the rest.“

Yan Xiaoyue took two steps back, shaking her head urgently. ”I won’t tie up Xiaoyu.”

“Yan Xiaoyue! You’ve grown quite bold, disobeying your grandfather now!” Yan Xiaobao glared at her, his voice thick with venom. “You two siblings eat and wear my family’s provisions, yet dare defy me? I think my parents should have married you off to that old widower in Nanling Village! At least he wouldn’t have to put up with you freeloading and causing trouble!”

Yan Xiaobao’s harsh words were echoed by the intense reproach in Yan Xingsheng and Old Yan’s gazes.

Yan Xiaoyue’s face flushed crimson. Her fingers dug into the hem of her shirt until they turned white, her body trembling slightly. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Finally, she let her head droop helplessly, her shoulders slumping inward.

Yan Xiaoyu wanted to kick someone again. Truly, when the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam follows suit. This Yan Xiaobao was ignorant and vicious—calling him a “little brat” was an insult to the term.

“My sister is indeed capable, unlike you! You’re over a dozen years old and can’t do anything—you’re useless! “ Yan Xiaoyu stepped forward, shielding Yan Xiaoyue. ”You haven’t lifted a finger for the family crops these past years—we’ve tended them all. How dare you accuse us of eating and wearing your family’s resources? And if you’re so keen on that old widower, marry him yourself! Stop meddling in my sister’s affairs! Her marriage isn’t your place to dictate!”

Yan Xiaoyue suddenly lifted her head, tear-filled eyes blurring as she stared at Yan Xiaoyu.

With her back turned, Yan Xiaoyu’s slender frame seemed to hold a wellspring of energy. Her scolding was full of vigor, leaving no room for anyone to interrupt.

“If you want to bully someone, just say so! What nonsense about me being possessed by a water ghost? Do my mother and my elder sister know me any less than you do? If I really were possessed, it would be because of Yan Xiaobao! Go ahead and make a big fuss about it—I want to see if he can easily escape punishment with a murder on his hands!”

“And don’t forget—I still have that guarantee Yan Xiaobao signed that day. If you push me too far, I’ll plaster that proof all over the county school. Let everyone see how my eldest cousin’s family bullies others! He can’t even rein in his own kin, letting his younger brother take lives with impunity. Who would want to associate with such a man? What right does he have to take the imperial exams?”

“If our family suffers, you won’t get off easy either!”

After venting his fury, Yan Xiaoyu exhaled deeply, feeling much lighter.

Old Master Yan and the eldest branch family, however, were nearly overcome with rage.

“Well done! My dear grandson! All these years the Yan family raised you, only to turn you into our enemy!” Old Yan clutched his chest, stomping his feet in rage. Yan Xiaobao supported his grandfather. The grandfather and grandson, who bore a striking resemblance, now shared a common hatred, both wearing expressions that seemed to say they wished they could beat Yan Xiaoyu to death.

“You schemed against us,” Yan Xingsheng’s face darkened. “We clearly agreed that paper was only to restrain Xiaobao—”

Yan Xingsheng’s words trailed off, halted mid-sentence by a single glance from Tao Cuiqin.

“Xiaoyu, you’re still too naive. The county school isn’t open to just anyone. It’s filled with the sons of scholarly families. If you, a ger who can’t even write a single character, go in there causing trouble, how could they possibly believe you? If you anger them, it could bring trouble upon your parents.” A flicker of apprehension passed through Tao Cuiqin’s eyes, though her expression remained one of earnest concern.

“You’re tainted with unclean things. If outsiders find out, they’ll burn you alive! Xiaobao was just trying to help you find a way out—he never meant to hit you. Why say such things that ruin brotherly bonds and break your grandfather and uncle’s hearts?”

This woman was shrewd—seeing force wouldn’t work, she tried soft tactics. But Yan Xiaoyu wasn’t a fool; he wasn’t falling for her tricks.

“Whether I get into the county academy is my business, not yours. Besides,” Yan Xiaoyu sneered coldly, “If repeated insults and beatings are kindness, why not let your son experience this kindness firsthand? He’s been lashing out like a madman lately—maybe he’s possessed by spirits. Why don’t I do you a favor and help drive them out?“

”…” Tao Cuiqin was rendered speechless. Finally suppressing her rage, she turned to He Qiuhua.

“Sister-in-law, the boy doesn’t know any better. You should keep him in check. All these years, our family has supported each other—haven’t we gotten along just fine? Now, Second Brother is working for the family your eldest brother introduced him to, and I’m helping arrange Little Yue’s marriage. Once both children are married off, they’ll inevitably rely on their maternal family’s brothers for support. If we really tear apart our family ties, what good will that do you? Think it through carefully.”

When Yan Xiaoyu had been cursing, He Qiuhua had already been trembling with fear, trying to intervene. Hearing Tao Cuiqin’s words, her heart grew even more frantic: “Yes… let’s not ruin our harmony. I’ll… I’ll talk to Xiaoyu again.”

Tao Cuiqin nodded with satisfaction. Old Master Yan also snorted, “Now that’s more like it!”

He Qiuhua pushed Yan Xiaoyu, intending to take him back to the house to talk. Yan Xiaoyu still wanted to argue with Tao Cuiqin, but when he met He Qiuhua’s pleading gaze, he changed his mind.

The original family was weak-willed and could never win against Yan Xingsheng and his wife. Even if this summer harvest issue were resolved, other conflicts would inevitably arise in the future. Rather than remain a bloodsucker for the eldest branch indefinitely, it was better to sever ties with the Yan family once and for all.

Though his journey through time was not by choice, he had taken over the original body and owed that person a debt. Helping the original family escape the clutches of the Yan family bloodsuckers would be a way to repay that debt.

Moreover, he likely couldn’t return to the modern world. Without a travel permit, one couldn’t move an inch in this era. As a newcomer, unfamiliar with the land and people, and being a ger, breaking away from his family to venture out alone would be difficult. Staying with his original host’s family was the better option. His skills were his capital. Though the original host’s family was weak, they were kind-hearted and hardworking. If they could separate from the main branch of the Yan family, they wouldn’t have to worry about making ends meet.

The original host’s father, Yan Xingmao, was still working outside. Yan Xiaoyue was a junior member, so the matter of separating the family would have to start with He Qiuhua.

If He Qiuhua tried to persuade him, he’d have to argue his case with her.