“Dad.” After a brief moment of surprise, Zhao Huanxi lowered his head and respectfully bowed to Zhao Mingkun.

Xu Nian’an hurried over and also bowed in greeting. Her gaze swept behind Zhao Mingkun and saw that Zhao Huanchao and Zhao Huanyang were both present, followed by a line of maids and servants carrying trays, food boxes, and candles. It seemed that the three of them had come to have a small gathering in the small garden.

“Beast, kneel down!” Without looking at Xu Nian’an, Zhao Mingkun opened his mouth and scolded Zhao Huanxi.

"畜生" (chùshēng) is a derogatory term in Chinese that literally translates to "livestock" or "beast." However, when used as an insult towards a person, it is extremely derogatory, implying that the person is behaving like an animal or is of low moral character. It's a very strong and offensive insult.

Shocked, Zhao Huanxi trembled and instinctively tried to kneel down. However, a hand suddenly reached out from the side, hooking his elbow and supporting him.

Surprised, Zhao Huanxi turned his head to look at Xu Nian’an.

Zhao Mingkun and his sons also cast their gazes towards her.

Xu Nian’an’s face showed no expression, but her tone remained respectful. “Gongdiē, One is not sure what mistake Sanlang has made. Are you going to punish him by making him kneel in public?”

“Outrageous, who gave you the right to speak?” Zhao Mingkun scolded.

“Erxi was properly married into the Zhao family by the matchmaker according to the Three Letters and Six Etiquettes. The one Gongdiē going to punish is Erxi’s husband. Naturally, Erxi has the right to ask for clarification,” Xu Nian’an replied fearlessly.

"三书六礼" (sān shū liù lǐ)-The "三书" or "three letters" refer to the letters exchanged between the two families to propose, betroth, and confirm the marriage. The "六礼" or "six etiquettes" refer to the six traditional procedures of the wedding ceremony, including the formal proposal, the engagement, the delivery of the bridal gifts, the selection of the wedding date, the wedding ceremony, and the bride's arrival at the groom's home.

Zhao Mingkun had never seen a daughter-in-law dare to contradict him face to face in such a way, and for a moment, he was unexpectedly silenced by her words.

“Dimei, speaking to Father in this manner is somewhat disrespectful,” Zhao Huanyang said displeasedly.

“Er Bo, I’m also considering Gongdiē’s feelings. Gongdiē just called Sanlang a beast, but Sanlang is not a stranger; he is Gongdiē’s own son, Da Bo and Er Bo real blood-related brother. If he is a beast, then what does that make Gongdiē? And what does that make Da Bo and Er Bo?”

Zhao Mingkun was so angry that his face turned green. He raised his hand and slapped Xu Nian’an, angrily scolding, “Such unruly speech, utterly foolish! Don’t think that just because Zufu is the one who makes decisions, I can’t do anything to you!”

“Dad, if you don’t like me, just hit me. Why take it out on her?” Zhao Huanxi was stunned when he saw Xu Nian’an being hit. It was the first time in his life that he shouted loudly at his father, stiffening his neck.

“Are you rebelling too?” Zhao Mingkun lifted his foot, and Xu Nian’an turned and pounced towards Zhao Huanxi. This kick landed on her back.

Beside the path was a lake. With great force, Zhao Mingkun’s kick sent Xu Nian’an and Zhao Huanxi, who was protected by her, tumbling into the lake together.

This was a serious situation. Xiaowei was stunned. Mingli threw aside what she was holding, ran over and shouted as she tried to save Xu Nian’an, “Someone come! Help! Da Laoyé wants to kill San Yé and San Nainai! Help—”

Zhao Mingkun was also taken aback. He had only intended to kick his son, and even if he ended up kicking him into the lake, it wouldn’t have mattered; they could just pull him out. But now, he had kicked his daughter-in-law in as well. Despite his stubbornness and confusion, he knew this was a big mistake. He immediately ordered someone to cover Mingli’s mouth and had others fish out Zhao Huanxi and his wife.

The lake shore was momentarily in chaos.

Yin Furen was the first to hear the news and rush to the scene. When she arrived at the lake shore, she saw her daughter-in-law sitting on a wet stone, wrapped in Mingli’s removed outer robe, half of her face swollen, looking frightened. Her son was lying on the ground, leaning to the side and vomiting water, looking extremely uncomfortable as if he would rather be dead.

