Chapter Nine: Investigating Corruption

“Father, today’s trouble all started because of Mrs. Yang! If she hadn’t gone to threaten Xin Niang and made a scene in public, none of this would have happened!” Zhou Shiyue’s anger grew with every word.

“Father, you and Mother shouldn’t have forced me to marry her in the first place!”

At first, Zhou Shi thought his son had a point, but by the end, he scolded him harshly, “If you don’t marry Mrs. Yang, do you intend to bring that courtesan into the household instead?”

Zhou Shiyue’s face darkened further. “Father! Xin Niang is innocent and pure!”

Madam Sun could no longer stand the tension and suggested, “Brother, the gossip outside is already so rampant. Why not bring that woman into the house and give her a proper status? After all, Sister-in-law is trying to bring her back this time. Otherwise, send her far away—either way, it would stop the rumors.”

Zhou Shiyue sneered coldly, “Didn’t you used to look down on Xin Niang? You didn’t want her inside, nor did you want to be sisters-in-law with her!”

Madam Sun’s expression stiffened, surprised by Zhou Shiyue’s pettiness. “Isn’t this the best solution? Having her inside is better than keeping her outside all along.”

Besides, a concubine doesn’t even deserve the title of sister-in-law.

“Forget it! I know you all secretly look down on her. I don’t want Xin Niang to suffer inside the household!”

“You…” Madam Sun’s face darkened. She was only trying to be considerate, yet was met with ingratitude. Did she deserve to make things difficult for his concubine?

Zhou Li, seeing his wife at a loss, spoke up, “Brother, honestly, this mess is all your doing!”

Zhou Shiyue looked at him with a mocking expression.

“Hah... Brother, if you truly wanted to marry that woman, you could have eloped or even died for love! You had plenty of choices!”

“Why do you make it sound as if Father and Mother forced you to marry Sister-in-law?”

“You…” Zhou Li was stunned. He always knew his younger brother was uneducated but sharp-tongued. He hated when people used his feelings for Xin Niang and his marriage to Mrs. Yang as a weapon against him, yet now he found himself at a loss for words.

“How could a scholar like me do such a dishonorable thing?”

“You’re so cruel! You actually encouraged me and Xin Niang to die together!”

Zhou Li was speechless.

He often suspected they weren’t truly brothers because he was too normal.

Madam Sun: “...”

Zhou the Imperial Censor snapped angrily, “Enough! If you don’t want her in the household, fine, but don’t regret it later!”

Zhou Shiyue snorted coldly, saying nothing.

At that moment, a maid came in with a message, “Madam has returned.”

---

As soon as Yang Yin stepped inside, she saw Zhou Shiyue glaring at her. Her heart, already in turmoil, sank further.

“Mrs. Yang!” Zhou Shiyue shouted angrily.

“Cousin-in-law,” came a clear voice from behind Lin Yin.

A maid dressed in bamboo-green armor stepped forward.

The maid first bowed to the Imperial Censor. “Lord Zhou, my lady, the Princess Consort, happened to meet the cousin on the road. She thought to have meI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.