Volume One, Chapter Three: Could the Marquis of Pingyang’s Residence Really Be So Shameless?

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In the Yun family, men do not take concubines, and women do not share a husband with others.
This rule is well known throughout the capital.
Concubine of noble birth? Secondary wife?
This is not only an insult to Yun Jinhuan herself, but a slight against the Yun family.
“Jinhuan, is this how you speak to your elders?” Ling Meijuan pressed a trembling hand to her chest, furious.
From the old lady to their couple, Yun Jinhuan had not addressed anyone with the proper respect.
If she disregarded them, how could she ever respect Ziwen?
Just one victorious battle, and she’s already so arrogant and domineering.
Compared to her, Xuan’er was gentle and obedient, much more pleasing to the eye.
“How should one treat those who betray their word? Please, madam, enlighten me!” Yun Jinhuan straightened her back.
She hadn’t razed the Marquis of Pingyang’s residence only out of regard for the years of friendship between their families.
“You—you…” Ling Meijuan was rendered speechless.
“That’s the Yun family’s rule. Why must the people of Pingyang Marquis’ house abide by it? Yun Jinhuan, has no one taught you the principle of obeying your husband after marriage?” The Marquis of Pingyang’s face darkened.
Yun Jinhuan suddenly understood, “I see—bad bamboo cannot produce good shoots.”
The Marquis’ face turned red and green, as if she were accusing the Su family of generations of faithlessness and shamelessness.
She had practically cursed the Su ancestors for eighteen generations!
“Miss, are these people enough for you?” Qingdai marched back proudly, followed by a squad of soldiers in gleaming armor.
“Yun Jinhuan, what are you trying to do?” The Marquis was stunned.
“To carry away my dowry. From today, the Yun and Su families will have no further dealings.” Yun Jinhuan replied loudly.
“Don’t even think about it!” Su Ziwen was beside himself with rage.
He had only taken a concubine and fathered a pair of children; he had done nothing wrong. Why should he suffer such a humiliation?
“Nonsense! In the Marquis of Pingyang’s house, there has only ever been divorce, never separation by mutual agreement.” Su Hao’s anger surged, his gaze cold.
“Yun Jinhuan, are you relying on your military achievements to trample the dignity of the Marquis’ house beneath your feet?”
As long as I live, this family will never allow a mere girl to run rampant.”
“That’s your house’s rule. Why should the Yun family abide by it?” Yun Jinhuan’s retort struck like a boomerang.

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“Marquis, listen well. My lady isn’t seeking a separation; she intends to divorce her husband. That’s unprecedented in the Su family, isn’t it? But everything has its first time—you’ll grow accustomed to it.” Baizhi delivered the final blow.
The Marquis nearly coughed up blood in fury.
The Yun family—intolerable!
“Wretched maid! When the masters are speaking, how dare you interject? Obey your husband after marriage—hasn’t the Yun family taught you this rule?” The second steward of Pingyang Marquis’ house jumped out, berating Baizhi and questioning Yun Jinhuan directly.
“A mere servant dares to lecture me?” Yun Jinhuan drew her sword, a line of blood tracing its arc.
Baizhi had followed her through life and death and earned military honors. Not even the Marquis himself had the right to insult her, let alone Su family’s underlings.
The second steward stared at his severed arm on the ground, his eyes rolled back as he fainted.
The people of Pingyang Marquis’ house fell silent with fear. How could they forget? Yun Jinhuan was no delicate lady, but a general who had slain countless foes.
“Jinhuan, child, you mustn’t act impetuously and damage the bond between our families. Ziwen has kept your position as main wife—he has not betrayed your affection. Your father and brother fell for the enemy’s trap, ventured alone into the desert, and now are missing. It’s unlikely they survived. How could the Su family leave you alone, to suffer hardship?
Good child, don’t be stubborn. Tonight, you and Ziwen will consummate your marriage, put aside past grievances, and bring joy to us all. Grandmother knows you are not one to be petty or jealous, merely angry for not having tasted Xuan’er’s tea. Rest assured, Grandmother will see to it that once she’s recovered from her confinement, she will properly honor you.”
Madam Zhao gently patted Yun Jinhuan’s hand, her manner soft and gentle.
Yun Jinhuan let her hold her hand, slowly raising her head—her dark eyes revealed an unguarded, icy coldness.
She was reminding Jinhuan that she was a rootless orphan, dependent on the Su family’s protection?
But how could she forget—the lands of Nanling were guarded by Yun Jinhuan herself.
The old lady trembled inwardly; this girl felt nothing for them now, only endless indifference and distance.
She was not sulking—she truly meant to sever ties with the Marquis of Pingyang’s house.
No, she must not be allowed to leave the Su family.
Ziwen could not bear the sin of favoring a concubine over the wife, and the Marquis’ house needed her support to restore its standing.
“Good child, go back to your room and rest. Grandmother will see that you are given an answer. Ziwen, if you cannot win Jinhuan’s forgiveness, Grandmother will disown you.” The old lady scolded Su Ziwen sternly.
Suddenly, her body swayed and she collapsed.
“Mother!” Su Hao cried out, barely catching her before she fell.
“Grandmother!”
“Madam!”
Su Ziwen and the others rushed forward in panic.
“No one is to trouble Jinhuan—her heart has suffered enough!” The old lady half-opened her eyes, weakly giving orders.
Yun Jinhuan arched her brow—the most difficult opponent in the Su family was this old fox.

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If she insisted on divorcing her husband now, the old lady would likely faint and never wake again.
They were at fault, yet wanted her to bear the blame for being unfilial.
What a clever scheme!
“Yun Jinhuan, have you finished your tantrum? With Xuan’er’s attentive care, Grandmother’s health is robust. The moment you return, chaos ensues. I’ve kept your title as main wife—that’s the utmost respect I can offer. Go to your room and reflect on your actions.” Su Ziwen thought he was offering her a way out.
Yun Jinhuan’s icy gaze flickered. “I want none of this so-called respect. I only want you out of my life completely.”
Su Ziwen was about to retort when someone pinched his arm hard.
He looked down to see Grandmother glaring at him, so he could only shut his mouth resentfully.
“Baizhi, go summon Physician He. The old lady loves me and cares for me, she understands my pain. Of course, I must look after her health. But her descendants are truly unfilial—if her anger causes harm, the Marquis’ house will be in mourning.” Yun Jinhuan spoke calmly.
The old lady: “……”
This wretched girl is cursing me!
Enough, she could no longer pretend to be ill.
“Jinhuan, Grandmother’s health is fine. Just stay.” The old lady slowly opened her eyes, putting aside her dignity to plead.
“Madam, rather than suffering in each other’s presence, it’s better to part ways for good.” Yun Jinhuan’s cold eyes revealed a thousand miles of distance.
“Come, help me carry Miss’s dowry.” Qingdai waved her hand.
Her aura was no different from when she led troops into battle.
“Be sure to check the list carefully—don’t miss anything,” Yun Jinhuan reminded.
She noticed the gold-inlaid jade necklace with eight treasures worn by the old lady—one of her dowry items.
The golden hairpin with a carnelian phoenix tail on Madam Ling’s head was also part of her dowry.
Even the green jade pendant at Su Ziwen’s waist and the massive thumb ring worn by the Marquis were Yun family property.
“The Marquis’ house can’t possibly be so shameless?” Qingdai stared in disbelief.
A woman’s dowry is her private property; without her permission, not even her husband has the right to use it.
This is common knowledge among the people, and the Marquis’ house is a noble family. Could they really commit such a despicable act as seizing Miss’s dowry?
That would be utterly disgraceful!