Yunchu’s Vengeance - Chapter 113
Chapter 113 - Not Uncle Yun
After taking her medicine, Yun Chu felt a bit drowsy.
Liu Qianqian stepped out of the room.
Seeing her emerge, Yun Ze, who had been waiting in the courtyard, immediately hurried forward: "Has Chu'er figured things out?"
"My husband is worrying too much," Liu Qianqian replied. "I see that Chu'er hasn't taken that matter to heart at all. Does my husband think that a woman being too close to a man other than her husband constitutes a grave crime? Men are allowed three wives and four concubines, and can go an entire year without stepping foot into their primary wife's quarters. Chu'er did what she did to save her life, and had no choice but to deal with the Prince of Pingxi... Even if something truly happened between them, I don't feel she owes his Xie family a thing."
Yun Ze was left dumbfounded.
His wife had always been gentle, virtuous, and well-read; he had never imagined he would ever hear her utter such words.
Wait!
He spoke up: "My dear, do you mean to say that Xie Jingyu hasn't entered Chu'er's quarters for a whole year?"
Liu Qianqian nodded with a cold and heavy expression.
A short while ago, her mother-in-law had accompanied Chu'er to consult a divine physician for pulse-reading. Upon returning to the estate, her mother-in-law had remained deeply depressed, and when Liu Qianqian pressed her, she learned that Chu'er and her husband hadn't shared a bed for at least a year.
Chu'er had poured her heart and soul into the Xie family, raising so many concubine-born sons and daughters, yet Xie Jingyu, as her husband, dared to humiliate his primary wife in such a manner!
Yun Ze's expression didn't look any better.
It was only natural for a man to take concubines—of course, he hadn't taken any himself, though that didn't mean he wasn't a man; he simply felt it was unnecessary.
No matter how many concubines were in the inner courtyard, one should never neglect one's wife; otherwise, how was that any different from letting a concubine overshadow the wife?
"Husband, Chu'er was injured this time, so let's have her stay at home for a while longer," Liu Qianqian said slowly. "Let Xie Jingyu realize that without Chu'er and without the Yun family, his Xie family is absolute nothingness."
Yun Ze nodded: "We shall do as my wife says."
Just as the couple was speaking, a servant came to report: "Lord, Madam, the son-in-law has arrived."
The Yun family's son-in-law was, naturally, Xie Jingyu.
Though Yun Ze initially wanted to tell Xie Jingyu to get lost, remembering something else, he instructed: "Bring him to the study."
Xie Jingyu hadn't come alone; he had also brought Xie Shian along with him.
Although the two families were in-laws, members of the Xie family rarely visited the Yun residence, usually only coming during New Year festivals or grand banquets.
The father and son sat waiting in the study for quite a long time, the servants failing to bring even a cup of tea. They were left sitting there dryly for about a quarter of an hour before Yun Ze finally arrived.
"Sorry to have kept my brother-in-law waiting so long." A smile graced Yun Ze's face, completely masking any trace of intentional difficulty. "Why did Shian come along as well? Doesn't the academy have classes today?"
Xie Shian stood up: "Mother was injured, and I was deeply worried, so I specifically asked for leave to come and see her."
"You truly are a filial child," Yun Ze remarked. "Your mother has only just fallen asleep, so it's best not to go in and disturb her rest. Jiang'er has been quite playful with his studies lately, and since you, Shian, passed the scholar examination at such a young age, you should let Jiang'er pick up some pointers from you."
Xie Shian nodded and turned to walk out of the study.
The smile vanished from Yun Ze's face: "What kind of tea does my brother-in-law prefer? I'll have someone bring a cup over."
Xie Jingyu's expression was exceedingly calm: "No need. I shall wait here for my wife to wake up and take her home."
In terms of official rank, he was a fifth-rank official while Yun Ze was a seventh-rank official. Even if Yun Ze couldn't bring himself to bow to him, he should at least have maintained proper appearances.
Yet he could detect not a shred of respect on Yun Ze's face; it was as though he didn't regard him in the slightest.
