Song Zhiyu is not easily fooled, but Shen's mother is different. She has never had any opinions of her own and is soft-hearted. She believes everything they say when they say a few nice words, and she is very easy to manipulate.

The old lady couldn't help but feel a strong sense of displeasure when her daughter-in-law, whom she had controlled for many years, suddenly became assertive.

So what if she kept a mistress? She hasn't been deprived of the dignity she deserves. This relentless pursuit shows a complete lack of the demeanor of a mistress.

Women born into humble families are considered unfit for respectable positions.

And Feng'er, what a carelessness of him, actually let Chen the wet nurse reveal everything.

She had initially disagreed with raising Ye Rou, but Ye Rou's womb proved her worth by giving birth to a promising grandson.

For the sake of Rushan, she had no choice but to wrong her mother.

Her eldest grandson cannot have a concubine, so the matter of elevating him to the status of a secondary wife is a foregone conclusion.

Madam Shen grumbled inwardly, but her face remained full of loving kindness.

This tactic of hers has always been effective, and she combines both soft and hard tactics, so how could Mother Shen possibly defeat her?

“Mother, you have indeed treated your daughter-in-law well all these years, but I will never agree to the matter of elevating my wife to a secondary status.” Mother Shen wiped away her tears. Only now did she finally see the true colors of this mother and son; they were two peas in a pod.

"You have to agree whether you like it or not. It's not your place to make decisions in this household right now." Before Old Madam Shen could even speak, Shen Feng couldn't sit still any longer.

Shen's mother's family was just a small merchant family, posing no threat to Shen Feng, so he didn't need to worry too much.

"Clap clap clap~"

As soon as Shen Feng finished speaking, a crisp clapping sound followed. Song Zhiyu smiled, her reddened eyes slightly upturned, "Today's show was truly interesting. Tomorrow, the people of the capital will have another topic of conversation to discuss over tea."

The Marquis of Cheng'en favored his concubine more than his wife, and his son from his concubine's family was the same age as his legitimate son...

As if Shen Feng's expression wasn't bad enough, Song Zhiyu slapped her forehead and suddenly realized, "I forgot, Father is no longer the Marquis of Chengen."

“Song Zhiyu, what good does it do you if I don’t get along with your mother? Why do you keep going against me? Don’t forget, you are still a member of the Marquis’s family.”

"If you want to marry the Crown Prince in the future, without your family's support, your life in the palace won't be easy." Shen Feng almost ground his teeth to powder. Originally, his family was doing well, and this secret he kept to himself would remain buried forever.

But then Song Zhiyu suddenly appeared out of nowhere, throwing the Marquis's mansion into chaos.

Song Zhiyu lowered her eyelids, the curve of her lips becoming more pronounced. "It won't be like that for long."

Everyone present was stunned, not understanding what he meant.

Shen Yuzhou's heart skipped a beat as he realized that what Song Zhiyu was about to say was something he didn't want to hear. He wanted to speak up to stop her, but found that he had no right to do so.

"From this day forward, I, Song Zhiyu, sever all ties with the Marquis's mansion. I will have no further connection with them in this life." Song Zhiyu took out the severance letter he had prepared long ago, and spoke each word crisply and decisively, without any lingering attachment.

Shen Feng's eyes widened, and his voice became shrill, "You want to sever ties with the Marquis's mansion?"

Song Zhiyu's tone was resolute. She had waited long enough for this day. "Yes, from now on, I will go my separate ways with Houfu Bridge and Lu Road. Whether I live or die, it will be none of my business."

"So you pulled this stunt today just to escape the Marquis's mansion. What a clever scheme! Aren't you afraid of being drowned in the spittle of the people?" Shen Rushan suddenly spoke, his gaze fixed on Song Zhiyu with a sinister look, finally understanding her purpose.

But what benefits would leaving the Marquis's mansion bring Song Zhiyu that would make her scheme and plot so meticulously?

