HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 100

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 100

This was exactly how a seasoned poisonous woman would act. To one’s face, she’d bare her heart and soul playing the role of a good person, but behind one’s back, she was a sharp knife, severing tendons and chopping flesh to pieces.

By this point, Qingyuan had done everything she could. Whether to forgive or not was entirely up to Fangchun’s choice. It wasn’t easy to steel oneself to deal harshly with an elder who had shown kindness in one’s childhood. But how could a person become so despicable? When they were superior, they could tolerate others, but once their cat-and-dog child became stronger than themselves, their psychological balance was lost.

Fangchun looked down at Lady Wang kneeling at her feet, making no move to let her rise. She bent down and said, “Aunt, you knew about Xuehao’s intentions all along. Not only did you fail to dissuade her, but you even suggested to me that I should let Chengbing take a secondary wife. You were hoping your daughter could replace me, weren’t you? You cared for me when I was young, so why are you now willing to treat me this way? You kept pushing me toward divorce, but if I had divorced, did you ever think about how I would live afterward? And my child…” She choked with sobs, “Five months along – that was a life! How cruel you were to deliberately kill him. Now you come begging me to forgive you, but my child – who ever gave him a chance?”

She had always been easy to talk to, seemingly able to laugh off even the greatest troubles. This led Lady Wang to mistakenly believe that with a few kind words and mentions of past kindnesses, her heart would soften and this storm would blow over. But this time seemed different – her eyes were bloodshot, her face ashen, and under the fluttering fire banners she looked terrifying, frightening Lady Wang into silence.

But how could she not plead? Xuehao had been caught in the act, with witnesses from the East Manor present, and the Imperial Guards had been alerted. If Fangchun didn’t speak up, something terrible could happen to Xuehao. At this point, she couldn’t worry about maintaining an elder’s dignity. She struggled to grab Fangchun’s legs, crying, “Young Mistress, we’re the closest of kin! How can you believe a mere maid’s words and treat me and your sister like mortal enemies? I know you hate Xuehao, and what she did today was shameful – that was wrong of her. But the miscarriage wasn’t her doing, I guarantee it. Don’t you know your sister’s nature? She has a child’s heart and just wanted to be your companion. She might have been envious, but she would never have the courage to do such a thing…”

Qingyuan felt nauseated hearing this and coldly sneered, “Madam certainly has a clever tongue. She dared to strip off her clothes while the master was drunk, yet you call it a child’s heart, saying she just wanted to be our Second Madam’s companion? Not all relatives from one’s maiden home are good people – I thought I’d met the worst already, but you’re no better. You harbor jealousy while I harbor none, yet you showed no hesitation in doing such karmic damage. When the case breaks, you think denying everything will let you muddle through. You’ve underestimated our family’s business, treating us all as useless rice-eaters.”

The Shen family’s business was investigating officials, fabricating crimes, and running major prisons! If they could bring down high officials, they certainly had ways to make a mere girl tell the truth.

Lady Wang saw Xuehao disheveled, shaking like dead leaves on a branch. She felt both heartache and hatred for her stupidity. Others had set a trap for her to fall into, and she had blindly stumbled right in. Such a “please enter the urn” strategy could never have come from Fangchun – it must have been the East Manor’s idea.

What a formidable girl, so young yet with depths like the sea – no wonder she had turned the Xie mansion upside down. Lady Wang took a deep breath and said, “Lady Chen, I’ve long heard of your reputation and know you show no regard for family ties, but you’re reaching too far. Though your Shen family enters through the same gate, the East Manor is the East Manor, and the West Manor is the West Manor. The West Manor has its mistress, and there’s no precedent for a sister-in-law to meddle in her brother-in-law’s household affairs.”

Hearing this, Qingyuan cast a cold glance sideways, “Lady Yao, you don’t seem to understand your current situation, yet you’re concerned about our family divisions. Since we enter through the same gate, we’re brothers as close as characters written with one brush. You bully Second Madam for her kindness, pushing me aside to continue manipulating her – did you think people wouldn’t know?”

