"It has been more than half a month since I arrived in the capital, but I have not seen my rebellious daughter come to visit. I have come today to ask her if she still cares about her old mother."
Yan Qingqing's voice came over in a rather cold tone, and those who heard it began to discuss it amongst themselves.
Yes, why doesn't the young mistress of the Wu family go to pay her respects to Madam Mingzhao?
To say that they are prejudiced against the poor and favor the rich is completely impossible, because in everyone's eyes, the Li family is much better off than the Wu family now.
Mr. Wu, whose full name was Wu Dongcheng, glanced at Mrs. Wu, frowned, and asked, "What? Our in-laws have been in the capital for so long, has your daughter-in-law not been back at all?"
The child is too young to understand; why didn't you, as the mother-in-law, give him a little pointers?
Wu Dongcheng was so engrossed in his love affair that he was not really aware that Li Xinniang had been confined to her home.
Upon hearing this, Madam Wu opened her mouth, unsure how to answer the question.
Seeing this, Wu Dongcheng said to the butler behind him, "You really don't know any better. The in-laws have arrived. Why don't you hurry up and invite the young mistress out?"
This steward, Wu, was none other than the Second Steward Wu who had gone to Mingzhao Prefecture to report the news. Upon hearing this, he quickly said, "Reporting to Master, the young mistress is still under house arrest, I'm afraid..."
Wu Dongcheng was taken aback when he heard this. He no longer cared about family matters and had little contact with Li Xinniang, but in his memory, his daughter-in-law was intelligent and polite. How could she be confined to her home?
However, upon reflection, it became clear that Madam Wu had initially disagreed with Jingzhi marrying the Li family's daughter, and had never really liked her after she entered the family.
However, his daughter-in-law was tolerant and his son was filial, so he always thought the family was harmonious.
Unexpectedly, the daughter-in-law was placed under house arrest. So, when Madam Mingzhao came to visit this year... was she here to demand an explanation?
Thinking of this, Wu Dongcheng quickly scolded, "You good-for-nothing! Madam Mingzhao has arrived. How can the young mistress, as her daughter, not come to greet her? Go and invite the young mistress out."
Anyone who dares to stop them will be sold off immediately!
Upon hearing this, Steward Wu turned around and went back to the mansion to invite Li Xinniang.
Wu Dongcheng then looked at Yan Qingqing obsequiously and said, "In-law, look how chaotic it is outside, please come in."
Indeed, more and more people were gathering outside, but Yan Qingqing wasn't afraid of being watched.
So she snorted and said, "I am not worthy of the title of in-law."
I had been wondering why Xinniang hadn't come to pay her respects since we'd been in the capital for so long. I thought it was because she'd gotten married and no longer respected her as her own mother, but it turns out she was under house arrest.
May I ask you two, what wrong has my daughter Xinniang done that you have to confine her to the house?
If you two cannot give me a satisfactory explanation today, then don't blame me for being impolite.
Neither Wu Dongcheng nor his wife expected Yan Qingqing to immediately break off relations with them.
There are so many people watching outside, they've really shown no respect whatsoever.
Madam Wu wanted to explain, but didn't know how. She could only whisper in defense, "Mrs. Li is jealous. Which man doesn't have three wives and four concubines? She makes all sorts of excuses when I ask her to marry my son a concubine."
Yan Qingqing snorted coldly and said, "Madam Wu, you're just trying to tear up someone else's umbrella after getting soaked yourself. It seems you can't stand seeing your own son do well!"
Everyone knew that Wu Dongcheng was a womanizer, and Madam Wu was speechless after being choked by Yan Qingqing.
When Li Xinniang heard that Yan Qingqing had arrived, she rushed to the front door without hesitation.
She regretted it, she really regretted it. She shouldn't have disobeyed her mother and gone her own way.
Now her mother is even having to argue with someone like Old Lady Wu because of her.
Li Xinniang ran all the way to the gate of the mansion. When she saw that noble woman standing there so dazzlingly, tears immediately streamed down her face.
Li Xinniang walked up to Yan Qingqing, knelt down with a thud, and sobbed, "Your unfilial daughter Xinniang greets her mother."
