Family Law
Dusk hangs,
In the evenings of early winter, the air is freezing cold.
The path was hurried, the swaying dresses stirring up withered and yellowed leaves. Zheng looked around, but no one was willing to meet her gaze. Something was not right in the mansion today, she thought to herself. But Cui Zhijun held her hand and walked calmly.
At this moment, Cui Zhijun's eyes were like a pool of stagnant water, no longer bright. He knew that after yesterday, this incident would happen sooner or later.
Outside the ancestral hall, lanterns blew in the wind, colliding repeatedly. It brought with it the melancholy of dusk. Cui Zhijun paused and released his grip on her arm.
Zheng also closed her empty palms, her gaze fixed on the eaves, where light and darkness alternated. She heard Cui Zhijun say, "Xiao Zheng, when we get to the ancestral hall, don't say anything. Don't ask anything."
"Why?" Zheng was puzzled.
Cui Zhijun didn't answer. He just lowered his eyes and said, "Go in."
-
The ancestral hall where eternal lamps are lit reflects many gloomy faces.
By then, most of the family had gathered, including their second uncle, Cui Bin, who was rarely seen. As the young couple entered the house, they heard Cui Bin boldly call out, "Big Brother." Cui Yu, however, removed his fuku in front of the ancestors, lowered his eyes, and remained silent. Cui Zhisong knelt beside them.
At that time, the hall was silent and no one dared to speak.
Cui Zhijun brought Tai Shi Zheng to pay their respects, but Yu Yuelan stopped them and arranged them aside.
The atmosphere in the ancestral hall was heavy. Zheng stood beside Cang Yi and saw panic on her face. Zheng was new to this family and had no idea what was going to happen next, and Cui Zhijun wouldn't tell her.
Zheng could only lower her eyes and touch Cang Yi's arm, wanting to let her know that she was always by her side.
Don't panic.
Cang Yi noticed Zheng's actions, turned around and shook his head, telling her not to worry.
The two sisters-in-law looked at each other in silence. Zheng looked away and looked back at Cui Zhisong's trembling back at the other end of the shrine.
Zheng was very confused. Why was Cui Zhisong, who never bowed his head when Cui Zhijian beat him so harshly yesterday, now afraid of Cui Yu's silence?
It was all so unusual.
This was a level of oppression Zheng had never felt before. Everyone was shrouded in fear, and no one knew when or where the flames leaping from the darkness would burn, even if it were themselves.
Zheng had never experienced this feeling before, not even in the presence of the emperor, let alone in the comfortable home of the historian.
Suddenly, someone entered the ancestral hall, breaking the silence. He bowed and announced, "Master, the eldest son has returned."
Big brother?
Zheng was confused. Didn’t Cui Zhijian just leave this morning?
Why was he called back?
"Let him get in here."
Cui Yu, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke. His anger was all woven into this one sentence. It didn't seem like a sudden surge of anger at all, but rather a long-suppressed emotion.
Cui Zhijun lowered his eyes, and the majestic purple robe in his eyes had never changed since his childhood.
It seems that the old lady is not here tonight and Tao Fengqin cannot enter the ancestral hall again.
Brother, I’m in trouble.
As he pondered this, Cui Zhijian, returning from his journey, entered the ancestral hall, accompanied by the sounds of violent cries from outside. He was still wearing the same attire as yesterday, except for his sword and red helmet, which he had left outside the ancestral hall.
Zheng leaned in to listen, and amidst the crying, she could hear Tao Fengqin's repeated pleas, "Master, please forgive me, and don't blame my son. If my son has done anything wrong, it's all my fault. I'm willing to take the punishment for him, and I hope you'll calm down—"
But Tao Fengqin's crying failed to move Cui Yu, who always supported her. He cursed in front of the ancestors: "A loving mother often spoils her son." Then he waved his hand and ordered the steward, "Staff Chang, go and lock that woman up in the courtyard. She is not allowed to leave without my order. Don't let her disturb the ancestors outside the ancestral hall—"
"yes."
The steward responded and walked past Cui Zhijian. Cui Zhijian didn't refute him. He stood silently behind Cui Yu and called out, "Father."
Cui Zhijian was unusually calm, yet also unusually indifferent. Before Cui Yu turned around, he said with the same coldness, "Kneel down."
The sound of him kneeling down with such force that it startled Zheng. But no one else present showed any surprise except her.
Cui Zhijian had heard this countless times and was accustomed to it. He knelt on the ground in silence, his back straight. He did not argue for himself, but looked directly at his ancestors.
Cui Yu angrily asked, "Cui Zhijian, do you admit your guilt?"
Cui Zhijian said, "My son is innocent."
The father and son were competing with each other, and neither of them was willing to give in.
