Wen Yulan was so intimidated by Wei Yumeng's imposing aura that she kept backing away, her face paling with guilt. At that moment, Wei Yumeng seemed like a harbinger of death, her expression so sinister and terrifying that it sent shivers down their spines.
Feng Shiming quickly stepped forward to support Wen Yulan, whispering in her ear, "Mother, you are the mistress of this household. How can you be suppressed by your daughter-in-law? If this gets out, won't people laugh at us?"
Feng Shiming's words jolted Wen Yulan back to reality. She didn't know what had gotten into her earlier, as if she had fallen into a swamp, with the image of Sister Li forcibly giving Wei Yumeng medicine filling her mind. Even though it was just an unborn child, she still felt a sense of dread.
Once Wen Yulan calmed down, her expression gradually returned to normal. She coughed lightly and said sternly, "You want me to swear an oath? Wei Yumeng, do you really consider yourself the mistress of this house? Even Ahan wouldn't dare to question me with such rebellious tones. You are too presumptuous!"
Wen Yulan remembered how Wei Yumeng had undermined her in front of so many servants earlier, causing her to lose face. A surge of anger shot up into her heart. If she didn't quell this woman's arrogance today, she would have no authority in the Zhan family.
She turned her head and snarled, "Sister Li, lock this uneducated and ill-mannered woman in her room. I want to see how hard her mouth can be!"
Sister Li had been waiting for Wen Yulan's command. She immediately replied with a sinister smile, "Yes, Madam! You two, take this woman to the attic room. No one is allowed to let her out without Madam's orders!"
Two maids immediately stepped forward. Fang Xun's face darkened. This was bad. He had warned Madam countless times not to cross the Mistress when the Master was away. He remembered that Madam used to be much gentler. What was happening now? She even dared to confront the Mistress.
As the two maids approached Wei Yumeng, Fang Xun quickly stepped forward to block them. "Madam, Mistress is merely concerned for her child and has no intention of offending you."
Wen Yulan said displeasantly, "Fang Xun, you saw how she spoke to me just now. Is that my fault? If I don't discipline her properly today, how will I command respect from these servants in the future!" Wen Yulan's attitude was resolute, a determination not to give up until her goal was achieved.
Fang Xun treaded carefully, trying not to offend Wen Yulan directly. "Madam, if you must hold Mistress accountable, I believe it would be best to wait for Master Zhan to return. There's no need to rush."
Wen Yulan sneered and snorted, "So, you mean to say that I can't make decisions in this house, and I have to wait for Ahan to return before I can discipline her? Fang Xun, don't be too blindly loyal. Your master is being fooled by this woman and has lost his senses, inviting trouble into the house. Have you lost your senses too? Not only do you not advise her, but you are also speaking up for this woman who is deceiving Ahan. I think you shouldn't be an assistant anymore!"
"Madam, that's not what I meant." Fang Xun felt a little uneasy now. He sensed that Wen Yulan was truly furious this time, and the matter might not be easily resolved.
"If that's not what you meant, then get out of my way!" Sister Li winked at the two maids. They both moved towards Wei Yumeng, grabbed her by the shoulders, and Wei Yumeng glared hatefully at Wen Yulan.
"Are you planning to lock me in the attic and, while Zhan Mohan is away, try to harm my child again?"
Wen Yulan was also enraged. "The child in your belly isn't part of our Zhan family. It's an illegitimate child. What does it matter if it dies? Take her away!"
As two burly maids dragged Wei Yumeng towards the attic, Fang Xun tried to intervene. Wen Yulan warned him, "If you help her now, you'll be going against the Zhan family. I'll lock you up with her!"
Fang Xun's steps immediately halted. Just as Wei Yumeng was about to be dragged into the attic by the maids, she struggled fiercely. She had a phobia of the attic. She could never forget being locked in there, with no food or water, in the dark and oppressive silence, without even a window. At night, the coldness and gloom would engulf her.
