Chapter 81: Wealth and Fortune, a Bubble
With Xue Sui having forged such a “good relationship” with Li Zhao, she became even more timely in her knowledge of the court’s movements.
On the fifth day of the fourth month, upon receiving news from the Eastern Palace, Xue Sui sent someone to deliver a message to the Yao Mansion.
In the afternoon, Xue Yue Lou arrived with two young maids.
In Li Xiang Courtyard, tea had already been brewed, its aroma wafting through the air.
Ming Ge’er, after this period of recuperation, seemed to be showing signs of improvement. Having not seen his mother for a long time, his attachment to her was even stronger than usual. His small face was full of joy, and he clung to Xue Yue Lou’s clothes, unwilling to let go for even a moment.
This filled Xue Yue Lou with immense joy, her eyes even welling up slightly.
After Xue Sui allowed the mother and son to have their reunion, she had Ru Yi bring out the drafted “divorce agreement” and solemnly handed it to Xue Yue Lou.
“You will deliver this divorce agreement to the Yao Mansion today.”
Xue Yue Lou was taken aback. “The Yao family is counting on me to serve that sickly person; I fear they will not agree.”
Xue Sui said, “Whether they agree or not is not important. What is important is the Xue family’s stance. I will accompany you to Shou An Courtyard later to ask Grandmother to intervene. As for Father, Grandmother will speak to him.”
She paused, then smiled again.
“If the Yao family refuses to agree, tell them you will go to the Jingzhao Yamen to file a lawsuit, accusing them of mistreating their daughter-in-law and harming their grandson. Don’t forget, you hold evidence of their corruption and manipulation of the imperial examinations. Censor Zhou is currently troubled by his nephew’s affairs; presenting him with irrefutable proof could be of great assistance…”
In this dynasty, there were not a few common women who sought divorce on their own, but it was rare among official families.
Xue Yue Lou had never done anything so rebellious. Hearing Xue Sui’s meticulously planned strategy, she felt a surge of blood rush through her body, her cheeks flushing red, and her hands and feet unsure of where to rest in her nervousness.
“Will Grandmother and Father agree?”
“Perhaps they wouldn’t have before, but they will this time,” Xue Sui said with a smile.
Xue Yue Lou lowered her head and drank her tea, nodding with trepidation.
“Alright, I will listen to Sixth Sister.”
A little later, the two sisters went together to pay their respects at Shou An Courtyard. Old Madam Cui showed a hesitant expression upon hearing about the divorce.
Second Master Yao was currently useless, but with him lying in bed, proposing a divorce at this time would seem unfeeling and invite gossip, making the Xue family appear heartless.
Fortunately, the Old Madam had been particularly fond of Xue Sui recently and indulged her in everything. She agreed to discuss it after First Master returned.
As Xue Sui had predicted, Xue Qingzhi had also heard whispers in the imperial court. Regarding the land fraud incident, His Majesty intended to make Assistant Minister of the Interior Yao Hong the scapegoat…
With the support of her maternal family, Xue Yue Lou returned to the Yao Mansion that day and immediately caused a scene to demand a divorce.
The Yao Mansion was naturally reluctant in every way. Following Xue Sui’s instructions, she resorted to crying, making a scene, threatening suicide, and even vowing to report them, making the matter widely known. The more people who knew, the better.
Yao Hong, with a guilty conscience, ultimately agreed.
That day, Xue Yue Lou took the seal signed by Yao’s father and the divorce agreement to the yamen to have it stamped, dissolving her marital bond with Yao Wei. She then packed her belongings and returned directly to her maternal home.
Upon hearing the news, Third Madam immediately hosted two banquets at Lian Shui Pavilion for Xue Yue Lou, intending to celebrate.
Xue Qingxiu’s career had been smooth sailing recently, and Qian Shi was also beaming with pride and immense satisfaction.
“Fortune does not enter a resentful door. Second Young Lady made a decisive move to leave the Yao family, and from now on, may she have smooth sailing, good fortune, and great joy.”
“When Third Aunt finds someone suitable, I will find you another good husband.”
Xue Yue Lou beamed.
She recalled that when Xue Sui first said she would help her escape that hellhole of the Yao family, she had no hope. Unexpectedly, in just over a month, times had changed, everything was different, and she had succeeded.
Xue Yue Lou raised her cup, her face full of sincerity.
“Thank you, Sixth Sister, thank you, Third Aunt. This matter was entirely thanks to your careful planning.”
She then took a shallow sip and smiled again.
“I am currently relying on Ming Ge’er’s recovery. As long as my maternal family does not mind me being a burden, it would be best if I never remarried.”
Third Madam chuckled.
“If you never remarry, then Third Aunt will support you.”
Xue Yue Lou smiled slightly, then a touch of sadness crept in.
