As Jiang Changyang waited at the front with his belongings packed, Madam Cen, though this was her daughter’s second marriage, still found it hard to let go. She held Mudan’s hand, giving her detailed instructions. Mudan took this opportunity to tell Madam Cen about the earlier incident.

Madam Cen calmly replied, “Don’t worry. Once is enough for this kind of thing. Go home with peace of mind. I’ll handle it.”

Mudan squeezed her hand anxiously, “I’m leaving then? If anything happens, send someone to tell me immediately.”

Madam Cen lovingly adjusted Mudan’s hairpin and earrings, “Live your life well. In marriage, mutual consideration and respect are crucial. He’s responsible, but his strong personality might be challenging at times. Yield when necessary; it won’t always be to your disadvantage.”

Mudan agreed, bid farewell to everyone, and departed in her carriage.

Madam Cen watched until Mudan’s carriage disappeared from view before turning to go inside. Zhen Shi, itching with curiosity, came to support her, feigning concern, “Mother, shall we go take a look?”

Madam Cen gave her a cool glance, “Look at what? I’ve been utterly humiliated today. I’m exhausted.” She then went to her bed and lay down to sleep.

Concubine Wu, Zhen Shi, Xue Shi, and others waited quietly nearby. Seeing no movement from Madam Cen, they exchanged glances and quietly left, leaving only Concubine Wu to sit outside with her needlework, keeping watch.

As soon as they exited the main chamber, Zhen Shi stopped and whispered to Xue Shi, Bai Shi, and the others, “Should we go take a look?” She was eager to see the current state of the Sixth Young Master, who had caused her to be paraded through the streets and imprisoned.

Given Madam Cen’s attitude, it wasn’t their place to interfere. Xue Shi remained silent, while Bai Shi said, “I have some matters to attend to. Why don’t you go first, sister-in-law, and we’ll join later?” Zhang Shi, cradling a child, added, “Yes, this little one is getting sleepy. We’d only be a bother if we went now.” Li Shi, who had never gotten along with Zhen Shi, said coolly, “I’ve made a shirt for Fourth Young Master. He’ll be back soon, so I need to finish it.” She then left first.

Seeing all her sisters-in-law abandon her, Zhen Shi stomped her foot in frustration but still headed towards Sixth Young Master’s courtyard. Cunning as she was, she lightened her steps as she approached, creeping in to crouch beneath the window and listen.

Inside, Concubine Yang was sobbing, “You ungrateful wretch! You’ve utterly disgraced me! I’ve worried myself sick over you. Years of careful attention, all ruined in a day. If that little harlot wanted to leave, why did you force her to stay? Did you think you’d never find another? Did you want to completely ruin your leg? Let me tell you, if you lose that leg and become a cripple, the whole family would watch you starve to death without sparing even scraps! Your death would be a relief, but how am I supposed to live?”

Sixth Young Master retorted irritably, “Enough! I wasn’t dead before, but your nagging is killing me! If you dare to cry in front of me, why don’t you go cry to the old man? Right now, the whole family is probably badmouthing us, looking to take away my share of the inheritance. Instead of keeping an eye on that, you’re here scolding me. We’ll be drinking northwest wind soon!”

A sharp slap rang out, presumably Concubine Yang striking Sixth Young Master. She stopped crying and berated him, “You wretch! Everyone looks at me like an enemy now. How can I show my face? Your father wants to disown you, and I dare not provoke him further. I told you beforehand to be soft and admit your mistakes. Your father would have forgiven you if you’d softened his heart. But no, you had to be stubborn and provoke him. What good did that do?”

Sixth Young Master replied, “I admit I was wrong. But I’ve already injured my leg, lost teeth, and the girl has run off. What more do you want? Should I be wrong for life? Look at my room – the girl took all the furniture when she left. Besides a bed, a table, and a cabinet, what’s left? If they truly cared for me, why not move some things from Danniang’s room, which is packed full? If I retreat and give in anymore, should I just die? The family protects that short-lived troublemaker, treating her like a precious treasure, while I’m treated like a blade of grass, beaten and cursed to death. Yet they don’t realize when he dies, I’ll be the one to conduct the funeral and burn money for him…”

Concubine Yang hurriedly covered his mouth, “My dear child, I beg you, say no more.”

Zhen Shi listened with a sneer. He hadn’t even repaid his debts to the family, yet he was thinking about getting good furniture. He deserved a beating! Conduct the funeral and burn money? Hah! Did he think he was the only son in the family? It served this scoundrel right to be cut off from having descendants!

As she thought this, her legs began to feel numb. She stretched them out to relieve the discomfort, nearly kicking someone. Six-panel boots, a brown robe, a large belly, a graying beard, and a dark face – who else could it be but He Zhizhong? She didn’t know how long he had been standing there.

Zhen Shi was so startled she nearly fell on her bottom. But with her thick skin, she managed a forced smile, got up, and greeted He Zhizhong, “Father, I came to check on Sixth Brother. I overheard these terrifying words and didn’t know whether to go in and advise him or not. I felt it wasn’t right to leave without saying anything, so I was quite conflicted about what to do. Now that you’re here, I’ll take my leave.” Without waiting for He Zhizhong’s reaction, she scurried away.

