Madam Cen looked very unpleasant and asked Peony: "Peony! Whats going on with you? Earlier I asked you how the scars on your body came about, and what grievances you had suffered. You only knew how to cry and bite your tongue, refusing to speak. Now what do you want to say to me?"

  The peony closed her eyes: "What can I say? Firstly, I have no face, and secondly, Im afraid. Father and mother will eventually want me to live with that wolf-like man. If I were to reveal all the shameful things in front of my mother-in-law, you would be able to help me vent my anger while youre still here; but once you leave? What am I supposed to do then? After all, Im already someone elses person, and day after day, well be facing each other. They wont dare treat me badly openly, at most theyll just curse me behind my back, serve me cold food and speak cold words, give me the cold shoulder, trample on me whenever they can, and take advantage of any mistake I make."

  As for that Zhongshan wolf, he wouldnt dare take my life, but beating me up is possible. If you hadnt come today, who would have known about the hardships I suffered last night? Im not bothered, whenever I stretch out my legs and stop breathing, its a clean departure, at least I wont be a burden to my family or bring shame to them; but what about these people around me? Lin mom is old, Yuhe has grown up, Kuan and Shu are still young, how can they cope? Its just that humans are the cutting board and Im the fish meat, letting them bully me at will.

  Even if its for their sake, Ill say a few less words and suffer a bit of grievance. At least that way you can be less angry, make fewer mistakes for them to seize on, and not make life too miserable for Lin Mama and the others in the future. Why is it that at this moment she wants to talk to her mother again? But Lin Mama has already spoken out without regard for the consequences. I want to ask Mother to take Lin Mama and Yuhe back with her! Theyve already offended the Liu family, and from now on they wont have any good days ahead of them. In this lifetime, Im just a burden to others; this time I want to accumulate some virtue, so please, Mother, fulfill my wish!"

  "Mother, Im so sorry. I was born to be a burden to others and cant even fulfill my filial duties. Not only that, but Ive also brought shame to the He family. From now on, please consider me as if I never existed as your unfilial daughter!"

  Madam Cen stared blankly at Peony, how could she not tell that Peony was speaking in reverse? But Peonys words sounded reasonable and logical, yet seemed to carry an inexplicable desolate tone, as if she had already reached the point of utter despair...

  Before Lady Feng finished thinking, Yuhe rushed over and frantically kowtowed, sobbing softly: "Lady, please save Young Mistress! You didnt see the situation yesterday, it was really a brutal beating. After causing trouble, its clearly not Young Mistress fault, but that woman deliberately called Young Mistress over to scold her severely, blaming Young Mistress for not fulfilling her wifely duties and covering up for Master. She also blamed Young Mistress for the dispute between Baochai and Baoyu, forbidding Young Mistress from leaving the house, trying to cover it up. This isnt all, she didnt even give her dinner, and at night, Master came over and almost took her life, beating her to death!"

  "Madam, Ive served the He family for decades and personally nursed Dan Niang. Her life is more precious than mine. Shes endured countless hardships over the years but never dared to speak up, forcing a smile on her face, not allowing anyone to breathe a word, compromising herself, fearing shed disappoint your kindness and cause you worry. If she couldnt bear it anymore, why would she make that request? Rather than being humiliated to death, wouldnt it be better to let her live a few good days? Can Liu Chengs luck really be the only option under heaven? If not for his indulgence, how could that shameless princess be so arrogant?! This is the greatest insult!"

  Right after that, Yu Tong slowly became pregnant. Liu Chong indulged his concubines in bullying Mudan, wanting to publicly give Mudans flowers to Qinghua County Princess, scolding Mudan for not being worthy of the stage, and again, in front of all the guests, not giving Mudan a seat, saying all sorts of unpleasant things. Yu He added fuel to the fire, adding that Liu Chong was how he looked down on the He family, slandering the He familys words, listening to Mrs. Cens face turned iron blue, her hands and feet trembling uncontrollably.

  "Mother, its all in the past. Dont be angry. I wont bring shame or trouble to you again."

  "Madam, you mustnt think of doing such a thing! This is utterly unfilial! Besides, it would be letting them have their way for nothing. Theyre just waiting for you to die so they can take over the entire dowry and marry someone else from a good family!"

  Lins mother added a thunderous blow: "In three years, he has never touched Dan Niang, how can there be children born? He actually had the face to stand in front of Dan Niang and several times with that cheap woman! Such humiliation, if not for Dan Niang having already given up her heart and considering the people at home and around her, Im afraid she would have jumped into the lake yesterday!"

  "This is outrageous!" Everything she had seen and heard on the way was etched in her mind, and at this moment, hearing these words made her so angry that her heart ached. It was clear that Liu Chan had no affection for Peony whatsoever. Her daughter was as lovely as a flower, gentle and virtuous, how could she be matched with that dissolute rogue? The way he had trampled on her was truly unbearable!

