After sharing a body with her husband

It wasn't discovered at first; the Qu family was too ruthless in their actions.

However, back home, they unexpectedly discovered that Qi's mother's son, Liu Sheng, had disappeared for some time. Liu Sheng was a capable man with a large group of followers.

Following the clues, they caught one of Liu Sheng's henchmen. With just a little scare, the henchman wet his pants and blurted out everything.

Although all the wives who married into the Xie family had maids brought from their own families, there was a rule in the Xie family that if a maid from outside the family were to marry, she had to get the Xie family's consent, and the men she married were mostly servants of the Xie family.

Only in this way can those outside servants be managed.

This was also a rule set by Old Madam Wei when she was young; this was the way to manage subordinates.

Shang Lingjun was an exception; she arrived without any maids. Xiao Jing's reason was that Xie Zhaoqing would help her select the best maids to serve her.

This was Xie Zhaoqing's idea, in order to place someone by Shang Lingjun's side.

Mother Qi's pupils dilated in shock, overwhelmed with fear and dread. She could probably manage on her own, but when it came to her son...

It seems the old lady has found out everything, including her son's murder?

Murder... that's punishable by beheading!

Thinking of this, Qi's mother trembled violently.

Granny Qiu then looked at Madam Qu and said with a forced smile:

"Third Madam, do you really think we can't find a single clue?"

Qu was struck dumb, her face deathly pale as she collapsed to the ground.

Mother Qi burst into tears, her defenses completely crumbling, and she pleaded:

"Grandma, I admit it, I admit it everything, but this matter has nothing to do with my son!"

Startled, Ms. Qu turned her head. "What do you recognize?"

Mother Qi was so frightened that she didn't dare to look at Madam Qu. She cried and shook her head.

"Madam... I only have one son, Sheng'er. The Old Madam has found out everything and is just waiting for us to admit our mistakes..."

Mother Qi crawled on her knees and prostrated herself at Old Madam Wei's feet, pleading.

"Grandma, spare my life! Spare my son's life..."

Qu was utterly desperate, and looked at Old Madam Wei in fear.

"Mother-in-law...don't listen to her nonsense!"

Old Madam Wei got up and walked straight out, leaving only one sentence behind.

"After losing her beloved son, the third wife, surnamed Qu, shaved her head and became a nun in grief. She devoted herself to Buddhism and lived in Puji Temple for a long time, avoiding the world and worshipping Buddha. She could not leave until death."

As she said this, Old Madam Wei looked ahead, not even sparing a glance for Madam Qu.

She ignored the verbal sparring.

She always does things cleanly and efficiently, never dragging her feet.

A single sentence sealed the fate of the Qu family; this was the verdict for their remaining life, and no one could change it.

Old Madam Wei had already left, but her words still echoed in the small room, striking Qu's heart like a heavy hammer.

When Madam Qu heard that Old Madam Wei wanted her to shave her head and become a nun, her body stiffened as if struck by lightning, then trembled violently, her eyes moved with difficulty, numb and stinging.

"I can't become a nun, what will happen to my children? My mother-in-law!!! Can't I just accept her as my mother-in-law...?"

Qu's vision was blurred by the torrent of tears.

Now, her clownish sophistry only seemed more ridiculous and laughable!

Although Old Madam Wei had left, six old women filed in from outside. These were the Xie family's servants who had attended to Old Madam Wei in Rongfu Pavilion.

They were all skilled in martial arts; they were the martial arts maids that Old Madam Wei brought from the Wei family when she was young!

The reason why Old Madam Wei only reacted now was twofold: firstly, the investigation required time, and secondly, she was waiting for them to arrive.

"Madam, this is a sacred Buddhist sanctuary. As a lady of high birth, please refrain from making a loud noise and disturbing the peace of the temple!"

The old woman rebuked her coldly.

"If you honestly follow the path of Buddhism, then the three young ladies in the mansion can live a good life, and the old lady will not make things difficult for them."

But if you refuse, the old matriarch is not afraid to expose all the evil deeds you've committed. Then we'll see if your proud brothers will still acknowledge you as their sister!

The other old woman's tone was even more impolite.

A poisonous wife who drugged her husband and caused him to die childless will only tarnish the reputation of the women in the Qu family. She will have difficulty getting married in the future, so how could the Qu family possibly acknowledge her?

Lady Qu was immediately overcome with grief and could no longer cry.

One of the old women looked at Mother Qi.

"Does Madam Qi want to stay with Madam, or come with us?"

Mother Qi glanced back at Madam Qu, then tremblingly kowtowed, her voice choked with sobs.

"Please understand, Madam, I only have one son!"

Qu closed her eyes, filled with despair.

She no longer had any trusted confidants by her side.

For the sake of her daughters' future and the reputation of the Qu family, the Qu family had no choice but to enter the Buddhist order, whether they wanted to or not!

Shaving her head, becoming a nun, and spending the rest of her life in seclusion with only the lamp and the Buddha—was this her fate?

Looking at the scissors and razor in the hands of one of the old women, Qu's eyes glazed over, her vision blurred, and she almost fainted.

It turns out that Old Madam Wei had already planned out her fate before she arrived. How heartless she was!

How could an old woman have such a vicious heart?

How could you... let her become a nun...?

Practicing Buddhism with hair on isn't enough; you have to shave your head?!

This is cutting off her way back to Shengjing!

How heartless! Just as heartless as how Zhaoqing was treated!

She had planned to stay at Puji Temple for a few days and then return home, but little did she know that this trip would last a lifetime.

It's like losing both your wife and your army; everything's gone, you've lost everything.

Qu couldn't believe it; it was like a dream, yet it had become a reality.

Mother Qi has passed away.

After Qu committed the murder, Old Madam Wei had to clean up the mess completely, leaving no loose ends that could give anyone a handle to use against her...

Shang Lingjun was unaware of the trouble that had arisen on the Qu family's side. She had already picked and washed the Qiming flowers, and kneaded some of them into the flour to make Qiming steamed buns.

Some of the vegetables were blanched and will be added to the vegetarian porridge at noon to cook together.

"Weren't you supposed to be making sachets? Why did you end up eating them all?" Huo Chuan reminded him.

Shang Lingjun slapped her forehead, only then remembering that their original purpose in going to collect Qi Minghua was to make sachets.

The flavor of Qiming flowers in cooking is so sweet and fragrant; the porridge is sweet and fragrant, the steamed buns are sweet and fragrant, all infused with the unique aroma of Qiming flowers.

Shang Lingjun was so craving this flavor that she didn't save any for making sachets.

"What will we do now that Qi Minghua is no longer making sachets?"

Shang Lingjun had straps tied to her sleeves, and she was fidgeting with her hands, looking quite troubled.

"The temple has a limited supply of Qiming flowers. How about I go to the back mountain and see if I can pick a basketful?"

"Nonsense."

An elderly voice rang out, and Old Madam Wei slowly approached, her gentle tone tinged with a hint of helplessness.

"There are wild monkeys roaming the back mountain. The monks from that temple always go there in groups. If you go, little girl, don't let the monkey king catch you under his arm and drag you deep into the mountains!"

Shang Lingjun covered her mouth and chuckled, "Mother-in-law? You're back!"