"What are you doing here?"
The old woman looked at her with distaste, wishing she would finish speaking and leave immediately.
Feng Xue forced a smile. With so many people present, she suddenly didn't want to say it.
After a moment's thought, she said, "I want to ask Grandpa and Grandma to forgive Father."
The old woman scoffed, "Forgive your father? Then tell me, what about what your family said and did is worthy of my forgiveness? Forgiving you for coveting the Xu family's possessions, or for plotting to take my property, or for using a substitute to pass off the genuine article!"
"I..."
The old woman interrupted sharply, "If you have any shred of decency left, you should scram right now and tell your greedy mother to curb her temper, lest she reap what she sows later!"
Feng Xue was so ashamed by the scolding that her head felt heavy as if weighing a thousand pounds, and she couldn't lift it.
She had originally come to discuss Ruan Tianyang's matter.
She regretted it and wanted to marry Ruan Tianyang.
It was only on their wedding night that she learned Ruan Tianyang had injured his vital part and would be unable to have intercourse or have children in the future.
Feng Xue had immediately demanded a divorce, but Ruan Tianyang slapped her several times.
After hitting her, he offered comfort and appeased her for a long time.
Feng Xue didn't know what had gotten into her, but she had calmed down in a daze.
That was not all. Not long after they got married, Ruan Jiqiu moved in.
From then on, conflicts between the sisters-in-law began to arise.
They argued loudly every few days and bickered constantly.
Ruan Tianyang, being inadequate in that regard, began to become paranoid, and his energy needed an outlet.
The most suitable target, of course, was his wife, Feng Xue.
He was powerless in bed, so he found new ways to torment her, making her suffer immeasurably, yet she had no one to tell.
It was too humiliating.
Now, as the old woman was scolding her, Feng Xue felt a surge of grievance, and tears began to fall.
Feng Yaojie couldn't bear to watch and quickly said, "Mom, Xiaoxue didn't know about this. It was all Big Brother's doing. It's useless for you to take your anger out on her."
Old Master Feng didn't want to say more to him. After thinking it over, the best solution was to not see them at all and make them all leave.
After they left the house, Feng Yaojie still felt sorry for his niece and comforted her a few words.
Feng Xue found someone to confide in, throwing herself into his arms and sobbing.
"Second Uncle, I want a divorce. Can you help me?"
Zheng Lei's expression changed slightly, and the child in her arms also started crying, scared by the scene.
Although she was his niece, she was older and not related by blood. Was it appropriate to be so close?
...
At the end of the month, Duan Liping's wedding banquet was held as scheduled.
Cheng You, with a red envelope tucked in her pocket, walked in and saw Yuan Yutang skillfully entertaining guests.
When he saw Cheng You, he also remembered meeting her at Yuan Yuzhen's wedding banquet, and for a moment, he felt awkward.
He looked at Duan Liping and asked, "Is she your friend?"
Duan Liping nodded and said indifferently, "She's Cheng You, whom I told you about."
Yuan Yutang's expression changed slightly. So she was the Cheng You who had married into a military family.
He had heard Duan Liping mention her many times.
But he had only met Sun Xiaowan, and this was their first somewhat formal introduction.
"Her husband isn't here?"
Duan Liping, seeing through his thoughts, had a hint of sarcasm in her eyes.
In fact, Yuan Yutang had revealed his true colors long ago, but she had been blind and hadn't noticed.
"Her husband is busy."
Yuan Yutang nodded with a smile, "That's alright. Then we'll find another opportunity to sit down and have a meal. After all, she's your good friend, and we should all get to know each other."
Duan Liping smiled at him without speaking.
Yuan Yutang felt uneasy under her gaze until he heard her say, "You're right."
His unease subsided.
When most of the guests had arrived, Yuan Yutang looked around and asked, "Where is Sun Xiaowan?"
"She went to pick up an important friend for me. She'll be here soon."
Yuan Yutang found it strange. "You have a friend I don't know? What friend?"
Duan Liping glanced at the time and said softly, "Don't worry, she'll be here soon."
Only then did Yuan Yutang notice something was amiss. Duan Liping was unusually calm today.
Previously, when preparing for the wedding banquet, she had been full of anticipation, choosing her clothes and jewelry.
Now, there wasn't a trace of joy on her face.
He took Duan Liping's hand and said gently, "Liping, are you feeling unwell today?"
Duan Liping smiled slightly and squeezed his hand back.
"How could I be? I'm very happy today. Besides marrying you, I've discovered something incredible."
Yuan Yutang's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"
"You'll know when the person arrives."
Not long after, Sun Xiaowan entered with a woman and a child.
She clapped her hands with a smile and announced loudly, "Distinguished guests, before we begin the feast, let me introduce the two people beside me."
"Sun Xiaowan, what are you doing!" Yuan Yutang shouted sternly.
He instinctively stepped forward, intending to take the woman and child away, but Duan Liping stopped him.
"Yuan Yutang, why the rush? Xiaowan hasn't introduced them yet," she said with a smile.
Yuan Yutang's heart sank halfway. He wanted to comfort her, but he didn't know how to explain.
"Liping..."
Duan Liping ignored his pleading eyes and gestured for Sun Xiaowan to continue.
Sun Xiaowan's lips curled. "The two people beside me are Comrade Yuan Yutang's current wife and son. He was already married when he went down to the countryside, and then he got into university. He relied on his wife's family's financial support to study in Yancheng, and behind his wife's back, he started a new relationship in the city!"
Duan Liping had thought she was strong, but at this moment, she realized she was afraid.
Her hands trembled, and the sense of shame that washed over her almost drowned her.
She had never intended to interfere in someone else's marriage, yet she had been unknowingly complicit in the most despicable act!
A warm, soft hand grasped hers. Duan Liping snapped back to reality, meeting Cheng You's determined eyes.
"You've done nothing wrong. Yuan Yutang is the one who's wrong! If you had known he was married, you would never have accepted his pursuit."
Fortunately, Yuan Yutang's first wife was a generous and sensible woman. She said gently, "Sister, this comrade is right. This is not your fault. The fault lies with Yuan Yutang! It's also my fault for being blind and choosing such a scoundrel, and draining my family's savings to support him through school."
Yuan Yutang dared not meet anyone's gaze. At this moment, he wished he could disappear into a crack in the earth.
Duan Liping, her face cold and her eyes slightly red, walked up to him.
"Yuan Yutang, you brought this upon yourself today. You have no one to blame but yourself. Listen to me carefully. From today onwards, we are breaking up. The wedding banquet is canceled! I will report this to the school, and the subsequent actions will be up to the school to deal with you."
The school where Duan Liping and Yuan Yutang studied was Capital Medical University. Her major was nursing, and Yuan Yutang's was traditional Chinese medicine.
Although his character was questionable, his academic performance was excellent, and he had won scholarships several times at the university.
Duan Liping was not entirely sure if the school would discipline him.