They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 410 Madam Dou

Qin Qing, the old woman, instinctively supported her mistress, discreetly surveying the surroundings and considering where to go in case of any unexpected events.

"Ah!"

Madam Dou gave a light, cold laugh. "Madam Xu probably doesn't recognize me, does she?"

Xu Zhichun shook his head: "I don't think I've ever seen Madam before. May I ask who Madam is—"

Madam Dou sneered: "My surname is Dou."

"sinus?"

"I come from Qingyang County."

Xu Zhichun was still puzzled.

Whenever Qingyang County is mentioned, she reflexively thinks of the Qi family, with whom she has many entanglements. Where did the Dou family come from?

Could it be that he's standing up for the Qi family?

After all, the Qi family has repeatedly brought trouble upon themselves, and now they are completely unable to make a comeback. It's hard to say whether a fearless and righteous relative will come along to continue their feud.

Madam Dou's face darkened. "You!"

She felt humiliated.

She felt she had made her point so clearly and bluntly, yet Xu Zhichun remained oblivious. Did he not take her seriously at all?

"Madam Xu is truly magnanimous."

Granny Qin Qing also felt that this person was being unreasonable, and smiled, saying, "My lady has always been broad-minded."

Madam Dou, unable to contain herself any longer, sneered: "What a fine word of magnanimity! You're quick to damage people's reputations and ruin their futures—what kind of magnanimity is that?"

Xu Zhichun's eyes darkened: "Please enlighten me, Madam Dou, these words are too harsh, I dare not accept them."

"Madam Xu dares to do it but doesn't dare to admit it, isn't that a joke? What did my son Dou Zhongli do wrong? He clearly did well in the imperial examination but was disqualified, all thanks to Madam Xu's family. What a ridiculous excuse!"

Xu Zhichun suddenly realized that it was the Dou family.

Madam Dou understood what she meant. It was all because Dou Jin and Dou Quan, two servants of the Dou family, had taken it upon themselves to plot against their own Mingxuan in order to please their master. Dou Zhongli was completely innocent, did nothing, and knew nothing. That's why Madam Dou could cry foul so confidently.

The main point is that even a forced innocence is still innocence!

Xu Zhichun: "So, Madam is Dou Tongsheng's mother. Madam Dou, you've been overthinking things. The court's judgment is clear; Madam Dou, you can take a closer look. Dou Tongsheng's failure to properly manage his servants was a dereliction of duty, and he only received a reprimand. As for his failure in the preliminary examination, that was the school's decision. He probably just didn't perform well this time. What does it have to do with our family? We're just a small farming family; do you think we have the power to interfere with the results of the preliminary examination?"

"Madam Dou is really overthinking things."

"Hmph, I've long heard that Madam Xu is eloquent, and she certainly lives up to her reputation."

"Madam Dou has misunderstood, and I must explain myself, but Madam Dou will not listen, and there is nothing I can do."

"My son is having a bad year, encountering the machinations of treacherous villains. I'll just take it as good things coming to an end, and we'll see what happens!"

"Are you referring to those two despicable lackeys, Dou Jin and Dou Quan, as treacherous villains?"

"you--"

Madam Dou glared at Xu Zhichun hatefully, then stormed off with her maids and servants.

Xu Zhichun glanced at it, then slowly followed behind Qin Qing, the old woman.

Granny Qin Qing said worriedly, "Madam Fan and Madam Qi are cousins, and Dou Tongsheng is Madam Qi's own nephew. Madam Fan has come all this way to invite you, Madam; I'm afraid..."

Xu Zhichun nodded gently: "I also thought of that, but I never expected it to be because of this." In the banquet hall, Madam Fan was chatting and laughing with three or five ladies and young ladies, while three or four young ladies in their teens, dressed in jewels and jade, were playing Go on the other side.

Xu Zhichun and her servants entered, and the maidservant hurriedly reported. Madam Fan, as the hostess, greeted them with a smile. Everyone else had heard of Madam Shanci's name but had never seen her before, so they all greeted her politely, while some secretly observed her.

Although Madam Dou appeared indifferent, she didn't show any unusual behavior, as if she wasn't the one who had just had a fight with Xu Zhichun.

While smiling and socializing, Xu Zhichun was secretly on guard, thinking to herself that even if someone "accidentally" spilled a pot of tea on her today, she would absolutely not go down to change her clothes.

I might as well just say goodbye.

No one can allow her to leave her alone and go to a remote place.

But to her utter surprise, while the group was enjoying the flowers in the garden, a crazy woman suddenly rushed out of nowhere and headed straight for Xu Zhichun, brandishing a gleaming knife and viciously slashing at her while cursing incoherently.

Everyone was terrified, their faces paling as they screamed and scattered in panic.

In the chaos, someone stepped heavily on Xu Zhichun's skirt, causing her to trip and fall to the ground.

The next second, a bright flash of light swept past my eyes.

"You vile woman, give me back my daughter's life! Give me back my daughter's life!"

Xu Zhichun dodged in a disheveled state, and with a "rip!" half of his sleeve was torn by the blade, his arm stinging, and a line of blood silently seeped out.

"Ah! Ah!"

"Help! Help me, waaaaah!"

"Madam! Madam!"

"I'll kill you! I'll kill you! Hahahaha!"

"Quick! Capture her! Seize her!"

The madwoman screamed and cursed as she chased after Xu Zhichun, pushing and shoving the young lady who had tripped and fallen. Her legs went weak, and she cried out for help in fear. The maids and servants screamed, trying to control the situation but dared not, and the scene became even more chaotic.

Nearly knocked down and blocked by the chaotic crowd, Granny Qin Qing finally managed to reach Xu Zhichun. The disheveled Xu Zhichun tightly grabbed the wrist of the madwoman who was stabbing at her with a knife.

The tip of the knife trembled, and Xu Zhichun's whole body trembled as well.

As the maidservant beside Madam Dou screamed and fell, Xu Zhichun could no longer withstand the force of the impact. As the knife tip pierced down, she barely managed to dodge to the side, and the sharp, thin blade pierced her shoulder.

Xu Zhichun groaned in pain, and Granny Qin Qing cried out in alarm, "Madam!" She forcefully pushed the madwoman away and helped Xu Zhichun up.

The servants of the Fan family finally rushed forward and grabbed the madwoman.

The madwoman struggled desperately, glaring fiercely at Xu Zhichun while crying and laughing, "Kill! Kill! Give me back my daughter's life! Give me back my daughter's life!"

Madam Fan, her face pale, scolded, "Why aren't you taking this madwoman away? What's wrong with you? How did she get out? Go and fetch a doctor!"

Madam Dou sneered, "That's strange. This madwoman ignores everyone else and only stares at Madam Xu. Could it be that Madam Xu has done too many bad things?"

Xu Zhichun covered the bleeding wound on her shoulder with a handkerchief, feeling the excruciating pain and the glaring red.

"Madam Dou, I've said it many times, what else could it be but a poor performance if your son didn't pass the imperial examination? I really don't have the power to decide the school's assessment. If anyone is wronged, it's my brother-in-law. Your son's servant drugged him, and he almost missed the exam. Have I ever blamed your family?"

"Your two servants were imprisoned by the county magistrate because of this. Does Madam Dou feel indignant on their behalf?"

The crowd was in an uproar.

He was stunned for a moment.

What does that mean? What's going on here?