The farce ultimately reached its conclusion.
The Deputy Prefect's wife relinquished her pursuit of revenge against Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan, not out of disinterest but due to the realization that such an opportunity would never present itself. Qiao Xuan's cutting words had left her feeling deeply embarrassed, and the prospect of further humiliation deterred her from attempting any retaliation.
A palpable sense of danger emanated from Qiao Xuan; she recognized him as someone not to be trifled with. Offending him was a risk she couldn't afford to take, and the humiliation he inflicted had been a bitter lesson.
