Director Jiang, don't let the divorce get out of control.

Butler Liu's tone was respectful but carried an air of unyielding authority: "The old lady only instructed me to pick you up; I don't know the specifics."

"The car is already waiting downstairs, madam, as you see..."

Wen Ruan was silent for two seconds, then nodded and said, "Wait a moment, I'll change my clothes."

"Okay, I'll wait for you downstairs." Butler Liu turned and left.

Wen Ruan closed the door and went back to her bedroom to change into a plain-colored knit sweater and trousers.

She picked up her phone, hesitating whether to tell Jiang Yubai.

But she quickly put down her phone.

He was going to Country Z to attend an important bilateral meeting, and he was busy preparing for the meeting until late at night before he left...

She didn't want her own affairs to interfere with his important business.

Wen Ruan put her phone in her coat pocket, took a deep breath, went downstairs, and got into her car.

Half an hour later, the car drove into the old house.

Wen Ruan got out of the car and followed Butler Liu to the main hall.

Grandma Jiang, dressed in a dark blue cheongsam with subtle patterns, sat regally in the main seat, her fingers twirling jade prayer beads.

As soon as Wen Ruan stepped through the door, the old lady's gaze swept over her like a knife, filled with undisguised coldness and disgust.

Do you know why I called you here today?

Wen Ruan remained composed and neither humble nor arrogant, "I don't know. Grandma, please speak frankly."

The old lady's attitude was clear: she probably wouldn't let her off easily today...

Upon hearing this, the old lady sneered, "You've certainly learned to talk better than before. Back then, when you entered this door, you listened to whatever I said, and you knelt down whenever I told you to."

"Ever since Yu Bai came back, you've become quite sharp-tongued. Do you think that just because he's protecting you, I can't do anything about it?"

Before Wen Ruan could speak, the old lady glanced at Yu Ma standing by the door and said, "Yu Ma, take her to the ancestral hall to kneel. She is not allowed to get up, and she is not allowed to eat."

Yu Ma immediately stepped forward, followed by two bodyguards, who grabbed Wen Ruan's arms on either side.

Wen Ruan's expression changed, and she struggled forcefully: "Grandma! You can't do this..."

"I've cooperated with you and haven't done anything wrong. You can't punish me without reason. Wait for Yu Bai to return..."

She tried to use Jiang Yubai to pressure the old lady; she wanted to use the same old tricks again.

"Yu Bai?" The old lady abruptly interrupted her, a hint of guilt and resentment flashing in her eyes, which was then suppressed by an even stronger anger. "Yu Ma, slap her."

"You've been married into the Jiang family for three years and haven't even learned the proper etiquette, yet you dare to use Yu Bai to intimidate me?"

Without saying a word, Yu Ma raised her hand and slapped Wen Ruan across the face twice.

"Slap! Slap!"

The crisp sound was particularly jarring in the empty main hall.

Wen Ruan's cheeks quickly became red and swollen, and burned with pain.

She gritted her teeth, her forehead beaded with cold sweat, and stubbornly refused to utter a sound.

The old woman slowly glanced at her. "Do you think Yu Bai will always protect you?"

"By the time he returns from this business trip, it's time for you and him to make things clear. Wanxing is the one who has been with him for over a decade, and she's the one he truly can't let go of."

"You're just taking advantage of Wanxing's absence to usurp the position."

She picked up her teacup and took a sip. "I gave you some face before, thinking you'd be sensible and bring up divorce yourself, so it wouldn't be awkward for anyone."

"But what about you? You've caused trouble time and time again, bringing shame to the Jiang family. Do you think I can still tolerate you staying by Yu Bai's side?"

Wen Ruan looked up at her, about to explain, but the old lady waved her hand, "Take her away."

Aunt Yu covered her mouth and dragged her toward the ancestral hall.

The door to the ancestral hall was pushed open, and Yu Ma pressed down on her shoulder forcefully—

bang——

"Well……"

Wen Ruan's knee slammed heavily onto the bluestone floor, and excruciating pain shot up her spine from her kneecap.

She staggered forward, managing to keep from falling completely by bracing herself with her hands on the ground.

Aunt Yu released her grip and said expressionlessly, "Madam, the old lady instructed that you are not allowed to get up or use the cushion. You must kneel."

Wen Ruan knelt on the cold bluestone slab, the sharp pain in her knees and the burning sensation on her cheeks intertwined, and cold sweat dripped from her forehead onto the ground.

She lowered her eyes, realizing that the old lady had been preparing all along to deal with her while Jiang Yubai was away.

Wen Ruan hadn't had a drop of water since morning, and the pain in her knees was seeping out from between her bones.

Yu Ma assigned people to watch over her in shifts. Every now and then, someone would come in to check if she was still kneeling. If she moved even slightly, she would be sternly reprimanded.

Whenever Wen Ruan tried to get up, someone would forcefully press her shoulders down and make her kneel.

Before we knew it, it was evening.

A sharp, throbbing pain suddenly shot through Wen Ruan's lower abdomen, and cold sweat instantly beaded on her forehead.

"Aunt Yu... my stomach hurts..."

Aunt Yu didn't want to talk to her at first and turned to leave, but then she glanced at her out of the corner of her eye and suddenly stopped.

A dark stain spread across the bluestone slab beneath Wen Ruan.

Aunt Yu's face changed drastically, and she hurriedly said, "Quickly go and call the family doctor! I'll go tell the old lady!"

She practically ran out of the ancestral hall.

Wen Ruan was helped by two servants and led to a guest room in the side hall.

The family doctor arrived quickly. After examining the woman, he removed his stethoscope and looked at the elderly woman with a grave expression: "Madam, the young mistress is showing signs of miscarriage and needs to rest in bed for a while."

"I'm about a month pregnant, and the pregnancy is still unstable, so I can't be exposed to any stimulation or exertion."

The room became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Wen Ruan's head buzzed.

Pregnant?

She subconsciously raised her hand and placed it on her lower abdomen, her mind going blank.

A month ago... it was that time in the bathroom when they didn't use protection.

She was too tired at the time and didn't even think to take her medicine afterwards.

Later, I was preoccupied with Lin Xia's affairs and Wen Shaokang's affairs, and I completely forgot about this matter.

She never imagined she would get pregnant...

After all... she had been with Jiang Yubai for three years, and she still hadn't been able to get pregnant.

She thought...

The old lady's expression changed repeatedly, with shock, joy, anger... a variety of emotions swirling in her eyes.

She tightened her grip on the prayer beads, looked sharply at Wen Ruan, and questioned in a deep voice, "Isn't Yu Bai supposed to have low sperm count? If so, how did you get pregnant?"

The family doctor quickly explained, "Madam, asthenospermia only reduces the chances of conception; it doesn't mean there's absolutely no possibility of conceiving."

"It is not uncommon in clinical practice for men with low sperm count to help their partners conceive naturally."

The old lady stared at Wen Ruan for a long time before instructing Yu Ma, "Go prepare dinner, something light and nutritious, let her eat first."

Aunt Yu responded and went out, and Wen Ruan was helped up and leaned against the headboard.

Soon a light dinner was placed in front of her.

She had been starving for a long time, and now that she could finally eat, she naturally wouldn't deprive herself of food.

She received very little care and attention growing up.

For three years after marrying Jiang Yubai, she always thought the marriage was just a mutually beneficial arrangement and never imagined it would come to this.

I never imagined she would get pregnant with his child...

She still feels like it's all a dream.