Chapter 77 Divorce

Dou Bochang's temples twitched violently a few times, and he kicked Dou Zhongyuan hard.

"Big Brother!" Dou Zhongyuan took the kick head-on, his leg burning with pain, but he dared not show any dissatisfaction.

Filled with grief and indignation, Dou Bochang pointed at his nose and cursed, "Filial piety is the most important virtue! I think you've been blinded by greed! You beast, when you were six years old, you had a fever that lasted for seven or eight days. Your mother stayed by your bedside every night. You recovered, but she fell ill later. Your mother pitied your weak body and dared not be strict with your studies. Instead, she spoiled you and raised a heartless wretch."

"Take this official position for example, it was a nominal one that your mother paid a hefty price to get for you!"

It's clear that Dou Bochang was genuinely angry. Standing on moral high ground, it's extremely easy for him to criticize others and himself, let alone as the elder brother, who indeed had the responsibility to discipline and restrain his brothers.

Based on the current situation, Dou Wenyi cannot yet determine whether he is an accomplice in her grandmother's death.

"Brother, stop talking!" Dou Zhongyuan was so ashamed that he wanted to disappear. Having his secret exposed felt like being stripped naked.

Dou Bochang's tone was chilling, "Dou Zhongyuan, you want to divide the family property? I'll grant your wish! Your biggest mistake was scheming against our mother. She's worked hard her whole life and should be enjoying her retirement. Yesterday was her birthday, and you did something so foolish..."

Upon hearing that he wanted to split up the family business, Dou Zhongyuan finally panicked.

The eldest branch of the family not only produced a crown princess, but also formed a marriage alliance with the Zhang family. Even if Dou Mingxiu was incompetent, he was still a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and would become the emperor's brother-in-law in the future. Moreover, they also had an outstanding illegitimate son, Dou Ruzhang.

Since their second branch of the family had no one to support them, how could they possibly separate from the family?

Dou Zhongyuan grew increasingly agitated, realizing that if he didn't take a stand today, things might not end well.

"Brother, I drank a few too many drinks yesterday and lost my senses, but I really didn't know she drugged me. Besides, it didn't work out, did it?"

As he spoke, he turned to glare at Yang, "It's all because of you, you stupid woman, that I've come to this. If you hadn't instigated me, I wouldn't have been so foolish."

Lady Yang never expected that Dou Zhongyuan would pin all the blame on her, so she simply stopped pretending.

"You, Dou Zhongyuan, do you even consider yourself a man? If you don't want to take Zijuan, do you expect me to sleep with you instead? It's clearly your lustful nature that's to blame me?"

"If it weren't for Fourth Sister's few words that made you so easily charmed, we would have already slept together! You still dream of being promoted by the Crown Prince? Keep dreaming!"

"Enough!" Dou Zhongyuan, having been hit where it hurt, could no longer bear it and slapped Yang across the face.

The force was so great that it stunned Yang, causing her to collapse to the ground.

Yang covered her swollen face, trembling with anger, and it took her a while to come to her senses.

She cried, screamed, and threw a tantrum, "You, you dare hit me, you've killed me—"

With a "crack," the teacup in Old Madam Dou's hand flew over Yang's head, landed at her feet, and shattered into pieces.

Everyone present was stunned.

Old Madam Dou's eyes were as cold as ice. "Yang is immoral, disrespectful to her mother-in-law, and has committed one of the seven grounds for divorce. Even if you are divorced, the Yang family will have no grounds for complaint."

Caught off guard, Yang was filled with hatred, but she was ultimately stunned and dared not utter another word.

Old Madam Dou looked at them coldly, her voice calm and hoarse, "Eldest son, second son, you're both here today. My private treasury only has so much stuff, hurry up and divide it up."

Granny Cao took out two sandalwood boxes and placed them on the table, then stood respectfully to one side.

Dou Wenyi's eyes were slightly red, and she felt a heavy weight pressing on her chest.

Dou Bochang dared not reply and could only glare resentfully at Dou Zhongyuan.

Dou Zhongyuan's heart skipped a beat. "Yang, you have committed many evils, yet you still do not sincerely admit your mistakes and repent, and beg for your mother's forgiveness. In that case, I have no choice but to write a letter of divorce. My Dou family is too small to tolerate someone as vicious as you."

"Bring me pen and ink!"

If this matter really causes a major family division, he will definitely be branded as 'unfilial and disobedient,' and he might not even be able to keep his current 'nominal position.' How could he possibly have any carefree days in the future?

He never expected that he would not only fail to gain any advantage but also get himself into a lot of trouble!

At this point, Madam Yang was truly frightened and blurted out, "It wasn't my idea, it was Dou Mingyan, Dou Mingyan instigated me. She said that the old lady left all the good things to Fourth Sister, and I also wanted Yingxue to compete for them."

Everyone present changed their expressions.

Madam Gu's face turned completely cold, and she immediately retorted, "Yang, shut up! You want to exonerate yourself by dragging Mingyan down with you and ruining her reputation? Do you think that will help your second branch? You're just jealous that she's the Crown Princess; you can spout any nonsense you want."

Dou Zhongyuan hurriedly tugged at Yang's sleeve, signaling her to shut up.

Dou Wenyi squinted her eyes. They might not believe her words, but she believed that Yang Shi was not lying this time.

After much trouble, Dou Bochang worried that things would get out of control, so he decided to cut his losses quickly.

Ultimately, the group unanimously decided to send Yang to the temple to pray for the old lady's well-being. As for when she would return, it would depend on when she repented.

Dou Zhongyuan was punished with twenty strokes of the cane according to family law. Dou Bochang was afraid that he would harbor resentment, so he took the initiative to request that he be given ten strokes of the cane instead. As for the other servants who were involved in the matter, they were all sold off.

The farce has come to an end.

After everyone left, the room returned to silence.

When Dou Wenyi saw the old lady's expression, she panicked. Her face was ashen, beads of sweat were streaming down her forehead, her breathing was rapid, and her chest was heaving violently.

She rushed over and patted her back to help her catch her breath. Then she took her withered hand and carefully checked her pulse.

Her heart leaped into her throat, and she couldn't help but shed tears. "Grandmother, you still have me. Don't be sad."

Old Madam Dou slightly opened her eyes, her gaze still filled with resentment and confusion, as if she were recalling the past.

Only after recognizing her did he speak gently, "I'm fine. It's the father's fault for being unfilial. I spoiled your second uncle too much back then, and your father wasn't much better. It's all fate. They're all like your grandfather—cowardly, hypocritical, and cunning..."

"Back then, I was blind to have fallen for a handsome face. By the time I truly realized the cold-heartedness in your grandfather's heart, it was too late. Yi'er, one wrong step leads to another. You'd better be careful when you marry someone in the future."

"Never mind, let's not talk about it."

Dou Wenyi rarely heard her mention her grandfather, and she assumed that they were deeply in love.

Dou Bochang and Dou Zhongyuan were too ashamed to argue about dividing the family property. She suddenly remembered that in her previous life, the Dou family's kiln seemed to have gotten into trouble later.