In the Qingshen Tang where discussions were held, Old Madam Xiao, Madam Sun, sat at the head, with her granddaughter-in-law Madam Lü standing in attendance behind her.
Below sat several elderly men with graying hair and beards, all of Xiao Lin’s peers, while the younger generation stood respectfully with their hands at their sides.
“Your daughter-in-law pays respects to Tai Furen,” Su Mingyue curtsied in greeting.
Before her words had fully faded, the matron beside the old lady glared coldly and sneered, “Truly a country bumpkin! No tea offered, no proper address…”
“How dare you!” Xiao He stepped forward in response, raising her hand to deliver a resounding slap.
“My lady was married from the imperial palace and was conferred the title of ‘First-Rank Lady’ on her wedding day! How could a mere servant dare show disrespect to a titled lady of the court?”
The matron covered her cheek, stunned and wide-eyed in disbelief.
She stole a glance at her mistress, only to see the old lady’s face instantly turn ashen and livid—truly a sight to behold!
Old Madam Xiao lifted her chin slightly, her expression unreadable as she stared fixedly at Su Mingyue.
Indeed, though Xiao Lin honored her as his mother, she was not his birth mother after all, and he had never petitioned for a noble title on her behalf…
In this vast Pingyang Marquisate, Su Mingyue was the only titled lady!
And today, that scoundrel Xiao Lin had utterly humiliated her in front of a hall full of guests!
If not for…
She, this old bag of bones, would have long since thrown the Pingyang Marquisate into chaos!
Old Madam Xiao instinctively clenched her fists, grinding her teeth so hard they nearly shattered!
Looking at the composed young woman before her, she pretended as though nothing had just happened, curled her lips into a smile, and gestured for Su Mingyue to sit beside her.
State protocol took precedence, and noble rank superseded family hierarchy—Su Mingyue was fully entitled to this honor.
Leaning on Xiao He’s arm, she calmly took her seat to the right of Old Madam Xiao, sitting as an equal to the matriarch of the Pingyang Marquisate.
Everyone exchanged glances, and the hall fell into silence.
In those brief moments, everyone had come to a realization—
This Marchioness was not someone to be trifled with.
The skies of the Pingyang Marquisate were likely about to change!
For decades, the household had been managed by Old Madam Xiao, with Madam Lü assisting in recent years.
This was precisely why Liu Lingyi was determined to establish a separate household. After all, as fellow granddaughters-in-law of the old lady, Madam Lü’s husband had long passed away, while her own husband was still alive!
Moreover, her son Xiao Yunhe was the eldest young master of the marquisate, nearly ten years older than Madam Lü’s son! Why should the authority to manage the household never fall into her hands?
Whenever she thought of this, she felt deeply aggrieved!
Liu Lingyi turned her gaze to her son, who had been doused with cold water and was now shivering as he knelt in the courtyard, her heart swelling with resentment…
As descendants of the marquisate, had the old lady ever shown any affection for her Yunhe?
On such a chilly autumn night, she had actually ordered people to pour several buckets of icy well water over her son, leaving him to freeze there…
Her heart was truly too cruel!
Old Madam Xiao followed Liu Lingyi’s gaze and snorted coldly, her face darkening.
“Disgraceful! To dare cause a ruckus in your grandmother’s courtyard during the wedding festivities… Has he lost his mind? Someone, bring the family discipline!”
“Tai Furen, please calm your anger,” Su Mingyue suddenly spoke, her voice clear as a spring. “Punishment is indeed necessary. But before that, certain matters must be clarified and resolved properly.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell so silent one could hear a pin drop.
Su Mingyue raised her head to meet the gazes of the crowd, her almond-shaped eyes, shimmering like autumn waters, sweeping slowly over everyone present.
“If a child is not taught, it is the father’s fault… In the end, Brother He’s disrespect toward his elders and reckless behavior today cannot be absolved from Hongyi and Madam Liu! They must be punished together.”
She turned her gaze to the couple from the third branch: “You will be fined half a year’s allowance as a minor punishment to serve as a warning. Do you accept?”
With their son publicly caught in wrongdoing, how could Xiao Hongyi and Liu Lingyi dare to refuse?
They could only brace themselves and reluctantly agree.
“As for Brother He…” Her eyes shifted, and Su Mingyue looked toward the disheveled figure outside the door. “If I recall correctly, Brother He is at least seventeen, if not eighteen this year. It’s time to discuss marriage.”
“If he can marry a virtuous wife, I believe he will surely rein in his temperament in the future and cause less trouble.”
She made no mention of punishment, secretly hoping to bring Xiao Yunhe and Liu Ying together.
After all, only when scoundrels and schemers are locked together can the drama that follows… become even more thrilling!
If Xiao Yunhe were truly punished with a beating today, and later someone with ulterior motives exaggerated the story, claiming he had barged into her bridal chamber for this or that reason, or how deeply he felt for her… it would be an unsavory tale!
Coupled with the Empress’s meaningful words during the Mid-Autumn palace banquet… who knew how much gossip would stir up both inside and outside the household!
She had no desire to add to her troubles!
A loud “boom” echoed in Xiao Yunhe’s mind. His eyes widened in shock as he stared incredulously at the woman seated at the head of the room, as if looking at a stranger.
Calling him “Brother He” over and over… She actually assumed the air of an elder, arranging his marriage in front of all their relatives and friends?
Thinking of how she used to frown in displeasure whenever he spoke half a word to another woman… and now, seeing the distant calm in her eyes, Xiao Yunhe’s heart grew colder and colder.
Could it be… she truly no longer cared for him?
No! Impossible! His Yue’er was a person of deep affection. She must have some hardship he didn’t know about!
