Chapter 964: Chapter 962: The True Nature of a Warrior
The cold light in Madam Zhou’s eyes intensified as she slightly raised her chin and spoke with her usual high-and-mighty tone: "Our Ji family is one that passes down poetry and books, adhering to the virtues of the sages. Thus, the descendants of the Ji family cannot be raised by a woman as unreasoning and selfish as you. Thankfully, Brother Sheng is only five years old this year. He will move to the outer courtyard today, where I will arrange for reliable wet nurses and maids to attend to him."
"No!" Ye Xinyi felt as if struck by lightning, instantly collapsing to the ground—they were trying to take Brother Sheng from her!
Madam Zhou’s three daughters-in-law were evidently aware of this matter. Although their faces were solemn and they did not look at Ye Xinyi, they were making a considerable effort to suppress their emotions. Yet, from the lowered attitude of their eyelids, it was clear that Ye Xinyi’s three sisters-in-law greatly approved of their mother-in-law’s actions.
Ye Xinyi’s helpless gaze swept over everyone in the room, only to realize that, in this family where she had lived for seven years and had once proudly used to provoke her legitimate elder sister, she was utterly alone and unsupported.
She withdrew her gaze in disappointment, tears streaming down her face, as she knelt on the ground and implored endlessly: "Mother, have mercy on your daughter-in-law, and also on Brother Sheng. Brother Sheng is still young and cannot be separated from his mother. Isn’t it usually when boys turn seven that they move to the outer courtyard? Please allow Brother Sheng another two years. Your daughter-in-law promises to uphold your guidance and will not dare to misstep in the future."
She lay on the ground, silently sobbing. Her son was still so young, and every time she imagined the little child having to leave his mother and live alone in the outer courtyard, her heart ached immensely.
Moreover, Brother Sheng is only five years old now, and as his mother, she has thoroughly provoked the entire family to reject her—who knows if the people in the mansion would bully her child, who now has no mother?
Gazing at the tear-streaked, forehead-to-ground Ye Xinyi, Madam Zhou remained unmoved, calmly saying: "Five years old is indeed somewhat young, but it is far more reassuring than having a mother like you with no virtues raise him. You need not say more on this matter; I have already sent someone to organize Brother Sheng’s belongings. When he returns from school today, he will not go to your courtyard."
Ye Xinyi suddenly raised her head, her tearful eyes fixed on Madam Zhou, and she asked in a trembling voice: "From—today he won’t return to your daughter’s-in-law courtyard?"
She suddenly realized that her mother-in-law planned not to let her see her son from today onward. Her father was disgraced, her concubine-mother detained—she now had nothing left. Brother Sheng, he was truly her life’s blood!
"If you still wish to remain a Ji Family Lady, you’d better quickly resolve the matter with the Construction Industry. Otherwise, request to leave the mansion; our Ji family’s temple is small and cannot accommodate such a dignified deity like you."
Upon hearing these resolute words, Ye Xinyi’s eyes widened suddenly, staring at Madam Zhou, asking: "Does mother mean to have my husband dismiss his wife and sever the mother-son bond between me and Brother Sheng?"
The other three daughters-in-law also raised their eyes; they sensed a veiled hostility in Ye Xinyi’s question. The three exchanged quick glances, casting denunciatory looks toward Ye Xinyi.
This was their stance, showing their support for their mother-in-law.
Simultaneously, this was their declaration to Ye Xinyi, that in the residence of scholars, nobility and rich dowries mean nothing. The daughters trained in such literary families, alliances between clans that focused on scholarly pursuits and agriculture, are the most dignified and stable.
Madam Zhou did not expect Ye Xinyi would dare to look her in the eye and speak frankly even at this moment. Anger rising, her gaze gradually becoming sharp, she coldly said: "In our Ji family, whether male or female, we focus on virtuous character. To marry you into the family was because at that time, I was momentarily careless, deceived by your superficial acts, believing you to be truly virtuous in both character and appearance. Otherwise, a concubine-born daughter from a military general’s family like you, how could she marry into our Ji family? Since you are not what you claim to be, then the matter can only be regarded differently."
Madam Zhou did not directly answer her words, but she also indicated that Ye Xinyi’s conjecture was not wrong.
Really? Ye Xinyi’s lips held a strange cold smile.
Madam Zhou, aiming to embody her prestige, always ensured her words were firm. There was no instance in Ye Xinyi’s memory where she retracted her statements.
Ye Xinyi’s eyes displayed resolute determination. Now, she had already lost her son, what was there to fear!
"Mother really brought me into the family because of my virtuous character and graceful appearance?"
Madam Zhou, her face severe, raised an eyebrow and countered: "Oh? Then what do you think it was for?" Regardless of anything, Ye Xinyi was still a daughter-in-law of the Ji family, a junior. Madam Zhou simply did not believe Ye Xinyi would dare speak rebellious words.
The three daughters-in-law also showed expressions of mockery, this sister-in-law from a military household, after over twenty years of effort, still could not rid herself of the nature of being crude and devoid of substance?
Ye Xinyi’s cold smile deepened: "I have always believed the reason I was able to marry into the Ji family was simply because my father would become the next Duke An. Marrying Duke An’s favorite daughter could stabilize the Ji family’s esteemed status for one generation, or even two."
"Bold!" Madam Zhou shouted angrily, slapping her hand down on the table beside her, creating a terrifying noise.
The intense pain from Madam Zhou’s hand caused her to momentarily daze, questioning whether her wrist had been sprained or fractured from exerting too much force.
Yet Ye Xinyi’s words severely tarnished the reputation of the Ji family, and even the entire Ji clan, leaving no room for concerns about the pain in her wrist.
Enduring her wrist’s pain, Madam Zhou pointed at Ye Xinyi, trembling, and said: "You... you! Indeed, a concubine-born thing, unable to display onstage—now devoid of even the most basic courtesy and propriety. You, rebellious, insolent, and unknowing of social relations! From now on, you are not allowed to step outside your room; stay inside and transcribe Buddhist scriptures. I will immediately write to Duke An’s Mansion and ask Old Master Ye Hongyang how he has been educating his daughter!"
After speaking, she ordered loudly to the wet nurse beside her: "Quickly escort Fourth Madam back, why is she still here? To show disgrace?"
When Ji Chengru returned upon hearing the news, everything could be said to be already settled.
Regarding his understanding of Madam Zhou, Ji Chengru and Ye Xinyi shared fully consistent views. His mother’s words and decisions have never had a precedent for change.
Since his mother had already decided Brother Sheng was to move to the outer courtyard, it could not be altered.
As for forbidding the son from meeting the wife, although his mother’s words contained this hidden meaning, she did not clearly articulate it, which left room for negotiation.
However, it could not change in the short term. It required his wife to please his mother until her anger dissipated and her view of his wife changed.
He rushed back, initially hoping to salvage something for Ye Xinyi, but upon hearing Madam Zhou angrily recount Ye Xinyi’s words, Ji Chengru also felt somewhat vexed.