Chapter 16 I am just like you

Bao Yunxiu married Tang Lao Er through a matchmaker. However, less than a year into their marriage, Tang Lao Er developed bad habits. He not only became lazy and gluttonous, but also frequently beat and scolded Bao Yunxiu. Sometimes, he even abused his own elderly mother.

Bao Yunxiu wanted to divorce several times, but she was afraid of what the world would think.

Until recently, Tang's mother was beaten so badly by Tang's second son that she fell ill and could not get out of bed.

Before she died, she made up her mind and took Bao Yunxiu to the government office to arrange a divorce for Bao Yunxiu and Tang Lao Er.

In the Great Qi Dynasty, there is a law that states that the biological parents have the right to divorce on behalf of their children, as long as there is written evidence proving their relationship.

The moment the divorce was finalized, Bao Yunxiu felt an unprecedented sense of relief, and even regretted that she hadn't been able to make up her mind to divorce before.

Tang's mother passed away a few days after arranging a divorce for her daughter-in-law, despite medical treatment.

From then on, Tang Lao Er became even more ruthless, often using the excuse that Bao Yunxiu had angered his elderly mother to the point of death, to go to the small courtyard where Bao Yunxiu rented a place and verbally abuse and beat her.

The neighbors tried to persuade him several times, but each time Tang Lao Er threatened and intimidated him with family matters.

The original owner of the courtyard was also afraid of causing trouble, so a few days ago he approached Bao Yunxiu and said that he dared not rent the courtyard to her anymore.

Bao Yunxiu went out on the street today hoping to find a new place to stay, but she never expected to be caught by Tang Lao Er on the street.

At this point, Bao Yunxiu's tears fell again.

Looking at the numerous scars on her arms, Shen You was filled with mixed emotions. "Have you found a new place to stay?"

Bao Yunxiu shook her head, "Not yet."

Her tone was dejected, and she seemed listless.

After completing the divorce and having the official seal affixed, the moment she left the government office, she thought she could finally get rid of that scumbag Tang Lao Er. But she never expected that even now, she still couldn't escape him.

So what if we find a new place to live? If Tang Lao Er finds out, it'll just be the same old story again.

Seeing her like this, Shen You couldn't bear it. He reached across the wooden table and took her hand. "What he did violated the laws of the Great Qi. If you want to teach him a lesson, I can help you."

Bao Yunxiu was taken aback and looked up at her.

I was so preoccupied with my sadness and fear that I only noticed now that the woman in front of me had her hair styled in a married woman's bun.

She murmured, "Madam..."

Shen You gently curled the corners of her lips, "I'm divorced, just like you."

Bao Yunxiu's eyes flickered slightly, filled with apology. "Yunxiu has been very rude. Please forgive me, young lady."

Shen You shook his head, not caring about these things, and said, "If you trust me, I can help you find a lawyer."

She placed the Marquis's token on the table and told her directly, "My surname is Shen, my given name is You, and I am the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Chengde."

"If you don't teach someone like Tang Lao Er a lesson, he might continue to threaten and intimidate you in the future."

Bao Yunxiu was well aware of Tang Lao Er's true nature, but since her parents had both died, Tang Lao Er dared to act so recklessly because he saw that she was all alone and helpless.

In the past, I always thought it was better to avoid trouble.

Divorced women already face strange looks from the world, let alone having to confront their ex-husbands in court.

She dared not, because of the power of gossip and the unfair gaze of the world.

But upon hearing Shen You's words, hope rekindled in her eyes, and her lips moved slightly, "Really..."

“Really,” Shen You looked at her intently and nodded solemnly.

“I know you have many concerns, and I used to have the same concerns, but now I understand that if you can’t truly live for yourself, then you’ve lived in vain.”

"You're not the one who made the mistake, so why make yourself unhappy because of someone else's mistake?"

"The harsher the world is on women, the better we should treat ourselves."

"Tell me," Shen You smiled, her voice gentle yet powerful, "isn't this the truth?"

“Miss…” Bao Yunxiu choked out, tears streaming down her face, “It is my good fortune to have met you today, a blessing I have accumulated over three lifetimes.”

Shen You gently advised, "Don't cry," released her hand, poured her a cup of tea, and was about to speak when the door opened.

The wisteria has returned.

She was holding a wooden box in her hands, inside which were new clothes she had bought for Bao Yunxiu.

Shen You pointed to the inner room separated by a screen and said, "Miss Wenxiu, change out of your damaged clothes first, and then comb your hair again."

"From this day forward, a new life begins."

“Yes,” Bao Yunxiu sniffed and nodded emphatically, “This humble woman will remember what you say, young lady.”

After saying that, she went inside, clutching her dress.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Bao Yunxiu had changed into new clothes and quickly restyled her hair into a simple bun before emerging from inside.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, young lady."

Shen You smiled, and the two sat down at the table again.

“If Miss Yunxiu doesn’t mind, I have a vacant courtyard under my name that you can stay in temporarily.”

“This is unacceptable, young lady…” Bao Yunxiu’s first reaction was to refuse, afraid that she would cause her trouble.

Shen You saw through her thoughts. "This is not to cause trouble, it's just that we're helping each other out."

She blinked and smiled, "Perhaps in the future, I will need Miss Wenxiu's help."

Bao Yunxiu wanted to refuse, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.

She wasn't stupid; she knew Shen You's words were meant to reassure her. Otherwise, how could a legitimate daughter of a marquis's family possibly need her help?

But since Shen You had already said so much, it would seem a bit pretentious for her to refuse again.

Thinking of this, Bao Yunxiu nodded and replied, "In that case, thank you, young lady."

"But don't worry, young lady, I know embroidery, so I have a skill that can support me. Consider it my way of renting this courtyard from you, how about that?"

Shen You raised her eyebrows and smiled, agreeing, "Okay."

Having made their agreement, the two got up and left Biluxuan to pack their things at Bao Yunxiu's original rented place.