"Lord Shen should know better than I who the people will turn their anger on. After all, I am just a pitiful person who was not loved by my father, whose identity was taken away by a concubine at birth, and who almost died in the belly of a beast."

Song Zhiyu was not intimidated at all. Once this got out, everyone knew perfectly well who was in the wrong.

Having said all he could say, Shen Yuzhou suddenly gave up trying to persuade him.

Yes, with such a group of relatives who devour people without spitting out the bones, who wouldn't want to get away as soon as possible?

Perhaps leaving is the best outcome for Song Zhiyu.

He was just afraid that once Song Zhiyu left the Marquis's mansion, their only bond would be completely broken.

Shen Feng wasn't stupid either. He glared fiercely at Song Zhiyu, his words full of threat, "Song Zhiyu, you'd better think this through. You're just a country girl who grew up in the countryside. Once you leave the Marquis's mansion, there's no place for you in the capital."

Even though His Majesty has stripped him of his title, the Shen family's foundation remains, and they are certainly not comparable to Song Zhiyu, a mere village girl.

Leaving the Marquis's residence was Song Zhiyu's biggest mistake.

"No need for you to worry, Lord Marquis. It's hard to say who will be left without a place to stay." Song Zhiyu was not threatened by Shen Feng. From the moment she decided to leave the Marquis's mansion completely, she had already prepared a way out.

Shen Feng snorted coldly, ignoring Old Madam Shen's obstruction, and pressed his fingerprint on the letter of severance. "Hmph, remember what you said today. Even if you come back crying in the future, I will never agree."

After pressing his handprint, Shen Feng still felt a surge of anger and directly told him to leave, "Since you are no longer a member of the Marquis's mansion, you should not continue to stay here."

A strange smile curled at the corner of his mouth. Thinking that Song Zhiyu was unprepared, he wanted to embarrass her. "Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, leave the Marquis's residence with your belongings."

He wanted to see where Song Zhiyu could go after leaving the Marquis's mansion.

"No!" The three Shen brothers said in unison, their gazes toward Shen Feng filled with complex emotions, no longer showing the respect they once did.

The impact of these people on them today was too great. They couldn't understand why their father, whom they used to respect so much, had become so repulsive.

Shen Feng's face was filled with anger at being defied. "If you have any objections to my decision, you can also get out with her."

"No need, I don't want an ungrateful person. You should keep this good fortune for yourself." Song Zhiyu waved her hand and refused outright.

Now that we have severed ties with the Marquis's mansion, we should sever them completely.

The men's faces turned pale instantly, all the joy in their eyes vanished, and they couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

Have we come to dislike them to this extent?

"If you're willing to back down, I might be able to show leniency..."

Before Shen Feng could finish speaking, a sharp voice came from outside the door, freezing his smug expression on his face.

"Imperial edict has arrived!"

Chief Eunuch Li, accompanied by a group of palace servants, slowly walked in from outside the door, holding a bright yellow imperial edict. His expression was solemn, and his eyes revealed an unquestionable majesty.

He stood still, smiled respectfully at Song Zhiyu, then unfolded the imperial edict and exclaimed in a high-pitched voice: "There is a woman named Song Zhiyu, intelligent, courageous, virtuous and talented. She has rendered great service in the fight against the plague in Liangzhou, saving the people of Liangzhou from suffering. Her merits are outstanding, and I am greatly pleased."

For such illustrious achievements that will be remembered for generations, bringing blessings to this region, you are hereby granted the title of Princess of Mingyang County, and bestowed with a residence in the "Song Mansion," ten thousand taels of gold, and a thousand acres of fertile land. This is the imperial decree.

Upon hearing the imperial edict, everyone in the Marquis's residence was stunned, seemingly unable to believe their ears.

Song Zhiyu was not only granted the title of County Princess, but also bestowed with a mansion bearing the surname Song. What an immense favor this was!