Li Zan withdrew his hand, which was still numb from the shock, glanced at her briefly, and then fixed his gaze on Zhao Yun. His tone was authoritative and unquestionable: "Zhao Yun, as the young mistress of the Duke's mansion, you allowed your servants to break into the study and cause a fire. This is a grave offense of disrespect! I am reluctant to punish you severely because you are pregnant, but the letter of divorce has been issued. You must pack your bags and leave the Duke's mansion immediately!"
Zhao Yun was unwilling to accept this. Seeing Zhao Rou being beaten, she became even more furious. "Even if you give me a letter of divorce, it shouldn't be you, the father, who does it! You favor your concubine over your wife, shouldn't the censors report this to the authorities?" She was so angry that she spoke recklessly.
Li Zan pursed his lips into a thin line, tightened his jaw, and raised his leg to kick her.
At the critical moment, Li Afu rushed over and, supporting Zhao Yun's heavy body, narrowly avoided Li Zan's attack.
Zhao Rou covered her face and stood aside, her face pale with fright.
Has Li Zan gone mad lately? Does he no longer want his wife, his daughter-in-law, or her unborn grandchild?
What did she say yesterday? This Duke's mansion is a place that devours people.
She looked around. At this moment, many servants and family members who had heard the news had gathered inside and outside the study. They were either whispering or looking indignant, clearly dissatisfied with Li Zan's decision.
Zhao Yun completely lost all hope in Li Zan and the entire Duke's Mansion. The tenderness and dependence of the past were gone from her eyes, replaced by a resolute and cold demeanor.
She gently pushed away Li Afu's support, steadied herself, looked directly at Li Zan, and said with trembling lips,
"Li Zan, your mother-in-law was your husband for over twenty years, and you abandoned her for a prostitute. Now that she's missing and your son is gone, you want to divorce your wife in his place? Hahaha—"
Zhao Yun burst into laughter, pointing at Li Zan and saying, "Li Zan, you favor your concubine over your wife, you can't distinguish right from wrong, and you've long lost the demeanor befitting a duke. I, Zhao Yun, don't care for this letter of divorce. The child in my womb will take my surname Zhao and will have nothing to do with your duke's mansion anymore!"
Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear, each word like a heavy hammer, striking the hearts of everyone present.
The servants looked at each other in bewilderment, the family members sighed in dismay, and even Zhao Rou was stunned. She had never seen Zhao Yun so resolute and determined.
Upon hearing this, Li Zan trembled slightly. He never expected Zhao Yun to retaliate in this way, and a crack finally appeared on his usually indifferent face.
"Yu Ming, take our things and head back to the Zhao residence!"
"Wait!" Li Zan said, "You are now a discarded wife of our Duke's mansion. According to the law, you are not allowed to take any of your dowry, including your maids!"
"Li Zan, have you no shame!" Yu Ming couldn't help but swear. Standing beside Zhao Yun, she firmly held her arm. "You're clearly trying to steal your daughter-in-law's dowry; don't be so shameless!"
Just then, a stern voice suddenly came from outside the door.
"Imperial edict arrives—"
Everyone's gaze involuntarily turned to the doorway.
Li Zan's expression changed drastically, his pupils contracted slightly, he barely managed to steady himself, took a few steps forward, and knelt down. The others followed suit, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.
The visitor was Li An, the emperor's most favored eunuch.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have heard that Duke Li Zan, a high-ranking official of the court, should have been diligent in his duties and maintained integrity. However, recently, a secret report has been received alleging that Li Zan has neglected his personal conduct, sold official positions and titles, disregarded the law, and corrupted the court. Effective immediately, Li Zan is hereby stripped of all official positions and titles, his property is confiscated, his male relatives are exiled, and his female relatives are sold into official positions as a warning to others. This decree is hereby issued!"
After reading the imperial edict, Li An looked up and coldly said, "Li Zan, receive the decree!" Then, with a wave of his hand, the imperial guards rushed in and seized Li Zan. The mansion immediately descended into chaos, with maids and servants weeping bitterly.
Zhao Yun suddenly felt dizzy and fainted. Zhao Rou cried out in alarm and quickly signaled Le Kui and Yu Ming to help her up from the ground.
Seeing this, Li Afu, who was kneeling on the ground, coughed twice. Li An looked at him, his eyes lit up, and asked, "You rascal, do you have something to say?"
"Your Excellency, an hour ago, the young mistress Zhao Yun and her concubine Zhao Rou were divorced by Li Zan in place of their son. A little over a month ago, the old mistress Bai Wei was also divorced by Li Zan. So, if I may be so bold as to ask, are divorced women also sold into official positions?"
Li An forced a smile and replied, "A woman's divorce is naturally unrelated to her husband's family. The sale of official positions is also none of their concern."
At this point, he gestured for the imperial guards behind him to step forward, "Miss Zhao Yun and Miss Zhao Rou are the daughters of Zhao Gong, the former Grand Secretary of our dynasty. Quickly send them back to the Zhao residence, so they won't be offended by this filthy place!"
The imperial guards, upon receiving the order, immediately stepped forward and carefully helped Zhao Yun to her feet. Li An gave Li Afu a look, signaling him to hurry up and follow.
Li Afu quickly responded, secretly relieved that Li An had acted swiftly and unexpectedly resolved Zhao Yun and Zhao Rou's predicament.
He quickly caught up with the Imperial Guards, and didn't forget to give Li An a smile as he turned back.
Li An pretended not to see his mischief, but his mind was elsewhere. Li Zan was exiled, and Li Huai'an wouldn't escape either. Like father, like son; none of them are good. It's just a pity that Zhao Gong's two daughters were thus harmed.
With the help of Le Kui and Yu Ming, Zhao Yun gradually regained her senses. Looking at the chaotic Duke's mansion in front of her, she felt a mix of emotions.
Despite her efforts to keep the vast Duke's mansion afloat, it has finally crumbled.
Looking at her swollen belly and thinking about how she was about to be sold into official business, she couldn't help but sob.
Seeing that she had woken up, the imperial guards politely said to Le Kui and Yu Ming, "Ladies, please hurry up and pack your things, the eunuch is urging you!"
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