"Don't worry, Grandmother. I have plenty of residences. Of course, there will be a place for you," Wu Caiwei said, feigning ignorance.
The old madam's heart ached. She decided that after this matter was resolved, she would no longer see Wu Caiwei. Otherwise, she would be angered to death by her. Tears welled up in her eyes. "No matter how nice a residence is, it's not the Zhou family. Your mother grew up there, leaving many memories. I'm accustomed to living there. If I don't die in the old house when my time comes, I won't rest in peace."
"Grandmother only considers the Zhou family. Have you ever thought of my Liu family? My surname is Liu, not Zhou. Let's be frank. If Grandmother wants to move me with emotions, she's mistaken. You know very well what kind of life I had in the Zhou family for those years. And what happened that night I escaped from the Zhou family, what the Zhou family intended to do to me. I don't believe it happened without your consent. The moment you agreed, our familial affection was gone," Wu Caiwei said, annoyed by their persistent visits and unwilling to maintain pretense any longer.
The old Madam Zhou looked at her in disbelief, her voice trembling. "You know everything? Grandmother knows she's wronged you. Can you forgive me this once? I'll compensate you with all my might in the future. We had no choice. Your paintings are too brilliant; even the Emperor knows. We just wanted to confine you, have you paint for your cousin for a few years, then disguise you and find you a generous dowry and a reliable husband."
"Why? I, the eldest daughter of the Liu family, have always been upright. Just because my paintings are good, I deserve to be locked up? To slander me with elopement, you should leave. Don't come again," Wu Caiwei turned away, ignoring her.
Tears streamed down Madam Zhou's face. She wasn't sad about the strained relationship with her granddaughter, but worried that if Wu Caiwei showed no regard for their past connection, the Zhou family would be ruined.
As she tried to step forward and persuade her, Wu Caiwei quickened her pace, leaving the reception hall. Madam Zhou tried to follow but was blocked by a maid.
Mr. Zhou watched his dejected mother and understood. He rushed out to find another solution.
In the afternoon, the couple was summoned by the Ouyang family. Ouyang Chenxi dismissed the servant with a cold laugh. "I wonder what benefits Mr. Zhou promised them to collude with outsiders and harm their own son."
Wu Caiwei stepped forward and patted his hand reassuringly, knowing his words were just a vent and he didn't take it to heart, as he was not the original host and had no feelings for the Ouyang family.
In the afternoon, when father and son met, Mr. Ouyang was furious. "Rebellious son, why aren't you kneeling?"
Ouyang Chenxi said nonchalantly, "Father, you really want me to kneel? All the officials know my legs are weak. If I kneel today, I'll be paralyzed once I leave this room. Your reputation for abusing your son will spread."
Mr. Ouyang pointed at him for a long time, too angry to speak. Madam Ouyang quickly stepped forward to appease him. "Don't be angry, my dear. Father and son don't hold grudges overnight. Let's talk things through calmly and don't hurt yourself."
Mr. Ouyang grabbed her hand, touched. "You're so good to me. If this rebellious son were half as well-behaved as our son, it would be fine."
Ouyang Chenxi rolled his eyes and sighed. "I truly feel my mother was wronged. If you hadn't been impetuous in your youth and offended people, leading to retaliation, my mother wouldn't have died taking a knife for you. And the result? You made way for someone else, yet you don't even remember her kindness."
The loving couple froze. Mr. Ouyang unconsciously raised his voice to hide his guilt. "Tell me honestly, what have you been doing lately? I heard you were extorting money from the Zhou family?"
"Who told you that? Mr. Zhou? To have a father personally scold his son, it seems Mr. Zhou has given you quite a bit of benefit. However, your plan this time is mistaken. That's my wife asking for her dowry. I'm a man, how can I interfere with her dowry? If this gets out, people will say the Ouyang family is ignorant, even managing their daughter-in-law's dowry," Ouyang Chenxi said meaningfully, looking at them.
Mr. Ouyang knew he was being subtle, but thinking of the ten thousand taels of silver Mr. Zhou had promised, he was tempted. Although a million taels was more, he had been in court for many years and knew the Zhou family couldn't afford it now. Moreover, even if he got the money, it would go into his daughter-in-law's pocket, and what did it have to do with him? Money was more reliable.
"The Zhou family can't afford that much money. I heard you've already received forty thousand taels. Be content and don't make a fool of yourself."
Seeing that he spoke to him in a reprimanding tone from beginning to end, Ouyang Chenxi didn't want to say more. He retorted, "Didn't you say my joining the army was the biggest joke? What could be worse than that? Anyway, I've already lost face, so I don't care. My wife wants to reclaim what belongs to the Liu family, and I will do my best to help her. Anyone who wants to stop us, I won't allow it, including you."
"Rebellious, rebellious! Bring out the family discipline!" Mr. Ouyang commanded, and immediately someone went to the ancestral hall to fetch a whip.
"If I recall correctly, I have already been expelled from the clan. You have nothing to do with me. Coming to your manor as you instructed has already given you enough face." After speaking, Ouyang Chenxi left without further hesitation.
As he reached the door, several servants carrying sticks emerged and blocked his path.
Wu Caiwei, who had been waiting at the door, saw the situation and rushed forward, flipping them over and pulling Ouyang Chenxi behind her.
"Quick, stop them!" Mr. Ouyang stood at the door, looking at the couple who had already walked into the courtyard with a grim expression. No matter what, he had to stop them today. He had a premonition that if they escaped today, Ouyang Chenxi would no longer be under his control. He had to teach them a lesson so they would know that no matter how much they struggled, they couldn't escape his grasp.
Seeing the servants glaring, Ouyang Chenxi patted Wu Caiwei's hand reassuringly and said firmly, "Teach them a good lesson. Let them know that we, as a couple, are not to be trifled with. Don't be afraid. Listen to my orders later. I'll bear all the gossip. Although my body doesn't allow me to protect you, I won't let rumors hurt you."
Wu Caiwei couldn't help but burst into laughter. "We've been through so much together, do you think those rumors can hurt me? Why do I feel you're getting more sentimental? We're an old couple, and you're still pulling this stunt."
Ouyang Chenxi pulled at the corner of his mouth stiffly. He didn't want to be like this, but lately, he felt the consciousness of the original host remaining in his body was getting stronger. He felt some panic. He wanted to stay by her side forever, yet he feared he wouldn't make it to the end.