Chapter 163: Living in separate houses, getting back mother’s dowry!

Divorce?

Xie Yao stood aside, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

This was exactly what she wanted, but she didn't expect her mother to be so decisive.

She originally wanted to use the fact that Xie Ming'an disrespected the imperial edict as an excuse to let the world see her mother's situation in the Xu family and force Xie Ming'an to hand over the dowry he had embezzled from the Xu family.

Then, the two of them lived separately.

Xie Mingan was unaware that the Mantuo Powder in his mother's body had dissipated, and he was still dreaming that his mother would die in half a year and he would completely embezzle all her money.

In any case, he didn't want to divorce his mother at this time.

Now that they are divorced, he will never give up all his mother's dowry.

As for when to divorce, Xie Yao already has a plan.

Because she knew that another big event would happen in a few days.

A "lifelong event" for Lu Shenyan.

But soon, Xie Yao understood her mother's thoughts.

The mother deliberately used the divorce to force Xie Mingan to give in.

After all, it is much easier to accept than divorce, living separately, or something else.

"Divorce?!"

Xie Mingan widened his eyes in shock: "No, Uncle Ben will never divorce!"

Is Mrs. Xu crazy? How dare she say she wants to divorce me?

Of course he didn't agree!

If they really divorced, wouldn't it be equivalent to admitting that he did disrespect the imperial edict, and tacitly admitting that Aunt Sun's affair was related to him, then he would be caned and stripped of his title!

What's more, Mrs. Xu will die in a year or so. By then, the dowry from the Xu family and Xie Yao's property that are left in her hands will all belong to the Xie family.

If I divorce now, wouldn't it be all in vain?

The Xie family members in the hall looked at Xu Susu in disbelief.

Is this still the same timid woman who even the servants dared to call her a clay statue of the Earl's wife in private?

Mr. Xie: "Sister-in-law, we can't get a divorce. How can you, a woman, live without the uncle's mansion?"

The second wife also chimed in, "Yes, a woman's reputation is bad for divorce. Sister-in-law, if you don't consider yourself, you have to think about the princess and Yan'er. Yan'er hasn't married yet, how will he cope in the future?"

Xie Yan: "Then don't marry, just be alone."

“…”

Old Madam Xie's voice rose a few notches: "Xu, you're crazy! You're a merchant's daughter. It's a great blessing for you to marry into the Earl's mansion and become his wife. How dare you ask for a divorce?"

Xu Susu glanced at her, and the coldness in her eyes made her tremble all over.

This merchant's daughter has always been frail, cowardly and incompetent, allowing herself to be manipulated. How could she suddenly become so arrogant?

Xu Susu: "So what if I'm the daughter of a merchant? When Jiangzhou was hit by a severe drought, my Xu family built thousands of porridge stalls. We were personally awarded the title of righteous merchants by the late emperor. I married into the Xie family. Over the years, everything you wear and use was bought with my dowry. If you dislike me because I'm the daughter of a merchant, then why did the Xie family marry me in the first place?"

Xu Changsi, who was standing by, was slightly moved when he heard her talk about the "severe drought in Jiangzhou".

Madam Xie's eyes flickered: "Well, you, just after becoming a royal consort, you dare to be rude to me and even want a divorce. You only deserve to be divorced by my son——"

"Mother, please stop talking!"

Xie Mingan scolded Madam Xie, then slowed down his tone.

"Madam, I know I was wrong. I hurt you and used up so much of your dowry. It was all my fault. But we have been married for seventeen years, and we have two children, Yan'er and Yao'er. No matter what, we cannot divorce."

His eyes were red and he looked very sad. He then pointed at Aunt Sun who was still tied up.

"It's all this bitch's fault. I'm going to send her back to the Sun family right now to vent your anger. But after she gives birth, the child must be returned to the uncle's house."

Aunt Sun chuckled and said sarcastically, "Uncle, you really are eating and taking at the same time."

"Do you think I won't harm your son if I return to the Sun family? Haha, fine, sure. As soon as I leave this door, I'll be dead with your son today!"

Xie Mingan: “…”

He was so angry that he asked Jiang Si to block Aunt Sun's mouth. He had another plan in mind and continued:

"I'm sorry, Madam, but divorce is too much. How about this? Since Madam feels that she can no longer live in my mansion, you and I can live in separate houses and not interfere with each other. How about that?"

Du Yutang frowned, having already made up his mind.

Although Wenchang Bo was in the wrong first, if the matter really got out of hand, it would not be good for Xu Susu and the princess.

Moreover, Wenchangbo was the Minister of Rites and the father of the princess.

If we have to take the case to court, Xu is a woman. Since ancient times, divorce for women has been very difficult. If Wenchang Bo insisted on accidentally hurting her in a moment of impulse just because of a slap, it would be really difficult to divorce her.

Living in separate residences is the best solution.

Xie Mingan's eyes were gentle as he promised, "When you've calmed down, I'll definitely take the blame and personally take my wife back home."

Xu Susu looked at his pleading eyes, and as if her heart softened, she nodded: "It's okay to live in separate houses."

