Zhong Shu acted without the slightest restraint, treating everyone present as if they weren't even there. Madam Zhong had been so stunned by the sudden turn of events that she sat frozen in place like a wooden doll. She was completely unable to react to Zhong Shu's wild words or frenzied actions.
Just as Zhong Shu's huge hand was about to wrap around Madam Zhong, another large hand reached out and caught him. "Second Uncle, you really can't hold your liquor. You smell alcohol and you're already drunk?"
"Little Ruyi, you're asking for death!" Zhong Shu was startled and swung his palm toward Zhong Ruyi's face. With a sharp crack, Zhong Ruyi caught his hand and snapped it into several pieces. Zhong Shu was both shocked and furious. He was about to release his spiritual power when Xu Yi locked down his acupoints, leaving him unable to move.
"Third Uncle Ancestor, take me to the ancestral hall." Xu Yi pointed to the elder who had earlier rebuked Zhong Shu. The elder trembled from head to toe, tense to the extreme. Madam Zhong seemed to have finally come to her senses, too. She clutched Zhong Ruyi's sleeve and refused to let go, tears streaming down her face like pear blossoms in the rain.
"Mother, please wait a moment. Second Uncle has defied all proper conduct. I'll take him to the ancestral hall to confess before our ancestors, then I'll come back to keep you company." Xu Yi comforted her with a few words, then called over Madam Zhong's personal maid, Yuanyang, and signaled for her to help Madam Zhong away at once. Only then did the women present come to their senses, joining Yuanyang to persuade her.
At last, they helped Madam Zhong into the inner hall. Zhong Shu shouted, "Little