"Da Jiang, this isn't the first time your wife has spoken to me with such disrespect. A few years ago, she angered me so much I nearly fainted. I held back and didn't make a scene because Yu'er and Qingshan were still young. But the mistakes your wife has made over the years are countless. I’ve let most of them slide, thinking they weren't too serious. The Second Branch has treated you well enough, hasn't it? He Shi is ungrateful. While our other relatives might not be as well-off as the Second Branch, they have always shown you proper respect. Yet today, your wife dares to tell us to leave and never come back to your home. If you don't set this matter straight today, I doubt any relative will visit you again," Madam Zhao said to Da Jiang.

At first, when Da Jiang heard his mother and his wife arguing, he felt a flicker of anger but thought he could forgive it. But hearing his mother say this ignited an uncontrollable rage. Yet, this time, Da Jiang surprisingly refrained from striking out. He paused in the courtyard, sighed deeply, and walked over to He Shi. "Pack your things. I'm going to see the Clan Elder. When I return, you'll be leaving. I warned you previously to behave yourself. You’ve caused trouble again today, and frankly, I can’t endure it anymore."

"Da Jiang, I didn't mean to, I..." He Shi began to panic seeing the look on Da Jiang’s face today.

He Shi knew Da Jiang well enough. If he had returned today, roared, and beaten her soundly, a few soft words from her afterward would usually settle things—that’s how it often went. But Da Jiang’s demeanor today was entirely new, leaving He Shi completely unsettled.

"Enough talk. I’m leaving now," Da Jiang said, lowering his head and walking toward the door.

Qingshan, standing nearby, knew perfectly well that Da Jiang was heading to the Clan Elder to get the divorce papers. He rushed to stop Da Jiang, calling out, "Father, you and Mother have been together for so many years. Are you really going to divorce Mother at this age? If you send her away, where will she go? Will Grandfather or Uncle’s families even tolerate her? Are you trying to kill her?"

"Yes, Father, Mother was certainly wrong this time, but she was thinking of our family in her own way. It wasn't a terrible mistake; it certainly doesn't warrant divorce," Dong Yu also stepped forward to plead with Da Jiang.

Qingshan glanced around the courtyard. Seeing that no one else intended to intervene, he looked toward Yue Mei standing beside him. Yue Mei sighed and finally spoke up, "Father, perhaps you could give Mother one more chance? She won't act like this again."

"Qingshan, stop pleading. If your father divorces me today, I won't pack a single thing. If your father dares to hand me the decree, I will die right here. There’s no point in living anyway. I married into the Lin family over twenty years ago and have never known a good day. When have I ever acted selfishly for my own benefit? All my struggles were for you children. I suffer and toil, but what have I gained? In all these years in the Lin family, I’ve lived worse than any maidservant. Look at the maids in the Second Branch—they live better than I do. When a maid is bought, she isn't routinely beaten or cursed, and she gets a decent monthly allowance. What have I received? I have to endure the scolding of my mother-in-law and serve my daughter-in-law, while you, Father, constantly threaten to divorce me. Have I committed murder or arson today?" He Shi finished her tirade, sobbing uncontrollably.

Lin He stood listening to He Shi’s words, and her heart softened somewhat. He Shi was not entirely wrong. While He Shi was harsh and greedy, which made her unbearable to others, for a man in Da Jiang’s position, He Shi had been a reasonably competent wife. Though she was clearly in the wrong today, it didn't seem severe enough for a divorce, especially now that He Shi was older, her parents frail, and her elder brother and sister-in-law formidable figures. Where could such a woman go if cast out now?

Perhaps, looking at it from another angle, He Shi had made repeated mistakes over the years, many of them truly unforgivable. But for Da Jiang, simply casting her aside without a second thought felt impossible, after all, they had been married for decades.

Lin He had expected Da Jiang to return, unleash a temper tantrum, perhaps strike He Shi a few times, and at most threaten divorce—but she hadn't anticipated Da Jiang seeming genuinely resolved to proceed with the separation, unwilling to exchange even another word. It’s often the case that the matters people expect to be explosive fizzle out with mere anger, while seemingly minor incidents lead to shocking decisions. It must truly be that the ice froze three feet deep, not in a single day.

Da Jiang stared at He Shi as he spoke, his voice steady. "I want to divorce you, not just because of what you did today, but because you have done so little right over the years. Qingshan has gotten into trouble time and again; that is your failure for not raising your son properly. Yu'er’s marriage turned out as it did—that is even more your fault. The Second Branch has shown us kindness, which is rare, and you’ve found fault with them for ages. As for your in-laws, you have never shown them an ounce of respect. Tell me, what have you done right? You are undutiful to your elders, you failed to raise your two children properly, and you are cruel to your siblings. I tolerated you time and again, but after every incident, you dismissed my words as wind. If I let this pass now, I have no idea what you will do next. I have beaten you, I have cursed you, I have threatened you. There is no recourse left for me but to send you away." Da Jiang’s voice cracked slightly as he finished speaking.

Madam Zhao, on the sidelines, had originally hoped Da Jiang would scare He Shi and teach her a lesson. Based on past incidents, the worst outcome would have been a beating. She hadn’t expected Da Jiang to seem so determined to divorce her today. Madam Zhao knew that if He Shi were divorced, their own family would certainly face gossip. However, given that she had also spoken harshly at the start, backing down now meant He Shi wouldn't learn her lesson. With these thoughts, Madam Zhao remained seated, making no move to interfere.

He Shi listened to Da Jiang’s pronouncement and shot back, "Lin Da Jiang, you are set on divorcing me today, is that it? Fine. Go fetch the divorce papers. You take one step out the door, and I will crash my head right here before you take the next. What I say, I do." He Shi had initially intended to stage a bluff, but as she spoke, the threat seemed to become terrifyingly real.