The Yao Residence.
Before Chu Ruoyan and Madam Li could even step through the gates, a steward-like figure hurried out with a practiced smile. "Ah, Madam of the Peaceful Marquis and Second Young Madam! My deepest apologies, but our Madam is unwell, and Second Miss is attending to her. They are unable to receive guests at the moment."
The "Second Miss" referred to Yao Qing, wife of Yan Fifth Young Master.
Madam Li pressed urgently, "But Madam has been ill for several days already—"
The steward’s smile widened, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "Indeed, our Madam’s constitution is delicate. She hasn’t recovered despite the days of rest. Might I ask you to return another time?"
"This is—!"
Madam Li turned helplessly to Chu Ruoyan. Who could have imagined they wouldn’t even be allowed past the gates?
Chu Ruoyan patted her hand reassuringly. "The mourning period for Father-in-law and the brothers is approaching. We’ve come to bring Fifth Sister-in-law home."
"That would require waiting until our Madam recovers—"
The steward’s words were cut off as Chu Ruoyan interjected coolly, "If Madam Yao insists, then we’ll have no choice but to make our plea right here at your gates."
The steward’s expression darkened.
Already, passersby had begun glancing over at the mention of "mourning."
If they caused a scene here, the consequences would be unthinkable!
"Madam of the Peaceful Marquis, Second Young Madam, this servant misunderstood your intentions. Please, come inside."
Main Hall.
Madam Yao sat stiffly in the seat of honor, her displeasure plain. Yao Qing stood behind her, head bowed.
"I know why you’re here, so let’s not waste words. My daughter will not return with you!" Madam Yao declared. "I never approved of this marriage. Yan Fifth Young Master was merely an adopted son—what right did he have to wed my daughter? Back then, the Yan family was at its peak, and my husband served under the Grand General. We had no choice but to agree. But now that Yan Fifth Young Master is gone, don’t think you can keep my daughter bound to the Yan family!"
The Yan family had five sons and one daughter. Among them, Fourth Miss Yan Shu and Fifth Young Master Yan Heng were not Madam Xie’s biological children but adopted orphans of fallen comrades.
Madam Li bit her lip. "Madam Yao, even if this marriage wasn’t to your liking, Fifth Brother’s body has yet to be laid to rest. Couldn’t you at least wait until after the burial—"
"By then, it would be too late!" Madam Yao’s sharp gaze swept over them. "You’re both Yan family wives—can’t you see the state of your household? Third Yan is crippled, with no hope of an official career. That empty title of Peaceful Marquis won’t save you from ruin. You’re still young—do you truly intend to waste your lives mourning the dead?"
Madam Li froze under the verbal assault.
Chu Ruoyan spoke slowly, "Madam Yao, is your refusal to let Fifth Sister-in-law return due to your past objections to the marriage… or because the Yan family is doomed to fall?"
Madam Yao faltered.
In truth, it was their family who had sought this match. An adopted son? So what? Everyone knew the Grand General treated him as his own flesh and blood. Marrying into the Yan family had been a stroke of fortune.
But that fortune had lasted barely two months. Could they be blamed for seeking a new path?
"I’m only advising you out of kindness. Don’t let sentiment blind you. A woman’s life depends on her husband. You’re still so young—must you throw away your futures for the dead?"
Madam Li recoiled. "Madam Yao! Our husbands’ bodies are still warm! Even if you seek a new path, isn’t this too soon?"
Madam Yao scoffed.
Chu Ruoyan turned to Yao Qing. "Fifth Sister-in-law, the mourning rites for Father-in-law and Fifth Brother are in three days. His burial items still need your selection. Please, come back with us."
Her voice trembled with suppressed emotion. Yao Qing shuddered, her head sinking lower.
Madam Yao’s tone turned glacial. "Ladies, I’ve made myself clear. Qing’er will not return. Leave."
Silence filled the hall.
Madam Li suddenly shouted, "Yao Qing! Have you forgotten? When you fell gravely ill after your wedding, Fifth Brother climbed to the summit of Guardian Mountain alone to fetch the sacred lingzhi for you! Or when you woke hungry at midnight, and he scaled walls to buy your favorite braised pork from Frostview Tower! Have you no conscience?!"
At these words, Yao Qing collapsed to her knees, sobbing. "Fifth Young Master!"
Her cry was heartrending. She clutched Madam Yao’s skirts. "Mother, please—let me go back! Just this once, to see him off properly! I swear it’ll be the last time!"
Madam Yao’s face darkened. "What nonsense is this?"
Tears streaked Yao Qing’s face. "I know you mean well, but Fifth Young Master, he—"
Slap!
The brutal strike sent Yao Qing sprawling.
"Guards! Second Miss is overwrought with grief and not in her right mind. Confine her to her chambers—no one is to release her without my order!"
Burly maids seized Yao Qing’s arms, dragging her away.
As Madam Li stood paralyzed, Chu Ruoyan commanded, "Stop!"
Madam Yao’s glare was icy. "I discipline my own daughter. Outsiders have no say."
"Madam Yao," Chu Ruoyan’s voice was measured yet unyielding, "you may teach your daughter as you wish. But Fifth Sister-in-law is now a Yan by marriage. If she wishes to return, no one may stop her."
Madam Yao’s eyes narrowed. "So you’d kidnap someone from my own home?"
At her signal, dozens of armed guards stormed in, weapons bared.
Chu Ruoyan remained unshaken. "Madam Yao, consider carefully. The entire Yan family gave their lives for the nation. Countless eyes are watching. If harm comes to us here today, do you truly believe you’ll escape consequences?"
Madam Yao hesitated.
Since when was Third Yan’s bride so formidable?
Chu Ruoyan pressed her advantage. "Madam Yao, have you considered this? Even if you force Fifth Sister-in-law to stay, without an official annulment, she remains a Yan wife. No future match or remarriage would be recognized."
Madam Yao stiffened—she had overlooked this.
"Are you suggesting the Yan family would grant a divorce decree?"
"No," Chu Ruoyan admitted. Then, pointedly: "But if Fifth Sister-in-law misses the funeral, she’ll never receive one."
The words struck home. Yao Qing was too young to remain unwed forever...
Seeing her resolve waver, Yao Qing broke free and threw herself at her mother’s feet. "Mother, I know you want what’s best for me, but I beg you—just this once, let me go back..."
She kowtowed twice, forehead striking stone. With a sigh, Madam Yao hauled her up. "Enough! Must you act as if I’m already dead?"
Her glare returned to Chu Ruoyan. "Madam of the Peaceful Marquis, I’ll hold you to your word. After the funeral, the Yan family will provide that decree of freedom."
Chu Ruoyan bowed in acknowledgment.
Outside the Yao estate, Yao Qing clung to Madam Li’s hand. "Second Sister-in-law, how is everyone at home? Is Grandmother well?"
Madam Li softened at her genuine concern. "All is well. But Fifth Brother’s belongings do need your attention."
Yao Qing nodded, then turned to Chu Ruoyan and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Third Sister-in-law. Without you, I’d never have left that house."
Chu Ruoyan helped her up and said, "There's no need for such formalities, sister-in-law. We are all family now. Whatever the future may hold, our priority is to arrange a proper funeral and ensure the Grand General and the others depart with dignity."
