Chapter 146 A Heartbreaking Cry

"Adong!"

Her voice trembled, "Do you even have any regard for me now? I carried you for ten months, raised you, supported your education, and hoped you would succeed. Now, for this woman who just entered the family, you treat even Wanyu, who grew up with you, like this? Have you forgotten what your own surname is?"

Fu Li'an slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze was firm.

He slowly walked up to his mother, his voice low but powerful.

“Mom, Qingqing is my wife. I choose to believe her, just like you chose to believe Dad back then. Do you remember what outsiders said about you marrying a poor boy? But you didn’t listen to the gossip and stayed with him through the hardest days. Now, I want to believe her too and walk with her through this journey.”

These words were like a knife, piercing straight into Song Yazhi's heart.

Her face turned pale instantly, her legs went weak, and she took two steps back.

"Great! That's really great!"

Song Yazhi's tone was filled with disappointment and anger, "I raised you with so much pain and worry, how many nights did I stay up, how much care did I have, and this is how you repay me? For a girl from the countryside, you're even abandoning your own mother who gave birth to you and raised you?"

Fu Li'an felt waves of pain in his heart, as if something was pressing down on him.

Even so, he stood straight, his gaze firm, showing no sign of backing down.

"Mom, I never said I didn't want you."

His voice was low but clear as he spoke, word by word, “I just hope you can be fair to Qingqing and not judge her based on what you’ve heard. She’s my wife and your daughter-in-law. It’s upsetting for her to humiliate her like this in front of her.”

"other people?"

Song Yazhi suddenly pointed at Fang Wanyu, who was standing to the side.

“I watched Wanyu grow up. She’s been sensible, obedient, and well-mannered since she was little. How could she be an outsider? When you say ‘others,’ are you referring to her?”

Qiao Wanyin quietly pursed her lips, forcefully suppressing the bitterness and humiliation surging in her heart.

She understood that Song Yazhi was currently overwhelmed by emotions, and her reason had long been clouded by prejudice.

Fortunately, she is no longer the person she used to be, someone who was bullied, submissive, and afraid to even argue.

Otherwise, she probably would have turned away and secretly cried long ago.

"mom."

Fu Li'an's voice rang out again, carrying an undeniable weight.

"Please respect my wife. She is my choice and the person I want to spend my life with. No matter what has happened in the past, I will not abandon her. So please give her some basic respect."

Song Yazhi turned her head sharply, and suddenly, a strange panic welled up in her heart.

That obedient son who was well-behaved since childhood would actually do this for a woman.

How could she speak to her own mother in this tone?

I was furious!

She was both anxious and resentful, and her voice was trembling with tears.

"Adong, I really didn't expect... you could be so foolish! For a stranger, you even disown your own mother? How am I supposed to face people now? How am I supposed to explain this to our relatives?"

Fang Wanyu stood to the side, her eyes glancing at Fu Li'an's tense profile, a smug feeling quietly rising in her heart.

No matter what, she had to find a way to keep Song Yazhi there.

As long as her mother-in-law stays here for a while, Qiao Wanyin won't have a single day of peace.

Thinking of this, a slight smile appeared on her lips.

"Aunt Song, please don't get angry."

She gently patted Song Yazhi's arm, "You've had a long and tiring journey, your body must be exhausted. Please don't get angry over such a small matter and harm your health, that would really be a waste."

After speaking, she slowly turned around to face Fu Lian.

"Brother Li An, please don't blame Auntie. She was just worried and confused; she doesn't know about Sister Wanyin's past, which is why she misunderstood. Once she understands, she'll naturally understand what happened."

"Once she stays here longer, she'll naturally understand what kind of person Wanyin is."

Fu Li'an sighed softly, yet his expression revealed an undeniable determination.

He knew that time would prove everything; Wan Yin's kindness and resilience could not be concealed by a few harsh words.

"You should go and rest first."

Qiao Wanyin bowed slightly, her tone gentle to the point of humility.

Making concessions at this moment is not a sign of weakness, but rather a way to preserve the dignity of this family.

She didn't want Fu Lian to be caught in the middle and put in a difficult position, and she didn't want the marriage to be shrouded in gloom right from the start.

Fu Li'an stood still, his eyes filled with mixed emotions as he looked at Qiao Wanyin's back.

He wanted to defend her, but ultimately fell silent, caught between blood ties and marriage.

She didn't want to put him in a difficult position, nor did she want him to have a falling out with his closest relatives because of her.

She knew Fu Lian was protecting her, but confronting him head-on would only make her mother-in-law dislike her even more.

She wants to prove herself with time and action, rather than winning a position through arguments.

"Li An, I'll go tidy up the room so Mom can get some rest."

Her movements were light and nimble, without the slightest hesitation.

She picked up a clean sheet and walked slowly toward the guest room.

She wanted her mother-in-law to be more comfortable, even if the latter didn't appreciate it.

Fang Wanyu claimed she was accompanying Song Yazhi for a stroll in the courtyard, but she secretly took her away.

Fu Lian entered the guest room and gently hugged his wife from behind as she was making the bed.

"Qingqing, I'm sorry, I embarrassed you today."

His arm encircled her waist, and his chin rested gently on her shoulder.

Qiao Wanyin smiled.

"I do feel a bit wronged, after all, I didn't take that jade ruyi."

She didn't turn around, nor did she want him to see the fleeting sadness in her eyes.

"However, I was just unlucky enough to enter the room at that exact moment. Anyone else would have been suspected, wouldn't they?"

She turned around and looked at Fu Lian with bright eyes.

"But seeing my husband standing by my side like this makes me feel quite sweet inside."

She reached out and gently stroked his cheek, smiling openly.

"The moment you spoke up for me, I felt that it was all worth it."

Fu Li'an looked at her with heartache: "Silly girl, how can you still laugh when you've been wronged?"

He wished she could be a little more willful, could have a good cry, instead of always swallowing everything with a smile.

Qiao Wanyin squinted her eyes, like a little fox.

"What's the big deal? There are plenty of unpleasant things in life. If you're always frowning over everything, life would be too boring."

She tilted her head and winked playfully, as if the grievance she had just felt had never existed.

"I, Qiao Wanyin, don't believe in fate, nor am I afraid of trouble. No matter how big the storm, I can just laugh it off."

"I would never live like that! I have the best husband in the world now, nothing else matters."

Her voice was muffled, yet filled with complete satisfaction.

"Tell me, who in this world could be luckier than me? I married you, you're the one who trusts me, and you're the one who protects me. What do all those other idle gossips matter?"

"But... my mom treated you like that..."

Fu Li'an lowered his voice, tinged with hesitation and unease.

He knew his mother's attitude was hurtful, and he also knew that Wan Yin had been tolerating it.

But he still couldn't help worrying that one day she would really get heartbroken and turn away.

"It's alright!"