The old lady hurriedly explained, "It was my fault. I was in a hurry and said the wrong thing."
Qin sneered, "I've been married into the Xu family for nearly twenty years, and my father-in-law has often found excuses to criticize my poor background and my family. My mother-in-law always said he didn't mean it and told me not to take it personally. I didn't take it personally and have endured it until now. But he's gone even further, even brazenly calling me a 'housewife.' This not only insults me, my family, and my children. I know the old man has always looked down on my background, thinking I was marrying up into the Xu family. It's even more so now, with Xu Qingyan now a high-ranking official and a wife who has made great contributions. It's time for me to give way..."
Old Mrs. Xu was terrified and quickly said, "Don't say that, Second Son's wife. I know you are a filial and sensible child."
Xu Qingming and Xu Dashi also stared at Qin in surprise.
Qin didn't respond to the old lady's words and continued, "I have already sent a letter to Xu Qingyan, asking to leave the marriage. If the old lady doesn't want to wait, I can marry your son off."
After saying this, he was helped into the house by Mrs. Lu and closed the door.
Old Mrs. Xu cried again and apologized on behalf of Old Man Xu.
Mrs. Lu came out and said, "Old Madam, my wife is having trouble breathing again. I'll send for a doctor right away. Please stop crying here."
Xu Dashi also advised, "Grandma, this isn't a solution. Let's go home and discuss it."
Several people went home.
As the sun set, Ding Gu went to the Xu family's house in the north of the city. He said, "The eldest lady asked me to tell Mr. Shi to go to the prison right now, spend some money to meet with the old man, and ask him to change his statement. He said it was a slip of the tongue. He meant to say 'in the city,' but in his haste he said 'in the building.' The prefect doesn't want anyone under his jurisdiction to insult the Princess of Nanyang, so he'll definitely let it go and give the old man a lighter sentence."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Old Mrs. Xu wanted to ask Qin about her request to leave the family, but was stopped by Xu Dashi.
He said, "The most important thing now is to get me out as soon as possible, and then we can talk about other things."
He snorted inwardly, "The old man is so lucky, he doesn't know how to be happy. He's always looking for trouble. Second Aunt, who is so gentle, must be heartbroken to be forced into this state. This matter can't be solved by the old couple, so we can only wait and see how Second Uncle handles it."
Xu Dashi and Xu Qingming sent Ding Gu away with many thanks. Xu Dashi took the fifty taels of silver given by the old lady and went to the prison. This time he gave more money, so the prison warden asked them to speak alone.
The next day, during the trial, the old man changed his confession, saying that he had mistakenly said "in the building" instead of "in the city." He also said that Qin was his daughter-in-law, virtuous, sensible, and filial, and that she was a fourth-rank imperial lady, and that he would never speak of his daughter-in-law in that way even if he made a mistake.
Qin Che nodded, agreeing with his statement. He said to the advisor standing beside him, "I believe that. I've also heard that Madam Xu has a good reputation, comes from a good family, and is filial to her parents-in-law. They came from the countryside to live in the provincial capital, all thanks to the filial piety of General Xu and Madam Xu."
The lawyer smiled and nodded, saying, "Your Excellency is right. If he had really said that, he would not only be insulting his daughter-in-law, but also his son and his family. Even a fool wouldn't say that."
Old Man Xu kowtowed repeatedly and said, "Yes, yes, I am stupid and would never say such a thing. I have never thought about it. It was really a slip of the tongue."
Qin Che added that even if it was a slip of the tongue, it had caused a serious negative impact. However, considering his age and the fact that he confessed so generously and kindly, he would give him a lighter sentence of twenty strokes of the cane. He also said that since he was older, if the younger generation was willing, he could take the caning in his place.
At this time, Xu Dashi was not there. He had just been called outside by the yamen runners.
Xu Qingming had no choice but to accept the caning punishment on behalf of his father.
Qin Che was just taking this opportunity to punish Xu Qingming. He had always been unhappy with the eldest wife. Xu Qingyan had given them so much money, but they refused to pay when my sister's family was in the most difficult time, and my sister almost died of illness. Now that my sister's family is doing better, they're sticking to her like a dog-skin plaster. They came as they please, without even saying they appreciate my sister's kindness, and even let the old man bully her.
Xu Qingming was beaten so badly that he cried for his parents.
It turned out that Qin Che's advisor wanted to see Xu Dashi and secretly tell him that the prefect's lenient sentence was due to their relationship. He also told them not to tell anyone about this, as if anyone knew, they would accuse the prefect of favoritism...
After Xu Dashi thanked him profusely, he came in and found Xu Qingming had already been beaten.
Xu Dashi carried Xu Qingming onto the mule cart. Old man Xu couldn't walk, so he was dragged onto the cart by the yamen runners.
One of the two people was paralyzed by the beating, and the other was paralyzed by fear. Old Mrs. Xu, Mrs. Gu and others burst into tears again.
Gu and the servants helped Xu Qingming to bed and sent for a doctor. Xu Dashi carried the old man to the bed, undressed him, and wiped his body.
After finishing his work, Xu Dashi discussed with the old lady, "Master has gotten into a big trouble this time. I must go to the capital to see my second uncle and ask him to come forward to appease my second aunt."
Even though Qin Shi didn't have a noble background, Old Lady Xu couldn't bear to see her daughter-in-law leave the Xu family. She knew Qin Shi was gentle, virtuous, and selfless, far superior to Gu Shi. This was especially true now, with such a wonderful family. If she divorced her son, the family would suffer greatly. The future of her second son might even be affected, and the children would be pitiful. Especially Lan Ting, who was still so young.
She nodded and said, "Go ahead and talk to your second uncle and plead for mercy on your grandfather's behalf."
At this time, Xu Qingyan had received the letter from Ma Zi and knew what had happened at home. In order to see how Xu Qingyan would react, Xu Lan told him the truth and did not hide the fact that she had someone report him to the authorities.
Especially Qin's words, although there were only a dozen words, but she asked to leave the palace, which made him feel cold to the bone.
He was furious. He'd been working his ass off since he was thirteen, doing everything he could to provide a good life for his parents and brothers. But what had his parents and siblings done? Not only did they forget his kindness, they even bullied his wife and family. Thinking back to when his wife and children had nearly died of illness and starvation, he became even more furious.
Moreover, even if he died, he would not agree to divorce Qin.
He knew he should return home immediately and beg his wife for forgiveness, and ideally, even go begging the Princess and Prince Consort for forgiveness before returning home. However, ever since the King of Wu was made Crown Prince and moved back to the Eastern Palace, he had been assigned the rank of General of the Imperial Guard, a fourth-rank official. A new official would certainly not allow him to take a long vacation.
He thought about it all night and wrote a letter to Xu Lanyin and Qin Shi respectively. The letter was a bit heavy and Ma Zi couldn't take it with him, so he asked Ji Zhu to deliver it day and night.
Ji Zhu rode at full speed without sleep, changing horses every time he arrived at a post station. After a day and a night of travel, he finally delivered the letter to Qin and Xu Lanyin as quickly as possible.
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