Zeng Xiuyun's face contorted with anger, and she shrieked, "How dare you curse me!"
Her chest heaved violently, making Cheng You worry she might collapse at any moment.
Cheng You shrugged. "I'm just answering your question."
The more nonchalant Cheng You appeared, the more furious Zeng Xiuyun became.
Even Song Qinglan dared not speak to her this way.
How dare Cheng You, a village girl who married into the Qi family through improper means, act this way!
She gritted her teeth fiercely. "Do you even know who I am? Getting Cheng Yan to divorce you is a word from me!"
Cheng You uttered a soft "Oh." "If you're so capable, then go tell Qi Cheng Yan directly. Why are you bothering me?"
Zeng Xiuyun scoffed. "That's because I want to give you a chance! Since you can't give birth, you should make way for someone else. Cheng Yan can't be left without an heir because of you. But yours is a military marriage, not easily dissolved, so after much thought, I've devised a compromise for you."
Cheng You humbly asked, "What compromise?"
Zeng Xiuyun said, "I have a grandniece from my maternal family. She's quite good. She's willing to be understanding and have a child for Cheng Yan, and then raise the child as your own. She's agreed that you'll be the primary wife and she'll be the secondary. She'll be raised elsewhere and won't be an eyesore in front of you."
Instead of anger, Cheng You showed a profound sense of shock and bewilderment.
What surprised her was that Zeng Xiuyun spoke these words with such matter-of-factness, without a hint of inappropriateness.
Cheng You glanced at her from the corner of her eye and suddenly couldn't help but chuckle.
"Do these words of yours represent the entire Song family, or the Qi family, or do they only represent yourself?"
Zeng Xiuyun faltered for a moment. She had come here without anyone's knowledge.
Being a stepmother was difficult, and her position in the Song family was awkward. She had no right to speak for everyone.
But now, with only Cheng You and her present, she couldn't show weakness.
"I am Cheng Yan's elder. Would I harm him? He will certainly listen to what I say!"
Cheng You tidied the Mu Xi grass on the ground, responding casually.
"So you have such considerable influence in the Song family? That's not what the rumors say."
Zeng Xiuyun sneered. "I am an elder to your mother-in-law. Even if I didn't give birth to her, I am still an elder. How could she possibly refute me?"
Cheng You let out a laugh. Though silent, her contempt was palpable.
Zeng Xiuyun felt displeased, knitting her brows and demanding, "What do you mean by that?"
Cheng You ignored her, slowly trimming the Mu Xi grass.
Zeng Xiuyun's patience ran out. Every action of Cheng You's conveyed disrespect towards her.
She strode forward furiously and roughly snatched the Mu Xi grass from Cheng You's hands, her eyes blazing with anger.
"When speaking to an elder, are you always this impolite?"
Cheng You looked at the wilted Mu Xi grass, her eyes turning slightly cold.
"Please put it down."
Zeng Xiuyun curled her lips. "It's just a weed. Are you country folk so short-sighted? I truly don't understand what Cheng Yan sees in a woman like you!"
She had come to Yan City but didn't know how to enjoy life, still thinking of farming.
She applied some force to her hand, crushing the Mu Xi grass.
Cheng You closed her eyes, suppressing the anger within her.
She carefully put away the remaining Mu Xi grass, worried that Zeng Xiuyun would carelessly ruin it.
"Let's go!"
Zeng Xiuyun blinked in surprise. "Go where?"
Cheng You gave a chilling smile, though no mirth could be seen in her eyes.
"Didn't you want me to agree to your terms? Then come with me."
Zeng Xiuyun hesitated. "You're not planning to complain to your mother-in-law, are you?"
Cheng You rolled her eyes. "Complaining to parents is something only primary schoolers do."
Zeng Xiuyun breathed a sigh of relief. She was still a bit wary of Song Qinglan, her stepdaughter.
She followed Cheng You, half-doubting, half-believing, and for a moment, forgot that she was still holding the drooping Mu Xi grass.
It wasn't until they reached the building of the Disciplinary Inspection Department that she remembered.
Secretary Yang saw her and turned to leave.
Whenever she showed up, it meant trouble.
Cheng You, with her keen eyes, spotted his figure and called out, "Secretary Yang!"
Secretary Yang was filled with regret. He should have reacted faster.
"Comrade Cheng You, why are you here instead of going to school?"
Cheng You smiled obediently. "Today is the weekend."
Secretary Yang realized. "Then why are you here?"
Cheng You pointed to what Zeng Xiuyun was holding. "Look what that is."
Secretary Yang squinted and examined it closely.
He couldn't tell.
"What is it?"
Cheng You said with a smile, "Take a closer look. She picked it from my yard."
Hearing that it belonged to Cheng You, Secretary Yang's expression turned serious, and he treated it with great importance.
"Could it be Mu..."
He looked at Cheng You with complex emotions, seeking confirmation.
Cheng You smiled and nodded. "That's right! I don't know this old lady. She damaged my property. I want you to help me resolve this, alright?"
She wouldn't resort to physical violence with Zeng Xiuyun for a moment's satisfaction, as the consequences would be endless.
As long as she was the junior and the other was the elder, any physical altercation would be her fault, regardless of the reason.
After much thought, seeking an authority figure to resolve the matter seemed more practical.
If it were an ordinary item, Secretary Yang might have smoothed things over.
But this was Mu Xi grass, something even the military hospital couldn't produce a single stalk of, and Cheng You actually had it!
And not only did she have it, but someone had also plucked it!
Secretary Yang's emotions churned, from shock to outrage.
"Who are you, old woman? Do you know what you're holding? It's far more precious than you are!"
Secretary Yang strode over angrily, intending to pry the Mu Xi grass from her hand. However, with a gentle tug, it broke.
He held the broken piece of Mu Xi grass in his hand, gasping with heartache.
It had broken just like that!
"You! Who do you belong to, and how did you get into the military zone!"
Cheng You covered her mouth and exclaimed, "Secretary Yang, could she be a spy? Before, there was an incident involving spies because of Mu Xi grass. Could this be related to spies... You must investigate thoroughly!"
Zeng Xiuyun hadn't realized what was happening. She had only plucked a blade of grass, and now it was being linked to spies.
Although many things were unclear, she understood that Cheng You had definitely fooled her.
"You wretched girl, what nonsense are you spouting! Don't you recognize me?"
Cheng You blinked, looking innocent. "I don't recognize you! We're meeting for the first time today. How could I possibly know you?"
Zeng Xiuyun looked at her as if she were a scumbag who would deny everything after getting what he wanted.
"You! Cheng You, how can you twist the truth like this! It's not how you should speak!"
Cheng You hid behind Secretary Yang. "Secretary Yang, please arrest her. She suddenly came up to me and said all sorts of inexplicable things. She's so scary!"
Secretary Yang glanced at her and immediately ordered Zeng Xiuyun to be detained.
"Once it's investigated and found that you are not involved, we will naturally release you."