Chapter 89: I Don’t Want You Anymore!
Xu He saw this, thought for a moment, then also lifted his robe and followed: “Wait for me!”
He Shi had just entered the Top Scholar’s Mansion. Although she had come to the place where Yue Tang lived last night, after Yue Tang and the others left, Xu Madam Fu Shi, who had originally been repeatedly warned by her son not to interfere in front courtyard matters, heard that He Shi had come. After much hesitation, she could not help but come out, so Lan Qin accompanied He Shi to see her mother-in-law.
In this way, her impression of Qingyun Pavilion was not deep.
Especially today when Wei Zhang and all of them were there, she became somewhat uneasy as she walked.
Lan Qin turned back and saw her, so she waited under the threshold, then entered the courtyard together, laughing midway: “This capital city house is a bit winding, not as open as Luoyang residences. We newcomers sometimes get lost too.”
He Shi nodded and followed her for a stretch, unconsciously relaxing a bit. Seeing Yue Tang changing clothes through the window, she also waited at the doorway before going in.
“Sit.” Yue Tang smiled at her standing under the curtain, “Xiao Huo and Lan Qin both say you’re a straightforward person usually, no need to be reserved. Speaking of which, I’m still a guest.”
He Shi hurriedly said: “Where are you talking about? If so, this wife is a divorced wife, even less qualified to stand here.”
“Then let’s not be polite.” Yue Tang sat down and smiled at her.
He Shi clutched her skirt hem with both hands, hesitated for a moment before sitting on the chair below.
Before being brought to the Xu Family last night, she had already been told the general situation, and naturally knew Yue Tang’s identity.
When she met Lan Qin earlier, she had already felt her extraordinary demeanor, unable to imagine from what family status such a female servant came.
After understanding the situation last night, she felt suddenly enlightened. No wonder the maids from great clans she had seen locally in Luoyang never had Lan Qin’s poise.
For a woman like her, a prince’s mansion princess was even more unattainable. Last night aside, she never imagined this noble princess could wield a sword and beat a group of men black and blue—this was unimaginable for her, raised with teachings of the three obediences and four virtues.
Lan Qin brewed tea and brought it in. After Yue Tang took it and noticed He Shi looking her over, she said mildly: “You just said you were a divorced wife; I haven’t had time to ask—have you already gone through the procedures at the government offices?”
He Shi shook her head: “He left and vanished; later my mother-in-law said our marriage didn’t count and told me to go back to my own home.
“Later the government offices gave me a document, but I was angry and threw it away. I don’t even know if that was the procedure.”
Yue Tang nodded: “It doesn’t matter if not. If you had a choice, would you want to continue with Xu He, or completely divorce him?”
He Shi looked somewhat bewildered.
Lan Qin saw this and explained to her: “If you continue, you’ll be the Top Scholar’s Lady with an imperial decree. If you don’t want to continue, after divorce you’ll still get a settlement.
“Either way, you’ll be secure in food and clothing.”
He Shi’s father was a licentiate; she was literate and knew Lan Qin saying this meant Yue Tang planned to decide for her. Otherwise, with the Xu Family mother and son’s character, she certainly couldn’t fight for it herself.
But now alone, she was troubled by how to choose.
Xu He had already abandoned her; even if she could get an imperial decree, continuing with him would always leave a thorn in her heart.
If she firmly divorced him, where could a crude woman like her go?
She wasn’t as capable as this princess—skilled in planning and fighting enemies, able to step on men underfoot; such a person feared nothing anywhere in the world.
Thinking of this, she looked enviously at Yue Tang again.
Yue Tang handed her the tea and said warmly: “No rush if you can’t decide right away; take your time.
“I’ve taken your identity for so long; rest assured, whichever path you choose, I’ll take full responsibility for you.”
He Shi quickly stood, taking the tea with both hands.
Yue Tang exchanged a glance with Lan Qin.
Lan Qin then smiled: “The wind outside today isn’t too cold; I’ll go sunning to decoct the princess’s last dose of medicine.
“Lady He, I heard you used to tend herbal medicine for the Xu Family Old Madam in Luoyang; could you help me tend the fire?”
“Sure.”
