Wronged

From initial anticipation to eventual disappointment, he was at a loss. He wanted to respect her, to give her some space. After all, she didn't seem to have fully recovered from what had happened, and if he got angry, she would hate him…

The two spent three days in the town. Peng Xuan'an returned to Beijing early, and Pang Linqiu used her own money to set up a shop called "Yuanshe".

"Yuan She" means both a good place to stay that brings you together and a place to let go when you part ways.

She became the judge and witness of the ordeal, and Qixing became her most capable assistant. Most of the women seeking peace came here, begging her to grant them a way out, to save themselves and their daughters.

Her act of renting a house was illegal because it was done without permission, but she paid little attention to it. The county magistrate also dared not interfere, simply because she was the "wife of a high-ranking official," and dared not provoke her or speak out.

Most men were unwilling to divorce, so she would pay them to sever ties, buying them a "divorce agreement" that granted them personal freedom and undisturbed safety. Most men were greedy for money, and some even defrauded her of her funds.

One day, she arrived in the capital. Peng Xuan'an had not heard of her whereabouts, so she hurriedly went to the palace to meet the emperor.

The emperor sat on a large chair, looking down at the newcomers, exuding an oppressive aura.

The emperor asked curiously, "What brings Linqiu here?"

Pang Linqiu knelt and kowtowed, her words firm and resolute: "Your Majesty, I beg you to grant my wish."

The Emperor's expression darkened slightly; he was deeply displeased by this "wish," feeling that she was still unwilling to give up and determined to die. He sighed deeply, wanting to persuade her to reply, "Linqiu, I know you..."

"Your Majesty! This humble woman wishes to..." She paused, raising her eyes to meet the Emperor's gaze firmly on the dragon throne. She hesitated, biting her lip, and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, this humble woman wishes to change my wish..."

"Oh?" He became interested. "What is your wish?"

"Your Majesty, I wish to request that you issue an imperial edict."

"?"

"Your Majesty, I implore you to issue an imperial edict granting all women the right to choose their partners and the right to live!"

The emperor was stunned. After a moment, he frowned and looked at her. "What do you mean by this?"

"I only wish for a more just world and for women to have some protection."

The emperor stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and said, "Let me think about it."

Seeing the reluctance on his face, Pang Linqiu knew that the chances of him agreeing were slim. She then said, "Your Majesty! I have no choice but to come here." She took out a memorial from her clothes and presented it with both hands.

The emperor did not have his eunuch bring it up; he merely glanced at it a few times.

"Your Majesty! These are the matters I've handled in Derong Village and Town recently. There are 290 cases, all involving women seeking a better life. Their husbands are either alcoholics, in debt, gamblers, or domestic abusers. Most of them were forced into marriage and ultimately had no choice but to come here..."

"I understand." The emperor rubbed his temples, looking at her with a slight headache. "Let me think about it."

Pang Linqiu panicked, "Your Majesty! This is absolutely impossible..."

The emperor was somewhat angry. "I know, I will handle it myself." He looked at her wearily again. "You and Xuan'an should live a good life. I will consider this."

She was stunned for a moment. She didn't want to wait. All she knew was that...

If we wait any longer, countless women will suffer.

"Your Majesty..." she wanted to say something more.

"Let's put this matter aside for now," the emperor said, silencing her.

Pang Linqiu dared not argue, so she had no choice but to shut her mouth in resentment.

The hall fell silent instantly.

The emperor knew she was definitely not satisfied, so he could only say, "I need some time to make a decision on this."

Then, with the words "I am tired," everything came to an end.

"This humble woman takes her leave..." She had no choice but to leave with regret.

She didn't return to the Minister's residence, nor did she tell anyone she had been to the capital. She went back to Yuanshe alone once more, continuing to bury herself in dealing with one heart-wrenching matter after another.

Some people say: She's breaking up a couple; she can't stand seeing others happy.

Some say: Once you've climbed to the position of a minister's wife, you can interfere in other people's affairs at will...

Some people say: She's like this because she lost her mother, so she wants all the children in the town to be motherless like her...