When Xie Mingan heard these six words, he felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders and he instantly breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as they don't divorce, the reputation of the Bo family will still be there. Anyway, he had already poisoned Xu with Mantuo Powder, without anyone knowing. Even if they live in separate houses, everything is still under his control.

"Madam, it's a good thing you thought of this earlier. How can a husband and wife hold grudges overnight? After the separation, you will live comfortably, and I will reflect on myself from time to time. Let's-"

"Don't rush to feel comfortable."

Xu Susu interrupted him, "I can divide the mansion, but you have to return the dowry you took from me, including the deeds to the farm and shop, the account books, and the cash. I have recorded every detail, not a single ounce less!"

Xie Mingan was stunned, his face visibly darkening.

But he didn't dare to yell like he did before, so he could only lower his voice and defend himself, "Madam, please don't talk nonsense. I've already spent most of that money – the expenses of the mansion over the years, the monthly wages for the servants, and everyone else's food, clothing, and other expenses, which one doesn't cost money?"

Xie Yao took a step forward and stood in front of her mother.

"Uncle said it was all spent. But tell me, where did it go?"

She narrowed her eyes and asked quietly, "Back then, the Xu family's dowry was worth five thousand taels of silver in cash alone, not to mention the income from the farm and shops. The Xie family wasn't very prosperous, with only a dozen people and a hundred or so servants. How did the uncle spend it all?"

Xie Yao hinted, "Could it be that the Earl of Wenchang used the money to bribe officials? It seems this matter should be handed over to the Imperial Eagle Division for investigation."

"You're talking nonsense!" Xie Mingan's voice suddenly rose, but then quickly lowered.

He suddenly remembered Nanny Zhu who died in his study on the night of Xie Yao's wedding.

The ancestral hall was burned down, the study was turned upside down, and his relationship with Zhidai was probably exposed.

These were all warnings from the Emperor. He must not attract the attention of the Imperial Eagle Division again.

"No matter how much dowry there was, it was more than ten years ago. Xie Yao, you don't understand the difficulties of being a housekeeper. Don't make trouble here. Besides, Madam has the family account books, she should know that the Bo Mansion has been running out of money for a long time!"

At this time, Changsi stepped forward and took out the golden abacus he carried with him.

Xu Susu caught a glimpse of the golden abacus and felt that it looked familiar.

Isn’t that what her elder brother Xu Zhixing was planning?

"When Madam Bo married into the Bo's mansion, I already know the dowry list recorded by the Xu family, as well as the income of those shops and farms. Two of the silk shops can make a net profit of 2,000 taels per year, and several farms outside the city also have an annual income of 1,000 taels. In addition..."

Xie Mingan roared: "Who are you?!"

Just as Changsi was about to speak, Rendong spoke first, "This is the accountant of the Xu family bank, a bank famous throughout the capital. She is now a maidservant to my princess. I'm afraid she has done more accounting than you, my Lord, have done in your entire life."

Changsi smiled and did not stop Rendong's little girl nature, and continued to calculate.

Du Yutang immediately cooperated: "It turned out to be the Xu family's female accountant. My wife Qinghe mentioned to me that we had some spare money at home, and because we had heard of the female accountant's great name, we deposited it in the Xu's bank."

After he spoke, Xie Mingan could only stand aside with a grim face and let Changsi settle the score.

The crackling sound of the abacus was like drumbeats, beating on the hearts of all the Xie family members.

"Adding all this together, I estimate the annual income to be 6,500 taels. Your Earl's annual salary is only 200 taels. Adding the title salary, I'm afraid it's not even a fraction of this income. May I ask how your Earl...is able to make ends meet?"

After hearing Changsi's words, Du Yutang was also shocked.

Xiao Yizi glanced at him and asked, "Cousin, you don't believe it?"

The word "cousin" gave Du Yutang a chill.

He was most afraid of King Jingbei calling him cousin.

When the prince was young, he was a little devil in the capital, beating people up for miles.

If someone came to intervene, he would not destroy the Xiao family's reputation, but would say that he was Du Yutang's cousin and send someone to find him...

Du Yutang came back to his senses, and his tone was filled with unquestionable majesty:

"Marquis Wenchang, the laws of the State of Yan state state that a wife's dowry is her private property, and her husband may not encroach upon it, much less embezzle it without permission. Since you want to live separately, and your wife has taken the initiative to request it, then you should return the dowry."

Xie Ming'an looked at Du Yutang's expression, clenched his fists tightly, gritted his teeth, and finally could only nod unwillingly.

"Okay! I'll pay it back! I'll pay back everything I can, but some of the shops have been sublet, the farm has a new tenant, and the cash in the mansion is gone. It's difficult to hand it over for the time being, so I'll have to ask Madam to give me some time."

He could only return some of the dowry.

Otherwise, he would have to explain to the Jingzhao Yin where he spent the money.

But fortunately, he had sold some of his shops over the years, and used up the remaining silver and banknotes to make a living.

However, Xie Mingan still felt heartbroken, which was worse than losing a son.

Xie Yao continued, "After we move into separate residences, mother wants to live in Cheng Garden."