Chen Laogen wanted to rush forward and hit Song Nianyun, but she was surrounded by maids and servants. Especially the maid by her side—huge and bear-like in stature—looked extremely intimidating…
If he went up recklessly, he would only suffer losses.
So he could only stand where he was, his rough, calloused hands clenching and unclenching repeatedly…
“Mother!”
Chen Chunhua screamed and rushed to Liu Shi’s side. She tugged at the servant women’s arms, but was ruthlessly pushed away.
She then turned to pounce at Song Nianyun, but stopped abruptly when she met the other’s cold gaze.
“Elder Sister Yibai… if you do things this ruthlessly… in the future… you will regret it!”
“Heh! Don’t worry, I won’t regret it!”
Song Nianyun gently blew away the steam rising from her teacup, glanced at Chen Chunhua, and stood up.
“As for you,”
Her gaze swept across the disheveled and miserable Chen family members…
“You should think carefully. Without my Song family’s financial support, can your so-called ‘future official’ still study in peace? And how far can he really go?”
The Chen family was struck at their weak point and immediately fell into silence.
Liu Shi collapsed to the ground, finally realizing that without the Song family’s money, her son’s official career would likely be impossible.
Her lips trembled, unable to curse another word.
Chen Laogen’s face turned ashen as he hunched over, staring blankly at the silk robe on the ground…
Chen Chunhua bit her lip, staring at Song Nianyun with resentment and despair.
She knew better than anyone: without the Song family’s support, her brother’s imperial examination path would be extremely difficult. Not to mention anything else—just paper, ink, brushes, and expensive books were beyond their means.
Song Nianyun satisfiedly observed their reactions, then turned to instruct Song Zhuangzhuang and the servants:
“Watch them pack their things. Anything even slightly not belonging to them—keep it all.”
“Yes, Miss!”
Song Zhuangzhuang responded loudly, and the other servants also bowed in acknowledgment.
Song Nianyun nodded slightly and, no longer bothering with the Chen family, walked out of the main hall with steady steps.
Within the time it took to burn an incense stick, the Chen family was escorted out of the West City Villa, carrying only the shabby bundles they had brought with them.
Liu Shi clung tightly to the doorframe, refusing to let go, crying and shouting:
“I won’t leave! This is my son’s house!”
Two rough servant women mercilessly pried her fingers off and shoved her out.
She staggered and fell onto the stone pavement outside, her coarse clothes covered in dust.
Chen Laogen stood dejectedly holding his bundle, watching the red gates slam shut, as if cutting off all their former wealth and comfort.
Chen Chunhua helped her mother up, looking back at the grand residence with venom in her eyes.
“Mother, don’t cry! My brother will definitely pass the exam. When that day comes, we’ll make that Song Nianyun suffer the same humiliation today…”
Upon hearing this, Liu Shi immediately stopped crying.
She looked at the Song residence gate, her eyes burning with hatred.
“Yes! When my son tops the exam, I will make that wretch regret everything she did today!”
Chen Laogen stared at the closed gates for a long while before finally speaking hoarsely:
“Let’s go back to the village first.”
Though unwilling, Liu Shi knew there was no point in further trouble. She could not enter that wealthy residence again.
So she got up from the ground and patted the dust off her clothes.
By now, quite a few passersby had gathered, watching and pointing at them from a distance.
Liu Shi’s eyes rolled, and she immediately began wailing loudly again.
“Everyone come and see! The future daughter-in-law is bullying her in-laws and sister-in-law before even marrying in!”
She slapped her thigh, her voice miserable and shrill.
“Our Chen family has committed no crime—why are we burdened with such a vicious woman-in-law!”
“She relies on a few taels of money and doesn’t respect her elders at all!”
She cried and shouted while deliberately tugging at her dusty inner garment to show her “misery.”
Chen Chunhua immediately understood and began sobbing as well, acting pitifully wronged.
Chen Laogen, though ashamed, said nothing, silently allowing them.
The crowd began to stir.
Some whispered sympathetically:
“That Song family young lady looks gentle… who knew she could be so fierce?”
“Family conflicts are one thing, but this is before marriage…”
“No matter what, she shouldn’t treat her future in-laws like this…”
Liu Shi heard the murmurs and became even more excited, crying louder:
“My poor son! He studied so hard for so many years and finally became top scholar, only to be treated like this!”
She beat her chest and stomped her feet.
“That Song Yibai already had improper relations with my son! Now that she sees our Chen family is poor, she wants to abandon us and climb higher branches!”
“She’s bullying our family for having no power!”
As soon as these shocking words were spoken, the crowd erupted.
“My heavens, is that true?”
“If so, that Song family lady is too improper!”
“No wonder they’re breaking off the engagement…”
Chen family really is unlucky!”
Song Nianyun had just reached the gate when she heard the filthy accusations.
Her steps stopped.
Her expression turned instantly cold as frost.
The surrounding noise fell silent. Everyone’s eyes turned toward her.
Seeing her come out, Liu Shi became even more excited.
“There! That shameless woman is here!”
Song Nianyun did not rage. Instead, she smiled faintly and walked forward, stopping three steps away.
Her gaze was icy as she swept over everyone present.
“Liu Shi,” she said calmly, “you just claimed I had improper relations with your son?”
“That’s right! It’s you!”
Liu Shi lifted her chin, smug despite her fear.
She knew very well that such rumors required no evidence.
Once spread, they would ruin a woman’s reputation completely.
Song Nianyun smiled slightly.
“Very good.”
She clapped lightly, her eyes sharp as blades as she stepped closer.
“Do you realize that what you just said is not only slandering my innocence—but also sending your precious son to his death?”