Lady Wang forced a smile, her lips twitching in a way that could hardly be called a smile, saying, “Madam misunderstands. I had no such intention. I merely wanted to kindly remind Madam that being merciful brings future blessings. Madam lost your mother young – why not accumulate some merit for your descendants? You’ve already made the Xie family a laughingstock in Youzhou as you wished, and now that you’ve entered the Shen family, don’t make Second Madam end up like you, letting people say you specialize in turning people against their maiden families – it’s not good for your reputation.”

But just as these words left her mouth, a tall figure appeared in the doorway, hands behind his back, sighing, “Still showing off your sharp tongue when death approaches – seems we’ve been too lenient with you.” He raised his voice to call people in, “Tie up these two pigs for me!”

At his command, Imperial Guards rushed in with hemp ropes. Ignoring their struggles and screams, they tied one end to their thumbs and wound the other end tight with knots, binding the Yao mother and daughter like zongzi dumplings in moments.

“Better not struggle. The Palace Guard’s binding technique is superb – the more you struggle, the tighter the knots become. If your fingers get pulled off, you can’t blame others.” As he spoke, a cold smile spread across his face. “Shen Run is a rough man who won’t waste flowery words reasoning with you. The witness is here, the evidence is conclusive, understand? Dare to say one more word, and don’t blame me for dragging you out for public display. Yao Xuehao sneaks into the study intending to assassinate the Commander – it would be trivially easy to charge your entire family! You harmed my Shen family’s flesh and blood, yet you still have time to worry about my wife’s reputation? Better worry about yourselves – how much physical suffering you’ll endure, how many more days your heads will stay on your necks.”

His tone wasn’t particularly harsh, but every word carried the weight of thousands of jin. In their line of work, fabricating crimes came easily, because some people wouldn’t believe until they saw their coffin – especially venomous women like these.

The Yao mother and daughter indeed dared not ramble further. Once Shen Run took action, it was final. Qingyuan turned to look at Fangchun. She didn’t have such eloquence; in her extreme grief, she could only stare fixedly at Xuehao and ask, “When you harmed the child in my womb, you didn’t care at all about my life, did you? Was it that my death would have suited your purposes perfectly, so you could openly take my place by comforting Shen Che?”

By this point, Xuehao no longer wished to argue with her. She cast a glance filled with contempt, “Sister, what virtue or ability do you have… what virtue or ability indeed!”

Fury rose in Fangchun’s heart. She lunged forward and grabbed Xuehao’s throat with all her strength, grinding out through clenched teeth, “I want your life in payment! I want your life in payment!”

Xuehao’s face turned red as she struggled to breathe. Seeing this, Lady Wang screamed, “Stop! You’ll strangle her to death… Fangchun! Fangchun!”

In the end, it was Shen Che who pulled her away, holding her in his arms and trying his best to calm her: “Enough, enough… don’t dirty your hands with that worthless life. Let her live – I’ll deal with her myself.”

The Imperial Guards took them away. Since the government office was some distance away and the year’s end was approaching, making travel inconvenient, they first imprisoned them in the Lulong Military Prison, to be dealt with after the New Year.

As the grand drama concluded, Qingyuan finally let out a long breath. Remembering the guests in the front courtyard, she exclaimed and asked Shen Run, “How did you come in here? Who’s attending to the front?”

Shen Run smiled, “I only came in after seeing people off. Grandmother is helping out – we haven’t neglected any courtesies, don’t worry.”

“What about the return gifts I prepared? Have they all been distributed?”

Shen Run’s expression showed pride, “I delivered them to those ladies one by one, and made the rounds of farewells, explaining that my wife was feeling slightly unwell and apologizing on your behalf.”

Qingyuan was somewhat surprised – Commander Shen who used to look down on everyone had now learned to be diplomatic, truly remarkable.

