The Farmer's Daughter is the Favorite of the Family

Cui Cancan stayed for lunch at the Su family home. During the meal, the Su family members were especially friendly towards her, continuously serving her generous portions of food. This sight made Su Chenyu, sitting nearby, purse his lips in displeasure.

"Chenyu, after lunch, take Cankan out for a walk. Young people should get some exercise." Said Old Mister Su.

Su Chenyu lowered his head to eat, pretending not to hear.

Mother Su discreetly kicked her son under the table.

"I understand!" Su Chenyu had no choice but to agree reluctantly.

A delighted smile spread across Cui Cancan's face.

After lunch, the Su family saw the two off their premises.

Su Chenyu walked ahead, paying no mind to whether Cui Cancan could keep up.

"Brother Yu, please walk slower. I...I can't keep up with you."

Su Chenyu pretended not to hear, not even turning his head, and muttered under his breath: "With all that weight, it'll be strange if you can keep up with me."

He didn't know how long he had been walking, but behind him, he no longer heard Cui Cancan's shouts, even the sound of her labored breathing from jogging was no longer audible.

Su Chenyu felt a secret thrill—had she finally given up and turned back? But I was entrusted with her by Grandpa. If something happens, he'll surely blame me. I'd better go back and check.

So, Su Chenyu turned and retraced their steps. As he headed back, he encountered a crowd gathered together, discussing something in animated whispers.

Su Chenyu, still suspicious, heard a voice from the center of the crowd: "Cui Cancan, you're the daughter of a second-rank general! Why don't you have any dignity? Are you just a glutton like a pig?"

The onlookers pointed and whispered. Though it was the daughter of a general, they still spoke very softly.

"What are you so shy about? I heard you've been clinging to Su Chenyu as soon as you got back. Even though I don't get along with him, I have to admit he's handsome—even if he falls short compared to me. Still, you're not the type to even dream about him. Have you ever looked in the mirror?! Ha! Ugly toad!"

The moment Su Chenyu heard this voice, he knew who it was. He didn't even need to ask—to know it was Cui Cancan being cursed at. Upset, he realized that someone had said he wasn't as good-looking as them! Unacceptable!

So Su Chenyu pushed his way through the crowd. As soon as the onlookers saw it was him, they made a path for him.

"Hey Lan Jie, you're the son of the prime minister. Why are you always so rude? Even mocking a girl? Just like they say: 'A sparrow can't even eat a little grain'." Su Chenyu said, arms crossed.

"You!" The young man called Lan Jie was so angry he couldn't speak.

"Forget your 'you'! The prime minister's family sure has fine traditions—raising such a rotten piece of work is truly a disgrace." Su Chenyu said coolly.

At that moment, Cui Cancan looked pretty miserable. She'd been abandoned here by Su Chenyu, feeling both sad and ashamed. Then Lan Jie pushed her to the ground and taunted her. She could only cry with her head down, too afraid to say anything.

When Su Chenyu appeared to help her out, it was like a ray of light suddenly shining into a dark place of despair. It warmed her whole heart.

"Su Chenyu, you're defending this pig? Is there some truth to the rumors after all? Are you really planning to take this pig home as your wife? Hahaha! Did everyone see that? I'm really looking forward to it! Just imagine what'll happen when the well-known Young Master Su brings a fat pig back to the capital!" Lan Jie sneered, his arrogant face begging for a punch.

Su Chenyu had never wanted to get involved with Cui Cancan in the first place. He simply couldn't stand seeing a big, strong man bully a woman. But Lan Jie's words made him really angry. Without thinking twice, he stepped up and punched Lan Jie right on the eye, leaving a dark bruise.

"Ah! Su Chenyu, you bastard! How dare you hit me!" Lan Jie wailed.

"Are you okay, young master?" The two attendants at Lan Jie's side hadn't expected Su Chenyu to strike without a word. They reacted too late, by the time they moved, their young master was already on the ground.

