Second Master Chen’s expression was gloomy and overcast, like a sky packed with dark clouds before a storm. He looked at Minister Fang and asked through gritted teeth, “If my younger brother were worried about his crimes being exposed and wanted to invite Litián out for a meal, knowing Litián’s nature, would he refuse?”
Immediately, one of the retainers chimed in, “How could he refuse?! Those people engaging in extortion and bribery is putting it lightly. Second Master, haven’t you heard that saying? ‘The yamen gates face heaven, but if you have justice but no money, don’t come in.’ The Shuntian Prefecture has been impeached countless times by the censors for corruption—clearly, it’s become ingrained habit. With benefits being delivered right to their doorstep, how could they possibly restrain themselves from taking them?”
Minister Fang glanced in his direction, then casually shifted his gaze away again, as if he had never looked at him in the first place.
The vague notion in Second Master Chen’s mind became even more firmly established. He stood up resolutely, “Then let’s do it this way. We’ll have him invite Litián out for a meal. If Litián agrees to come, things will be much easier to handle.”
When the time came, they would retrieve the items, then have both Litián and Third Master Chen die together. That way, the matter would essentially be settled—Third Master Chen wanted to get his wife released, but Litián refused, so the two got into a conflict and fought each other to death. This way, no one would ever know about the Third Branch receiving bribes. No—the people in the Third Branch might know about it. For instance, Third Madam Chen certainly knew. Second Master Chen steeled his heart—in for a penny, in for a pound. Since Third Master Chen was already going to die, the death of one more sister-in-law wasn’t such a big deal. However, Third Madam Chen was currently in prison…
That evening when Second Master Chen returned to his room, he instructed Second Madam Chen, “Tomorrow, you send someone to grease the wheels at the prison. That venomous woman cannot be left alive. This couple is trying to push our entire family into the fire pit.”
Second Madam Chen also hated this couple to the point where her teeth itched. Upon hearing this, she couldn’t help but say, “Exactly! Letting them live is just asking for disaster. Who would have thought they had such vicious hearts—accepting bribes and then acting as if nothing happened, demanding to split the family, pinning the blame on Father-in-law. Father-in-law has truly been dragged down terribly by them. Moreover, if this matter gets out, our whole family will suffer because of them. In others’ eyes, he still bears the Chen surname—who would believe we knew nothing about him accepting bribes? This is truly killing people!”
For once, Second Master Chen felt his wife was being reasonable and sensible. These words were particularly pleasing to his ears. He nodded and continued to instruct his wife, “Don’t be foolish enough to have our own people handle this directly—don’t give anyone leverage against us.”
Second Madam Chen still had this basic common sense. She immediately patted her chest and guaranteed, “I know that. Hand people ready-made leverage? Would I be that stupid?”
Second Master Chen sat for a moment, then heard that Third Master Chen had been found and was currently in the Third Branch’s courtyard. He immediately threw on an outer garment and headed straight for the Third Branch’s main courtyard. In the Third Branch’s yard, Chen Mingqing stood with her two younger brothers under the eaves, looking uncommonly anxious—in the span of just one day, the family had been turned completely upside down. First, her parents went to speak with Grandmother about splitting the family, then Mother had beaten a servant woman to death while protecting her dowry and was taken away by people from the Shuntian Prefecture, while Father had also disappeared without a trace. Though she was young, she knew that her parents had probably completely fallen out with Old Madam and the others. Living under the same roof in the future would be impossible—but according to the Great Zhou law, beating a servant to death only warranted whipping at most. She believed Father would find a way to get Mother released. After Mother was released, Chen Mingqing sighed softly—after Mother came out, splitting the family would be for the best.
As relatives without a shred of familial affection, calculating against each other and harboring mutual resentment—in the long run, this wasn’t good for either side. Better to split up and live separately. Perhaps maintaining some distance would keep them closer, and years later when looking back, they might still feel that blood is thicker than water.
While she was thinking this, Second Master Chen had already hurried past her and her brothers. She was somewhat taken aback and hadn’t yet recovered when she saw her second uncle turn back viciously to glare at them, as if they were something filthy.
Being looked at with such a gaze left her almost dazed. She stood rooted to the spot at a loss, watching her two brothers’ eyes also redden. She couldn’t help but lower her head—in the past, though Second Uncle and the others couldn’t be said to be truly sincere toward her, they rarely looked at them with such disgust. It seemed this time things had truly escalated severely. Chen Mingqing sighed inwardly. What her parents had done, she had no way to prevent, nor could she criticize them. She could only softly comfort her brothers for a few moments, sent them back to their rooms, and remained standing alone in the corridor.
Upon entering the room, Second Master Chen saw Third Master Chen, who had been beaten black and blue by his eldest nephew. He looked at him coldly and asked, “You really have the heart to do this—how has Father wronged you that you would frame him like this?!”
Elder Chen becoming the chief examiner for the Spring Examinations was absolutely wonderful news for the Chen family. Not only did Third Master Chen not feel happy for the family, he actually used this opportunity to line his pockets with money. Second Master Chen really wanted to pry open his skull and see what muddled notions were packed inside his brain.
Third Master Chen gave a cold laugh and wiped the blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, remaining completely silent. He had nothing to say. These people didn’t treat him as family at all—anything he said would be superfluous.
Young Master Chen couldn’t stand his lifeless yet malicious appearance and stepped forward to kick him without regard for seniority.
Second Master Chen hadn’t actually been waiting for his response in the first place. But Third Master Chen’s attitude infuriated him further. He looked at him coldly and snorted.
Young Master Chen followed Second Master Chen out the door, following closely behind for quite a while. When his second uncle turned back and told him about the plan worked out with the retainers and advisors, he added, “It’s just that I don’t know what to do about these few.”
He glanced toward Chen Mingqing standing in the corridor. Chen Mingqing, caught by his gaze that carried a vicious gleam, hurriedly lowered her head, inexplicably feeling panicked.
Young Master Chen didn’t put much effort into caring for even his own younger sister Chen Mingyu, much less a cousin. Upon hearing this, he said, “Since things have already reached this point, then we might as well just—” He placed his hand on his neck and made a gesture.
Second Master Chen turned back to look at him, thought for a moment, but ultimately shook his head. “Forget it. Young children are innocent. These little ones know nothing about the sins their parents committed. Besides, if they all died, once word got out, people would impeach our family again. At this time, it’s better to avoid trouble if possible. In any case, our family can still afford to raise a few more people.”
Young Master Chen was indifferent either way. If they lived, so be it. It wasn’t like he was the one running the household right now anyway. Raising these people didn’t require him to contribute money or effort. He nodded in agreement.