The old lady didn't believe that Doctor Dan wouldn't come anymore, especially since he had just delivered medicine yesterday and had advised her on her condition. She immediately sent someone to the Medicine King Hall to invite Doctor Dan, but Doctor Dan didn't even show up. Instead, he had the sitting doctor relay a message.
The steward relayed Doctor Dan's exact words to the old lady, nearly causing her to faint from anger. The message was: "There is no need to invite me in the future. The actions of the General's residence have left me heartbroken. Treating such morally deficient people will shorten my life, and I do not wish to die early."
The old lady fumed, "It must be her who told Doctor Dan not to come. I can't believe how black-hearted she is! When we married her, we thought she was so gentle and kind, but this past year has shown how truly heartless she is. She wants to kill me. Without Doctor Dan's medicine, my life is at risk."
Zhan Ji, standing nearby, kept silent, clearly unhappy. He felt this daughter-in-law was not as obedient as before. He thought her recent outbursts would pass, but withholding medicine was too much. He instructed his younger son, Zhan Beisen, "Go find your brother and tell him to do whatever it takes to calm his wife down. If this continues, your mother will lose her life."
"Yes!" Zhan Beisen quickly ran out. He had once thought highly of his sister-in-law, but now saw her as cruel.
Zhan Shaohuan, burning with anger, stormed towards Wenxi Residence, only to find the doors shut against her. Standing at the entrance, her face flushed with rage, she shouted, "Song Xixi, come out here!"
"No wonder my second brother likes Yi Fang; Yi Fang doesn't play dirty tricks like you. You deserve to be despised by my second brother!"
"Song Xixi, do you think hiding in there will help? This is the General's residence. If you have the courage, never come out. You dare harm your mother-in-law, you won't die a good death."
From inside Wenxi Residence, Baozhu's voice retorted, "Third Miss, didn't you say you'd return those items? Do that before you speak."
Zhan Shaohuan replied coldly, "Why should I? They were given to me. Who returns gifts?"
She had indeed intended to return them but realized many of her best jewelry and clothes were gifts from her sister-in-law. If she returned them, she'd be left with barely anything presentable. Unwilling to live simply, she decided not to return them.
Baozhu's calm voice said, "And there's no reason to accept gifts and then turn around and insult the giver."
Zhan Shaohuan was momentarily at a loss but angrily replied, "Wait until my brother returns. He'll definitely divorce you."
With that, she stormed off.
Baozhu, equally angered, returned inside, "Greedy people, just as you said, miss, anywhere would be better than here. Why hasn't the Emperor's divorce decree arrived yet?"
Song Xixi smiled and jumped up to retrieve a box from atop a cabinet. Opening the box, she revealed a red whip.
This whip was given to her by her master when she left the mountain. Since her marriage, she hadn't used it. Apart from daily exercise, she hadn't practiced martial arts much.
"Miss, are you going to fight someone?" Baozhu, who had accompanied her to Meishan, knew her martial prowess.
"No, just reminiscing," Song Xixi said, stroking the whip. Being in mourning, she wouldn't use it even if she had to fight. "Once we leave the Zhan family, we'll repair our home and then visit my master at Meishan."
"That sounds wonderful," Baozhu's face lit up. At Meishan, everyone treated her mistress like a treasure.
Song Xixi put the whip back in the box but didn't return it to the cabinet top, as she intended to take it with her.
"Mother shouldn't blame me for being unfilial. After all, I married, and it was he who wronged me," Song Xixi said softly.
Baozhu's eyes reddened, "If madam knew, she would be angry at the General's residence, not at you."
Song Xixi sighed, "Marriage and childbirth are not the destinies of a Song family daughter."
Baozhu sniffled, "They don't understand your worth. In terms of strategy and martial skills, Yi Fang is no match for you. It was the General and madam who didn't want you on the battlefield. Otherwise, what place is there for Yi Fang?"
Song Xixi smiled, "In your heart, I'm always perfect."
"Of course!" Baozhu said, lifting her head, her nose still red.