"Why?" Zheng was stunned by Ye Zhuos words.

  "You think, how can there be a sisters marriage not arranged, and then arranging the younger sisters marriage? Moreover, I am the eldest daughter of the family, and I dont look ugly either. My grandfather and father are what kind of people, youre not unaware, they are typical people who wont get up early without profit. The marriages of us three sisters must bring some benefits to the family. Although the Jiang familys household is better than ordinary people, but compared to our family, it is far inferior. If Jiang Da Gongzi were a capable person and might have a chance to rise to prominence in the future, then it would be fine to marry me off to him, perhaps we could get some benefits. But he is just a useless person, how can my grandfather and father agree to marry me off to the Jiang family?"

  Although Zheng didnt agree with Ye Zhuo speaking to his elders at home like that, he also didnt refute him. He furrowed his brow and said: "But after all, the Jiang family is your grandmothers birth family. Your grandfather might consider the old ladys face and agree to this marriage."

  "Would Grandfather and Father do something that brings no benefit, just to save face for Grandmother?" Ye Zhuo thought of the nature of Ye Yu Zhang and Ye Jia Ming, a sneer appeared at the corner of her mouth. She was very unwilling to call those two men "Grandfather" and "Father", but in this place where filial piety was greater than heaven, she had no choice but to use these terms while staying in the Ye household.

  Zhengs mouth opened, wanting to say something, but finally closed, and let out a sigh, acknowledging Ye Zhuos words. She thought for a moment, raised her eyes and said: "Why did the old lady say that?"

  Ye Chou looked at her with a mixture of pity and warning: "She said that to provoke you into disobeying her, so she can divorce you!"

  Zhengs eyes widened as he stared at Ye Zhuo, unable to utter a word for half a day.

  It took her a long time to shift her gaze, looking at the green trees in the distance, and asked expressionlessly: "Why?" Her voice was as fleeting as the wind. In fact, she wanted to ask: Does your father know? But deep down, she knew that this didnt need to be asked. The answer was already obvious.

  She saw that although her face didnt show much expression, her eyes were full of bitter meaning. She let out a soft sigh, feeling somewhat reluctant to tell her the truth. But thinking again, the fact was already so, and it would be hard to avoid heartache anyway - it might as well be made clear early on and get over with it sooner. So she said in a soft voice: "I heard that Father met an officials daughter outside, and that daughter got pregnant with his child, so..."

  "So, Ill have to give up my seat, wont I?" Zheng smiled, her laughter piercing. Although her face was smiling, the smile was icy cold, like a frost that seeped into ones bones.

  "Mother, dont be sad, its not worth it for someone like that." Ye Zhuo looked at Zheng Shi as if she saw her former self. She took a step forward with a pained expression and tightly hugged Zheng Shi, continuing to say: "Youre in this family, the grandmother doesnt get along with you, the father doesnt care about you, even a concubine dares to bully you, its really suffocating to live like this. Why not leave this family and start anew? Youre still young, just over thirty, good days are ahead of you... Someone like Father isnt worth your nostalgia..."

  Zhengs body trembled slightly, she stretched out her hand and tightly hugged Ye Zhuo, as if to draw strength from Ye Zhuo, and also as if to give strength to Ye Zhuo. After a while, she stood up straight, took a deep look at her daughter, then quickly turned around and rushed towards the main courtyard.

  "Mother, what are you doing? Where are you going?" Ye Zhuo was in a hurry and wanted to catch up with Zheng Shi, but her body couldnt keep up. And Zheng Shi, with some unknown strength, ran extremely fast, disappearing from view before Ye Zhuo could even call out for Qiu Yue to chase after her. By the time Ye Zhuo caught her breath and entered the main house with Qiu Yues support, Zheng Shi was already standing in front of Jiang Shi, holding a pair of scissors that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, pressed against her own neck. And there, seated in plain sight, were Ye Yu Zhang and his son Ye Jia Ming.