  "Madam Qins eyes widened, and she grasped Peonys hand tightly, saying viciously: Peony! Your father and I went to great lengths to marry you into their family just to keep you alive! If thats the case, we dont have to be so humble and let them take all the benefits. Ive already lost a daughter for nothing! And suffered this humiliation! Life is important, but one cant live without dignity! Now think carefully, what do you really want? Once you make up your mind, theres no turning back! A good horse doesnt eat grass it has already passed! Dont regret it later and say you miss him!"

  It seems that He Mudans feelings for Liu Chuan were really too famous at the time. Mudan sighed and straightened her back, staring into Mrs. Cens eyes: "A tree lives with one skin, a person lives with one face, he treats me like grass, I wont treat him like treasure! Otherwise, even if I survive, it would only give him another chance to mock that the He familys daughter is worthless! I cant be loyal to death, I cant be a good wife, at least I want a divorce, and I want my full dowry back! Rather than being quietly divorced by them!" She paused, tentatively saying: "If theres no room for me at home, I can go live outside, I wont trouble the family."

  Peonys worries are not unreasonable. Although the He family house is not small, there are many people in it. Old Master He has two concubines, four legitimate sons, and two illegitimate ones, all of whom have started their own families with a large number of grandchildren. While Old Master He and his wife dote on their daughter, others may think differently. The courtyard where Peony originally lived had long been allocated to her three granddaughters, so if she were to return and ask them to vacate the house, it would likely cause trouble with many people.

  Madam Cen nodded repeatedly: "Nonsense, how could I let you live outside? Ill take you home right away, and we can talk about the rest later! Since its not going to be this marriage, of course, we cant make things easy for his family!"

  After Peonys crazy joy, she thought of another problem: "What if they dont want to refund the money?"

  Madam Cen frowned: "This is none of your concern!" She immediately ordered someone to pack up the valuables: "First, bring out the important gold, silver, and jewelry for me. Were going home right away!"

  Lin Mama and Yuhe, Kuaner, and Shuer heard this and couldnt believe what they were hearing. Could it be that easy? Peony almost burst out laughing at the sight of everyone standing there in a daze, and hurriedly urged them: "What are you all spacing out for? Hurry up!"

  A few people reacted and rushed to pack things. They first hugged Peonys makeup box, jewelry box, valuable decorations, paintings, and utensils, and then went to pack the money box and seasonal clothes, expensive fabrics and other items.

  Compared to the cheers of Yu He and others, Lin Mamas mood was complicated. Although she had already done it, she didnt know if what she did was right or wrong. If Dan Niangs illness relapsed in the future, how would she face He Lao Ye and Cen Fu Rens blame? Lin Mama cast her gaze at Peony, seeing the lively aura on her face, she shook her head self-mockingly. Compared to Dan Niangs happiness, this was nothing.

  Madam Cen also looked at Peony with a complex gaze: "Peony, if you fall ill again in the future..."

  Peony leaned into Mrs. Cens arms, sweetly saying: "Mother, that is also fate, whats the use of thinking so much?" If she could escape this prison this time, she would be filial to Mrs. Cen for the rest of her life.

  Xue heard the noise and came in to take a look. She had some understanding in her heart, but she didnt dare ask directly, so she pretended to be confused: "Oh, whats going on here?"

  Madam Cen said calmly: "I cant bear this life any longer. Ill take Dan Niang home."

  Xue hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice: "Its too hasty, Im afraid the Liu family wont agree, and it will be troublesome if things get out of hand. Why not let someone go ahead and tell Father and Eldest Brother first before making any plans?"

  Madam Cen angrily said: "Whats there to fear? Weve already passed our days, are we still afraid of him making trouble? His family has forgotten kindness and justice, speaking without keeping their word, not caring about dignity, do they have any reason left? Today he agrees or not, it doesnt matter!" She also coldly glanced at Madam Xue: "This kind of master, I can still be."

  Xues face turned red with anger, and he muttered under his breath, "A nagging wife, but she just wants to get things done properly."

  Madam Cen did not speak, Peony secretly sighed and before they even returned home, she was already angry. She pulled on Xue Shis sleeve and said: "Mother, Eldest Sister is right."

  Madam Cen patted her head: "No need to say more, I have a sense of propriety. Hurry up and get dressed!"

  ——*——*——*——

  Update 2, seeking recommendations and collections. Also, thank you everyone for the rewards and recommendations, O(∩_∩)O~

  [bookid=1736421,bookname="Joyful Gate"][bookid=1296881,bookname="Heavy Flower Shadows"][bookid=1421817,bookname="Leftover Woman is Not Virtuous"][bookid=1589709,bookname="Heavenly Clothes are Seductive"]