Qin Mengxue was utterly humiliated, crying as though her heart had been torn apart.
“Why can you be so heartless? It’s bad enough that you refuse to admit what you did, but now you’re even trying to pin the blame on me.”
“If I walked into the wrong room, you could have simply told me to leave. Instead, you took advantage of me!”
Jiang Yuying, who was standing nearby, was so furious that she slapped her thigh.
“You shameless woman! You really know how to twist things around. Are you saying everything was my son’s fault?”
“You’re the one who’s good at framing people!”
She knew perfectly well that there was no way Qin Mengxue’s story could be true, yet she was at a loss for words.
Jiang Yuying had never been particularly satisfied with Qin Mingzhi before. But compared with Qin Mengxue, a girl who was full of schemes yet completely lacking in ability, Qin Mingzhi was at least a college student and the daughter of a martyr.
She was capable and had a good reputation.
Most importantly, being the daughter of a martyr would be extremely beneficial to her son’s reputation and future prospects in the military.
As for Qin Mengxue, all she would do was drag her son down!
If only she had known, she would never have rushed over so early that morning to make things difficult for Qin Mingzhi. None of this would have happened.
There was no way she wanted Qin Mengxue marrying into her family!
But now Qin Mengxue was desperately trying to get in, while Qin Mingzhi had chosen this exact moment to demand a divorce. They had absolutely no grounds to argue.
If this matter reached the military, Qin Mingzhi would certainly be able to get the divorce. Her son might even end up being disciplined as a result.
After thinking it over, Jiang Yuying realized that the only option now was to stabilize Qin Mingzhi first.
As long as Qin Mingzhi refused to agree to the divorce, it wouldn’t matter how much Qin Mengxue jumped around and stirred things up.
Jiang Yuying hesitated for a moment. Though she was deeply unwilling to do so, she had no choice but to lower herself and force a smile as she approached Qin Mingzhi.
“Mingzhi, look at the mess this has become. There must be some misunderstanding.”
“Xingjie only just woke up, and his head is still muddled. He hasn’t even sorted out what happened yet. Your sister must have taken advantage of the situation.”
“You two have known each other for so long. Don’t you trust his character?”
“Why don’t we wait for now? Let’s first send all the relatives home safely, then we can close the doors and discuss this as a family…”
As she spoke, Jiang Yuying ingratiatingly reached out to take Qin Mingzhi’s arm.
Qin Mingzhi gave a cold laugh and pulled her arm away without the slightest hesitation.
“There’s nothing to discuss. Everything is already perfectly clear.”
“Whether the two of them were willing or not, what happened has already happened. My husband was with another woman on our wedding night.”
“I cannot accept that.”
Qin Mingzhi knew exactly what Jiang Yuying was trying to do. She simply wanted to delay the matter first, then send Xiao Xingjie back to his military unit.
Once he was back at the barracks, there would be all sorts of reasons for him to refuse to go through with the divorce. The matter could be dragged out indefinitely, leaving Qin Mingzhi completely helpless.
Jiang Yuying had lowered herself for once, yet Qin Mingzhi still refused to give her an inch. She immediately became furious and dropped her pretense.
“You really think you’re something, don’t you? My son is outstanding, and who knows how many young women want to marry him. If it weren’t for your engagement, do you really think my son would have married you?”
“You were the one chasing after my son before. Now that this little thing has happened, what are you making such a fuss about?”
“To put it bluntly, men in ancient times could have three wives and four concubines. So what if he slept with another woman?”
Qin Mingzhi gave a cold laugh, the corners of her lips curling mockingly.
“Nothing. I just find it disgusting.”
“You…”
Jiang Yuying was completely caught off guard by Qin Mingzhi’s attitude.
Why was she being so unyielding?
This was nothing like the Qin Mingzhi she knew.
Qin Mingzhi expressionlessly looked away.
“There’s no need to waste any more time. Just being in your family’s home for another second makes me sick.”
She turned her cold gaze toward Xiao Xingjie.
“I’ll give you the morning. At one o’clock this afternoon, meet me at the Civil Affairs Bureau. Be there on time.”
There was not the slightest hint of room for negotiation in her voice.
Xiao Xingjie’s heart suddenly sank.