The elderly Chen couple, having finished tidying up the front courtyard, finally came in through the courtyard gate. They had missed the most dramatic part and didn’t know how things had turned out. Seeing Fangchun crying rivers of tears, they quietly questioned Qingyuan with their eyes.

Qingyuan said, “The Yao mother and daughter have been taken to prison, to be dealt with after the New Year.”

Old Lady Chen nodded, “At least this matter has been cleared up. Without this worry, we can have a better New Year.”

At this time, Fangchun came over, eyes red, saying, “Elder Brother, Elder Sister-in-law, I’ve been so foolish lately, causing you such worry. Thinking about it now, I’m mortified – listening to others’ instigation, making such a scene at home…”

Shen Run grunted, “It’s good that you realize your mistake. People should know to cherish their blessings. You weren’t forced into a blind marriage – you chose each other, how could you give up so easily!”

He took the opportunity to lecture, and Fangchun sheepishly lowered her head in agreement after taking the criticism.

Qingyuan tugged at Shen Run’s sleeve, smiling at Fangchun, “Without experiencing it once, how would you know the treachery of human hearts? Well, it’s all over now. Some things should be let go when it’s time.”

Old Lady Chen agreed with a smile, “Well said. Just focus on living well from now on. I said it before – countless people in Youzhou envy you both, you just didn’t take it to heart. Now you’ve seen it for real, you should finally believe my words.”

Indeed, throughout the capital region, how many eyes were watching them? Their husbands had become high officials at such young ages, with no parents-in-law to serve above them, no concubines’ children to cause trouble below – what more could they ask for? Fangchun walked over to Shen Che, lowering her head and mumbling, “Chengbing, I’ve wronged you. Not only did I lose the child, but I also made you sell your charm to lure the enemy.”

Shen Che’s smile stiffened slightly as he raised his hand to tap her head, “As long as it made you wake up, this small sacrifice was nothing. Never mind selling charm – I’d even sell my body if needed.”

Fangchun cried out, “How dare you!”

This storm in the back courtyard had quietly played out and quietly concluded. Dealing with the Yao mother and daughter wasn’t particularly difficult; the troublesome part was the aftermath.

When Assistant Magistrate Yao received the news, he rushed to the Shen mansion without delay. Knocking on the main gate, he stammered, “I request to see Commander Shen and the Commander – please announce me.”

The gatekeeper looked him up and down, “Who might you be? At this hour, both our masters have retired. If you have a business, please return tomorrow.”

Yao couldn’t accept this, “I am Assistant Magistrate Yao Shao of Xuanzhou. I’ve come specifically regarding the matter of my wife and daughter to see the Palace Commander and Commander. Please announce me.”

The gatekeeper naturally knew who he was – the rebuffs were purely to make things difficult. Of course, some courtesy was still necessary, so he bowed deeply: “Oh, Assistant Magistrate Yao, it’s not that I won’t announce you, but it’s too late today…”

Before the servant could finish, Yao Shao pushed past him and rushed in. But the Commander’s mansion was too large, and he didn’t know where to look for people, so he could only walk and call out loudly: “Palace Commander, Palace Commander… Xuanzhou Assistant Magistrate Yao Shao requests an audience, please grant me your golden presence. Palace Commander…”

Lights lit up throughout the mansion, quickly converging toward the front courtyard. His loud commotion finally drew out Shen Run.

Shen Run had been expecting him and hadn’t retired, but had been waiting for him instead. Entering the Commander’s mansion without permission was another excuse. When he slowly walked out through the hanging flower gate, the Assistant Magistrate was indeed already surrounded by the guard detail.

Shen Run held up a lantern, standing before the steps. His fox fur cape covered half his face, leaving only a pair of piercing eyes that seemed to see through people’s hearts. After clearly seeing who had come, he let out an “Oh” and said, “I wondered who would dare to break into my Commander’s mansion at night – so it’s Assistant Magistrate Yao.”

