The reason Yaoniang’s affair was kept hidden from Maternal Grandmother was precisely because they feared she would deal with it harshly once she found out. The old lady had always been intolerant of even the slightest impurity, and if she were to lose her temper, tearing Yaoniang limb from limb would be considered lenient.
Of course, in anyone’s eyes, Yaoniang’s attempt to seize the family fortune was an act of treason, deserving of death—no punishment would be too severe. Yet, in her son’s eyes, the matter had two sides. After all, Yaoniang had done it all for Third Sister’s sake, and for that reason alone, in Third Sister’s heart, she did not deserve to die.
If a person’s heart wavers, a push will surely drive them away, but a pull might just make them loyal to the end.
Thus, Yan Changfeng and Father chose to deal with Yaoniang leniently, sparing Third Sister all possible humiliation. In return, they would earn his gratitude and remorse, ensuring his deeper attachment to the family in the future.
Seeing Yaoniang beaten to such a state, Yan Changfeng’s heart sank with sorrow, thinking to himself that Third Sister was likely to be ruined by this woman.
“Nanny, you are right, but we cannot interrogate her like this. The streets and alleys are full of ears, and if word gets out, how will the Yan Family ever hold its head high? Let’s just confine her to the estate for now. It’s our own estate, with dedicated guards watching over her. That way, any potential trouble can be prevented, don’t you agree?”
Nanny Li thought this made sense. Earlier, upon hearing of this filthy affair, she had been so enraged that her head felt as if it were about to burst. All she could think of was cleansing the household for the young mistress. Yet, the wretched Yaoniang had been stubborn, refusing to admit her guilt, which only poured oil on the fire. In her fury, she had ordered someone to whip the woman’s face with thorny branches, determined to see if she would still have the face to seduce men in her next life!
Now that her anger had subsided somewhat, she also felt it unwise to shed blood within the household. After all, she had plenty of ways to deal with people. Sending Yaoniang to the estate for a slow and thorough punishment would suffice.
But fate is cruel. Just as Nanny Li was relenting, Lady Yao, Yan Chuanxing, and Yan Changqing arrived together.
Yan Changfeng glared angrily at the incompetent maid behind them, but the girl wore a helpless expression, as if to say she had been powerless to stop them.
It seemed Third Sister had sensed something. Perhaps this truly was the will of heaven.
“Nanny Li, what is this… Good heavens!” Lady Yao could not bear the sight of blood. The moment she saw the scene in the courtyard, she felt dizzy and leaned on Yan Changqing’s arm. “Changqing, help me back to rest.”
But Yan Changqing’s eyes were red as he stared fixedly at Yaoniang, refusing to move.
As if sensing his gaze, Yaoniang, who had been hanging her head, suddenly lifted her face, forcing her bloodied and mangled visage into Yan Changqing’s sight.
“Changqing! Let your mother look at you one last time!” Yaoniang suddenly burst into tears, as if bidding her son a final farewell. “I have wronged you, but everything I did was for your sake. I beg you not to blame me. In your next life, open your eyes wide and do not be reborn from the womb of a lowly woman like me!”
“Li Yaoniang, what are you doing! Are you trying to stir up chaos?” Yan Chuanxing suddenly roared.
Yaoniang, who was usually gentle as water and obedient to the Family Head, now stared directly at Yan Chuanxing, laughing almost maniacally. “You have already brought things to this point. Do you still care whether the world is in chaos or not?”
“Yaoniang, at least spare Third Sister some dignity,” Yan Changfeng said with a hint of threat.
She found herself increasingly unable to understand Yaoniang. This woman seemed wholly devoted to Third Sister, yet she repeatedly drove a wedge between him and the main family, showing no concern for his future, as if she still held some trump card for a comeback.
Yet she couldn't fathom what leverage Yaoniang could possibly have left. That Zhang Mingshun was clearly just using her; he wouldn't help her without reason.
