The man called Old Master swept a sharp glance over the master and servant whose attire was clearly inappropriate: “Son-in-law, where are you heading?”
Struck by “son-in-law”, Xu Wanzhi understood he was probably the most senior elder of the household besides the female head of the family. However, having an unknown man randomly questioning her was hard for her to accept, and she responded coolly: “Going out. Is there something?”
Qu Linshi, the Old Master, had never liked this son-in-law and was furious upon seeing him dress improperly, block the doorway, and respond coldly – how improper!
“Master…” Qi’er wanted to speak but had no opportunity, only tugging at his sleeve. A fierce-looking man beside Qu Linshi gave her a sideways glance, and she immediately withdrew her hand, trembling and not daring to speak.
“Master, not greeting or paying respects to the Old Master – is this the rule of the Xu family?”
A man courteously handed a handkerchief to Qu Linshi, questioning with implied criticism.
Xu Wanzhi heard a man who had nothing to do with her randomly standing at the doorway lecturing her, and found the content meaningless. Although contrary to her principle of not arguing with irrelevant people, being blocked from her path did make her somewhat unhappy. She coldly responded: “A servant randomly standing at the master’s doorway and speaking out of turn – is this the rule of the Qu family?”
Linshi never expected him to not immediately apologize but actually dare to talk back. Her expression immediately turned fierce, looking at her “son-in-law”, and coldly laughed: “How could my son-in-law manage my servants? I’ve been away for a long time and neglected to discipline my son-in-law. Today, I should let him see the rules of the Qu family!”
As soon as these words were spoken, two relatively tall men rushed out, grabbing him left and right and dragging him toward another courtyard.
Qi’er failed to grab Xu Wanzhi and fell to her knees in fright, repeatedly begging: “Please have mercy, Old Master. My master was ill, which is why he was somewhat improper.”
Please be lenient, my master will understand your good intentions, I beg you—”
“You insolent slave! The Old Master endured illness to pray for the Qu family, and the master didn’t even come to pay respects. So, with a minor illness, should we worship him like a Buddha?”
A man interrupted Qi’er’s unfinished words, stepping forward and slapping her, grabbing her hair with a “pa” sound. Qi’er instantly went silent, with the man cursing: “Cheap thing, in front of the Old Master, what right do you have to speak?”
He was about to strike again when a voice suddenly shouted: “Stop!”
Turning, he saw the young master, being dragged by two men, glaring at him. He was slightly startled, his hand still raised to strike.
Xu Wanzhi’s eyes narrowed, staring at his bright red fingernail, and slowly said: “With me here, if you dare touch my person again, I guarantee that even the Old Master cannot protect you today.”
These words were clearly a threat.
“Old Master, please judge for me—”
The man dramatically pushed Qi’er away and returned to Linshi’s side, adopting a thoroughly aggrieved posture. Linshi’s face was now dark as storm clouds. Even his own daughter, Qu Xiaoqiao, the Qu family head, would give him some face, yet this Xu Wan actually dared to slap his face like this.
He darkened his expression, his thin lips parting as he rebuked: “Unfilial thing! With the young master here, how can I allow you to run wild?
Quickly invite the young master to my courtyard and serve him properly!”
“Yes!”
Those men looked extremely pleased, immediately dragging Xu Wanzhi like dogs rewarded with a bone.
Qi’er, who had just been saved by Xu Wanzhi, was shocked. In large families, those masters with skills had countless ways of punishment, and once taken inside, no matter how fierce you were – heaven knows what suffering awaited.
Xu Wanzhi, being grabbed by two strange men, grew cold. She looked directly at Linshi and said, definitively: “I’m not free.”
“Then make yourself free!”
Linshi unexpectedly followed his train of thought, and several strong men tightly gripped his limbs, walking swiftly.
Qi’er was already pale, knowing his master was married far away, and in this Qu residence, he was the only one truly loyal to her. With the family head away for months and no powerful supporters around, today’s outcome… he didn’t dare imagine.
He could only stumble behind, his skirt hem trampled, wanting to beg someone – but where was anyone?
Qu Family Head
Xu Wanzhi was not someone who would easily lose her temper. Even when angry or scolding, she would only lower her tone, never losing her composure. But in this bizarre country she couldn’t accept, she didn’t dare hope for gentlemanly demeanor. Seeing these men fighting like shrews, she wanted to pretend to be blind.
What was even more outrageous was that these men, trailing strange fragrances and wearing makeup, were now grabbing at her with their sharp claws!
With a twist of her body and a pull, she hooked her arm around the attacker’s claw and twisted forcefully, causing the person to immediately shriek. Her eyes narrowed, and her movements became even faster. She thrust her elbow backward, startling the man who cried out and stumbled back. He was then spun aside and grabbed by his clothing, thrown forward over the railing with a thunderous crash!
Everyone was shocked by the sudden change, hearing only the rolling sounds accompanied by an unseemly and startling cry. Xu Wanzhi swiftly dodged and rushed a few steps to Lin’s front, her eyes open and calm, meeting his furious gaze as she softly said: “Who dares to touch me?”
Her tone was calm, not seeming like a threat, but a statement of fact.
Lin stepped back, shouting: “You! How bold! You’ve gone too far! Someone, arrest this young master immediately!”
Xu Wanzhi gave him a sidelong glance and said coolly: “I’ve seen men without grace before, but someone as sharp as you is rare in this world. You should go. I don’t wish to lower myself by engaging with someone like you.”
In truth, she meant every word. She was someone who maintained her composure, treating others with more grace than most men.
Today, these people had truly stepped on her last nerve, prompting such words.
Unfortunately, to the ancient people, her words sounded like insubordination, completely violating social norms and filial piety.
“Fine! With your behavior, and Jue’er not here, I’ll divorce you today, and she’ll have no say!”
Lin smiled coldly, having calmed down. He had noticed something was off about his son-in-law, who had humiliated him in front of all the servants. Having lost face, he was determined to get rid of him to maintain his authority as the elder.
Holding this ultimate card, even if he begged for forgiveness—he would not be spared!
This ruthless expression raised Xu Wanzhi’s eyebrow.
Tsk! The plot twist was quick enough. She was already tired of being here and bored, and she lightly laughed: “Very well, but the severance pay cannot be short by a single coin.”
Lin closed his mouth and narrowed his eyes, carefully observing Xu Wanzhi’s calm demeanor from head to toe. Fine, the Qu family had plenty of silver. Today, he would dismiss him, maintaining his proper demeanor, and coldly ordered: “Someone, return all of the young master’s dowry. Each item must be accounted for. And since he came from the Qu family—”
He paused briefly before being interrupted by a clear, calm female voice: “Father, what is happening?”
