A grandmother and granddaughter swap souls, causing chaos throughout the entire court.

The moment the words "divorce" were uttered, the atmosphere in the carriage froze.

Zhao Lihua's reddened eyes shone with an unusual light.

Yup!

Why didn't she think of using this trick?

Even if the mother-in-law knew some unorthodox methods, at the end of the day, she was just a country bumpkin.

In the past, whenever she saw her father, a high-ranking official of the court, the old woman didn't even dare to breathe loudly.

Now that her father has spoken, even if that crazy woman has the greatest courage in the world, she would never dare to offend her father!

Thinking of how the old woman would humbly apologize, Zhao Lihua finally felt a little better.

She looked at Zhong Tingyu and couldn't help but warn him, "My lord, you heard it too. My father is not so easily fooled. If my mother doesn't sincerely apologize to me, I will definitely divorce you. Don't make a mistake and choose the wrong path."

Chung Ting-yu never expected that his father-in-law actually planned to make him and his wife divorce.

He absolutely will not agree to a divorce!

I hope my mother will be more sensible and not really offend his father-in-law, who is a high-ranking official.

However, he quickly started to make plans in his mind.

If Zhao Lihua were to slink back to the Marquis's mansion in such a disheveled state tonight, who knows what kind of rumors the gossipy servants would spread about her the next morning.

He, as the head of the household, will also lose all face.

It would be better to go with the flow and let her go back to her parents' home to avoid trouble.

Once the mother regains her senses and realizes the enormity of her mistake, she will naturally go to the Zhao residence to apologize.

At that time, Lihua's face will be restored, and with the help of her father-in-law, those two bastards from the first wife's family can be completely crushed, and her mother can be firmly held in her grasp again.

"My father-in-law is right!"

Chung Ting-yu readily agreed, his face beaming with a fawning smile.

"Lihua has suffered such a great injustice; she should rest and recuperate at her parents' home for a few days. When I return, I will certainly persuade my mother to prepare generous gifts and personally visit my father-in-law and Lihua to apologize!"

He paused, looking at Zhao Lihua with exceptional tenderness in his eyes: "During this time, I'll trouble you, father-in-law, to take good care of Lihua."

Seeing his son-in-law's submissive appearance, Minister Zhao's coldness faded slightly.

He nodded slightly, as if in agreement: "At least you know some manners."

The Minister's Residence, rear corner gate.

Minister Zhao, with a stern face, hurriedly led Zhao Lihua inside.

"Let's go back to the manor."

Zhong Tingyu watched the person enter the mansion, lowered the carriage curtain, leaned back, closed his eyes to rest, and pondered how to persuade his mother to go to the Minister's mansion to apologize as soon as possible.

Since Mother is so ungrateful, let her sober up properly in Songhe Hall.

Cut off the rice, flour, and charcoal fire inside, starve her for three to five days, and once this pampered old woman experiences the taste of lack of food and clothing and being left without anyone to turn to, she will naturally drop her ridiculous act and send someone to beg him while crying.

That would be the best time for him to negotiate with his mother and re-establish the rules.

Fifteen minutes later.

The carriage stopped in front of the Yongning Marquis's residence.

Zhong Tingyu went straight back to his study in the front yard.

He tore off his outer garment, which was stained with the stench of the prison cell, and casually tossed it to the servant beside him, then picked up the hot tea that had been prepared on the table.

Just as he brought the teacup to his lips, his hand holding the teacup suddenly froze in mid-air.

He felt as if he had forgotten something important today.

He glanced habitually at a corner of the study, and then it suddenly dawned on him.

Today is the first day of the lunar month!

The first day of every month is the day to go to the main house to collect blood!

It has been nine years, without a single interruption.

The blood essence of the eldest brother, Zhong Tingyuan, is an important medium for nourishing the core of the formation.

Just one last push and you'll be all set.

But of all times, it happened today.

My mother suddenly went mad. She not only protected the eldest son's family, but also brought my eldest brother's whole family into Songhe Hall!

I wonder if we managed to get our hands on that good-for-nothing's blood.

If he had known things would turn out this way, he shouldn't have gone to that birthday banquet!

Zhong Tingyu shouted sharply at the door.

"Chung Fook! Get in here!"

Zhong Fu, the head steward of the Marquis's mansion, was a middle-aged man in his forties.

He was waiting on the porch outside the door when he heard his master's frightening commotion. He trembled with fear and quickly pushed the door open to wait respectfully.

"My lord, this servant is here."

"Go! Summon Wang Er and Li Shan to me immediately! Why haven't my things been delivered yet!" Zhong Tingyu urged impatiently, his eyes so sinister they seemed ready to devour someone.

These two were his trusted confidants who were specifically responsible for collecting blood. Usually, by this time, they would have already handed him the porcelain bottle filled with his essence blood.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Fu knelt down with a thud, his body trembling like a leaf, and remained silent for a long time.

"Have you lost your voice?! I told you to go and call someone!"

Seeing his appearance, Zhong Tingyu's anger flared up, and he kicked Zhong Fu in the shoulder.

Chung Fu was kicked and fell to the ground, but he quickly got up, knelt down, and hurriedly explained.

"My lord... it's not that I didn't want to call them, it's just... it's just that those two people... we can't find them!"

"Gone? Two grown people, could they have sprouted wings and flown away from the Marquis's mansion?!"

"This servant has already questioned everyone in the household..."

Zhong Fu swallowed hard, his teeth chattering.

"The servants in the manor are all saying that Wang Er and Li Shan went to the northwest side courtyard on business this morning, angered the old lady, and were struck dead by lightning by her magic!"

"fart!"

Enraged, Zhong Tingyu grabbed Zhong Fu by the collar and half-lifted him up.

"You believe such absurd nonsense? When did Mother acquire the ability to summon heavenly lightning! If she truly possessed such power, the capital would have been ruled by the Zhong family long ago!"

"My lord, please calm down! My lord, please calm down!" Zhong Fu was so frightened his heart almost jumped out of his throat. "At first, I didn't believe it either, but I sent men to search the entire manor from top to bottom, and we really couldn't find them!"

"I had my men question all the gatekeepers, and they can all attest that the two men never left the Marquis's residence."

"Moreover, several servants said that they did indeed hear two extremely terrifying thunderous sounds coming from the northwest side courtyard this morning. The noise was so loud that the ground shook!"

Zhong Tingyu suddenly loosened his grip, and Zhong Fu collapsed to the ground.

They've vanished without a trace, neither alive nor dead?

Did Mother really possess such horrifying methods?

Zhong Tingyu's mind raced, and his emotions calmed down a little.

If that's really the case, then his mother's strength will surely help him gain a foothold in the court, and his status and power will rise to a higher level!

"Prepare the lamps! Follow me to the northwest courtyard!"

He needed to see it for himself before he could feel at ease.

Chung Ting-yu strode out of the study.

The night was as dark as ink.

The northwest courtyard is located in the most remote corner of the Marquis's mansion, where sunlight rarely shines, and at this moment it exudes a chilling and eerie atmosphere.

Zhong Tingyu, accompanied by several guards carrying torches, kicked open the dilapidated courtyard gate.