Song Yichun’s words played right into Dou Junqi’s hands. However, he didn’t show it, instead holding his expression and saying sarcastically, “So the Duke knows that the divorce letter should be written by the son!”
Song Yichun’s old face reddened.
Dou Junqi continued, “Money moves people’s hearts. With a dowry worth hundreds of thousands of taels of silver left in your household, even if you and the young master don’t covet it, others might. The Shuntian Prefecture has sealed its stamp for the holidays. I suggest we invite one of your uncles or aunts to witness the handover of the dowry on the spot, to avoid future disputes.”
Wouldn’t this alert the Lu family?
Song Yichun hesitated.
Dou Junqi added fuel to the fire, saying disdainfully, “Could it be that the Duke wants to keep his daughter-in-law’s dowry? Our family’s aunt isn’t someone just anyone can criticize. We’ll overlook what was said in the main hall earlier, but based on your statement ‘I wouldn’t want such a daughter-in-law even if she were given to me,’ we can’t leave Fourth Aunt in your household. We must take her back no matter what! Today, you either write a certificate for us to take back, or invite an elder to mediate. Otherwise, don’t blame our Dou family for being impolite and taking this matter before the Emperor!”
Hundreds of thousands of taels of silver!
No wonder it took several days just to check and transfer the accounts!
Song Yichun’s heart raced. He both ached for the silver and wanted to divorce Dou Zhao to cut off Song Mo’s support. After a while, he managed to calm down and carefully considered the matter.
The Dou family coveted Dou Zhao’s dowry. Taking Dou Zhao back was secondary; their real aim was to retrieve her dowry from Duke Ying’s household.
If they went before the Emperor, calling Song Mo to testify would certainly derail the plan. Not only might Dou Zhao’s divorce fail, but he could become the laughingstock of the entire capital!
He definitely wouldn’t write a certificate.
Whether Song Mo would acknowledge it remained to be seen, but he feared the Dou family would push all responsibility onto him, claiming he insisted on divorcing Dou Zhao. He’d be left holding the bag while Dou Shixu reaped the benefits. Unless his brain had been kicked by a donkey, he absolutely wouldn’t agree to such a self-harming arrangement.
Inviting his second uncle to mediate… didn’t seem appropriate either.
His second uncle was known for his rigidity. Upon hearing the whole story, he’d likely immediately summon Song Mo back. Once Song Mo returned, the plan would surely fail.
Neither option was ideal.
It was truly a dilemma!
But if he missed this chance, it would be even harder to divorce Dou Zhao without Song Mo’s involvement after this alarm.
Song Yichun couldn’t help but curse Dou Zhao.
Why cause trouble during the New Year? Couldn’t she have picked another time?
Now with government offices closed, they could only ask a family elder to witness. But the Song family had few relatives, and besides the Lu family, there were no other suitable candidates.
Song Yichun looked to Tao Qizhong, who was also at a loss.
This was a great opportunity to cut off support, but who should they ask to witness?
He lowered his head in thought.
Dou Junqi didn’t rush him, sitting calmly and waiting for their decision.
Suddenly, a servant entered and reported, “The two uncles from the Lu family, Old Madam Lu, and Princess Ningde have arrived.”
Song Yichun was shocked.
Dou Junqi smiled and said, “Duke, I apologize. I took the liberty of inviting the two gentlemen and the old madam from the Lu family on your behalf. I knew it would be difficult for you to make this decision, so I acted on my own…”
Like a blow to the head, this left Song Yichun’s mind reeling. He didn’t hear anything Dou Junqi said afterward. By the time he calmed down, before he could think clearly, Lu Chen and Lu Shi entered, each supporting their respective old madams.
Dou Junqi hurried forward to bow and introduce himself. With an apologetic expression, he said, “It’s improper to trouble the two old madams with the affairs of our juniors. But the Duke is determined to divorce our Fourth Aunt, and we Dous had to intervene.” He smiled bitterly, appearing helpless.
Old Madam Lu and Princess Ningde were both over sixty. The Dou family were in-laws, and divorce was a serious matter, so they set aside concerns about propriety between men and women.
Hearing Dou Junqi’s words, the Lu family members all looked at Song Yichun.
Song Yichun stammered, wanting to admit he wanted to divorce Dou Zhao, but feeling it wasn’t right; yet he was reluctant to let the opportunity slip away without saying anything.
His demeanor convinced the Lu family members that Dou Junqi was telling the truth.
Old Madam Lu, furious, pointed at Song Yichun and began scolding him: “I thought it was just a rumor. When the Dou family came to invite me, I didn’t breathe a word to your uncle. I can’t believe it’s true! Tell me, on what grounds are you divorcing Tianci’s wife? Which of the seven grounds for divorce has she violated?”
Song Yichun’s face reddened as he retorted stubbornly, “She stirs up trouble with her words!”
“Just because she said the main hall was too cold, you accuse her of stirring up trouble?” Old Madam Lu pressed on, “When Jin’er was disrespectful, why didn’t you discipline her? Instead, you fixate on a single comment from Tianci’s wife. By your logic, wouldn’t that mean you couldn’t even reprimand servants for serving cold tea? Why keep so many servants then? Is it because you’re afraid others won’t have enough to eat, so you work yourself to death to earn money just to support unrelated people?”
