Tang's mother folded the envelope in her hand and slipped it into her pocket before raising her head to meet Tang's father's furious expression.
"Pah! You sold my daughter once, and now you want to sell her a second time?"
Tang's mother was no longer the timid woman she had once been after the divorce. Over the years, she had changed a great deal to support Tang Qiyue and maintain their livelihood.
In Tang's father's eyes, however, she was still the same gentle and tolerant woman from the past. Even when he schemed against Tang Qiyue, she had never confronted him directly and had even tacitly agreed to the substitute marriage.
Because of that, he still underestimated her.
"What nonsense are you talking about? You can't possibly not know what a great match Qiyue got by marrying Zhan Zeye!"
Tang's father forced himself to calm down. His anger subsided somewhat, and his tone softened, though he still believed he had done nothing wrong.
"If your precious daughter hadn't run away, would you ever have considered Qiyue? Have you cared for my daughter even a single day all these years? And now that your Tang family is in trouble, you're thinking of sacrificing her again!"
Tang's mother grew more and more agitated.
She did think it was fortunate that Tang Qiyue had married Zhan Zeye—but that didn't mean she would forgive Tang's father.
"If you hadn't interfered, Qiyue would have been engaged long ago—married into a family a hundred times better than that rough Zhan Zeye. You ruined her future, and now you still want to use her? Tang Yaozong, listen carefully: as long as I'm alive, I won't let you have your way!"
Her finger nearly poked Tang Yaozong's nose.
Tang's father, now old with a protruding belly, balding head, and greasy face, instinctively leaned back to avoid her finger.
Taking a breath, he steadied himself.
"Don't accuse me unfairly. Do you even know who Zhan Zeye is? Yes, he's a rough man, but he's highly capable. Even I have to treat him with respect. Don't tell me you haven't looked into him!"
Tang's father shamelessly walked into the house, pulled out a chair, and sat down. He had come to ask for help, so he couldn't afford to lose his temper completely.
Tang's mother spat at him. Though she wanted to drive him out, she restrained herself—she still wanted to know why he was so desperate to find Tang Qiyue's address.
"This marriage was a good thing. Qiyue must have told you how much dowry I gave her. I was genuinely trying to secure her future, and yet she turned around and deceived me. She's utterly unfilial!"
He was still pained over the lost gold, but since he couldn't recover it, he had already accepted the loss. What mattered now was saving the Tang family.
"How did my daughter betray you? She married into your arrangement—what more do you want? Do you want her dead?"
Unable to hold back, Tang's mother hurled the teacup in her hand at him.
Tang's father didn't dare retaliate and could only endure it while explaining, "Qiyue is also my daughter. Would I harm her? This time, I truly need her help!"
Tang's mother didn't believe a word.
Her daughter had clearly told her that she was stationed on an island where communication was restricted. All letters were screened before being sent.
The meaning was obvious—nothing sensitive could be written.
Tang's mother would never betray her daughter.
"Don't even think about it. Your son-in-law has an extraordinary identity. I don't even know where my daughter is now. If you're so capable, go ask her in-laws!"
She refused to give him anything.
"But I'm curious—what about your capable mistress? Didn't she handle things for you this time?"
Her tone was dripping with sarcasm as she looked him up and down.
"Or are you about to fall, and she's already abandoned you?"
Tang's father was so angry his beard seemed ready to fly off.
"I won't stoop to your level!"
With that, he stormed out.
He didn't explain anything, leaving Tang's mother even more curious. Just as she was about to go out and investigate, Uncle Wang rushed in, still wearing his apron.
"Where's that man? Did he bully you? I'll smash him with a shovel!"
Uncle Wang looked around, clearly ready to fight, but Tang's mother stopped him.
"Who do you think I am? Would he dare bully me? You're underestimating me."
She knew Uncle Wang cared about her. Over the years, the two had developed a deep understanding of each other.
They hadn't gotten together before because they wanted to match Tang Qiyue with Bai Xu. For the sake of their children, they had suppressed their feelings.
Now that Tang Qiyue was married and Bai Xu had no immediate plans, their relationship had become more complicated.
"What did that old scoundrel want?"
Uncle Wang finally asked after confirming Tang's father had left.
Tang's mother explained that he had come asking for Tang Qiyue's address.
Uncle Wang immediately untied his apron and headed out.
"I'll go find out what's happening. Don't go out—it's chaotic. I saw people dragging others into public parades on my way here."
"Be careful!"
Tang's mother called after him, not stopping him.
Meanwhile, Tang's father got into a car and instructed his eldest son, who was driving, to head to the store.
He needed to prepare gifts to visit the Zhan family.
"Dad… will asking brother-in-law really help this time?"
The eldest son wasn't naive. He knew the Tang family was in serious trouble, and it was unlikely anyone could save them.
Tang's father sighed.
"We have to try, whether it works or not. If Chunlan hadn't been so willful and had married Zhan Zeye obediently, we would at least have a way to send word."
The eldest son fell silent.
His sister had been spoiled since childhood—what could he say?
Tang's father rubbed his temples.
"I originally thought that with Zhan Zeye backing her, we'd have a way out if something happened. But now… it's unlikely. You need to prepare yourself. We might not be able to escape this situation."
The eldest son was shocked, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
When they arrived at the Zhan family home with their gifts, Tang's father reminded him again:
"No matter what happens, you must find out Qiyue's address. This is our only chance to save the Tang family."