Yaoniang, however, had thrown caution to the wind. She sneered dismissively, "I was trying to save his face, but you wouldn't allow it!"
"What a scheming, divisive harlot!" Having managed the household for so many years, Nanny Li had never encountered such a brazen woman. She thought to herself that this woman absolutely could not be kept alive. "Since you're courting death, don't blame me for being ruthless. Someone, beat her to death for me!"
Yaoniang showed no fear at all. "Go ahead, beat me! Killing me would be a clean end. Anyway, I've already lost all face. Living is just clinging to a miserable existence. If you give me a quick death, I'll thank you for it!"
Yan Changfeng frowned. The more vicious Nanny Li became, the more she fell into Yaoniang's trap. If Yaoniang were really beaten to death in front of Third Sister, the hatred in Third Sister's heart would likely never fade.
As they spoke, the cane lashes were already cracking down on Yaoniang's body.
Yan Changqing clenched his fists, forcing his trembling body to steady. He didn't understand why things had come to this, nor did he know what to do. He only knew he was utterly useless, unable to utter a single word. The woman being beaten was clearly his mother. Everyone kept talking about Third Sister, yet he had no say in the matter. How laughable.
"Please stop for now, both of you." Yan Chuanxing, shedding his previously submissive demeanor, walked over to Yaoniang and stopped the two nannies who were beating her.
After all, he was the Head of the Yan Family. The two nannies gave him face and temporarily halted.
Yan Chuanxing crouched down, looking directly at Yaoniang's face, which was already unrecognizable. "Li Yaoniang, while I, Yan Chuanxing, dare not promise you romantic love, I have always regarded you as family. I believe I have treated you and your son well. Why would you do this?"
"Why? Because your eyes are only on your two legitimate daughters!" Yaoniang had accumulated resentment over who knows how long, and now that it was revealed, she held nothing back. "You look at Eldest Miss with satisfaction, at Second Miss with joy and affection, but when you look at Changqing, it's only with criticism. You think he's mediocre in talent and lacks drive. You want to hand most of the family business to your two daughters. But in my eyes as his mother, Changqing is diligent, ambitious, clever, and eager to learn. He is worthy of the position of Head of the Yan Family! Since you took my son and gave him to someone else to be the heir who continues the Yan Family line, you must acknowledge him! Don't think you can have him carry on the family line while begrudging him the family fortune. If you won't give it willingly, I'll seize it myself. I just want you all to see that the Yan Family business will not decline in my son's hands either!"
This reason left Yan Chuanxing momentarily unable to comprehend. He had privately mentioned that Changqing had some shortcomings, but he wasn't criticizing or belittling him; he was explaining a principle to her. The larger the family business, the more it relies on the capability of the Family Head. If one isn't seasoned enough, a vast family fortune can only become a burden.
He had planned to divide the family business into three parts in the future, to be shared equally among the three children. Those with ability could naturally expand their portion, while those without wouldn't attract envy.
He never expected that his well-intentioned efforts would be seen by Yaoniang as favoritism.
And these words sounded like the greatest irony to Yan Changqing's ears. He knew he wasn't as capable as Second Sister. Occasionally, he felt some envy and jealousy, but more than that, it motivated him. He believed that as long as he redoubled his efforts, he could eventually develop the ability to shoulder the family's responsibilities.
Yet he never expected that Father had already condemned him with a charge of incompetence, rendering all his efforts futile.
He did not know how to carry on, suddenly feeling that in this vast world, there was no place for him to stand.
"Very well!" Nanny Li listened for a long while before finally grasping the truth. "I always said you, this harlot, had cunning intentions. So you were scheming to seize the family fortune—you truly have the audacity of a tiger!"
"What are you all still standing around for!" Nanny Li signaled to her own people. "I came here on the orders of the Grand Princess. If there are any in this household who dare to deceive their masters or stir up trouble, they are to be beaten to death without question!"