Rongguo Mansion.
Jia Zheng and Madam Wang stood more than a yard apart, craning their necks at each other like fighting cocks.
Their heavy breathing, disheveled hair, and rumpled collars made it clear that the husband and wife had just finished a fierce battle—in the most literal sense.
Though he bore far more scratches and bruises than she did, Jia Zheng, being a man, recovered first. His face darkened as he said, "No matter how... how worthless Huan'er may be, he is still my flesh and blood! Now that he has been harmed by someone, you actually want me to spare that damned slut?!"
Three years ago, when Baoyu had been beaten, Madam Wang had only wept and pleaded. But now she had long since seen through all that nonsense about husbands ruling wives. Faced with Jia Zheng's accusation, she immediately shot back without yielding an inch. "Isn't Baoyu your flesh and blood too? When that damned slut tried to harm him and Phoenix Girl, who was it that defended her so fiercely?!"
"You!"
Jia Zheng glared at his wife. After a long while, he swept up his sleeves and clasped his hands behind his back. "That is nothing but speculation. There is no real evidence. Besides, aren't Baoyu and Phoenix Girl both alive and well right now?"
"A fever that will not break and unconsciousness day after day—does that count as being alive and well?!" Hearing him deny what had happened before, Madam Wang exploded again. She pointed at Jia Zheng furiously. "Must Baoyu die before you are satisfied, so that the little bastard born of that slut can inherit the family estate?!"
"What nonsense are you talking about?!"
Jia Zheng flew into a rage as well, pointing outside. "Have I not already sent someone to invite Lord Qin,