The merchant's rebirth led to the complete downfall of the Marquis's mansion.

Chen Yiru deliberately waited until later before going back.

Before returning, he asked around to find out where his father was and when he would return, and then he returned to the Chen residence just in time.

When she arrived at her own courtyard, someone came to invite her to the Jiang family's courtyard.

Chen Yiru understood perfectly, and without asking any questions, she simply followed the person who came.

In the Jiang family's courtyard, only Jiang herself sat in the main seat.

Jiang Qianqian, who had acquired many valuable items, went to admire her jewelry as soon as she returned and had no intention of coming over. Jiang Shi was heartbroken over the money she had spent and didn't want to see her either.

But Chiang Kai-shek still needed to vent his anger on someone.

As soon as Chen Yiru stepped inside, she was splashed with water by a cup that the other woman had thrown.

"Why is that, Mother?" Chen Yiru asked candidly.

The items were bought for Jiang Qianqian, and Jiang herself was willing to buy them. What does it have to do with her?

"You're asking me again! Where did you go today? You invited us to Diancui Pavilion, but you were nowhere to be found!"

Jiang stood up and pointed at her angrily.

That's right, Jiang was relieved to go there because she thought Chen Yiru would pay.

She didn't think much of it when she didn't see Chen Yiru; she always doted on her daughter.

They would naturally obediently send the money over.

But the remaining 30,000 taels was truly a matter of life and death.

I was planning to let her fill it in, but I can't find her anywhere!

Thinking of her private stash of money, Madam Jiang could no longer contain her temper. "Go! Add 40,000 taels to my private account, as a token of your respect to me."

"Why?" Chen Yiru stood ramrod straight.

Jiang had made her subsidize him quite a bit, and she felt that although her father let her mother manage the household, the accounting was separate, and she had even complained about her father in her heart.

He also listened to Jiang's advice and often subsidized her.

This made her appetite grow bigger and bigger. Last month, she was given a thousand taels of silver, but when Jiang Qianqian came over, she was asked to pay another thousand taels.

They still want 40,000 taels!

"What do you mean 'why'? I'm your mother, what's wrong with you being filial to me?! Don't even mention 40,000, even if you gave me all of it, it would be my duty!" Jiang said without any politeness.

“Mother! Father has said long ago that the things in the storeroom are mine, and I’m getting married soon. You want me to give you everything? What am I supposed to do?” Chen Yiru said, choking back tears.

Seeing Chen Yiru's expression, Jiang became even angrier and started to speak recklessly.

"Hmph! Shameless! Getting married? That's a long way off! Daughters are always so outgoing! They're already thinking about taking their things with them before they're even married!"

Bang! The door was kicked open, and a tall figure walked in.

"Can you say that again!"

Chen's father stood at the door, looking at Jiang with an angry expression.

“I…” Madam Jiang looked at the person who came, and her arrogance vanished instantly, and she returned to her usual gentle demeanor.

Seeing this, the young man next to Chen's father could only try to persuade his mother.

“Mother, my sister has always respected you. Her things are hers, how can you arrange them like this?”

He then turned to Chen Yiru and comforted her:

"Sister, don't be sad. Mother was wrong. No one can take your things away. Father will stand up for you."

Mr. Chen nodded, "Min'er is the most sensible one."

"Mrs. Jiang, for so many years, I always thought you were a good person. I never expected you to harbor such thoughts. From today onwards, you no longer need to manage the household. Just copy the family rules and calm your mind!"

Jiang plopped back into his chair, his mind filled with only one thought: It's all over!

The image she had cultivated over the years was completely destroyed.

Chen Yiru and her father went outside.

Chen Minzhi hesitated for a moment, took a deep look at her mother, and then left.

"Father! Why has Mother never really liked me..." Chen Yiru asked her father suddenly as she walked behind.

“From childhood to adulthood, my mother has rarely cared about me and often asks me for money. A few hundred or a few thousand is nothing, but this time she asked for forty thousand... Although it is only right that I give my things to my mother, the way she said it... makes me feel heartbroken.”

After a moment of contemplation, Mr. Chen finally spoke.

"Ru'er, I know you've been wronged. Your mother... never mind. Just focus on getting married and live a good life from now on. If anything happens, tell me and I'll take care of it."

Chen Yiru already knew the reason; her father had kept it a secret for so long, it was impossible for him to reveal it all at once.

“Yes, Father,” Chen Yiru replied obediently.

Mr. Chen left satisfied.

Chen Yiru stood there for a while, waiting for Chen Minzhi to arrive.

"Sister, I'll take you home." Chen Minzhi caught up and walked with Chen Yiru.

"Don't take what your mother said today to heart. She must have been too anxious to speak without thinking."

Chen Yiru nodded.

“I don’t blame my mother. My father was always a bit strict with her, and she felt wronged.”

Chen Minzhi wholeheartedly agreed, “Sister, don’t worry, your brother will definitely stand by your side. After you get married, your brother will also be your strong support.”

"Okay! I've arrived. Minzhi, you should head back soon too!"

Watching Chen Minzhi's departing figure, Chen Yiru remained lost in thought for a long time.

Judging from the timeline, this younger brother she has always doted on is probably not her biological brother.

So, does he know?

Does he agree with Chiang Kai-shek's approach?