Chapter 36 :  I am naturally the lady of this house

Perhaps the situation was unexpected, or perhaps Huo Xinzhi’s gaze was too intimidating, but as soon as Huo Xinzhi finished speaking, the hall suddenly fell silent.

Wanyan Shan, who had been shouting and commanding, went quiet, and even the pretentious Mrs. Jin stopped speaking.

Old Lady Gu stood in the hall, her face filled with anxiety, unsure whether to sit or stand.

Cui Yunzhao sighed inwardly. She had been only casually acquainted with Huo Xinzhi, but now she realized she knew nothing about her.

Today, she saw her sister-in-law in a new light. Despite her fear of the Wanyan family and the lingering shadows of the past, Huo Xinzhi dared to take responsibility.

She was brave and principled.

Lin Xiu Gu was clearly taken aback by her daughter’s resolve. She immediately said, “No.”

As soon as she spoke, Huo Chenzhang, who had been silent but visibly angry, clenched his fists and shouted, “No!”

“You’re taking advantage of my father’s early death, exploiting my brother’s absence at the front, bullying the women and children. What kind of skill is that?”

The young man’s voice was clear and filled with anger, showing a willingness to go to extreme lengths.

Wanyan Shan’s expression darkened, and his mood also soured.

The Huo family was truly difficult to handle.

He never expected Huo Xinzhi would agree to go back with them. What were they supposed to do with a “misfortune bringer” like her? They would have to support her with rice and flour, which was not worth it.

But he had already spoken, and now he was in a difficult position.

At this moment, Old Lady Zhao, who had been calmly observing, suddenly opened her eyes and looked coldly at Huo Xinzhi.

“Xinzhi, when you married into our family, was our family good to you?”

The old lady’s voice was calm, a stark contrast to her earlier dramatic demeanor, with an undeniable composure.

Compared to her, Old Lady Gu seemed quite out of place.

Cui Yunzhao sighed again, and Old Lady Zhao continued, “Later, when my grandson passed away and your brother came to take you back, did we refuse?”

The old lady made her point directly, ignoring the details and focusing on the outcome.

Her words made it seem like the Huo family was being unreasonable.

Lin Xiu Gu’s face turned ashen with anger. She disregarded the seniority and immediately retorted, “Old Lady, don’t speak nonsense. When Xinzhi married into your family…”

“You had your entire family depend on her for food and drink, and after the eldest son passed away, you all mistreated her. Not only did you throw cold water on her, but you also locked her alone in the woodshed, in the pitch-dark, for five days without food or water.”

“I have never told anyone about this, nor reported to the authorities about your abuse of my daughter. The reason why our Ninth Brother insisted on bringing Xinzhi back was precisely because you mistreated his sister.”

Lin Xiu Gu’s eyes turned red as she spoke.

Cui Yunzhao suddenly looked at Huo Xinzhi, who was standing there with her head bowed and saying nothing, her heart filled with both pain and sorrow.

No wonder Huo Xinzhi had become like this. Despite enduring so much bullying and humiliation, she still managed to stand strong, protect her younger siblings, and do something for the family.

Now that everything had been said, Lin Xiu Gu did not hide any further and spoke directly “When Xinzhi married, we provided a significant dowry. Ninth Brother, in order to bring his sister back, did not take any of that dowry. It was as if he paid with money to buy his sister’s life.”

“You think that because our master passed away early, and Ninth Brother is young, leaving us as a family of orphans and widows, it’s acceptable for you to mistreat us like this?” Lin Xiu Gu’s voice was like thunder, cutting through the darkness. “Wanyan Shan, Mrs. Jin, Old Lady Zhao, people should have a conscience.”

“If you lose your conscience, there will be no chance to make amends.”

Lin Xiu Gu’s words were harsh, making Old Lady Zhao, who had been sitting composed, turn ashen.

Her small eyes narrowed, and she spat out, “Do you not know why we treated your daughter like this? The soothsayer said that if it weren’t for this misfortune bringer, our eldest son wouldn’t have died so early, leaving not a single child behind.”

Old Lady Zhao was about to start wailing “You say we lack conscience, but how about you bringing such a misfortune bringer into our family? Who is truly lacking in conscience?”

As the argument delved into past grievances, the women on both sides continued, each adding their own grievances, exposing old wounds.

But those wounds were not on anyone else; they only pained Huo Xinzhi.

Cui Yunzhao looked at Huo Xinzhi, who was biting her lip in silence, and closed her eyes for a moment.

When she opened them, her voice was cold and commanding: “Everyone, be quiet.”

With Cui Yunzhao’s command, Old Lady Zhao’s wailing was abruptly cut off.

Today, as the Wanyan family stirred up trouble, Cui Yunzhao had only spoken one sentence from start to finish, and then sat quietly, observing the drama unfolding before her.

People in Bo Ling City knew that the Cui family raised daughters to be elegant, dignified, and noble. They were born to be the matriarchs of prominent families, to preside over matters with grace.

The refined and polite demeanor of the Cui family women was well-known. But now, the most esteemed member of the Cui family, Cui Yunzhao, suddenly spoke.