However, the trio of father and sons, Zhao Mingkun, Zhao Huanxi, and Zhao Huanyang stood there looking perfectly fine.

She went crazy, ignoring all dignity, and rushed up to hit Zhao Mingkun while screaming: “You heartless and vicious person! If you don’t care about your son, that’s one thing, but you even want his life? You treat these two shu daughters-in-law as treasures, but always hitting or scolding your legitimate son. Do you still have any sense of hierarchy between legitimate and illegitimate in your heart? Now even the daughter-in-law who has just entered the door is being targeted. Are you even human?”

Zhao Mingkun was originally feeling guilty. In the midst of pushing and blocking, he was accidentally scratched on the face by Yin Furen, causing a fiery pain. This ignited his anger, and he pushed Yin Furen hard, scolding, “You crazy woman! Have you lost your mind?”

Seeing Yin Furen being pushed and falling to the ground, Zhao Huanchao and Zhao Huanyang, the two brothers, felt extremely satisfied.

“I think you’re the crazy one.” The cold and majestic voice made Zhao Mingkun’s heart skip a beat. He turned around and saw Guogong Yé standing there. Hurriedly, he bowed and saluted, “Dad.”

Zhao Huanchao and Zhao Huanyang also put on a honest appearance, followed by bowing, and stepped aside.

Yin Furen saw Guogong Yé arriving, with the help of Nanny Su, she got up from the ground, went over to bow to Guogong Yé crying as she said, “Gongdiē, you must make decisions for the children. Such fine children were beaten like this…”

Facing his daughter-in-law, Guogong Yé’s voice softened slightly, “Hurry and take the children back, find a doctor to check on them, don’t let their condition worsening.”

“Yes.” Yin Furen also regained her composure at this moment, hurriedly instructed the servants and maids to escort Zhao Huanxi and his wife back to Shenhui Courtyard. She also ordered someone to clear the way ahead and not allow unrelated people to peek.

After the group left in a hurry, Guogong Yé walked up to Zhao Mingkun.

At this moment, Zhao Mingkun was no longer arrogant, looking even more dejected than Zhao Huanxi when facing him.

“Dad…” Sensing his father’s displeasure, he braced himself and was about to defend himself, but Guogong Yé immediately slapped him across the face.

With a loud slap, Zhao Mingkun was stunned, while Zhao Huanchao and Zhao Huanyang dared not even lift their heads.

Zhao Mingkun covered his face with one hand, looking incredulously at Guogong Yé. He knew that his father did not favor him, but even if his father didn’t favor him, it was usual for him not to see him much, but he was still polite in private. In public, he still gave him all the face he should. It was unprecedented to slap him like this, especially in front of juniors and servants.

“Pushing down your legal wife, beating your daughter-in-law. You’re getting old and acting like a dog? What’s that expression? Thinking of fighting back?” Guogong Yé shouted, still unsatisfied, and kicked him hard again.

Guogong Yé’s strength was not something Zhao Mingkun could compare to. After the slap and kick, Zhao Mingkun felt like he had lost half his life. He had to force himself to stand firm and bow his head, obediently saying, “Er dare not.”

Seeing that he had subdued him, Guogong Yé looked past him to Zhao Huanchao and Zhao Huanyang behind him, and asked, “Just now, when your father beat your brother’s wife and pushed down your legitimate mother, did anyone step forward to stop him?”

"嫡母" (dí mǔ) refers to a concubine-born (shu) children's legitimate mother, especially in the context of traditional family structures where there may be multiple wives or concubines. The term distinguishes the primary or legal wife of one's father from other wives or concubines.

In the presence of everyone’s eyes, the father and his two sons dared not tell lies and could only maintain an embarrassing silence.

Guogong Yé sneered, “Such unfilial and unbrotherly!”

不孝不悌 (bù xiào bù tì):
This phrase combines the two most fundamental pillars of Confucian social order: 孝 (Xiào) and 悌 (Tì).
孝 (Xiào) – Filial Piety
This is the vertical bond between generations. It is the duty of children to respect, obey, and care for their parents (including legitimate mother) and ancestors.
悌 (Tì) – Fraternal Duty / Brotherly Love
This is the horizontal bond between siblings and peers. It refers to the respect a younger brother owes an older brother, and the care and protection an older brother owes a younger brother (and by extension, the younger brother's family).

