CHAPTER 362: CHAPTER 364: HUSBAND AND WIFE (PART 5)

Suddenly, the study door was pushed open, and Fifth Madam stormed in angrily. Xiao Yanting was taken aback and turned his head to give Fifth Madam a contemptuous look, then turned back to look at her wolf hair brush.

That look ignited the fire in Fifth Madam’s heart instantly. The anger that had been building up over the past two days swelled in her chest, making it hard for her to breathe. She swiftly stepped forward, grabbed the brush from Xiao Yanting’s hand, and without hesitation smashed it to the ground. Still upset, she pointed at Xiao Yanting’s nose and cursed: "You useless wretch, I’m being bullied like this, and you still have the mind to look at these useless things. Are you even a man?!"

Xiao Yanting was already angry, and with Fifth Madam’s outburst, his eyes reddened as he looked at the brush smashed on the ground. Without thinking, he grabbed the tourmaline brush stand and hurled it at Fifth Madam’s forehead...

With so much force, Fifth Madam’s mind went blank. She staggered and fell to the ground, a fingernail-sized hole appeared on her forehead, with blood gushing out.

Fifth Madam was stunned by Xiao Yanting’s unexpected attack, and he too stood there dumbfounded by his actions, unable to speak as he watched the blood continue to flow from Fifth Madam’s forehead.

"Ah!" A scream erupted as Fifth Madam clutched her forehead and got up, her face covered in blood looking especially terrifying. She grabbed items from the table and threw them at Xiao Yanting: "You useless wretch, how dare you hit me! If you have the guts, kill me! Otherwise, go to hell!"

Things were thrown haphazardly, including a pen holder, inkstone, and water basin. Xiao Yanting got hit on the head and body by Fifth Madam’s throws. He held his head, dodging around the room while pointing back at Fifth Madam: "You shrew, I’m going to divorce you!"

Fifth Madam, in a fit of madness, shouted angrily: "Xiao Yanting, if you don’t divorce me, you’re spineless!"

Clattering sounds came from the study, and maids and servants in the courtyard all craned their necks to look. Seeing Fifth Madam’s head and face covered in blood, they were scared out of their wits, and someone went running towards the Grand Dowager’s courtyard...

Soon, Second Madam arrived with people, pulling the injured Xiao Yanting out and restraining Fifth Madam, calling the household doctor to stop the bleeding. Looking at the two in such a state, Second Madam sighed and advised: "What are you arguing about this time? Mother isn’t well these days, if you upset her and she falls ill, how will you explain to your second brother?"

Fifth Madam cried bitterly: "Second Sister-in-law, it’s not me causing trouble; he’s the one who went mad. He grabbed the brush stand and hit me like this. Tell me, is he still a man? He’s worse than a beast!"

Xiao Yanting was furious, pointing at Fifth Madam and swore: "Worse than a beast, am I? You shrew! With so much trouble you’ve caused Mother to be so angry, making me lose face. Not divorcing you is already a favor I’m doing for you!" He said, letting out a hiss as he touched the wound on his arm, hit by the inkstone, making his anger flare: "Let me tell you, if I don’t divorce you this time, I swear I won’t give up!"

Fifth Madam sneered as she got up, pointing at Xiao Yanting and cursing: "Then go ahead and try if you can divorce me! You think just because people call you Fifth Young Master, you truly are? You’re just an illegitimate child. What makes you think you can divorce me? Is it your great career or noble status? Let me tell you, you’re nothing but a dog living off others!"

Xiao Yanting was too angry to speak, pointing at Fifth Madam; "You..." His face turned pale, and his body began to wobble.

"Silence!" Second Madam, hearing this, also grew cold: "Fifth sister-in-law, what nonsense are you spouting!" Her voice was loud, which startled Fifth Madam, making her realize her words were too much; she muttered as she sat unwillingly in the chair.

"A couple’s quarrel is a small matter, but even when angry, you should have some decorum. How dare you berate your husband like this, and who are you to judge Fifth Young Master’s status? No matter what, he is still the Fifth Young Master of the Xuanning Marquis Mansion!"

These words left Fifth Madam speechless, and her previous arrogance dissipated instantly: "Second Sister-in-law... I..." She then turned to look at Xiao Yanting.

Xiao Yanting’s face was ashen, and he glared at her angrily: "Ignorant shrew!" With a flick of his sleeve, he stormed out of the room.

Second Madam looked at Fifth Madam with a hint of disdain in her gaze.

That evening, when Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao went to the Grand Dowager’s place to pay their respects, they heard low sobbing sounds before even entering the courtyard. The servants stayed at their posts, heads lowered, focused on their duties.

Deeply puzzled, Xiqiu entered the courtyard to find Xiao Yanting with his wrapped arm and Fifth Madam with her bandaged forehead, both humiliatedly kneeling at the Grand Dowager’s door!

She raised her eyebrow slightly and looked at Fourth Master Xiao, seeing him unmoved and indifferent. Xiqiu averted her gaze and followed him into the Grand Dowager’s room, as if she hadn’t noticed Xiao Yanting and Fifth Madam!

First Madam and Second Madam were seated on either side of the Grand Dowager, Xiao Yanyi sat on a lower chair, while Xiao Yanzheng sat at the side, head bowed silently, making the room’s atmosphere oppressive, with no one looking pleased.

Seeing Fourth Master Xiao and Xiqiu enter, Xiao Yanzheng secretly winked at Xiqiu before quickly lowering his head to sip tea.

Fourth Master Xiao and Xiqiu respectfully saluted the Grand Dowager, who glanced at them casually and sighed: "Sit down!"

Xiqiu saluted First Madam, Second Madam, and Xiao Yanyi, then took a seat on the stool next to Xiao Yanzheng. Second Madam nodded at Xiqiu and said to the Grand Dowager, "Mother, please calm down. Fifth Brother and Fifth Sister-in-law are still young and couldn’t control themselves in the heat of the moment. Since they know they’re wrong, don’t punish them anymore. It’s embarrassing enough for them with the servants coming and going in the courtyard."

The Grand Dowager snorted coldly, saying: "If they knew they’d be embarrassed, they should’ve cleared their heads first, instead of doing shameful things all day." The Grand Dowager’s voice was loud, intentionally letting Fifth Young Master and Fifth Madam kneeling outside hear.

Noticing this, Second Madam sent a discreet look at First Madam, but First Madam sat calmly, apparently not intending to speak. Second Madam then looked at Xiqiu, seeing her meekly bowing her head as if she was the one at fault, which reminded her of last night’s events. She sighed internally; if only Fifth Madam had been more humble, she wouldn’t be so isolated now!

Failing to persuade, she turned to Xiao Yanyi: "Marquis, please try to persuade Mother!"

However, Xiao Yanyi did not persuade as Second Madam expected. Instead, he said to her: "Chengning, Mother is right to punish them. They indeed went too far this time!"

Second Madam was left startled, a flash of embarrassment crossing her face.

"Enough, all of you." The Grand Dowager said with a solemn face: "You all go back and rest now, no need to stay here adding to the vexation!"