"Zhi Yue, greet your father."
Zhi Yue watched the man's horrified expression as a smile gradually spread across her face, her tone light and slow, as if floating in mid-air: "Father, do you not even recognize your own daughter?"
The words sent an inexplicable chill down one's spine, raising goosebumps all over.
Yu Qing was indeed greatly startled. He had not expected Yu Zhi Yue, who should have been under supervision back in their hometown, to appear here.
But he was not one to be easily frightened. Once he knew who had come, he felt more assured. Composing himself, he assumed a father's dignified air and said, "Zhi Yue, I know you resent me for having other children, but you cannot cause such a disturbance. Whatever the matter, can it not wait until after today?"
Yu Zhi Yue looked at her father, who was spouting nonsense, her heart nearly overwhelmed with hatred. She wished she could plunge a knife into his heart to see what color his blood truly was.
Lan Jin pulled the trembling Yu Zhi Yue behind her and stepped forward to meet Yu Qing's gaze, which seemed ready to devour someone. "Marquis Chengen, have you considered this carefully? Today, there is still room for discussion. But if we wait until after today, it will be a matter for the courts."
Yu Qing's heart skipped a beat. Every family had its share of unspeakable secrets, but who would air them in public?
Moreover, he knew his own affairs well. Anything involving Yu Zhi Yue was something he truly dared not bring before the authorities.
After a few moments of thought, Yu Qing ignored Lan Jin and softened his expression as he addressed his daughter: "First, take your people to rest. I promise you, once the guests have left, I will speak with you properly."
"Marquis Chengen, you are addressing the wrong person." Lan Jin chuckled lightly, taking over the conversation. "This matter, I am in charge."
"This is a family affair of Chengenhou Manor…"
"Zhi Yue has yet to state the reason for her visit, yet Marquis Chengen already calls it a family affair. It seems you are well aware of the situation. However, among so many people present, there must be some who are unaware of the details and would be very willing to hear them."
Lan Jin wore a smile on her face, but her sweeping gaze remained utterly calm. "Today's visit is for three matters. First, to congratulate Marquis Chengen on gaining a son in middle age. Zhao Tang, present the gift money."
Zhao Tang, who had been following like a shadow, raised the red envelope in her hand and took two steps forward, placing it on the ground between the two parties.
The gesture was both disrespectful and not disrespectful.
To say it was disrespectful—she had prepared a gift.
To say it was not disrespectful—she had acted so provocatively.
After Zhao Tang retreated, Lan Jin continued, "Second, to retrieve the dowry of Zhi Yue's mother."
Yu Qing's already unpleasant expression darkened further. He said sternly, "Zhi Yue, your mother's dowry was always meant to be handed over to you. There is truly no need for you to be incited into causing such a scene, making Chengenhou Manor the laughingstock of every household."
Yu Zhi Yue closed her eyes and remained silent.
Lan Jin took a few steps back and gently stroked the coffin before continuing, "Third, to collect the remains of Zhi Yue's mother, Qi Jia Min."
The entire hall fell silent.
Those who had come today to offer congratulations were all connected in some way to Chengenhou Manor. Everyone knew that Madam Qi of Chengenhou Manor had died in childbirth five years ago, along with the unborn child. Marquis Chengen had fallen gravely ill over this, personally escorting the coffin back to their hometown to be buried in the ancestral grave. Since then, he had not taken a new wife but had elevated a Second Madam to manage the household. It was only now that a child had been born.
When people in the capital spoke of Marquis Chengen, they had to admit that he was like mud that could not be plastered onto a wall—utterly incompetent. But they also acknowledged that he had been truly devoted and righteous toward his wife's family.
When the Qi family encountered trouble, they exerted great effort to assist and run around for them. Later, Madam Qi wanted to preserve her natal family's foundation. Being pregnant herself and unable to travel far, she feared that sending only servants back might lead to deception, so she sent her six-year-old legitimate daughter to accompany them to her maternal grandfather's hometown.
It was said that the Marquis of Chengen strongly disagreed at the time, but Madam Qi threatened him with the child in her womb, forcing the Marquis to relent.
When this news spread, everyone criticized Madam Qi for being excessive—how could she be so heartless toward her daughter for the sake of her natal family? And who didn’t praise the Marquis of Chengen for his deep affection and loyalty toward his wife?
But now, her own daughter has returned to Chengenhou Manor to collect Madam Qi’s remains. Could there be more to the story?
Someone, seemingly with good intentions, reminded Lan Jin, "Madam Qi was buried in the Qi Family Ancestral Tomb long ago. The Marquis of Chengen personally escorted her coffin back."
"Oh?" Leaning against the coffin, Lan Jin looked at Yu Qing with a meaningful smile. "Marquis of Chengen, is that so?"
Yu Qing felt panicked but had no choice but to respond. Just as he was about to speak, he heard her add, "The fifth day of the third month, five years ago—that was a good day for the Marquis of Chengen, wasn’t it?"
Five years ago, the fifth day of the third month.
Yu Qing’s mind went blank. That day was etched into his memory. But how could an outsider know about it?
Could it be…
He looked at Yu Zhiyue and met her eyes, filled with overwhelming hatred, confirming it—she truly knew!
But that day, he had repeatedly verified that no one could possibly know!
Lan Jin opened her palm, and Zhao Tang placed a booklet into her hand.
Without even opening it, Lan Jin knew what was inside. She had seen such things before—her mother’s dowry list was even thicker, and her two sisters-in-law’s were no less impressive.
This was what a natal family prepared for their daughter, everything she would need from the day she married until her death—proof of her parents’ love and care. With these things, even if her husband died, she could live well.
Pulling her wandering thoughts back, Lan Jin raised her eyebrows. "This is the dowry list. I intend to take it all now. Does the Marquis of Chengen have any objections?"
Yu Qing certainly had objections, but the precise date "the fifth day of the third month, five years ago" left him too afraid to speak.
"Since the Marquis of Chengen has no objections, I ask Second Madam to hand over the keys to the storeroom."
Lan Jin looked toward the woman surrounded by the female relatives. Though she had never met her, she wouldn’t mistake her—the one with the worst expression must be the person she was looking for.
Second Madam was naturally unwilling. It was only with Madam Qi’s dowry that the Marquis Mansion had lived so comfortably. Without it, she dared not imagine the consequences.
Fortunately, she didn’t have to step forward herself—someone else did it first.
Seeing the person approaching quickly, she greeted them with a pleased expression. "Mother, please come quickly and talk some sense into Zhiyue."
Old Madam had been entertaining a few old friends in the inner courtyard, and the news hadn’t reached her immediately. By the time she learned what was happening at the front, it was already too late. Rushing over as fast as she could, she finally arrived.
Accustomed to using her seniority to pressure others, she immediately began scolding. "Yu Zhiyue, you are simply outrageous! Do you have any respect for your elders or the Marquis Mansion?"
"Zhiyue greets Grandmother." Yu Zhiyue curtsied but straightened up before Old Madam could speak. "Grandmother asks if I have respect for my elders. I would like to ask in return: in your heart and eyes, Grandmother, do you truly have me, your granddaughter?"
Without a second thought, Old Madam replied, "Who said I don’t? Of course I do!"
Yu Zhiyue smiled mockingly: "Yet in these five years, your granddaughter has not received a single word of concern from her grandmother, not a thread of warmth in clothing, nor a grain of rice to fill her stomach. I wonder how Grandmother has expressed having a granddaughter like me?"
"You…" Old Madam flushed with anger and shame: "Such defiance is utterly beyond redemption!"