The main door closed, casting the hall into dimness. The silver lamps, usually lit only during ancestral ceremonies, now flickered with sparks, filling the air with a hint of smoke.

Sixth Master, Seventh Madam, and Old Shopkeeper Li emerged from the back room. The three had briefly conferred in the small chamber behind while the doors were being closed.

Upon entering, Old Shopkeeper Li couldn’t help but cough a few times at the smoky air.

“First Daughter-in-law, lower the flames a bit. You’re not lighting signal fires like in the stronghold,” Seventh Madam said to Chen Shi, her voice characteristically calm. She then took her seat at the main position with proper dignity.

Sixth Master and Old Shopkeeper Li sat on either side. As the current clan head of the Li family, Seventh Madam’s posture indicated she was about to handle clan affairs.

“Yes, Mother-in-law, I’ll adjust them right away.” Chen Shi rose and used a silver needle to trim the wicks, causing the flames to diminish significantly, casting a dim glow.

The mention of “signal fires” by Seventh Madam made everyone’s hearts flutter.

Though the current setup in the main hall wasn’t quite for signal fires, it was the standard arrangement for administering family punishment.

Was the Old Madam going to carry out family discipline?

Zhenniang couldn’t help but glance at Li Jincai beside her. Though his face had turned pale, his expression remained relatively composed. On the other side, Tian Shi appeared calm, but her tightly clenched clothing hem betrayed her inner turmoil.

Meanwhile, the likes of Han Li Shi and Sun Shi couldn’t help but feel uneasy, though this anxiety didn’t necessarily indicate guilt—it was simply due to the oppressive atmosphere in the hall.

Even Zhenniang, despite her clear conscience, found herself clenching her fists in tension.

“Steward Shao, bring the clan register,” Seventh Madam instructed.

“Yes, Old Madam.” Steward Shao responded respectfully, turning to enter the inner room. Shortly after, he emerged carrying the clan register with both hands, placing it reverently on the table before the Old Madam.

The Old Madam surveyed everyone before lowering her head to open the register, stopping at the page recording the sixth branch’s married-in son-in-law.

“Zhenniang, grind the ink,” the Old Madam commanded without looking up.

“Yes, Seventh Grandmother.” Zhenniang hurried forward to the table where an inkstone sat alongside a block of black ink and a block of cinnabar red.

“Use the red one,” the Old Madam added.

Zhenniang added water and began grinding the cinnabar ink block. Soon it was ready.

“It’s ready, Seventh Grandmother,” Zhenniang said softly.

“Mm.” Seventh Madam acknowledged quietly, raising her head to sweep her gaze across everyone before picking up the brush. She dipped it in the red ink and firmly struck through Li Jincai’s name in the register.

She then pushed the register forcefully forward on the table. “From this day forward, Li Jincai is no longer a member of the Li clan.” She turned to Steward Shao with a frost-laden expression: “Steward Shao, have people seize Li Jincai, break one of his legs, and expel him from the Li family.”

Immediately, two servants standing by stepped forward, grabbed Li Jincai by the collar and began dragging him away.

The Old Madam’s sudden severe action left everyone present puzzled, wondering why she had suddenly turned against Li Jincai.

Of course, this didn’t include the elders of the third branch, as the three seniors had already discussed this matter, and Chen Shi and Li Zhenniang were also aware of the situation.

Naturally, some of the more perceptive ones recalled the suspiciously convenient scene of Li Jincai’s recognition by the fake Imperial Guard official, realizing there must be more to the story, and thus chose to wait and observe.

“Jinhua, save me!” Li Jincai called out, struggling with a pale face.

“Seventh Aunt, why are you doing this?” Li Jinhua stood up anxiously.

“Sit down quietly. Your Seventh Aunt must have her reasons. Just watch,” Sixth Master glared at Li Jinhua.

He then closed his eyes, not even looking at Li Jincai. His younger sister-in-law had already explained everything to him, and he only regretted his blindness in choosing such an ungrateful wolf after careful selection.

