Originally, Cui Xingzhou had planned to accompany Miantang and his sister to offer incense today. However, due to a sudden situation at the military affairs office, he arrived late.
He had intended to wait for them at the foot of the mountain after they finished their prayers, but before he could reach the base, he saw black smoke rising from the summit. Alarmed, Cui Xingzhou spurred his horse into a gallop, racing to the foot of Wangfeng Temple. There, he encountered Miantang and the others descending.
Upon hearing Miantang’s account, Cui Xingzhou immediately ordered his guards to escort his sister back to the manor and sent renowned physicians in the capital to treat her at the Wang residence.
By now, Cui Fu’s face had turned pale, wracked with pain. Her pregnancy had been difficult from the start. When she first discovered she was with a child, she experienced severe symptoms. Later, upon arriving in the capital, she found a favored concubine had been added to her household, causing her great distress. Although her mood improved somewhat after coming to her brother’s place, she still harbored thoughts of divorcing her husband. How could she not be conflicted and sorrowful?
All these emotions had taken their toll on the expectant mother. Today, when the Duchess of Qing berated her, all her grievances and pain surged forth at once.
By the time they reached the Wang residence, blood was already flowing freely from her lower body.
Three physicians were summoned to the Wang manor, but they all shook their heads, stating the fetus could not be saved. Their focus now was on nurturing the mother’s health to prevent future infertility.
Upon learning she had lost the baby, Cui Fu remained silent, her expression complex as tears streamed down her face.
Seeing her mother carried back in such a state, little Jin’s face turned ashen with fright. After the doctor’s examination, she curled up beside her mother, refusing to leave.
Miantang, heartbroken by the scene, retreated to the corridor to weep quietly. As Cui Xingzhou emerged after tending to his sister, he caught sight of Miantang crying and hurried over, saying, “You were just advising my sister that tears are harmful to the body, yet here you are crying yourself?”
Miantang roughly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and said bitterly, “It’s all my fault. If only I had ordered the fire set earlier, my sister wouldn’t have suffered like this…”
Cui Xingzhou, now aware of everything that had transpired at Wangfeng Temple, replied with cold fury in his eyes, “How can this be your fault? If you hadn’t scared off those wretched women with your quick thinking, my sister might not only have lost the child but her life as well. However, if some believe they can bully the women of the Huaiyang Wang household with impunity, they should be prepared to face the consequences. Blood will be repaid with blood!”
While the physicians were examining his sister, a memorial denouncing Consort Yun’s entourage for disregarding commoners and injuring many had already reached the emperor. Since she was the emperor’s woman, Cui Xingzhou left it to the emperor to manage the situation. He had ensured all witnesses were preserved, and the injured commoners, after receiving treatment, were sent to kneel at the entrance of the Capital Prefecture’s official residence. They bore signs stating they lacked funds for further medication and beseeched the officials to demand compensation for medical expenses.
The official residence was located in a bustling area of the capital, guaranteeing that news would spread throughout the city within half a day.
As for the Duke of Qing’s household, Cui Xingzhou intended to settle accounts with them meticulously.
The very next day, the Prince of Huaiyang led a hundred household guards to forcefully enter the Duke of Qing’s residence. The newly lacquered vermillion main gate was kicked out of shape by the Prince’s men.
A sea of men poured in, smashing and breaking everything in sight.
The Duke of Qing’s household had never witnessed such a display of force. Naturally, they cried out, pleading to discuss matters peacefully.
Unfortunately, the Prince of Huaiyang had no interest in conversing with the Duke’s people. He simply placed a chair in the main hall, sat down, and ordered Guo Yi to be brought forth to sign divorce papers.
Initially, Guo Yi was furious, accusing the Prince of Huaiyang of abusing his power.
Cui Xingzhou slowly rose and approached Guo Yi. He raised his hand and delivered two resounding slaps to Guo Yi’s face, saying, “Originally, I should have struck your foolish and cruel mother, but as she is a woman, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to lay hands on her. You, as her son, shall bear this in her stead! My sister has miscarried due to your mother’s mistreatment. I intend to settle this debt with your Guo family thoroughly!”
The incident of the mountain fire at Wangfeng Temple had caused quite a stir. It was said that later, when people examined the site, they found a small patch of the hillside had been burned bare, and the burn marks resembled a seated Guanyin.
The noble ladies who had been present whispered among themselves, wondering if the Duchess of Qing’s harsh treatment of her pregnant daughter-in-law had angered the Guanyin who grants children, causing her to manifest this divine sign and retract the blessing of offspring originally bestowed upon the Duke of Qing’s household.
In any case, the Duchess of Qing’s actions were improper, and her provincial manner of speaking so harshly was truly eye-opening. Within just two days, the entire capital was abuzz with talk of how the Duke of Qing’s household had angered Guanyin, resulting in the mountain fire.
Guo Yi had also heard of his mother’s actions and was both angry and anxious, feeling that his mother was treating the capital as if it were their old provincial territory.
Such rumors provided the perfect leverage for the Huaiyang Wang household.
However, no one in the Duke of Qing’s household had anticipated that Cui Fu would miscarry upon her return.
When Guo Yi heard this news, he was stunned. Despite the fading of their youthful romance over the years of marriage, there was still familial affection. Upon hearing this, he anxiously wanted to see Cui Fu.
But Cui Xingzhou, with a grim expression, said, “Our Cui family’s doors are not open to your family. I’ve come here today to sever this ill-fated union. Since your mother dislikes my sister, please sign the divorce papers quickly so we can part ways!”