  "Jiang, you have a poisonous heart! Your son wants to marry the officials daughter, so be it. Just give me a divorce paper and I, Zheng Manwen, will leave without any attachment. But how could you want to use the crime of disobedience to drive me out? Do you know that once I bear this reputation, my second half of life will be ruined, and with such a mother, what good family would come to propose marriage for Zhuer? She is your own granddaughter! Did you consider her before taking action? Even tigers do not eat their own cubs, but you, the Ye family, are truly worse than beasts!"

  Jiangs family was discussing what to do next with her husband and son when Zheng suddenly rushed in like a madman, grabbed the scissors from the needlework basket beside him, and pointed them at his own neck. Jiang was stunned, unsure of what Zheng wanted to do, but before she could react, Zheng spoke up. Jiangs anger exploded, and she slammed her hand on the armrest, shouting: "Zheng, what are you trying to do? Do you know what youre doing? Youre threatening your elders with scissors and speaking insolently! Not only is this disobedience, but its also enough to be charged with murder! What kind of mother are you, and what kind of good daughter can you raise? Who would dare come to our door to ask for her hand in marriage from now on? Hmph, you have the nerve to come here and try to coerce us. If youre brave, go ahead and cut your own neck. We wont stop you."

  Ye Zhuo stood at the door, watching this scene, and couldnt help but rub her forehead. She had originally planned to let Zheng Shi yield a bit during this time, following Jiang Shi and Ye Jia Ming, so that they wouldnt find fault with her and divorce her. As long as she endured for one or two months, wouldnt Ye Jia Ming be anxious? That officials daughters belly wasnt waiting for anyone! If she became visibly pregnant and was discovered, it would be a huge scandal! By using the "dragging" tactic, the three members of the Ye family would definitely not be able to bear it and would have to clarify things. The initiative would still be in her own hands. At that time, she could propose divorce instead of separation, and then ask the Ye family for a sum of money as compensation or support for her future. Would Ye Jia Ming dare not agree?

  Now Zheng turned around and ran here, clarifying the situation, and even used scissors to threaten herself, blaming Yes family of three. What is she trying to do?

  As she thought of this, Ye Zhuo suddenly felt a shock! Zhengs personality was strong and hard, and she, who had always been filial and understood etiquette, would say such things. Hadnt she harbored a death wish? She hastily stepped forward, wanting to snatch the scissors from Zhengs hand. But unexpectedly, Zheng heard movement behind her, turned around, and glared at Ye Zhuo: "Zhuoer, dont come any closer, or else Mother will cut you down with one snip."

  "Mom, what are you doing?" Ye Zhuo had no choice but to stop and hastily jumped up and down.

  "Let her die, let her die! Ill see if she dares to stab herself in the neck!" Jiang Shi shouted loudly.

  Zheng heard this and turned around, ignoring Jiang, only using her eyes to stare at Ye Jiaming, coldly smiling and saying: "Ye Jiaming, after I die, the new officials daughter you welcome will become your concubine. You dont want your officials daughter to enter the door and still have to pay respects to my memorial tablet as a concubine, do you?"

  Ye Jiaming was originally sitting in a chair, seeing Zhengs behavior, his face changed from surprise to anger, wanting to scold him, but was held back by Ye Yuzhang, indicating that he should not speak. He closed his mouth and let his mother handle the matter. At this time, hearing Zhengs words, his complexion suddenly changed. The person he wanted to marry was none other than the daughter of Gong Shuban, a 18 or 19-year-old beauty who worked alongside the county magistrate. Despite being older and having a family, she did not mind him and instead admired his talent, willing to become his concubine. It was already his good fortune for several lifetimes that such a woman would be willing to marry him, let alone that she was carrying his child in her belly. How could he allow such a woman to enter the house and suffer humiliation, performing concubine rituals in front of his first wifes spirit tablet?

  (Collection sought, recommendation votes sought!)