The clan elders were all shocked to hear the news.
"You rebellious daughter! Do you realize Third Master Xie is now the younger brother of Southern Yue's Second Imperial Prince? How could we possibly afford to offend him?"
"Your divorce must have enraged him! That's why he's come for revenge!"
"Zhong Fu! Hurry up and make your daughter beg for forgiveness! The Zhong Family has no desire to offend the Southern Yue Imperial House!"
The clan members chimed in one after another, seemingly determined to force Zhong Youyan to submit.
"Then tell me, everyone! What would you have me do?"
Zhong Youyan countered with a cold laugh.
The clan members exchanged glances before the clan leader stepped forward. "Back then, rumors that Fourth Master Xie had a child with a mistress caused an uproar. Though you failed to break off the engagement, you had already given yourself to him!"
"You're no longer a maiden, so what's the point of a divorce? If Third Master Xie wants you to tear up the divorce agreement and return to the Xie family to live as a widow, that is only your duty!"
"Since ancient times, a woman whose husband dies has had no other path but widowhood! Besides, you interfered in that medicinal powder trade and offended quite a few underground organizations. You must return to the Xie family to live as a widow and make amends. You cannot stay with the Zhong Family and drag us down with you!"
At this, the clan leader sighed again, a calculating shrewdness gleaming in his eyes.
He continued in an earnest, weighty tone, "Youyan, it isn't that we don't care about you. The greater good leaves us no choice. Can't you spare a thought for your family?"
Those words.
Zhong Youyan had heard them