The night fell, and Lin Hua came to report back, followed by news of the old lady’s return to the mansion.

Bai Suihe arrived at the main courtyard with Gu Kaiyuan’s assistance and saw the old couple with bruised and swollen faces. Bai Suihe quickly lowered his head, afraid he might not be able to hold back his laughter.

The news Lin Hua brought back made the couple feel it was expected but still unbelievable.

Xu Huizhen had been the old lady for so many years without cultivating herself, instead, her combat prowess was quite formidable.

It was said that she hit the mistress twice in a row, the first time as soon as they met, knocking her to the ground, unable to get up.

The second time was when Gu Baijiang received the news and hurried over, uttering the word, "Shrew."

This old lady who always spoke of rules not only hit Gu Baijiang but also vented her anger on the nearby mistress, delivering a second blow. Reportedly, all her teeth were knocked out, her eyes were swollen, and it was uncertain if she would recover.

It was said that the face was completely scratched by her nails, looking particularly terrifying.

Just as Bai Suihe was thinking about how severe it was, he heard Xu Huizhen’s resentful voice, "Drag that wretched woman in here."

Unexpectedly, the two elder rooms arrived just in time to witness this scene, all gasping.

Bai Suihe quietly tiptoed to look over, feeling goosebumps all over, quickly rubbing his arms. It was simply horrific.

Gu Kaiyuan pulled Bai Suihe behind him, "Don’t look; it’ll only taint your eyes."

Bai Suihe whispered, "Is this your father’s mistress? I suppose she won’t be able to open her mouth in the future."

Gu Kaiyuan detected the schadenfreude in his words, quietly advising, "Let’s just watch the drama, don’t interfere."

Bai Suihe, "Do I look like someone who likes to find trouble for myself?

You see your father’s condition isn’t much better; now I have some appreciation for your mother."

Gu Kaiyuan, "..."

"Don’t you agree?" Bai Suihe snorted, "You don’t think your mother went too hard on them, do you?"

Gu Kaiyuan didn’t know why, but he felt this question was important and hurriedly answered seriously, "They deserved it; mother has been deceived all these years, and though this action cannot compensate, at least it can vent some anger."

"Do you still think your father’s rules are rules?" Gu Baijiang is indeed sly, not marrying a concubine, just keeping a mistress, which superficially doesn’t conflict with established rules.

"This is a moral issue," Gu Kaiyuan then looked at the main seat where Gu Baijiang’s face was marked with a few bruises, though his clothes were a bit disheveled and torn in a few places.

It seemed mother showed some mercy, and he felt a bit disappointed.

"Mother, what are you doing?" Gu Kaiping, assured that Gu Baijiang wasn’t seriously injured, first spoke up.

Gu Kaichen also spoke, "Mother, by causing such a scene, what will happen to our family’s reputation?"

Hearing the accusations from her two sons, Xu Huizhen panted heavily, "Don’t you see what your father has done?"

Bai Suihe quietly pressed his finger into Gu Kaiyuan’s waist, and Gu Kaiyuan quickly grabbed the mischievous hand.

"Your two brothers have spoken, aren’t you going to express an opinion?"

"My opinion doesn’t matter," Gu Kaiyuan replied with a hint of self-mockery, "I previously said to follow the lead of my elder brothers; of course, whatever they say goes."

"Your father doesn’t care about his reputation; why should I?" Xu Huizhen pointed at the mistress dragged in like a dog, "You should go see the new mansion. We are living here in hardship, while she’s living a life of luxury, as the head of the household.

We are all crammed in this courtyard, and she lives better than us, and more comfortably, being in charge of everything. What kind of reason is this?"

"You shrew, there’s a reason for this; in officialdom, social interactions are necessary. Should I bring everyone back to the mansion? Wouldn’t the mansion be chaotic?"

"You old man, don’t try to fool me with these tales.

Though I rarely go out, it doesn’t mean I’m stupid. When you have business to discuss, don’t you always go to taverns and teahouses? And yet, you need a house to keep a woman; did you use her to entertain your peers?"

The three daughters-in-law all gasped simultaneously, thinking this mother-in-law, especially born from the countryside, dares to say anything, making the father-in-law seem thoroughly disgraced.

"You are simply unreasonable," no man likes to add color to himself, Gu Baijiang was also angry, "Tell me why you caused such a fuss today? Could something not have waited for me to return and discuss?"

"How could this be discussed? You initially said not to take concubines, so where did this come from?

I worked hard to manage the household for you, and this is how you treat me.

Should I have talked to you first? Would you admit it?"

Gu Baijiang scanned his eyes toward Gu Kaiping and Gu Kaichen, "Which of you told about this?"

Xu Huizhen saw this and realized her sons knew the truth but kept her in the dark.

She turned her gaze to the third son, eyes complicated, thinking he was the only one not valued yet sided with her.

"Father, we did not say anything," the two brothers spoke in unison.

Xu Huizhen withdrew her gaze, "You three father and sons are quite the schemers, hiding from me; Kaiping, Kaichen, is this your idea of respecting your mother?"

Gu Kaiping looked guilty, "Mother, it’s not that I didn’t want to inform you; it was that the matter had already happened, and since Father didn’t bring the person into the mansion, it didn’t affect you at all. Only then did I..."

"Only then did you help your father deceive me? Are you thinking of doing the same?" Xu Huizhen, amid her anger, showed no distinction, attacking even her most valued son.

"I wouldn’t dare," he said as he quickly glanced at Liu Yun, receiving a warning look from her, he hurriedly lowered his head.

"Stop acting like a rabid dog, snapping at everyone," Gu Baijiang glared at his children and their spouses, thinking that since the embarrassment was complete, it didn’t matter, "Now that you know, let’s arrange for her to stay at the mansion."

The mistress lying on the ground, looking dreadful, was an eyesore, but leaving her at the mansion was to show mercy.

As for the new mansion, they could gradually select new staff there.

"Master Gu, do you intend to publicly take a concubine?"

Gu Baijiang, "Our family doesn’t have the practice of taking concubines; keep her by your side as a live-in maid."

Xu Huizhen felt a chill inside, realizing the true meaning behind "not taking concubines."

"Mother, should we call for the manor’s doctor to treat father’s wounds?" Gu Kaichen, prompted by Xu Yulan, stepped forward to show filial piety.

"Father has to attend court tomorrow; leaving without treatment would be improper."

Xu Huizhen gave a glance, a tacit agreement.

Though outraged, she knew the entire mansion depended on Gu Baijiang.