Yao Shao bowed repeatedly, “Palace Commander, I’ve heard the whole story from the servants who were present… Palace Commander, it was my failure to manage my household that led them to make such a grave mistake. I beg the Palace Commander to show mercy… for the sake of their connection to the Dong family!”

“Connection to the Dong family?” Shen Run frowned slightly. “Originally, pleading through the Dong family would have been most effective, but unfortunately, the one they harmed was a member of the Dong family. Doesn’t the Assistant Magistrate know this?”

Yao Shao was momentarily speechless, but at this point, he couldn’t care about his face anymore. He kept bowing deeply: “Palace Commander… if you would just show leniency, this humble official is willing to offer fifty thousand taels of silver as compensation. My daughter was young and ignorant, and my wife too indulgent, which led to this catastrophic situation that’s now impossible to resolve. Palace Commander… Palace Commander, you now have a family of your own too, you understand how difficult it is to maintain a household. Women confined to the inner quarters have limited knowledge, and I’ve been too busy with official duties to watch over them… all of this is my fault, I beg the Palace Commander to be understanding.”

However, the face beneath the fox fur remained cold as ice, and that cold snort was as sharp as a steel blade on snow, devoid of warmth. “It seems in the Assistant Magistrate’s eyes, Shen Run is someone whose eyes light up at the sight of money, someone who would trade even the lives of close relatives for money. But the Assistant Magistrate did say one thing right – I have indeed established a family now and my temper has improved. In the past, there wouldn’t even have been a chance for the Assistant Magistrate to plead – I would have had you thrown out immediately.” He looked at the sky, as dark as ink, his breath forming a white mist before his eyes, and said somewhat wearily, “It’s late, Assistant Magistrate should return home. This matter cannot be dismissed just because someone comes to plead. After the New Year, we’ll conduct a proper investigation. According to the law, those who should be released will be released, and those who should be imprisoned will be imprisoned. I absolutely won’t wrongly accuse anyone without cause.”

“But… but…” Yao Shao stammered, “How are we supposed to get through this New Year!”

This was no longer his concern. He turned away indifferently, walking while ordering: “Shou Song, see the guest out!”

Shou Song answered with a “Yes” and stepped forward with a bow, “Assistant Magistrate if you please.”

Yao Shao was still in a daze when he saw him stop after a few steps and slightly turn his head. In the lamplight, a profile with a high nose and deep eyes was illuminated. Looking down, he said: “They’re in the Lulong Military Prison – have someone send them some clothes. Ladies and young misses from the inner quarters might not be used to prison life. That said, throughout the capital region, only Assistant Magistrate Yao’s family members have been imprisoned for harming a court official’s wife, truly setting a precedent for crimes by officials’ family members in our dynasty. Impressive, impressive!”

His sarcastic mockery and dry laughter faded as he went to the inner courtyard, leaving Yao Shao beating his chest and stamping his feet, crying out to the heavens.

Qingyuan was already in bed under the covers, sitting among the bedding waiting for him to return. An elegant shadow appeared on the latticed window, quickly moving into the bedchamber. She craned her neck to ask, “Did you send him away?”

Shen Run efficiently shed his outer robe and dove under the covers, muttering: “Sent him away… So busy today, and still had to make time to deal with these fools – they’re not even worthy!” He glanced at her while speaking, “What are you sitting up for? Be careful not to catch cold – lie down!”

Qingyuan quickly snuggled down, and he reached out his arm to pull her into his embrace, closing his eyes and murmuring: “Marrying a clever wife brings merit to the present and benefit for a thousand years. From now on I won’t worry about peace in my inner household – you’ll certainly keep our children in perfect order.”

Qingyuan smiled with narrowed eyes, “And what about you?”

He kissed her forehead, saying resignedly: “I’m also kept in perfect order by you… Following my wife’s lead is never wrong.”

Qingyuan was very pleased, wrapping her arms around him and patting his back gently, “Now we can relax, we can finally have a peaceful New Year.”

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