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

The sky outside the window gradually brightened, dispelling the night's haze, but it couldn't dispel the dark clouds in my heart. The rumors about Han Li were like a cancer, spreading throughout the Zhan family. I had to eradicate them as soon as possible.

"Zhanyu, we have to take the initiative." I nudged Zhanyu, who was still sleeping beside me. He opened his eyes drowsily, and saw my serious expression, and instantly woke up.

"What's wrong? Did something happen again?"

I repeated what Servant Luo had said last night and added, "I have a strong feeling that the rumors Han Li spread are more than just idle chatter among the servants."

Zhan Yu immediately stood up, his expression solemn. "You're right. We can't just sit there and wait. We must take the initiative to investigate the source of the rumors."

After discussing it, we decided to split up. Zhan Yu would investigate Han Li's recent movements, while I decided to investigate from within the family to see how far the rumors had spread.

I changed into a simple, elegant dress, trying to look calm and natural. As I stepped out of the room, I took a deep breath and told myself that no matter what happened, I wouldn't lose my composure.

However, things were even worse than I'd imagined. Walking in the courtyard, I could clearly feel the strange looks from those around me. Some family members who were just acquaintances now avoided me when they saw me, and some even whispered behind my back.

"Look, it's her. I heard..."

"Shh, keep your voice down, don't let her hear..."

Their chatter was muffled, but I could clearly sense the malice within it. A wave of resentment washed over me, my nose aching, and I nearly burst into tears. But I forced myself to hold back, telling myself I couldn't back down.

I walked into the garden, pretending to admire the blooming flowers, but actually observing the reactions of the people around me. Sure enough, several members of a small family gathered not far away, pointing and talking at me.

I took a deep breath and walked over.

"Good morning, everyone." I greeted them as calmly as possible.

They were obviously startled by my sudden appearance, and their expressions were a little unnatural.

"Ms. Bai...Ms. Bai, good morning." One of the young men responded stutteringly.

I pretended not to notice their strangeness and asked with a smile, "I see you all seem to be discussing something interesting. Can you share it with me?"

They looked at each other, their eyes flickering, as if they were hesitating whether to speak.

Finally, the young man mustered up the courage to speak: "Miss Bai, we...we were just talking about...about some recent...rumors in the family..."

"Oh? What rumor?" I asked pretending to be ignorant.

He stammered and told some rumors about me being disrespectful to my elders, being unlucky in marriage, etc. I listened quietly without interrupting him.

After he finished speaking, I calmly asked, "Where did you hear these rumors?"

They hesitated for a moment and finally said a name: Han Li.

My heart sank. It seemed that Han Li had begun to win over these small family members who were unaware of the truth in order to expand the influence of the rumors.

"I understand. Thank you for telling me this." I suppressed the anger in my heart and tried to keep a calm tone.

After leaving the garden, I immediately went to see the old priest Xu. He is highly respected and has great prestige in the family. Perhaps he can help me find a solution.

I told Master Xu about Han Li's spreading of rumors and asked for his help.

After listening to this, Elder Priest Xu pondered for a moment and said, "My child, this matter is indeed very difficult. Han Li's purpose is very clear. He wants to ruin your reputation and make you lose your foothold in the family..."

He paused, then continued, "But don't worry too much, I will do my best to help you."

I thanked him gratefully.

Leaving Master Xu's residence, I felt a glimmer of hope rising in my heart. However, just as I was about to return to my room, I saw Zhan Yu hurriedly walking towards me, his face pale and his eyes filled with anxiety...

"Oh no," he grabbed my hand, "Han Li..."

"Oh no," Zhan Yu grabbed my hand. His face was pale, and his eyes were filled with anxiety. "Han Li...he pointed the finger at the Qin family elders!"

My heart sank. The elder of the Qin family was highly respected and held a high prestige within the Zhan family. If Han Li really attacked him, the consequences would be disastrous. I clenched Zhan Yu's hand, feeling a chill in my palm.

"We must stop him!" I said firmly.

