The ancient war between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in a wealthy family

Elder Qin's words still echoed in my ears, but the phrase "great merit" felt more like a heavy stone weighing down my heart. Leaving the ancestral hall, the sun glared blindingly, and I instinctively squinted, but I couldn't avoid the inquiring, jealous, and even resentful gazes. Their whispers, though quiet, were like countless tiny insects crawling all over my skin, making me feel uncomfortable.

Zhan Yu's hand gripped mine tightly, the warmth of his palm conveying a sense of comfort. I glanced sideways at him. A shadowy haze hung between his brows, his lips tightly pursed. He clearly sensed the strange atmosphere around him. He said nothing, simply quickening his pace, as if eager to escape this suffocating place as quickly as possible.

Back in the yard, I saw the anxious look on the servant Luo's face. He hesitantly handed me a letter, saying it was sent to me specially. My heart skipped a beat, and a sense of foreboding came over me. Zhan Yu snatched the letter, unfolded it, and his face instantly turned pale. The letter contained only one sentence: "Be careful, there is a traitor around you."

Zhan Yu's eyes, like torches, swept through every corner of the courtyard, finally landing on the maid Luo. The maid trembled with fear, fell to her knees with a thud, and kowtowed repeatedly: "Master, Madam, I am wronged! I am loyal to the Zhan family and would never dare to betray them!"

I watched the terrified servant Luo, feeling a mixture of emotions. This letter seemed strange. Who sent it? What was its purpose? Could it be that the servant Luo had betrayed us? He had been with us for many years, always loyal and devoted, and had never done anything untoward.

"Get up," I said calmly, "I believe you." Although Zhan Yu's expression was still serious, he did not pursue the matter any further. He knew that the most important thing now was to find the real mastermind behind the incident.

My mother-in-law appeared at the gate. She still had a cold look on her face, and there was no warmth in her eyes. When she saw us, she simply said, "The sacrifice is over, and it's time for you to go back." After that, she turned and left without stopping.

My heart ached, like a needle prick. I knew that no matter what I did, I couldn't change her prejudice. Since marrying into the Zhan family, I'd tried my best to do everything well, honor my parents-in-law, and serve my husband, but she always harbored hostility towards me.

Zhan Yu gently patted my shoulder and said softly, "Don't worry. One day, she'll understand how good you are." His words flowed through my heart like a warm current, dispelling the chill within. I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. I knew I couldn't let these trivial matters weigh me down. I had more important things to do.

Just then, a commotion erupted from outside the courtyard, and a familiar voice approached from afar: "Madam Zhan, Elder Qin invites you!" It was the voice of Elder Priest Xu. A glimmer of hope suddenly rose in my heart. Perhaps, things would turn around...

The arrival of Elder Priest Xu was like dropping a stone into a tranquil lake, sending ripples flying. Everyone stopped whispering and turned their gazes to me. I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure, and followed Elder Priest Xu toward the square in front of the ancestral hall.

In the square, Elder Qin and several highly respected family elders were already waiting. Their expressions were solemn, making me feel a little nervous. Elder Priest Xu walked to the center, cleared his throat, and spoke loudly, "Everyone, we have invited you here today to honor Madam Zhan for her outstanding performance in the sacrificial ceremony."

As soon as he finished speaking, a buzz erupted from the crowd. I felt the probing gazes grow even more intense, as if they wanted to see through me.

"Mrs. Zhan's respect for and mastery of sacrificial traditions are exceptional among the younger generation," continued Elder Priest Xu, his voice resonant and powerful. "She was meticulous and reverent during the sacrificial process. Not only did she successfully complete the entire ceremony, she also demonstrated the demeanor of a daughter-in-law of the Zhan family. Her performance is worthy of emulation by all of us!"

The words of Elder Priest Xu flowed through my heart like a warm current. I stole a glance at Zhan Yu, who was standing in a corner of the crowd, looking at me tenderly with a barely perceptible smile. His eyes gave me immense encouragement and support.