Hearing her father’s words, Li Jinhua had no choice but to sit down, watching the struggling Li Jincai with reluctance, shifting uncomfortably in her seat as if sitting on pins.

Seeing her state, Zhenniang leaned over and whispered a few words in her ear.

“Really?” Li Jinhua couldn’t believe it. Li Jincai had not only kept a woman outside but had also conspired with outsiders to harm the Li family’s ink business.

“Yes.” Zhenniang nodded firmly, her expression serious.

Since it involved the Li family’s ink business, Li Jinhua remained seated, wanting to see exactly what kind of person Li Jincai truly was.

“No, Old Madam, this isn’t fair!” Li Jincai, still being dragged away, saw that both the Sixth Master and Li Jinhua were staying out of it. Unwilling to have his leg broken, his only option was to try saving himself.

“Fair? Do I need to be fair with you? I don’t even need a reason to beat you!” Seventh Madam said coldly.

“Old Madam may not need a reason to beat me, but won’t you need to answer to public opinion?” Li Jincai struggled while bringing up the family’s reputation.

“I see you won’t accept your fate until you see your coffin. You conspired with outsiders to steal our Li family’s business—not only would breaking your leg be justified, even killing you would raise no objections from others,” Seventh Madam coldly stated.

“Old Madam is quite brutal. If the Li family can’t accommodate me as a son-in-law, just say so. I’ll leave willingly. Why create such a scene and frame me with such accusations? As a married-in son-in-law, I’m merely a laborer at the ink factory—what ability do I have to steal the Li family’s business? Old Madam thinks too highly of me, Li Jincai…” Li Jincai responded coldly.

“Such a silver tongue! Are you saying your meeting with the so-called Official Yang was truly coincidental?” Old Madam Li sneered.

Even Zhenniang curved her lips in a smirk.

“That’s exactly what happened. When I met Official Yang, everyone was present—was that fake too?” Li Jincai persisted stubbornly.

“So you’re saying you didn’t know this Official Yang’s surname is Su? You didn’t know his real name is Su Jiubao? You didn’t know he has a sister named Su Zhenzhu? You didn’t even know this Su Zhenzhu had already arrived in Huizhou? You didn’t know this Su Zhenzhu lives near the vegetable market? And you certainly didn’t know that you frequently visit Su Zhenzhu’s room in the dead of night?” Old Madam Li asked sarcastically in rapid succession.

The Su Zhenzhu she mentioned was Su Shi.

After firing these questions, Old Madam Li waved her hand: “Bring Su shi and her child up here, let this faithless man see.”

“Yes.” Steward Shao responded and left, returning shortly with a young woman carrying a boy less than two years old.

“Jincai.” Upon entering and seeing the situation, Su Shi naturally became nervous. Seeing Li Jincai standing there, she quickly ran over to hide behind him.

“Sushi? It’s Su Shi! Li Jincai, how wonderful you are, how wonderful!” Li Jinhua sprang to her feet, her eyes blazing with anger and teeth clenched in hatred.

“Aunt Jinhua, such a person isn’t worth your anger,” Zhenniang pulled her back down, consoling her.

“Yes, I won’t be angry.” Li Jinhua sighed deeply, calming her indignation.

Li Jincai was truly stunned now. He had thought the Old Madam had learned about his plot against the ink factory through Wang Cuiqiao, but he never expected that she even knew about Su Shi and that Official Yang was Su Shi’s elder brother Su Jiubao.

He was certain that even Su Jiubao wouldn’t admit to these things in the main hall. There was only one possibility: the Old Madam had been watching him for a long time, from when he first targeted Su Shi, and finally to Su Jiubao.

He had schemed meticulously, only to find his hand had been exposed long ago.

