The members of the Jiang family were so shocked out of their wits that they felt as if they were dreaming.

The Old Madam didn't flip out at all!

Jiang Fai suspiciously said, "Has some ghost entered Old Madam's body? How is behaving so nicely today?"

Even Jiang Xiurang couldn't rebuke him for saying that. Everybody knew how much she hated Jiang Yubi. But here, she was maintaining her calm. She even gave her wishes and a birthday present!

Jiang Ruiling said, "We are talking about the Old Madam here. She wouldn't cause a ruckus because she doesn't want any fight to ruin the family's reputation. That's why everybody thinks that Aunt Yubi stayed away because of her ill health. Old Madam doesn't want anybody to know that the relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is in tension."

Jiang Li shrugged. "Otherwise, she would have publicly announced her hatred for Aunt long back, not hide it behind this facade."

"That makes sense…"

Yang Bingqing fiddled with her fingers. "Ahhh I hope everything goes alright. I don't want Yubi to be sad!"

Mingshen didn't care about the Jiang family's drama, so he simply shrugged.

Jiang Yubi also faintly understood the line of thought that Old Madam must be thinking. She took the gift and said, "Thank you, Old Madam."

The Old Madam nodded and turned towards the guests. "Thank you all for coming to this banquet. Please enjoy yourselves."

Everybody thought that she would retire to her room, but she didn't want to give any negative impression by leaving so soon and hinting that she came just out of formality. So she quietly sat on one couch and observed the banquet.

Lihua stared at her in deep thought.

With this, the invisible tension lifted from the air and everybody heaved a sigh of relief. But the family members knew that after the banquet was over, it would be a war. The Old Madam was simply maintaining a facade for the sake of reputation.

The banquet then continued without a hitch. The guests greeted her too, and she smiled at them without any signs of distress or anger in her eyes.

Almost an hour and a half later, the banquet was over and guests started leaving after having their sumptuous dinner.

Yang Bingqing wanted to stay for Jiang Yubi, but Yang Cheng shook his head. "It's not right for us to be here now. Our families are close, but this is a really personal matter. They will be uncomfortable if we are here."

Her gaze dimmed. "Cheng…"

Mingshen snorted. "Get going already."

Now there was only Old Madam and the Jiang family members.

Silence once again filled the air as they steeled themselves for her outburst. Lihua wondered if she should speak, but then she decided to wait for Old Madam to talk first.

The Old Madam slowly got up. She lifted her gaze and glanced at everyone. It settled on Jiang Yubi for a few seconds after which she retracted her gaze.

"The banquet is over now. I am tired and going back to rest."

She turned and started walking away.

The entire family was stupefied and couldn't utter a word in disbelief. Even Jiang Ninghong, who usually remained calm, was seriously puzzled and taken aback by this behavior.

Jiang Fai thought that he would faint.

Is this for real? Her archenemy is here and she won't say anything? Does this mean that Aunt Yubi can live here?

They exchanged thoughtful glances.

The Old Madam then paused in her steps. She seemed to think about something for a moment.

"Lixue."

Lihua attentively looked at her.

Without turning back, she said, "You won."

She blinked her eyes.

"You won the six months challenge. You promised to win everybody's hearts and you did. So, you won. I have nothing to say to anyone."

Her bony fingers clenched her stick. "You all are free to do as you please."

She left, leaving everybody in a state of shock.

Jiang Weizhe and Jiang Weiyuan doubtfully glanced at each other.

Her announcement was so surprising that nobody could say anything for a good five minutes.

Jiang Fai was the first to break the daze. "Am I hearing it right!? Did Old Madam just admit her defeat?" His mouth was opened in a wide O. "What is happening? Now I am definitely sure that a ghost has entered her body!"

Jiang Xiurang hit his shoulder. "Fai!"

Jiang Yubi worriedly asked, "Weizhe. Old Madam didn't look so well…"

He didn't comment.

Jiang Ninghong nodded. "Indeed. She doesn't seem to be the usual Old Madam."

Everybody gave possible scenarios behind the reason for the sudden change in her behavior. But none could arrive at a conclusion.

Eventually, everyone thought to see what would happen the next morning.

Jiang Yubi said, "I will head back to my residence."

Jiang Fai said, "Why? Old Madam said that we are free to do whatever we want, so you can start living here!"

"No, Fai," she shook her head. "I cannot live like this. She hasn't accepted me. I don't want to take advantage of the situation."

She insisted on going back, so in the end, Jiang Weizhe left with her. He signaled Jiang Weiyuan that he will meet later in the night for their talk to which he nodded.

Everybody else too retired to their rooms.

Wei glanced at Lihua and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"I am thinking…that I want to talk to Old Madam."

He smiled and nodded.

---

Lihua knocked and slowly opened the door to Old Madam's room. She saw her resting on a big chair with a dazed look in her eyes.

Old Madam turned to look. She said nothing. Lihua took that as a yes and stepped in. She shut the door behind her.

"There is nothing left to talk about," she tiredly said.

Lihua smiled. "Is that so? I feel that there is a lot we can talk about. Especially about your life."

The Old Madam tilted her head. "My life?"

"En. You know. I talked with Mom yesterday, and she shared lots of things about Dad and Uncle Weiyuan, regarding their past and their relationship."

"I see."

"So naturally, your late husband, Old Master, was a part of it too. I came to know that he was an extremely authoritarian man who often hit his kids if they disappointed him."

Silence.

"That made me wonder about something. If he could hit his kids, did he hit his wife too?"

Her eyelashes visibly trembled.

Lihua stared at her. "Old Madam. Did you live in an abusive marriage all this time?"