Several old women escorted the mother and child back to their courtyard, leaving without even offering them a cup of water.

The mother and son were left heartbroken, embracing each other and weeping bitterly.

Another rumor circulated in the market that Wu Xiucai's moral character was so bad that even Heaven couldn't stand it and struck him and his mother down.

As the story spread, it eventually reached the ears of the county magistrate. This was a serious matter; the scholars under his jurisdiction were deemed unworthy of their positions, and if the higher authorities investigated, he would not be able to bear the responsibility.

So the county magistrate quickly reported the matter to the prefectural city, and a month later, Wu Yanbin's scholar status was revoked.

Wu Yanbin's injury took a month to heal. Just as he was about to go to the county government to sue Sun Xiaoli for breaking his hand, he received a summons from the county magistrate.

Having endured countless hardships while studying diligently, and having worked as a sewer and laundry worker, Wu Wangshi's hands were covered in chilblains, yet now she has been so easily dismissed.

But when divine punishment struck, he was powerless to stop it.

Wu Yanbin was heartbroken and didn't want to file a complaint anymore. The Sun family was rich, and he just wanted to cling to them so that things would be better for him in the future.

"My wife, I really know I was wrong. I will listen to you from now on. Let's live a good life together, okay?"

Xiao Li said with disdain, "Stay away from me. You two are people of the Thunder Punishment, which is too unlucky. From now on, you can only move around in the courtyard. Don't go out and embarrass me."

Wu Yanbin was furious when he heard this.

“Sun Xiaoli, you have no right to detain us.”

"Oh, then let's get a divorce. In a few months, I'll find an obedient and handsome man to marry into my Sun family."

Yes, the Wu residence has now been renamed the Sun residence, and the mother and son are unaware of this.

Wu Yanbin's face turned dark and then pale. He didn't say a word and went back to his study.

From then on, the two of them not only had to work every day, but no one even brought them meals. They had to cook for themselves and cultivate vegetables in the yard.

“Son, what’s the point of living like this? Why don’t we get a divorce and go back to the countryside? I’ll find you a better one. It’s better than living here as a dependent.”

Wu Yanbin thought more deeply, “Mother, I have no official rank now, and I won’t find a good one in the future. How can a country girl be worthy of me?”

"Now, I'm still the Sun family's son-in-law, after all. As long as I don't divorce her, Sun Xiaoli will still have to rely on me in the future."

Wu Wangshi said worriedly, "I think Sun Shi doesn't want to live happily with you anymore. Let's leave as soon as possible."

Wu Yanbin didn't believe it. "I don't believe that she was so good to me before and has no feelings for me at all. I will find a way to make her change her mind."

Unfortunately, Xiao Lilang's heart was as hard as iron, and he never had another chance.

New rumors have surfaced: Sun Niangzi is truly loyal and devoted; even after Wu Yanbin and his son were struck by lightning, she remained steadfast in her loyalty, a true role model for women.

When Wu Yanbin heard these rumors, he knew things were going badly. If he were Sun, what would he do?

He returned to his room, packed his things, and prepared to leave with Lady Wu.

That night, he quietly went to the back gate, but unfortunately, there were guards there, so he had to take Wu Wangshi over the wall.

When she jumped, Wu Wangshi accidentally twisted her ankle. The pain made her pale, but she gritted her teeth and refused to cry out.

After the two men helped her walk for a while, Wu Wangshi fainted. Wu Yanbin didn't have money to see a doctor, so he could only give Wu Wangshi a massage.

As dawn broke, he dared not linger and carried his mother on his back to the countryside.

Two days later, Wu Wangshi returned to the countryside. She lay in bed groaning in pain every day. Gradually, she lost feeling in her calves. After a few more days, she fell into a coma and died suddenly in her sleep one night.

"Sun Xiaoli, I will never let you get away with this!"

Wu Yanbin roared...

After giving his mother a simple burial, he took the money from selling his ancestral property and set off for the capital.

He joined a merchant caravan that traveled all over the country, bought a carriage, and some scarce goods, intending to sell them in the capital. He also bought some goods from the north to sell in other places.

He spent three years wandering and displaced with the caravan.

"Xiao Wu, once this batch of goods is sold, let's go to Jinyang Tower together to relax."

Wu Yanbin smiled and said, "I won't go. You guys have fun."

He went back to his room to rest after he finished speaking.

"This kid is too well-behaved. You never know when you'll be gone when you're out and about. You should enjoy life while you can."

"Yeah, let's go have some fun."

"Let's go... let's go..."

A brother and sister were eating at the table; they were clearly from a wealthy family.

"Second brother, that guy is quite interesting."

Yang Tingzhi tapped his younger sister on the head, "Eat your food properly, why are you worrying about others?"

Yang Yutong stuck out her tongue, but her eyes were fixed on Wu Yanbin's back until he disappeared from sight.

Wu Yanbin entered the room, his heart pounding. He had just heard Sun Xiaoli's name; it was the two siblings talking.

I never imagined she would be so successful, with her business even expanding to the capital.

However, judging from what those two people said, they also wanted to take advantage of the Sun family, so it's worth making use of them.

Wu Yanbin handed over all the goods to Lao Wang, a fellow trader, in exchange for a share of the profits, which Lao Wang happily accepted.

He kept an eye on the two siblings, but their identities seemed to be quite extraordinary, as they were followed by many guards, and he couldn't find an opportunity to approach them.

Coincidentally, they ended up traveling together towards the capital.

One evening, Yang Yutong went to wash up by the stream alone and unexpectedly saw the man from the inn that day burning paper money, seemingly to commemorate someone.

“Mother, today is the anniversary of your death. Please forgive your son for not being at your grave. I was delayed for some time and that's why I couldn't make it back.”

"Mother, Sun Xiaoli has now expanded her business to the capital, but I will definitely avenge you and make her pay for her crimes in blood."

Yang Yutong intended to leave, but unexpectedly heard a familiar name.

"Hey, you there, are you talking about Sun Xiaoli from Yancheng?"

Wu Yanbin stood up, looking wary. "Who are you? Why are you eavesdropping on me?"

Yang Yutong asked eagerly, "Tell me quickly, is that right?"

Wu Yanbin seemed to be driven to desperation, "It's her. I have a deep-seated hatred for her. Even if you're standing up for her, I'll still find her and take revenge."

Yang Yutong laughed in exasperation, "You idiot, who wants to stand up for her? I was just asking."

Wu Yanbin breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good, I apologize for my rudeness."

As he spoke, he performed a scholar's salute, but halfway through, he seemed to remember something and changed it to a commoner's salute.

Yang Yutong tilted her head and looked him up and down. "You're a strange person. You seem like a scholar, but not quite. What grudge do you have against Sun Xiaoli?"

Wu Yanbin remained silent, simply bowed, and left.

Yang Yutong was extremely curious, so she asked her guards to inquire about it. Soon, Wu Yanbin's information appeared on her desk.

"Interesting, it seems there's more to it than meets the eye."