Suddenly, she found it hard to breathe, her face turned pale, and her eyes showed terror. "I'm not going in, I'm not going in!"
The maids said through gritted teeth, "Madam has already given her orders. It's not up to you. Go in!" The two women dragged Wei Yumeng in and quickly locked the door. Wei Yumeng desperately pounded on the door from the inside. "Let me out, let me out!"
Seeing this, Fang Xun immediately turned to call Zhan Mohan. Wen Yulan, knowing his intentions, called out, "Fang Xun, where are you going in such a hurry?"
Fang Xun turned back. "I, I need to go back to the office."
Wen Yulan smiled sinisterly, "You're thinking of going back to complain to Ahan, aren't you?"
Fang Xun awkwardly scratched his head. "Madam, Master Zhan will find out about this sooner or later. I don't need to tell him."
Wen Yulan's eyes narrowed. "Are you threatening me?"
"I wouldn't dare. It's just that Master Zhan had previously instructed you to protect Mistress. If anything happens to her now that she's pregnant, none of us can bear the responsibility. You know Master Zhan's temper, Madam. I don't need to say more."
But Wen Yulan was determined to defy him. "Do I need his permission to discipline a junior?"
"I wouldn't dare. You can discipline Mistress, but you don't seem to have the right to decide my fate. After all, I am Master Zhan's assistant and only take orders from him. I'll take my leave." With that, Fang Xun turned and walked out.
Feng Shiming stepped forward. "Mother, are you really going to let Fang Xun go? If he tells Mo Han, we..."
"He will surely tell him, but Ahan can't come back immediately. This Wei Yumeng can be kept for a while. If she's not taught a lesson, she'll truly rebel." Wen Yulan was determined to teach Wei Yumeng a lesson this time.
In the attic, Wei Yumeng looked into the darkness, her heart growing increasingly panicked, her heartbeat accelerating, her face pale, and cold sweat breaking out on her forehead. She leaned against the wall and fumbled for her phone to call Zhan Mohan, only to suddenly realize that there was no signal in the attic. Her phone was useless.
Her breathing became increasingly difficult and uncomfortable. She was afraid, afraid that something would happen to her child. Did Wen Yulan want to harm her last child again? No, she had to find a way out. No matter what, her child had to be alright. She struggled to lean on the door and knocked, shouting with all her might. "Open the door, open the door..."
Feng Shiming heard the sound and felt something was wrong. She said to Wen Yulan, "Is she feeling unwell? I don't think that voice sounds right. Mother, perhaps you should find someone to go and check on her." After all, she was pregnant, and it would be troublesome if something happened.
Wen Yulan was still fuming. No one in the entire Zhan family had ever dared to speak to her like this. This Wei Yumeng was truly out of control. "She's only been locked up for less than an hour. What could happen? Besides, she's been locked up before. It's probably a ploy to scare us."
Feng Shiming pondered for a moment and thought it made sense. There were no monsters inside, so nothing serious should happen.
Fang Xun quickly notified Zhan Mohan. Upon learning that Wei Yumeng had been locked in the attic, Zhan Mohan's face darkened. "Master Zhan, I... I really couldn't stop her." The man's expression was exceptionally grim, his clenched fists turning white. "How did I instruct you? I told you to protect her at all costs!"
Fang Xun shrank back in fear. "I'm sorry, Master Zhan. It was Madam who..."
"Hurry back and check on her." The man stood up, grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair, and strode out. When he returned to the Zhan residence, Wen Yulan was casually cracking melon seeds and drinking tea with Feng Shiming, as if nothing had happened. The man approached her with imposing momentum, looking down at Wen Yulan with a livid face.
Wen Yulan's heart skipped a beat when she saw Zhan Mohan, especially his sharp eyes. She forced a smile. "Ahan, weren't you supposed to be working overtime? Why are you back so early?"
"Since Mother has broken her promise, don't blame me for breaking mine." Wen Yulan's expression changed. "Ahan, what are you going to do!"