The white undergarment slipped down, revealing a snow-white and thin shoulder. On the shoulder was a purplish bruise that shocked the heart. It was as if someone had splattered ink on a piece of white silk, ruining its overall beauty.

  "Heavens!" Madam Cen suddenly covered her mouth, looking at Peony with a mixture of shock and fear, then glared at Madame Qi with anger. She looked around at the surrounding crowd, all dignity and composure forgotten in her rage. She shrilly cried out: "Who did it? Who did it?" and wildly pulled at Peonys clothes to see if there were any other injuries.

  "Mother! Dont be like this!" Peonys tears burst out at this moment, she clutched her clothes tightly and quickly turned sideways, hiding her face behind the screen with a face full of shame. Fortunately, her skin was delicate, normally not paying attention would make bruises appear, let alone being pinched by Liu Zhuo with such great force?

  It happened suddenly, and Madame Qi didnt know beforehand that Peony had been injured by Liu Chong. At this moment, she was caught off guard, and couldnt help but secretly curse, directly scolding Liu Chong as a fool. Indeed, he came to collect debts, but she could only force a smile and try to please him: "Brother-in-law, dont be anxious, lets talk things over slowly."

  Her words had barely fallen when she was stared at by Mrs. Cen with a fierce gaze, scaring her into shrinking her neck, feeling unprecedented guilt and unease. Things have reached this point, wanting to completely cover up and gloss over is impossible, its just that admitting Liu Cheng deliberately hit someone is out of the question, cant be mentioned, at most can only say it was an accident while drunk, at this time, Lin Mama and others words became crucial.

  Then, Mrs. Qi glared at Lins mother and the others, meaning that they should be careful, looking at whose territory this was. Lins mother and the others indeed all lowered their heads and didnt dare to make a sound.

  Seeing her daughter not speaking, only clutching her clothes and hiding to cry, the others also didnt make a sound. Mrs. Cen was both angry and hateful and in pain, pounding on the bedboard and crying out: "Speak! Whats going on? Have you become mute? I worked hard to raise you just for you to be treated like this?"

  "Peony saw that she was indeed in pain, anxious and angry. She turned her face to the side and sighed: What else do you want your daughter to say? Im as insignificant as a weed, trampled and disregarded. My daughter is not worthy, dragging down the familys reputation, my daughter would rather die than continue like this. How can she still have the nerve to speak?"

  Madam Cen was stunned, and she hugged Peony tightly, wailing loudly: "My poor daughter! What kind of evil deed is this? Its killing me!" The words already implied that she had assumed it was Liu Chongs doing.

  Xues family saw the situation, hurriedly went forward to hold Xies wifes hand, softly said: "Madam, dont be anxious, also dont cry, slowly speak, you are old, Dan Niangs body is weak too, you lead her to cry, really not suitable..."

  Madam Xue slightly wiped away her tears, and then picked up Peonys cloak from the head of the bed to put it on Peony. She said softly, "Dan Niang, while we are here, your mother-in-law is also here. No matter who gave you trouble or hurt you, whether it was a servant or someone else, you must speak out so that we can take charge for you. Dont keep it hidden and make everyone worry. Today, since its still within our own family, it doesnt count as anything. But if outsiders find out, both families will lose face." With a smile, she glanced at Madam Qi and said, "Auntie, isnt this the right way to think?"

  Madam Qi smiled wryly and said, "Elder sister is right, thats the way it is." Gambling oath vowed generally: "Dan Niang, whats going on, just say it! You can rest assured, dont worry about being a servant, even if Zixu doesnt know better and accidentally hurt you, I wont forgive him!" He also handed a cup of tea to Madam Cen with a flattering smile: "Dear sister-in-law, have some tea to soothe your throat, lets talk slowly."

  Madam Cens anger was simmering, and at this moment, she didnt want to hear Madame Qi speak, nor could she bear the sound of her voice or the sight of anyone from the Liu family. It was all so annoying and detestable. She didnt even take the tea that Madame Qi offered her, nor did she care what Madame Qi said, nor did she care that she was a guest. With a cold face, she sternly ordered Lin Mama and the others: "All of you, kneel down!"

  Lins mother and the other three immediately knelt down, Lins mother with tears streaming down her face: "Madam, its this old servants incompetence, I couldnt protect Dan Niang, I really have no face to see you!"

  "Mrs. Qi heard something unpleasant and hastily interrupted: Lin Mama! Youre an old woman beside the young mistress, also her wet nurse, you should know whats heavy and light, what exactly is going on? Quickly tell it to the lady of the house, dont let misunderstandings arise, or the lady will be worried!"

  Mrs. Lin pulled the corner of her mouth, with a look of desperation on her face: "The lady is right, I have always treated the young mistress as my own life, and cant bear to see her suffer any injustice. But compared to matters of life and death, small grievances are nothing, and what needs to be endured must be endured. However, when it really comes to a desperate situation, one has no choice but to make a last-ditch effort."

