Tan Jiang: "I’m afraid someone might get hurt."

Yu Tingwan’s tone was light and leisurely, her voice calm and soothing: "Indeed, Lady Dong is quite impressive, and she has ties with the He Family. If something were to happen, how could we take responsibility?"

"Indeed, there’s a bit of a connection."

Tan Jiang: "Lady Dong’s sister-in-law’s sister-in-law’s mother’s uncle’s third aunt’s daughter was once a close friend of the He Family’s late lady’s own sister."

Everyone: ??????

Even Yu Tingwan almost believed she was someone truly significant.

Such a close relationship indeed.

Yu Tingwan: "Ha."

Shen Zhiyi: "After going through such a roundabout connection, how could she have the nerve to flaunt the He Family’s name outside?"

Ever since Yu Tingwan appeared, the woman’s pupils contracted suddenly, swallowing back the curses she was about to utter.

She hadn’t met Yu Tingwan, but she had seen Jiasan from a distance before.

She forgot to see the doctor, let alone make trouble for Second Madam Cao, and dared not confront Yu Tingwan, quickly walking a few steps toward the teahouse.

She looked up at the people upstairs, forcing a smile.

"This must be the General’s wife. I wanted to visit you earlier, but really, it’s like a flood washed into the Dragon King’s Temple..."

Slam.

The second-floor window was closed by Yu Tingwan.

Not giving a shred of face.

Shen Zhiyi: "You..."

Yu Tingwan was quite vexed: "I don’t want to hear dogs barking."

Shen Zhiyi: ...

She respected no one but Yu Tingwan.

Yu Tingwan frowned, glanced at Shen Zhiyi: "Why are you still sitting?"

She didn’t understand: "Aren’t you coming down to clean up this mess for me?"

Shen Zhiyi: ???

Why should I clean it up for you?

Besides.

"Relax. Even if she dares report it, no one will touch you."

"But I’m worried."

Shen Zhiyi was puzzled: "What are you worried about?"

Yu Tingwan looked serious: "As the young madam of Duke Shun Mansion, I must act properly, dignified and gentle in public."

Could her image be ruined?

Shen Zhiyi: ...

In the end, Yu Tingwan went downstairs herself with a stern face.

Lady Dong, thinking she had offended someone, was about to go up and apologize. Seeing Yu Tingwan, she quickly moved to greet her.

Shen Zhiyi saw the person who was supposed to be dignified and graceful suddenly push Lady Dong in front of everyone.

The girl was strong.

Lady Dong was unprepared and fell to the ground.

Yu Tingwan approached, calmly and gracefully arranging her wrinkled dress before looking down at her.

"Weren’t you good at bullying others with your power?"

She smiled: "I pushed you, why didn’t you fight back?"

She really didn’t play by the rules!

Shen Zhiyi was stunned!

Lady Dong was trembling with fear, forgetting any pain, only thinking she’d offended Yu Tingwan.

"I..."

"Hush."

Yu Tingwan gave her a soft, teasing look: "Listen to me first."

"If I hurt you and you’re dissatisfied, go ahead and report it."

"Ministry of Justice or the Capital Mansion, let’s see who’s brave enough to take the case. I, like you, have some connections."

"If they don’t dare, you can go to the Imperial Censorate. Everyone knows He Xuran is famously impartial, not tolerating any corruption. The Ministry of Justice and Capital Mansion might shirk, but he’ll take it all."

"Besides, you’re related to him. How could he not help you?"

Yu Tingwan: "He could only deal with me."

"Don’t you think so?"

Lady Dong: ...

Who doesn’t know that in all of Shangjing, among the women, Yu Tingwan has the strongest backing?

She could call He Xuran "uncle" if she wanted!

Though she never did.

Lady Dong dared not say a word in front of her, scared out of her wits: "Even if I had the courage, I wouldn’t dare, madam..."

"Hush."

