Translator:Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor:Nyoi-Bo Studio

Madam Feng-Du appeared in a daze as she held the thin piece of paper. That tiny divorce letter honestly felt like a mountain weighing heavily on her.

You, you are going to divorce me?

Madam Feng-Du seemed to not have awoken from the setback she suffered. She pinched her arms uncontrollably. This mustve been a nightmare and wasnt real. How could Feng Gui write a divorce letter to his wife? Just because shed scolded Changsheng, a bastard?

Feng Gui undetectably knitted his brows, then helplessly replied, It is an amicable split, not a divorce. Although you made some small mistakes, you committed no wrong in any serious aspects. I have no right to divorce you. Moreover, the attitude towards divorce among lower-class ladies in Zhongzhao is particularly strict

Before he even finished speaking, Madam Feng-Dus high-pitched, shrill voice was heard. You knew it, too! Then why did you write a letter of divorce? Are you trying to drive me to my grave? Feng Huaizhang, how cruel must your heart be! I refuse to split! I am adamant about staying as husband and wife! You might as well give me a poison cup of wine thatll kill me.

Feng Gui had seen a crazy woman before. Hed encountered many in the marketplace before. Yet he never imagined that such a deranged disposition could be exemplified by Madam Feng-Du. She was completely devoid of propriety. What was left was just a hysterical state of stubbornness.

Do you know who you are? Feng Gui sighed as he spoke, the tone of his voice was calm, but every word was like a nail piercing Madam Feng-Dus heart. Youve held the matriarch role for four years, but do you actually know what your responsibilities are? You are to oversee the meals in the household, manage the womens apartment, ensure that household chores are done, discipline the maidservants, facilitate meetings amongst the clan members, safeguard the items belonging to the clan, mediate any conflicts within the clan, and make preparations for offerings to our ancestors which of these tasks have you done?

A matriarch doesnt only manage the internal affairs of a small household, she handles numerous tasks.

When she first married into the family, Feng Gui knew that she was still a young lady and had never encountered these responsibilities before. Thus, hed requested that his mother help guide her. In the end? After four years, she had learned nothing. She was incompetent at handling her duties and blamed Madam Feng for being domineering.

The matriarch is the role model for all the women in the Feng family. Tell me, what qualities do you have that are worthy of others to follow? In order to gain a lofty title for yourself, you inflicted injury on your feet to gain the affection of a stranger. This caused you to sustain a bodily injury later and to show off your seductive mannerisms when walking.

Madam Feng-Dus face turned pale white. It was as if shed applied a thick layer of foundation on her face. She looked dead.

Lets not talk about this. Right now, the common practice in Zhongzhao is not upright. The aristocrats and great scholars seek after heretical schools of thought and, because you grew up in such an atmosphere, you cannot be blamed as a nave lady. But you spoke more than you should have, you spoke lies that you conjured up, and you blurred the lines of whats right and wrong are these also Zhongzhaos common practices?

These behaviors could not be blamed on external events. It could only be concluded that her character was innately flawed.

Feng Gui started to say the words that hed never said before, knowing they would hurt her. Now, he said every single one of them.

This isnt the first time Ive talked to you about this. When have you ever taken it seriously? A matriarch isnt a position you can assume by staying in your private quarters and applying rouge and powder, then by playing some schemes and tricks to hold onto your power. Do you know how many members of our clan are mocking you? Weve been married for more than four years. Dont you have any awareness that since you came in, the atmosphere within the clan has become more impetuous? The values weve held since the beginning are uprightness and purity. I cannot allow you to tarnish the Feng familys name.

She was upset to the point that she could hardly breathe. After a while, she grudgingly said, Isnt that because your mother has constantly interfered? She often comments on my incompetence and says that I havent done my duties well. Her years are numbered, yet she still covets my power. Because of her bad example, she forced me into this

Slap

Before she could finish, a deafening slap was heard. Feng Gui hit the side of the table with so much force that the entire table vibrated. He looked at his reddened palm and his eyes were full of complex emotion.

What exactly is your heart made of? Are you so cruel and heartless as a beast? Feng Gui exclaimed. In all these years, has mother ever treated you poorly? She has every right to enjoy the company of her family and be surrounded by her grandchildren. If not for your conduct why does she still have to worry about the matters you are responsible for?

Madam Feng-Du was indeed frightened by Feng Gui just now. Shed thought he was going to slap her just then, but his palm had landed on the table.

Lets split amicably. After all, weve been husband and wife. Lets both preserve at least some of our dignity. It would also be better for our children.

Madam Feng-Dus teeth trembled. She was still very unwilling.

Feng Huaizhang, do you have someone else in your heart? Which seductress robbed you of your soul?

That must be the reason. Otherwise, why would Feng Gui, who had always tolerated her, suddenly become enraged and demand a split?

Surely, there must be someone he liked. He wanted her to give up her position to another.

If there was someone else in my heart, Id just get married in grandeur. What could you do about it?

Feng Gui felt that her accusation was ridiculous. Simultaneously, he felt it was not worth arguing. Itd been four years and he still hadnt won this persons trust?

Who is she? It cant be that lowly wench, right? Is that bastard, Changsheng, is actually your child born with your sister-in-law?

If not for that, why would he have flared up at her for scolding Changsheng, a bastard?

Madam Feng-Du gave him a menacing glare. The sight of her cruelly gnashing her teeth seemed very foreign to Feng Gui.

He was so angry that he wanted to burst out laughing. If you say anything else to damage the last bit of our relationship, trust me, there will be more than a cup of poison waiting for you.

After Madam Feng-Du heard this, her face went deathly pale.

She wanted to live. Before, she had said that shed rather drink a poison cup of wine than get a divorce, but it was purely out of anger.

Shed always known Feng Gui to have a good temperament. He was always polite and well-mannered. Shed never seen him wear a frown, even in the face of a major setback.

With such a revelation of character, she was gradually emboldened.

It was evident that she really didnt understand Feng Gui. When he set his heart on something, even she cowered in fear.

He retorted, Ive read The Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women book published in Zhongzhao. You should reflect on it and reminiscence. Which of those qualities have you ever exemplified? Being strict on others but lenient to oneself? Is that the so-called virtuous woman who is so praiseworthy to Zhongzhaos scholars? It is utterly disgusting!

Take back and chew on every single word you said earlier, then swallow them back into your stomach. If Second Brother and Sister-in-Law have a disagreement because of your thoughtless words, I will not only present to you a cup of poison wine, but I will personally send you to your death with a white rope!

They had completely fallen out over such an ugly scene. Their relationship had completely fallen apart. This was something Feng Gui had never imagined.

The split between Feng Gui and his wife wasnt a trivial matter to the Feng family, especially since Madam Feng-Dus name was already recorded in the clans registry.

If they split, it wouldnt be so simple as to surrender her dowry and return to Zhongzhao. Her name must also be removed from the clans registry.

The next day, Madam Feng found out about Feng Gui and his wifes fierce argument. She felt very guilty in her heart.

After two years pass, Mother will find you a truly virtuous wife. I will surely not consider any of the evil, scheming women from Zhongzhao.

Feng Gui rubbed his brows.

It would be impossible not to remarry. The matriarch was of utmost importance to the Feng family. She could affect the entire clans prosperity and continuity.

Only his two children were too young. He could not rest assured if he remarried in only two years.

Lets wait for another three to five years. Until then, Ill have to trouble Mother.