In a fit of rage, Bennett's face turned dark. "How dare you talk back! Your father is a good-for-nothing, and you're a little thief! Watch me tear your mouth apart!"

She flailed her arms wildly. Mrs. Carter really couldn't stand it any longer—how could she let someone be beaten right in front of her?

"Ahem! Second daughter-in-law, I'm not dead yet!"

Hearing the old lady speak, Bennett turned her head and burst into loud sobs. "Grandmother, your granddaughter-in-law has worked so hard for the Wang family, rising early and sleeping late, honoring elders, supporting my husband and raising children. Isn't it me holding this family together? I've worked so hard and gotten nothing in return. Even the little brats don't respect me. Grandmother, I'm so wronged! If you don't stand up for me, I'll just bash my head and die!"

Bennett threw a tantrum, rolling on the ground. Mrs. Carter scowled and reproached, "Andrew Carter, hurry up and apologize to your second aunt!"

Apologize to her? Who was really at fault here?

"Great-grandmother, as a junior, I shouldn't speak out of turn, but Bennett insulted my father. I can't just let that go!" Andrew Carter protested indignantly.

"What more do you want?" Bennett shouted back angrily. "I don't even care for your apology! You must be punished severely—beaten within an inch of your life!"

"Heh." Andrew Carter was completely unfazed. The first two days after he arrived, he had just transmigrated, his mind hadn't adjusted, and his body couldn't move—he had the will but not the strength. Now, at least half his fighting power was back. Back when he was writing transmigration stories, he had researched a lot about ancient times. If he couldn't even handle Bennett, he might as well just kill himself.

Andrew Carter declared righteously, "Great-grandmother, the Wang family is a respectable household with rules. If I remember correctly, among the seven grounds for divorce, two are jealousy and being overly talkative. Bennett is jealous and cruel, abuses the children of her husband's family, has injured my younger sister and brother, gossips and stirs up trouble, confuses right and wrong, spouts nonsense in front of elders, even insults my father, and sows discord between my father and uncle. She has not a shred of dignity befitting a Wang family daughter-in-law. If this continues, the Wang family will lose all face, and everyone will point fingers at us. Great-grandmother, the Wang family must not become a laughingstock!"

Upon hearing this, Bennett jumped up in fury, even more relentless. "Listen to what he's saying! Do you think it's easy for me to support the Wang family? And yet I've raised a thankless wretch!"

When it came to arguing, Andrew Carter wasn't afraid of her at all. He sneered, "Still dare to say it's for the Wang family? Second uncle and cousin are both preparing for the imperial exams, hoping to become scholars. What do scholars value? Not just learning, but virtue!" Andrew Carter mocked, "If second aunt treats her younger brother-in-law and nephew like this, once word gets out and the examiners hear about it, they'll say second uncle can't manage his household—how could he manage the country? His lifelong prospects would be ruined. And with such a harsh mother, cousin's future official career will be troubled as well..."

"Enough!" Bennett's eyes were red, and she screamed hysterically, but there was clear panic in her eyes. What she was most proud of was that her husband and son were the only two scholars in the Wang family. If the family was to prosper, it depended on the two of them. She might even become a titled lady one day, basking in glory.

Now that Andrew Carter had hit her sore spot, how could she not be furious, wailing and making a scene.

"Andrew Carter!"

The old lady raised her hand and slapped him four times, left and right. Andrew Carter's face instantly turned red, with swollen fingerprints standing out.

Andrew Carter never expected the old lady would hit him. His eyes instantly turned bloodshot, his lips twitched twice, and he barely managed to suppress his anger. Unlike Bennett, Mrs. Carter was his great-grandmother. If he dared talk back even once, he'd be branded unfilial for life—his whole future would be ruined.

Mrs. Carter's chest heaved violently as she took a deep breath. "Andrew Carter, do you know why I hit you?"

Andrew Carter didn't answer. The old lady stomped her foot and said, "Your second uncle and cousin are scholars—they are our family's hope. No matter what, you shouldn't use them as leverage. If they fail the exams, our Wang family is finished. I won't die in peace!"

With that, the old lady shook her head and sighed, heartbroken. Bennett, seizing the moment, quickly supported the old lady's arm and added fuel to the fire, "Grandmother, your granddaughter-in-law is so wronged. Please stand up for me!"

Mrs. Carter was silent for a long while, then said coldly, "Andrew, it seems you've recovered well. In a couple of days, you'll go work in the fields with your eldest uncle and Grandpa Zhong!"

I'm not a farmer!

Andrew Carter screamed inwardly, but when it reached his lips, he forced himself to hold back. What an unreasonable old lady! Just because of the words "scholar," does that mean right and wrong no longer matter?

Bennett still wouldn't let it go, adding, "Grandmother, from now on, let him fetch water and chop wood too. If his temper isn't worn down, he'll cause big trouble in the future for sure."

Mrs. Carter nodded, actually agreeing to Bennett's suggestion.

"Starting tomorrow, let Xiang'er help in the kitchen too. The girl is old enough—she should learn to do chores, or she won't be able to marry in the future."

Chapter 4 Andrew Carter's Counterattack

Bennett and Mrs. Carter left. The fire of anger in Andrew Carter's eyes was blazing, burning from the inside out like a furious fireball radiating terrifying heat. Andrew Carter finally understood: even within the Wang family, there were clear ranks. Because second uncle was a scholar, he was untouchable, and Bennett could act as she pleased, completely without scruples.