Chapter Twelve: The Matriarch Must Not Die Just Yet.

On the bed, Jiang Xin suddenly sobbed a few times, as if haunted by a bad dream. Jiang Nian hurried over and gently patted her, her eyes filled with fierce determination. Her younger sister’s life was saved, but the grudge could not be left unsettled. Yet, the matriarch could not die just yet. She represented “filial piety,” a towering presence for the Qiao family in the capital. Without the matriarch’s restraint, the Qiao clan, bolstered by such a powerful maternal family, could almost swagger unchecked within the Jiang household. Jiang Nian could not allow such a situation to arise. Once the Qiao family was dealt with, she would ensure her grandmother received the fate she deserved.

Qing’er quietly entered and asked, “Is the patriarch here to seek Madam’s forgiveness?” Jiang Nian’s eyes were filled with mockery. “Father and grandmother are essentially the same. They always believe themselves superior to others, assuming that when they bow low in charity, others should graciously accept and move on.” “But Mother appears weak outwardly; in truth, she is firm within and will never yield. If she gives in this time, they will only become more brazen next time.” Some people, once given even a sliver of power, wield it to the fullest extent to control everything they can. The matriarch was such a person—she wielded her role as mother to the fullest, squeezing and controlling her own sons was not enough; she also crushed her daughters-in-law beneath her feet without reason.

In the adjacent room, Chen Shi was disheartened. “Before you married, you said Mother raised you and your brothers with great hardship and that you must be filial. I never found that wrong. But your devotion to her has gone beyond filial piety—you are enabling her wickedness!” Jiang Ping’s face darkened as he tried to pull Chen Shi into his embrace. “Yueyue, Mother is just obsessed. She only wants grandchildren…” “Only? Just? Jiang Ping, you can’t be so selfish…” Chen Shi had always held Jiang Ping dear in her heart, but today, seeing his true nature, everything she believed in crumbled. Yet her daughter was right—she should care for herself and not continue to suffer over others’ faults. When the time comes, one must sever ties. She pushed Jiang Ping away with loathing. “Let’s be clear today. I have no intention of fulfilling her obsessions. Maybe the Qiao family will, so you can save your breath trying to persuade them. I have nothing more to say to you.” “Yueyue, are you being stubborn because of the Qiao family? You should know why I married into the Qiao clan… Fine, I understand. I will handle this. As long as you apologize to Mother, we can pretend this never happened…” Chen Shi was stunned.

“Jiang Ping, have you gone mad from studying?” she snapped. She had never heard such ridiculous words before. They had become enemies, yet he remained oblivious, arrogantly expecting her to bow and apologize first, and then reluctantly forgive. She could not tell if it was arrogance or stupidity. “Jiang Ping, listen carefully. You’d better agree to part amicably. If you try to stop me, I won’t hesitate to ruin you and your mother’s reputation!” When the Chen family was at its peak, the Jiang family was nothing. Though the Chen family had declined, her father’s old friends would not ignore her if she sought help. Jiang Ping had long used their connections. If not for the sake of their daughters’ reputations, she would have dragged them all down with her. “Yueyue, why are you so stubborn?” Jiang Ping’s face darkened at her resolve. “Do you really expect Mother to change her temper to appease you? Even if she’s in the wrong, do you want me to kill her? Some things cannot be changed—why not endure and let it pass…” Chen Shi felt she was speaking to deaf ears and decisively left. Jiang Ping tried to follow, but Nurse Lin hurried over. “Madam, the matriarch wants to drive Lord Wei and his wife away…” Chen Shi sharply broke free from Jiang Ping and, without looking back, followed Nurse Lin out. “All my attendants in the house, recall them immediately. There’s no reason for my own people to turn against me!” Seeing her resolute stance, Nurse Lin nodded in agreement.

Jiang Nian came out of the room and approached an angry Jiang Ping. “Father.” Jiang Ping was taken aback and frowned. “Why don’t you try to reason with your mother?” Jiang Nian sighed. “Father, Mother will never forgive Grandmother over this matter concerning little sister. You know Mother seems gentle but is stubborn at heart. If she stays here and returns to the capital, I fear she will clash with Lady Qiao, putting you in a difficult position.” Jiang Ping could not help but turn to look at her. Jiang Nian’s expression was sincere. “Father, perhaps we should take this chance to have Mother return to the Chen family with little sister. Once little sister recovers and Mother calms down, I will try to persuade her again.” Jiang Ping gazed at her. “You’re not angry with your grandmother?” “Of course I am, but I understand your predicament—between Mother and Wife, I will listen to you. After we go back to the capital, I won’t cause trouble with Grandmother.” Jiang Ping looked at her with relief. “Nian’er, I didn’t expect you to be such a sensible child.” Jiang Nian smiled. “Father, let’s hurry to the front courtyard to settle matters with Mother. Then we can travel to the capital with peace of mind.”

…

In the council chamber, the matriarch was sneering as she drove Lord Wei and his wife away. Chen Shi entered with a cold laugh. “Are you trying to drive Lord Wei away because you’re feeling guilty?” The matriarch’s expression darkened—she hadn’t expected Chen Shi to take such a tone. Her son had just gone to persuade Chen Shi to apologize to her. If Chen Shi apologized, she was willing to give her an exit to save face, allowing both sides to back down and end the matter. But now, what was going on with Chen Shi? To speak to her like this? Even after her son had bowed his head, Chen Shi still refused to relent? She was shameless. The matriarch’s shriveled face grew uglier. “I am your mother-in-law! How dare you speak to me like this! You unfilial wretch, you…” “Not for long.” Chen Shi cut her off coldly. “I have decided to divorce. You will no longer be able to use your status as mother-in-law to lord it over me.” The matriarch was struck dumb, staring rigidly at Chen Shi.

Jiang Nian and Jiang Ping soon arrived. Jiang Ping feigned ignorance, shifting blame to his mother and speaking with a righteous air. “Mother, in the end, you shouldn’t have treated Xin’er like that. Since Yueyue wants a divorce, it’s best to part amicably.” Jiang Nian sneered inwardly—of course he wanted an amicable split. He feared if things escalated, Lord Wei would bring the news to the capital, where the imperial censors would tear him apart. And her grandfather’s old friends would never stand idly by.