Lin Shi sat in the main hall, originally discussing Bai Siruo's marriage with Princess Wenyi, when an uproar erupted in the outer courtyard.
Shen Shi's shouts were loud enough for them to hear clearly.
Her previously cheerful face instantly turned serious. She had previously spared Shen Shi for the sake of the Third Master's reputation, but since she was so unappreciative, she couldn't be blamed for her actions.
"Nonsense! When did our First Branch's courtyard become a place where anyone could barge in? What are you all doing, not stopping her?"
The First Madam spoke sternly, her hatred for Shen Shi filling her chest. Her fingers clenched, making cracking sounds, wishing she could have her flogged.
Princess Wenyi, having not seen her eldest sister-in-law so angry in years, tried to comfort her while frowning at the Third Madam's excessive behavior. She lacked any proper etiquette, which was truly infuriating.
Maple Xiao and Maple Lai, the maids beside the First Madam, had long been seething. Upon receiving the First Madam's order, they immediately lifted the curtain and stepped out. "How dare you! Is the Third Madam's authority greater than heaven's, to dare barge directly into your elder sister-in-law's courtyard? Retreat at once, or I will report this to the Old Madam and have you disciplined!"
These words were enough to frighten the maids and servants who had come with Shen Shi for support into immobility.
However, Shen Shi was shameless. Not only was she unfazed, but she lunged directly at Maple Xiao, who had just spoken.
With a "slap," she struck Maple Xiao's face. Her fair cheek instantly swelled like a steamed bun, the imprint of the slap clearly visible.
Maple Xiao was stunned, as were the servants standing around.
This was a top-tier personal maid to the First Madam. Since she had married in with the First Madam, she had never suffered such humiliation.
"You..." Granny Lin could no longer maintain her composure as a servant. Seeing her daughter so mistreated, she angrily grabbed Shen Shi's hair and dragged her from the corridor. With a series of slaps, she left Shen Shi dizzy, her hair disheveled, and her ornaments scattered on the ground.
The scene descended into chaos. Lin Shi and Princess Wenyi, hearing the commotion from inside, finally came out.
The moment she saw the slap mark on Maple Xiao's face, Lin Shi was furious. When had the maids in her courtyard been treated like this? Her anger churned in her chest, surging to the top of her head.
She looked at Shen Shi as if she were already dead, her face so grim that even Bai Siruo beside her felt a little scared.
The First Madam spoke to Granny Lin expressionlessly, "Well done. I believe it's time to establish some rules in the manor. We can't have ladies and gentlemen from all over Dongdu, from noble families, laughing at our Bai family. If this gets out, they'll think our Bai family has no one to uphold its dignity!"
Then, before Shen Shi could react, she continued, "Maple Lai, tie up this madwoman and bring her to see Mother."
"Yes." Seeing his sister's bruised face, Maple Lai was also furious. He quickly found hemp ropes. The people in the courtyard stepped forward, pulled away the stunned Bai Sihan, and after a struggle, tied the Third Madam Shen Shi into a bundle. A dirty rag, picked up from who knows where, was stuffed into her mouth, emitting a stench of slop that almost made Shen Shi faint.
"Mmm... mmm..."
Shen Shi struggled fiercely, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't overcome the combined strength of so many servants.
Bai Sihan, standing beside her, was terrified and pale.
When her mother was in Qiongzhou, she had no elders to serve and managed the servants and maids with an overbearing attitude.
After arriving in Dongdu City, she had tested the waters several times, but the First Madam had not taken significant action, only issuing a few reprimands. Gradually, they had become more audacious, losing their initial timidity in their words and actions.
This time, her mother had merely listened to her tearful complaints, doubting the motives behind the trip to the Wei family banquet, and thinking to extort more items. She never expected the First Madam to be so enraged, which was entirely unforeseen.
"Mother..." Bai Sihan cried out, but saw the First Madam Lin Shi look at her. The warning and ferocity in her eyes frightened her so much that she quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief, not daring to let out even a whimper.
"Let's go!"
With Lin Shi's command, the Third Madam was dragged and pushed by the servants to the Old Madam's Shou Kang Yuan.
Along the way, many servants they encountered saw the scene and promptly avoided them, feeling both relieved and fearful.
Since the Third Madam arrived at the manor, she had been scolding servants all day, making everyone dare not speak out. Now that she was in trouble, they felt a sense of relief, but they also feared that the First Madam would enforce stricter household rules. They had suffered before and knew the First Madam's methods and temperament well, sighing inwardly.
They wondered if they would be able to pass the New Year peacefully.
As dinner approached, in Shou Kang Yuan, the Old Madam was devoutly reciting scriptures before the Buddha shrine in the side room, praying for the Buddha's protection for the entire Bai family. Suddenly, she heard a commotion outside.
Frowning, she continued to count the sandalwood prayer beads in her hand one by one.
"What is it?"
"This servant will go and see," said Granny Xu, who served the Old Madam.
Before she could get up, the maid Cui Gu rushed in, her face full of anxiety, her words urgent.
"The Third Madam has somehow angered the First Madam and has been tied up by her and sent here to seek the Old Madam's judgment. It looks like they intend to use the family law to enforce household rules."
The Old Madam Bai's closed eyes suddenly snapped open. Her eldest daughter-in-law was the most active person; for her to be angered to the point of using family law, this third daughter-in-law was truly something.
"Let's go and see."
"Yes."
Granny Xu and Cui Gu stepped forward to help the Old Madam Bai up. As they exited the side room, they saw the First Daughter-in-law, her face full of anger, standing beside the Fourth Daughter-in-law and granddaughter Bai Siruo, whose expressions were displeased.
And the Third Daughter-in-law, who was still wailing, was now disheveled, her eyes red as if she wanted to devour someone.
The Old Madam Bai frowned and glanced at them, but said nothing. Instead, she walked to the First Madam Lin Shi, looked at her deeply, and sighed, "Why has it escalated to this?"
Lin Shi was also full of grievances and knelt directly in the courtyard.
"Mother, since I married into this family, I have not been disloyal for a single day. After you entrusted me with the management of the household, I have not dared to be the least bit negligent. In the past twenty years, there have been no major mistakes. However, my womb is not fruitful, and I have not been able to bear a son or daughter for the Bai family and the eldest master. Now, I am being insulted to the point where I can no longer hold my head up even in front of my own family."
At this point, the First Madam Lin Shi shed rare tears. Princess Wenyi, as her sister-in-law, knew her inner suffering best. Seeing her elder sister-in-law kneeling upright, she felt both heartache and that it was not worth it for her.
"Once, twice, and thrice. Even with the patience of a Bodhisattva, I can no longer tolerate it. I implore Mother to inform Father-in-law and the eldest master to grant me a divorce letter, so I may become a woman cast out. That way, I will not have to endure being bossed around by someone who is not even presentable in this household. As the mistress of the house, I have lost all face and cannot stay here any longer. I beg Mother to grant my wish."