“Ming Ge’er is currently ill, so the Yao family will not fight for him. But he is still a Yao by name… The divorce was so unpleasant, I fear they will not let this matter rest and will come to demand the child…”
Qian Shi heard this, put down her cup, and also wore a worried expression.
Although a child is born to a woman, after a divorce, it is usually difficult for them to be taken back to their maternal home.
If it truly came to a dispute, the Xue family might not be in the right.
When they spoke of the Yao family, they gritted their teeth.
Xue Sui, however, smiled, calmly picked up her teacup, gently blew on the steam, and took a sip with an elegant and composed demeanor.
“They will not have the chance to cause trouble.”
Third Madam and Xue Yue Lou both looked at her.
This Sixth Sister seemed to possess some divine foresight; what she said was often remarkably accurate.
Xue Sui did not say much, only stating, “He who does much injustice will surely destroy himself. Just wait and see.”
—
The next day, as the dawn broke, the weather was clear and sunny.
Xue Yue Lou, after her divorce, seemed reborn, casting aside her past gloom. Early in the morning, she came to Li Xiang Courtyard to go with Xue Sui to Tongji Hall to get medicine for Ming Ge’er.
Xue Sui readily agreed.
The sisters left the mansion hand in hand.
Next to Tongji Hall was a teahouse. The tea vendor had already set out tables by the roadside, and many people were gathered there, chatting.
As Xue Sui often came to Tongji Hall to get medicine, she was quite familiar with the area.
Today, there seemed to be an unusually large number of patrons at the teahouse.
The discussions were also louder.
“I was woken up early this morning by the noise. So many officers, blocking Yudai Lane completely…”
“My wife also ran off to join the excitement…”
“Look, all those people are heading towards Yudai Lane…”
“What’s all the fuss about?”
“The Yao Mansion, the Assistant Minister of the Interior’s residence, has been raided!”
“All the male members have been imprisoned, and the female relatives have been made official slaves and sent to the Jiaofang Division.”
“Heavens! What grave crime did they commit to warrant such severe punishment?”
“Deceiving the emperor, corruption, falsifying documents, forging imperial decrees, allowing their son Yao Wei to falsely use Princess Ping Le’s name to illegally occupy fertile land, sell official positions, and engage in examination fraud. The charges are quite numerous…”
“Good heavens! The Yao family’s audacity is too much!”
“It’s quite insightful that the Second Madam Yao had the foresight to cause a scene and divorce a few days ago. She must have gotten wind of it early…”
“Falsely using the Princess’s name, that’s an interesting point. Isn’t it similar to Gu Wulang of the Marquis Jingyuan’s family? Both are close to Princess Ping Le. Those who usually flaunt their power by relying on the Princess have fallen from grace, yet the Princess is kept out of it…”
“Hush, don’t say such things. These words should not be spoken.”
“Let’s go, let’s go and see.”
Xue Sui asked Xue Yue Lou, “Does Second Sister want to go and see?”
In Xue Yue Lou’s lowered gaze, there was a misty haze.
It wasn’t sadness, but an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
“Yes. I want to see their end with my own eyes.”
Yudai Lane, where the Yao family resided, was home to many high-ranking officials and nobles.
A jade belt encircling the waist, wealth filling the home.
The lane had bluestone paving, lush flowers and trees, and well-arranged houses with upturned eaves and bracketed roofs. But at this moment, it was surrounded by people three layers deep, with some even hanging from trees like monkeys, jostling for space.
Xiao Zhao, being strong, found a good vantage point and waved vigorously to Xue Sui.
“Young Lady, here, come here, you can see clearly.”
Xue Sui and Xue Yue Lou walked over.
They saw that the soldiers had completely surrounded the Yao Mansion, with strict security everywhere.
They were all clad in heavy armor, holding long spears, their expressions stern, blocking the onlookers from approaching.
The members of the Yao family, from the masters to the servants, were escorted out of the mansion one by one.
Only Yao Wei was carried out. He was emaciated, so thin he was almost unrecognizable, his clothes disheveled, his hair messily falling over his forehead. In the light of the sun, his face was even more pale and weak, not like a normal person.
The female relatives walked out crying, their steps unsteady, filled with terror and despair.
Xue Yue Lou’s gaze swept over them one by one.
She saw her shrewish and harsh mother-in-law who had been cruel to her.
She saw her sharp-tongued and quarrelsome sister-in-law who caused trouble for no reason.
She saw the widow sister-in-law who had an affair with her husband, had a child with him, and had flaunted her power in front of her…
And the eldest son, who was to be tried alongside Yao Wei in prison.
It was only Ming Ge’er, known as a “fool” since childhood, who was mentally unclear and young, making it impossible for him to be involved in the Yao family’s affairs.
