Xia You’s display of strength stumped Zhou.
“How can you bully someone like this?” Yulian asked with a tearful voice. Zhou was her actual mother so she couldn’t bear to see her humiliated like this.
Ye Jiayao glanced over at her and smirked. “Are you blind or deaf? The bully here is your mother. What do you think people with think if this incident got out? How do you think it would impact your father and brothers’ future jobs? How will it affect the prospect of marriage for you and your sisters? Who do you think would want to marry into such a vicious family?”
This time, Ye Jiayao didn’t disguise her threat.
The only way to deal with a shameless person is with strong or even despicable means. The only way to deal with pricks was to be more arrogant and more unreasonable than them.
Yulian paled. Marriage was the most important thing in a woman’s life. If she associated with this, she would be ruined for her entire life.
She retreated and didn’t dare speak again, hoping that her mother would do the same.
“Chunguo, get up, you didn’t do anything wrong. Why are you kneeling? ” Ye Jiayao gently pulled Chunguo up who was still kneeling in front of Zhuo.
Then she said to Granny Sun, “Granny Sun, since the Third Madam refused to admit her mistakes and apologize, let her go and send people to help them pack their things.”
Granny Sun hesitated. Were they really doing this? If the Old Lord found out about this, all hell will break loose.
Xia You prompted, “Granny Sun, didn’t you hear her?”
“You dare throw us out?” Zhou shrieked in panic.
“Didn’t you say you’re leaving? You will not manipulate us ever again,” Xia You said coldly.
Zhou’s has to think fast. She was only pretending that they were going to walk out but obviously. that’s now backfiring on her. They can’t leave, they don’t know anyone in Jin Ling anymore. They needed Big Brother and Big Sister’s influence and wealth, otherwise, they wouldn’t survive here. However, she could still come to the Old Lord and spin the whole story so he’d punish Chunyu’s wife.
Ye Jiayao saw Zhou’s look go from shaken to determined and knew that this old hag was planning something. “Third Auntie, are you thinking of going to the Old Lord to plead your case and badmouth us to him? Father might value his brother, but I assure you, he values making his children and wife happy more.”
Zhou’s hope wilted again.
Ye Jiayao continued, “Granny Sun, why haven’t you sent anyone to kick them out? Tomorrow, I’ll let all the people in Jin Ling know what they’ve done.”
“Big Sister!” Zhou yelled, scared.
Ye Jiayao stared at her coldly and Zhou lowered her head in dismay. “Oh, I didn’t mean to offend you but please forgive me.”
“That’s not an apology,” Ye Jiayao sneered.
Zhou started to fear Ye Jinxuan. This young woman was too strong and too ruthless.
“I have already apologized. What more do you want?” Zhou whined.
“Assurance that you won’t do this again,” Ye Jiayao answered. “Granny Sun, bring me some pen and paper.”
Granny Sun immediately brought her a pen and a piece of paper.
Ye Jiayao called, “Sister Yulian, please come.”
Yulian looked at her mother and moved towards Ye Jinxuan fearfully.
“Write down what I dictate.” Ye Jiayao gave her the pen and paper. She began, “I, Xiazhou, promise not to stir things up afterward, nor make any trouble…”
Yulian and Zhou’s face changed dramatically.
“What does this mean, Jinxuan?” Zhou asked with her teeth gritted.
Ye Jiayao smiled at her. “Ordinary people would conclude an incident by apologizing, but you’re not an ordinary person, Third Auntie. Who can guarantee that the apology from you is not just a trick? How can we be assured that you won’t distort the facts once you get out of the door? Who knows what kind of tricks you will play? To prevent such unpleasant things from happening in the future, I feel that Third Auntie must write an assurance letter. What do you think, Mother?”
Xia You nodded approvingly. “It’s really necessary.”
“You’re bullying my mother! I will report you to Father.” Chunsi ran to the door, but Chunguo kicked him and he fell to the floor, crying loudly.
Ye Jiayao wanted to laugh. Good job, Chunguo!
Zhou saw her baby falling and her heart broke. “You guys…you are too bad.”
Ye Jiayao clicked her tongue. “Not when compared to you. So, are you going to sign the assurance letter or can we kick you out?”
“You guys are bullying us!” Zhou bit out.
“The Jing An Marquis’ mansion is fair. We give what we get,” Ye Jiayao said with absolute conviction.
Left with no choice, Zhou signed the assurance letter.
Ye Jiayao quickly handed it over to Xia You to take care of.
Xia You looked at the letter with satisfaction. She found reparation in seeing Zhou’s helpless face, her dismay and anger about Zhou’s behavior for 10 years finally disappearing. She did not need to worry about Zhou anymore.
“Mother, even though there was a cause for this incident, your daughter-in-law still offended her elders. I shall take my punishment by kneeling in front of the court.”
Ye Jiayao curtsied and walked out. She knew how ancient people put so much importance on respecting elders, and tonight, although justified, she violated that. She knew she’s going to get punished anyway so might as well start now. Plus, maybe she’ll earn some brownie points for taking the initiative.
Xia You did not stop her, but she wanted so badly to. Second daughter-in-law did what she did because she wanted to protect her dignity. It was also very telling of Jinxuan’s noble character that she took all the responsibility for herself.
The servants moved out of the Second Young Mistress’ way, looking at her with awe. If she was the future lady of the mansion, they were all in good hands.
The Old Lord finally got the news.
Zhou was a crying mess as she complained about how she was bullied by Xia You and Ye Jinxuan.
Xia Zhuoqin was furious. “Brother, how do you want to deal with this matter?”
The Old Lord took a look at Third Brother’s crying family and then to his wife’s calm face. He asked You, puzzled, “What’s going on here? Third Sister said you quarreled with her? Why?”
“Big Sister, how could you bully my wife and children? This is unforgivable and you have made me mad!” Zhuoqin said.
Xia You’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Mad at me? By all means, then, come at me. I’m waiting.”
“Stop talking, everyone!” Xia Zhuofeng yelled angrily. He turned to Qiao and demanded, “Mingxiu, tell me what happened.”
Qiao relayed everything that happened, sparing no detail.
Zhuofeng understood Jinxuan’s intention. She wanted to protect her mother’s dignity and protect the family from Zhou ever taking advantage of them again.
However, even though what his wife and daughter-in-law did was right, this was still his younger brother’s family and he has to show that he still favors them.
After Qiao finished her narrative, the Old Lord turned to his brother and said, “It’s all a misunderstanding. You know that your Big Sister would never say something like that. Chunguo must’ve just heard some stupid gossip. We’re not asking for your money so no need to worry about that. Besides, we shouldn’t get involved over the trifles of women too much.”
Xia Zhuoqin listened to the recount of what happened and knew that Zhou was at fault. She took the opportunity to make a commotion to trick Big Sister in waving the money they owed. That strategy worked for her in the past, but apparently, not today.
What he was worried about was the assurance letter that his wife signed.
“Although it was only a misunderstanding, Chunyu’s wife had been disrespectful. If she is not punished, then all of Xia’s family rules are just useless,” Xia Zhuoqin said.