The crowd gradually quieted down, replaced by glances of approval and admiration. Several elders also nodded in agreement with Elder Xu's words. Elder Qin walked up to me, patted my shoulder, and said earnestly, "Good boy, you've done well. The Zhan family is blessed to have a daughter-in-law like you."

I bowed my head slightly and humbly accepted their praise. I knew that this was not only an affirmation of me, but also a reward for my hard work.

After the ceremony, the crowd gradually dispersed. Zhan Yu walked over to me and gently took my hand. His fingers brushed across my palm, leaving a tingling sensation. He leaned over and whispered in my ear, "No matter what, I'll be with you."

His voice was low and gentle, like a spring breeze, blowing through my heart. I held his hand tightly, feeling the warmth of his palm, and my heart was filled with sweetness and happiness.

We walked side by side back to the courtyard, the afterglow of the setting sun falling on us, stretching our shadows out. I turned to look at Zhan Yu, his profile looking particularly handsome in the sunlight. I couldn't help but reach out and gently touch his face.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “Thank you for always being there.”

He turned his head and looked at me affectionately, his eyes full of love. He said nothing, but just hugged me in his arms and held me tightly.

Just as we were immersed in the happy atmosphere, a discordant voice suddenly came from behind us: "Huh, it's just good luck. You really think you are some great person."

I spun around abruptly, only to see several members of the Han family standing nearby, staring at us with grim eyes. Han Li, the head of the Han family, curled his lips into a cold smile and said slowly, "This sacrificial ritual is not that simple..."

Han Li's sarcastic tone made my heart tighten, and an ominous premonition came over me. I subconsciously squeezed Zhan Yu's hand, and he squeezed mine back, silently giving me strength.

"Master Han, what do you mean by this?" Zhan Yu's voice was cold, with a hint of warning.

Han Li sneered, his eyes sweeping over me with disdain. "What do you mean? Madam Zhan knows." He paused, then raised his voice, as if deliberately speaking for the others to hear. "Sacrifice is such a sacred thing, how can it be treated as a joke? Some people will resort to any means to achieve their goals!"

His words were like a bomb, exploding in the crowd. People around me began to whisper, and the looks they cast at me became complicated. I felt a chill run from the soles of my feet to the top of my head, and my blood seemed to freeze.

"Han Li, stop slandering me!" I suppressed my anger and tried to remain calm. "I'm upright and I'm not afraid of your slander!"

"Really?" Han Li raised his eyebrows, a hint of sarcasm on his lips. "Then tell me, how come you, someone who has never been involved in sacrifice before, can complete the entire ceremony so skillfully? Did you make some preparations in advance?"

Every word he said hit home, hitting my sore spot. I knew he was deliberately trying to confuse me and leave me speechless.

"I..." I was speechless, unsure how to refute. I've had a keen interest in family history and traditional culture since I was a child, and I've done a lot of research privately. But to Han Li, this was evidence of my "cheating."

Zhan Yu took a step forward, shielding me slightly with his body. His voice was calm, but it carried an undeniable firmness. "Master Han, you must have evidence to support your words. You are slandering my wife with empty words. What do you mean by that?"

"Evidence?" Han Li's eyes widened in mock surprise. "Master Zhan, do you even need evidence? Everyone saw it. Someone who had never been exposed to rituals before was able to perform so perfectly. Isn't that enough to prove the point?"

He looked around and instigated the people around him, "Everyone, don't you agree?"

There was a chorus of agreement from the crowd, and I felt like I was being put on a trial stand and judged.

At this moment, a majestic voice sounded: "Enough!"

Elder Qin stepped out of the crowd, his face gloomy and his eyes blazing. He walked up to Han Li and said sternly, "Han Li, don't talk nonsense without evidence! I trust Madam Zhan's character!"

Elder Qin's words were so powerful that they instantly shocked the entire audience. Han Li's face changed, and he moved his lips, but he didn't dare to say anything else.

