Madam Xie clenched her sleeve tightly, her nails nearly digging into her flesh.
Could she truly know about the eldest son’s affair?
Whether she knows or not.
This matter must not be exposed now.
The accusation must be suppressed immediately!
In a flash, her mind was made up.
A look of profound anguish suddenly surfaced on Madam Xie’s face.
She abruptly raised her hand.
Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, she backhanded Chu Shunqing with a fierce slap!
“Slap!” The crisp sound stunned everyone.
Chu Shunqing’s head snapped to the side, her cheek rapidly swelling red.
She covered her face in disbelief.
Madam Xie scolded, “Shunqing!”
“You always seemed so obedient, how could you be so foolish as to commit such a shameless act!”
Chu Shunqing was dazed by the blow.
She asked incredulously, “Mother-in-law, how could you strike without even hearing the facts!”
As the words left her mouth, she suddenly remembered her past life—at this moment, she should have been drinking in the front hall, only later hearing about the incident in her sister’s room.
She had even gone to mock her.
How could she have been so foolish.
To walk right into this trap.
But instead of blaming her mother-in-law for her viciousness, she turned her gaze to her own sister.
Wiping her tears, she said, “You knew all along, didn’t you?”
“You set this up to frame me.”
Seeing her turn the accusation toward herself.
Chu Nianci inwardly sneered.
Still thinking I’m as gentle and accommodating as in the past life.
Her expression remained calm and unperturbed as she said, “Sister, you must have evidence for your words. Baseless accusations will only compound your guilt.”
The onlookers saw Chu Nianci poised and unruffled, unaffected by praise or blame.
While Chu Shunqing was disheveled, her hair in disarray and clothes askew, her expression wild.
The contrast between the two was stark, making the right and wrong immediately clear.
“Caught red-handed and still accusing her sister.”
“She’s both foolish and wicked.”
The crowd jeered and mocked.
Chu Shunqing, seething with anger but helpless, could only sob softly.
Madam Xie, furious yet powerless, said, “Dear friends and family, such a disgraceful incident has occurred tonight due to my lax management of the household. I ask you all to please move to the front hall for tea, allowing this old woman to handle the family affairs.”
Seeing her issue the dismissal.
The guests exchanged glances, silently communicating with their eyes, and gradually dispersed.
Chu Shunqing’s face turned as pale as paper.
Such a foul and filthy reputation.
Wasn’t it now firmly pinned on her head?
She opened her mouth, wanting to defend herself.
Madam Xie shot her a cold, warning glance, instantly silencing all the words in her throat.
Causing more trouble would only earn Madam Xie’s resentment, making it difficult for her to stand her ground in this household in the future.
Sister, just you wait!
You don’t want to enter the palace?
I’ll send someone to the palace tonight to beg the Empress to have you sent to the Laundry Bureau, to repay today’s humiliation.
Lin Jingrui stood like a wooden statue, his eyes dark and brooding.
His own elder brother had defiled Shunqing.
Yet this humiliation could only be swallowed with blood and broken teeth.
After a long moment, he wearily stepped forward, removed his outer robe to drape over the trembling Chu Shunqing, and helped her leave.
As he turned, his gaze swept past Chu Nianci standing calmly under the candlelight…
The flickering candlelight illuminated her serene and graceful face, her back straight as if the earlier commotion had nothing to do with her.
His heart was a turmoil of mixed emotions, but in the end, he said nothing more, turned, and left the room.
Only the Lin family remained in the room.
Madam Xie, the Earl, and the younger sister-in-law took their seats one after another.
Chu Nianci knew they were about to lay their cards on the table.
So she gracefully sat down as well.
Madam Xie’s face had now shifted to a warm and gentle expression as she said softly, “Nianci, tonight’s events must have frightened you. With so many people in the mansion and tomorrow’s grand wedding, why not entrust your dowry chests to me for safekeeping first?”
“…” Chu Nianci.
This mother-in-law truly remained as shamelessly greedy as in her past life.
A faint, mocking smile touched Chu Nianci’s lips. “I have my own arrangements for this matter. However, regarding Jingjue taking his brother’s place to marry, do you truly find this appropriate, Aunt?”
Madam Xie’s smile stiffened slightly.
But she quickly relaxed her brows and smiled again. “It’s merely to ensure the continuation of the eldest branch’s lineage. Nianci, you needn’t take it to heart.”
“So Aunt intends to personally oversee this marriage?” Chu Nianci asked.
Madam Xie was taken aback.
Soon, she resumed her usual kindly expression. “Silly child, you are Jingjue’s lawful wife. Of course, this matter should be handled by you. It will also showcase the authority of the mistress of the household.”
Chu Nianci sneered.
The authority of the mistress?
How grandly put.
She simply wanted to use her silver to gloriously arrange another wife for her own husband.
Her gaze swept over Madam Xie’s rosy, smooth cheeks…
The “Jade Maiden Powder” and “Wind-Dispelling Pill” she had meticulously prepared indeed showed remarkable efficacy.
It had even given her the energy to scheme against her like this.
“The eldest branch’s marriage should naturally be funded from the family’s common treasury. Why should I overstep my bounds?” Chu Nianci’s tone remained calm.
Madam Xie’s smile began to falter. “Child, why are you so shortsighted?”
“Shunqing possesses medical skills and can assist Jingjue in his official career. In the future, when Jingjue rises in rank and position, you, as his lawful wife, will also receive honors and titles. It’s not a loss for you.”
Honors and titles.