Yu Tingwan gave her a teasing look: "I’m not done yet."

"I inquired about you when I came down just now."

Her voice was calm.

"Your husband was a provincial governor in Jiangnan, Third Rank, and you were indeed prosperous before. But he died three years ago."

Yu Tingwan: "Before you married, you fancied Elder Cao. But he married someone else. You were unhappy and married far away to Jiangnan. Now that your husband has died and Elder Cao’s wife is also gone, you thought of remarrying, clashing with your in-laws, and returned to the Capital."

Lady Dong’s face changed dramatically.

This was indeed her plan.

Even if it couldn’t be seen.

How did Yu Tingwan know?

However, her in-laws didn’t agree with her remarriage, which is why she’s still a woman of the Dong Family.

But why not? As long as Elder Cao is willing to marry her, the Dong Family has to agree.

Yu Tingwan’s eyes were reproachful, informing her: "You need some sense."

"Elder Cao doesn’t fancy you, so perhaps the problem lies within yourself. Are you too disagreeable or too harsh?"

"Instead of taking out your frustrations on Second Madam Cao."

"What’s Miss Chun done to you? Why instruct your maids to bully her too?"

"Or is it because you’re seeing her as more youthful and attractive?"

"Imperial Censor Chun is a good official, a selfless one, not accepting bribes, living frugally. His daughter’s dowry money was even donated to Changdu Temple for prayers for the deceased. If you can’t bear it, then endure it."

Yu Tingwan squatted next to her, patting Lady Dong’s shoulder, speaking in a negotiating tone: "Act civilized, can’t you avoid pricking others where it hurts?"

Lady Dong didn’t dare to say another word.

Second Madam Cao, leading Chun Yao over, respectfully saluted Yu Tingwan: "Thank you, madam, for your support."

Yu Tingwan slowly straightened up.

"Justice will be served by the Imperial Censorate."

"I may not know the full story, but my husband studied at the Imperial College."

"The tutors there are stringently selected, their character and behavior are beyond reproach. Thus, the daughters they raise shouldn’t be lacking either."

These days, except for her own family, wherever Second Madam Cao went, she was pointed at and criticized.

She always pretended not to hear, but how could her heart not ache? Hearing Yu Tingwan’s words brought tears to her eyes.

Yu Tingwan glanced around at those who had spoken most harshly to Second Madam Cao.

They were all women.

Suddenly, she felt very melancholy.

The girl’s voice was light, not addressing anyone in particular.

"Don’t you all have children?"

"If this happened to your daughters, would you remain indifferent? Would you advise them to swallow the bitterness and soldier on or, like Mr. Shu, demand justice despite the consequences?"

Yu Tingwan spoke calmly: "Choosing to endure is merely clinging to so-called reputation, simultaneously feeling powerless."

"Why can’t Second Madam Cao go out? Has she wronged you? Taken your food or spent your money?"

"The world is harsh enough on women. If He Yushi can accept the case, yet you all choose to make it harder for her, adding insult to injury, then there’s even less hope for women to stand firm."

Yu Tingwan: "Tan Jiang."

"At your service."

Yu Tingwan: "Accompany Second Madam Cao to purchase some cosmetics. I’d like to see who dares cause further trouble."

"Understood."

Tan Jiang gestured to Second Madam Cao: "This way, please."

"Wait."

Seeing Second Madam Cao about to leave, Yu Tingwan called her back.

Second Madam Cao thought Yu Tingwan had more instructions, only to see a young woman, younger than herself, exuding a maturity and clarity beyond her years.

"It’s said that a real man stands tall and proud. But as long as a woman has a clear conscience, she can also hold her head high."

Yu Tingwan gave her a gentle smile.

Bright, vibrant, full of life and vigor.

"Miss Shu."

Not a chained, cold appellation with a husband’s surname.

Yu Tingwan said to her, word by word.

"Please, save yourself from the fire and water."