Song Chengzhang's face turned pale; Xie Liwei's sarcastic remarks from earlier still echoed in his mind. And that line—"Lord Song, weren't you wondering why the Emperor suddenly dislikes the Song family? Why don't you go back and ask your wife about the paintings she helped steal and sell?"

Song Chengzhang recalled that during that period, it was just a painting that was lost, but his father's attitude was very abnormal. He seemed to be more afraid and apprehensive than worried about such a family scandal being publicized and causing the Song family to lose face.

Then, he packed his things and went back to his hometown.

At first, I didn't find my father's behavior strange, but now that I think about it carefully, it seems eerie.

Song Chengzhang ignored Song Qingyuan's question and immediately rushed back to the Song residence to interrogate Lin about what painting Luofu had asked her to steal.

Although Lin was timid and lacked assertiveness, she was not useless. She was skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and because she had always held a grudge about this matter and had never forgotten it, she quickly recited the painting, including the inscription on it.

Upon hearing this, Song Chengzhang slumped into his chair, seemingly lost in thought no matter how much Song Qingyuan called out to him.

Father, how could Father write such rebellious words!

It was Father who ruined the Song family!

Song Chengzhang remained silent for a long time before saying to his eldest son, "Your younger brother is going to take up his post in Jiangzhou. You should also go to Jiangzhou and see if you can get him to help you with some tasks. I plan to resign and take your mother back to the countryside to farm."

Song Qingyuan couldn't believe what he was hearing. They had studied so hard for so long, only to end up going back to their hometown to farm. How could he accept such an outcome!

Song Qingyuan's eyes reddened. He was already in such a state, and now his younger brother was going to Jiangcheng to take a minor official position. He didn't know how long he would have to endure before he could have the same glory as his grandfather.

"Father, I am not reconciled!"

"Am I to accept this?" Song Chengzhang roared, but he could not reveal his father's mistakes. To do so would be a capital offense of treason.

The Emperor had known about this matter for some time, but hadn't completely eradicated the Song family, probably because he hadn't been able to pinpoint their wrongdoings. Furthermore, Song Wenyue had given birth to a prince, so he tolerated it for the time being.

He needed to leave the capital with his family before the emperor could react.

This is the capital city!

The Song family had worked so hard to get to where they were, and now he was being asked to leave—he was truly unwilling and resentful!

But life is more important than anything else.

Soon after, Song Chengzhang submitted his resignation. Although he was a minor official, his daughter was Consort Zhen in the imperial harem, who had given birth to the precious sixth prince. Therefore, the people from the Ministry of Personnel still tried to gauge the emperor's opinion.

Yuwen Wuji was quite surprised to hear that Song Chengzhang had resigned from his official post. Although the old man Song appeared indifferent to power, Yuwen Wuji could still tell that the old man really craved it.

Otherwise, after I dismissed him from office, he wouldn't have stayed at home reminiscing about the previous dynasty and secretly harboring resentment towards me.

"What happened? What's wrong?" Yuwen Wuji asked, taking a sip of his nourishing medicinal soup. "This soup..."

Yuwen Wuji hesitated for a moment, feeling that the taste of this medicinal soup was very familiar.

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel recounted how Song Chengzhang had a conflict with the envoy from the Eastern Lin Kingdom while he was away.

"Hmph, I knew he wasn't one to stay put."

Yuwen Wuji sneered. This guy got into trouble and immediately thought of running away; it just goes to show how cowardly he was. Originally, he resented Old Man Song for reminiscing about the previous dynasty and wanted to teach the Song family a lesson. But thinking of his youngest son, he couldn't be too ruthless; it would be a disgrace to his son when he grew up.

So Yuwen Wuji waved his hand and said, "Forget it, I won't bother him anymore. Let him go."

Upon receiving the order, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel approved Song Chengzhang's resignation.

Although Song Chengzhang's resignation was approved, the Song family was not to leave immediately. When Lin heard that they were to leave the capital, she was very resentful of Song Chengzhang.

"I grew up here, and my daughter is here too. You want me to leave and go back to my hometown with you? I won't leave!" Lin said angrily. "You can leave if you want. I'm staying here. Even if I have to cut my hair and go to a nunnery, I won't leave the capital with you!"

Song Chengzhang could hardly believe that the usually obedient Lin Shi had actually given up on herself and defied him like this!

"Mrs. Lin, what's wrong with you! A married woman obeys her husband. Are you trying to divorce me by disobeying me?!"

Madam Lin looked at him with a hint of mockery in her eyes.

"If I had married a husband who was decisive and capable, I would have listened. But are you?"

Madam Lin's words struck a nerve with Song Chengzhang. He immediately felt as if his last veil of shame had been ripped off, and he raised his hand and slapped Madam Lin across the face. The sharp sound stunned everyone in the room.

The old nanny beside Madam Lin screamed as she helped Madam Lin up from the ground, "Master! How could you hit Madam! Madam was just a little harsh with her words, but how could you lay a hand on her!"

Song Chengzhang's hand was also trembling. He didn't expect that he would actually hit her in a moment of impulse. He didn't hold back and slapped Madam Lin so hard that her cheeks bulged and blood flowed from the corner of her lips.

"Madam! Are you alright, Madam!" the nanny cried out repeatedly, as if she herself had been beaten. "Quickly, fetch a doctor! Quickly, fetch a doctor!"

Mrs. Lin covered her face, her mind buzzing.

Her face was numb with pain, and her heart began to feel numb too.

"Get out! Get out!" Madam Lin screamed. "I'm going to the nunnery! I will never go with you!"

Song Chengzhang's face was ugly. He felt embarrassed and that his last bit of self-respect had been trampled on by his wife.

Throughout his life, he seemed to have failed at everything. His two daughters were quite accomplished, but his biological daughter wasn't close to him, and his adopted daughter wasn't his biological daughter either, so there was always a distance between them.

"Fine!" he gritted his teeth. "Since you want to stay, then stay. Let's see if you can endure the hardships in the nunnery!"

Madam Lin silently shed tears and turned to ask the nanny to pack her things.

She's been married into the Song family for so many years, working so hard and worrying so much, yet this man can't see a single good thing about her. Now, they've turned against each other, and she can't understand what she's gained in her life.

In her youth and ignorance, she obeyed her parents' wishes and married a man she didn't love. She bore him children, but before she knew it, her son was distant and her daughter was estranged.

"Granny, I'm such a failure! Waaah, what's the point of me living? Waaah!"

The old woman was heartbroken and hugged her, crying together.

"Miss, this is probably what happens when family ties are weak. You can't blame yourself! Don't be sad for those who have left; you must look forward!"

Moving forward? How could she possibly move forward?

In this era, how many women who leave their husbands' homes can live a good life?