Chapter 542

Chapter 548: Separation (Part 1)

Eleven quickly took Fang Shi's hand.

"What kind of nonsense is this?" she chided. "Marriage arrangements are for the elders to decide. You can't just demand separation and expect it to happen, or request to leave and it's granted. Since you care about your mother at home, you shouldn’t be so willful." She added, "You may leave us now. I still have some words to share with your mother-in-law!"

Fang Shi seemed about to speak but hesitated, finally murmuring a soft "Yes" and curtsying before turning to leave.

Meanwhile, Third Madam couldn’t hold back and said to Eleven, "There’s nothing more to discuss! The divorce is final!"

Fang Shi, who had just reached the doorway, paused slightly before lifting the curtain and stepping out.

Eleven signaled Song Mama with her eyes to withdraw, then said, "Third Sister-in-law, calm down. At least tell me what’s going on so I can understand the situation."

"Haven't you heard everything from her already?" Third Madam sneered. "She's a husband-killer. The Fangs deceived us and married her into our household." Growing agitated, she continued, "If I hadn't been seeking a match for Xu Sijian, I’d still be in the dark, perhaps never realizing the truth until death..." She then recounted the whole story to Eleven.

It turned out that after returning to Shanyang, Third Madam had begun searching for a second daughter-in-law who could rival Fang Shi. However, once people heard her eldest daughter-in-law had a dowry of twenty thousand silver taels, they all claimed they couldn’t match such a dowry. She told matchmakers to focus on character rather than dowry, but families still politely declined. Over time, she grew anxious—especially when she learned of the younger daughter of the Fengxiang Prefect, who surpassed Fang Shi in excellence. Though aware it was a stretch, she thought there might still be a chance. During a temple fair, she deliberately sought out the prefect’s wife, only to learn about Fang Shi’s reputation for bringing misfortune to husbands.

"...This is fraud by the Fang family! We absolutely cannot keep such a daughter-in-law!" Third Madam declared indignantly. "The prefect’s wife refused to let her daughter live under the same roof as someone like this. If anything happened, regret would come too late."

Eleven was speechless. She could only ask, "Does Third Young Master know?"

Third Madam faltered, then raised her voice defensively, "How could I possibly tell him such a shameful thing? If Fang Shi had any decency, she’d have asked to leave on her own after being exposed. Instead, she shamelessly called her brother to propose 'separation'—as if our Yongping Marquis’s household means nothing to them! If we don’t teach the Fang family a lesson, they’ll walk all over us!"

In other words, Third Young Master didn’t know.

Was it because she had arranged this marriage and now, faced with the fallout, she was too embarrassed to tell him?

Eleven sipped her tea thoughtfully, then said calmly, "Since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t say more. But whether it’s separation or divorce, you must inform the Marquis and Third Young Master. And Elder Madam should also be notified."

Third Madam shifted uncomfortably. "I’ve been so upset by Fang Shi—or perhaps exhausted from rushing back from Shanyang—that my chest has been aching terribly. I didn’t want to worry Elder Madam, so I haven’t paid my respects yet. Please tell her I’ll visit first thing tomorrow morning."

"I’ll relay your message," Eleven replied with a smile. "But since you’re set on divorce, you should carefully consider the grounds. Under the traditional 'Seven Reasons for Divorce,' which one applies to the young mistress?"

Third Madam was taken aback.

Eleven mused, "Barrenness? She hasn’t even been married a year—that’s unreasonable. Disobedience to parents? Before you left, you praised her filial piety, and she’s never missed morning and evening greetings to Elder Madam since. That doesn’t fit. Chronic illness? She’s never even had a headache. Jealousy? Siqin keeps no concubines, and his two maids are fine. Gossip? Everyone from Elder Madam to the children adores her. As for adultery or theft—utterly impossible.

"Third Sister-in-law, tell me—on what grounds will you divorce her?"

"This... this..." Third Madam struggled to find an answer.

"Perhaps I’m overthinking. Maybe Elder Madam won’t even ask when you see her." Eleven rose with a smile. "It’s getting late—any later and we’ll hit curfew. As long as Fang Shi is your daughter-in-law, she remains the young mistress of the Xu family. For Siqin’s sake, at least spare her some dignity. Destroying her completely would shame him too. I’ll expect you tomorrow to discuss a solution."

Third Madam hastily agreed and personally saw her out.

Fang Shi stood in the courtyard. Seeing them emerge, she hesitated but finally approached. "Aunt Eleven, let me escort you out."

Third Madam pointedly ignored her, chatting cheerfully with Eleven as they walked. "When I left, Jin Geer had just turned one. Children change so fast—he must be chattering and toddling about by now!"

