Chapter 32 [VIP]
After calming down, Wang's mother looked at Mi Yao and Yan Yun.
“A couple of days ago, I heard that Madam Yu directly accused Zhao Qiniang of being ruthless in private. Seeing how frightened Ya Ya looked after returning home, I had a bad feeling. But I didn’t dare to ask her. I discussed with my husband about investigating in private. If I hadn’t secretly followed her out today, I don’t know when I would have found out about this.”
Even though she had a premonition, she still told herself that she was overthinking it. Her daughter L was not the type to keep quiet when she was wronged.
Little did anyone know that it was precisely because she took a chance that her daughter L suffered so much more.
She couldn't imagine how scared and helpless her daughter, Ya Ya, must have been these past few days.
"I would like to thank a lady for her help. As Madam Yu said, even a widow can remarry, so what is this matter for Ya Ya? Just consider it as being bitten by a dog."
"What does Madam Wang plan to do next?"
Yan Yun looked at Wang Ya with concern. If the Wang family attacked the Zhao family directly, she wondered if Wang Ya could handle it.
“I’ve always wanted to make the Zhao siblings’ story public, but I kept quiet because I was worried that my parents would think I was ashamed. Now that my mother says I’m not wrong, I’m not afraid of what others say.”
When Wang's mother first entered the door, Wang Ya felt as if the sky had fallen and the earth had collapsed, feeling that her most embarrassing secret, the one she least wanted her family to know, had been discovered. But when she saw her mother's protective expression, she suddenly felt fearless.
What was initially thought to be a fatal mistake if discovered suddenly became a trivial matter that could be resolved.
“This is my daughter L. Look at you, everyone in the family spoils you except your fourth brother. Why do you think that you were bitten by a dog and instead of hitting the dog, we scold you?”
After being told that by her mother, Wang Ya also felt that she was very stupid.
She was first frightened by the Zhao siblings, and then she was terrified because her former friend had lost his life. Seeing that everyone around Zhao Qiniang was swallowing their anger, she never thought of telling her parents and asking them to make a decision for her.
They just went along with what others thought, thinking that if their parents and family found out, the whole family would be ruined.
After thanking her, Wang's mother was about to leave with Wang Ya when Mi Yao saw that Wang's mother was in a fierce mood and that it seemed like she was just talking about attacking the Zhao family. She called the mother and daughter back.
"Wu Yingying was pregnant before she fell into the water. The reason she committed suicide was largely because the Zhao siblings said many frightening things to her."
Wu Yingying is the woman Wang Ya just mentioned who lied to her. Mi Yao learned about Wu Yingying's secret pregnancy because Pu Qing told her about it before she left home today.
"The town magistrate said that if the lady is too busy to do anything and wants to make things difficult for the Zhao siblings, he will give her this booklet written by Lady Wu before her death."
Mentioning this, Mi Yao pictured Pu Qing looking like his master was infatuated with her, spoiling her rotten.
The thought made her feel nauseous. Spoil him my foot! If she weren't in a hurry to leave, she would have immediately written a sarcastic letter to Xiao Chuan and sent it over.
Taking out the booklet, Mi Yao said, "Wu Yingying wrote down in her own hand how she was coerced and about her pregnancy. She left this booklet hoping that her family could seek justice for her after her death, but this booklet was found in Wu's father's study."
Since the booklet was in Mr. Wu's study, there was no doubt that Mr. Wu must have known about what had happened to his daughter L.
According to Pu Qinghua's interpretation, Wu's father refrained from speaking out because the Wu family's status was far inferior to that of the third branch of the Zhao family.
He kept the booklet, probably not because revenge is a dishonest thing, but because he intended to use Zhao Wulang's weakness to seek opportunities to gain some benefits later.
With a father like that, she could understand why the Zhao siblings were able to control so many people.
They are wicked, and how much better are the relatives of those young women?
“I know this is unfair, but you must promise me that in seeking justice, you will not mention any other women you do not wish to be mentioned, except for the deceased Wu Niang.” If you do, I will give you this booklet.
“I won’t say anything! I never intended to involve them. Many of them, like Yingying, would rather die than let the world know that they were seduced and humiliated by Zhao Wulang.”
After Wang Ya finished speaking, she looked at her mother, who nodded.
Wang's mother thought much more. She didn't mention that others were not only acting out of kindness, but also because dragging more people down with them would only muddy the waters. She knew Wu's father's character and couldn't judge how many more Wu's fathers would only think about gaining more benefits after learning that their daughter L had been humiliated, rather than seeking revenge.
