Chapter 24: She knew she was completely wrong, but it was already too late.

Su Hanwei clutched her swollen face, her eyes fixed on the mourning hall.

In the distance, the name inscribed on the memorial tablet was clear: Zhou Wanlian.

Xu Mu’s mother was dead?

At that moment, a flood of memories surged into Su Hanwei’s mind, piercing her soul like a thousand needles. She recalled the day Xu Mu had come home and demanded to know if she had taken his mother’s medical money. She remembered him accusing her of causing his mother’s death. Back then, she had dismissed his words as a mere scare tactic to keep her by his side.

But Xu Mu hadn't been bluffing. His mother—her own mother-in-law at the time—had truly died. She had stolen those ten taels of silver, and in doing so, had cost her mother-in-law her life. Yet, she had remained oblivious, convinced that Xu Mu was simply being unreasonable. While her mother-in-law lay dead, she had been preoccupied with flirting with Liang Shucheng, buying him gifts, and trying to please him. And today, on the day of the funeral, she had arrived dressed in gaudy, flamboyant clothes, even going so far as to accuse Xu Mu of having an affair with Xu Shuangyi.

It was no wonder Xu Mu’s attitude had been so cold and resolute; it was no wonder he had stopped trying to keep her. Every time he had appeared before her, she had assumed he was trying to spite her. She had even told him that his mother’s illness was secondary to Liang Shucheng’s common cold. How laughable it all was!

Endless agony and profound regret washed over Su Hanwei. She had habitually embezzled the allowances her grandfather gave her to indulge Liang Shucheng. She had even taken the last of the money Xu Mu had saved to keep his mother alive. And all the while, she had labeled Xu Mu as petty! She was no better than a monster. In front of all the people of Liangzhou, she had brought shame upon herself and her grandfather, yet she remained unaware.

"Su Hanwei, you took your mother-in-law’s life-saving money, and you didn't even know she had passed away. What right do you have to attend this funeral?" Xu Mu stepped forward, his voice icy.

"What? Su Hanwei actually stole her mother-in-law’s life-saving money?"
"Is this really the granddaughter that Elder Su raised?"
"How could she be so heartless?"
"Elder Su’s lifelong reputation has been ruined by this unfilial woman!"

Su Hanwei lost all pretense of pride, her face twisted in torment. She loathed herself—why had she taken that money? If she hadn't been greedy for that silver, would her mother-in-law still be alive? If she had shown even a shred of concern, would she have been so ignorant of her mother-in-law’s death until the very day of the funeral?

"Why... why didn't you tell me sooner?" she stammered, her voice thick and indistinct.

"You blame me for not telling you? We lived under the same roof. Did you have no idea what my mother’s condition was? She was sickly and frail for years. Did you care for her even once? Did you ever look after her? And now you blame me for not speaking up? Do you really think that’s something a human being would say?" Xu Mu retorted coldly.

"I... I... I really didn't know. I truly didn't know." Su Hanwei was in such agony that she began to tear at her own hair, her elaborate headpiece coming undone. She looked like a madwoman.

"Your conscience was eaten by dogs long ago. Get out. You are not welcome here," Xu Mu snapped.

"I just want to go in and kowtow," she pleaded.

"You are not worthy."

Not worthy? She realized he was right. What right did she have? She shouldn't have even come here today.

"Please, I just want to go in and pay my respects. I beg you, let me in!" Su Hanwei knelt before Xu Mu, slamming her head against the ground repeatedly until her forehead bled. The blood trickled down her face, making her look both deranged and pathetic.

Xu Mu, unwilling to speak to her further, nodded at Xu Shuangyi. "Throw her out."

"No, don't! Let me go! I need to kowtow and offer incense to my mother-in-law! Let go of me!" The servants ignored her screams, dragging her out and dumping her onto the street.

Among those present, Su Tong felt the most profound pain. He could not bear to see his granddaughter in such a state, yet he had to admit that she deserved this outcome. She could have been Xu Mu’s wife, enjoying a life of luxury and honor, but her own selfishness had led to her ruin. Until Xu Mu mentioned it, he hadn't even known she had stolen the life-saving money. How devoid of morality must one be to commit such an unforgivable act? How had his granddaughter turned into this?

Su Tong’s heart felt as though it were being shredded. He wondered what would become of her after such a blow, and if the Xu family would ever let her go. He caught Xu Mu’s gaze, seeing only lingering fury, and felt a deep sense of guilt. If he hadn't been blinded by selfishness and pushed the two together, perhaps none of this would have happened; perhaps Xu Mu’s mother would still be alive. But it was too late. The damage was done, and he could no longer fix the wreckage.

After being thrown out, Su Hanwei tried to crawl back into the estate, but the servants beat her and tossed her back onto the road.

"She looks so pitiful."
"Pitiful? She brought this on herself!"
"Exactly, she’s a heartless wretch! She had a good life as a young mistress, and she threw it away to chase after another man."
"Good heavens, how can there be a woman so stupid in this world?"

Listening to the venomous words of the servants, Su Hanwei no longer felt anger. She knew she had no right to enter the Xu estate, and they would never let her in. She knelt on the road, facing the mansion. It was the only way she could think to atone for her sins. She knew that no matter where she knelt, she could never undo her mistakes, and her mother-in-law would never return to life. But this was the only way she could find even a shred of solace for her broken heart. She finally understood the depth of her wrongs, but it was too late. She could never bring that life back.