CHAPTER 397: CHAPTER 399: STATE OF MIND (3)

He raised his hand, but Xiqiu suddenly stepped forward without warning, blocking his way. Ren Jun did not expect Xiqiu to appear suddenly, and his raised hand froze in place.

At this moment, an angry shout came from the doorway: "Unworthy son, what are you doing!" The moment the words fell, Count Wujin strode in with his hands behind his back, his gaze as sharp as a knife landing on Ren Jun’s face, angrily biting his words: "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and apologize to Fourth Madam Xiao."

Ren Jun, upon hearing the Count’s voice, involuntarily shrank his shoulders, his raised hand already lowered, his previous arrogance and contempt immediately subdued significantly.

First Young Madam Ren stepped forward to greet the Count, secretly puzzled as to how he knew about this incident and even came personally to the back courtyard...

Xiqiu and Madam Jiang also curtseyed in salute.

The Count looked at Xiqiu with a slightly softened gaze, smiled, and said: "Fourth Madam Xiao, please forgive me. This foolish child does such brainless things all day." After speaking, he stepped forward with his hands behind his back, glaring at Ren Jun: "Apologize quickly!"

Ren Jun stubbornly craned his neck, glanced at Xiqiu, only to see her smiling face, his gaze flickered slightly, and he turned his head away.

Xiqiu smiled and said to the Count: "Count, you’re too kind. There’s no need for my third brother-in-law to apologize. He’s just a man of emotions. Earlier, my words were too harsh. My third sister and Aunt Liu are deeply affectionate; my third sister should endure a bit." With that, she saluted the Count and responded: "We won’t disturb you any longer. My third brother-in-law said he wants to divorce my sister. I think there’s no need for such trouble. Tomorrow I’ll go to the palace to report to the Empress and request a divorce document... I also ask the Count to grant convenience, so that both parties are satisfied."

The Count showed a trace of surprise, not expecting the newly married wife of Fourth Master Xiao to be so formidable!

He squinted his eyes and raised his hand to hit Ren Jun: "You unworthy son, you think you can just divorce your wife whenever you please? After living all these years, have you really become so foolish?!"

First Young Madam Ren immediately stepped forward to block: "Father, father!" She was also secretly anxious: "We can talk things over slowly, please don’t harm your health with anger." In her heart, she thought, who could have called the Count here? Lately, everything in the court has been unfavorable for the Count, he’s been holding his anger with no outlet, and now he coincidentally encountered this. If the Count truly gets angry, even if Third Brother doesn’t die, he’d lose a layer of skin.

First Young Madam Ren feared Xiqiu might say something more, so she quickly smiled and said, "Misunderstanding, all misunderstanding!" She turned back and smiled at Xiqiu: "Sixth Lady, please don’t mention divorce again, it’s really heartbreaking."

Xiqiu and Madam Jiang exchanged a glance, she said: "First Young Madam is right, the bond between husband and wife is most important, but this is not something only my third sister cares about. When even a concubine is valued more than my third sister, how can the days ahead be spent?" Speaking thus, her gaze directly landed on Liu’er standing at the doorway.

The Count listened, squinted his eyes, turned back to see a flamboyantly dressed woman leaning against the doorway, and asked Ren Jun: "What’s going on, answer!"

Ren Jun shrunk a bit and replied: "Liu’er... Liu’er is pregnant." He paused: "Xiyang, she... she wants to sell Liu’er off."

The Count was taken aback as he listened; regardless of Liuzhi’s character, she was carrying the Ren Family’s flesh and blood...

The Count hesitated slightly, and Tong Xiyang’s body stiffened indeed, the Count was unwilling to send the Ren Family’s flesh and blood away, she turned her head not wanting to speak further, while Xiqiu wiped away a tear and said: "My third sister just lost her child. Seeing Liu’er’s pregnant belly inevitably stirs her emotions."

The Count and First Young Madam Ren were stunned, what did Fourth Madam Xiao mean?

Was she suggesting the child could be kept in the main house after birth, but Liu’er herself should be sold?

The Count’s expression immediately turned stern, pointed at the servant following behind him and the old women outside the door, indicating towards Liuzhi: "Take this woman to the family temple, put her under watch, and if she dares to step out of the temple even half a step, beat her to death with sticks." After he finished, he looked at Xiqiu and Madam Jiang: "Fourth Madam Xiao and dear in-law, are you satisfied?"

After all, a concubine is insignificant compared to the Tong Family and the Xiao Mansion.

They say the Count is a very smooth operator, and seeing him today proves his reputation is well-deserved.

Xiqiu and Madam Jiang exchanged a look, seeing Liuzhi being restrained by two older women at the door, Ren Jun’s face changed as he stepped forward wanting to pull Liuzhi, but the Count’s gaze sharpened: "How dare you!" Ren Jun’s lifted footsteps reluctantly halted.

"Master!" Liuzhi could not believe it, just like that, she was being sent to the family temple? She was carrying a child of the Ren Family in her belly: "Master, save our child, master..."

Ren Jun lowered his brows, only daring to watch from the corner of his eyes as Liuzhi was taken away.

When Liuzhi was gone, Madam Jiang lowered her brows, using a handkerchief to dab her eyes, softly sobbing as she spoke to the Count: "Count, it’s not about what we find satisfactory or not, but now it seems Third Young Master is unhappy with our Third Lady." Finished speaking, she squeezed Tong Xiyang’s hand, showing the Count the bruises on her hand back: "Look at this..." Pausing, she sobbed for a long moment: "When I see this, it feels like a knife cutting my heart..."

The Count was unaware of Ren Jun’s actions, thought Tong Xiyang had slipped during a quarrel with the concubine, and now seeing her injuries, his gaze darkened, he looked sideways at Ren Jun and asked: "What is this about?"

Ren Jun shrank his shoulders, muttering: "I... I don’t know." With that, the slight relief Tong Xiyang felt from seeing Liuzhi sent away was gone, she coldly chuckled and said: "Master, those words are not quite right, our child is watching from the heavens."

Upon hearing these words, the Count’s eyes turned red. If he hadn’t understood Tong Xiyang’s words by now, he really would’ve wasted his years. He turned around, raised his hand and pointed at Ren Jun: "Unworthy son, unworthy son..." After speaking, he paced back and forth in the room in irritation, then stopped, breathing heavily in anger: "Servants, bind this unworthy son and apply family discipline!"

First Young Madam Ren was shocked, immediately pulling on the Count: "Father, Third Brother has always been frail, he can’t withstand the family discipline, if you’re angry, scold him for a bit, or else let him apologize to Third Sister-in-law, but the family discipline is absolutely inadvisable."

The Countess treasures Third Master Ren the most, she must not let the Count actually take action.

Xiqiu and Madam Jiang stood without speaking, Tong Xiyang’s expression changed, she regretted stirring up trouble with her words just now, she fumbled with her lips for a moment, Madam Jiang glanced at her, and she lowered her head, ultimately saying nothing.

The Count paused his steps, turned to look at Tong Xiyang: "Old Third’s wife, you say, how should he be punished, you get to decide today!"

This was already giving great face to the Tong Family.

Tong Xiyang raised her head, seeing Ren Jun’s resentful expression, her confidence waned a bit, yet Madam Jiang wiped her tears, gesturing with her hands: "Count, no need to trouble yourself, Third Young Master has a noble status, how could he endure such physical punishment, I think let it go."