"If I'm not mistaken, you pushed him into the water, and used a bamboo pole to shove him down with all your might. A child, though he knew some martial arts, was no match for you and drowned in despair." Wu Caiwei looked at him with calm eyes, her thoughts unreadable.
The servant hastily begged for mercy, "But I was only following orders. The wrongdoer will be held accountable. Please, madam, do not make things difficult for me."
Zheng Nian'er steeled her heart and pressed down hard on his leg. With a crack, he let out a pig-like scream. Without even touching it, she knew his leg was broken. Seeing his pained expression, Zheng Nian'er imagined her son's despair in the water and her anger flared. She then broke his other leg as well.
Afterwards, she left in sorrow. If not for the fact that murder demands a life, and she still had to avenge her son, she would have taken his life today, allowing him a brief period of freedom before dealing with him properly after her revenge.
By sheer coincidence, just as she left, a friend of the servant arrived. Seeing the main gate ajar, and finding him lying unconscious on the ground, his friend quickly carried him back to his room and called for a doctor. He soon woke up and recounted his ordeal, entrusting his friend to inform the madam once back at the estate. He did not mention that he had implicated his mistress, knowing that based on his understanding of his master, he would never let him off.
Upon receiving the news, Wu Qingzhi slammed the table. She hadn't expected her actions to be discovered despite her secrecy. She decided to strike first. Since he loved his son so dearly, she would use the same method to send him to accompany him. Su Dan Novel Network.
The next morning, everyone discovered that Zheng Nian'er had jumped into the well. When they retrieved her, her body was already bloated and horrifying.
As the saying goes, even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs. The thought of her son being killed by the masters of the Yang family filled her with immense resentment, which led to Wu Caiwei's arrival.
The male protagonist's wish was simple: to see his son grow up healthy, inherit the Yang family's fortune, and trample all those who had harmed his mother and son underfoot.
Understanding her thoughts, Wu Caiwei pondered for a moment, then, taking the child's hand, she returned to the main gate and knocked.
The gatekeeper saw them and impatiently asked, "What is it again? Who are you looking for?"
"I wish to see your master and tell him that his former wife has returned. Will you let me in or not?" Wu Caiwei said with a smile. She believed that no matter the situation, one should not lose their composure. After all, nothing could break her.
The gatekeeper sized them up from head to toe, then slammed the door shut and ran frantically towards the backyard.
Yang Zhongqing couldn't help but frown. He decided he had to replace the gatekeeper. Such a lack of composure could bring ridicule if an important official were to visit in the future.
"Master, it's not good! Madam, Madam..." The gatekeeper, having run a long distance, was panting heavily and could barely speak. Under his master's stern gaze, he managed to calm himself and said, "A person claiming to be Madam has asked me to tell you she has returned."
At first, Yang Zhongqing didn't react. Then, after a moment, he abruptly stood up, exclaiming, "Who did you say? Madam? And was there a boy about eight years old with her?"
The gatekeeper quickly nodded. Could that boy be the eldest young master of the Yang family? He felt a surge of gossip while simultaneously praying that chaos wouldn't erupt within the estate, as it would only be the servants who suffered.
Yang Zhongqing hurried towards the gate, his mind racing as he considered his current predicament. Based on his understanding of Zheng Nian'er, she would never agree to be a concubine. However, if he were to divorce his cousin or demote her to concubine status, his mother would never agree. He was truly in a difficult position.
As they met, one looked at her with deep affection, the other with a subtle smile. Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Yang Zhongqing quickly ushered her inside, intending to discuss matters within the estate to avoid outside gossip.
Before he could speak, Wu Caiwei preempted him, "Master Yang has had quite a comfortable few years, haven't you? With a beautiful wife and favored concubines, and now a daughter. If we hadn't returned, would you have had both sons and daughters?"
"Many things have happened over the years, and it's difficult to explain everything at once. You and your son can stay in the estate for now. We'll discuss the future later." Yang Zhongqing, unable to devise a solution immediately, could only try to placate her.
Wu Caiwei went along with the flow, nodding. She followed the maids and servants to the guest room. Using the original body, she was exhausted from days of travel and hardship. The sight of a clean bed and pillow made her lie down immediately and fall into a deep sleep.
Rui'er, being young and accustomed to learning etiquette and shame, watched his mother's actions with wide-eyed astonishment, which completely shattered his worldview.
Hearing this, Wu Qingzhi's teeth ached with hatred. For years, she had been away, but she knew that the master still held her in his heart. If she hadn't intervened, they would likely still be together. But she couldn't let go and was determined to win back her cousin's heart. After all, he was a gentle man, unwilling to let the girls who followed him suffer. In her eyes, her cousin was the finest man in the world.
When enemies meet, their eyes blaze with hatred. Although they tried to avoid each other, sharing the same estate, there were bound to be encounters. And so, they walked towards each other, neither speaking. In their eyes, the one who spoke first would be the one to lose.
"What, the one who usurped the nest is still so self-righteous? One would think the Yang family prospered because of you. Can you not have some self-awareness?" Wu Caiwei, facing her provocation, remained as calm as still water. It wasn't that she couldn't keep her composure, but rather that she was too lazy to bother with her. If this stalemate continued, with the hot weather, who knew when it would end? It was too much of a hassle.
"My husband doesn't want you, so you come here to seek validation. How pitiful," Wu Qingzhi retorted, unwilling to back down. With her mother's support, she was confident in her chances. In front of so many maids and servants, she naturally had to hold her ground.
"Is that so? Let's see. If I remember correctly, my marriage certificate should still be with the Zheng family. If you have one too, it would be bigamy. What do you think the authorities would do to him? Would they strip him of his official post, or would they expel you?" Seeing her discomfort brought her secret joy, even though she didn't particularly covet that position.
At the same time, Yang Zhongqing was engaged in a heated discussion with his mother about the fate of the two women. Since neither side was willing to concede, Yang Zhongqing approached her, lamenting his difficulties and explaining why the current madam could not be divorced. He then said earnestly, "Can the two of you coexist peacefully? Become co-wives?"