Old Madam Fang’s actions this time were swift and decisive, quite reminiscent of her vigor in her younger days.

However, no one knew that the reason Old Madam Fang could move so smoothly against Fang Yacun this time was because she had expert guidance and someone secretly smoothing the way for her. Otherwise, given Fang Yacun’s current influence, Old Madam Fang might not have been able to catch him so off guard. Old Madam Fang thought this was the result of her daughter and son-in-law working behind the scenes.

Apart from during New Year festivals and ancestor worship, the Fang family hadn’t opened the ancestral hall for many years. Regarding the grievances between Old Madam Fang and Fang Yacun, other Fang family members were completely in the dark. After all, ordinarily, this legitimate mother and concubine-born son appeared to be the picture of maternal kindness and filial piety. No one had expected that when they didn’t quarrel, it was fine, but when they did, it would be such a massive confrontation.

Even though Fang Yacun was somewhat prepared, he hadn’t expected Old Madam Fang to suddenly strike with such force, summoning so many people to open the ancestral hall and wanting to expel him from the Fang family. However, initially, he wasn’t worried that Old Madam Fang could bring him down with just a few words. Over the years, he had also secretly cultivated quite a bit of his influence within the Fang clan.

Madam Fang Liu Shi was also nearly thrown into disarray by this turn of events, but fortunately, she had sent word to her natal family’s brothers early on. Her natal family also had some friendship with the Fang family. Although this was the Fang family’s domestic affair, if Old Madam Fang insisted on sweeping Fang Yacun out the door, Liu Shi’s natal family wouldn’t sit idly by.

But on the day the ancestral hall was opened, Old Madam Fang brought the simple-minded Fang Yaxun before the Fang clan members for a tearful, blood-curdling accusation, along with witness and material evidence presented one after another, making the Fang Yacun couple sense trouble.

The way the Fang clan members looked at Fang Yacun gradually changed as well.

After all, the crime of poisoning one’s elder brother and murdering the legitimate branch’s heir was no small matter.

Although most of the evidence Old Madam Fang presented pointed to Fang Yacun’s birth mother, that concubine who had long since passed away, there was also evidence indicating that even after that concubine’s death, someone had continued poisoning Fang Yaxun. And who else could this person who continued the poisoning be besides the ultimately benefiting siblings, Fang Yacun and Fang Yaru?

After Old Madam Fang presented the evidence for the clan members to examine, she declared she would report to the authorities. But some of the more senior clan elders disagreed with reporting to the authorities. After all, this matter wasn’t anything glorious for the Fang family. Such family scandals were generally resolved by opening the ancestral hall within the clan. Clan law was often more supported by the power holders of large families than imperial law.

Fortunately, there were still some people speaking up for Fang Yacun at this point. Regarding Fang Yacun’s concubine mother poisoning Fang Yaxun, because the evidence was conclusive, most people chose to believe it. So this group was defending Fang Yacun personally.

In the end, both sides held to their arguments. To give himself breathing room, Fang Yacun signaled his people to propose a temporary break – he needed time to find a way to extricate himself from his current disadvantageous position.

The several clan elders of the Fang family were also advanced in age, and after a morning of proceedings, they were indeed somewhat exhausted. Old Madam Fang could only agree, personally attending to these respected elders by having them drink tea and eat some refreshments to the side.

Fang Yacun could still barely maintain proper etiquette at this point, but he only had some prestige among the younger generation. The old men and women didn’t acknowledge him much, so he secretly called several close associates aside to talk.

Old Madam Fang saw this from above but only responded with a cold laugh and let him be. Compared to Fang Yacun’s predicament, Old Madam Fang had the confidence of certain victory.

Because the clan hadn’t yet decreed what to do with Fang Yacun, he wasn’t currently a criminal, so Old Madam Fang didn’t stop him. Others had nothing to say either.

However, because the evidence Old Madam Fang had thrown out today was too shocking, and the situation was truly unfavorable for Fang Yacun, even after discussing with his people for a while, they couldn’t come up with any good strategy for an immediate reversal. Looking at Old Madam Fang’s posture today, she clearly wouldn’t give them a chance to prepare a counterattack.

Finally, a young man who had usually received much favor from Fang Yacun said hesitantly: “What Old Madam said about someone continuing to poison Fang Yaxun being you lacks sufficient evidence. After all, at that time, besides you, there wasn’t anyone else who could have acted.”

Having said this much, he glanced at Fang Yacun but didn’t continue.

Another person suddenly understood: “Right, at that time Fourth Miss hadn’t married yet! And I heard Fourth Miss also learned excellent medicinal cuisine from Concubine Fang. She understood some pharmacology and often made medicinal dishes for Old Madam before marriage. Speaking of it, she was always in the inner courtyard and had more opportunity than Fourth Master to…”

This person was halfway through when someone beside him tugged at his sleeve.

The speaker looked up to see that Fang Yacun’s face had already turned ashen.

“No!”

Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances. The person who had spoken before still tried to persuade: “Fourth Master, Fourth Miss has already married and even married far away to Yanbei. Even if we push all the blame onto her now, the Fang family can’t summon her back for punishment. With her husband’s family protecting her, what could happen to her? But you’re different. If the charges against you can’t be completely cleared, this position as family head might be…”

Someone else chimed in: “Yes, Fourth Brother. And I heard Fourth Sister seemed to have disappeared recently and still hasn’t been found. To put it bluntly, even if she’s found later, it might be worse than not finding her. Under current circumstances, bringing Fourth Sister out to block this wouldn’t be inappropriate.”

“Yes, Fourth Master.”

Fang Yacun said angrily, “All of you shut up! As a man, how can I let a weak woman take the blame? And she’s my sister! All of you go out first!”

Those several people from Fang Yacun’s faction all shook their heads and then left.

Fang Yacun drank an entire cup of cold tea in one gulp. At this moment, Liu Shi entered with their son.

Seeing Liu Shi, Fang Yacun immediately asked: “How was it? What did the brother-in-law’s people say?”

Liu Shi sighed and said nothing.

Seeing this, Fang Yacun’s heart grew even more agitated.

Liu Shi watched Fang Yacun pace back and forth for a long while, then suddenly knelt before Fang Yacun with their son.

Fang Yacun was startled: “What are you doing?” He reached out to help Liu Shi up.

But Liu Shi avoided his hand. Fang Shuzhou looked at his mother, then at his father, then remained kneeling without moving.

Liu Shi said with lowered head: “Master, I have been married to you for over ten years and have never asked you for anything, but today I want to ask you for one thing.”

Fang Yacun frowned: “What matter can’t be discussed properly while standing!”

Liu Shi smiled bitterly and said quietly: “If it were just the two of us as husband and wife, then regardless of what outcome there might be, I would be willing to advance and retreat with you, never abandoning you in life or death.”

Fang Yacun couldn’t help but be stunned.

Liu Shi touched their son’s head and continued: “But I am a mother. I really can’t bear to watch my child be scorned by others in the future, unable to find marriage prospects, his future completely ruined. So even though I know this is selfish, I still can’t help but be selfish this once.”

“What do you mean?”

Liu Shi finally looked up at Fang Yacun: “I heard your conversation with them earlier.”

Fang Yacun’s eyes widened, his expression ugly: “You also want sister to take the blame?”

Liu Shi said, “Take the blame? Why should she take the blame for us? Master, tell me honestly – were you the one who poisoned First Uncle?”

Fang Yacun couldn’t help but be at a loss for words.

Liu Shi looked at Fang Yacun’s expression and smiled bitterly: “We’ve been married for over ten years – how could I not know your character? If you said you bribed someone to secretly commit murder, I’d believe it. But you wouldn’t do something like poisoning First Uncle yourself. I think the person who poisoned First Uncle could only have been your sister.”

Fang Yacun turned his head away: “Nonsense!”

But Liu Shi stared steadily at Fang Yacun without speaking.

Fang Yacun closed his eyes and finally said, “No matter what Fourth Sister has done, she did it all for me! Without her, I wouldn’t have today. Although I, Fang Yacun, am not some virtuous good person, I still know I shouldn’t let down my sister who sacrificed herself and became someone’s concubine for my sake.”

Liu Shi looked at Fang Yacun with disappointment: “What about me and the child? Master, do we deserve to be let down? You always say Fourth Miss suffered so much all for you, but what I see is that she’s living better than any of your other concubine-born sisters. Don’t we deserve some credit for protecting and supporting her all these years? In the past, when you had me help her, I felt I fulfilled a family member’s duty and never shortchanged her. This time, if not for the child, I would also be willing to bear the sins she committed with you. But I can’t. Master, look at me, then look at the child. We are one family, one body – we should share honor and disgrace!”

Fang Yacun painfully closed his eyes: “I… I can’t…”

Disappointment slowly appeared in Liu Shi’s eyes.

Finally, she wiped the tears from her face, pulled their son to stand up, and looked at Fang Yacun slowly: “Master, you can’t, but I can. I’ve already told my natal family to find a way to push this entire matter onto Fourth Miss!”

Fang Yacun looked at Liu Shi with shock: “You…”

But Liu Shi gradually calmed down, saying word by word: “My mind is made up! If you feel wronged by Fourth Miss and still plan to take the blame for her in the end, then I’ll take our son and hang ourselves at the Fang family gate. You should know what kind of person I am – I always do what I say. I’ve already had someone go buy the coffins.”

Liu Shi paused, then added: “After this matter, if you want to divorce me, I have no complaints! As long as you treat the child well, I’ll go spend the rest of my life in a nunnery.”

Having said this, Liu Shi curtsied and left with the child.

Fang Yacun took two steps forward, wanting to call out to Liu Shi, but ultimately didn’t step out the door. He could only stand dazed at the doorway, watching Liu Shi leave with their son.