Guo Yi became frantic: “How… how can we divorce over a mere quarrel between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law?”
Divorcing at this juncture would confirm the allegations of mistreatment towards his wife by the Duke of Qing’s household. This would have a significant impact on his reputation as well.
The Duke of Qing could no longer play the ostrich, hiding in his study fiddling with his calligraphy and paintings. He had to step over the wreckage strewn across the floor to negotiate with the Prince of Huaiyang.
Unfortunately, the Prince had not come to reason with them today. When the Duke of Qing began to recount the old friendship between their fathers, the Prince waved his hand dismissively, stating he had no interest in hearing about ancient history: “With my father gone, it falls to me as his son to protect the women of our household. I may not have known before how your Duke of Qing’s household treated my sister, but now I see clearly. It is only because of the old friendship between our two houses that I’ve merely damaged your main hall. If not for this connection…”
He swiftly drew the sword from a nearby guard and cleaved a lacquered round table in the hall in two. Then, addressing the Duke of Qing, he continued, “It would be blood for blood! Duke of Qing, do you think I wouldn’t dare to kill?”
The Prince of Huaiyang was a great general from the northwest who had personally fought on the battlefield. His hands were stained with the blood of countless enemies. Seeing his murderous aura, the Duke of Qing was terrified, realizing this mad prince might shed blood right under the Emperor’s nose if provoked.
With relations between the two families having deteriorated to this point, there was indeed no reason to continue the marriage. After some consideration, the Duke of Qing nodded, allowing his son to sign the divorce papers.
Guo Yi gritted his teeth as he unfolded the document. His eyes widened in shock, and he exclaimed, “Jin’er is the legitimate son of our Guo family. Why should she be raised in your Cui family?”
Cui Xingzhou scoffed, “Jin’er is still young and naturally should stay with her mother. We of the Huaiyang Wang household are reasonable people. We have no intention of changing Jin’er’s family name or ancestry. When she turns thirteen and begins her formal education, she can return to your Guo family.”
At this moment, the Duchess of Qing, who had hurriedly arrived and been eavesdropping from the long corridor, could no longer contain herself. She burst out, shrieking, “If she wants to leave, let her go! No one’s keeping her here! But Jin’er is the legitimate grandson of the Duke of Qing’s household. No one can take him away!”
Cui Xingzhou glared at her coldly, suddenly grabbing his sword and charging towards her. The Prince of Huaiyang’s guards rushed to restrain him, shouting at the Duke of Qing, “Get her out of here! Our Prince was in a rage yesterday, intent on coming to behead her. It was only thanks to the Princess’s intervention that he was held back. If she doesn’t leave now, you’ll be preparing her funeral!”
In the ensuing chaos, the Prince of Huaiyang kicked a chair so hard it shattered against the ceiling rafters! His actions certainly didn’t appear to be an act!
Guo Yi, quick-witted, pulled his mother away, urging her to hide. He feared the Prince of Huaiyang might truly kill her in a fit of rage!
The Duchess of Qing, accustomed to bullying the women in her household, had never faced someone charging at her with a sword. Terrified out of her wits, she stumbled back to the inner quarters.
The Duke of Qing’s residence was thrown into utter chaos, with servants running to the Capital Prefect to seek help.
However, the Prefect was already occupied with the injured from Wangfeng Temple demanding medical compensation. How could he dare to ask the palace for money? He could only act as a sensible local official, digging into his own pockets to advance the funds and quell public anger.
Already irritated from having to spend his own money, when the Prefect heard the report from the Duke of Qing’s household, he shook his head vigorously: “This is a private matter between your two families. Your masters all outrank me. How am I supposed to mediate? Unless there’s been a loss of life, it’s not under my jurisdiction. If you insist… wait until the morning court session and let His Majesty make a decision.”
After this ordeal, when they returned to the Duke of Qing’s residence, they were stunned to find the entire compound surrounded and sealed off by the Prince of Huaiyang’s household guards.
The Prince of Huaiyang’s message was clear: not a single word of the divorce agreement could be changed! If they signed today, that would be the end of it. If not, he would have his men seal off the residence, not letting even a fly in or out. Once the household ran out of food and several people starved to death, Jin’er would become an orphan with no ties. Then it would be simple to change her surname to Cui, severing all connections with the Duke’s family.
The Duke of Qing’s household had never encountered such an unreasonable, bandit-like prince before, employing such utterly unscrupulous tactics.
The Duchess of Qing was so angered that she developed a severe headache, but the soldiers at the gate wouldn’t even allow a physician to enter.
Cui Xingzhou casually remarked, “The Duchess isn’t suffering from postpartum hemorrhage. She won’t die immediately. Let her endure for a while!”
The Duke of Qing also realized his family was in the wrong. If such matters were brought before the Emperor, it would be an unbearable loss of face.
Moreover, since his grandson wouldn’t have to change his surname and would still be raised in the Cui family, it made little difference.
So, after discussing with his son, they signed and sealed the divorce papers.
However, as Guo Yi signed and pressed his fingerprint, he shed sorrowful tears, repeatedly asking to see Cui Fu one last time.
Cui Xingzhou ordered his men to collect the signed document without even glancing at Guo Yi. He simply commanded, “Withdraw our forces and return to the manor!”
And so, the bandit prince, having wreaked havoc on the Duke’s residence, departed with his large contingent of men, leaving the Duke of Qing’s household in disarray.