  She immediately looked at Mrs. Cen and said loudly, "The wound on Dan Niangs body was inflicted by Young Master last night! It was all because of that thing about the county princess, and in broad daylight, he humiliated Dan Niang in front of all the guests at the banquet. Dan Niang didnt dare say a word, and she quickly hid in her room. But he wouldnt let up, and on the spot, he beat Dan Niang until she fainted! If it werent for us servants holding him back, and Kuan Er and Shu Er rushing to fetch you, Im afraid you wouldnt have seen Dan Niang today! You must take charge of this matter!" After finishing speaking, she fell to the ground and wailed loudly.

  Peonys face turned ashen and she swayed, almost falling onto the bed. Xue Shi was frightened and repeatedly tried to comfort her, constantly patting her back.

  Madam Cen was so angry that her whole body trembled, and she suddenly stood up, staring straight at Madam Qi and said: "So the in-laws knew what happened last night all along."

  There is both human and physical evidence, Madame Qi cannot deny it, theres nothing more to say.

  "Madam Xian, in her early years, followed Old Master He on his travels south and north, had a bit of a fierce temper. She pointed at Madam Qi with a stern voice: Youve raised such a good son! Is this how you want to torment my daughter to death? Poor thing, shes been tormented into this state, and doesnt even dare speak in front of her family! What else do you have to say for yourself? How did you answer me back then? Youre just letting him bully my daughter like this, letting your household slaves ride roughshod over her, with cold food and cold words, curses and beatings? I thought you were a person of some standing back then! How dare you do such things but not take responsibility for them? Youre covering up and hiding the truth, not even daring to speak one honest word?"

  "Your words are too harsh, Brother-in-law! Every young couple has their disagreements. Im only worried that youll be concerned about them. You know how hot-headed young people can be - they cant take offense easily. And hes already been humiliated by Li once in front of everyone, and then he had a few drinks... its not surprising that they got into an argument. But Ive already scolded him, and he knows he was wrong - otherwise, he wouldnt have gone to fetch the doctor so early this morning. If Dan Niang is still angry, when he gets back, Ill make him apologize to her and clear up this misunderstanding. Then they can go on with their lives as usual. What do you think?"

  Is it enough to just apologize after hitting someone? Madam Cen gritted her teeth and sneered coldly: "In-laws, according to what you said, I should have him beaten up, humiliated in public, and then also apologize to him with a gift, is that how it works?"

  Its come to this, and being humble wont work anymore. All of Madame Qis patience has been exhausted, so she might as well break the jar and be done with it. She straightened her waist and said loudly, "Whether or not something happened, one hand cant clap by itself. How could he have caused such a commotion on his own? Wasnt Dan Niang in the wrong? Dont apologize, then what do you want to do?"

  Mrs. Cen was indeed stunned. She quickly calmed down, what did she want to do? Disperse with a slap? This was not her purpose today. Let Peony be happy and live well, that was their ultimate goal. They had previously discussed that they would teach Liu Chuan a lesson, teach the Liu family a lesson, let them know the severity, and never dare to make Peony suffer again. She didnt covet the Liu familys power, but this matter involved her daughters lifelong event, and it was a matter of life and death, she couldnt be impulsive.

  After saying that, Qis wife was a bit worried, fearing that Cens wife would get angry and directly mention the divorce. But seeing Cens wife looking confused, she started to feel complacent again. She said, "The He family went to great lengths to marry He Mudan in, and He Mudan did indeed survive and her body is getting better day by day. At this time, how could they possibly be willing to let go of this lifesaving straw? How could a divorced woman possibly have a better marriage than before?"

  Then she smiled confidently and said, "Dear family, this is just an accident. Lets sit down and discuss it properly. That woman is too shameless. This matter is not only the business of your He family, but also our Liu family. Im telling you the truth, Peony is listening too. In my lifetime, no matter what, I will never allow that woman to enter our home. Peony is my daughter-in-law. The grievances she has suffered, I will make up for them in the future. If I cant do it, Ill write my surname upside down!

  Xues family did a good job in mediating, and hurriedly said with a smile: "Mother, you see that the lady of the Zheng family has already spoken to this extent. You calm down first, and well talk again slowly."

  The peony saw the familiar hesitant expression on Mrs. Cens face, and her heart was greatly alarmed. She immediately pulled at Mrs. Cens sleeve, saying nothing, but staring straight at her. That gaze was not feigned, but a resolute and desperate determination! If death could achieve her goal, she would not hesitate to try! This was her best chance to escape the Liu family, and she must not let it slip through her fingers! She had such determination and ruthlessness!

  Madam Cen understood Peonys expression and sighed: "Please trouble your husbands mother to withdraw for a moment, I have a few words to say to Dan Niang."

  At this point, Qi didnt worry about Peony saying anything to Cen anymore. She had never thought that Peonys ultimate goal was to divorce. After all, Peony loved Liu Chuan so much, and the idea of divorce or separation was probably something she would never want to think about or mention in her lifetime. Peonys evasive attitude just now proved this point, so Qi withdrew quickly.