“It is the father’s fault if the son is not taught. I consulted with you before arranging the tutor, and you said that I chose the right person, but now you’re denying it. Logically speaking, if such a good tutor were brought in and carefully guided, even a pig should have come to his senses. But he is still a stupid fool. I think he is exactly the same as you were when you were young and ignorant!” Madam Cen retorted immediately.
Marquis Zhongyi was momentarily speechless, but he quickly seized on a point to attack: "I would rather he were like me. Who does he take after for this insidious nature? He's just like you Cen family members, always scheming behind people's backs, with too many tricks up your sleeve."
"Ha, I can't accept what you say, Marquis. In terms of cunning, he's just like you. Back then, you went to great lengths for my half-sister, even planning to marry me first and then take her as a concubine, so that two women could share one husband. Who could outsmart you like that!" Cen sneered, immediately seizing his weakness.
Marquis Zhongyi's eyes reddened as he listened: "Why are you bringing up old grievances again? You and Yu Jingxuan—"
"I haven't finished yet, my lord, please don't be impatient. Xiao Si is not only vicious, he's also lecherous. He's hoarded a bunch of maids' personal belongings, just like you. An old lecher has given birth to a little lecher, behaving in a despicable and perverse way. Does my lord intend to deny it?" Madam Cen didn't give him a chance to refute, and immediately took a step forward, continuing to press on.
Marquis Zhongyi was clearly stunned by the series of attacks. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but he couldn't utter a single word.
Finally, he could only wave his hand in exasperation, turn his head and start spinning around, trying to break Cen's aura.
"Where's the divorce agreement I wrote last night? Bring it out now, I'll sign it right away, and you can get out of here immediately! Take your shit-candy son with you and get out of here! He can't even hear the voice of the divine weapon, I think he's completely useless except for shit and pee!"
"The divorce papers were written by the Marquis; find them yourself. I have no idea where they are. As for the children, I won't take any of them. You can keep the latrine tube yourself."
Marquis Zhongyi began to wander between the desk and the chests, looking around in search of something.
"Did you hide the divorce papers? I wrote them last night and put them on the table. They're gone now. Who else would dare to take them but you?" Marquis Zhongyi shouted loudly, seemingly to prove how confident he was.
Cen ignored him completely, which made him even more arrogant: "Ha, I guessed right, didn't I? Cen Ying, you talk a big game, but you're actually afraid of divorce, aren't you? If you get divorced at this age, where can you go? There's no place for you in the Cen family."
Cen sneered, "Jiang Yiping, whoever wants this dilapidated house of yours can stay. It's not like I don't have a dowry; I have plenty of money, and there are plenty of nice houses to buy in Wangjing. You wrote the divorce papers last night, and I've already signed them; you're the only one who hasn't signed them yet. But you left the divorce papers here with me and didn't take them with you. What does that mean? You're the one who's afraid of divorce!"
"Cen Ying, don't make false accusations! I'll rewrite it right away—"
Jiang Chengzong and his wife hurried in, immediately changing the subject: "Dad, Mom, why did you call us so early? Is there something you need?"
Their interruption instantly dispelled the tense atmosphere in the room.
Once that tense atmosphere dissipates, it becomes difficult to start an argument again.
Marquis Zhongyi said irritably, "It's all because of that good-for-nothing little beast. He's the only one in the family who can't hear the divine artifact's voice. We have to find out why. There's no time like the present, so let's go take a look today. Go and get that wretched brat out of bed."
***
Inside Qingxi Pavilion, Xu Wanying slept until the sun was high in the sky. When she opened her eyes, she stared blankly at the top of the tent and began to drift into a daze.
The bed was warm and cozy, and the hot water bottle at my feet was still warm, obviously a maid had changed it for me in the middle of the night.
The heat made me feel weak all over; this was more comfortable than life in modern times.
They were waited on hand and foot, and slept until they naturally woke up every day. Although they had few entertainment activities and no TV, computer, or mobile phone, they had no pressure in life. They didn't have to work themselves to the bone for a meager salary, since everything was taken care of by the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion.
"Madam, are you awake?"
Hongmei, who was waiting in the outer room, heard the noise and immediately asked what was going on.
"She's not awake," she replied vaguely.
The main reason is that lying in bed is too comfortable; she doesn't want to get up even after waking up.
Hongmei, having naturally grasped her mistress's personality, knew immediately that her words were sarcastic and quickly led the little maid in.
"Madam, please get up. It's getting late, and there's still porridge simmering in the kitchen," Hongmei advised.
Xu Wanying couldn't help but act spoiled: "Then I'll sleep a little longer, so I can have breakfast and lunch together, which is called brunch."
Hongmei took the hot water bottle from her feet, instantly reducing its warm temperature.
"Madam Hou has sent people over three times already, you'd better get up quickly."
"What are you here for?"
"They all ask if you're awake. I told them you were tired from reading too late yesterday and offered to wake you, but they wouldn't let me. They wouldn't say what was wrong, just kept telling you to get enough sleep." Hongmei was actually quite puzzled.
Madam Cen sent her maid to inquire three times, clearly wanting to speak with her mistress, yet she deliberately prevented her from waking Xu Wanying.
In fact, when the maid came, it was already quite late, and she could have easily woken her up. But the maid was always very apprehensive and repeatedly emphasized that the Lady Hou had told them not to disturb the Third Madam's peaceful sleep.
Even though Cen Shi is the mother-in-law, her careful and considerate manner makes it seem as if the roles have been reversed, as if Xu Wanying is Cen Shi's mother-in-law.
"Okay, I'll get up!" Xu Wanying didn't feel much discomfort and finally got out of bed.
After she finished tidying up and ate two bowls of porridge, she sent someone to Shou Kang Yuan to inquire.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the group arrived in a grand procession, instantly filling the Qingxi Pavilion's reception room.
"The daughter-in-law has met her father and mother."
"Big brother, sister-in-law, little sister."
Xu Wanying looked at the row of people and almost fainted.
Good heavens, all the masters in the manor have come. Not only have Marquis Zhongyi and Madam Cen come, but the three members of the eldest branch of the family have also come, and even Jiang Jinyu has arrived.
Pan Ge'er's face still had some bruises, but he was much better than a few days ago. This time, he was much more respectful to Xu Wanying, obediently clasping his hands in greeting and greeting people very frequently. He was incredibly enthusiastic and polite.
What's the big day today? Why is everyone here? Did they discover I'm using my head injury as an excuse to avoid paying my respects and instead hide away in my own courtyard?
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