Although Liu Lingyi had suffered a beating in the palace because of Su Mingyue, recalling how Su Mingyue had previously tried to match Yunhe and Ying’er during the palace banquet…
She clenched her hands tightly, suppressing the wild joy in her heart, and quickly exchanged a glance with Liu Ying outside the courtyard.
Seeing the girl’s eyes filled with anticipation, she nodded reassuringly at her before turning to speak:
“Tai Furen, please understand. This granddaughter-in-law believes the Marquess’s wife speaks wisely. Yunhe’s marriage should indeed be settled!”
“My niece from my maiden family, Liu Ying, is gentle, dignified, and virtuous. She and Yunhe grew up together and share deep affection… This match could not be more suitable. This granddaughter-in-law will settle the matter as soon as possible!”
Unable to bring herself to address Su Mingyue as “aunt,” Liu Lingyi referred to her as the Marquess’s wife instead.
Su Mingyue lowered her eyes to sip her tea and said nothing more.
Old Madam Xiao remained silent, her fingers moving over her prayer beads as if weighing the matter…
Xiao Hongyi, however, suddenly strode to the center of the room, his expression stern: “I report to Tai Furen and the Marquess’s wife, Madam Liu’s words are one-sided! As the head of the third branch, I absolutely refuse to allow Yunhe to marry a woman from the Liu family!”
“Uncle-in-law!?” Liu Ying could no longer care for propriety or face. Lifting her skirt, she rushed anxiously into the hall. “What fault does Ying’er have that Uncle-in-law dislikes her so much?”
She stared fixedly at Xiao Hongyi’s retreating back, completely unaware that the expressions of those around her had suddenly turned extremely grim.
Xiao Hongyi stood with his back to Liu Ying, not even glancing in her direction.
His face ashen, he clasped his hands toward the two seated at the head of the room and declared:
“Her Majesty the Empress has long issued an Imperial Decree that women of the Liu family are forbidden from stepping foot inside the palace gates! For the sake of Yunhe’s future, and for the future of the Marquis Estate, the Xiao Family must never again form a marriage alliance with the Liu family!”
Upon hearing this, a wave of suppressed whispers immediately rippled through the room.
Everyone exchanged knowing glances, nodding inwardly—this marriage truly was inappropriate, as it concerned the interests of all!
Listening to the murmurs around her, Liu Ying’s legs gave way, and she slumped weakly to the floor.
Tears welling in her eyes, she turned her gaze pleadingly toward Xiao Yunhe: “Yunhe-gege, say something! Are you trying to force Ying’er to her death?”
She wanted to say that although they hadn’t gone that far… what had just transpired was no different from being caught in bed together!
Her reputation was utterly ruined, her face completely lost!
Seeing Liu Ying reduced to such a pitiful state, Liu Lingyi’s expression darkened at once.
Suppressing the fury in her heart, her voice trembled uncontrollably:
“Setting aside the childhood affection between these two, after what just happened… must the futures of everyone here truly hinge on the fate of a woman?”
Madam Liu’s hands, hidden within her sleeves, trembled uncontrollably, her nails digging deeply into her palms.
Ying’er was her own flesh and blood! Over the years in the Liu family, she had never lacked for food or clothing, but there had always been a barrier of blood between them—when had she ever truly been cared for and cherished?
Thinking of how Xiao Yanning, also her daughter, was doted on by Xiao Hongyi as if she were the apple of his eye, while Ying’er had never won Xiao Hongyi’s affection, and even her own brother and sister-in-law had treated her with less than kindness…
Liu Lingyi secretly vowed that, no matter what, this time she would bring Ying’er back to her side and make up for all the years of neglect!
“Xiao Yunhe!” Liu Lingyi suddenly raised her voice, her gaze sharp as she looked at her son. “If you are a man of honor, tell everyone here today that you will marry Ying’er!”
Ignoring his mother’s provocation, Xiao Yunhe stared fixedly at Su Mingyue.
After a few moments, he spoke word by word: “I, Xiao Yunhe, vow that I will never, in this life or any other, marry my cousin Liu Ying! May I be struck by lightning and die a wretched death if I break this oath!”
Ha!
Su Mingyue suddenly raised an eyebrow—judging by this situation, these two were likely to become bitter enemies!
A faint smile touched her lips as her gaze swept the room, noticing that everyone’s eyes had once again fallen upon her. Adopting the demeanor of an elder, she looked kindly at Xiao Hongyi:
“Hongyi, although Yunhe’s marriage ultimately requires Tai Furen’s approval, the choice of a daughter-in-law should be decided by you, his parents.”
“However, you must settle everything as soon as possible, lest I, as his grandaunt, have no time to prepare a respectable betrothal gift for Yunhe!”
Inwardly, Su Mingyue rolled her eyes: Did the third branch think they could spend her silver? Not a chance! But fishing requires bait, after all!
After a pause, her tone remained gentle yet carried a meaningful weight: “And to avoid further complications that might leave everyone dissatisfied in the end…”
Xiao Hongyi’s eyes immediately brightened.
For the sake of her own reputation, was Madam Su actually willing to prepare a betrothal gift for Yunhe?
Thinking of his own empty courtyard… Xiao Hongyi knew this matter had to be settled quickly!
Xiao Yunhe could no longer restrain the fury in his heart, shouting at Su Mingyue, “My marriage is none of your concern!”
With that, he lifted his foot, intending to charge into the room… He wanted to get closer and see if there truly was not a shred of affection for him left in her eyes!?
Unexpectedly, a nanny moved even faster. Clutching an embroidered box, she brushed past Xiao Yunhe’s arm and rushed into the room ahead of him in a flurry.
“Tai Furen…”