In the winter sun, a thin, shimmering white light streamed through the vermilion window. Everyone remained silent, their expressions varied.
The only sounds in the hall were the clinking of teacups.
Chu Changning paused for a moment, then took the medicine from the maid's hand.
"Is this a pregnancy-inducing potion?"
The old lady looked a little uneasy and didn't say anything.
Li Lingyan, holding a handkerchief, asked, "Second sister-in-law, are you doubting Grandmother?"
Chu Changning stared at the dark, murky medicine in silence.
Noble families have always been known for their integrity and dignity. They would never expose the sordid affairs within their clans. Such disgraceful acts as divorcing one's wife and remarrying would cause a noble family to lose all face.
During the reign of Emperor Wei, Princess Longyang married the second son of the Cui family.
Before long, the world was in turmoil, the Wei Dynasty was destroyed, and Princess Longyang had neither children to rely on nor husband's favor. Less than half a month later, news came that she had died of illness.
The second son of the Cui family married a noblewoman from another prominent family a few days later.
She had reason to suspect that this was an attempt to make her emulate Princess Longyang and cover up the shame of the Yan family!
Seeing that she didn't move, the old lady urged, "Drink it, don't force this old woman to do it."
She can't control her unfilial grandson, and she can't even manage her granddaughter-in-law.
Madam Ronghua interjected, "Mother, is this about Erlang—"
"There's no need to tell him about matters concerning the inner quarters."
As soon as he finished speaking, the porcelain bowl was slammed onto the table with a loud bang, startling everyone who turned to look.
Chu Changning remained calm and composed, adjusted her clothes, and stood up.
"Grandmother, why don't you ask the Marquis to give me a letter of divorce first?"
The old lady's face darkened.
A distinguished family values its reputation; how could it allow such a disgraceful thing to be spread?
"Since you don't know what's good for you, then don't blame this old woman."
As soon as the old lady spoke, several maids outside lifted the curtain and came in, surrounding her.
The ladies sitting in the hall all looked at each other, watching the show.
"Is the old lady trying to force me?"
The old lady turned her face away. "If you're smart, you'll end it yourself."
Chu Changning pursed her lips, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke.
“I know that my marriage to you is not a good match. The old lady can give me a bowl of abortion soup and announce to the public that I have died of illness. I will take the letter of divorce and leave Yandu forever.”
The old lady snorted coldly, not believing her words at all.
A princess from a fallen kingdom, without the protection of the Yan family, would be easily devoured. How could she possibly give up her position as the matriarch of the Yan family?
She must die.
"Force it down her throat."
The maidservant brought over the medicine and gestured for the other maidservants to restrain her.
Chu Changning watched coldly, and suddenly a knife appeared in his hand, which he held to the neck of the old woman who was fetching the medicine.
As a lady from a prominent family, the fact that she carried a knife with her at all times shocked everyone.
The old lady turned pale with fright. "What are you doing?"
Chu Changning said coldly, "I don't want to do anything, so please don't make things difficult for me, Madam."
"This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! Men, drag her away!"
Hearing the commotion, the guards at the door came in, swords in hand.
Upon seeing the scene inside, the head guard's expression changed.
"Hold her down."
The old lady roared in anger, her hand, which was holding a cane, trembling violently.
She'd lived most of her life and never seen such an arrogant woman.
Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!
The head guard was sweating profusely, bowing and not moving. The one holding the knife was the master's wife, and he dared not act rashly.
"Please calm down, Madam."
The old lady tapped her cane on the ground with a thud.
"You—you're rebelling?"
The head guard choked up and could only direct the men behind him to step forward.
"Madam, please put the knife down first."
Chu Changning glanced at the room full of monsters and demons, his grip on the knife never loosening.
The old woman was so scared that she almost wet herself when a knife was held to her throat.
She had served the masters of the mansion for many years. Which lady in the mansion wasn't outwardly elegant and dignified? Who would dare to commit such a violent act in public as Princess Jinling?
The atmosphere inside the room was tense, and the ladies in the hall all looked panicked, but they still managed to maintain the dignity of a noble family.
Madam Ronghua stood up, supporting herself on the armrest. "Jinling, don't be impulsive. Put the knife down."
Chu Changning glanced at the trembling old woman and spoke indifferently.
"Let me go."
The old lady remained silent and gestured for the guards to go forward and grab her.
Just then, a maidservant hurried in from the outer veranda.
The curtain was lifted, and a cold wind rushed in.
Everyone turned to look.
A maid in green bowed as she entered and spoke.
"Madam, the Marquis has sent someone to fetch you. The carriage is waiting outside."
Everyone was taken aback, and all eyes turned to the old lady in the main seat.
The old lady's face darkened.
A biting north wind blew as the maids tended to the potted plants in the garden. Chu Changning lifted the curtain and stepped out, immediately feeling the chill to her very bones. She walked around the long corridor and left the mansion on her own.
The study of the Marquis's residence.
Yan Beimo, dressed in a long, dark white robe, stood in front of the bookshelf, holding a scroll in his hands.
He stood with his back to the crowd, so his expression was not visible.
The crowd below exchanged bewildered glances, not daring to utter a sound.
Since the death of the old patriarch, the entire Yan family has been almost completely wiped out, and a new group of people has been replaced. There are many of the patriarch's spies in the main house.
Just now, the head steward of the main house came to report, whispered something in someone's ear, and then the room fell silent. The only thing heard was the head of the household saying that he would bring the lady back, and the atmosphere froze there.
"Have you finished reporting?"
A gentle voice came from ahead, and everyone instantly came to their senses.
Someone stepped forward and said, "These are the accounts of the capital for the past ten years; they're all here."
"Put it down for now. If there's nothing else, you may leave."
The group exchanged glances, but dared not say anything more about official business, and bowed as they withdrew.
"Qilin".
Hearing the sound, the Qilin outside came in.
"My lord."
Yan Beimo turned to the side, his voice eerily calm.
"The old lady is too old and doesn't remember things. Go and do it."
Qilin paused, then respectfully replied, "Your subordinate understands."
As soon as Chu Changning entered the mansion, she was stopped by Ye Ying, who said that Yan Bei Mo wanted to see her.
She paused for a moment, then followed him to the study, her mind racing with speculation.
The maid arrived so promptly; could it be that Yan Bei Mo already knew what happened in the main house and had an informant?
Then wouldn't everything she said have been reported to him?
She couldn't help but sigh, feeling somewhat apprehensive.
But then I thought about it again and couldn't help but complain.
But that bastard watched her being punished by standing for more than an hour, then being tortured inside the house, and only made his move when the old lady was about to kill her.
"Madam, please."
Chu Changning looked at the lifted curtain, composed herself, and the moment she stepped inside, her eyes instantly welled up with tears of grievance.
"My husband."
Yan Beimo heard the sound, looked up, and before he could see the person clearly, she pounced on him.
His pent-up anger subsided somewhat.
"Get up! What kind of behavior is this?"
Chu Changning scoffed inwardly, "Shut up."
She stepped out of his embrace and stood to the side, her eyes reddening, a layer of misty moisture welling up in her shimmering willow-leaf eyes, looking utterly aggrieved with tears streaming down her face.
Yan Beimo glanced at it, then turned and sat down on the pear blossom chair.
"Why are you crying?"
With red eyes, Chu Changning began to recount what had just happened at the main house, all the while subtly observing his expression.
His profile was serene and composed, his pale fingers lightly tapping the table as if he were lost in thought.
Her voice gradually faded.
After a long pause, he glanced at her, his voice gentle yet chilling.
"Are you done talking?"
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