He Shi felt restless and drank a sip of the tea in her hand, carefully set down the cup, knelt to withdraw from the curtain, and went with Lan Qin.
After Yue Tang and they moved in, they built two stoves in the courtyard, one indoors, one outdoors.
The outdoor small stove was for brewing tea and decocting medicine.
He Shi nimbly sat to add firewood and light it; after the medicine pot was set up, she pulled out some of the blazing firewood to keep the firebox temperature just right.
Lan Qin said: “What do you usually like to do?”
“Nothing I like,” He Shi said guiltily, “As a child I followed my mother planting vegetables, doing needlework. Then traded pickled vegetables and sewn shoe soles for money. No mood at all to learn elegant pastimes.”
Lan Qin smiled: “That’s impressive. Your pickled vegetables and sewn shoe soles can trade for money, but we don’t even know the types of pickled vegetables, let alone sew shoe soles for money.
“If we fell on hard times together, you’d definitely survive the easiest.”
He Shi blushed: “Impossible; the princess is so capable…”
Lan Qin laughed: “You think the princess is capable because she learned those from childhood; that’s her essential survival skill.
“But she learned well and quickly, so she’s indeed outstanding among imperial clan heirs.
“But you’re the same.
“You have skillful hands, learned self-sufficiency from young; even after the Xu Family treated you that way, you didn’t give up, even humbling yourself for odd jobs without minding.
“So in our eyes, you’re remarkable too. Why belittle yourself?”
He Shi stared at her in a daze, cheeks red as the fire in the firebox.
“Am I… No one’s ever said I’m remarkable.”
She lowered her head shamefully: “My mother-in-law always said I was dull and crude, not worth one of Xu He’s fingers.”
“That’s because they’re not the same as you.” Lan Qin grew serious. “Didn’t you say we’re capable? Only capable people see your goodness.
“So don’t believe the Xu Family; believe yourself. You served the whole Xu Family after marrying in—you’re far better than them!”
He Shi’s chest heaved; tears rolled out. Then she covered her face and sobbed loudly.
After crying a while, she lifted her head: “No one’s ever said such things to me.
“Not even my father and mother.
“Sometimes I do wonder why I do everything yet still get scolded.
“But I dare not say. I’m indeed ignorant, no match for refined and elegant ladies from good families.
“Besides literacy, I know nothing of music, chess, calligraphy, or painting; I don’t deserve the Top Scholar!”
“Then you’re wrong. You’re much better than the Top Scholar!” Lan Qin smiled, supporting her shoulder. “And you were brave last night—think, you stood up to tell the truth facing so many high officials and nobles. What is there to fear from now on?”
He Shi took a deep breath, wiped her tears, stared at the fire a moment, then suddenly turned her head: “I get it.”
She stood: “I’ll be right back.”
With that, she spun and ran outside.
Xu He was pacing back and forth outside the courtyard gate.
Yue Tang said she was leaving, but called He Shi over before going.
Xu He had a premonition she was arranging something for He Shi.
In the past, he’d rack his brains to get rid of He Shi, but now how could he dare?
After falling into the Du Family pit, notions of marrying high-status ladies for glory had long vanished.
With Yue Tang and Yan Bei above, such plans were impossible anyway.
Instead, this wife of humble origins he’d abandoned was now quietly receiving such courtesy from Yue Tang, even invited for tea!
Since he knew her, she’d never been so respected. She He Shi had connections—clearly Yue Tang favored her more?
This way, this divorced wife he’d never valued seemed more suited as Top Scholar’s Wife.
But what was Yue Tang telling He Shi?
While his heart was uneasy, He Shi came out like a gust of wind.
He hurriedly said: “What did the princess say to you?”
“Xu He, listen up!” He Shi held her chin high, voice clear, telling him: “I, He Mei Qing, want to divorce you!
“The document the government gave me doesn’t count because you weren’t there! Now I don’t want you—come with me to Shuntian Prefecture right now to get the document!
“From now on we’ll go separate ways, no interference! And you won’t short me a single coin of what I’m owed!”
Xu He jumped in fright: “Wife, why say this? My future is bright; you’re my original wife—past matters were misunderstandings. Stay and you’re instantly an official’s family member, you—”
“Shut up!” He Shi scolded. “You look down on me; why would I value you? Come with me now!