Yan Qingqing glanced at her, but didn't tell her to get up. Instead, she asked, "Do you know you're wrong?"
Li Xinniang replied, "My daughter knows she was wrong."
Yan Qingqing: "Where did you go wrong?"
Li Xinniang: "I shouldn't have disobeyed you and insisted on marrying into the capital, causing you so much worry."
Yan Qingqing glanced at Mu Xi beside her and gestured for her to help the person up.
Upon receiving the signal, Mu Xi quickly stepped forward and helped Li Xinniang up.
She then retreated back to Yan Qingqing's side.
Yan Qingqing looked at Li Xinniang and said, "Your mistake is not here. There is nothing wrong with you pursuing your own happiness."
Your mistake was that you didn't respect and love yourself. I gave birth to you and raised you so that you could be bullied and trampled on by others.
Although you have lost your father, you still have your mother, your brothers, and any of us can be your support.
"With your mother here, what are you afraid of!"
Upon hearing Yan Qingqing's words, Li Xinniang burst into tears. She thought back to the time with the cripple. Her mother had protected her so fiercely, beating the cripple so badly that he never dared to come to her door again.
So with her mother around, she wasn't afraid of anything.
Yan Qingqing looked at her and asked, "Did you receive the Li family's rules that I had someone bring you last year?"
Li Xinniang nodded and said, "Received it."
Yan Qingqing then asked, "Did you understand what was inside?"
Li Xinniang nodded again and replied, "I understand."
Yan Qingqing said with a sullen face, "Then why are you still staying in the Wu family? With such a terrible mother-in-law and such a useless husband, why not divorce him or wait until the New Year?"
As soon as Yan Qingqing finished speaking, a collective gasp arose from the surrounding area. Madam Mingzhao was truly domineering.
This isn't someone coming to avenge their daughter; this is someone coming to divorce their husband on their daughter's behalf.
If you were to ask who Yan Qingqing was most angry with, it wouldn't be Li Xin's mother or the Wu couple, but Wu Jingzhi.
All those words and promises he made when he proposed to Li Xinniang were utter bullshit.
Although he has not taken a concubine yet, he allows his mother to bully his wife and always cowers in the face of trouble. He is a typical mama's boy.
Living with this kind of person is psychological torture, even worse than being beaten up.
Over time, he will lean more towards his mother's side, and eventually compromise will be reached, with concubines and mistresses becoming indispensable.
She was just like her scumbag ex-husband, which was why Yan Qingqing strongly opposed the marriage.
When Wu Dongcheng heard Yan Qingqing say that she wanted Li Xinniang to divorce Wu Jingzhi, his heart skipped a beat. He felt that Yan Qingqing was not only unreasonable but also somewhat fierce.
She quickly said, "My dear in-law, oh, Madam Mingzhao, that's too serious. It's not uncommon for daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law to have disagreements; every family has its share of everyday troubles."
I'm quite satisfied with Xinniang; at worst, I'll have my wife apologize to her later."
Yan Qingqing sneered and said, "Wu Dongcheng, you're quite sensible, but unfortunately your son is not."
"I'm taking him home today. Whether the two families agree to a peaceful divorce or a formal separation is up to you."
After saying that, he turned to Mu Xi and said, "Take your eldest sister's dowry and pack it up and take it with you. Forget about the betrothal gifts from the Wu family, since they weren't prepared for our family."
Furthermore, smash up the Wu family's house! I, the wife, will take full responsibility for whatever happens!
Upon hearing this, Mu Xi quickly agreed and led her people into the inner courtyard of the Wu family.
Madam Wu tried to stop her, but the guards with knives around Yan Qingqing were clearly not to be trifled with, so she was too frightened to speak.
Mu Xi quickly packed up Li Xinniang's things, and then had people smash up the Wu family's house. Anyone who dared to stop them had their legs broken.
Poor Wu Jingzhi was sent away on an errand by Madam Wu.
A letter came from home saying that Li Xin's mother had been placed under house arrest. He put aside everything he was doing and rushed home day and night, but in the end, he was too late.
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