"Disperse, disperse!" Elder Qin waved his hand, and the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only Zhan Yu, me, and Han Li, who had a grim face, and others.

Han Li glared at me fiercely, then walked away. His back disappeared into the night, but I could clearly feel the resentment and unwillingness in his eyes.

Zhan Yu patted my hand gently and said softly, "Don't worry, I believe you."

I looked up and saw his determined eyes, and a warm feeling welled up in my heart. I knew that no matter what happened, he would stand by me.

We turned and walked back. Night enveloped us, and in the distance I could hear the chirping of insects. I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself.

"Han Li, he..." I just opened my mouth when Zhan Yu interrupted me.

"I know," he said, squeezing my hand. "He won't let this go."

His voice was low and firm, with a subtle chill... Back in the room, I still felt uneasy. Zhan Yu put his arm around my shoulders and let me lean into him. "It's okay, everything will pass." He stroked my hair, his tone gentle but firm.

I knew he was trying to comfort me, but Han Li's words were like a thorn, piercing my heart and causing a dull pain. I had never imagined that a solemn sacrifice would turn into a trial against me. I tried to recall the entire sacrifice, trying to find any loopholes that Han Li might exploit, but I found nothing.

"Zhan Yu," I raised my head, a hint of anxiety in my eyes, "Han Li...why is he targeting me like this?"

Zhan Yu was silent for a moment, his eyes growing deeper. "The Han family and our Zhan family have always been in a competitive relationship. You performed so well in this sacrifice that he felt threatened."

"Threat?" I was a little confused. "I just completed the sacrificial ritual. How can this be considered a threat?"

Zhan Yu sighed and explained, "Sacrifice is not just a ritual, it also symbolizes the family's inheritance and status. If you complete the sacrifice perfectly, it means that you have been recognized by your ancestors and respected by your clansmen. This is not good news for the Han family."

I suddenly realized. The Han family had always coveted the position of head of the Zhan family, and my appearance undoubtedly disrupted their plans. Han Li wanted to use this sacrifice as an opportunity to discredit me and thus undermine the prestige of the Zhan family.

"So what should we do now?" I asked worriedly.

A gleam of brilliance flashed in Zhan Yu's eyes. "When the enemy comes, we will fight them; when the water comes, we will block it with earth. Since Han Li wants to play, we will play with him to the end."

For the next few days, I tried to keep a low profile and avoid any contact with the Han family. I began sorting through the relevant information about the sacrifice, trying to find loopholes that Han Li might exploit. At the same time, I also secretly observed the attitudes of those around me, hoping to find some clues.

As usual, servant Luo arrived to deliver tea. He carefully placed the cup on the table, a look of concern in his eyes. "Young Madam, are you alright? There's been gossip circulating about you in the mansion these past few days..."

My heart sank. It seemed Han Li wasn't idle. He was using rumors to further discredit me.

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern." I forced a calm smile and signaled to the maid Luo that he could leave.

After Maid Luo left, I immediately called Zhan Yu over and told him what Maid Luo had said.

Zhan Yu's expression also grew serious. "It seems that Han Li has already begun to act."

"We can't just sit there and wait for death," I clenched my fists. "We must quickly find evidence that Han Li is spreading rumors so we can fight back against him."

Zhan Yu nodded, a look of determination flashing in his eyes. "I'll arrange for someone to investigate. You should also be careful and don't be left alone."

I nodded, my heart filled with unease. I knew this struggle had only just begun, and I would face even greater tests. Late at night, I lay in bed, unable to sleep. Outside the window, the wind howled, the shadows of the trees swayed, as if something lurked in the darkness, waiting for its chance to strike... I stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the flickering lights in the distance. A strong premonition suddenly arose in my heart: Han Li, he must have a trick up his sleeve.

I turned to look at Zhan Yu. He was sleeping soundly, his breathing even and long. I walked gently to his side, leaned over, and whispered in his ear: "Zhan Yu, we...we seem to be being watched..."