He had just finished shouting when he realized that nobody moved.
In order to speak with Gu Shengyin, he had previously dismissed all the servants.
Naturally, no one would have heard him now.
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Old Master Yan’s face.
Gu Shengyin sneered, "Father need not trouble himself with the divorce paper. It’s the era of the Republican Alliance now, why even talk about a divorce paper? If father truly does not wish to continue with my mother, a single divorce paper would suffice, and from then on they would have nothing to do with each other, neither in marriage nor in family relations!"
"Ruohua..." Madam Yan tugged anxiously at Gu Shengyin’s sleeve.
Expressing such sentiments had already been the boldest act of her life. How could she, being such a person, dare to dream about discussing marriage or family matters?
Gu Shengyin couldn’t really explain it to her; Madam Yan was in her late thirties to early forties, an age, which in future generations, many would not have even married yet.
Old Master Yan sneered upon hearing this: "A divorce? The old ancestral customs for thousands of years have never had such a concept!"
Gu Shengyin said sternly, "The former dynasty has already perished! Father, if you talk again, you might want to worry about the security officials from Xianping City paying a visit."
Old Master Yan’s eyes flickered with a hint of wariness upon hearing the name of the security office.
He stubbornly maintained his dignity, "Lady Zhao wants a divorce, so be it! For many years, the expenditure was from the Zhao Family, and her dowry was nearly all used up for your accompanying dowry. If you and your mother are willing to leave an empty-handed, I can agree to your demands. Furthermore, Yan Ruohua, you are to officially sever ties with the clan."
Madam Yan looked incredulously at this man, unable to believe that after more than twenty years of marital affection, he could be so heartless!
Severing Ruohua’s ties with the clan meant depriving her of the Yan Family’s protection forever. After Old Master Yan’s demise, Yan Ruohua would not receive a penny from the Yan Family’s estate.
"Fine!" Gu Shengyin agreed outright, "I don’t want anything from the Yan Family."
Being able to extract Madam Yan from this predicament was an unexpected joy; she had no desire for the meager fortunes of the Yan Family.
The profits from just the White Cloud Cloth Store alone were beyond what the Yan Family could imagine.
Old Master Yan looked at them coldly, "I hope you won’t regret this."
Gu Shengyin responded unapologetically, "Rest assured, Old Master Yan, even if I, Yan Ruohua, fall into hardship in the future, I will not step into the Yan Family’s threshold ever again!"
She helped her mother out the door.
As soon as they left the house, Madam Yan, who had been holding herself together, collapsed, thankfully supported by Gu Shengyin.
"Ruohua, my dear, what are we to do in the future?" She now worried about how they would live.
"Don’t worry, Mother, I will provide for you in the future," Gu Shengyin comforted her.
Madam Yan’s heart was still filled with anxiety; she could not imagine what kind of life lay ahead.
Nevertheless, despite feeling lost, she did not regret it. At least, her Ruohua would not have to marry into such a family and be mistreated.
Gu Shengyin returned to her courtyard and immediately ordered Mother Lin to summon the elders of the Yan Family clan, while Shiao Shiao went to pack their belongings.
The two were frightened and quickly asked what had happened.
Gu Shengyin briefly explained the situation. Shiao Shiao was already indignant, and even Mother Lin couldn’t help but lament how utterly heartless Old Master Yan was.
Mother Lin, not daring to delay Gu Shengyin’s orders, hurriedly went to fetch the main family’s elder.
Madam Yan was somewhat puzzled, "Why did you send Mother Lin to fetch the Yan Family’s elders?"
Gu Shengyin personally fetched water for her mother to wash her face, "Obviously, to bear witness."
She also did this as a precaution; should Old Master Yan someday learn what she had done and use familial relations for blackmail, it would be troublesome.
It was better to make a clean break.