Chapter 11

Old Madam Xiao turned to Huo Rou and Wei Wanyun, handing them the other two release letters.

“These two release letters are for you as well. With all the men of the Xiao family gone and no hope of revival in sight, if you wish to leave, then go. There’s no need to stay here and wait for death with this old woman.”

Huo Rou’s eyes turned red as she stepped back. “I don’t want it!”

Wei Wanyun also shook her head and stepped away.

Old Madam Xiao opened her mouth to speak. “Why must you…”

“From the day we married into the Xiao family, we became Xiao family members. In life, we are the Xiao family people; in death, we are the Xiao family ghosts. Grandmother, please don’t drive us away,” Wei Wanyun said, her eyes reddening.

Old Madam Xiao’s hands trembled, almost shedding tears.

Second Madam Xiao also had red-rimmed eyes as she stood nearby.

Madam Qi hadn’t expected to receive the release letter so easily. Though surprised by Old Madam Xiao’s decisiveness, she was overjoyed and quickly picked it up. After confirming that it was indeed a release letter, she softened her expression and said, “The Old Madam is truly kind-hearted, unwilling to see my daughter die young alongside your household. Rest assured, if anything happens to you in the future, Lanzhi and I will certainly set up memorial tablets for the Xiao family and offer incense every year…”

“Bah!!” Huo Rou turned angrily and said, “Even if I become a wandering ghost, I won’t accept your Qi family’s incense!”

Su Jinyuan, equally disgusted by the Qi family, found Madam Qi’s words so infuriating that she wanted to slap her.

Taking a step forward, Su Jinyuan coldly and angrily said to Qi Lanzhi, “You’ve caused such a commotion just to get a release letter. Now that you’ve got what you wanted, take your family and leave immediately—or don’t blame us for being rude!”

Madam Qi raised her eyebrows in anger. “You’re all so ungrateful! Disaster is looming, yet you’re still so arrogant. Sooner or later, you’ll die along with the Xiao family…”

“Even if I die, I’ll make sure to take you down first!” Su Jinyuan said with a murderous glare. “Want to test me?!”

Her icy gaze frightened Madam Qi.

“Mother!” Qi Lanzhi, with blood still on her forehead, saw Old Madam Xiao’s cold expression and the fierce looks from the Xiao family members surrounding them. She quickly pulled the ranting Madam Qi back. “Stop talking!”

Seeing her daughter’s bloodied face, Madam Qi reluctantly fell silent.

Qi Lanzhi, her eyes red, knelt on the ground and whispered, “Grandmother…?”

Old Madam Xiao replied coldly, “Don’t call me grandmother anymore. The Xiao family is not worthy of Miss Qi.”

Tears that had been held in for so long finally dropped in silent splashes as Qi Lanzhi stared impassively at the assembled members of the Xiao family. Looking at how the once tender and caring Second Madam Xiao now glared at her with bitterness, she gritted her teeth and kowtowed three resounding times.

“It is Lanzhi who has let down the Old Madam and Second Madam. I’m sorry…”

Second Madam turned her head away, refusing to meet her eyes while clenching her fists.

Madam Qi, however, felt there was no need for further words. Eagerly, she helped Qi Lanzhi to her feet and said, “That’s enough. What is there left to say? Hurry and leave.”

“The Xiao household is nothing but a cursed place—don’t look back and get entangled with them!”

Grabbing Qi Lanzhi, Madam Qi led her outside while shouted, “You all, hurry up and carry out the young lady’s belongings—don’t leave anything behind. And as for the stuff of the Xiao family, forget it. That place is on the verge of a complete collapse; it’s best to avoid the bad luck!”

At that moment, the Second Madam raised her eyebrows, clearly about to erupt in anger, but was stopped by Nanny Xie, who held her hand.

Meanwhile, the Qi family retreated in a frenzied rush just as they had arrived.

Once everyone had left, Old Madam Xiao addressed those still in the courtyard: “You’ve all witnessed what just transpired. This is the state of the Xiao family now. Although you are our servants, you do not need to go down with the Xiao family.”

She continued, “Those who wish to depart may go to Butler Deng to collect two months’ wages. But if anyone remaining dares to cause further chaos in the household, don’t blame me for my ruthlessness.”

Turning to Butler Deng, Old Madam Xiao ordered, “Whether bound by a pact of life or death, let anyone who wants to leave go. You and Nanny Chen arrange the rest properly.”

Deng Guangping—once a fierce general under Old General Xiao and now the family’s butler after a leg injury—bore a noticeable scar on his face that gave him a fearsome look. Nanny Chen, meanwhile, was a close attendant within Old Madam Xiao’s household.

Butler Deng announced with a cold, severe expression, “You’ve all heard Old Madam’s words. If anyone wishes to leave, register with me to collect your payment; if you choose to stay, report to Nanny Chen.”

The servants in the courtyard hesitated upon hearing his words. Some guards—retired from General Xiao due to injuries and now working for the Xiao family—went without a second thought to Nanny Chen’s side. As for the rest, they initially hesitated; then one person, testing the waters, went to Butler Deng’s side. Gradually, many more began to file out.

Butler Deng watched those departing with a cold, unyielding gaze while those who had gone over to Nanny Chen glowered angrily at the ones lingering behind.

“Traitor!” Someone cursed.

The others immediately flushed red and kept their heads down in silence.

With a blank expression, Butler Deng said, “This opportunity comes only once. Those who leave today can collect their silver and depart safely. However, if after today anyone dares to commit an act of treason against the General’s Mansion, they will be dragged out and beaten to death with clubs.”

“Is there anyone else who wants to leave?”

A voice from behind Nanny Chen shouted, “We’re not leaving! The General’s Mansion has shown us favor, and we will stand with them through thick and thin.”

“What’s so great about dying? I was destined to die on the battlefield anyway—if it hadn’t been for the General saving me, I’d have been dead long ago. Now, it’s merely repaying him!”

“I’m not leaving either! My parents have already been taken care of; even if they die, they won’t lack food and clothing!”

“Me too! I want to stay and guard the Xiao family—anyone who leaves is a coward!”

Those who had come forward blushed even deeper, their shame and anger so intense they wished they could burrow into the ground.

Butler Deng’s demeanor softened as he turned to the roughly twenty people standing before him and said coldly, “Follow me to the storeroom; collect your silver and take your service contracts.”

Old Madam Xiao, with Su Jinyuan and the others standing by the door, listened to the commotion outside. Her expression softened when she saw those who had stayed behind. She then told the Second Madam, “Each remaining will receive one year’s pay.”

Second Madam Xiao consented but couldn’t help remarking, “Mother, why did you let Qi Lanzhi go just now? You knew full well that when she hit her head, she hadn’t injured any vital parts—she only meant to force us to…”

“And so what? Didn’t you also want her to leave?”

Second Madam Xiao’s face darkened as she retorted, “That’s not the same!”

She had agreed with Old Madam to let her daughter-in-law leave because she couldn’t bear to see them, so young, set off on a path to ruin with the Xiao family. But that did not mean she was willing to watch Qi Lanzhi, even before the completion of the seven-day mourning for her deceased son, impatiently trying to leave by any means—using such underhanded tactics.

“What’s the difference?”

Seeing that her anger had subsided into calm, Old Madam Xiao explained, “Whether you want her to leave or she wants to leave, handing her the release letter to sever ties is for the best. Her heart is no longer with the Xiao family; even if you force her to stay, it won’t matter. Keeping her around will only sow enmity and lead to further calamities.”

The Xiao family simply cannot afford any further upheaval now.