When Ruan asked again, Xiang Wan just shook her head, seemingly wanting to say something but stopping herself.

Seeing her like this, Ruan Shi thought she had suffered a lot of injustice, and immediately made up her mind to find out everything about Ji Meiniang's affairs in the Cao family.

“Aunt, it’s been so many years since I’ve been back. Have you heard that a famous temple called Zhongming Temple has sprung up in the suburbs? It’s very popular, and on the first and fifteenth of each month, ladies and young women all go there to pray and draw lots. My mother has been in low spirits lately. Could you please ask me to invite her to go and offer incense in a few days?”

“That’s easy. On the way back, I heard someone mention it, and they say it’s very effective. You can come with us, just to relax.”

"Okay, my aunt still loves me the most."

The two chatted for a while longer, and then Xiang Wan and Ji Meiniang took a carriage back to the Cao family.

After they left, Madam Ruan discussed the matter of that Indian man with Ji Pengyu.

In early spring, darkness falls quickly. By the time they arrived home, night had already fallen, and the lanterns of the Cao family mansion were already hanging high on the porch.

As soon as they stepped into the front hall, they saw Cao Xinqian sitting at the head of the table with an angry expression, Yuan Xiqing being helped to sit beside him by Cao Ruwan, and two servants kneeling on the ground. Upon closer inspection, they recognized them as Wang Ma, the old woman who served Ji Meiniang, and a young maid who was in charge of purchasing.

Wang Ma knelt on the ground without saying a word, while the young maidservant's face was covered in tears and her whole body was trembling.

"Ji Meiniang, what a mess you've made!"

Upon hearing Cao Xinqian's words, Wang Ma turned her head and looked at Ji Meiniang with hopeful eyes. The maidservant, on the other hand, buried her head in the ground, trembling.

"Master, it's not my sister's fault, it was Xiqing's own carelessness, please don't..."

“Xiqing, you’re just too kind. What kind of time is this to still be making excuses for her? If Ruwan hadn’t caught you, our child… If I don’t get to the bottom of this today, who knows how this vicious woman will bully you in the future. As the head of the family, I will never allow such a thing to happen again.”

The servants in the hall were all silent, only Cao Xinqian and Yuan Xiqing were putting on a one-man show.

Yuan Xiqing, pale and weak, sat in a chair. When she saw Ji Meiniang arrive, she wanted to get up to greet her, but Cao Xinqian pressed her back down.

Cao Ruwan lowered her head and remained silent. Xiang Wan and Ji Meiniang both saw the murderous look in Cao Xinqian's eyes and the expressions on the servants' faces.

However, even after leaving the mansion, some people couldn't contain themselves.

Xiang Wan turned her head and whispered a few words to Zijuan. Seeing her turn and leave, she then took Ji Meiniang's arm, sat down at the head of the hall, and ordered someone to brew two cups of tea.

If someone wants to perform, how can she not set up a stage?

"Father, what's wrong? Why are you so angry? Uncle went back to the capital today, and Mother and I went to help out, which delayed us until now. Mother was worried that no one would be managing the household, so she rushed back. Father, what happened? Why is Aunt Yuan here?"

"Ji Meiniang, you truly have some tricks up your sleeve! You forbade me from taking a concubine in the past, but now that I am pregnant, you dare to plot against the child in her womb! I, Cao Xinqian, have lived an upright life, how can I allow a vicious woman like you to ruin my Cao family line? If you don't make things clear today, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Even knowing that Cao Xinqian's heart no longer belonged to her, Ji Meiniang never imagined he would wrongly accuse her without even knowing the facts. More than a decade of marriage couldn't compare to a baby yet to be formed. At that moment, Ji Meiniang felt a chill in her heart.

"Cao Xinqian, have you said enough? I'm a poisonous woman? Don't forget who gave you your current status and position. When you got married, you said you'd be with me for life, and you've already forgotten? It's laughable that I actually believed you. All these years, you've been philandering, and I've turned a blind eye to it for the sake of the Cao family's reputation. Even when Yuan Xiqing came to the manor, I didn't stop her at all. What, she's your darling, and you blame me for every little thing that happens? If you're so capable, then hide her away and never let her show her face in front of me again."

"You...you really are a wicked woman! If I don't divorce you today, I, Cao Xinqian, will be unworthy of being a man!"

"Divorce your wife? It's not your turn yet!"

"Of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is to have no offspring. You married into my Cao family, but instead of thinking about producing offspring for my Cao family, you have used every means to achieve your goal. Just because you have no children, I have reason to divorce you. Ji Meiniang, what man in the world would stay with you for more than ten years without taking a concubine like me? I have already been more than kind and righteous to you."

"Cao Xinqian, how dare you!"

"Xiao Liu, get me a pen and ink. I'll write the letter of divorce right now."

"Wait." Xiang Wan called out to Xiao Liu, who was about to leave, and turned to kneel before Cao Xinqian, saying, "Father, I don't understand. What did Mother do that you want to divorce her? We need to find out the truth before making any decisions. Otherwise, not only will Mother be dissatisfied, but the entire Cao family will also be dissatisfied."

Cao Xinqian looked at Xiang Wan, who resembled Ji Meiniang, and said coldly, "Fine, I'll show you your mother's true colors. Granny Wang, tell me the truth now."

"Master, spare me! Madam, spare me! This old servant did nothing. It was Aunt Yuan who almost fell by accident. It has nothing to do with you, Madam!" Wang Ma kept kowtowing, looking terrified.

Wang Ma, a close servant who serves the mistress of the house, acts solely on behalf of her mistress. In the Cao household, Wang Ma holds the highest rank among the servants, yet she has acted in this way, even though what she said has nothing to do with Ji Meiniang, she is clearly pinning the blame on her mistress. Her motive is quite obvious.

“Wang Ma, you can’t wait to pin the blame on my mother, can you? What good will it do you if my mother falls from grace? Or has someone promised you that once my mother loses power, you can get what you want? An old servant like you seems to have nothing to gain except for her own descendants. Let me think, your grandson, isn’t his name Tianbao? He’s smart and handsome, and almost of school age, right? If you were to be freed from your lowly status, and Tianbao went to a private school, he could work hard and pass the imperial examinations, bringing honor to the family. Even if there’s only a sliver of a chance, you want to try. Tell me, am I right?”

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!