"I only care about my daughter L and Wu Xiaoniang, who has already passed away."
After finishing her sentence, Madam Wang paused, sighed, and said, "It's Ya Ya's good fortune to have met these two ladies."
If it weren't for their kindness, who knows if her daughter would have been as foolish as Wu Xiaoniang?
Thinking about it made her hate the Zhao siblings even more, wishing she could rush up to them right now and stab them a few times before thinking about anything else.
Seeing that the Wang mother and daughter agreed, Mi Yao didn't want to say anything more—no, not like her previous distraught state. She couldn't help herself, even though those around her were trying to scare her, telling her it was shameful for a woman to encounter such a thing and that she should cover for the bad guys. She still came today.
Meeting Wang Ya's gaze, Mi Yao looked directly at her and said, "You are very brave and capable. It was just a small setback. When you think back on this time, you will only think of you as a strong and determined young woman. You will get better and better, and the gossip of others will be forgotten."
After saying that, Mi Yao felt that she had been too sentimental, because Wang Ya cried again, and the other two people in the room also had red eyes.
Once they had calmed down and discussed what to do next in detail, they all went home.
Mi Yao made a mistake on the carriage, but after confirming that she had done everything she could, she returned to the Xiao residence feeling relaxed.
Seeing this, Pu Qing breathed a sigh of relief for his master. He had thought that Mi Yao would turn Yizhou upside down, but she hadn't expected her to stop while she was ahead.
With the burden in his heart lifted, he smiled easily when he received Mi Yao's letter to her master: "Madam, you don't need to be so polite to the garrison commander, and even write another letter to thank him."
Mi Yao glanced at him; he wasn't good-looking, but he was beautiful. She thanked Xiao Chuan instead.
*
Wang's mother acted quickly. In the afternoon, she led the Wang family to the third house of the Zhao family and splashed them with excrement. She cursed Zhao Wu and Zhao Qi as beasts. Before the Zhao family could react, she started hitting them. When they were pulled away, Zhao Wu's mother's face was covered with scratches from fingernails, and half of her face was covered in blood.
Those watching the spectacle were terrified by the Wang family's madness. The Wang family didn't say why they came to visit, but hearing Wang's mother repeatedly call them "beasts," those with quick minds immediately thought of what Mi Yao had said in the plum garden a couple of days ago.
"I knew it! Seventh Sister dared to plot outside the wedding room. She's so arrogant and domineering. How could she not have treated other women in the past? I just didn't expect that Fifth Brother was her accomplice."
“What’s unexpected? The third branch only has one legitimate son, Wu Lang. Qi Niang usually tries to please her fifth brother the most, so of course she will do whatever he says.”
"The fact that Wang's parents are so angry means that Zhao Wu, that beast, has laid a hand on Miss Wang?"
"Keep your voice down. If we're talking about the young ladies that Wu Lang has been intimate with, how could it be just the young lady from the Wang family? I'm afraid all those pretty young ladies who were on good terms with Qi Niang in the past have suffered at Wu Lang's hands."
...
After Zhao Tianhe rose to power, many members of the Zhao family's collateral branches flocked to him. These people mostly found places to live around the governor's mansion. Those with ability opened their own mansions, such as the third branch of the Zhao family, while those who were less capable lived together in groups.
Just because someone shares the surname Zhao doesn't mean they're united. When Zhao's mother heard that the loudest voice in the crowd came from the Zhao clan, she was so angry she wanted to tear them apart.
Despite the excruciating pain on her face, she remained extremely patient and showed a kind expression to Madam Wang: "Have Inspector Wang and Madam Wang been misled by some rumors and have some misunderstanding about my Fifth Son?"
“You look kind, not like the kind of scoundrel who condones evildoers and commits crimes. You’re right, there must be some misunderstanding.”
Madam Wang spoke softly, and as soon as she finished speaking, she felt the force restraining her loosen. She immediately broke free and pounced on Zhao's mother, slapping her and grabbing her hair. She did whatever she could to hear Zhao's mother's cries. Before being pulled away again, she spat on Zhao's mother.
"Looking at your pretentious face, I know you must know what your son and daughter have done! If I didn't have evidence, would I be using my daughter L's innocence to make trouble?! You big beast gave birth to that beast Zhao Wu, those two siblings not only harmed my Ya Ya, but also the Wu family's wife who drowned herself half a year ago, a young girl who hadn't even reached marriageable age. After Zhao Wu Lang committed his evil deeds, he was afraid that she would be pregnant and discovered, so he threatened her and forced her to commit suicide. How can you family of beasts sleep at night!"