"Whether Chu'er returns to the Xie family or not is a matter for later," Yun Ze stated coldly. "Since brother-in-law became the future father-in-law of Prince Anjing, your social engagements seem to have multiplied quite a bit. I heard from a few officials at the Ministry of Revenue that brother-in-law has recently received quite a few fine treasures—such as coral pots, jade ruyi scepters, and even someone apparently delivering silver directly into brother-in-law's hands?"
Xie Jingyu's expression changed drastically: "Where on earth did Big Brother hear such things?"
"Since you are Chu'er's husband, naturally I pay a bit more attention to you. After chatting casually with a few lords from the Ministry of Revenue, I learned all of this," Yun Ze shook his head. "If someone were to deliberately target you and investigate you thoroughly from head to toe, and then submit these items to the Censorate, do you know what the consequences would be?"
Xie Jingyu clenched his fists.
Throughout the imperial court, everyone operated this way—accepting gifts before handling matters was an established, unwritten rule. Why should it suddenly be unacceptable when it came to him?
"I cannot control what others do!" Yun Ze's voice grew colder. "If your actions end up tarnishing the century-old reputation of my Yun family, the very first thing my Yun family will do is force Chu'er to divorce you!"
Xie Jingyu's face was dark with displeasure, though he managed to mask his expression well. He cupped his fists and said: "Big Brother's lesson is well taken; I will never do it again."
"There will be no next time," Yun Ze shook his head. "The moment you return all those previously accepted items, that is when Chu'er will return to your Xie residence! Lord Xie, I won't see you out!"
With those words, he flicked his sleeves and walked away.
Xie Jingyu picked up the teacup on the table, wanting to smash it onto the ground, but realizing he was in the Yun residence, he forcefully suppressed his rising fury.
Stepping out of the study, he reunited with Xie Shian, who asked, "Father's expression looks so terrible—did Uncle say something to Father?"
Xie Jingyu said in a deep voice: "Ever since the Emperor issued the decree bestowing the marriage, many people have been sending gifts to request favors from your father. I tried refusing them at first, but it caused quite an awkward scene, so I later accepted a few. Yet your uncle found out and claimed it would ruin the Yun family's reputation, ordering me to return everything I accepted."
"Uncle is right," Xie Shian noted. "If Father wishes to climb higher and go further, we truly need to be more careful in this regard. Whatever should be returned, let's return it."
Xie Jingyu pressed his lips together: "Those items have already been recorded on Ping'er's dowry inventory..."
"Father needn't worry about the dowry," Xie Shian thought for a moment before saying. "Once Mother's injuries heal, we can let her figure something out."
Conversing quietly, the father and son walked all the way to the main entrance of the Yun estate. Just as they were about to board their carriage, another carriage pulled to a halt.
Before the carriage had even come to a complete stop, a child dressed in brocade leaped down from inside, hopping and skipping as he ran into the Yun residence.
Immediately following him, a man stepped down from the carriage, radiating an imposing and formidable aura.
With just a single glance, Xie Jingyu hurriedly pulled Xie Shian along to bow: "This official pays respects to the Prince of Pingxi, and greets Your Highness."
Chu Yi's gaze landed upon Xie Jingyu. He recognized him now—this was that woman's husband, a fifth-rank secretary in the Ministry of Revenue.
And the one beside him must be the eldest legitimate son registered under her name.
With only a brief sweep of his eyes, he strode directly into the Yun residence.
Xie Jingyu raised his head, watching the guards at the entrance respectfully escort Chu Yi inside, feeling an intensely complicated array of emotions.
His father-in-law had yet to return to the capital, leaving Yun Ze as the only official in the Yun household—and a mere seventh-rank one at that. Yet he commanded enough respect to have a Prince pay a personal visit. No wonder Yun Ze had dared to lecture him in such a manner.
Yun Ze had just finished having someone escort Xie Jingyu out when a servant reported that the Prince of Pingxi and the little prince had arrived.
Without delay, he headed straight for the study, instructing the servants to serve their finest tea and pastries.
Before Yun Ze could even utter a greeting, Chu Hongyu eagerly blurted out: "Uncle Yun, mm—"
His mouth was covered by a hand as Chu Yi said coldly: "Address him as Lord Yun."
Seeing the little fellow nod, Chu Yi finally released his grip. Changing his form of address, Chu Hongyu asked: "Lord Yun, how are Auntie Yun's injuries? Can I go see Auntie Yun?”