“Four years ago, you left because of marrying that woman. Now you’re leaving again because of marriage?” she said through gritted teeth.
Chang Yuncheng lowered his head, then raised it.
“No, Mother. When I left before, it actually wasn’t because of marriage or anything like that,” he said.
He just didn’t want to stay in this house.
Madam Xie laughed coldly.
“Now you say this.” She didn’t believe him at all.
Chang Yuncheng smiled slightly without arguing.
“Yuncheng, get married before you leave, alright?” Madam Xie softened, speaking pleadingly.
Chang Yuncheng looked at her.
“Mother, I’ve already done as you wished. Please also do as I wish,” he said.
Madam Xie’s face filled with anger again.
“So you’re still doing this for that woman?” she said coldly.
Chang Yuncheng lowered his head.
“There’s no point in saying this or not anymore, Mother,” he said. He raised his head and grasped Madam Xie’s sleeve. “I won’t refuse to marry. When I find the person I truly want, I will definitely marry. Mother, is that acceptable?”
Madam Xie’s expression softened slightly.
“That Miss Rao…” she said again.
“Mother, she’s not the one I want,” Chang Yuncheng said simply, cutting off Madam Xie’s words.
Madam Xie clenched her hands.
Yes, only that woman is the one you want…
“It’s getting late. Go rest,” she lay back down and said indifferently. “Let the steward handle the departure arrangements. Going to war is important – how can you just leave like this, as if we’re shameful people?”
Especially at this time! The shameful one was that woman, not their Marquis Dingxi household!
Chang Yuncheng made a sound of agreement and thanked his mother, but remained kneeling.
“What else do you want to say?” Madam Xie, who understood him well, asked.
“Yueniang’s…” Chang Yuncheng began to speak. The two words “Yueniang” sliding past his lips made his heart ache sharply. “…her dowry, give it to her.”
Madam Xie sat up abruptly.
“Dowry? What dowry does she have!” she said angrily. “Don’t forget how she entered our marquis household! She really has the nerve to ask for it! And you really can listen to such things!”
Saying this, she pointed her finger, clean and decisive without wasting words.
“Get out.”
Chang Yuncheng stood and left.
The next day, Madam Xie heard news that Chang Yuncheng was selling his personal landholdings, which made her curse extensively. Just as she was about to scold all the household stewards, someone reported that Old Madam Xie had arrived.
Madam Xie was startled and, ignoring everything else, hurried out to receive her personally.
After the New Year, Old Madam Xie was in good spirits but looked somewhat older.
“Mother, why did you come? It’s such a long way – if there’s anything, just send someone to call me,” Madam Xie said anxiously, supporting her.
Old Madam Xie entered the room with her walking stick.
“Nothing urgent. I heard things were quite lively here, so I came to see,” she said.
Madam Xie immediately looked at the maids and servants around. Everyone shook their heads at her, indicating they hadn’t said anything.
“Don’t look. Yuncheng told me,” Old Madam Xie said as she sat down.
Madam Xie immediately looked angry.
“Enough, sit down,” Old Madam Xie said, glancing at her. “You’re so old but still have the temper of a young girl.”
Madam Xie sat down, still looking indignant.
“He actually disturbed your peace, Mother. He really deserves a beating,” she said.
Old Madam Xie smiled.
“You got your wish,” she said after a moment of silence.
Madam Xie stood up, looking at Old Madam Xie.
“Mother, am I doing this only for myself?” she said with a grieved expression.
“Alright, alright,” Old Madam Xie smiled, reaching out to pull her down. “I’m not here to blame you. Divorced is divorced, thrown out is thrown out. Since you’re destined to be irreconcilable, there’s no need to wrong each other.”
This still sounded somewhat awkward. Madam Xie sat down beside Old Madam Xie.
“I came for just one thing,” Old Madam Xie said.
“Please speak, Mother,” Madam Xie said.
Her expression was unprecedentedly respectful and gentle. If Qi Yue were here now, she would definitely think Madam Xie had been replaced.