Zhao Huanchao and Zhao Huanyang, the two brothers, alternated between pale and flushed faces, not daring to make a sound.

Guogong Yé changed the subject, saying, “I heard that due to her poor health, Du Yiniang has not paid respects to Da Taitai for more than ten years. An illness that has not been cured in more than a decade must be serious. Even if she is a concubine you legally married following the rules, if she contracts a serious illness, she must be sent away according to the rules. Since she is a concubine and has also contributed to the Zhao family, she will not be expelled, but instead sent to the lower manor for peaceful rest!”

下头 (xià tou): Literally "below" or "underneath." Here it refers to the various subordinate estates or rural properties owned by the Guogong’s household that are located away from the capital or the main residence.

“Dad!”

“Zufu!”

Guogong Yé’s words were like a bolt from the blue for Zhao Mingkun and his sons. For over twenty years, they had lived together as one whole family.

Guogong Yé cast a cold glance at the trio of father and his two sons, saying, “Whoever is willing to accompany her, I will grant their wish.”

Seeing his firm attitude, the trio of father and two sons immediately fell silent, not daring to utter a word of plea.

On the other side, because the main room in Shenhui Courtyard only has one bed, so Yin Furen arranged for Xu Nian’an to stay in the Shenhui Courtyard, and took Zhao Huanxi to her Jiaxiang House, then found doctors to come and examine separately.

Zhao Huanxi, who was not adept at swimming, although rescued in time, after all, still swallowed quite a bit of water. He coughed and vomited, tossing and turning for quite a while, before passing out half-dazed and half-asleep.

Xu Nian’an actually didn’t swallow much water. This was because after falling into the water, Zhao Huanxi kept pushing her upwards desperately, so her head almost didn’t submerge in the water. Compared to nearly drowning, what was more painful was being kicked in her lower back by Zhao Mingkun.

Nanny Su was beside her, watching over her.

The doctor they found was the one Yin Furen usually used. He took Xu Nian’an’s pulse, pressed her spine through the clothes, and said that she did not injure her bones and there was no serious problem.

Nanny Su breathed a sigh of relief, ordering someone to fetch medicine for treating bruises and injuries and at the same time finding her daughter-in-law who is skilled in massage to come over. She personally went to the Jiaxiang House to report to Yin Furen.

Zhao Huanxi also had his pulse checked and received a diagnosis of ‘no serious problem’, which finally put Yin Furen’s mind at ease.

Just after the doctor left, Qianhe came and said that Xiangzhong, the steward by Guogong Yé’s side, came to convey Guogong Yé’s words, instructing to move Concubine Du to the lower manor.

Yin Furen, brimming with anger with nowhere to vent, upon hearing these words, immediately summoned more than twenty maids and servants, and aggressively headed towards Concubine Du’s courtyard.

At the beginning, Zhao Mingkun favours Concubine Du but neglects her, causing her to be distressed for several years. However, after she had Huan Xi, she no longer cared about Zhao Mingkun and even less about this concubine of his. She was just an additional expense, funded by the Guogomg Residence, without needing her to chip in.

But now, Zhao Mingkun has gone too far! Even though she no longer cares about Concubine Du, she is willing to do anything that would make Zhao Mingkun uncomfortable!

Tonight, Zhao Mingkun was originally planning to take his two shu sons to the small garden for a small drink, while Concubine Du and her daughter Zhao Jiahui were going to have their meal together. When Yin Furen suddenly barged in, they were momentarily caught off guard and didn’t know how to react.

Yin Furen didn’t waste any words with her. She pointed at Concubine Du and ordered the maids around her, “Tie her up and immediately send her to the lower manor.”

Concubine Du was greatly alarmed and stood up, asking, “Furen, what do you mean by this?”

She had enjoyed Zhao Mingkun’s favor, and both her sons had developed quite well. For the past twenty-plus years, she had lived a smooth and comfortable life. Apart from not having the status, her life was not much different than the legitimate wife’s. It was inevitable that she had become a bit forgetful of her place.

Yin Furen sneered coldly, not bothering to explain. Her maids rushed forward to apprehend Concubine Du.

Concubine Du’s maid reacted quickly and shouted, “Someone, come quickly to protect Yiniang!”