Zhan Yu nodded and quickly led me towards the Qin family elder's residence. Along the way, I tried to remain calm, analyzing Han Li's likely actions. His purpose in spreading rumors was clear: to undermine my reputation and weaken my influence within the family. And now, he's turned his attention to the Qin family elders, proving his ambitions far greater than I imagined.

When we arrived at the Qin family elder's residence, we found quite a few people already gathered there, and the atmosphere was very tense. I immediately spotted Han Li standing in the crowd, a hint of pride on his face, as if he had everything under control.

I took a deep breath and walked straight to the members of the small families that Han Li had recruited. When they saw me, a trace of panic flashed in their eyes, and they subconsciously tried to avoid my gaze.

"Everyone," I said calmly but firmly, "I know you uttered those disrespectful words because you were bewitched by Han Li, but I believe you are kind by nature and have simply been blinded."

I paused, then continued, "Do you know how sacred the Zhan family's sacrificial rituals are? Everything we do is for the prosperity of our family and to protect our common home. What Han Li did is not only an insult to me, but also a blasphemy against our entire family!"

I told them my knowledge of sacrifice, from the ancient family history, to the significance of the sacrificial rituals, to the attention to every detail. I used my knowledge and enthusiasm to awaken the conscience in their hearts little by little.

I saw their eyes gradually become clear, and the expressions on their faces changed from panic to guilt.

"Miss Bai, we were wrong. We shouldn't have believed Han Li's slander." A young man stood up and said, his voice full of regret.

"Yes, we shouldn't doubt your loyalty." Others echoed.

I looked at them, and my heart was filled with relief. I knew that I had won the first step of this battle.

Zhan Yu has been standing beside me, his eyes firm and warm, as if telling me that I am not fighting alone. His shoulders are solid and reliable, making me want to lean on them.

I turned my head and smiled at Zhan Yu. His smile gave me infinite strength.

However, just as I was immersed in this joy, Han Li's voice suddenly rang out, sharp and piercing: "You idiots, you were fooled by her words! She threatened you, can't you see?"

Han Li's words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake...

Han Li's shrill voice shattered the newly established calm, like a sharp blade, piercing me fiercely. Those small clan members, already somewhat shaken, began to hesitate again after hearing his words, their eyes wandering. I felt a chill rising from the soles of my feet, quickly spreading throughout my body.

"Threat? Han Li, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say anything you want!" I suppressed my anger and tried to keep my voice calm. Zhan Yu's hand gently rested on my shoulder, and a warm current passed through his fingertips, giving me great support.

"Whether I threatened them or not, everyone knows it. But you, Han Li, have been spreading rumors and slandering my reputation. What's your purpose?" I looked directly into Han Li's eyes, my gaze as sharp as a knife. His eyes flickered, and he didn't dare to look me in the eye.

"I...what I said is all true!" he shouted in a cowardly manner.

"Facts? If it's a fact, do you have any evidence?" I pressed on.

Han Li's expression turned even uglier, and he stammered, unable to speak. I had anticipated this, so I pulled a prepared document from my sleeve and unfolded it for everyone to see.

"This is the testimony I got from servant Luo, as well as the evidence of your private contact with him, Han Li. Servant Luo admitted personally that it was you who instructed him to spread rumors and ruin my reputation!" My voice was sonorous and powerful, and every word was resounding.

A commotion broke out in the crowd, and the faces of those small family members who were recruited by Han Li turned very ugly. They had never expected that they would be used by Han Li.

"Miss Bai, we really don't know..." An older man stood up, his face full of guilt.

"We were also deceived by Han Li..." Others also spoke up to defend themselves.

I looked at them without much resentment. They were just pawns being used, and the real culprit was Han Li.

"I know you have been deceived. Now that the truth is out, I hope you can stand up, tell the truth, and give me justice!" My tone softened a little, with a hint of pleading.

The small family members looked at each other, and finally, they all nodded.

"We are willing to testify that it was Han Li who instructed us to spread rumors!"

