“Don’t be so quick to thank me!” The Old Master glanced at Lin Jingmin with a slight frown. “I said that everyone who has done wrong must accept punishment.”

“From this day forward, your household will no longer receive any support from Yue Family Hall. That means you may not, under any pretext, go to Yue Family Hall to ask for money.”

“Father.” Lin Jingmin went rigid at once, a cry escaping her lips before she could stop it.

“This is my decision.” The Old Master’s voice was low and firm. “And not only that — Third Son’s position at Yue Family Hall is also gone.”

“Father, what do you mean by that?” Yue Jiancheng frowned, his voice so low it was barely audible.

“What do I mean?” The Old Master met Yue Jiancheng’s gaze, his brow furrowing slightly.

“Your elder brother placed you in Yue Family Hall, drawing a generous salary. Did you actually do any work?”

“And it is not only you — Second Son is the same, and Yongkang as well. From this day forward, all of you are dismissed from Yue Family Hall.”

“Father, you cannot do this!” Yue Jianhua cried out.

“Father, this is my fault — it is all my fault. Don’t punish Jianhua and Kang’er. Punish me alone.” Zeng Lanzhi grew frantic as well.

Without her husband’s and eldest son’s salaries, and without Yue Family Hall’s support, the Second Master’s household would have no income at all. Who wouldn’t be terrified?

“It is not your fault — it is Jianhua’s fault!” The Old Master looked at Zeng Lanzhi and Lin Jingmin in turn and shook his head.

“It is Jianhua’s fault. And I do not wish to see Jiancheng follow the same path.”

The Old Master drew a deep breath and withdrew his gaze, reaching for his teacup.

It was plain to see that the hands holding the cup were trembling slightly.

“Third Son, have you understood what I’ve said?” He lifted the lid of the cup and blew gently on the tea leaves floating at the surface.

“I understand.” Yue Jiancheng gave a nod.

Lin Jingmin had not misheard the Old Master’s warning. Their household income was now gone in an instant, yet for the moment she did not dare say another word.

“Very well.” The Old Master took a measured sip, then set the cup down.

“If you still wish to work at Yue Family Hall, you will have to start from the very bottom, with the lowest wages.”

“But if you have other abilities, you are free to find work elsewhere.”

“Yes, Father.” Yue Jiancheng gave another nod.

“As for Second Son’s family.” The Old Master looked at Yue Jianhua and Zeng Lanzhi, his expression one of open disappointment.

“In addition to the same terms as Third Son’s family — effective today, you will receive no further benefit from Yue Family Hall whatsoever. Furthermore, this grand manor will be reclaimed on your elder brother’s behalf.”

“No! Father, Father — no! You can’t do this!” This was when Zeng Lanzhi felt true despair descend on her.

Without salary and without income, one could still find ways to manage. But without the manor as well — how could she possibly accept that?

The Old Master paid her no heed, and even her husband, Yue Jianhua, did not speak another word.

The Old Master shook his head and glanced back at Jian Yi. “Young man, I’ll trouble you,” he said softly.

Jian Yi said nothing. He stepped forward, lifted the Old Master in his arms, descended the steps, and settled him into his wheelchair.

“Old Master, please don’t! If you do this, Kang’er and Yong’er won’t even have a home to come back to. Old Master, I beg you — please don’t!”

Zeng Lanzhi tried to surge forward, but the Yue Manor steward moved to block her path.

Feng Jiu’er came down the steps and began pushing the Old Master’s wheelchair forward.

When they reached Yue Jianhua, the Old Master tapped the armrest of the wheelchair. Feng Jiu’er brought it to a stop.

“Second Son, do you have nothing to say?”

Hearing the Old Master’s voice, Zeng Lanzhi, still on her knees, spun around to look at Yue Jianhua.

Yue Jianhua, as though he could not see her, turned his head and met the Old Master’s gaze.

“Father, I know I was wrong. I accept this punishment.”

“When Elder Brother and Sister-in-law built everything from nothing, they struggled greatly. I should never have forgotten that. Father, I am sorry.”

The moment his words fell, Yue Jianhua drove his forehead hard against the floor three times in succession.

When he rose, even his forehead was bleeding from the impact. “Father, rest assured. We will move out today.”

“I will not see you out today. Please go ahead, Father.”

Yue Jianhua remained on his knees and gave a wave of his hand.

The Old Master closed his eyes, drew a deep breath, and said, “Let us go.”

Feng Jiu’er gave a nod and pushed the Old Master forward.

Once the Old Master departed, Tang Xiaohua had no reason to stay either. Without the Master’s instructions, even the Yue Manor steward led his people away.

In the hall, Yue Jiancheng rose to his feet and took Lin Jingmin’s hand.

Lin Jingmin did not rage or speak. She followed Yue Jiancheng out quietly.

The servants withdrew. Only Yue Jianhua and Zeng Lanzhi remained in the hall.

Zeng Lanzhi’s face was a mask of misery. She stood, drew back her hand, and struck Yue Jianhua hard across the face.

Yue Jianhua did not react in anger. He rose to his feet.

He looked at the woman before him and said without emotion, “Leave. I have nothing left now. Go.”

“Yue Jianhua, what is the meaning of this? I bore you two sons. And now you’re driving me away?” Zeng Lanzhi’s face was livid with fury.

“Leave,” Yue Jianhua said again with a dismissive wave. “You have always felt you married beneath yourself. You were never satisfied.”

“Now I have nothing left — not even a home. Go. I cannot give you the happiness you want.”

Yue Jianhua left those words hanging in the air, turned, and walked toward the side chamber.

“Pack your things. The Old Master has always meant what he says. If you don’t leave today, you’ll have to go tomorrow.”

“Pack carefully. Once you leave here, nothing in this place belongs to you anymore. If you forget something, don’t think you can come back for it.”

Zeng Lanzhi stared at this man who had become a stranger to her, her brow deeply creased. She stepped forward and followed after him.

“Yue Jianhua, what on earth are you doing? This home — are you truly going to give it up? Have you lost your mind?”

Zeng Lanzhi caught up with Yue Jianhua, seized both his arms, and shook him forcefully.

“All you have to do is apologize sincerely to the Old Master, apologize sincerely to your elder brother, and they will surely forgive you. You are a Yue — this place rightfully belongs to you.”

“Yue Jianhua, I’m telling you — go apologize to the Old Master right now! Go find your elder brother, quickly!”

Yue Jianhua’s utter indifference only enraged her further. She shook him harder.

“Yue Jianhua, do you think I’m joking with you? Do you believe me when I say I’ll take both sons with me and leave you with nothing?”

“Do you believe I’d really take them away?”

“I believe you.” Suddenly, Yue Jianfei reached out and caught Zeng Lanzhi’s hands, his voice dropping low. “I should have believed it long ago. Pack your things — I will give you a letter of dismissal.”

“As for which of us the two boys wish to follow, let them decide for themselves. For your sake, I wronged the sister-in-law who raised us, and I wronged my own father.”

Yue Jianfei’s lips curved faintly. He pushed Zeng Lanzhi’s hands aside. “I am not joking either. I should have come to my senses long ago.”

“Zeng Lanzhi, let this be the end of what is between us. It has always been you making every decision. Today, it is my turn to make one.”

Yue Jianfei paid no further attention to the woman glowering before him. He turned and walked away with long strides, disappearing from the main hall.