After getting married, she spent every night alone in her room; when she asked for a divorce, he kne

Upon seeing Duke Xiao Xiuyan enter, everyone immediately stopped talking. Even Madam Dong covered the mouth of the infant in her arms, fearing that he might suddenly cry and anger Xiao Xiuyan.

Xiao Xiuyan had a bad temper, but now that he's older, he's become much more restrained. However, whenever there are major events in the clan, Xiao Xiuyan's opinion is the primary one.

Later, as Xiao Jinghan grew stronger and became more independent, his temper was unpredictable. Xiao Xiuyan couldn't beat him, nor could he afford to offend him, so he entrusted the affairs of the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion to Xiao Jinghan.

Anyway, Xiao Jinghan is the heir apparent and will inherit the title sooner or later. When that time comes, he can shirk his responsibilities and enjoy a carefree life.

But this Yuan family...

Xiao Xiuyan did not like Yuan Shi. When he wanted to remarry, it was Yuan Shi who took the initiative to show her affection. However, after Yuan Shi married into the family, she was not warm towards him.

He knew then that the Yuan family had ulterior motives.

He had waited patiently for many years, and it seemed that the true face of the Yuan family was about to be revealed.

Liu Yuansheng had already stood up and made way for Xiao Xiuyan, but Xiao Xiuyan casually found an empty seat and sat down. He then gestured to Liu Yuansheng and said, "I could hear you two making a racket outside, but why is no one talking when I come in?"

Xiao Jingting immediately said, "That's the kind of father he is..."

"Yuan Shi instigated the maid Qiuju to push Yuansheng into the lake, attempting to kill her." Xiao Jinghan twirled the jade thumb ring on his thumb, speaking rapidly, giving Xiao Jingting no chance to react. "After I ordered Qiuju to be brought back, Yuan Shi secretly took her away, abusing her power and threatening Qiuju, forbidding her from telling the truth. Father, tell me, how should this matter be handled?"

After hearing this, Xiao Xiuyan turned his head and squinted at Yuan Shi.

"Yuanmin, is what Han'er said true?"

Yuan Min was completely distraught. She knew that Xiao Jinghan was deliberately making her lose face in front of the whole family and handing her over to Xiao Xiuyan for disposal, but she was powerless to do anything about it.

She finally understood why Xiao Jinghan had called Xiao Xiuyan back; he probably wanted Xiao Xiuyan to divorce her!

Madam Yuan was furious, and the more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt. "I never plotted to harm Liu Yuansheng. I don't know who instigated this maid to frame me in public."

Xie Qinghe and Xiao Jingzhuo were stunned. The only ones who dared to speak were Xiao Jinghan and the old lady. The old lady snorted and said, "Never plotted anything? Have you lost your memory? Have you forgotten what you did!"

Xiao Jinghan: "If you really can't remember, I can help you recall."

Yuan's body swayed.

Qiuju had already been taken away. Before leaving, she kept muttering, "Madam didn't tell me to harm the Third Young Mistress. Madam didn't tell me to harm the Third Young Mistress."

Xiao Jinghan waved his hand, and two more people were brought up. This time, they were the nannies Yuan Min had arranged to deal with Qiu Ju.

The two old nannies, having long been shrewd and experienced in the Zhenguo Duke's mansion, immediately knelt down and begged for mercy when they sensed the situation was dire: "Please, Madam and Duke, spare our lives! We were only following Madam Yuan's orders and dared not disobey!"

"Lord Duke, spare me! Madam, spare me! Young Master, spare me! This servant had no choice. Madam Yuan said that if this servant cannot shut Qiuju up, she will take this servant's life."

Upon hearing this, the crowd couldn't help but whisper among themselves again.

After all, it's quite rare for the mistress of the Duke's mansion to plot against her daughter-in-law.

Furthermore, since Lady Yuan was a second wife, there's even more to say about her.

Dong and Miao began pointing fingers at Yuan, who was always concerned about her reputation and could not bear such a scene. She wanted to lash out, but Xiao Jinghan brought in all the witnesses, leaving her unable to refute.

The old lady slammed her hand on the table. "What else do you have to say?"

Xiao Xiuyan: "Bring me paper and pen. I want to divorce this wicked woman right now!"

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Jingting slid off his wheelchair and collapsed to the ground. "Father, you mustn't!"

"Over the years, Mother has managed all the affairs of the household, from the daily meals and seasonal arrangements to the social interactions within the inner quarters. She has done everything personally and wholeheartedly. She has always been dutiful and devoted to the stability of the Xiao family. Even if she has made a mistake this time, it was by no means an intentional act of evil. I hope Father will consider her decades of hard work in managing the household and forgive Mother this time."

Xiao Jingting pressed his forehead against the cold ground, his back trembling slightly. His tone was earnest and humble, "I am disabled and have been using a wheelchair for many years. If it weren't for my mother's constant care and support, I wouldn't be able to live to this day. I beg my father to consider her life's sacrifices and be lenient with her, so as not to sever our bond as mother and son."

Xiao Xiuyan stared at Xiao Jingting in silence for a moment.

He doted on his eldest son the most.

Firstly, he was his first child; secondly, Xiao Jingting's temperament was most like his own, far surpassing that of his rebellious son Xiao Jinghan and his dim-witted third son Xiao Jingzhuo.

Unfortunately, his leg was broken.

He remained unmoved by anyone who knelt down to plead for the Yuan family, except for Xiao Jingting, whom he simply couldn't bring himself to refute.

During the stalemate, Xiao Jingzhuo also stood up to plead for Yuan Shi, "Father, I'm about to get engaged. From now on, with weddings and funerals, entertaining guests, and managing the household, Mother absolutely cannot be absent. There are dozens of people in the household, and all the big and small matters are handled by Mother alone. If she's severely punished, there will be no one to manage the household affairs, and my daughter-in-law will have no elders to guide and care for her after she enters the family. The house will definitely be in chaos. Please think of me, and think of your son!"

After hearing Xiao Jingzhuo's plea, Xiao Xiuyan's eyes cleared up a bit, and even the old lady became somewhat hesitant.

After all, Xiao Jingzhuo was telling the truth. He and Sun Zhiyao were about to get married. Now that Xiao Xiuyan had divorced Yuan Min, who would sit in the hall and preside over the ceremony?

The winds shifted, and suddenly, several elders of the Xiao family stood up to plead for the Yuan family, mostly for Xiao Jingzhuo's marriage. Many others remained silent because they did not want to offend Xiao Jinghan.

Xiao Jinghan said nothing, appearing to be observing the situation. Liu Yuansheng did not want to see Xiao Jingzhuo in a difficult position, so she did not insist on pressing the Yuan family, appearing to let Xiao Xiuyan handle the matter.

Xiao Xiuyan pondered for a moment, then said to the ashen-faced Madam Yuan, "Since both of them pleaded for you, I will spare you for now. Once Zhuo'er has completed her wedding, you may request to be divorced!"

After saying that, he left without looking back.

The Mid-Autumn Festival family dinner has ended, but it is destined to be a sleepless night.

Xiao Xiuyan left the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion overnight and went to the military camp. He clearly did not want to stay with Yuan Shi any longer. Yuan Shi, who had been humiliated in public, sat on the bed in a daze, her mind filled with the scene of Liu Yuansheng showing off the gold bracelet that Xiao Jinghan had given her.

The more she thought about it, the more nauseous she felt. She covered her mouth, almost vomiting. Suddenly, someone gently knocked on the door and asked, "Mother, may I come in?"