After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 315 Showdown
She didn't care about mistresses or sons at all; they were just things that couldn't be brought to the table. What she really cared about was who Zhu Yixuan loved in his heart. How could her husband have another woman in his heart!

"Isn't it obvious?" Cui said with a slight sneer. "After all, Ke was pampered and spoiled by him. I heard that Zhu Yixuan even threatened his sister for that mistress. If he's gone to such lengths, what else could it be but true love?"

Even though Cui was seething with hatred inside when she uttered the words "true love," she still had to pretend to be indifferent in front of Cen Mingzhu.

Cen Mingzhu was furious, "You, Zhu Yixuan, how dare you deceive me like this!"

Xiao Shuang rushed back from outside, her face pale. "Miss, something terrible has happened! Madam Zhu is dead!"

"How did she die?" Cen Mingzhu frowned unhappily, showing no sadness or grief over Madam Zhu's death, only anger, as if Madam Zhu's death was untimely and unlucky.

Xiao Shuang replied in a panic, "Yes, she was killed by Madam Bai."

"What's going on again?" Cen Mingzhu's brows were furrowed so deeply she felt like she was about to crush a fly. She felt that in just half a day, things had completely spiraled out of her control.

Xiao Shuang shook her head vigorously, "This servant can't find out anything. The manor is in chaos right now, and the servants are too afraid to show their faces. There are also government officials in the front yard. If this servant goes there now, I'm afraid it will give them something to talk about, so I can only turn back."

"Your maid is quite sensible!" Cui praised Xiaoshuang and slowly stood up. "Alright, sister, I've said everything I needed to say. If you don't believe me, you can investigate for yourself. Back then, Zhu Yixuan even specially asked the Bai family for a family of servants to serve Ke Shi."

"Little sister, you can ask your sister-in-law properly. If Zhu Yixuan hadn't kept it so secret, I wouldn't have been kept in the dark and played like a fool! I won't die in peace until I get revenge, so if you have any news, please pass it on to me. There are some things that are difficult for me to do, but I don't have that many scruples, don't you think?"

Cen Mingzhu's expression softened somewhat, and she instructed Xiao Shuang, "See Sister Cui out."

Xiao Shuang quickly got up to lead the way for Cui Shi, but her heart was filled with anxiety. She wondered what Cui Shi had said to her young mistress when she left, and why her young mistress's attitude had changed so much. It was very strange!
With Xiaoshuang leading the way, even if the servants in the mansion recognized Cui, they dared not say anything, only assuming that the new eldest young mistress knew that Cui had come to visit and specially summoned her to talk.

After Cui left, Xiaoshuang hurriedly returned.

Cen Mingzhu asked coldly, "Where is the son-in-law?"

Xiao Shuang said cautiously, "The young master is still dealing with Madam Zhu's funeral. He probably won't be back until later to give Miss an explanation."

That night, all the red silk and lanterns at the Zhu residence were taken down, white silk was hung high, and the mourning hall was set up. What should have been a joyous occasion turned into a funeral, which was truly heartbreaking.

Zhu Yixuan returned home under the stars and moon, his eyes red and swollen. He went to Master Zhu's courtyard first, and then went to see Cen Mingzhu.

Cen Mingzhu had already taken off her red dress and changed into a white one.

"My husband is back."

Zhu Yixuan strode over, his face filled with shame. "Madam, I'm sorry. I didn't expect things to turn out this way. I'm so sorry to have wronged you!" Cen Mingzhu smiled understandingly. "It's alright. It happened so suddenly. I understand. But how does my husband intend to handle this?"

Zhu Yixuan's face hardened, and a murderous aura emanated from him. "Liu dared to kill my mother in my Zhu family. This is an irreconcilable feud. I will destroy the Bai family! I will make that bitch Liu wish she were dead!"

Cen Mingzhu asked without changing her expression, "Why would Madam Liu kill her mother-in-law?"

Zhu Yixuan paused, his expression becoming more complicated, and sincerely met Cen Mingzhu's eyes. "What Liu said is only one side of the story. In fact, Bai Feng has been protected by me since he started serving in the military. If it weren't for my protection, he would have died a few years ago. That time, I was just distracted and couldn't take care of him. It was a moment of negligence that led to the tragedy."

As a result, that bitch Liu wouldn't let it go, and even said to my mother that her son was dead, so why should I be alive? From that time on, the two families stopped having any contact. If it weren't for my sister, I would have dealt with the Bai family long ago.

I was thinking of our past relationship, but they took advantage of my kindness. Since that's the case, I don't need to show any mercy anymore!

"Past affections?" Cen Mingzhu stared at him suspiciously. "My husband is truly devoted and loyal! I wonder if he also cherishes past affections for other women?"

"What did you say?" Zhu Yixuan frowned in confusion.

Cen Mingzhu smiled inadvertently, "The Cui family, whom you divorced, came to see me today."

"She spoke rudely to you?" Zhu Yixuan instinctively thought that Cui had come to cause trouble for Cen Mingzhu.

Cen Mingzhu smiled faintly and shook her head. "She's fine. She just wanted to see me. But I heard about your affair from her."

Zhu Yixuan's face stiffened, and he felt a murderous intent towards Cui Shi, but he quickly suppressed it. "Madam, what else did Cui Shi say to you?"

Cen Mingzhu laughed heartily, "Why are you so nervous, husband! I didn't mean anything by it. She's just a mistress, not someone who came into our lives after I married you. I don't care! But I want to see her. Since she's your woman, there's no reason for her to live outside without a proper status. I heard she even gave birth to a son for you, which is a great contribution to our Zhu family. We can't let her down. Am I right, husband?"

Zhu Yixuan stared intently into her eyes, as if trying to discern the truth from them, but he saw nothing. He chuckled and gently stroked Cen Mingzhu's face. "What you say is absolutely right, Madam. Your consideration for me makes me feel ashamed."

If you want to know about the Ke family, I can tell you. It's just that those were all youthful and impetuous affairs. The Ke family came from the Ice Plains and was very different from the women I had met before. At the time, I took her in for a moment of novelty, but I was afraid that if I brought her back to the manor, the jealous Cui family would harm her, so I settled her outside the manor.

Ke did give birth to a son for me, but he was only a son born out of wedlock. I never thought of letting him be recognized by his ancestors. When the court issued the order to conscript soldiers, I sent Ke and her son away.

Firstly, I was wary of the Cui family, and secondly, the novelty had worn off, and I no longer wanted to stay. During the years I spent at the border, I did not inquire about the whereabouts of the mother and son, nor did I look for them after I returned. If Madam really wants to see them, I really cannot hand them over. However, if Madam is interested, she can send someone to inquire.

"I returned the indentures of those who served Madam Ke to them and sent them all away. They've gone back to their hometown to farm in Dongmen Village. Madam, you could send someone to inquire; perhaps you can find out the whereabouts of Madam Ke and her son."