Translator: Atlas Studios   Editor: Atlas Studios
Old Madam Xie lowered her head and wiped her tears, not buying it.
The Clan Chiefâs wife felt embarrassed. In the scholarly, agricultural, and business world, business was the lowest in terms of hierarchy. For a businesswoman like Xie Roujia to be able to marry into the Yu Clan and become the first wife of a scholar, it was because her ancestors had offered incense and climbed up the social ladder.
It was true that there was Madam Xieâs help, but their statuses were different, and their backgrounds were worlds apart. Even though the Yu Clan was polite, when facing the Xie Residence, they still carried a sense of superiority and aloofness.
After all, they were from an aristocratic family. They had embarrassed a merchant and the Xie family made it sound like their family had taken advantage of them. The members of the Yu Clan did not look too good.
The clan leaderâs wife said, âOver the years, the Matriarch has treated Yao Yao like a pearl. Eldest son also values this daughter very much. It is not for nothing that the clan received a donation of 30% of the Xie familyâs property, and it was also spent on calligraphy and painting, antiques, and rare books. We have never treated Yaoyao poorly. Whatever happens now will be continued in the future.â
Old Madam Xie had brought up old matters in the clan because she was worried that the Yu Clan would bully Yu Youyao after Old Madam Yu passed away. She wanted a guarantee.
Not to mention, Yu Youyao was the eldest daughter and the clan valued her very much. As she was given the title of County Head of Shaoyi, the clan did not dare to insult her.
Old Madam Xie sneered. âWho doesnât know how to say nice things?â At this point, she glared fiercely at Yu Zongzheng. âAs soon as Matriarch fell sick, someone in your family caused trouble and wanted to tarnish Roujiaâs reputation. They said that Roujia had an affair with her second uncle in Quanzhou and wanted to question Yao Yaoâs background. Is this the style of your scholarly family? Iâve really learnt a lot.â
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.
Eldest Madamâs expression looked very ugly. She talked to Nanny Liu about this before, and she mentioned this matter.
She found it ridiculous when she heard it.
Old Madam Yu was also the daughter of a first wife from a noble family and was well-mannered. If Madam Xie and Second Uncle were involved in an affair in Quanzhou, it was impossible for Eldest Son to marry Madam Xie.
It was clearly Madam Yang who was causing trouble and deliberately sowing discord.
Matriarch Liu had asked Nanny Liu to explain this matter to the clan because she hoped that the clan would step in to prevent another incident in the future. At that time, it would really be a disaster.
She had originally planned to wait for the Matriarchâs funeral to be over before looking for Yu Zongzheng to talk.
Unexpectedly, the Xie family also knew.
Xie Zongzheng looked at Yu Youyao. Without thinking, he knew that the Xie family must have found out about this because his daughter was insensible and had gossiped in front of the Xie family.
He was also a little disappointed and quickly said, âThis is just a misunderstandingâ¦â
âl donât care if itâs a misunderstanding. As long as there is such a thing, itâs all over.â Madam Xie sneered and interrupted him. âDonât look at our Little Yaoâer that way. It concerns her motherâs reputation and it is only right that our Xie family comes forward. If Yaoyao didnât mention this matter, it would be extremely unfilial. If trouble arises from this matter in the future, how can she face her motherâs spirit in heaven?â
Yu Zongzheng was immediately speechless. His daughter was also raised by her maiden family. If there was a problem with her reputation, it was reasonable for her maiden family to step in.
Madam Xie suddenly raised her voice. âl want to ask you a question. Our daughter was a good girl. She came to your house and ended up in a tragedy. She cannot even have stability even after she dies. Is this the behavior of a scholarly family?! â
Everyone from the Yu Clan was embarrassed on the spot.
Madam Xie had married into the Yu Residence and given birth to Yu Zongzhengs eldest daughter. She had contributed to the family. Without any evidence, this was slander.
The Yu family was also an aristocratic family. No matter what happened, it was the Yu family that would be embarrassed. No wonder the Xie Residence was so aggressive today. Old lady started making a fuss as soon as the seventh day passed.
Old Master Xie put the cup heavily on the table. âLetâs not waste time talking nonsense. Yu Zongzheng has no respect for his dead wife, and he has no love for the daughter left by his first wife. If he cared about any of them, why would we have such doubts? How can we believe that you will treat Yao Yao well in the future? Old Madam Yu has passed away. Who will take out the letter of guarantee she wrote back then?â
He paused and swept his sharp gaze across everyone from the Yu Clan.
âIs it Yu Zongzheng? Or is it your Yu Clan?â
The old clan elder kept quiet. It wasnât that he didnât want to speak, but that he couldnât.
This concerned Madam Xieâs reputation. This was the wrongdoing of Yu Zongzheng.
Yu Youyaoâs background was almost questioned. This was also the Yu Residenceâs fault.
Fortunately, Madam Yang was divorced, so this matter was covered up.
If there was any gossip leaked, to put it lightly, Madam Xie!s reputation would be ruined, Yu Youyaoâs reputation would be ruined, and the Xie Residence would be heavily implicated. Would the Yu Residence lose face?
What about Eldest Son and Second Sonâs future?
At the very least, the reputation of the clan would be ruined!
However, just because there was no news now and the consequences were unbearable did not mean that it had never happened, nor did it mean that the Xie family would not hold it against them.
Indeed, one had to marry a virtuous wife.
Back then, Yu Zongzheng had married Madam Yang. He had really caused a lot of trouble.
Seeing that no one in the Yu Clan had expressed their stance, Old Master Xie also said stubbornly, âl entered the capital this time partly to take Roujiaâs memorial tablet and return it to the Xie Residence, and partly to let Madam Xieâs daughter return to her motherâs clan.â
The old clan elder frowned and had no choice but to say, âThis matter is against the rules. Madam Xie is not a divorced woman. After marrying into the Yu Residence, she has to be filial to her elders, create a meritorious family, and be a good wife. How can her daughter return to her maiden family for no reason?â
âThis matter is Zongzhengs fault. Be it apologizing, kowtowing to Roujiaâs memorial tablet, or writing a guarantee, we will definitely not reject what he should do. We will definitely satisfy the in-laws.â
âEldest Miss should stay in the residence, her biological mother is not a divorcée. Not only is she the daughter of the first wife, but sheâs also the eldest daughter. As long as her fatherâs clan is still around, thereâs no reason for her to return to her motherâs clan. Eldest Miss has grown up, and returning to her motherâs clan will also damage her reputation.â
âItâs not that our family isnât reasonable. If the in-laws cherish their granddaughter so much, our Yu Residence will also agree to let Eldest Miss go to Quanzhou to stay for a few months every year to comfort her family.â
In the end, he added, âEldest Missâs grandmother has passed away, and there are no elders in the family to manage her future. The Yu Residence wonât make decisions on their own in the future. We will consult the Xie Residence before making any plans.â
These words were already very sincere.
The old clan master did not want to mention this and to show weakness to the Xie family which was a merchant family.
However, the Yu Clan was already completely in the wrong. Back then, the Xie family had only stopped because they cared about their granddaughterâs young age. Before Madam Xie died, she had entrusted her to Matriarch.
However, now that Old Madam Yu had passed away and the Yu Residence had gotten someone to go against them, the Xie Residence had a suitable excuse.
Yu Youyao was old and had even been conferred the title of County Head. If the Xie Residence made a fuss again, they would no longer have their previous scruples. At that time, the Xie Residence would have nothing to fear, but the Yu Clan would not be able to afford to lose face..