The Yun Family entered in grand formation.

Yuan Shi hurriedly stepped forward to greet them: “In-law, why have you come…”

“If I hadn’t come, our Chu’er would have been devoured by your Xie Family until not even scraps remained!” Lin Shi’s expression was cold.

She raised her head to look at the mourning hall. Only a few incense sticks were inserted in the burner, and when they burned out, no one added more. This showed just how desolate the Xie Family had become.

When someone died, many grievances could be written off.

Lin Shi walked over and added three incense sticks.

Liu Qianqian and Yun Ze also stepped forward, lighting incense and inserting it into the burner.

After the condolences ended, the Xie Family members knew that the main business was about to begin. One by one, they couldn’t help but tense up.

The onlookers outside were also standing enthusiastically at the main gate, each stretching their necks to look inside.

Lin Shi was too lazy for idle talk and got straight to the point: “As everyone knows, the Xie Family’s foundation is crooked from top to bottom. Above, there’s Xie Jingyu embezzling official silver; below, the Xie Family’s eldest son deceived the emperor and murdered his mother, while the second son killed Old Lady Xie. Every time I think of it, it’s chilling. My Yun Family daughter married into the Xie Family five years ago. Whether handling household affairs, being filial to her mother-in-law, or raising children, she fulfilled her duties responsibly without a single fault. Yet such sincerity was met with deception and lies… Xie Jingyu’s sins are monstrous—death is too good for him. But my Yun Family daughter’s remaining years cannot be wasted in such a household. Therefore—”

Liu Qianqian stepped forward and placed a document before the Xie Family members: “This is the divorce agreement between Chu’er and Xie Jingyu. Since Xie Jingyu is dead, let his son press his handprint in his place.”

As soon as these words fell, the entire venue erupted in uproar.

The onlookers outside boiled over.

“I guessed correctly—the Yun Family is indeed seeking divorce.”

“If I were Madam Yun, I’d also seek divorce for my daughter. Should she stay behind to clean up this mess?”

“The Yun Family isn’t like some families that won’t let married daughters divorce even unto death. Being a Yun Family daughter with such family backing gives one confidence in the husband’s household.”

“There’s still a coffin displayed in the house. The bones aren’t even cold yet, and they’re bringing up divorce—isn’t this too heartless?”

“The Xie Family has old and young, all women and children. If there’s a divorce, this group can only go drink the northwest wind.”

“The Yun Family is too hasty. Relying on being a First Rank General’s residence, they completely disregard the Xie Family.”

“…”

Yun Chu lowered her eyes.

People were like this—because their hearts were soft, they would unconsciously sympathize with the weak.

From observers’ perspectives, the Xie Family was already so miserable. If the Yun Family divorced at this time, then the Yun Family would become the unforgivable party.

She never worried about her own reputation, but rather the Yun Family’s reputation and the reputation of Yun Family’s married daughters.

Yet Lin Shi simply couldn’t worry about so much.

After the Xie Family’s incident, she had wanted to come bring Chu’er home, but Yun Ze advised her to wait, wait a bit longer.

But she couldn’t wait any longer.

No matter how unwilling the Xie Family was, no matter how the outside world discussed it, today she absolutely had to bring Chu’er back.

Seeing her mother’s heartbroken expression, Yun Chu exchanged a glance with her elder brother Yun Ze. The two smiled helplessly.

Mother loved her and naturally couldn’t bear to see her suffer.

Fortunately, elder brother was willing to cooperate with her in handling this matter. Otherwise, the Yun Family would truly be roasted over a fire.

The Yun Family clan elder said with a stern face: “Xie Shiyun, you are now the eldest son of the Xie Family. You come and press your handprint on the divorce agreement in your father’s place.”

Xie Shiyun turned and hid in Tingyu’s embrace.

Tingyu cried: “The lady cannot leave the Xie Family. Without the lady, the Xie Family is truly finished. What will happen to the children…”

Yuan Shi suddenly awoke as if from a dream.

She finally believed Tingyu’s words—Chu’er truly was going to leave the Xie Family.

Chu’er couldn’t leave. If she left, this whole family would have no way to survive. They’d die by the roadside with no one to collect their bodies…

“Madam Yun, Jingyu’s bones aren’t even cold yet—we cannot divorce.” Yuan Shi’s voice was hoarse, using all her strength to produce sound. “Jingyu made great mistakes, but he received his due punishment… These children are not at fault. They’ve called Chu’er Mother for so many years. Chu’er cannot just walk away like this…”

The Xie Family now only had one tactic—crying. Old people, women, and children all cried together.

