Chen's mother remained silent. Although she felt her son had a point, she couldn't make up her mind, unwilling to face gossip.
"Mother, please, just this once? Keeping her confined at home is not beneficial for us. Trust me this time," Chen Yan pleaded, his gaze fixed on his mother.
After a long stare-down, Chen's mother finally relented with a sigh, "Think it through. Once you regret it, it'll be too late."
Chen Yan immediately nodded, "I've already thought it through."
Wu Caiwei, called to Chen Yan's room by a maid, was puzzled as to why she was summoned so soon after waking, and what important matter they needed to discuss.
Upon entering, she saw Chen's mother looking at her with a complex expression. In all these years, it was the first time she'd read so many emotions in Chen's mother's eyes: resentment, disgust, disdain...
"Oh, you're awake. You're quite lucky to be alive. This is what they call retribution," Wu Caiwei immediately taunted upon seeing him.
"I didn't call you here for your sarcastic remarks, but to discuss something important." In the past, Chen Yan would have surely taught her a lesson, but he had to bow his head under the circumstances, especially after experiencing her formidable nature.
"What is it you want to discuss? Aside from divorce, I'm not interested in anything else," Wu Caiwei said. Seeing his serious demeanor, she had a feeling she might be able to leave the Chen family today. As expected, her hunch was correct.
"What I want to discuss today is something you're interested in. Haven't you always wanted to leave the Chen family? I'll grant you your wish. Here is the divorce agreement I just wrote. I've already signed and thumb-printed it. You just need to sign and thumb-print it, and then we can file it with the yamen." Chen Yan gestured slowly towards the paper on the table.
Only then did Wu Caiwei notice the document on the table. She hurried over and, after reading the contents of the divorce agreement, nodded with satisfaction.
"It would have been so much easier if you were this sensible earlier. I'll move out tomorrow," Wu Caiwei said happily. Finally, she had taken the first step for the original owner. The sky felt exceptionally blue today, and the air particularly fresh.
"We've been through so much together over the years. Don't you feel even a little reluctant?" Chen Yan felt a pang of discomfort seeing her so joyous and looked at her with a mournful gaze.
"No, no. After everything you've done to me, how could I possibly feel any attachment? If I were still attached, I wouldn't even be alive. What is this expression on your face now? It's utterly disgusting," Wu Caiwei said with a look of disdain.
Chen Yan fell silent. If it were him, he would have wanted to tear the other person to shreds. How could he possibly feel any attachment?
Chen's mother's heart ached as she saw her son looking disheartened. She escorted Wu Caiwei out and couldn't help but threaten, "I don't know what exactly happened between you and Yan'er, but I sense that Yan'er's injuries are definitely connected to you. Since he's unwilling to say, I won't pursue it. But tomorrow, once you leave my Chen family's doorstep, you are not to speak of anything you've seen or heard within the Chen household. Otherwise, we will not let you go."
Wu Caiwei couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "I'm the least afraid of threats. Don't worry, once I'm out of this door, I'll definitely have a good chat with the neighbors. After all, I also care about my reputation. Are you saying that only your Chen family is allowed to slander me, but I'm not even allowed to state the facts and let the public understand the situation?"
"You... You're quite something." Facing her unyielding former daughter-in-law, Chen's mother didn't know what else to say.
Wu Caiwei turned and left directly, returning to her room to pack. She could finally leave this place and start her own business. Of course, she also had to find him.
Wu Caiwei had lived through so many lives and seen so much that she didn't expect to be so excited. However, she was so excited all night that she didn't sleep a wink.
Before dawn, she eagerly left with her bundle. She ate some wontons at a roadside stall and then took a carriage to the prefectural city.
It was easy to understand why he chose to do business in the prefectural city. Business thrived in places with more people, and money was earned faster. Moreover, Liu Wenyu was also there.
The cost of living in the prefectural city was relatively high. She spent three hundred taels to buy a small courtyard with only three rooms and a well. However, it was sufficient for her to live alone.
She spent another few dozen taels on daily necessities, and she was finally settled.
Before she could even start her business, she heard news that the master of the Li mansion had passed away.
Wu Caiwei hesitated for a while, contemplating whether to expose Liu Wenyu now or let her and Chen Yan get together before striking them down properly. In the end, she decided that what is unattainable is the most desirable. Chen Yan had always looked down on the original owner, so let him live happily with Liu Wenyu and see who was better, the original owner or Liu Wenyu, and let him regret it.
After surveying the market, she decided to start with ready-made clothes. She hired a few embroidery women. She drew the designs, and they made the clothes. Initially, the business wasn't very good. Finally, she hired some performing artists to model the clothes. This scene naturally attracted the attention of those with discerning eyes. People noticed that their clothes were unique and beautiful.
When they inquired about the prices, they found them to be reasonable. As word spread, business gradually picked up.
Meanwhile, Madam Li looked at Liu Wenyu kneeling on the ground, her eyes deep. "Are you sure you want to leave?"
"Replying to Madam, I have been in the mansion for so many years without bearing the master a son or daughter. I have already failed the Li family and have no face to remain here. I can only beg to leave," Liu Wenyu said, kneeling on the ground obediently, feeling extremely nervous, her back soaked with sweat.
"Have you thought it through? You can leave, but you cannot take any of the mansion's belongings with you, except for your clothes," Madam Li said, looking at her intently.
"I have already thought it through. I plan to return to my maternal home and will never step foot in the prefectural city again in my life," Liu Wenyu quickly declared, knowing that Madam was testing her.
"Since your mind is made up, then pack your things and leave. Liu Ma, when she leaves, inspect her luggage. Ensure nothing inappropriate is taken," Madam Li directly instructed the servant beside her. If she didn't want to see the master's concubines anymore and affect her mood, she would have let them die of old age in the mansion. Who told them that they had always been at odds with her?
"Thank you, Madam, for your grace." After speaking, Liu Wenyu kowtowed to her firmly and then cautiously retreated.
Only when she was far from the main courtyard did she breathe a sigh of relief. When she first arrived at the mansion, she relied on her youth and beauty and the master's favor to often confront Madam. Later, she witnessed Madam's prowess and quickly restrained herself, living a low-profile life in the back courtyard.
Hadn't those who refused to yield or failed to recognize the situation already become mounds of earth?
Thinking about the days ahead, her steps became lighter. She was finally leaving this place. At this moment, she was determined to live a good life with Chen Yan.