They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 471 Should We Investigate?
Upon hearing General Meng's words, Xu Zhichun calmly replied, "I have never denied this matter from beginning to end. My sworn sister was worried about me, so she acted rashly in a moment of panic. If this matter is to be thoroughly investigated, then it should be thoroughly investigated to the end. Whoever bears the responsibility should bear the responsibility accordingly, and we will deal with it as it should be. We will not be ambiguous or evasive. Madam Meng, what do you think?"

Madam Meng felt a tightness in her chest.

But she also felt that even if her stepmother hated her and punished her severely, protecting her was equivalent to protecting her own and her family's reputation. Even if they really investigated, wouldn't she help her cover it up?
At worst, I'll just get scolded by her a few times afterward.

"Alright, if Madam Liang feels it's necessary to investigate, then let's investigate."

Xu Zhichun turned her head to look at Liang Minglang: "Husband, let's send someone to report to the authorities. This involves the wife of Marquis Wuxuan, the residence of Marquis Leshan, and the wife of General Meng. Shouldn't the Court of Judicial Review and the Shuntian Prefecture investigate together?"

Liang Minglang: "Of course. Madam, rest assured, the Dali Temple and Shuntian Prefecture will investigate thoroughly and ensure that no one is wronged."

"Ah That's good."

Madam Meng's face changed drastically: "No! We can't report this to the authorities! What do you mean?"

"Is Madam Meng questioning us? If we're going to investigate thoroughly, we should report it to the authorities. Does Madam Meng think that whatever answer her family gives is acceptable?"

"."

Although Madam Meng thought so, she herself felt embarrassed when Xu Zhichun said it.

General Meng was unconvinced and scoffed, "Do you think my Yue family would resort to deception?"

Madam Meng quickly nodded: "Yes!"

Xu Zhichun: "That's not how it works. To be fair, of course we should report it to the authorities."

Liang Minglang: "My wife is right. What kind of logic is it for the person involved to investigate themselves? There has never been such a thing! Otherwise, what would be the point of having an official government?"

"Butler Zhang, go now—"

"do not want!"

Madam Meng panicked, "No, don't report this to the authorities. I... I won't pursue Miss Lu's matter anymore. Let's just let this go."

If the matter is reported to the authorities, wouldn't the story of her being embraced by a servant in the water become an even bigger scandal? She would never be able to face anyone again.

Moreover, her stepmother and father would certainly scold and blame her.

Not worth the candle.

Xu Zhichun scoffed lightly: "Madam Meng, please don't wrong yourself!"

She doesn't want to pursue the matter? How dare she say that. How generous of her! Didn't she just end up hurting herself instead of others? It's a pity she has no evidence that she pushed her; otherwise, it wouldn't be a matter of her simply not pursuing the matter.

Madam Meng swallowed her anger and resentment, feeling no resentment.

"That's good. Is there anything else, Madam Meng?"

Madam Meng shook her head with difficulty, "I shouldn't disturb Madam Liang, farewell."

"Please, both of you."

Madam Meng turned and left.

General Meng looked up at Liang Minglang, his expression one of humiliation and resentment, as if waiting for Liang Minglang to say something.

Liang Minglang's gaze remained indifferent, and he said nothing. General Meng left in a huff, secretly grinding his teeth: "Fine, fine, now that he's in power, Minglang's learned to look down on people! What kind of brother is he? Who treats their brothers like this? Cold-blooded, ruthless, and ungrateful!"
From this day forward, he is no longer my brother; he doesn't deserve it.

Liang Minglang put his arm around Xu Zhichun and sighed softly, "Some people become completely different people after becoming rich overnight. Fortunately, we haven't changed."

Xu Zhichun despised General Meng, saying, "Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. It's better for some people to change their ways sooner rather than later, so they can go their separate ways and not interfere with each other. That's better for everyone."

Liang Minglang laughed heartily, "My wife is right, having you is enough for me."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

General Meng and his wife wore cold expressions the entire way back. Madam Meng was seething with hatred, wishing she could tear Xu Zhichun to pieces, cursing and hurling insults at her. How could she be so insidious, despicable, and shameless? She was the one who had harmed her, so how could she be so aggressive?

It's all Meng Yuan's fault for being incompetent; he's just a minor fourth-rank general. If he were a marquis, how could the Xu family or the Marquis of Wuxuan dare to treat him that way?

Mengyuan, that good-for-nothing.
Madam Meng didn't consider that if General Meng were to be ennobled as a marquis, would she, a concubine's daughter from a declining marquis's household, still have a chance to become his principal wife?

General Meng was also feeling extremely aggrieved at this moment.

How could he not feel it? Ever since returning to Beijing, Liang Minglang had unknowingly grown increasingly distant from him. He knew why, but he felt he had his own reasons.

Unlike Minglang, who was lucky enough to curry favor with his superiors, he wasn't as fortunate, nor as adept at it. He was granted a marquisate and, by some twist of fate, even gained the emperor's favor, wielding real power and enjoying a promising future. Of course, he could do whatever he wanted. Even without marrying into a powerful family, he could still live a life of great prestige.

He could even use this to establish a reputation as a good husband who doesn't mind his wife's hardships.

But what about him? He has nothing.

A mere fourth-rank general, with no real power and no powerful backing, would find it harder than climbing to heaven if he relied solely on himself to advance further.

He's a man too. He wants to make a name for himself and live a respectable life. So he married into a noble family to advance his career. What's wrong with that?

What gives Liang Minglang the right to despise me? What gives him the right to distance himself from me because of this?
He's so arrogant!

If he were in his shoes, he didn't believe he wouldn't do the same.

He hadn't spoken to Liang Minglang alone or visited him in a long time. He had come twice before but hadn't seen him. He heard that Liang Minglang wasn't there, so he wisely decided not to come again.

Today was a good opportunity. He thought that since the brothers had met, and no matter what happened today, Xu was safe and sound, but his wife had an accident, Liang Minglang and Xu should apologize and comfort her, right?
The result was quite the opposite; they became increasingly aggressive.

They're all so cold-hearted, heartless, and ruthless.

He's seen through it all!

Brotherhood, fraternal affection, sharing joys and sorrows—all of these are worthless in the face of power and status! They're all lies!

From now on, he will have no such brothers.

He refused to believe that he wouldn't be promoted one day, based on his own abilities.
Back home, General Meng was still feeling aggrieved, but he didn't dare to ask his wife directly. So he made an excuse to summon the maidservant next to his wife and threatened and cursed her until she told him the truth about what had happened that day.

"I will investigate. If what I find is different from what you said, you'll lose your head! If you tell the truth, I won't blame you. Speak now!"

The maid trembled with fear, knelt on the ground, and, her face pale, betrayed her mistress completely.
General Meng's face grew increasingly grim as he listened.

WTF?

So, it really was all his wife's own doing? She was the one who wanted to harm Madam Xu? She brought that servant herself? And now all the retribution has fallen on her own shoulders?