“Someday there’ll be someone who sees my worth and cherishes me!”
With that she strode past Xu He toward the door.
Xu He panicked, calling “wife” all the way as he chased out.
In the courtyard, Lan Qin bent to check the medicine pot, removed some fire, wiped her hands, and entered the room.
Yue Tang was packing her books. She glanced back: “Done?”
Lan Qin nodded: “She’s a good woman. Why not let her stay with the princess? A weak woman alone outside is worrisome.”
Yue Tang laughed, putting the books in the bundle: “This isn’t up to you or me; ask what she plans.
“She’s proper commoner stock; we can’t make her a servant, right?”
“You’re right.” Lan Qin smiled too. “I’ll ask her later.”
Then she looked outside the window: “Medicine’s ready. After eating and smashing the medicine pot, princess, you go first to Prince Jingyang’s Mansion with Wei Zhang and them.
“You’ve been out half a day; the prince’s mansion likely has new news.”
……
The new news had actually come early that morning.
The Chu Family faced two major lawsuits in a row. Chu Xin being sued by Xu He for assassinating his wife was surprising but acceptable.
Then Chu Ying sued by Prince Duan’s Heir Apparent’s Consort’s birth daughter for murdering Prince Duan’s Heir—this absurdity was straight out of a play script.
All morning in the prince’s mansion, Yan Bei listened to rumors Cui Xun kept bringing from outside while pressuring yamen officials every half hour.
No torture for Chu Xin as Chu Family Eldest Young Master? Impossible.
The assassination charge was a pretext; the real goal was forcing him to admit plotting Princess Yongjia’s murder three years ago.
To fan the rumors higher, he told Cui Xun: “Don’t you write those play script things? You saw last night’s events from start to finish—write a few scripts, toss them to playhouses, mix true and false, let them perform! In three days, no one in the capital should be ignorant of the Chu Family’s character!”
Cui Xun got it: “So last night you had me follow to write play scripts?”
Yan Bei sighed: “After thinking, that’s about your only use.”
Cui Xun: …
After he ran off, Gao An said Du Minghuan had arrived. Du Yu’s leg was lame; he couldn’t come.
Yan Bei had Du Minghuan brought in.
Du Minghuan knelt on the ground with a thud upon entering, raising the Imperial City Department seal high with both hands, weeping bitterly: “My son and I are unpardonably guilty, dare not beg mercy; now I come with guilt to resign office voluntarily, only beg Prince and Princess spare my Du Family’s three children under eight a life!”
Yan Bei took the seal from Gao An, snorted coldly: “Since you admit guilt, why leave that root of disaster? This prince said early—your He Family’s forty-three members, not one short!”
Du Minghuan jerked his head up, face drained of blood. But then slowly lowered it again, not uttering another word.
“This official—admits guilt!”
Yan Bei stood, squatting halfway before him: “You think that’s it? That’s just my disposal of you.
“Don’t forget Princess Yongjia is your true creditor; whether your forty-three get whole corpses depends on the princess.”
Du Minghuan soulless, collapsed on the ground, eyes vacant. Then he scrambled up madly, clutching Yan Bei’s robe: “Prince! I beg you, plead with the princess for us! It was my son and I who did it—let the princess thousand-cut or five-horse us!
“The three children are young, know nothing! For past ties, beg the princess spare them!”
“Get lost!”
Yan Bei kicked his chest, veins bulging on his fists.
Du Minghuan bled from mouth, crawled to kneel at his feet again.
Yan Bei kicked him again.
This kick’s force sent the sturdy Du Minghuan flying to under the threshold.
A graceful figure stopped at the door, just in time to look down at Du Minghuan vomiting blood inside the threshold.
“Wei Zhang, help him up.”
Yue Tang stepped over the threshold and sat in the hall.
“Princess!” Without Wei Zhang helping, Du Minghuan crawled to Yue Tang’s feet: “This one deserves ten thousand deaths! I swear, the three children as generational slaves to princess, only beg princess spare their lives!”
Yue Tang raised a brow, but took a stack of papers from her sleeve: “See if this lists anything omitted?”
Next time, no extra notice besides leave; anyway updates happen on non-leave days. Frequent notices are disruptive.
