Yun Chu’s expression was dark and obscure.

This Yun family daughter from a branch line—she had never met her before. She had only heard about this distant cousin named Yun Qin from her mother’s lips.

Therefore, at the very beginning, she had never even thought of this person called Yun Qin.

Yun Qin had one leg and one eye broken by her husband’s family. Even in such a state, under the intervention of the clan elders, she still failed to successfully divorce in the end.

It was her father who transferred Yun Qin’s husband to the Western Border, thus avoiding the tragedy of Yun Qin being tortured to death.

She knew that divorce was too difficult, especially for a distinguished family like the Yuns. For the sake of family reputation, divorce was even more difficult.

“Now that I’ve returned to the capital, if you go to the Fang family, that scoundrel will naturally restrain himself somewhat. But once I go to guard the border, the Fang family will definitely revert to their old ways.” Yun Silin spoke coldly. “Whether legitimate or illegitimate, whether from the main line or branch lines, the daughters of my Yun family are all of Yun blood. No one is permitted to suffer such enormous grievances!”

Lin Shi said, “Then what do you think should be done?”

“Just as Qin’er’s mother said—divorce.” Yun Silin spoke. “If the Fang family doesn’t agree, then list a dozen or so charges against him. If they dare not release her, submit the charges to the Court of Judicial Review!”

In Chu’er’s dream, he had sent that Fang family scoundrel away, but there were still so many people in the Fang household. Although Qin’er no longer had her husband’s fists and kicks, she would still have to endure her mother-in-law’s cold looks, her uncle-in-law’s bullying, and her sisters-in-law’s schemes. Rather than that, it would be better to divorce directly…

As soon as he said this, the hall immediately erupted in chaos.

“General, absolutely not! Our Yun family still has so many unmarried daughters. If one woman divorces, all the unmarried women will have difficulty finding matches in the future.”

“The Yun family is at least a first-rank family. With the General personally coming forward to apply pressure, I believe the Fang family wouldn’t dare do anything excessive again!”

“There are clearly better methods—why choose the desperate path of divorce?”

“Please reconsider, General!”

“…”

Yun Silin raised his hand, making everyone quiet.

He was not a person with a delicate personality and couldn’t think of so many consequences. If this had been in the past, with so many people advising him, he would have definitely gone along with what the clan elders said.

“If the Yun family’s act of divorce makes many people give up thoughts of seeking marriage alliances, that can only mean those people had improper intentions from the start!” He looked at everyone in the hall. “If a person is upright and honorable, responsible and reliable, and doesn’t bully his wife, there’s no need to worry that the Yun family would divorce him in the future… The Yun family having one more divorced woman actually filters out those scum and beasts for the unmarried daughters. Why not rejoice in this?”

Everyone was shocked.

This was the first time they had heard such an argument.

As everyone knew, divorce was a bad thing. No one in great families had ever heard of any family’s daughter divorcing.

How had divorce become a fortunate thing in the family head’s mouth?

This was absurd reasoning!

Simply ridiculous!

Several clan elders exchanged glances, about to open their mouths to refute.

“If Qin’er doesn’t divorce, she’ll lose her life sooner or later at the Fang family!” Yun Silin spoke word by word. “Elders, I ask you one question: is the life of a Yun family daughter more important, or is the Yun family’s reputation more important?”

At this question, the clan elders all hesitated.

In fact, in their view, naturally the Yun family’s century-old reputation was more important.

But if they said this aloud, who knew how many married daughters would be disheartened. Those Yun family women who had married out would likely become estranged from the Yun family.

Moreover, most of them were women themselves, with daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters. If such a thing happened to their direct descendants, what choice would they make?

Human hearts are all made of flesh—everyone can empathize with others.

The hall fell silent.

Yun Silin spoke, “Since everyone has no objections, this matter is settled. Yun Ze, you personally handle this affair.”