"Han Li, do you have anything else to say?" I turned to look at Han Li. His face had turned pale, like a piece of white paper.

He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. His carefully planned plot was completely shattered by me.

Murmurs rose among the crowd, all discussing Han Li's despicable behavior. The Qin family elder also approached, his face gloomy and his eyes piercing.

"Han Li, do you have anything else to say?" The Qin family elder's voice was majestic and powerful, with an unquestionable deterrent force.

Han Li was trembling all over. He lowered his head and did not dare to look directly into the eyes of the Qin family elder.

"I...I..." He spoke incoherently and could no longer speak a complete sentence.

I looked at the disheveled Han Li, feeling no pleasure. Although I had won this fight, I knew it was only the beginning...

"Han Li, do you think this is over?" Zhan Yu's voice suddenly rang out, icy and piercing. He stepped forward, blocking my way, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, staring intently at Han Li, as if to devour him...

Han Li's face was paler than paper, his lips trembling, yet he couldn't utter a single complete syllable. He slumped to the ground like a hedgehog stripped of its quills. Looking at him like this, I felt no pity. He spread rumors, slandered my reputation, and attempted to undermine my position within the Zhan family. I will never forgive such behavior.

The Qin family elder's face was terribly gloomy. He walked up to Han Li and looked down at him condescendingly, "Han Li, do you have anything else to say?" His voice was low and majestic, with an unquestionable sense of oppression.

Han Li raised his head, trembling, his eyes filled with fear and despair. "I... I was wrong... Please, forgive me this time..." He begged, his voice trembling and almost inaudible.

The Qin family elder snorted coldly, "Let you go? You spread rumors, ruined the reputation of the Zhan family's daughter-in-law, and disrupted the family order. Your crime is unforgivable! Come, take him away and deal with him according to the family rules!"

Two guards immediately stepped forward and dragged Han Li away. He struggled and cried, but to no avail. Watching him being dragged away, I felt not much pleasure, but instead a sense of heaviness. Although I won this battle, it was only the beginning. The Han family was a powerful force within the clan, and Han Li was merely a pawn. Behind the scenes, even more powerful forces were manipulating everything.

Zhan Yu held my hand tightly. His hand was warm and strong, giving me great comfort. "Don't worry, I will always be with you." He said softly, his eyes full of tenderness and determination.

I shook his hand back and smiled gratefully. I knew that no matter how many storms lay ahead, I would face them with him.

After this incident, my reputation was restored, and those members of the smaller clans that Han Li had deceived apologized and expressed their support. However, I didn't let my guard down. I knew the Han family wouldn't let this go, and they would definitely come up with even more vicious schemes to deal with me.

Sure enough, within a few days, new rumors began to circulate within the family. This time, they were even more vicious and difficult to refute. They said I was ruthless and cruel, and that I had framed Han Li to consolidate my position. They even said I had an affair with a man from another family, bringing disgrace upon the Zhan family.

These rumors spread like wildfire, and even some family members who had originally supported me began to waver. I felt a huge pressure pressing down on me, making it almost impossible to breathe. I understood that this was not just an attack on me personally, but a conspiracy against the Zhan family.

Zhan Yu's expression grew serious, and he summoned his trusted family members to discuss countermeasures. Elder Priest Xu also arrived, a man of great experience who knew all the family's situations like the back of his hand.

"This rumor is spreading very quickly, and the content is even more vicious. It's clearly premeditated." Elder Priest Xu said in a deep voice, "We must quickly uncover the truth and find the mastermind behind this to completely quell this storm."

Zhan Yu nodded and said, "I have sent people to investigate, and I believe there will be results soon."

I sat aside, listening to their discussion, feeling a growing unease. I had a feeling this time was more complicated and dangerous than last time. My intuition told me a bigger storm was brewing...

Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard outside the door, and a guard hurried in, his face panicked. "Master, something bad has happened to the Han family..." He was interrupted by another voice outside the door before he could finish his words. "Miss Bai, the head of the family would like you to go to the meeting room..." The voice carried a subtle sneer.