"Get up! You useless dogs!" Lan Jie snarled. "Can't you see your young master is being attacked? Come on, we have to get our revenge today!" With that, he charged towards Su Chenyu.

A smirk played on Su Chenyu's lips. Lan Jie might be well-fed and pampered, but he was no match for him. In seconds, he had reduced one of the young master's eyes to a matching shade of bruise.

"Ah!" A pained yelp escaped Lan Jie's lips.

Su Chenyu then sent the half-trained attendants tumbling to the ground with a few swift kicks. They were too dazed to get up.

Approaching Lan Jie, Su Chenyu grabbed him by the collar and threw in a few more punches to the stomach.

The pain rendered Lan Jie unable to even cry out. His face turned red from the effort, his eyes bloodshot, and he glared at Su Chenyu with all his might.

"It seems you're still not convinced!" Su Chenyu sneered: "Then I'll give you a few more punches."

"Stop it! Please, no more! It hurts too much!" Lan Jie finally knew when to beg for mercy.

Su Chenyu tossed Lan Jie at Cui Cancan's feet: "Apologize!"

"I... I'm sorry!" Lan Jie gritted through his teeth.

"Why are you apologizing to me! I asked you to apologize to her!" Su Chenyu pointed at Cui Cancan who was still sitting on the ground in a mess.

"You! Don't go too far! You want me to apologize to her? My grandfather is the prime minister, and my aunt is the queen. You want me to apologize to the daughter of a second-rank general? My status is a hundred times nobler than hers. Do you think she can bear it?" Lan Jie looked incredulous.

"Brother Yu... Brother Yu, no need, I... I don't want to cause you any trouble, so forget it..."

Cui Cancan whispered, she couldn't let brother Yu offend the Prime Minister's house because of her. Ever since returning from the southwest, she had been hearing these humiliating remarks.

"You!" Su Chenyu couldn't find the words for his anger. No wonder everyone thought it was okay to bully her. Her own weakness only invited more abuse.

Seeing Su Chenyu's anger, Cui Cancan didn't dare look at him. She kept her head down like a child who had done something wrong and felt helpless.

"Enough already! Get up quickly!" Su Chenyu snapped at her irritably.

Then he turned and left.

Cui Cancan scrambled up and followed behind him.

Meanwhile, Lan Jie was helped up by his own injured attendant. He growled menacingly: "Su Chenyu, we're not done here!"

The crowd didn't dare to stay for long. This Young Master Lan was known for his arrogant temper. If they saw him in such a miserable state today, he would probably cause trouble for them by the time he realized what was happening. So the crowd dispersed immediately.

"Brother Yu, thank you for helping me!" Cui Cancan said in a low voice.

"How can such a powerful general have a weak daughter like you? It's just a waste of that strong body you have!" Su Chenyu was still bristling.

At these words, Cui Cancan's eyes dimmed.

On their way back to the Su residence, Su Chenyu's and Cui Cancan's clothes were dirty, their eyes red and swollen. The Su family members noticed their distress and asked: "Cancan, what's wrong? How did you end up like this? Did Chenyu bully you?"

Su Chenyu protested his innocence. Even if he disliked Cui Cancan, he wouldn't lay a hand on a woman.

To avoid further criticism from his family, he hastily recounted the events on the street to them.

"That Lan Jie has gone too far! He thinks he can cause trouble everywhere with his grandfather being the prime minister!" Mother Su exclaimed, furious.

"He won't easily swallow this- Su Chenyu punching Lan Jie. The prime minister spoils his only grandson to no end and will likely bring a complaint to the emperor again." Grandpa Su commented.

"Why should we be afraid of him? The status of our Taifu Mansion is no worse than their Prime Minister's Mansion. What's more, when this matter is mentioned in front of the Emperor, it is his grandson who was wrong first!" Su Zi'an stated, unyielding.