“What are you waiting for? Take him away, break his leg, and drive him out of the Li family,” Old Madam Li commanded. Given her personality, she wouldn’t give Li Jincai any chance to speak. She had only allowed his earlier eloquent defense to let everyone understand the situation.

“Old Madam Li, you can’t do this!” Su Shi, holding her child with one hand and clutching Li Jincai’s clothes with the other, called out to Old Madam Li.

“I don’t need you to teach me what I can or cannot do. For someone like him, even killing him wouldn’t be excessive,” Old Madam Li said coldly.

Hearing the Old Madam’s harsh words, Su Shi truly feared she might follow through with her threat and dared not say more.

Immediately, Li Jincai was dragged into the courtyard. Su Shi, carrying her child, hurried after them.

Soon, Li Jincai’s agonized screams echoed from the courtyard.

Shortly after, Steward Shao returned to report that they had broken Li Jincai’s leg and expelled him from the Li family.

“Mother’s heart has grown too soft. Is this all for such a matter? You’ve even granted those two dogs their freedom,” Han Li Shi muttered resentfully.

Standing beside her, Zhenniang responded, “First Aunt, how could this be the end? It’s just the beginning. Right now, Official Yun must be waiting outside to arrest them. Su Jiubao committed the crime of impersonating an official. Wang Jincai will certainly be implicated. In his current state, he’ll be lucky to survive prison. As for Su Shi, it’s uncertain whether she’ll escape punishment.”

Having been expelled from the Li family, he naturally could no longer bear the Li surname and would henceforth be known as Wang Jincai.

“Hmph.” Hearing Zhenniang’s words, Han Li Shi gave a cold snort. She couldn’t stand how the eighth branch of the Li family controlled the seventh branch’s business. Combined with the old grudge between the seventh and eighth branches, Han Li Shi showed nothing but contempt toward Zhenniang.

Fine then—Zhenniang wouldn’t waste warmth on a cold posterior. She continued observing how Seventh Grandmother handled matters, knowing there was much to learn.

With Li Jincai expelled, Tian Shi felt the most uneasy. She never imagined that Li Jincai, who appeared so loyal, could harbor such malicious intentions. She had misjudged him completely. She had spoken many good words on his behalf and even promised to help him gain control of the ink factory. Now, thinking about it filled her with regret. What if her mother-in-law believed she was in league with Li Jincai?

“Third daughter-in-law…” Old Madam Li’s voice rang out again.

Tian Shi, already worried, was startled when the Old Madam called her. Out of guilt, she dropped to her knees with a thud. “Mother-in-law, I truly didn’t know Wang Jincai was such a person…”

“Get up. I’m not talking about that ungrateful wolf,” Old Madam Li frowned.

“Yes, please tell me what you need, Mother-in-law.” Tian Shi replied submissively.

“Your mother’s seventieth birthday is coming up soon, isn’t it?” Old Madam Li asked.

Tian Shi’s mother was Tian Benchang’s grandmother, surnamed He. Old Madam He’s eyesight was poor, and she had rarely left home in recent years.

“Yes, Mother-in-law has such a good memory,” Tian Shi replied, adding a bit of flattery.

“You’re your mother’s youngest daughter, and she loves you most. I’ve heard your mother’s health isn’t good. Why don’t you return home to care for her during this birthday celebration? I’ll notify the Tian family tomorrow to come collect you.” Old Madam Li spoke calmly. These words carried significant meaning—usually, a widow observing mourning wasn’t supposed to return home easily, and if they did, the timing of departure and return would be strictly set. Old Madam Li’s words indicated she had no intention of having Tian Shi return.

“Mother-in-law, what wrong have I done that you’re sending me back to my maiden home?” Tian Shi asked anxiously.

“You haven’t done anything wrong, per se. It’s just that your ambitions have grown too large, and it’s no longer appropriate for you to stay in the Li family. You’re still young, not yet thirty, and you’ve mourned for Third Son for ten years—that’s enough. If a suitable person comes along, you may remarry. When that time comes, the Li family will provide another dowry.”

