Yu Qing sensed something amiss and tried to interrupt, but it was already too late. The Old Madam’s intention to use marriage as leverage against Yu Zhi Yue had been spoken aloud by her own lips.
In the circles of the capital, some matters could never be brought into the open. Even if one acted upon them, they must never be spoken aloud.
Once interrupted, the Old Madam snapped back to her senses, but regret came too late. Under the countless scornful gazes fixed upon her, she wished the ground would open up and swallow her.
Lan Jin, however, was somewhat surprised. Over the past few years, Yu Zhi Yue had lived cautiously and timidly, lacking boldness. It was only after Lan Jin took her under her wing for half a year of guidance that she improved slightly. Yet just now, it was clear that Yu Zhi Yue had deliberately provoked the Old Madam first, then skillfully guided the conversation, step by step forcing the ill-intentioned Old Madam to reveal her true thoughts.
If Chengenhou Manor ever dared to use her marriage as a bargaining chip in the future, respectable families would not form such an alliance. And if they arranged a disastrous match for her, the seeds planted today would give her the means to fight back.
Well done.
Lan Jin nodded slightly in approval. She disliked those who, like dodder vines, needed to cling to others to survive. Only by standing on one’s own feet could one truly hold their head high.
Now she was utterly convinced that Zhi Yue would live well in the future.
“It’s no use having a well-made abacus—smash it and throw it into the fire, and it won’t make a sound anymore.” Lan Jin rose to her feet, treating the furious old woman before her as if she were invisible, and turned her gaze to the Marquis of Chengenhou behind her. “If the Marquis Mansion uses a golden abacus, it would be perfect to melt it down and make a fine set of head ornaments for Zhi Yue.”
Repeatedly exposed and humiliated, Yu Qing, in a fit of anger, decided to throw caution to the wind. “Leave some room in all things. I advise you not to push matters to the extreme!”
“Wasn’t it you, Marquis of Chengenhou, who first pushed matters to the extreme?” Lan Jin lightly tapped the ground with the tip of her foot, her expression inscrutable.
Yet this simple gesture caused Yu Qing’s face to pale repeatedly, and he dared not speak another word.
The onlookers exchanged glances, none understanding the cryptic exchange between them, yet all certain that some unspoken message had passed between the two.
Just as their curiosity was piqued to the point of agitation, the men sent by the Marquis of Chengenhou to handle the matter returned, one after the other, each holding a box.
Seizing the chance to change the subject, Yu Qing walked over, opened the boxes to inspect their contents, and then extended them forward. “Everything is here.”
Zhao Tang took one box in each hand and brought them to Yu Zhi Yue.
Yu Zhi Yue checked them one by one and said, “Two bracelets, three Buyao hairpins, two Yingluo necklaces, four pairs of earrings, the land deed for one manor estate and two shop premises, and the bottom-of-the-chest gold are still missing.”
“Then convert it all into silver,” Lan Jin said, turning her gaze to the man opposite her, whose face had grown even darker. “What does the Marquis of Chengenhou think?”
Yu Qing replied in a heavy tone, “No matter how vast the Marquis Mansion’s wealth and assets may be, we cannot produce so much silver at once.”
“In that case, I will make a concession,” Lan Jin said, wearing an expression of reluctant compromise. “The Marquis Mansion owns four adjoining shop premises on Shanyou Street and a Hot Springs Estate outside the city. Compensate with an additional thirty thousand taels in banknotes, and this matter will be settled.”
“Impossible!”
Before Yu Qing could respond, the Old Madam jumped to her feet. “With a mere flick of your lips, you demand half of my Marquis Mansion’s wealth? You must be daydreaming!”
Lan Jin still ignored the old woman. “Is this also your meaning, Marquis of Chengenhou?”
Yu Qing neither denied nor confirmed it, merely stating, “The Marquis Mansion truly cannot produce it at once.”
"Then I'll compromise further. If you sign this divorce agreement, the amount can be reduced by half."
Zhao Tang presented the long-prepared divorce agreement to Yu Qing. Though the thin sheet of paper weighed little, in the eyes of the Marquis of Chengen, it carried the weight of a thousand gold.
To what extent must one despise her husband to insist on signing a divorce agreement even after death? All for the sake of not being buried in the husband's ancestral tomb, not resting beside him in the afterlife.
He did not want to sign it. Once this divorce agreement was signed publicly, everyone would know he was the one at fault.
Yet he had no choice but to sign. Thirty thousand taels was not an amount the Marquis Mansion couldn't afford, but without Madam Qi's bridal dowry and after paying out such a large sum, the mansion would struggle in the days to come.
Staring at the three characters "Qi Jia Min" on the divorce agreement, Yu Qing let out a long sigh. By now, how could he not see that this was the other party's ultimate goal? As long as Madam Qi remained his wife for a day, even in death, she would have to be buried with him. The other party had brought the coffin here clearly intending to take away the remains. So…
"Just the four shops and the Hot Springs Estate. If you agree, I'll press my thumbprint now. But if you push me too far, don't forget—even if Zhi Yue refuses to acknowledge me, I am still her father."
As her father, there were many things he could do.
Since his mother had already uttered the threats, leaving him with neither face nor dignity, Yu Qing cast aside his own pride as well.
Not only Lan Jin, but even Yu Zhi Yue understood the threat implied. She immediately wanted to retort, but a gentle hand pressed down on her shoulder.
"Does the Marquis of Chengen mean that these thirty thousand taels are not only to buy your signature on the divorce agreement but also to sever Zhi Yue's blood ties and kinship with Chengenhou Manor?"
Though Yu Qing did not nod, his silence was answer enough.
Lan Jin opened her palm, and like magic, Zhao Tang produced another document and placed it there.
"Then let us grant the Marquis of Chengen his wish. Please sign this Severance of Kinship Document."
He had been tricked.
Those three words echoed in the Marquis of Chengen's mind. The other party's true aim was not only divorce but also severing kinship ties.
She had thought of everything, for both the elder and the younger.
Lan Jin paid no mind to whether her intentions had been seen through. At this stage, even if they were, it was too late.
"Of course, the Marquis of Chengen may choose to pay the thirty thousand taels. I am quite reasonable—two options, choose whichever you prefer."
Yu Qing wanted to choose the former. As long as Yu Zhi Yue remained his daughter, the money wouldn't truly be given to an outsider. With some maneuvering, it might even be recovered.
But meeting the woman's half-smiling gaze, he suppressed the thought.
If he could think of this, the other party might have anticipated it as well. Yet she still proposed it—perhaps it was another trap, another pit she had dug, waiting for him to jump in before making further demands.
The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. How could the Marquis of Chengen fall for such a trick? He immediately took both the Severance of Kinship Document and the divorce agreement.
Zhao Tang conjured a box of ink paste, watching as he pressed his thumbprints on both documents before retrieving them and nodding to her lady.
Lan Jin reminded him, "What about the land deeds for the shops and the Hot Springs Estate?"
Having been led by the nose since the meeting began, Yu Qing was so aggrieved he felt like killing someone. He waved his hand, signaling Second Madam to fetch them quickly. All he wanted now was to send this harbinger of misfortune away.
Second Madam had no desire to hand over the family's properties, especially to Yu Zhi Yue. These were meant for her son!
"Marquis, those are the most profitable shops in the household…"
Just as Second Madam was about to throw a tantrum, she looked up and saw the Marquis's murderous expression, immediately swallowing her words. Wiping the corner of her eye, she hurried away.
This spectacle concluded with Lan Jin's overwhelming victory.
When Second Madam brought the land deed, Lan Jin glanced around. These people had watched the commotion for so long—it was time they contributed some effort.