Jing'an Marquis Manor.
As soon as they returned to the Front Courtyard, Zhong Youyan's face darkened. She struck first, shoving Madam Li to the ground!
Everyone stared at her in shock. Xie Jinqiu's lips were deathly pale. "Zhong Youyan, what are you doing?"
"What am I doing? Mother-in-law, I was kind enough to take over the mess that was Zhong Kui of the marquis's household, and I even asked my own family for money to cover the shortfall. Is this how you repay me?"
"Concubine Xu promised she would bear all the consequences, but then she turned around and falsely accused Eldest Sister-in-Law! We nearly lost the Marquis's Residence. We almost died, do you understand?"
"I came here to be the mistress of this household, not to court death! Every one of you shields Concubine Xu. If you don't value your lives, don't drag me down with you. I want a divorce!"
Zhong Youyan poured out her accusations, her voice full of grievance and lingering fear.
Everyone listening felt as though thorns were digging into their backs.
Madam Li had still been immersed in grief over her son's dismissal from office when Zhong Youyan shoved her to the ground.
Those words jolted her completely out of her sorrow.
She explained in a trembling voice, "That's not how it was, Youyan. We didn't know Concubine Xu had acted on her own either. Hasn't she already been thrown into jail? We..."
Her face pale, she continued, "Aren't we still alive? Please don't act rashly. If you leave, this household truly won't have anyone left to rely on."
Indeed, Xie Jin'an had now lost his official post.
If they also lost this daughter-in-law who supplied the money, the Marquis's Residence would truly be finished.
She could not let Zhong Youyan leave.
She could