Wang's mother spoke very quickly. Zhao's mother reacted quickly and asked someone to cover her mouth, but it was too late.
Hearing the commotion around her, Zhao's mother, with her disheveled hair, could no longer maintain her composure: "You're talking nonsense! Who knows if your daughter L tried to seduce my son L but failed, and now you're slandering him here! What Wu family lady, Zhou family lady, your whole family is crazy! Come to my house and make up stories, thinking my family is easy to bully!"
"Whether it's fabricated or not, Lord Zhao can make his own judgment."
Wang, the clerk, spoke sternly, "In front of everyone, you Zhao family members are trying to kill people to silence them? Hand over your two beasts, and we'll go see Lord Zhao and let him judge right and wrong."
Their purpose in coming here was to catch the Zhao family off guard and, before meeting Zhao Tianhe, to beat Zhao Wulang half to death to vent their hatred.
Who would have thought that Zhao Wulang, that coward, was too timid to step forward and only pushed his own mother out.
After Wang finished speaking, the men he brought began to exert their strength, trying to break free from the servants of the third branch of the Zhao family.
If Zhao's mother dared to let them talk nonsense in front of Zhao Tianhe, she not only ordered them to stay, but also had her servants keep them under control so they wouldn't run away.
The scene became chaotic, and Zhao's mother was pushed and shoved, eventually falling into the sewage on the ground.
"Everyone, bear witness that my family is going to pay our respects to Lord Zhao and ask him to uphold justice, but the third branch of the Zhao family is doing everything they can to obstruct us. They are clearly guilty and afraid. If anything happens to my family, it will definitely be the third branch of the Zhao family who will do it in secret!"
"Don't worry, Lord Wang, we're all watching!"
"Exactly, we are all witnesses!"
After Wang finished speaking, the onlookers responded enthusiastically.
Throwing feces could be seen as venting anger, and in the end it could be reconciled into a misunderstanding. But the Wang family has publicly stated that their daughter L has lost her innocence and mentioned the woman who was killed by Zhao Wulang. This is clearly a fight to the death with the third branch of the Zhao family.
In this situation, many onlookers were moved by the spirit of the Wang family and spontaneously came forward to help them fight against the third branch of the Zhao family so that they could escape their predicament as soon as possible and go to the military governor to seek justice for their daughter.
"Madam Zhao, if you have a clear conscience, what's wrong with reporting this to the military governor? Just order the release of the prisoners!"
“My son L is innocent and cannot be protected from rumors and trouble. If I release them, what if they don’t go to Lord Zhao? They might have made enough trouble and want to run away.”
Zhao's mother reeked of excrement and was no longer the elegant and dignified woman she usually was. Now that things had come to this, she had given up all hope and acted like a madwoman throwing a tantrum, refusing to release anyone and even ordering the entire Wang family to be arrested and brought into the mansion.
But her madness was useless. This place was not far from the governor's mansion. Wang Zhishi had inquired beforehand about Zhao Tianhe's presence at the mansion, and even though he knew that the Zhao family had many servants in the third branch, he still came to the door with great confidence.
Not long after, Zhao Tianhe sent someone to inquire about the whole story. Faced with the guards of the governor's mansion, Zhao's mother could no longer stop them and could only watch the Wang family head towards the governor's mansion with a pale face.
*
Because she lacked trust in human nature, Mi Yao did not immediately give the booklet to the Wang family mother and daughter at the Yue residence, saying that she would wait until she saw the Wang mother truly stand up for her daughter L before making a decision.
Wang's mother didn't care about this. If the military governor was fair, there were many ways to expose Zhao Wulang's true colors. If he wasn't fair, no amount of records would be of any use.
When Mi Yao was having dinner, she happened to catch Yu Xiu frantically inquiring about the Wang and Zhao families. Upon hearing that Zhao's mother was covered in excrement, Mi Yao looked at the stir-fried dishes and stew she liked in front of her. She didn't know whether she should feel gratified and eat a few more bowls of rice, or be more refined and put down her chopsticks with a frown.
Seeing that Xiao Liang and Xiao Shan were still eating with relish, and Xiao Shan was even gnawing on a goose leg, she chose to follow her heart and continue eating her stir-fried mushrooms and pork.
Instructing Pu Qing to deliver the booklet to the Wang family, Mi Yao looked at the still excited Yu Xiu and said, "Stop wandering around. If you don't eat soon, you'll only be eating reheated leftovers."
"Sister, I'm not hungry right now. I just want to know what will happen to the Zhao siblings. Will the military governor protect his nephew?"
