You take on two husbands, I'll turn around and marry the tyrant and rule the world.

Xie's nerves were already stretched to the limit, and he was filled with fear.

That bitch is clearly bringing up the very thing she shouldn't have said.

She gripped her sleeve tightly, her nails almost digging into her flesh.

Chu Nianci brought up her eldest son in public; did she really know everything?

No, regardless of whether she knows or not, this matter must not be brought to light at this time.

The most urgent task is to immediately and firmly cover up this "scandal"!

In a flash, her mind was made up.

Before Chu Shunqing could speak again, Xie's face suddenly showed a look of deep sorrow, as if she was extremely disappointed.

She suddenly raised her hand and, to everyone's astonishment, slapped Chu Shunqing hard across the face!

"Snap!" The crisp sound startled everyone present.

Chu Shunqing was knocked to the side by the blow, her cheek quickly swelling up. She covered her burning face, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Shunqing!" Xie's voice trembled, as if she were extremely angry. "You...you usually seem so well-behaved, how could you be so foolish as to do such a shameless thing!"

Chu Shunqing was stunned by her sudden change of attitude, his eyes reddening with grievance: "Mother-in-law, I am innocent! How could you convict me without even asking what happened!"

As soon as she spoke, memories of her past life flashed through her mind.

Yes, in both her past and present lives, she was drinking with her friends in the front, not in the back.

Her mother-in-law even sent someone to ask her for aphrodisiacs.

Later, I heard that something happened to my sister's room, and it was only after she handed over most of her dowry that the matter was settled. She even came to my sister's house to mock her.

How could I be so foolish as to walk right into this trap?

But instead of blaming her mother-in-law for being ruthless and vicious, she looked at her sister instead.

She gritted her teeth, glared at Chu Nianci with hatred, and said while wiping away her tears, "You knew all along, didn't you? You set up this scheme to frame me."

Chu Nianci sneered inwardly.

She didn't blame her mother-in-law for being vicious; instead, she turned her anger on herself, as if she were as gentle and easy to talk to as she had been in her previous life.

Chu Nianci merely raised an eyebrow slightly, her expression calm and unwavering: "I don't understand what you're saying, sister. In front of everyone, you need evidence to back up your words. Are you perhaps confused by your haste?"

The crowd secretly sized up the two of them.

Chu Nianci was beautiful and elegant, dressed neatly and composed, while Chu Shunqing had disheveled hair, unkempt clothes, and a deranged expression.

The difference between the two is stark.

The people around him were already looking at Chu Shunqing with disdain.

Chu Shunqing was so angry that he was helpless and couldn't say a word.

Seeing this, Madam Xie bit her lip and took a deep breath: "Alright, dear relatives and friends, tonight was supposed to be a housewarming party, and everyone here is family. This has happened because the Lin family has not managed its households properly, and we apologize for making you all laugh."

She glanced around the room and calmly dismissed them, saying, "Please come to the front hall for tea while we handle this family matter ourselves."

Most of those who came were relatives and old friends. Upon hearing this, they exchanged glances, their expressions conveying their unspoken thoughts. Although they had different feelings, they could not stay any longer to watch the spectacle and had to disperse one by one.

Chu Shunqing's face was ashen. Was that it?

Is this filthy stigma really going to be stuck on my head like this?

She opened her mouth, wanting to argue, but Xie gave her a cold, warning look that instantly choked her words.

She understood that if she made a scene now, it would only make Xie Shi resent her, and she would find it difficult to maintain her position in this household in the future.

Sister, do you want to enter the palace?

I will grant your wish.

But you want me to help you rise to a high position?

Don't even dream about it. I'll send someone to the palace tonight to beg the Empress to send you to the laundry department to avenge today's humiliation.

Lin Jingrui stood still, his eyes suddenly turning sinister.

It felt like a hard rock was stuck in my throat; I couldn't swallow it or spit it out.

His own brother had defiled his wife, and he could only swallow this humiliation, almost causing him internal injuries.

After a long while, he wearily stepped forward, took off his outer robe, and draped it over the shivering Chu Shunqing.

Madam Xie waved her hand, and two old women immediately stepped forward, helped up Chu Shunqing, whose robes were half off and whose hair was disheveled, and hurriedly took him away.

"I'll go see Shunqing." Lin Jingrui's voice was hoarse, revealing a deep weariness and annoyance.

As he turned around, his gaze swept over Chu Nianci, who stood gracefully under the candlelight. She was calm and beautiful, as if the farce just now had nothing to do with her. So calm, so serene, a complex emotion suddenly welled up in his heart. In the end, he didn't say anything more and turned to leave the room.

After everyone had left, only the Lin family remained in the room.

Madam Xie and the Earl took their seats one after the other, with their two children sitting beside them.

Chu Nianci knew they were about to confront him.