Making the Yun Family people seem extremely harsh.

At this moment, Yun Ze finally spoke: “Chu’er, elder brother will only ask you one question. Do you want a divorce?”

Everyone in the house instantly quieted down.

Even the endlessly gossiping passersby at the main gate closed their mouths and pricked up their ears to hear Yun Chu’s answer.

“Chu’er, no matter what choice you make, everyone in the Yun Family, from top to bottom, will unconditionally support you.” Yun Ze’s voice rang out clearly. “The Yun Family has served in the military for generations. Above, we are worthy of the Emperor and our ancestors; below, we are worthy of the common people. Countless Yun Family generals died on the battlefield. If we cannot even protect one woman, what meaning does this First Rank General’s residence title have?”

Having said this much, whether passersby or Xie Family members, everyone knew that this divorce matter had absolutely no room for reversal.

Yun Chu looked at the Xie Family members and spoke slowly: “Five years ago when I married into the Xie Family, I considered myself a Xie Family member. No matter what happened to the Xie Family, I would never abandon them. Therefore, I will not divorce.”

Lin Shi looked up in surprise: “Chu’er, what nonsense are you saying!”

She knew Chu’er had decided to divorce and had been waiting for a good opportunity. Wasn’t now the best opportunity?

Wait, wait, wait—how much longer must they wait!

She couldn’t possibly remain wronged in the Xie Family forever just for reputation’s sake!

In the face of the military achievements the Yun Family had established, reputation truly meant nothing.

Yun Chu smiled slightly and said again: “I will not divorce.”

Before Xie Jingyu died, he had written a divorce agreement. The divorce agreement was in her hands.

The divorce was already a done deal. She could leave anytime. Why rush at this moment? Why do it when Xie Jingyu hadn’t even been buried yet? Why make the Yun Family the subject of idle gossip throughout the capital?

In her previous life, she had harmed the Yun Family terribly. In this life, she absolutely would not bring the Yun Family even the slightest bit of trouble because of herself.

Before Lin Shi could speak, Yun Ze said: “Very well, Chu’er. I respect your choice. But please remember—the Yun Family will forever be a great mountain behind you. Whenever you change your mind, please tell elder brother. Elder brother, Mother, and the Yun Family clan elders will definitely step forward to divorce for you and bring you home.”

Lin Shi was about to speak in frustration.

Liu Qianqian pressed her down and said softly: “Since Chu’er has said this, then let’s go.”

Yun Ze turned around and led the dozens of Yun Family members out in grand formation.

Outside, Lin Shi asked in confusion: “Yun Ze, why? Why did we just leave like that?”

Yun Ze lifted the carriage curtain: “Mother, listen to what the common people are saying.”

The people outside were all heatedly discussing what had just happened.

“I truly didn’t expect Lady Xie to actually refuse the divorce. If I were her, I would have run away long ago.”

“That’s why they say Lady Xie has great righteousness. The men the Yun Family raises fight enemies on the battlefield, and the women they raise also have feelings and loyalty.”

“Even though the Xie Family has become like this, Lady Xie still won’t abandon them. I can only say the Xie Family doesn’t deserve such a daughter-in-law.”

“With the Yun Family backing her, Lady Xie always has a way out. Whenever she regrets it, she can leave.”

“For the Yun Family daughter’s divorce, even the pregnant young madam came out. They say sisters-in-law can’t get along, but that’s not the case with the Yun Family at all.”

“The Yun Family clan elder at such an advanced age also came.”

“…”

Yun Ze lowered the curtain and spoke: “If we had divorced just now, then right now, in every street and alley, everyone would condemn the Yun Family for bullying the weak. Chu’er is someone with sensitive thoughts. If her actions brought negative impact to the Yun Family, she would spend her days in regret. Why let Chu’er carry such a burden in her heart?”

Lin Shi remained silent.

People on the streets were all saying—

The Yun Family clan elder willing to step forward for divorce was worthy of being a great clan.

Madam Yun’s fierce protection of her daughter showed the pity of parents throughout the world.

Young Madam Yun, Liu Shi, carrying her pregnant belly to seek justice for her sister-in-law was deeply moving.

Young Master Yun Ze, with his righteous spirit, was admirable.

Eldest Miss Yun, Yun Chu, had feelings and loyalty—a model among noble daughters.

The Yun Family was truly worthy of being an eminent household, a distinguished family, a noble clan!