These words were incredibly oppressive. Although she had heard them and wanted to defend herself, it was all in vain. Those spreading rumors would only deepen the problem, so she had no choice but to suppress these voices through various means.

Two months have quietly passed, and in the sweltering heat of May, cicadas sing their long songs, and the hot wind howls.

Yuanshe's reputation gradually improved, perhaps because more and more people defended her, and the rumors about her decreased.

Peng Xuan'an would come to see her from court and on horseback countless times, yet he never grew tired of it.

One day at noon, Peng Xuan'an arrived at Yuanshe without anyone noticing. He quietly entered the house and looked around for people.

Yuanshe is spacious and divided into two areas: the departure area and the reception area. Several tables were set up in the reception area, creating a warm and pleasant atmosphere. Several women dressed in red Yuanshe uniforms sat there smiling.

They are matchmakers, dedicated to bringing together destined couples.

Outside the area, several women dressed in blue dormitory uniforms were diligently handling the folded documents in their hands.

They are witnesses, specifically there to judge whether this marriage is good or bad.

Qi Xing, dressed in blue and carrying a red lacquered tray, came out and was startled when she saw Peng Xuan'an.

"I've met you..." she was about to say hello.

Peng Xuan'an gestured for her to be quiet, then quietly entered the secluded area and asked softly, "Madam, where is she?"

"The boss is in compartment number three, dealing with a dispute," Qi Xing whispered.

She did not respond to him using the title "Madam".

"good."

Qi Xing thought he would leave and wait outside. But to her surprise, Peng Xuan'an walked straight into the inner area. She quickly grabbed his arm and whispered urgently, "Hey! Sir, please don't go into the private room! The boss will be angry!"

"Why?" he asked, puzzled.

"She is dealing with a difficult matter. If we were to enter the room rashly, it would only make her angrier."

"How so..."

"Bang—" The sound of porcelain shattering came from compartment number three.

Peng Xuan'an sensed something was wrong and rushed inside.

They roughly kicked open the door to room number three and saw the scene inside. Pang Linqiu's face was grim, a cut on her cheek from which blood dripped. She calmly picked up a handkerchief and wiped it away. It seemed she was used to it, otherwise she wouldn't have been so calm as if nothing had happened.

The stout man pointed at Pang Linqiu and cursed, "You slut! You slept with a high-ranking official and now you think you're all that..."

Pang Linqiu glared at him fiercely. The landlord's only son picked up the broken pieces, intending to throw them at her again. He held the pieces in his hand, raising his hand to throw them at her. But he was grabbed tightly from behind. Peng Xuan'an's face was dark with terrifying murderous intent as he held the landlord's only son firmly in his grip.

"Insolence!" he exclaimed angrily.

Pang Linqiu looked at the newcomer, her sharp gaze gradually fading and replaced by annoyance.

She said calmly, "Xu Yao, I have always judged fairly." She looked gently at the girl beside her, "Miss Jiang Qing, don't be afraid." She gave her a reassuring smile, "I will definitely handle this matter well. Stay in the dormitory for the time being, and he will not cause you any trouble."

Jiang Qing nodded, a few tears welling up in her eyes. A faint smile appeared on her bluish-purple lips as she gratefully thanked him, "Thank you... thank you..."

Pang Linqiu stood up and tidied the desk. "Qi Xing, arrange a room for Jiang Qing."

Qi Xing nodded at the door, went inside to invite Jiang Qing out, and then closed the door.

There were only the three of them inside. Pang Linqiu sighed helplessly, "Xuan An, let him go."

Peng Xuan'an was shocked and indignant. He pinned Xu Yao's hands behind his back and slammed him against the table with his leg. Xu Yao cried out in pain.

"Aaaaaah—it hurts! It hurts!"

Peng Xuan'an looked at her with a worried and distressed expression: "Madam, how could you swallow this insult?"

"Let him go and take him to the yamen. Someone will handle it."

He felt it was unfair. "But madam! He insulted you..."

Xu Yao glanced sideways and recognized the person pressing down on him. He hurriedly admitted his mistake and pleaded, "Sir! I was wrong! I was wrong!"