So he asked Tuanyuan to bring over a chair, and then sat down leisurely.

Madam Xie's face had softened into a gentle expression as she said softly, "Ci'er, you must have been frightened by what happened tonight. There are many people and things going on in the mansion. Although you haven't yet held your wedding ceremony with Jingrui, you are still family. Tomorrow is the wedding day, and you have too many dowry chests. It would be better if I entrusted them to your mother for safekeeping, so you wouldn't have to worry about them."

"..." Chu Nianci.

This mother-in-law is still as unsightly as she was in her previous life.

Chu Nianci smiled slightly and said, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt. I have my own arrangements for the affairs of the courtyard. But as for Jingrui's matter of taking a wife in place of his brother, do you really think it's appropriate?"

Madam Xie's smile froze slightly, then relaxed again, her tone softening: "It's just to continue the family line. Nianci, you're sensible, there's no need to take it to heart."

"So," Chu Nianci said with a faint smile, "Auntie is prepared to personally arrange this marriage?"

Madam Xie was taken aback by the question, but quickly put on her usual kind and gentle face again: "Silly child, you are Jingrui's legal wife, so of course you should handle this matter. When Shunqing enters the house tomorrow, you can do whatever you want, and show off your authority as the mistress of the house."

Chu Nianci almost let out a cold laugh.

The majesty of the matriarch?

That sounds very dignified.

She was only after her large dowry, wanting to use her money to marry another wife for her husband in a grand and lavish manner.

Her gaze swept over Xie's rosy and smooth cheeks... Her carefully prepared "Jade Maiden Powder" and "Wind-Dispelling Pills" were indeed remarkably effective.

It's astonishing that the Duchess had so much energy to scheme against her like this.

"The eldest son's marriage is funded by public funds; why should I overstep my bounds?" Chu Nianci said calmly.

Madam Xie's smile faltered slightly. "My child, why are you being so formal? You helped Shunqing enter the family. She has medical skills and can lend Jingrui a hand in officialdom. In the future, Jingrui will be promoted and ennobled, and you, as the legal wife, will also receive an imperial title and reward. You won't lose out."

Imperial decree conferring honors and rewards.

A hint of mockery flashed across Chu Nianci's eyes.

In her past life, she believed these words and emptied her dowry, exhausting her efforts to pave the way for their future.

The results of it?

The husband held a high-ranking position, the old lady enjoyed all the riches and honors, and the half-sister acted arrogantly and domineeringly.

She ended up with only an empty title, her beauty fading with age, leaving her broken and fragmented.

Chu Nianci looked up and stared directly at Madam Xie: "It is inconvenient for me to handle this matter. You should make the decision."

Madam Xie's face darkened completely: "I'm afraid that's not up to you. You are now a member of the Lin family, and it's not up to you to decide whether you're willing or not."

"Auntie, I am still a novice, so you cannot assign me any tasks."

Lin Jingjue, who was standing to the side, finally couldn't hold back and stood up abruptly.

"Chu Nianci," she snapped coldly, her round cheeks puffed up with anger, "what are you doing, putting on airs and making excuses? You're just a merchant's daughter, do you really think you're some noble lady? Believe me or not, I'll have my second brother beat you up and throw you in the woodshed to starve for days, then we'll see if you still don't behave!"

Chu Nianci's gaze swept calmly across her arrogant face.

Lady Bo gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Her eldest son was Lin Jingfan, her second daughter was Lin Jingse, who entered the palace and became empress, her third son was Lin Jingrui, her fourth son was Lin Jingxing, and her youngest daughter, Lin Jingjue, was only fifteen years old and was the most spoiled.

Her gaze fell on the red gold and kingfisher feather hairpin, and the translucent jade bracelet on her wrist, both of which she had forcibly taken from her.

Now he's wearing her things, yet he's threatening to lock her in the woodshed. He's really shameless.

"If you want to talk big, you need to be tough yourself. Take that thing off and give it back to me," Chu Nianci said calmly. "Don't try to talk big or show off your power."

Lin Jingjue's face flushed red with anger: "What's the point of taking back something you've given away? I'm not returning it!"

Chu Nianci suddenly smiled.

The cinnabar mole between her brows accentuated her piercing gaze: "So this is a lady of high society, yet she forcibly takes what belongs to others and refuses to return it. How is she any different from a street thug?"

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Lin Jingjue's face was flushed, and the corners of his mouth were bitten until they were bright red.

Her reason crumbled, and she rushed forward, raising her hand to slap Chu Nianci across the face...

Tuanyuan, who had always protected her master, was already on guard.

Although she didn't know martial arts, she was tall and strong. Upon seeing this, she immediately stepped forward to block, causing Lin Jingjue to fall flat on his face...

"oops!"

Lin Jingjue stumbled and fell into a chair next to him, knocking over a table full of cups and saucers.