Song Yichun muttered defiantly, “Jin’er isn’t just anyone…”
Old Madam Lu laughed in exasperation, “It seems you view everyone equally. If that’s the case, why don’t you divide Duke Ying’s estate equally among your other three brothers? According to our dynasty’s laws, the title should be inherited by the eldest son of the main branch. Shouldn’t Song Maochun inherit the Duke Ying title?”
Song Yichun was left speechless.
Princess Ningde, given her unique status, usually didn’t involve herself in such family matters. But when she heard that Song Yichun was forcing Song Mo to divorce, she was very angry. After careful consideration, she still decided to come.
Seeing Song Yichun’s stubborn expression, she glanced at Dou Junqi standing respectfully to the side and couldn’t help but say, “Come with me!”
Song Yichun was stunned.
Princess Ningde had already headed to the warm room in the back.
Song Yichun had no choice but to follow.
In the warm room, with no one else present, Princess Ningde spoke earnestly, “When the family is harmonious, all affairs prosper. Think back to when Madam Jiang was here. Wasn’t everything in the household running smoothly? You played your role as the master, never knowing the hardships of farming. When you needed money, you just asked Madam Jiang. Both your sons were well-raised – Tianci needn’t be mentioned, and Tian’en was innocent and lively, quick-witted and active.
But look at you now, your home doesn’t feel like a home, your estate doesn’t feel like an estate. In the end, it’s because no proper person is managing your inner household, and everyone has lost their sense of propriety. Instead of letting your new daughter-in-law take charge of the household when she arrives, you shut yourself in and fuss over gains and losses with her like a woman. Is this how a Duke should behave?”
“I’ve heard that Marquis Changxing has his eye firmly set on the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Five Military Commands!”
“Duke Dongping has always been in the Emperor’s favor, and now he’s also been appointed Commander of the Five Cities’ Military and Cavalry. The Emperor certainly won’t move him. Marquis Guangen has always been clever and flexible, able to put aside his dignity to please the Emperor. His smuggling in the east has been thoroughly investigated by the Imperial Guards, yet the Emperor still turns a blind eye and protects him. Can you bring yourself to be as subservient as he is?”
“Marquis Anlu has been currying favor with the Empress Dowager for years and has married his eldest grandson to the Empress Dowager’s favorite great-niece. Even if it’s just for the Empress Dowager’s sake, the Emperor will let him keep his position as Commander-in-Chief.”
“Duke Xingguo is low-key and steady, resolute and decisive, never involving himself in court disputes. When the Yuan Mongols invaded years ago, if not for his efforts to turn the tide, how could we have had peace in the northwest for over a decade? If you ask who the Emperor trusts most, it’s undoubtedly Duke Xingguo. The Emperor wouldn’t replace him with anyone else!”
“Tell me, apart from your ancestral legacy, what do you have to show for yourself before the Emperor?”
“Now that the Emperor favors Tianci, it’s an opportunity for the Song family to rise. Not only do you fail to support your son, but you’re also holding him back. All the meritorious nobles in the capital are laughing at you behind your back, yet you remain oblivious, causing trouble at home. Do you want to lose the position of Commander-in-Chief before you’re satisfied?”
Song Yichun stood there, his face alternating between red and white.
Princess Ningde, remembering that he had always been muddle-headed since childhood, and thinking of her son who wasn’t much better, both now grandfathers yet still so incompetent, softened her tone: “Just listen to me. Hand over the household management to Madam Dou, and focus on being the family patriarch. Put all your energy into court affairs. If you continue to be so careless, I’m afraid Marquis Changxing will seize the opportunity!”
“Moreover, Madam Dou is already pregnant. If you divorce her now, what about the child?”
“If Madam Dou gives birth to a son, will he be legitimate or illegitimate?”
“If legitimate and illegitimate children aren’t distinguished, how can Duke Ying’s household remain stable?”
Fearing he might not take her words to heart, she provoked him: “I know the Lu family isn’t what it used to be, and you don’t regard us highly anymore. You might not even listen to what we say. Consider our involvement meddling if you like. My sister-in-law and I came today out of concern. As for what to do, it’s still your decision. After all, it’s your life to live, no one can replace you.”
As she spoke, she walked disappointedly towards the door.
Song Yichun, watching her retreating figure, felt a lump in his throat. He knew that if Princess Ningde left like this, the two families might become estranged. Thinking of how he had no siblings, how when Duke Dingguo’s household still existed, he relied on his two cousins from the Lu family for everything, and how Princess Ningde, despite her royal background, treated him like her own nephew… He couldn’t help but call out loudly, “Princess!” He continued, “Since his uncle’s incident, Song Mo has become estranged from me. I’m doing this because I have no other choice! Please, tell me what I should do!”
Princess Ningde thought for a moment before turning back.
Song Yichun sincerely bowed to Princess Ningde.
After some consideration, Princess Ningde said, “Very well! First, go apologies to the Dou family’s uncle and young master. Then, hand over the authority to manage Duke Ying’s household to Madam Dou. From now on, don’t interfere with the inner household affairs. Set your sights on the court and find ways to regain the Emperor’s favor.”
Handing over the authority to manage the inner household to Madam Dou… Would she manipulate things to isolate him?
Song Yichun hesitated.
Princess Ningde frowned slightly and said, “You are, after all, Tianci’s father. Surely you don’t think Tianci would commit patricide? What are you afraid of?”