Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 327 is set up
The Yan family had already fallen out, and the Jin family was certainly not in much better shape. Jin Yun, the father of the Jin family, had recently been subjected to some inexplicable trouble by the Dragon Tiger General's Mansion. He felt like he was covered in thorns and couldn't find peace day or night. When he heard that his eldest son, Jin Ziyao, had gotten into trouble again, he rushed out without even putting on his shoes properly after getting out of bed.

Yan Song tried to win over Shen Bo in his early years but failed. Later, when the emperor wanted to appoint Shen Bo as commander, he tried to obstruct him in every way. As a result, he not only failed again, but also witnessed Shen Bo's triumphant return. How could he feel at ease watching the Shen family receive the emperor's favor?

If initially the Yan family was merely wary of the Shen family's retaliation, then the recent incident where the Jin family inadvertently offended the young mistress of the Shen family, prompting Shen Bo to retaliate, has completely and clearly defined the positions of the two sides.

After the incident at Baiyun Temple, Yan Shu had already summoned Jin Yun to warn him. Now, with these kinds of things happening one after another, this is no ordinary mistake. It concerns the loyalty of the Jin family. How could the Yan family not punish him?
With this punishment, wouldn't the Jin family's wealth and glory come to an end?
Jin Yun's head was spinning. After rushing out, she slapped Jin Ziyao twice!
Shen Zhui and his guards had been keeping watch on the Jin family for several days without success. Unexpectedly, such news broke out this morning. Hearing that Lu Jia had come looking for him, he was unwilling to go back. However, he could not disobey orders, so he could only leave He Qu to keep watch while he withdrew.

No sooner had he left than the Yan family arrived.

After delivering Madam Yan's message, the father and son reluctantly went to the Yan residence.

The hall was tense. Jin's face was swollen and red, and her hairpin was askew, clearly indicating that she had already been punished by Madam Yan. Looking at Madam Yan on the seat, her face was cold and pale, and she didn't even glance at her in-laws when they arrived.

Yan Liang stood to the side. This eldest son, who had been raised by his grandparents, was always dignified. At this moment, he remained silent, leaving no room for further comment.

Seeing this, Jin Yun dared not utter a word. He kicked Jin Ziyao in the back of the knee, ordering him to kneel in the hall, and then bent his back deeply: "Madam, please understand, this morning was a misunderstanding. Even the most audacious beast wouldn't dare—"

"Why waste your breath, Lord Jin? If you have evidence, just present it. If you don't, aren't you deliberately trying to fool our lady?"

The old nanny in front of Madam Yan interrupted Jin Yun abruptly.

But where could Jin Yun possibly produce any evidence?
They were also innocent victims of a disaster, how could such a thing be proven?
Enraged, he kicked Jin Ziyao in the back again: "You beast! If you hadn't gambled, you wouldn't be in this mess! Tell me how the Shen family and the Wu family got there!"

Jin Ziyao lay prostrate on the ground, stammering for a long time without saying a word.

Madam Yan turned to look at Madam Jin: "Do you have anything else to say?"

Jin Shi cried and rushed towards Jin Ziyao: "You've ruined me!"

"Drag her up!" Madam Yan ordered, then glared at Yan Liang: "Go and draft a letter of divorce! We can no longer afford to associate with this young mistress!"

"lady!"

Jin Yun knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly: "The Jin family has indeed been cheated. Please, Madam, give us some more time! Besides, my daughter has already given birth to children for the Yan family, and she has served her parents-in-law without fault all these years. She has no fault in the seven grounds for divorce!"

"Treasonous collusion with outsiders to attack the Yan family—isn't that enough grounds for divorce?" Madam Yan slammed her hand on the table and roared, "Guards! Take Jin back to pack her things! While the Jin family is still here, immediately inventory her dowry and release her to return home!"

The old woman under the gate responded and entered, pulling Jin up.

"Husband! Husband!" Jin broke free from them and threw herself at Yan Liang's feet. "We've been husband and wife for eight years, are you really going to keep quiet for nothing? Are you really going to just watch me go home?!"

Yan Liang was furious. Regardless of whether the collusion between the Jin family and the Shen and Wu families was real or not, looking at the whole story, if she hadn't been so malicious, this whole thing wouldn't have happened.
Even now, she still wouldn't be smart enough to watch her mouth and instead took her anger out on Lu Ying. Little did she know that one of the reasons Madam Yan was angry with her was that her infighting among her sisters-in-law was affecting the Lu family.

What else can he say when he's so out of touch with reality?
Even if she insists on seeking a way out at this moment, how can Madam Yan back down?
It was the Jin family that single-handedly propped up the Yan family!
He said with a dark face, "Father must already know by now. There's nothing I can do to change the situation. Good luck to you!"

"...Are you serious?!" Jin looked at him in disbelief.

Yan Liang flicked his sleeve and looked at Jin Yun: "It's getting late. We can check the dowry tomorrow. Father-in-law, please take the two of them back to the manor first."

Madam Yan angrily retorted, "Who gave you this idea!"

“Mother,” Yan Liang turned around, “there’s no rush. Let’s deal with the more important issues first.”

More importantly, of course, was the case concerning the Northwest military pay, which was still being watched by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

As long as the heat of this case continues, a sword will always hang over the Yan family's heads.

Madam Yan glanced at the Jin family members, snorted, and got up to go to the backyard.

After everyone had left, Jin Yun hurriedly bowed to his son-in-law: "Heaven and earth bear witness, the Jin family would never dare to break our promise. Young Master, you should help persuade your parents for the sake of your two children!"

Yan Liangdao looked past him and ahead: "This matter cannot be decided by the inner quarters alone; Father will surely have to inquire about it. You should all go back first and wait for Father's instructions!"

After saying that, he stepped out the door and strode away.

Tang Yu was keeping an eye on the Yan residence when the three members of the Jin family—father and daughters—came out of the gate on horseback and in sedan chairs. The news was then delivered to Lu Jia.

“Since he only left the mansion by sedan chair, it seems he hasn’t reached the point of being divorced yet.” Lu Jia put the cut lotus flowers into the basket. “The young master is still in the yamen. Go and deliver a letter to him.”

The Jin family still has ties from eight years ago, so even if the Yan family wants to divorce his wife, they have to cut ties completely, which naturally can't be done in such a short time.

However, the fact that Madam Jin has been ordered to return to her parents' home at least shows that Madam Yan's suspicions about the unclear relationship between the Jin and Shen families are deeply rooted.

At this point, it's natural that an external force should step in to push things forward.

After listening to Tang Yu finish speaking in the office, Shen Qingzhou pondered for a moment, then wrote a memorial to pay his respects and took it to the palace gate.

Based on the friendship between Consort Yi and Madam Shen in the past, and the Consort Yi's lingering affection for Shen Qingzhou after Madam Lu's death, the Emperor granted Shen Qingzhou the opportunity to enter the palace once a month to pay her respects to the Consort Yi.

Consort Yi was having tea in the Imperial Garden. Upon seeing Shen Qingzhou, she leaned closer to examine her: "Oh, you look even better after just one month. Looks like I married the right person!"

Shen Qingzhou lowered his head and smiled: "I will bring my wife to pay my respects to the Dowager Princess another day."

"That's only right!" The Dowager Consort handed him tea, giving him a reproachful glance as she did so.

Shen Qingzhou sipped tea with the prince, glanced around, and then took out a letter from his bosom: "Your Highness, I have an important letter to deliver urgently. I would be grateful if Your Highness would grant me this favor."