Yunchu’s Vengeance - Chapter 45
Chapter 45: I Will Not Divorce
Tingshuang recounted the gossip she had overheard outside to Yun Chu.
"The matters of the Xie family spread all across the capital last night. Everyone is saying that Lord Xie of the Ministry of Revenue is consumed by lust, openly carrying out depraved acts with a concubine in broad daylight on the day of the old matriarch's birthday banquet... They are also saying that the concubine is old and ugly, and that Lord Xie possesses unique and extraordinary tastes... In short, people outside are all gossiping about the Xie family, and my lord's reputation is completely ruined. Of course, the eldest miss's reputation for lacking administrative competence has also become known to everyone..."
Yun Chu inquired, "What was the old matriarch's reaction?"
"I heard that early this morning, she smashed everything in her room from top to bottom, and those serving her were walking on eggshells, terrified to make a sound," Tingshuang said softly. "They even summoned a physician this morning, who said the old matriarch suffered from severe stagnation of liver Qi and prescribed quite a few medicinal formulas."
"With everyone outside gossiping about the Xie family, won't the old matriarch grow sicker and sicker?" Tingsheng worried aloud. "By then, won't our lady have to go over there to wait on her and tend to her illness?"
Tingshuang shook her head. "Last night, the Prince of Pingxi escorted seventy or eighty mountain bandits into the capital, and the attention of the capital's residents was completely drawn away by that event. There are bizarre stories in the capital every single day; in less than ten days, everyone will have forgotten this whole business with the Xie family, and the old matriarch's illness will naturally heal."
Even as they spoke, Tingfeng brought Chen Defu walking into the side hall.
"Offering greetings to Madam," Chen Defu said after performing a bow. "Last night, this old servant went to the dilapidated temple outside the city as Madam instructed, and sure enough, I saw He Xu there. His buttocks were beaten to a pulp, and the clothes on his body had been stripped clean by the beggars at the ruined temple. He was lying outside completely naked. If he had been left there like that with no one caring for him, he probably wouldn't have survived three days. This old servant brought him into the city, found an inn, located a physician to apply medicine, and he woke up this morning."
Yun Chu closed the lid of her teacup and instructed, "Uncle Chen should continue to take good care of He Xu. Find a suitable opportunity and get him into a gambling den."
He Xu was addicted to gambling, constantly setting up little gambling dens within the manor to make a group of young attendants play along with him. She refused to believe that He Xu could resist the immense temptation of a real gambling den.
She continued, "As for the name He Lingying, go investigate it thoroughly. Bring back a report on any trace or clue you find."
Chen Defu lowered his head in acknowledgment. "Understood, Madam."
Once Chen Defu had left, Tingshuang asked softly, "Does Madam suspect that Auntie He's background has problems?"
Yun Chu did not keep it from her, stating, "Auntie He might be the daughter of a convicted criminal official. However, among the families in the capital whose estates were confiscated and who were sent into exile over the past fifty years, there is no He clan. I don't know if my guess is wrong."
Tingshuang's eyes widened abruptly.
If Auntie He belonged to the family of a convicted official, according to the laws, her descendants would be destined to serve as prostitutes generation after generation. Yet the Xie family had actually taken Auntie He as a concubine.
The consequences of this were something she didn't even dare to imagine.
And the reason Auntie He was able to become a concubine of the Xie family was entirely plotted by the legal wife herself.
The lady was making an enemy of the entire Xie family.
Tingshuang broke out in a cold sweat of terror. "M-Madam, shouldn't we return to the Yun family and consult with the eldest young master?"
Yun Chu asked her, "Consult about what?"
"You... you are standing in direct opposition to the entire Xie family..." Tingshuang's voice dropped to its absolute lowest pitch. "Why... why would you do this?"
She had always assumed the lady made Mother He a concubine for easier manipulation, never expecting that reality was a hundred times more terrifying than she had imagined.
Yun Chu stated, "Xie Jingyu is not a good match. I endured him for four years, and I can no longer endure it."
Tears streamed down Tingshuang's face. "Then let's return to the Yun family, ask the old general to step forward, and have you divorce my lord, Madam."
"No, I will not divorce." Yun Chu smiled faintly. "I am not leaving the Xie family."
She would not give the Xie family any opportunity to rise again; she wanted to watch with her own eyes as the Xie family slowly withered away, piece by piece.