A flicker of mockery passed through Chu Nianci’s eyes.
In her past life, she had believed these very words.
She had emptied her dowry, exhausted her efforts, paving the way for their futures.
And what was the result?
Her husband reached the pinnacle of power.
The old madam enjoyed boundless wealth and luxury.
The concubine-born sister tyrannized and abused her authority.
She herself was worn down, aged and haggard, shattered and broken.
Chu Nianci lifted her eyes to meet Madam Xie’s directly. “I am not suited to handle this matter. It would be better for you to take charge.”
Madam Xie’s expression darkened completely.
Beside her, Lin Jingjue could no longer contain herself, springing to her feet with a “thump.”
“Chu Nianci,” her plump cheeks puffing with anger, “what airs are you putting on?”
“Just a merchant’s daughter, and you truly think you’re a noble young lady from a great family?”
“Believe it or not, I’ll have Second Brother beat you up, throw you into the woodshed, and starve you for a few days. Let’s see if you still won’t behave!”
Chu Nianci’s gaze swept calmly over her arrogant face.
Madam Xie had borne three sons and two daughters.
This Lin Jingjue was the youngest, only fifteen, and the most spoiled.
Her eyes fell on the translucent jade bracelet adorning Lin Jingjue’s wrist.
Wearing her possession, yet threatening to lock her in the woodshed—truly thick-skinned.
“Take that off and return it to me,” Chu Nianci said mildly, “then you may try to intimidate me.”
Lin Jingjue’s face flushed crimson. “What’s given cannot be taken back! I won’t return it!”
Chu Nianci suddenly smiled.
The cinnabar mole between her brows accentuated her piercing gaze. “What a fine young lady from a great family. Forcibly seizing another’s possession—how is that any different from a street ruffian?”
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Lin Jingjue’s face turned scarlet with rage, her composure snapping.
She stepped forward, raising her hand to slap Chu Nianci across the face…
Tuanyuan, who had been guarding her mistress all along, was prepared.
Though not skilled in martial arts, she was tall and sturdy. Seeing this, she immediately stepped forward to block.
Lin Jingjue collided with her and tumbled backward…
“Ah!”
Lin Jingjue staggered and fell into a chair, overturning a table full of cups and dishes.
“Crash…” Porcelain shards scattered across the floor.
She sat dazed amidst the wreckage, momentarily stunned.
“Outrageous, truly outrageous!” Old Master Lin slammed the teacup lid onto the floor. “How dare you allow this lowly servant to strike your sister-in-law? Guards! Drag this wretch away and beat her to death!”
Several burly matrons waiting outside the hall immediately rushed in upon hearing this, rolling up their sleeves to seize Tuanyuan.
“Let’s see who dares!” Chu Nianci abruptly rose to her feet.
Since all pretense had already been torn away, she decided to drop the act entirely.
“If Uncle insists on enforcing family discipline, why not teach that groom a lesson as well?”
Lin Jingjue’s face drained of all color. Her earlier arrogance vanished completely as she collapsed among the shattered porcelain, trembling uncontrollably.
Madam Xie’s expression changed abruptly.
This girl knew everything.
They had thought her merely an ignorant merchant’s daughter.
Yet she had the means to uncover such secrets…
Madam Xie waved her hand, signaling the matrons to retreat.
Her tone softened as she advised, “Nianci, you have always been sensible. Since you have married into the Lin family, you should prioritize the family’s reputation. If certain matters are exposed, it will bring no benefit to you or your maternal family.”
Chu Nianci met her gaze and suddenly smiled. “Aunt is right. Some matters, if exposed, would make everyone lose face. Since we have come this far, I only ask for a letter of divorce, so I may return to Jiangnan.”
A few moments later…
“Bang!”
Old Master Lin hurled the teacup violently onto the floor, sending porcelain shards flying everywhere. “Don’t even think about it! Our household has never had a divorced woman!”
Madam Xie also furrowed her brows, her tone angry. “How can you be so ungrateful?”
Chu Nianci slowly stood up, her back straight as bamboo. “My mind is made up. Please allow me to return south.”
She knew well she could not leave at this moment.
She only wanted them to believe that keeping her confined within the mansion would solve everything.
Chu Nianci turned to leave. Seeing this, Tuanyuan swiftly and deftly draped the white fox fur cloak over her shoulders.
Madam Xie grew truly anxious.
“Aren’t you afraid of being ridiculed by outsiders? Aren’t you afraid of tarnishing your family’s reputation?”
“Let others say what they wish.”
“You…” Old Master Lin pounded the table in fury.
Madam Xie began coughing violently, clutching her forehead. “My head aches…”
The matron beside her hurriedly fetched the medicine box, only to find it empty.
“Nianci…” Madam Xie’s lips were deathly pale as she called out tremulously, “Quick, the Wind-Dispelling Pill…”
“The Wind-Dispelling Pill?” Chu Nianci’s gaze remained indifferent. “That medicine was used up long ago.”
She fastened the cloak’s ties and prepared to depart.
The matrons still tried to block her way.
Lin Jingjue declared haughtily, “Isn’t it just the Wind-Dispelling Pill? I’ll have Sister-in-law prepare some for Mother later.”
Chu Nianci sneered inwardly.
She would like to see how her sister-in-law would manage to “prepare” it.
She turned and walked away.
“As long as I draw breath, you shall not take a single step out of this mansion!”
Old Master Lin’s furious roar echoed behind her.
Chu Nianci did not pause her steps, leading Tuanyuan away without looking back.