Once outside, instead of hurrying back, Zhen Shi stood outside the courtyard, peeping. She watched He Zhizhong kick open the door and enter. She craned her neck and strained her ears to eavesdrop, but didn’t hear any particularly loud noises, only Concubine Yang’s sobbing. She didn’t hear He Zhizhong beating anyone.

“How can they not give him a good slap and throw him out? Instead, they’re talking to him nicely. It’s truly unfair!” she thought. “I bet they’ll end up pampering him, giving him money, and helping him find a wife.” Disappointed, Zhen Shi heard the door opening and, fearing He Zhizhong might see her, lifted her skirts and headed straight for Madam Cen’s room.

Arriving at Madam Cen’s quarters, she saw only Concubine Wu sitting alone doing needlework by lamplight. She whispered, “Has Madam been asleep the whole time?”

Concubine Wu glanced at her, immediately recognizing her troublemaking expression. She replied in a low voice, “If there’s anything to discuss, it can wait until tomorrow. Your husband has returned from afar. Why aren’t you keeping him company instead of wandering about?”

Zhen Shi didn’t believe Madam Cen could truly be asleep. She scoffed, “These are troubled times, and I know what’s important. I wanted to tell Madam that someone is ungrateful, complaining about not getting enough and being treated unfairly. He’s even cursing Danniang and Father. Perhaps it’s time to enforce family law and correct our ways, lest the children be led astray. I’m grateful now that although my husband might be a bit weak, at least he doesn’t have such twisted thoughts and intentions to harm others.”

Unable to deal with her, Concubine Wu put down her needlework and ushered Zhen Shi out with a mix of persuasion and gentle pushing. Zhen Shi didn’t mind and went about spreading exaggerated stories about the Sixth Young Master to her sisters-in-law.

He Zhizhong left the Sixth Young Master’s room and, after some thought, went to find the Second Young Master. He happened to see Bai Shi taking Zhen Shi off. Zhen Shi was saying, “Second Sister-in-law, you must be careful. Don’t let the children go over there unnecessarily. He’s rotten to the core and might corrupt them. Tsk tsk, it’s truly eye-opening. To think our family has such a person – a real talent for ruining the family…”

He Zhizhong immediately stopped in his tracks and turned back towards Madam Cen’s room. Concubine Wu served him tea and brought water for him to wash his face. She whispered, “Madam is asleep. She’s been exhausted lately, unable to sleep well at night, worrying about all of you. She’s made countless vows before the Buddha.” She hesitated several times before finally saying, “The Buddha is watching; Madam has truly been as fair as possible.”

He Zhizhong remained silent and waved for her to leave. He sat quietly by the lamp for a long while before rising and going inside. Seeing Madam Cen lying motionless with her back turned, he slipped into the bed beside her and reached out to turn her over.

Madam Cen didn’t respond.

Knowing she wasn’t asleep, He Zhizhong sighed and said softly, “You’ve had it hard.”

Madam Cen still didn’t move.

He Zhizhong continued, “I know you’ve been wronged. When First Young Master and Fourth Young Master return, we’ll convene the ancestral hall and enforce family law.”

Madam Cen suddenly turned and sat up, glaring at him angrily, “You know I’ve been wronged?! Is it because I’ve been wronged that you want to enforce family law? No wonder people say it’s us women who are instigating you! Heaven above and earth below, eyes are watching everywhere! I won’t do anything against my conscience, so why are you acting so unconscionably? Fairness, fairness isn’t just for your legitimate sons! I couldn’t handle your beloved concubine’s son, so I had to watch my daughter lose face in front of her new husband! Watch our whole family go to jail for a spell! Do whatever you want, but don’t tell me about it! Just remember one thing, He Zhizhong, all the children in this family are watching to see how you handle this!”

She clutched her chest, unable to say more, breathing rapidly with a flushed face, as if she couldn’t catch her breath.

Madam Cen rarely lost her temper. If she hadn’t been pushed to the limit, she wouldn’t react this way. Moreover, every word she said was righteous and irrefutable. In all these years, when had her actions ever been found at fault? Yet now, she had been angered by this state. He Zhizhong, frightened, supported her shoulders, rubbing her chest to help her breathe, repeatedly saying, “It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault. He committed a grave error and should be punished. Please don’t be like this… You can hit me to vent your anger…”

Madam Cen gasped for air, staring at He Zhizhong with tears forming in the corners of her eyes. She clenched her fists tightly, resisting his attempts to make her hit him. Her complexion worsened.

Sensing something was wrong, He Zhizhong reached out to touch her and found her entire body cold. Alarmed, he quickly helped her lie down properly and called for help, holding her hand and repeating, “Don’t scare me, don’t scare me. I was wrong, I was wrong.” As he called out, tears unconsciously streamed down his face.

Madam Cen gripped his hand tightly and, with great effort, exhaled and said, “Don’t let the children come in… It’s not good for them to see this…”

Even at such a moment, she always thought of him first. He Zhizhong could no longer hold back and embraced Madam Cen, sobbing uncontrollably. Madam Cen lay motionless, gazing up at the intertwining lotus pattern on the bed canopy, and softly exhaled.