After remaining silent for a moment, he grabbed a piece of clothing and draped it over himself before standing up. He looked at Jiang Yuying with an unprecedentedly serious expression.
“Mom, you and Dad take the relatives outside first. I need to talk to Mingzhi alone.”
Hu Meixiu was clearly unhappy with that and curled her lips.
“We’re all relatives. What’s there that we can’t hear?”
Xiao Xingjie frowned at her. Before he could say anything, however, the corner of his eye caught sight of a figure standing in the doorway.
His brows furrowed strangely.
Why was his uncle here?
Qin Mingzhi noticed that he seemed to want to say something but had suddenly fallen silent. She followed his gaze in confusion and saw the figure standing in the doorway, his back leaning against the frame.
Qin Mingzhi was equally surprised.
Why hadn’t Xiao Wangnian left yet?
Xiao Wangnian was definitely not the kind of person who enjoyed watching a spectacle or meddling in other people’s affairs.
When he had appeared at the door of the east wing earlier, Qin Mingzhi had explained it to herself by thinking that, as Xiao Xingjie’s uncle, it was perfectly normal for him to come over after hearing the commotion.
As for kicking the door open for her, she could barely explain that away too. Perhaps Xiao Wangnian was simply a righteous man who couldn’t stand such shameless behavior and wanted to uphold justice, even if it meant disciplining his own nephew.
But now…
Qin Mingzhi couldn’t find any explanation for his presence.
Could it be that this man, who appeared cold, stern, and utterly serious on the surface, was actually someone who secretly enjoyed gossip and watching a good show? Perhaps he was simply cold on the outside but warm-hearted underneath?
But that really didn’t seem like him…
Hu Meixiu and Jiang Yulan were still arguing and refusing to leave. Jiang Yuying’s face instantly darkened as she planted her hands on her hips.
“This is my family’s business. Even if you talk until the sky falls, it’s none of your concern!”
“I invited you here to attend my son’s wedding banquet and congratulate him.”
“I’ve been this polite only because we’re relatives. Don’t force me to fall out with you!”
“If you’re willing to tear our relationship apart over this shameless girl who crawled into another man’s bed, then don’t blame me if I refuse to show your family any mercy when you need something from us in the future!”
Hu Meixiu immediately shut her mouth.
Although she didn’t get along with Jiang Yuying, her son was ultimately not as promising as Jiang Yuying’s.
Besides, Xiao Xingjie had such an influential great-grandfather…
Who could guarantee that her family would never run into trouble and need to ask for their help someday?
Though Hu Meixiu was extremely unhappy, she had no choice but to keep quiet and turn around to leave.
Seeing Hu Meixiu go, Jiang Yulan naturally had no choice but to leave as well.
The other relatives and neighbors could only file out in a noisy rush.
Before leaving, Jiang Yuying pulled Xiao Xingjie aside and carefully instructed him, telling him that he absolutely had to stall Qin Mingzhi and prevent her from going through with the divorce.
As Jiang Yuying was about to leave the east-wing courtyard, she noticed Xiao Wangnian standing by the doorway. She frowned in confusion, then put on a friendly smile and spoke to him.
“Wangnian, Mingzhi and Xingjie have something to discuss. Why don’t you…”
Under normal circumstances, anyone in this situation should have taken the hint and left with the others.
But Xiao Wangnian showed no expression and said nothing. He simply stared at her steadily.
His gaze made Jiang Yuying feel a chill run down her spine.
She instinctively swallowed, her brows furrowing as she looked like she wanted to say something but didn’t dare.
Xiao Wangnian’s position in the family—and in the old master’s eyes—was truly extraordinary.
Combined with his usual cold and intimidating presence, Jiang Yuying didn’t dare say anything more. In the end, she could only force an awkward smile and remind him,
“Then remember to come out soon. Don’t keep the young couple from talking.”
After saying that, she no longer dared to interfere with Xiao Wangnian and hurried out of the east-wing courtyard.
The surroundings instantly fell silent.
Xiao Wangnian withdrew his gaze, then turned leisurely and stepped into the room.
His expression appeared calm, but Qin Mingzhi could clearly feel that Xiao Wangnian’s gaze remained fixed on her.