Ling Tianya's words were like a slap to Madam Ling's face. Back when Yu Meizi committed infidelity the entire Ling family was ridiculed like a bunch of clowns. She had the right to hate on Ling Tianya and her mom!
Yu Meizi eloped from the Ling family, and she was nowhere to be found. All she could do was to take out her anger and frustration on Ling Tianya. What was wrong with that? After all, a child born to a harlot, was a harlot too! Someone like that didn't deserve a happy ending, she didn't deserve any happiness!
She had never expected that her own daughter would commit the same silly mistake. Ling Tianya was using her past actions to hold her accountable for her actions and that frustrated Madam Ling.
She thought that if she had treated Ling Tianya, even if it was just a smidgen, a little better in the past, she wouldn't be set in such a passive position. Even if time was to reverse itself, Madam Ling would still choose to be harsh to Ling Tianya.