Concubine Du also shouted at the stunned Zhao Jiahui, “Hurry, go call your father and brother to save me! Tell them Furen wants to kill me!”

However, Zhao Jiahui stood still, looking sadly at her mother.

“Go quickly!” Concubine Du yelled at her daughter in the chaos.

“Yiniang, Furen and you have been peaceful for over twenty years,” Zhao Jiahui said tearfully. “If it weren’t for Zufu’s orders, do you think she would harm you?”

Concubine Du fell silent immediately.

Not only did she quiet down, but the loyal maids who were about to enter to protect Concubine Du also fell silent.

The nature of a quarrel between wife and concubine, and Guogong Yé’s order was vastly different. In a quarrel between wife and concubine, they would protect the favoured concubine, relying on Da Laoyé to protect them. But if Guogong Yé gave the order and they obstructed it, would there be any good outcome?

Unfortunately, it was too late to realize this now.

Yin Furen looked at Concubine Du, whose face was pale, and sneered, “You’ve lived all these years in vain, not as enlightened as your daughter. Thanks to Zhao Mingkun and your son’s blessings, you, go retire at the lower manor. Qianhe, did you note down all the maids and servants who were involved in the scuffle just now?”

Qianhe replied, “Replying to Furen, I noted them all down.”

“After sending Du Yiniang away, sell them all off, one by one,” Yin Furen ordered, then turned and left.

She still needed to check on her son and daughter-in-law, so she didn’t have time to deal with them further.

Behind her, there was a chorus of cries and pleas for mercy.

Yin Furen had just reached the courtyard gate when she came face to face with Zhao Mingkun, whose face was scratched with bloody marks and was limping from being kicked by Guogong Yé.

“Yo, here to bid farewell to your beloved concubine? Go and see her now, because if you want to see her again, you’ll have to go to the lower manors.” Yin Furen could endure anything, except when it involved her children. Today, she had completely torn her face with Zhao Mingkun and was unwilling to maintain even a superficial show of respect.

Zhao Mingkun glanced into the courtyard and saw Concubine Du being gagged and tied up by several maids, dragged out of the room.

Concubine Du looked up and saw Zhao Mingkun. She made muffled sounds, tears streaming down her face.

“You see that? She’s calling for you to save her,” Yin Furen taunted.

“Yin Shi! You’ve gone too far!” Zhao Mingkun felt both heartbroken and helpless, angrily rebuking Yin Furen with a façade of strength.

“What if I’ve gone too far? Let me tell you, if you dare to touch a single finger of Huanxi and his wife in the future, I have even more extreme measures waiting for you! Disrespecting the old, I spit on you!” Yin Furen spat at Zhao Mingkun, then turned and shouted at the maids, “What are you dawdling for? Drag her out quickly!”

“Mmm, mmm! Mmmph!” As Concubine Du was dragged past Zhao Mingkun, she tearfully and pitifully appealed to him for help.

Zhao Mingkun stared intensely at his beloved concubine, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Yin Furen watched coldly from the sidelines, as if watching a show, observing the interaction between the two.

Zhao Mingkun could bear it no longer. He couldn’t stop Guogong Yé from sending Concubine Du away, but he could at least ensure that she left with dignity, rather than being dragged away like a pig or a dog, completely devoid of dignity.

Just as he was about to intervene and snatch Concubine Du from the maids, Yin Furen interrupted sharply, “Zhao Mingkun! Dare to lay a finger on her and see what happens! If you dare to touch her, I will report to Gongdié and tell him you are not allowing Du Yiniang to be sent away! You know Gongdié’s temperament. Go ahead, try touching her!”

Zhao Mingkun dared not move.

Yes, he understood his father’s temperament. For now, his father only ordered Concubine Du to be sent to the village. If Yin Furen were to falsely accuse him of obstructing this order, Concubine Du might be expelled from the Zhao Residence, or worse… His father had spent half his life on the battlefield and wouldn’t mind getting his hands dirty.

Yin Furen sneered coldly, giving him one last contemptuous look, as if she were looking at a coward, before leaving with Concubine Du, who was being bound and dragged away.

Zhao Mingkun watched as Concubine Du was forcibly taken away, feeling regret for the first time for his mistreatment of his legitimate son.

If it weren’t for what happened in the small garden in the afternoon, would it have come to this? How could it have come to this?!