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

The sunlight outside the ancestral hall was a little dazzling, and I subconsciously squinted my eyes.

The whispers around me were buzzing like mosquitoes. I tried hard to distinguish them, but could only catch a few scattered words: "Bai family", "sacrifice", "Han Tao..." These words were like needles, piercing my heart.

Maid Luo came over and bowed his head respectfully: "Young Madam, the car is ready." I nodded, but did not get in the car immediately.

Zhan Yu was still talking to the elder of the Qin family. I noticed that the elder Qin's face was solemn. He looked at me from time to time with a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

I took a deep breath and tried to keep myself calm.

Han Tao's downfall was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples.

I know this is just the beginning.

When I returned to the Zhan family, my mother-in-law still looked cold.

She sat in the main seat in the living room, holding Buddhist beads in her hand, ticking them one by one, as if she didn't care about my arrival at all.

I went up to her and greeted her, "Mom, you're back." She just said "hmm" lightly and ignored me.

This indifferent attitude made me feel powerless, as if all my efforts were in vain.

During dinner, the atmosphere was still depressing.

My mother-in-law hardly moved her chopsticks, only taking a sip of soup occasionally.

Zhan Yu picked up a piece of fish for me and whispered, "Eat more." Although his action was subtle, it made me feel a little warm.

After dinner, Zhan Yu took me to the study.

He closed the door and his face turned serious.

"Elder Qin just told me..." He paused, "The Han family doesn't seem to intend to give up." My heart sank suddenly, and a chill rose from the soles of my feet.

"What... do they want to do?" My voice trembled a little.

Zhan Yu walked over to me and gently held me in his arms.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here." His low voice sounded in my ears, "I will protect you." He hugged me tightly, as if he wanted to merge me into his body.

The study was silent, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind outside the window.

I leaned in his arms, listening to his strong heartbeat, and my heart gradually calmed down.

Suddenly, a knock on the door broke the silence...

"Come in." Zhan Yu's voice sounded a little tired.

The door opened, and servant Luo walked in with his head lowered, holding an envelope in his hand. "Master, this is from Elder Qin."

Zhan Yu took the envelope, opened it and took a look, his face instantly turned gloomy.

He handed me the letter and I took it with trembling hands. There were only a few lines of words on the letter, but it made me feel suffocated - the Han family was spreading rumors everywhere, saying that I succeeded in the sacrifice because I used improper means and received secret help from the old priest Xu.

I clenched the letter tightly, my knuckles turning white. "How dare they!" I uttered through gritted teeth.

Zhan Yu pulled me into his arms and gently stroked my back. "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

The next day, Zhan Yu called a meeting of family members.

The atmosphere in the conference room was solemn, and everyone had different expressions on their faces, some confused, some suspicious, and some gloating.

Han Tao's uncle Han Zhengde sat in the corner with a sneer on his face, and his eyes seemed to say: Let's see how long you can be proud.

Zhan Yu stood up, held my hand tightly, and glanced at everyone present.

"Regarding the matter of the sacrifice, I think there are some things I must clarify." His voice was steady and powerful. "My wife, Bai, performed impeccably in the sacrifice. Any doubt is an insult to her efforts!" He paused, looking directly at Han Zhengde. "As for those so-called 'improper means', that's completely nonsense!"

His words were powerful and echoed in the conference room.

Some family members who were originally hesitant began to re-examine me at this moment.

The suspicion in their eyes gradually faded, replaced by a hint of admiration.

Han Zhengde's face turned pale, but he didn't dare to refute.

He didn't expect Zhan Yu to defend me so strongly.

He grumbled, his face darkening. "So what if the sacrifice succeeds? It's just bad luck..."

Zhan Yu's eyes suddenly became sharp. He was about to speak, but I gently pulled his sleeve.

I shook my head and gave him a small smile.

"Ignore him," I said calmly. "The clear will be clear, and the turbid will be turbid."

Han Zhengde snorted coldly and stopped talking. After the meeting, I returned to the room and found a letter on the table...