Remarry? How could it be so simple? Tian Shi understood perfectly well.

“Mother-in-law, no matter how ambitious I am, it’s all for our seventh branch. Yes, I’ve targeted Zhenniang, and it was this blindness that allowed that ungrateful wolf to use me. But Zhenniang is the eighth branch’s granddaughter. Back then, didn’t Eighth Uncle also covet the ink factory? Now that Zhenniang controls it, how could I not be concerned? It’s not just me—hasn’t Young Master You’s mother also been uneasy? This inheritance should rightfully belong to Young Master You.” Tian Shi spoke with reddened eyes.

Her words dragged Sun Shi into the matter. Sun Shi sat there as if on pins and needles, while Chen Shi looked at her with disappointment, shaking her head.

“Do you think I’m easily fooled?” Old Madam Li cast a cool glance at Tian Shi.

“I wouldn’t dare. I’m only speaking the truth,” Tian Shi replied.

The truth? Do you dare say you were truly acting entirely for the seventh branch? Entirely for Young Master You? Don’t deny it—you acted for your selfish interests. Why did you so strongly support that ungrateful wolf? Not just because you were deceived, but because you thought that as a mere son-in-law by marriage, he couldn’t achieve much. You merely wanted to use him to achieve your goal of controlling the ink factory.

Having personal ambitions isn’t necessarily wrong, but don’t forget—you’re a member of the Li family and must follow Li family rules. If everyone had your mindset, wouldn’t the Li family fall into chaos? Remember, when a family isn’t united, outsiders take advantage. With your schemes against that ungrateful wolf, you didn’t have even a fraction of a chance of winning. In the end, you would have handed the entire Li family to outsiders.” Old Madam Li spoke with anger.

Having her true intentions exposed by Old Madam Li, Tian Shi’s face burned, but she still tried to defend herself: “How does Mother-in-law know that Zhenniang and her people won’t swallow up our seventh branch? There are plenty of cases in great families where the side branches have consumed the main line.”

These words angered the members of the Li family’s eighth branch.

“Come, Zhenniang, let’s go home with your mother. Our eighth branch doesn’t care about the Li family ink factory. If we want an ink factory, we can start our own.” Zhao Shi, who had arrived later, immediately jumped up.

“Jingfu’s wife, calm yourself.” Old Madam Li gestured for Zhao Shi to sit down, while Chen Shi pulled her back to her seat.

“Is this what you all more or less believe?” Old Madam Li swept her gaze across the members of the seventh branch.

No one would openly agree with such statements, but undeniably, such thoughts existed to varying degrees.

“Steward Shao, has Master Sheng arrived?” Old Madam Li asked.

“Yes, Zheng is keeping Master Sheng company in the outer room,” Steward Shao stepped forward to reply.

“Please invite Master Sheng in.” Old Madam Li gestured.

Steward Shao acknowledged and left, returning shortly with Master Sheng.

“Thank you for your trouble, Master Sheng,” Old Madam Li half-rose in greeting.

“Old Madam is too kind.” Master Sheng cupped his hands in greeting, then pulled a contract from his sleeve and presented it: “Old Madam, I’ve brought the contract. Please review it.”

“Thank you.” Old Madam Li took the contract, glanced at it, and then passed it to Chen Shi beside her. “All of you, take a look. Such petty calculations were unnecessary.”

Chen Shi took it and looked, and her expression changed as she turned to look at Zhenniang. She then passed the contract to Elder Madam Huang, who after reading it, also looked at Zhenniang but nodded approvingly before passing it to Tian Shi.

When Tian Shi received the contract and read it, she first froze, then her face reddened. The contract’s establishment date was the same day Zhenniang took over the ink factory, and the person who had established this contract was Li Zhenniang herself.

On the very day she took over the factory, Zhenniang had already filed an official contract at the magistrate’s office, transferring everything from the ink factory to Young Master You’s name.