Eleven nodded at Fang Shi while replying, "He just started speaking—his first words came out as four syllables, loud and clear! Lately, I’ve tried teaching him more, but he won’t budge. I do hope he won't grow up too quiet..."

Third Madam grew even more affectionate. "There are no quiet children in our family..."

They continued chatting as they headed toward the inner gate.

Fang Shi understood this was Third Madam's way of humiliating her into leaving.

Without a word, she silently followed them to the gate.

A young maid hurried over: "My lady, the third young master says he has a stomachache!"

Upon hearing this, Third Madame grew anxious: "How is he uncomfortable? Why tell me? Hurry and have the outer courtyard get a carriage and call a doctor for the third young master!" She then smiled apologetically at Eleven Miss. "I won’t escort you out. Please take care on your way."

The maid hesitated, glancing at Fang Shi.

Fang Shi quickly took a pass token from her sleeve and handed it to the maid.

Only then did the maid rush off.

Eleven Miss kept her cool. "Since Xu Sijian is unwell, I should go check on him too."

Third Madame, worried about her son, didn’t stand on ceremony, and the two went together to see Xu Sijian.

Xu Sijian looked fine but clutched his stomach, complaining of pain. When he saw Eleven Miss, he smiled sheepishly. "Sorry to trouble you, Fourth Aunt."

"No need for apologies!" Eleven Miss had just responded politely when Third Madame grabbed her son’s hand urgently. "What have you eaten these past few days? When did the pain start? Are you having diarrhea?"

"I’m fine," Xu Sijian said. "It’s just stomach cramps."

Unable to get a clear answer, Third Madame looked up and saw Fang Shi standing silently nearby. She immediately snapped: "Is this how you run the household? Letting your young master eat something that upsets his stomach—"

Fang Shi stood there, taking the scolding silently.

Xu Sijian tugged at his mother’s sleeve. "Mother, Fourth Aunt is watching."

Seeing that Xu Sijian seemed well enough, Eleven Miss didn’t linger to listen to the reprimands and took her leave again.

Third Madame, still concerned, muttered a few pleasantries before having Old Gan’s wife escort her out.

Though Eleven Miss was the younger sister-in-law, she was the matriarch of the Xu family, Lady Yongping. Having Old Gan’s wife see her off was a slight breach of etiquette.

Fang Shi wanted to remind Third Madame, but before she could, the woman snapped at her: "Standing there like a fool! What kind of upbringing did your mother give you? Is this how you care for an ailing brother-in-law?"

Fang Shi’s brow twitched coldly. "You’re right, Mother. My mother certainly didn’t raise me to attend to a brother-in-law of my own age when he’s unwell."

Third Madame was left speechless, falling silent for a long moment.

Outside, Eleven Miss overheard and gave a slight shake of her head before following Old Gan’s wife out through the gate.

Suddenly, a figure burst out.

Eleven Miss, Song Mama, and the others were startled, stepping back in alarm. One timid maid even shrieked.

"Aunt," the figure bowed respectfully to Eleven Miss. "It’s me, Xu Siqin."

"Oh, it’s you!" Eleven Miss exhaled in relief, patting her chest. "Why would you do that? You scared us half to death!"

He quickly stepped forward. "Forgive me for startling you, Aunt." His face became visible under the red lanterns hanging by the gate.

"Aunt, I have a few words for you," Xu Siqin said, his expression deadly serious.

"What is it?" Eleven Miss guessed it had something to do with Fang Shi.

Xu Siqin turned to Old Gan’s wife. "Leave us, please."

Old Gan’s wife hesitated, glancing at him before slowly retreating.

Xu Mama and the others discreetly stepped back along the covered walkway inside the gate.

On a early summer night, the azure sky was studded with a tapestry of stars.

Xu Siqin remained silent for a long while before speaking softly, "Fourth Aunt, do you still remember my fourth cousin?"

Yuan Jieer?

Lady Eleven was taken aback.

Before she could answer, Xu Siqin continued, "I still remember why she was sent away in marriage!"

His youthful face bore a weariness that belied his age.

"Aunt," Xu Siqin's voice was low and slow, like ice forming on a winter creek. He cupped his hands and bowed deeply to Lady Eleven—a deep, respectful bow. "Please speak on my behalf before Fourth Uncle. I—I will not divorce my wife."

Lady Eleven gazed at Xu Siqin, bowed low before her, and for some reason, she felt tears welling up.

After a moment of thought, she said gently, "Then do you know that this decision of yours will make Fang Shi's life very difficult in the future?"

"I know!" He straightened up. "I will treat her well."

"Remember your words." As Lady Eleven spoke, her gaze flickered inadvertently toward the inner side of the moon gate.

Fang Shi stood quietly on the steps of the moon gate, the hem of her skirt fluttering in the night breeze like a butterfly ready to take wing.