Chapter 72 - I Won't Agree To Anything Else
Every word that escaped Wang Hualing's mouth was infused with a sense of righteousness. She firmly believed that she was right. Her assertiveness made her words appear like the truth.
Chen Yi could not help but raise her eyebrow at her. She would not say she was angered. But certainly, she was surprised by her shamelessness. "Without Li Luxian parents' approval?"
"Yes!" Wang Hualing seethed. "Let me as you. Is that a proper procedure to follow? Just — what kind of woman are you? Do you have any respect for your elders?"
No matter what, Wang Hualing words bore some weight.
Even Li Guang could not deny them. A proper procedure should always involve first introducing the woman to the family, gaining the parent's approval then proceeding with the wedding. Yet Li Luxian and Chen Yi got married without even informing them.
"What if I told you Mother had already known about our wedding and has given her approval." Chen Yi's voice was calm; serene and sonorous to the ears.
"Mother..." Wang Hualing brows knitted together. Her lips parted in surprise as she stared at Chen Yi.
Chen Yi could call Li Shanguaan Mother? Did that mean Li Shangyaan had allowed this and that she had already accepted Chen Yi as her daughter-in-law?
At this instant, Wang Hualing felt so much anger that she might just throw up. Her face paled as she pressed her lips into thin lines. Her eyes sparkled with resentment.
Wang Hualing had always disliked Li Shanguaan. Li Shanguaan demeanor had never been able to match the high status of elite society. Whether it came to fashion or tastes, Li Shanguaan paled in comparison to other ladies of the autocratic families.
Li Shanguaan was a disgrace to the regal 'Li' family.
If not for Li Guang persistent support, she would have long been dethroned by all those schemes directed against her.
When it came to Wang Hualing's opinion of Li Shanguaan, she had pretty much despised that country bumpkin. But for Li Luxian sake, she had to gulp down all her hatred. Instead, Wang Hualing to be polite and flattering towards that country bumpkin.
Wang Hualing had already expected that Li Shanguaan would not have opposed Chen Yi to an extent a high-class lady would have.
But Li Shanguaan had already allowed her to call her Mother? Truly a disgrace!
If it was one of those high-class ladies, she would never have allowed a woman of questionable origins to marry their son! Truly, birds of the feather flock together! Trash like Li Shanguaan would invite another trash! Wang Hualing should have gotten rid of Li Shanguaan sooner.
"What exactly... you mean?" Wang Hualing was still not clear on Chen Yi's words as to how Wang Hualing had given her approval before their wedding.
Despite how repulsive Li Shanguaan was to her eyes, Wang Hualing had always been fawning towards her. She could not have expected that Li Shanguaan had given her approval to Chen Yi and Li Luxian wedding.
"I meant what I said." Chen Yi recalled how Mother Li had already been aware of their relationship and wedding. Since Li Shanguaan didn't intervene and tried to break them apart, instead welcomed Chen Yi with open arms, wasn't this akin to a tactic silent approval.
One the realization hit her, Wang Hualing's hatred towards Li Shanguaan intensified.
Nevertheless, she would not let this Chen Yi off today!
"That doesn't matter. You hit me today. I won't leave unless I get the justice for what you did and you are punished accordingly by the Li family rules." Wang Hualing was going to settle for something less. "If Elder Li was here today, how would he have handled the situation?"
Wang Hualing's words were a warning not only to Chen Yi but also to Li Guang. After all, Elder Li was still her trump card. Wang Hualing recalled how the day Li Luxian brought Chen Yi, Li Fu Tong's face had been livid. Elder Li never accepted Li Shanguaan wholeheartedly. So there was no way he would accept this Chen Yi.
Wang Hualing sneered inwardly. Her eyes shone with confidence, underlying with a hint of arrogance.
Being the eldest in the household, Li Guang was put in the position to make the decision.
Actually, the Li family had a set of rules to deal with such offenses. Li Guang had never taken those rules seriously. In the past, those rules were strictly followed to punish and discipline the house members. It was the House Elder's responsibility to enforce them and maintain the discipline.
But that was in the past. What era was now?
However, unfortunately, his father Li Fu Tong did not understand this. He still expected his son to follow those rules without any neglect.
Now that Wang Hualing had suddenly used the Elder Li name, Li Guang could not just ignore her words. If the word was to get to his father that Li Guang declined to follow the family rules, he would be in for an earful.
"Wang Hualing, we do not have to follow such hard and fast rules. How about this? Chen Yi apologizes to you and we forget this matter." He tried to mediate the situation.
Afterall the punishments in the Li family rules were pretty harsh. Until now, Li Guang had a good impression of Chen Yi. He didn't want to see her suffer. Furthermore, if the matter got to Li Fu Tong, he would not hesitate to execute the punishment. Li Guang was only trying to help Chen Yi.
Suddenly, Li Luxian stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Chen Yi. "I would see who dares to bully my wife." His eyes darkened to a deeper shade. His expressions were particularly bloodthirsty as he fixed Wang Hualing with his glare.
When Wang Hualing observed how Li Luxian had stepped forward and protected Chen Yi, her heart was suffocated with jealousy. She... could not endure this. Her eyes reddened.
"No!" She said vehemently. "I won't agree to anything else. Father Li, I respect you. If you have her punished with family rules, I won't take this matter to Elder Li.. Otherwise, you leave me no choice."