"Crash..." Porcelain shards shattered all over the floor.

She sat there amidst the mess, momentarily stunned.

"This is outrageous! This is truly outrageous!" The old man slammed the teacup lid on the table. "How dare you allow this lowly servant to beat my aunt in public! Guards, drag this servant away and beat her to death!"

Upon hearing this, several burly old women outside rushed into the room, their sleeves bare, and tried to pull Tuanyuan away.

"Let's see who dares!" Chu Nianci suddenly stood up.

Now that the pretense was over, she decided to stop hiding her true intentions: "Since Father intends to use family discipline, why not invite the clan elders and that groom from the back, and teach them a lesson together as well?"

Her gaze swept over the crowd.

If this gets out, we'll see who really suffers.

Upon hearing this, Lin Jingjue's face drained of color, his previous arrogance vanished, and he slumped into his chair, trembling.

I don't know if it was from anger or fear.

Xie's expression also changed abruptly.

Sure enough, last night's scheme was completely exposed.

This girl knows everything.

She had initially thought the woman was just an ignorant merchant, but she had the means to uncover such secrets... Xie felt a pang of regret. Had she known this would happen, she shouldn't have taken that risky step.

She waved her hand, dismissing the old women, and said gently, "Nianci, you've always been a sensible person. Now that you've married into the Lin family, we're one family. We should prioritize the family's reputation. If things get out of hand, it won't do you or your family any good."

Chu Nianci met her gaze and suddenly smiled: "Mother is right. If some things get out of hand, it won't look good for anyone. I'm sure the government will take full responsibility for Shunqing's wedding tomorrow, so I don't need to 'worry' about it, right?"

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

Facing the various gazes of the crowd, Chu Nianci added calmly, "Uncle, Aunt, since things have come to this point, I only ask for a letter of divorce so that I can return to Jiangnan."

A few breaths later...

"Bang!"

The old man slammed his teacup to the ground, shards of porcelain flying everywhere: "Don't even think about it! My household has never had a divorced woman!"

Madam Xie frowned, her tone angry: "How can you be so ungrateful?"

Chu Nianci slowly stood up, his back as straight as bamboo: "My mind is made up. Please let me return south."

She knew in her heart that she couldn't leave at this moment, but she still insisted on saying it.

This was all to make them think that everything would be fine as long as they kept her confined in the mansion.

The old man and his wife stared at her blankly.

The woman before him had a resolute look in her eyes, like a plum blossom standing in the snow, completely different from her former gentle appearance.

A moment later, Chu Nianci turned to leave, but Tuanyuan quickly and efficiently draped a white fox fur cloak over her shoulders.

"Stop!" Madam Xie was truly anxious; her face darkened. "Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by outsiders, afraid of tarnishing the reputation of your family?"

"Let others say what they want."

"You..." The old man slammed his fist on the table in anger.

Xie's face flushed red, and she coughed violently, raising her hand to cover her forehead: "My head hurts..."

The old woman beside him hurriedly fetched the medicine box, opened it, and found it to be empty.

"Ci'er..." Madam Xie called out in a trembling voice, her lips pale, "Quickly, quickly bring the Wind-Dispelling Pills..."

"Wind-dispelling pills?" Chu Nianci's gaze was indifferent. "I told you a few days ago that the medicine contained a white rhinoceros horn, which has long been used up and cannot be found anywhere."

As she spoke, she fastened the cloak's belt and turned to leave.

"You dare!" Lin Jingxing, who had been sitting next to him, suddenly stood up and blocked his way.

This younger brother-in-law was handsome, but unfortunately, he had dark circles under his eyes, giving him the appearance of someone who indulged in excessive sexual activity.

He pointed at Chu Nianci and cursed, "You're withholding Mother's medicine? Believe me, I'll have my second brother divorce you, and then we'll see if you dare to be so arrogant!"

Chu Nianci glanced at him coldly.

This good-for-nothing playboy had just taken a sum of money from her a few days ago for "socializing" at a poetry gathering.

A mocking smile appeared on her lips: "I couldn't ask for more. Please go and talk to your brother about it."

Lin Jingxing was stunned and hadn't reacted yet.

Tuanyuan shoved him aside with one arm: "Third Young Master, there's a female imperial physician right here in the manor, why don't you go and ask her for help?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Jingjue arrogantly said, "Let her go. It's just a wind-dispelling pill, right? I'll have my sister-in-law make some for Mother later."

Chu Nianci sneered inwardly.

Her wind-dispelling pills used more than a dozen secret medicinal ingredients, making them unique.

She wanted to see how they could possibly be a good match.

"Since there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." She turned and walked outside.

"As long as I have a breath left, you will never step out of the Earl's mansion!" The old Earl's roar came from behind.

Chu Nianci didn't stop walking; he took Tuanyuan and left straight away.