Song Chuyi dared not imagine what might have happened after her own death in her previous life.

  By then, her grandmother had already passed, her elder brother was gone, and Yan'er had been dead for years. She was utterly alone, with only Luyi by her side. Who knew if, after she had died, her body had been wrapped in a mat and discarded on some deserted hillside?

  But now, looking at Song Linng lying there, Chuyi suddenly felt not only guilt but also shame for how reckless and selfish she had been. She had pced all her trust and affection in someone who didn't value her, hurting countless people in the process, only to end up dying alone, sick, and destitute.

  If her mother, Lady Cui, could see her from beyond... how heartbroken would she be?

  Taking a deep breath, Song Chuyi steadied herself, then turned her gaze toward Xiang Yunzhang, whose expression had grown increasingly rigid. She addressed Yunshang again, "Why is it that not a single one of Aunt's closest attendants is here helping?"

  Only now did Xiang Yunzhang realize that Song Chuyi wasn't merely speaking on impulse—she had genuinely noticed this detail. Song Linng had passed, and yet none of her closest companions were around to handle the arrangements.

  He forced a strained smile and fixed his eyes on Song Chuyi, a subtle menace in his gaze as he asked, "And who might this be? When Linng and I married, the younger generation in the family was still so young; I think only Jue'er was a bit older. In the blink of an eye, over ten years have passed, and I can barely recognize anyone now."

  He purposely let his expression turn fierce, hoping to intimidate the seemingly fearless young girl.

  But instead of being frightened or even responding directly, Song Chuyi simply tugged at her grandmother's sleeve and whispered, "It seems Cousin is also missing..."

  Yunshang, who had been sobbing softly, paused at Chuyi's words and looked around, realizing the truth. She wailed even louder, "Yes, Miss and Nanny Zheng—none of them are here..."

  Old Lady Song carefully withdrew her hand, her gaze now cold as ice when she turned around. She looked at Xiang Yunzhi with undisguised impatience and loathing on her face and asked coldly, "I originally came to discuss the matter of divorce, but after all, in our Great Zhou, there has never been a precedent for divorcing the dead..."

  Indeed, Great Zhou had never seen a case of divorcing the deceased. Xiang Yunzhi cast a complicated look at the coffin where Song Linng's face remained strikingly lifelike, feeling an inexplicable, bitter ache in his heart.

  Old Lady Song suddenly ughed, a ugh both bleak and heartbreaking. "But today, this old woman will be the first in Great Zhou, taking charge to divorce my daughter's body from this marriage. Even in death, Song Linng will not enter the ancestral hall of your Xiang family!"

  Xiang Yunzhi was stunned by Old Lady Song's sudden decration, casting her a look of disbelief. It wasn't that he cked quick thinking, but in front of this shrewd and experienced elder, especially with Song Linng's death weighing on him, he dared not respond.

  Third Master sneered, following up on Old Lady Song's words, "My mother is right. Even in death, my sister will not enter your Xiang family's ancestral hall. We came here today specifically to finalize the divorce between you two. Over the years, as my sister's husband, you seem to have never fulfilled the responsibilities of a son-in-w. Not only did you fail to care for your own wife, but you drove her to this point... Xiang Yunzhi, my sister died at your hands!"

  He paused for a moment, seeing Xiang Yunzhi's utter ck of defense, then gnced at him with mocking disdain. "If you still have any shred of decency, prepare my sister's dowry to be taken back. We'll return your bride price according to the list. From now on, we'll cut ties completely."

  In the past, Xiang Yunzhi indeed took shame in relying on the Song family. Whenever he needed help with his position, he preferred to brood at home in frustration rather than ask the Songs for assistance.

  Each time, it was Song Linng who would sigh and send a letter to the Song family, requesting help on his behalf.

  But every time matters were resolved, he felt a mix of satisfaction and a deep sense of inferiority—without the Song family, what would he be?

  And so, each time Old Lady Xiang reproached Song Linng as a pampered daughter of a noble family, out of touch with the struggles of common life and funting her vish attire, he would turn a blind eye, even though he knew it was her own dowry.

  Now, however, Song Linng was truly dead, and the Song family had come to sever all ties. Suddenly, he felt afraid.

  His position as a prefect was indeed heavily influenced by the Song family's support. Even if people didn't mention it outright, many helped him because he was the Song family's son-in-w. Since they never voiced it directly, he had felt free to avoid acknowledging his debt to them.

  Song Chuyi fully understood Xiang Yunzhi's current state of mind. Men like him—cowardly and insecure, yet both inferior and conceited—only ever learned to regret once they had been cast aside like an autumn fan.

  And his days of hardship had only just begun.

  She gnced around, feeling that everything had been sufficiently set up, and lightly tugged on Old Lady Song's sleeve.

  Old Lady Song's expression darkened even further. Her gaze at Xiang Yunzhi was filled with disdain and barely restrained anger, as if she were looking at a vile dog. "Now that things have come to this point, Lord Xiang should also tally up all the items that came with Linng's dowry. Especially her close attendants—we'll be taking them back with us as well. If even one is missing..."

  She gave Xiang Yunzhi a meaningful look, his pale face stark, and sneered as she delivered a sharp warning, "Then we'll be seeing each other in court!"

  Xiang Yunzhi knew exactly what Old Lady Song meant, and despite the winter cold, he broke out in a sweat. The physician's findings came to his mind, filling him with terror—he had thought he could cover it up, but he hadn't expected the Song family to arrive so quickly, nor could he have foreseen their insistence on divorce even after death.

  If he let Nanny Zheng, Nanny Wang, and the others go, then the matter of the arsenic poisoning would inevitably be revealed to Old Lady Song. And if an enraged Old Lady Song and the Song family learned that Song Linng had died of poisoning... Xiang Yunzhi didn't dare think any further.

  He was jolted out of his thoughts by the realization that Old Lady Song was watching him intently, her gaze unwavering. The panic and pressure building up inside him became overwhelming, and in his agitation, tears fell from his eyes.

  "Honored Mother-in-w..." he choked out, unable to find the words. After a long pause, he bowed deeply, his expression sorrowful. "Linng... she was protecting me even in death..."

  Inwardly, Song Chuyi sneered. This selfish, self-serving man had always been adept at reading the room, always quick to adapt when the wind changed. Now, sensing the situation was turning against him, he was already trying to change his tune.

  Old Lady Song had no patience for his pathetic dispy and waved her hand dismissively, her face full of irritation. "Enough! Spare me the theatrics—I'm tired of hearing it."

  Xiang Yunzhi stiffened, pressing his lips together, though his mind raced furiously.