There was no signature on the envelope. I hesitated for a moment, but finally opened it.

There was only a piece of paper inside, with beautiful small characters written on it: "Ms. Bai, I know you were wronged, and I believe you." The signature was - Master Xu.

My heart warmed. I didn't expect that he would write a letter to comfort me.

Just as I was feeling emotional, Zhan Yu pushed the door open and walked in with a smile on his face.

"Good news!" he said excitedly. "After hearing those rumors, Priest Xu went to see Elder Qin in person and clarified the facts in front of the Han family!"

My heart skipped a beat and a warm feeling surged in my heart.

Zhan Yu continued, "Mr. Xu said that your hard work and talent are obvious to all, and your sacrificial process is completely in line with the regulations. There is no improper means at all. In his opinion, those rumors are simply self-defeating!" He paused, his tone tinged with pride. "Han Zhengde's face turned green, and he was speechless!"

I couldn't help laughing, it was such a surprising turn of events.

What surprised me even more was that Elder Qin also publicly expressed his recognition of me.

He said that my actions upheld the dignity of the family priests, and announced on the spot that from now on, I would officially participate in the decision-making of family affairs.

This news was like a thunderclap, causing an uproar in the Zhan family.

I know that this means my status in the family has been elevated to an unprecedented level.

Han Zhengde's face was probably darker than the bottom of a pot at this moment.

In the evening, maid Luo brought a bowl of bird's nest, saying that it was specially made by the kitchen on the orders of her mother-in-law.

I looked at the bowl of bird's nest with mixed feelings.

My mother-in-law's attitude changed so quickly that I was caught off guard.

I picked up the spoon and gently stirred the bird's nest, but suddenly I heard a burst of footsteps outside the door...

The aroma of bird's nest is sweet, but it makes me feel a little uneasy.

My mother-in-law has always been quite critical of me, so this sudden show of goodwill is really unusual.

Is it because of Elder Qin’s approval?

Or is this just the calm before the storm?

I scooped up a spoonful of bird's nest and slowly put it into my mouth. It tasted sweet, but it did not reduce the doubts in my heart at all.

Just as I was about to put down the spoon, there was a slight knock on the door, followed by the slightly nervous voice of the maid Luo: "Young Madam, the old lady wants you to come over."

My heart sank.

Why did my mother-in-law summon me at this time?

Could it be that her recognition of me is just superficial and she actually has other plans?

I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm.

"I know, I'll be there right away."

I put down the bowl, stood up, straightened my clothes, and tried to look calm and composed. I walked to the door of my mother-in-law's room and knocked gently.

"Come in." There was no emotion in my mother-in-law's voice.

I pushed the door open and saw my mother-in-law sitting on a chair, holding a string of Buddhist beads in her hand, looking at me calmly. "Sit down."

I sat down as I was told, trying to maintain a smile. "Grandma, what do you want to talk to me about?"

The mother-in-law did not answer immediately, but slowly turned the Buddhist beads in her hand. After a moment, she slowly said: "Thank you for your hard work in the sacrifice."

This simple "Thank you for your hard work" made me feel even more uneasy. My mother-in-law's tone was so calm that it seemed unreal to me.

"That's what I should do," I replied cautiously.

"I know you've suffered a lot." Grandma continued, "Those people in the Han family always like to gossip."

I was a little surprised that my mother-in-law actually mentioned the Han family. Was she trying to be nice to me? Or was there something else going on?

"It's okay, mother-in-law, it's all over." I tried to make my tone sound more relaxed.

My mother-in-law glanced at me and a barely perceptible smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.

"It's over. From now on, you will be the daughter-in-law of the Zhan family, and no one can bully you."

These words sounded like a promise, but also like a warning. I felt like I was walking on a tightrope, and if I wasn't careful, I would fall into the abyss.

"Thank you, mother-in-law." I lowered my head to hide the complex emotions in my eyes.

At this moment, there was a sudden sound of hurried footsteps outside the door, and then a maid ran in hurriedly, her face pale.

"Madam, this is bad! The master..."