At that moment, a manor matron came into report matters. Seeing Tingshuang crying with a flood of tears, she was thoroughly startled.
The matrons never dared to act presumptuously before the head matron, and seeing that the most authoritative senior maidservant by the lady's side had been scolded to tears, they certainly didn't dare to stir up trouble. One by one, they dutifully reported everything that had happened in the manor since the time Yun Chu had fallen ill.
Yun Chu calmly gave instructions on how to handle each matter.
Sitting in the primary seat, her light and airy, unbothered demeanor actually gave these matrons an exceptional sense of reassurance. With the lady here, even if some blunder occurred, there would be a solution—unlike when the eldest miss managed the household, issuing a stack of disorganized instructions that left them completely clueless about what to prioritize...
After the matrons withdrew, Yun Chu had a carriage prepared and headed toward the Yun family estate.
With such a massive incident occurring at the Xie family yesterday, her family definitely hadn't slept well through the night. She had to return and pay them a personal visit.
Just as she reached the gates of the Yun residence, the guards hurriedly went inside to report, followed closely by Lin Shi and Yun Ze rushing out to welcome her.
"Mother, Big Brother." Yun Chu said with a relaxed expression, "I heard the Prince of Pingxi returned to the capital after suppressing the bandits. Why didn't Big Brother go to the Prince of Pingxi's estate to offer congratulations?"
Yun Ze's expression was exceedingly unpleasant. "With such a major incident happening to you, how could your brother have the heart to visit the Prince of Pingxi's estate? You have no idea how worried Mother was for an entire night."
"Isn't it just Xie Jingyu taking a concubine? Mother shouldn't worry herself over such trivial matters." Yun Chu linked arms with Lin Shi and smiled as she spoke. "To me, having one more concubine or one less makes no difference at all."
Lin Shi felt her heart ache as if sliced by a knife. "Chuyu, this marriage was meticulously handpicked by Mother for you, yet I never expected to select such a heartless, ungrateful wretch. As a son from a humble background, he climbed from a seventh-rank official to the position of a primary fifth-rank in just five years—entirely relying on my Yun family. How dare he treat you with such disregard? Your brother and I have discussed it; we will have you divorce Xie Jingyu. You are still young..."
"Mother, please don't mention the word divorce again," Yun Chu said earnestly. "I can still manage to live this life with Xie Jingyu, and I am willing to continue living it."
Her gaze was firm, completely devoid of any hesitation or internal conflict.
Lin Shi let out a long sigh.
Yun Ze said nothing further either.
Although he was currently only a seventh-rank official, bearing the surname Yun meant his status was destined to be different from ordinary seventh-rank officials.
He would do something to let Xie Jingyu experience whether the Xie family could truly maintain a foothold in the capital once they lost the backing of the Yun family.
Anyone who dared to look down upon his sister must bear the consequences.
"Alright, let's not speak of this anymore." Yun Ze smiled warmly. "Your sister-in-law personally brewed a nourishing tonic soup; you must drink plenty of it later."
Lin Shi led her toward the flower hall. "In a little while, your father will return to the capital. When he does, we'll have your father invite Xie Jingyu over for a cup of wine."
A burst of pleasant surprise lit up Yun Chu's face. "Father is returning to the capital?"
In her past life, after the Yun family disaster, her father was dragged back from the front lines by imperial court agents and thrown straight into the dungeon; despite exhausting every effort, she had failed to see her father one last time.
Calculating the time, it had been at least ten years since she last saw her father.
"Look how happy you are." Lin Shi began to smile as well. "Your father dotes on you the most. If he learns of the grievances you've suffered at the Xie family, it'll be enough to give the Xie family a hard time."
In high spirits, Yun Chu ate a midday meal at home before preparing to return to the Xie manor.
Yun Ze personally escorted her out, exhorting, "Chuyu, I am your own blood brother born of the same mother. Do not hide anything from me, no matter what happens."
"I know, Big Brother." Yun Chu laughed uninhibitedly just like she used to do when she was a child. "Just make sure Big Brother doesn't find me annoying later. The hour is getting late; I should be leaving."
Just as she was about to board the carriage, a carriage suddenly drove in from the intersection, blocking her path of departure.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and a man dressed in black brocade garments leaped down from the carriage.
Yun Ze and Yun Chu hurriedly paid their respects. "Greetings, Marquis Xuanwu."
The newcomer was none other than Marquis Xuanwu, Qin Mingheng.