"To defame your own sister alongside these ungrateful wretches, I truly raised you in vain, molding you into such uselessness. Are you simply afraid offending the Ling family will hinder your son's career? Let me tell you, as long as I draw breath, no one will bully my daughter!"
Old Madam Zhao glared at everyone, her eyes blazing with fury. Her face was a mask of wrinkles, offering little dignity and much absurdity. Indeed, like mother, like daughter.
With Old Madam Zhao as a prime example, it was inevitable that Madam Zhao would turn out this way.
"Mother, you've finally arrived. Your daughter is about to be humiliated to death by this Ling family!"
Before Madam Zhao's figure even appeared, her pig-slaughtering cries were heard. Madam Zhao entered the hall and immediately knelt before Old Madam Zhao, clinging to her leg and weeping incessantly.
"My dear daughter, you have suffered. With me here, no one can bully you again!"
Old Madam Zhao's maternal instincts surged as she shielded Madam Zhao firmly behind her. She then turned to Old Master Ling, "My daughter married into your Ling family twenty years ago, how can you divorce her just because you say so!"
"The Ling family's decision to divorce is final. If you have any sense, then agree to a separation, which will save face for both Madam Zhao and the Zhao family. If you continue to make unreasonable demands, then we will issue a direct divorce decree and send that wicked woman, Madam Zhao, back to the Zhao family!"
Old Master Ling's tone was resolute, his imposing presence from years of battlefield combat undiminished. He managed to awe the entire Zhao family contingent.
Old Madam Zhao, who had been arrogant and unreasonable moments before, instantly lost her bluster.
"You... your Ling family is simply going too far, completely forgetting the past favors my late husband rendered your Ling family! You are ungrateful, and I will let all of the capital know what kind of people your Ling family are – ungrateful, abandoning wives of humble beginnings! Let's see how the dignitaries of this capital view your Ling family!"
Old Madam Zhao, driven mad by anger, resorted to dredging up ancient grievances to threaten them.
"Mother, you are truly muddled. Do the Ling family's past favors to our Zhao family outweigh my father's kindness to the Old Master..."
"What do you know? Your father saved his life! If not for the flatbread your father gave him, he would have starved to death long ago. Where would your Ling family's current prosperity come from? This is what the Ling family owes them."
"Mother, you... you've gone mad! Are you willing to sacrifice all of us, our entire family, for just your sister?"
"Brother, I think you are the one who's gone mad. It is the Ling family who has insulted me. As my own brother, you should be supporting me, yet you are kicking me when I'm down. You are truly heartless!"
Madam Zhao, having been raised by Old Madam Zhao since childhood, was naturally presumptuous. She directly pointed at her uncle's nose and began to berate him.
"Slap!" A crisp sound echoed. Uncle Zhao's raised hand had not yet fallen.
Madam Zhao, unable to react, was sent flying by the blow. Clutching her face, she wailed as if her life depended on it.
"You unfilial son! You dare to hit your sister? I should never have given birth to you, you unfilial son!"
Seeing her beloved daughter struck, Old Madam Zhao immediately exploded. She charged at Uncle Zhao, ramming into him with such force that he flew back more than two meters.
Feng Jin, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. Despite her age, Old Madam Zhao's offensive power was truly formidable, sending Uncle Zhao flying. It seemed Uncle Zhao was quite severely injured!
Old Madam Zhao, still seething, moved to grab Uncle Zhao to continue her assault, when soldiers wielding sharp weapons burst through the doorway, surrounding the entire main hall.
Two soldiers even pressed their spears against Old Madam Zhao's neck, causing her to tremble in fear.
Following them, Ling Mo Han entered from behind, his face a terrifying shade of grim.
"Old Madam Zhao, you have quite the nerve to cause such a commotion in the Ling family!"
Ling Mo Han's voice was suppressed, as cold and sharp as ice.
"You, a mere junior, dare to be so arrogant in front of your elders? Your Ling family is truly formidable. Aren't you afraid of being..."
Old Madam Zhao's words were cut short mid-sentence, all because a gleaming sword was pressed against her neck. Another inch closer and her neck would be sliced open. Old Madam Zhao, terrified, dared not move.
"Old Madam Zhao, at your age, surely you understand the concept of 'trouble comes from the mouth.' You should be more careful with your words in the future."
Ling Mo Han spoke with a casual air, shifting the sword-wielding hand slightly. Old Madam Zhao lost the strength to stand and collapsed onto Madam Zhao.
"I thought Old Madam Zhao was a tough nut to crack, but it seems she's nothing special," Ling Mo Han said with disdain. With such courage, she dared to storm over to cause trouble, truly unaware of her own limitations.
Uncle Zhao sighed and stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Old Master Ling. "Uncle Ling, my mother is old and confused, and has committed these actions. I beg your forgiveness. For my late father's sake, please do not hold grudges and jeopardize the relationship between our two families."
"It is good that you, nephew, think this way. Your father gave me but a thin piece of flatbread, yet it was a life-saving kindness to me. The Ling family descendants will never forget this debt of gratitude. If you ever need anything, do not hesitate to seek help from the Ling family. When your son enters officialdom in the capital, do not forget to have him pay his respects to me."
"Uncle, rest assured, I will definitely have my son visit. Uncle, although my sister has committed many wrongdoings, I beg you to give the Zhao family some face. Can you allow them to separate? The Zhao family will naturally take her back!"
Uncle Zhao was a reasonable man. Letting this continue would benefit neither family. The Ling family was adamant about divorcing his sister, so it was better to compromise and seek a separation to preserve their dignity.
"No... no! I will not separate! I will not separate! You will not succeed, you will not succeed!" Madam Zhao screamed hysterically. She abruptly stood up and attempted to run out.
Uncle Zhao gave a signal to the maids guarding the door. Two maids stepped forward, restrained Madam Zhao, bound her tightly with silk cloth, and completely wrapped her like a zongzi.
"Carry her onto the carriage," Uncle Zhao said, waving his hand.
The once arrogant and imperious Madam Zhao was thus bound and taken away from the Ling family through the back door.
"Uncle, rest assured, from now on, I will have my sister sent to a country estate to recuperate quietly. She will never appear before the Ling family again!"
"You unfilial son, unfilial son! That is your own sister, how can you be so heartless!"
Old Madam Zhao had never imagined that the daughter she had doted on her entire life would ultimately be dealt with by her own son.
"Mother, please stop spouting nonsense. Perhaps you too are gravely ill? The estate is peaceful, why not go to the estate to recuperate with your sister."