Her face had lost its gentle smile and her usual grace. At this moment, her beautiful features were as cold as ice, carrying an air of nobility that made people reluctant to approach her.

She remained seated, her expression neither grave nor anxious, as if she was merely stating something trivial without letting it affect her.

“I have heard everything clearly by now. Let me say a few words,” Cui Yunzhao spoke.

Old Lady Zhao, taken aback by Cui Yunzhao’s directness, had an unpleasant expression and coldly snorted, “When elders speak, how dare a younger one interrupt? And you, a Cui family girl, are clearly ignorant of propriety and respect.”

Cui Yunzhao gave her a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. Her phoenix eyes were beautiful, with upturned corners that were brilliantly bright, but the mockery in her gaze was unmasked.

Cui Yunzhao leisurely took a sip of tea.

At this moment, both the Huo and Wanyan families were intimidated by her composed demeanor and involuntarily began to listen to her.

Cui Yunzhao knew how to take control in a situation of endless quarrels. The only person who remains calm amidst general anxiety can steer the situation.

She set down her teacup, the rim clinking crisply against the table.

Then, Cui Yunzhao began, “My father-in-law passed away early. Although we have not formally separated from the Qiyang Huo family, we are quite distant. As for our branch, the head of the family is naturally my husband.”

“Since my husband is the head of the family, I, as his main wife, am naturally the lady of this house.”

“Grandmother, being of advanced age, should have retired to enjoy her later years. Mother, being a widow and in poor health, leaves all family matters to me.”

Cui Yunzhao glanced at Old Lady Zhao, “I wonder who is in charge in your household?”

Huo Zhan was an only child but had cousins. Despite Huo’s family being small, the children like Huo Tan still followed the order of the Qiyang Huo family.

In Bo Ling City, the Huo family only had this branch, but in Qiyang, it was different.

Cui Yunzhao’s words clearly indicated to the Wanyan family that the Huo family was not without a leader. Furthermore, she was now in charge of the Huo household, and as the lady of the house, she naturally had the authority to handle family matters, irrespective of seniority.

Of course, she had never previously sought control over household affairs. Clever as Lin Xiu Gu was, she immediately understood.

She promptly said, “Yes, the household now listens to the daughter-in-law. Today’s matter is entirely up to the daughter-in-law.”

Lin Xiu Gu might not be very perceptive, but she wasn’t foolish. She knew well how capable and wise the daughter-in-law was. Given how things had reached this point, it was wise to leave everything to Cui Yunzhao.

Cui Yunzhao tilted her head and smiled at Lin Xiu Gu.

Opposite her, Huo Xinzhi also lifted her head, looking at Cui Yunzhao with a mixture of confusion and hope.

Cui Yunzhao exuded an air of calm and confidence. She was unafraid of the Wanyan family and spoke and acted with conviction.

For some reason, Huo Xinzhi felt an uncontrollable surge of hope. She did not want to return to the Wanyan family, she didn’t want to at all, for it was where all her nightmares resided.

In the home, the two other boys stood behind Cui Yunzhao, staring blankly at this usually gentle and reserved eldest sister-in-law.

Cui Yunzhao’s posture was relaxed, reflecting a sense of ease with the truth in her grasp. Her gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Old Lady Zhao.

“Old Lady, I respect you as an elder and address you courteously. However, matters between families should be discussed between the heads of the families. So, let me ask, who in the Wanyan family is in charge today?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the Wanyan family members were taken aback.

Old Lady Zhao had two sons. The eldest son was Wanyan Dawang, and the eldest son of the second son was Wanyan Shan. Since Wanyan Shan held the highest military position in this generation, the family generally looked to him for guidance.

However, technically speaking, the head of the Wanyan family should still be Mrs. Jin’s husband, Wanyan Dawang’s father.

By this reckoning, the matter with the Huo family should be discussed with Mrs. Jin.

But since Wanyan Shan had brought up the issue and was the aggrieved party, the Wanyan family was now in a bit of a dilemma.

Some comments were made in sequence, indicating that there had been no prior discussion among them.

Cui Yunzhao had been silent, observing the Wanyan family.

The fact that they could blame all of Wanyan Dawang’s death on Huo Xinzhi showed that the family was selfish and cold-blooded. Since they were selfish, everyone had their own hidden agendas.

When it came to significant interests like thirty acres or twenty acres of land, everyone wanted the largest share.

The conflict stemmed from the unequal distribution of benefits.

Seeing their hesitation, Cui Yunzhao suddenly smiled, “Since we need to discuss this, let’s resolve it quickly and reach the most appropriate outcome.”

Her voice was clear and determined.

At this moment, everyone realized that she truly embodied the grace and composure of a high-born lady from a prominent family.

She didn’t waste words or judge past actions; she addressed the matter at hand directly.

She had effectively grasped the core issue of the Wanyan family’s predicament.

Cui Yunzhao smiled slightly, “Then, I would like to ask the head of the Wanyan family to come forward and discuss today’s matter with me.”

“Once we have discussed who is right and who is wrong, we will reach a conclusion.”

Cui Yunzhao said, “Please.”