When Xue Qingzhi spoke to the official in charge of the case, explaining that the child had gone with his mother during the divorce, the official crossed out Ming Ge’er’s name, granting a favor outside the law.
The Yao family had calculated everything, but they never expected that Ming Ge’er would become their only bloodline…
The male members were thrown into prison. Although it was not explicitly stated that they would be sentenced to death.
However, to quell public anger, appease the “petition of ten thousand people” storm, and conceal Princess Ping Le’s guilt, preventing her from being implicated, His Majesty might very well silence them…
They knew in their hearts…
They might not walk out of prison alive!
“Let’s go, Second Sister.”
Xue Sui said, “Let’s go back and get the medicine.”
Xue Yue Lou nodded and, as she left, looked back one last time.
The former wealth and glory were like a bubble, shattering in an instant.
Only a scene of desolation remained.
The Yao family members also noticed them in the crowd, their eyes filled with malice and helplessness.
Yao Wei opened his mouth, raised a finger to point at Xue Yue Lou, and showed a pleading expression, as if trying to say something, but was roughly interrupted by a slap from a constable. His words were lost amidst the desperate cries of the female relatives.
He who does much injustice will surely destroy himself.
Xue Yue Lou thought of Sixth Sister’s words, her heart feeling heavy.
The group returned to Tongji Hall, where the attendant had already gathered the medicine they needed.
Xue Sui had Xiao Zhao pay the silver money and was about to get into the carriage with Ming Ge’er to return to the mansion.
Unexpectedly, as the coachman turned the carriage, it collided with the shaft of another carriage that had just arrived.
The coachman repeatedly apologized.
Xue Sui looked up and met a pair of eyes as gentle as a deep pool.
The man in the carriage had his hair meticulously combed and tied with a white jade hairpin. He wore a sapphire blue brocade robe, with a neat and upright collar, exuding an extraordinary aura.
Xue Sui smiled slightly, “My apologies, esteemed sir.”
The other party pulled the carriage curtain further open.
“It’s nothing, please go ahead, Young Lady.”
The man’s voice was kind and refined.
Xue Sui thought of the Top Scholar who had dominated the Golden Palace that day, parading through the streets on horseback, surrounded by crowds, admired by the daughters of the capital, how spirited and unrestrained he was…
Comparing that to the present, she couldn’t help but smile knowingly.
This man was Lu You’an, the Imperial Son-in-law of Princess Ping Le.
His face was haggard, his eye sockets sunken, and dark circles under his eyelids, clearly indicating his weak health, making him appear exceptionally thin.
Poor thing.
Perhaps sensing Xue Sui’s gaze, Lu You’an looked at her cautiously and gave a slight nod.
Xue Sui withdrew her gaze and got into her carriage to leave.
Lu You’an did not alight immediately.
Instead, he remained seated, gazing quietly at the plaque of Tongji Hall, his expression somber.
—
The ninth day of the fourth month, in the thirteenth year of Chongzhao.
Three days before Prince Duan’s birthday, Xue Sui received three hundred taels of gold from Lai Fu, which he placed at Hongfu Gambling House and did not send to the Xue family.
Yaoguang looked at the gold nuggets, feeling a sense of disgust.
“Tsk tsk, Crown Prince has quite the generosity. Just for two seeds? Is he crazy, or am I?”
Xue Sui looked at him and gestured for Xiao Zhao to accept the money.
Yaoguang asked, “Where do you plan to find the seeds of those exotic Western flowers for him?”
Xue Sui said, “Netherworld Fern Flower.”
That plant was unique to Old Mausoleum Swamp. Named after its flower, it never actually bloomed or bore fruit, and its growth was astonishingly slow. It grew in the dark, damp places of Old Mausoleum Swamp, and it was uncertain if it would even survive in Shangjing, let alone wait for it to bloom and bear fruit to be used as a medicinal ingredient to suppress Gu Poison…
Isn’t Thirteen just fooling Li Zhao?
Yaoguang felt a bit of pity for the Crown Prince.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
If he had known this day would come, why would he have fallen into the hands of their Imperial Envoy?
This Little Thirteen looked harmless, but she was actually full of schemes.
Xiao Zhao put away the gold bars and found a paper slip with a ginkgo leaf pressed on it underneath.
“Young Lady, there’s a letter!”
Xue Sui took the letter from Xiao Zhao.
It carried a faint scent of leaves, with only a few small words.
She was already very familiar with Li Zhao’s handwriting.
This time, it was written particularly hastily and wildly.
It was evident how agitated the writer was when putting pen to paper.
“Bring the flower seeds to You Huang Ju and plant them yourself. Only then will I cease my prescription.”
I went to the hospital today and came back a bit late… Ughhhh~~
The second update will be at dinner. Love you all, muah!
