After Song's words of comfort, Gu Qinlian felt much more at ease.
Since things have come to this point, there is no other way but to go with the flow.
So Gu Qinlian lay back down on the bed and said softly, "Mother, let them in."
Mrs. Song smiled with satisfaction: "That's right."
A moment later, Madam Ji and Ji Yinli were led into Gu Qinlian's boudoir.
As soon as she stepped into the room, Madam Ji quickly looked around, feeling both bitterness and disdain.
They're just a typical merchant family, completely lacking in refinement. What young lady's room wouldn't have a few books and paintings adorning it? Even if it's just for show!
However, apart from those flashy but impractical decorations, Gu Qinlian's room had not a trace of scholarly atmosphere.
That's fine!
What angered Madam Ji even more was that Gu Qinlian, fully aware of the Ji family's predicament, refused to sell her unused items to help her son. Otherwise, her son wouldn't have caused such a scandal last night!
When she mentioned that her son had been beaten by a mob in front of the Xiaoxiang Pavilion last night, a scene witnessed by many passersby, Madam Ji was filled with rage.
Therefore, in front of Gu Qinlian, Madam Ji's face was devoid of any gentleness, and she said with a frosty expression, "Gu Qinlian, I have to criticize you. Even if the sky were to fall and the earth were to collapse, you shouldn't have acted so impulsively and recklessly! Now look at you, not only have you ruined Yinli's reputation, but you've also caused the loss of your child. I heard that you were seen hugging and embracing several men at Xiaoxiang Pavilion last night. Is that true?"
Song had assumed that the Ji family mother and son had come to apologize, but to her surprise, Madam Ji immediately launched into a tirade and revealed such a shocking scandal, leaving her utterly astonished.
“Mother-in-law, you can’t say such things. How can you say that Qinlian was mistreated? She is your daughter-in-law. It’s one thing for others to slander her, but you must not throw mud at her.”
Madam Ji sneered, "I'm smearing you? You can go out and find out for yourselves! The whole city is buzzing with rumors today about how your daughter caused a ruckus at the Xiaoxiang Pavilion last night, and how several men were drinking and making merry with her. I've lived most of my life and I've never heard of such a sordid thing. It's a complete disgrace to the Ji family!"
Madam Song was indeed completely unaware of this. Last night, Gu Qinlian insisted on catching them in the act of adultery, so she sent several guards to accompany her. However, when they arrived at midnight, they found Gu Qinlian being carried back covered in blood.
She was panicked and hurriedly called a doctor to prepare medicine. She was busy all night and had no time to think about anything else. She knew nothing about the whole story.
She looked down at Gu Qinlian, whose face was pale, and asked anxiously, "Qinlian, what exactly happened? Is what your mother-in-law said true?"
Gu Qinlian was both angry and frightened, and hurriedly explained, "No, they dragged me in by force, and I didn't do anything..."
Madam Ji interrupted her without allowing any further explanation: "So, you really were in the brothel with those men?"
Gu Qinlian wanted to deny it, but Madam Ji pressed her sternly: "Give me an answer, yes or no!"
"...I was dragged in, I..."
"Then it's there!"
Madam Ji ignored Gu Qinlian and turned to face Madam Song, saying firmly, "Madam Gu, you heard it all. Your daughter's behavior is eccentric, causing such a humiliating incident and damaging the reputation of our Ji family. No matter how magnanimous our Ji family is, we absolutely cannot tolerate such a daughter-in-law."
After saying that, she held out her hand to Ji Yinli: "Hand over the things."
Ji Yinli looked troubled and said bitterly, "Mother, please don't do this. Although Gu Qinlian was indeed at fault last night, but..."
Madam Ji's eyes widened in anger, and she shouted sternly, "Give it to me! Do you have the heart to watch me, in my grief, smash my head against the ancestral tablets of the Ji family and die?"
Ji Yinli reluctantly took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his sleeve.
Gu Qinlian caught a glimpse of the paper and a sense of foreboding rose in her heart. Despite her still weak body, she hurriedly struggled to get out of bed and tightly grasped Ji Yinli's hand.
"Ji Lang, I was not harassed last night, but I was subjected to some unreasonable disturbances. You must believe me."
Ji Yinli said with deep affection, "Qinlian, I have no doubt about you."
However, Madam Ji coldly said, "Gu Qinlian, you have been married into the Ji family for half a year, and the Ji family has not treated you unfairly in the slightest. Your reputation is now ruined. If you have any conscience left, accept this letter of divorce and don't drag my son down with you!"
Gu Qinlian was shocked, never expecting things to turn out this way, and she was at a loss for what to do.
Madam Song hurriedly tried to dissuade her, saying, "Mother-in-law, you've gone too far. Even if Qin Lian has made some mistakes, it doesn't warrant this. Please take back this letter of divorce."
Madam Ji snorted coldly and said bluntly, "Are you exaggerating? Madam Gu, to be honest, from the moment your daughter entered the family, I had no good feelings towards her whatsoever. If she hadn't shamelessly seduced my son and caused this whole mess, I would never have agreed to this marriage. For the past six months, she has been nitpicking and complaining every day, being unfilial and disloyal. If it weren't for my tolerance and my son's kindness, she would have been kicked out of the Ji family long ago!"
"Last night's events were utterly absurd! My son was merely enjoying drinks with a few friends, yet she gathered a group of people and stormed around, not only causing my son to lose face but also ruining the Ji family's reputation. What kind of woman would do something so foolish? Not to mention, she even..."
Madam Ji looked ashamed and indignant, as if she were in unbearable pain. "If you were in her shoes, would you accept a daughter-in-law like this?"
Madam Song was speechless for a moment, secretly thinking to herself that if it were really her daughter-in-law acting this way, she would not be able to tolerate it either.
However, the fact is that this is her daughter, and moreover, Ji Yinli has a bright future, so this letter of divorce is unacceptable no matter what.
Thinking of this, Madam Song lowered her tone and said gently, "My dear in-law, Qinlian has been spoiled by me since childhood, and her behavior is inevitably somewhat reckless. However, her deep affection for Yinli is absolutely genuine. This incident is undoubtedly a grave mistake she has made, bringing shame to Yinli and the Ji family. I will certainly discipline her severely, and I hope that my dear in-law can lend a helping hand again and give her a chance to reform herself."
Upon hearing this, Madam Ji quickly glanced at Ji Yinli.
The mother and son exchanged glances with remarkable speed, unnoticed by either Madam Song or Gu Qinlian.
Madam Ji adopted an unquestionable expression, which made Gu Qinlian's eyes well up with tears. She turned her head and looked at Ji Yinli with anticipation.
"Yinlang, I know my mistake. I lost my temper because I cared too much about you. Please plead with your mother-in-law. I promise I will never be jealous again. I swear on my honor!"
Gu Qinlian raised her right hand, ready to solemnly swear an oath.
Seeing this, Ji Yinli immediately stopped her and gently held her hand: "Qinlian, don't do this. I am also responsible for what happened last night. I shouldn't have gone to Xiaoxiang Pavilion without permission, and I shouldn't have treated you like that after things were exposed."
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