Previously, when he had spoken repeatedly about divorcing Song Linlang, those weren’t empty words of anger—they were genuine. He had been fed up with living in fear under the Song family’s oppression, fed up with having to look at Song Linlang’s expression even when favoring a concubine. Combined with the fact that Song Linlang couldn’t bear children and had even given birth to a disaster star, he felt all the more justified in his heart.

But now that Song Linlang was dead, he realized a divorce was absolutely impossible.

To divorce meant handing over Song Linlang’s dowry and trousseau, and also meant handing over Nanny Wang, Nanny Zheng, and the others. For so many years, Nanny Wang and Nanny Zheng had wished him dead. When the time came, they would certainly cling to the matter of the arsenic and not let go…

After thinking it over from all angles, he suppressed his anger and his tremendous sense of humiliation. Still respectfully, he bowed to Old Madam Song and Third Master Song, suppressing the fury in his heart. “Although this son-in-law had some quarrels and conflicts with Linlang, it really hadn’t reached the point of divorce or repudiation… If Linlang were alive, she wouldn’t agree with mother-in-law and brother-in-law’s approach.”

Old Madam Song laughed in extreme anger. She felt that in her whole long life, this was the first time she’d encountered such a shameless person. Her mind, which just moments ago couldn’t process things due to grief over Song Linlang’s death, now began working again. She thought for a moment and asked him, “Hadn’t reached the point of divorce? Then what about this letter? What about what’s written here regarding some witch doctor saying Mingzi is a disaster star? You’ve become so depraved as to want to use your daughter to pay with her life for your bastard son, and you’re telling me Linlang still had no intention of divorcing you?!”

Xiang Yunzhang was about to say more, but Old Madam Song was already impatient with his sophistry. “Enough! No need for more words. This letter is in Linlang’s own hand. If you don’t acknowledge it, then we might as well go to the yamen and litigate this divorce.”

Who would dare litigate against the Song family?! If they litigated, wouldn’t everyone know that he had reached an irreparable breaking point with the Song family?

Xiang Yunzhang couldn’t withstand Old Madam Song’s ruthlessness. He sighed and decided to settle for second best. “Mother-in-law has traveled far and worked hard all along the way. Why not rest first… As for Nanny Wang, Nanny Zheng, and the others, I’ll send them to you this evening.”

Seeing that Old Madam Song didn’t immediately voice objection, he felt somewhat more confident and added, “You haven’t seen Mingzi yet… Why not go to your lodgings to rest first? Then you can see Mingzi as well.”

Old Madam Song raised her hand to stop his words. Her eyes still stared at him tightly. After a moment of silence, she nodded. “You’re right. Now that I’m old with failing eyesight, if I don’t rest, I won’t be able to hold up.”

Seeing Xiang Yunzhang’s face light up with joy, she coldly tugged at the corner of her mouth. “But there’s no need to stay there. Since we’ve decided on divorce, what propriety would there be in my staying in your yamen residence, Magistrate Xiang? We have a residence in the city that’s normally maintained by staff. Since this matter needs discussion, let’s not drag it out. Later this evening, I’ll send people to fetch them. Magistrate Xiang, you must take good care of them for me.”

Song Chuyi helped Old Madam Song onto the carriage. Old Madam Song closed her eyes and collapsed exhaustedly onto the pillow. But before long, she sat up straight again.

Song Chuyi took the tea Yushu had poured and handed it over. Watching Old Madam Song drink it, she said softly, “Grandmother, we still need to think of a solution. Otherwise, by evening, I’m afraid we won’t be able to find any of the people who served Aunt.”

Old Madam Song understood her meaning. Xiang Yunzhang’s attitude was vastly different from usual. The normally arrogant man who refused to bow his head was actually seeking reconciliation. If there wasn’t something fishy in all this, no ghost would believe it.

Song Chuyi reminded her, “I don’t think Aunt’s death was necessarily simple…”

Old Madam Song’s eyes widened, her body taut as if it might snap at any moment. Her expression was unprecedentedly solemn. “What do you mean?”

Immersed in grief, she had only thought about seeing her daughter one last time and had cried until her mind was muddled. Moreover, Song Linlang’s health had always been poor, and Yun Shang had even said she probably wouldn’t live much longer. Therefore, she hadn’t suspected anything else. Now that Song Chuyi put it this way, goosebumps immediately rose all over her body—if Song Linlang’s death wasn’t simple, that meant she hadn’t died of illness. Then what could it be?!

“We all know Aunt’s health was poor and she might not last much longer…” Song Chuyi hesitated for a moment before continuing her previous thought. “But Magistrate Xiang still went to the trouble of clearing away all the people around Aunt. He didn’t even let Cousin out. Most importantly, when I looked at Uncle, when he heard we wanted the servants, he seemed very guilty.”

Old Madam Song understood Song Chuyi’s meaning. Holding back until they reached the residence, before she could even get off the carriage, she called Third Master over. “Ci’er, have someone inquire which doctor Linlang called for before she died.”

Third Master looked at Old Madam Song in shock, unable to react for a moment. When he finally processed it, fury mixed with disbelief churned and boiled in his heart. After a long time, he finally acknowledged with a “yes” and went to arrange matters.

Old Madam Xiang sat at the table with furrowed brows eating breakfast. She had always been frugal by habit, so the table held only preserved egg and lean pork congee, barley congee, and two small side dishes. At this moment, she pushed these things aside. The wrinkles on her face bunched together, adding a few degrees of harshness. She turned her head to ask the dejected Xiang Yunzhang, “What did they say?”

Xiang Yunzhang’s voice was somewhat listless. He glanced at his anxious mother and, with head lowered, repeated once more, “They said they want to be the first in the Great Zhou Dynasty to divorce a dead person. They want me, your son, to prepare Linlang’s dowry, and they’ll also inventory the betrothal gifts…”

Old Madam Xiang laughed in anger. “She really thinks her daughter is made of gold and silver. Maybe people don’t want a dead person staying in their home. Since she’s said all that, why didn’t you let them take away that woman in the coffin?! If there’s going to be a divorce anyway, having her lying in our house—isn’t that just inviting bad luck for our own family?!”

“Oh Mother!” Xiang Yunzhang grew somewhat agitated. “You’re only saying useless things! If I said that, wouldn’t they devour me alive on the spot? They said if I don’t return the servants who attended Linlang, they’ll go to the yamen to litigate. Sue me for embezzling her dowry… I’m a local magistrate. If I really end up in court over this matter, will I still have a life?!”

Old Madam Xiang glared at him with a stern face. “If you had listened to me back then, where would all these problems come from! Now you know the difficulty of having their power and money bearing down on you?”

Seeing Xiang Yunzhang hanging his head, she softened somewhat. She reached out and poked his forehead, scolding, “You’re also an official—are you an idiot?! Now that Song Linlang is dead, if she wants a divorce, then divorce it is. But Xiang Mingzi doesn’t have the surname Song. Once divorced, Xiang Mingzi must belong to our family!”