He dared to scold Pang Linqiu only because she wouldn't complain to Peng Xuan'an; the whole neighborhood had already heard the news. Everyone said that when Peng Xuan'an wasn't around, Pang Linqiu wouldn't complain even if she was insulted; she would just send the person to the yamen and ignore them.

"I said, send it to the yamen." She said impatiently.

Peng Xuan'an remained unyielding. "Madam, you said that because you don't want me to deal with him... right?" Does she think he would use torture, that he's the kind of person who enjoys torturing people? Or is she afraid that he'll kill him over such a trivial matter?

"Madam, I was wrong, I was wrong... I was so angry that I lost my mind, I'm so sorry..." Xu Yao became more and more frightened, feeling that he was very close to death.

"A divorce agreement".

"I'll sign! I'll sign!"

Pang Linqiu took out a piece of paper and handed it to him. She looked at Peng Xuan'an and said, "Peng Xuan'an, let go."

Peng Xuan'an gritted his teeth, remaining silent out of deep reluctance.

"Otherwise I'll get angry."

Peng Xuan'an trembled with anger, and finally released Xu Yao, her clenched fist making a cracking sound.

Xu Yao signed his name on it, then knelt down and begged Peng Xuan'an for forgiveness: "My lord, my lord, I will never... dare to do it again..."

"Someone, take him to the yamen!" Pang Linqiu shouted.

Several servants then entered the room and carried Xu Yao out.

There were only the two of them in the room. Peng Xuan'an became angrier the more he thought about it, so he sat down directly in front of her.

He frowned, clearly unhappy: "Madam, how could you... how could you..." He was so angry that he couldn't even organize his thoughts.

"What are you doing here?" She didn't care about that.

I wanted to come and see you.

"Aren't you going to court?"

"I took leave."

"oh."

He noticed that her attitude was becoming increasingly cold and disheartening, and he was also very angry. "Why didn't you say anything if you were wronged?"

"Where did you get the idea that I was wronged?"

He laughed angrily, "Don't you feel wronged when someone points their finger at you and insults you? Or do you enjoy being insulted?"

Pang Linqiu silently turned her head away.

Seeing her attitude, he became even angrier: "Pang Linqiu! Can't you learn from them? Can't you rely on me at a time like this?"

"Snap—" He propped himself up with his hands, stood up, and slowly brought his face closer to Pang Linqiu.

She cried out, "I can seek justice for you! I can share your burdens! I can help you with so much! But why are you so distant from me?"

"Who are the women you're talking about?" she asked.

"The married women of Kyoto, just like you, all rely on their husbands to handle difficult situations and share hardships with them. But what about you? Why can't you be like them and learn to rely on me?"

She got angry: "That's enough!"

"Not enough!!" He still had a lot to say, and veins were bulging on his forehead from anger.

Pang Linqiu met Peng Xuan'an's gaze directly, "Peng Xuan'an! Do you think they want this?!"

"Isn't this what marriage is all about?! Relying on each other instead of moving forward selfishly!"

"Peng Xuan'an!! Have you ever considered the feelings of women?"

Peng Xuan'an was stunned.

Tears welled in Pang Linqiu's eyes as a flood of memories rushed into her mind: forced marriage, broken promises, commitments, hatred, and other matters. The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt: "This world belongs to you men! Women are bound by your so-called rites and virtues, by the code of conduct for women! Women are human beings too! They have the right to live in this world, not just to live a wretched existence..."

She paused for a long time after speaking before realizing she had said something she shouldn't have, and bowed her head to apologize in a low voice.

"I'm sorry... I was too serious. I shouldn't have dragged you into this... I shouldn't have involved you in my official duties... Just consider it me talking nonsense..."

Peng Xuan'an didn't believe it; he probably would never forget the way she spoke of injustice. Her eyes, her tone—which one sounded like nonsense? They were clearly speaking the truth.

How could the emotions expressed in her words be false? She felt grief, indignation, and resentment at the injustice she felt...

He gave a bitter smile, "I'm sorry for making you suffer so much..."

Only then did he realize the grievances she felt. He felt she had suffered so much injustice... and he himself seemed to be caught in that injustice, causing her to feel wronged...