Qin’er’s mother wept tears of joy. “Thank you, General, thank you, General…”

When she proposed divorce, she knew the clan elders wouldn’t agree. She just wanted to first use this excessive demand to force the clan elders to help think of solutions.

She never expected the General would directly agree to this outrageous request.

Yun Silin waved his hand. “One stroke of the brush cannot write two Yun characters. If I cannot even protect my own family, what qualifications do I have to be the Yun family’s head!”

Things having reached this point, those clan elders could only accept this situation.

The stagnant air in Yun Chu’s chest slowly dispersed.

Whether she herself could divorce—she really didn’t care. Her life was what it was. Wherever she was, it was all the same.

She was very happy that another person in the Yun family had escaped the tragedy of her previous life.

Father should believe her words now. With Father at the helm and Grandfather and Elder Brother strategizing, the Yun family could definitely reverse the fate of complete family execution.

After eating, Yun Chu returned to the Xie family.

She had been frequently running to the Yun family lately. The Xie family had long since grown accustomed to it.

“Madam, the Master went out to a social engagement an hour ago.” Tingfeng came to report. “The Mistress tried to dissuade him but failed.”

Yun Chu smiled indifferently.

Of course she couldn’t dissuade him. Xie Jingyu had originally been demoted in rank, and she had requested seven days’ leave for him. Someone so focused on his official career must be anxious in his heart.

When someone came to invite him, how could he still care about his illness? Most social engagements involved drinking, and alcohol was an excellent thing for catalyzing poison.

Her smile slowly faded.

If Xie Jingyu died, she would be a Xie family widow. Would she truly have to remain in the Xie family for a lifetime?

Although she didn’t care where she lived, the Xie family was truly too disgusting.

Today’s events at the Yun family had actually given her some inspiration.

“Madam, the Second Young Master has returned.”

The corners of Yun Chu’s lips lifted. “Let’s go welcome him.”

The carriage stopped at the Xie manor’s entrance. Xie Shiwei, supporting himself on a servant’s arm, descended from the carriage. When he walked, his right leg couldn’t exert any strength at all—he needed to lean on the servant to step up the stairs.

He raised his head and saw only Yun Chu standing at the entrance to welcome him.

He lowered his head in greeting. “Mother.”

“You must be tired from the journey.” Yun Chu’s face bore a smile. “Your father has gone out to a social engagement. Your elder brother is still at the academy. The Old Mistress and Mistress are taking their afternoon rest—they’ll come see you later… Are you hungry? I’ve had them prepare dishes you love. Come, first return to your courtyard to wash your hands and then we’ll eat.”

Her face held a gentle smile, giving Xie Shiwei a feeling of disorientation, as if he were still that Second Young Master of the Xie manor from before.

But his right leg, unable to exert strength, reminded him that everything was different now.

He had originally thought his leg had been crippled and could never be healed again… Only a few days ago did he learn that it was actually his elder brother who had urged their father not to treat his injury. That was his full blood brother from the same mother, yet he had turned him into a cripple! Just because he had offended the Marquis of Xuanwu, the Xie family had abandoned him!

He should be grateful, shouldn’t he? Because at least they had left him his life!

But his mother, the mother who had always doted on him, had been personally fed poisoned wine by his elder brother and elder sister!

He was crippled!

Mother was dead!

Why should his life be ruined like this!

Why should Mother die so unclear of the circumstances!

Why could Elder Brother enter the Imperial Academy!

Why could Elder Sister marry into a prince’s manor!

“Hui’er, what’s wrong?”

Yun Chu’s gentle voice brought Xie Shiwei back to his senses.

He suppressed his hatred and spoke, “Thank you, Mother.”

He had been away from the Xie family for so long, and only Mother alone had come to welcome him. He vaguely heard the carriage driver say that the Xie family people were unwilling to bring him back—it was Mother who insisted he go see his maternal grandfather, which was why he had the opportunity to return to the Xie family.

This mother with no blood relation to him cared for him so much.

Those so-called family members were just a group of cold-blooded monsters!