"Won't."
Mi Yao affirmed that, based on her understanding of Zhao Tianhe's character from the books, Zhao Tianhe was a good person, but because of his own child in his early years, he couldn't stand such things.
Furthermore, even if there are errors in the book, it's impossible that Zhao Tianhe is concerned about his reputation and has a strong sense of pride.
The Wang family has already made a big fuss about this; he has to give them an explanation.
"Won't the military governor think you're meddling, sister? Will he target you?"
Yu Xiu became more and more nervous as she thought about it. "Otherwise, I'll go and explain to the military governor that I overheard the Zhao siblings' conspiracy and that it has nothing to do with you, sister."
She couldn't calm down. Just then, L heard rumors outside that the Wang family's parents only found out that their daughter L was being bullied because of her older sister. While she was happy that others said her older sister was upright and kind, she was also worried that her older sister would become a target.
"rest assured."
Mi Yao replied to Yu Xiu and then ignored her, because she knew that Yu Xiu was currently very excited. The more she listened to her, the more energetic she became, and her thoughts could stretch to the ends of the earth.
She ignored him, and Xiao Shan filled the gap.
"Bad people will get their just desserts!"
As he spoke, he forcefully spat out a spray of saliva.
After Xiao Shan started learning to speak, he enjoyed watching others talk with expressive faces. So after expressing his opinion, he looked at Yu Xiu with bright eyes, hoping she would bring back more information.
At this moment, Yu Xiu no longer looked down on Xiao Shan: "You little girl, although you can't speak clearly, you do understand some principles."
"Don't worry, Aunt. Only bad people will suffer. Mother is a good person, she will be fine."
Upon hearing Yu Xiu praise Xiao Shan, Xiao Liang also spoke up, demonstrating that he understood the principles.
“You’re right. My sister will definitely be alright. I’ll go and hear if the military governor has taken the Zhao siblings to his residence.”
With two supportive listeners, Yu Xiu was full of energy. Even after the Wang family members left the governor's mansion, she was still asking around for bits and pieces of information. Only after she had heard all the serious and hearsay news did she finally stop.
As for Mi Yao, she had used up too much energy today. After dinner, she stood for a while arranging flowers, then lay down and felt drowsy. Anyway, tomorrow would only be better, not worse. Going to bed early would lead to a better tomorrow, so why not sleep?
*
"You knelt down with him, are you planning to be punished along with him?"
Zhao Tianyang and his son Zhao Wulang knelt down together. Zhao Tianhe coldly asked Zhao Tianyang, "I thought you would have something to say in your defense, but it seems that the Wang family's words were too simplistic. Zhao Wulang, what you have done is probably more than just what Wang Niang and Wu Niang did!"
Zhao Tianhe's voice suddenly became louder, and Zhao Wulang broke out in a cold sweat, his head hitting the ground.
“Nephew L was wrong. Madam Wang and Seventh Sister are close friends. I only committed the wrong act of having an affair with Madam Wang because Seventh Sister often saw Madam Wang and they fell in love. Madam Wang and I were both willing; I did not force her…”
As Zhao Wulang spoke, his voice trembled more and more. He felt Zhao Tianhe's almost tangible gaze on him, and by the end, he could barely make a sound.
Even if there was only one Wang Ya, he wouldn't dare admit that he had drugged her.
He was aware of Zhao Tianhe's taboo, because his daughter L had once fallen into the hands of his enemies and was raped to death. What he hated most in his life was women being forced by men.
He had always known this, and it was precisely because he knew this that he was so eager to take advantage of it, and couldn't help but repeatedly molest the wives and daughters of his subordinates right under his nose.
"Is this your explanation? Mutual consent?" Zhao Tianhe sneered, his gaze shifting to Zhao Tianyang beside him. "If your son says this, what are you going to say?"
As the New Year approached, Zhao Tianhe dispatched the generals of Yizhou to various places for inspections. Zhao Tianyang had gone to a county next to Yizhou, and only returned today after receiving the letter to clean up the mess for his son and daughter.
Zhao Tianyang looked travel-worn and aged several years. As soon as he knelt down and heard Zhao Tianhe's first words, he knew that this matter was not going to end well.
Looking at his trembling son beside him, Zhao Tianyang kowtowed and apologized. When he raised his head again, he said, "It is the father's fault for not teaching his son properly. I should also be punished for raising such a beast."
Hearing his father's words, Zhao Wulang's eyes widened in fear. Seeing the resolute look on Zhao Tianyang's face, he knew that his father was going to abandon him.
