Liu Shi stood at the entrance to the first branch's courtyard with her son, Chen Ming, her hands planted on her hips as she shouted abuse.
"So what if he's the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture? He's spent his whole life working and topped out at the fourth rank. What's so impressive about that?"
"Look at my son. He didn't even have to sit the Spring Imperial Examination to get a sixth-rank official post."
"He's still so young, and with His Majesty the emperor protecting him, his future is limitless! When that day comes, you won't even be worthy of carrying our shoes! You'll have plenty to cry about!"
Listening from inside, the prefect's wife turned livid with rage.
She rounded on her son and husband, berating them. "Just listen to her! What kind of talk is that? Anyone who didn't know better would think we'd mistreated them!"
"That bitch was clearly trying to ruin my son, yet you, his father, won't even let out a fart! What good does splitting the family do? My son was nearly destroyed by that bitch!"
Chen Yonggu said nothing, his eyes still red.
He had not slept all night, recalling every moment since he had met Wang Yuyan. It hurt as though knives were stabbing into his heart.
The prefect had not gone to the Government Office either, and the runners he had brought were still guarding the entrance.
Neither father nor son spoke. From outside, Wang Yuyan's sweet, delicate voice drifted in.
"Mother-in-law, don't waste your anger on them. They don't know what's good for them and can't appreciate your kindness. One day, even if they rush to curry favor with you, it'll be too late!"
Liu Shi looked at Wang Yuyan's belly, and her expression softened a little.
"You're the blessed one,