In an instant, all the strength drained from his body, and Zhao Wulang collapsed to the ground: "Uncle, please spare me! I am your own nephew! My relationship with Madam Wang was truly consensual. I didn't kill anyone; those are all false accusations against me..."
“You unfilial son, you still won’t admit it even now. If you and Madam Wang were truly in love, why would Madam Wang’s parents have risked their reputation just to seek justice?”
Zhao Tianyang slapped him hard across the face. "It's all my fault for being too busy with official duties and neglecting to discipline you, which has allowed your mother to spoil you into this state!"
Zhao Tianyang was heartbroken and, after speaking, went to Zhao Tianhe to receive the punishment for failing to properly discipline his son.
Since the father had already admitted it on behalf of his son, Zhao Tianhe didn't waste any more time interrogating Zhao Wulang: "You failed to properly educate your son, you shall receive ten strokes of the military rod."
"As for you," Zhao Tianhe looked at Zhao Wulang, who was trembling like a leaf, "you will be given one hundred lashes. After we open Wu's coffin and examine the body, we will decide whether you will pay for Wu's life."
Upon hearing the punishment of one hundred lashes, Zhao Wulang was already in tears. Hearing that Zhao Tianhe intended to make him pay with his life, he hugged Zhao Tianyang and pleaded, "Father, save me! Please save me! I am your only legitimate son! Please ask Uncle to spare me this once. I truly know I was wrong; I will never dare to do it again..."
"I'd rather have my family line die out than have a wicked son like you! I wish I could kill you with my own hands. Any punishment you receive is retribution. How dare you ask me to beg your uncle? You deserve to die!"
Zhao Tianhe could no longer bear to listen to Zhao Wulang's crying and Zhao Tianyang's pretentious act.
The beating ended faster than the whipping. Although Zhao Tianyang had already decided to give up on his son Zhao Wulang, he was still the child he had spoiled. Hearing Zhao Wulang's increasingly pitiful screams, which sounded like he was about to die, Zhao Tianyang couldn't bear it and wanted to find Zhao Tianhe to make amends.
However, before he could even go looking for her, he heard his son, L, unable to withstand the whipping, reveal not only how his half-sister had found prey for him, but also that Wu had been pregnant before her death.
Zhao Tianyang cursed him as an idiot and completely abandoned any idea of saving the son.
Upon returning home and facing Zhao's mother, who wanted her son L, he raised his hand and slapped her.
"You stupid woman, you spoil your son L so much that you don't know what's good for him. You let him do anything. If you're going to do it, why don't you clean up the mess? Plotting outside someone's wedding room, especially Xiao Chuan's wedding room. Don't you know who he is? Nowadays, apart from the military governor, none of us Zhao men have as much military power as him. And you're still eagerly handing him incriminating evidence!"
Hearing that the incident was instigated by the new bride of the Xiao family, he knew that the other party was coming with great force.
Zhao Tianhe had many adopted sons, but he trusted and relied on Xiao Chuan the most. Xiao Chuan also had a better reputation in the army than the Zhao family members. Zhao Tianhe had no biological children, and the Zhao family's collateral branches wanted to suppress Xiao Chuan. Xiao Chuan also wanted to exploit the weaknesses of the Zhao family.
"He was clever enough to hide in Yizhou, fearing the governor's suspicion, and let his woman stir up trouble."
“What should we do with Wulang? You blame me for spoiling him, but I only recently found out what he’s been doing in private. Don’t you know what kind of person our son L is? He’s been corrupted by that wretched girl Qi Niang!”
Mentioning Zhao Qiniang, Zhao's mother gritted her teeth, wishing she could skin her alive and tear her apart right now. "Did you tell your cousin? It's all Qiniang's fault. My son L is innocent!"
"Only you would believe that."
Zhao Tianyang said irritably, and seeing his wife's frantic expression, he sighed and said, "Just consider this son dead."
He sent a letter to Wu's father, but even if Wu's family claimed that Wu's suicide was due to her indecent behavior, Zhao Wulang would be crippled even if he survived.
"How can I accept that he's dead! What are you talking about? A few worthless women, how could my son L be the one to die!"
Zhao's mother was in a frenzy, and she was about to rush out to find someone to save her son, L.
Zhao Tianyang certainly couldn't let her run around at this critical juncture, but he had been beaten with military batons and was barely able to stand. As soon as he reached out to stop her, he was thrown to the ground by the force of the impact.
Zhao Tianyang was in so much pain that he was sweating profusely and felt extremely nauseous. All he could do was sniff the smell of feces on his mother and hold her tightly.
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