Cui Yu, on the other hand, was a stickler for convention and stubborn. As long as he was determined in something, he would fight for it even in front of the emperor. Turning around and scolding his rebellious son, Cui Yu said, "Innocent? Do you know what the emperor said to me in front of the emperor today? And what are the rumors and discussions about our Cui family outside? Brothers are fighting against each other, hurting each other. It is a great shame for the family and a disgrace to the family. Cui Zhijian, as the eldest son in the family, you should be friendly and respectful to your brothers and live in harmony. But not only did you not set an example, you even beat up your own brothers. Is this what you call innocent?"
Zheng frowned when she heard that.
Not asking the reason, just talking about right and wrong?
While it's important to be affectionate in a family, it's also wrong to ignore reason. Does being the eldest son mean he should tolerate and bear the consequences for his brothers' mistakes?
This old man is so unreasonable.
But, this matter has reached the imperial court so quickly? But what could possibly go on in the capital that could be hidden from the emperor? But if Tenth Brother knew about this, why didn't he mention anything when he met him in broad daylight?
Zheng was puzzled.
She didn't know that Qi Liyuan had specifically chased Zhao Heiyuan to the Taishi residence today, not for the purpose of bestowing a name.
He just wanted to check on Zheng, to see if she was doing well and whether she was affected by the troubles in the Bo Mansion. Even when he reminded Cui Yu in the palace after the court session, Qi Liyuan was concerned about her reputation and did not punish her severely.
So later, when Qi Liyuan saw with his own eyes that the zheng was very good, he quietly left. After all, it was a friendship born in youth, and although Qi Liyuan had accepted his fate, it was still difficult for him to let go.
Her thoughts returned to the hall. Zheng noticed that Cang Yi's hands were clenched in front of his clothes. When she looked at Cui Zhijian again, he still didn't look away, and stubbornly repeated, "My son is innocent."
Both father and son are equally stubborn.
Cui Yu was completely enraged by Cui Zhijian. He hated this son who repeatedly disobeyed and challenged him. All the unpleasantness in the past seemed to be vented all at once today.
Cui Yu cursed in front of his ancestors, "Rebellious son, what did you say——"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
But although Cui Zhijian is Tao Fengqin's son, Yu Yuelan is not a wicked person.
She had heard the whole story last night and felt that Dalang was indeed wronged. She couldn't stand it, so she still stood up to Cui Yu's authority and said, "Master, Dalang acted impulsively and without any rules, but he didn't hurt anyone without reason. You are too arbitrary."
Yu Yuelan was the first to speak.
Cui Bin knew that what happened last night was all caused by his family, so he quickly joined in to help, "Brother, why are you doing this? Brother Jian is also..."
Who would have thought that before Cui Bin could finish his words, Cui Yu turned his spearhead on him, "Shut up! Do you think this evil creature of yours can get away? He is a weak husband and a bad wife. He indulges in licentiousness and betrays the teachings of our ancestors. All the troubles are caused by him, and Cui Zhisong deserves to be punished."
"Brother." Cui Bin, who loved his son dearly, had no choice but to move out of Fushou Pavilion. "Mother is still ill. What do you want to do today—"
It would have been fine if Cui Bin hadn't mentioned it. But as soon as he mentioned the old lady, Cui Yu instantly flew into a rage, "Mother? You still have the nerve to mention mother to me? Even after all this, you're still protecting this evil creature. You've brought shame upon the Cui family."
"Spoiling a child is like killing him, second brother, you are confused!"
Cui Yu was burdened with the responsibility and obligation to protect his family, so he always acted as a master first, and a father second. Although he was harsh on those around him, he never forgot to be strict with himself.
He lives a contradictory and exhausting life.
Cui Yu looked at his chaotic home with disappointment. The imaginary righteousness and morality he had imagined were shattered and vanished. Finally, he brought out the family rules in front of his ancestors, "What do I want today? Cui Zhijian, take off your armor. Cui Zhisong, take off your clothes. Today, I want our ancestors to teach you a lesson—"
"Chang Guanshi, each of you is twenty yuan, beat me."
"Brother, you...you...we are all family, why are you doing this?" Cui Bin was panicked.
But Cui Yu had made up his mind and no one could change it.
Everyone present murmured, but dared not disobey. They had been suppressed in this house for too long.
Cui Zhijian wordlessly removed his armor, resolutely revealing his well-defined, powerful back. He would rather be beaten than admit his fault to Cui Yu.
Cui Zhisong, who was standing by, was so frightened that he crawled forward, hugged Cui Yu's legs, and begged for mercy: "Uncle, I know I was wrong. I know I was wrong. From now on, I will never do anything lewd again. Please forgive me this time. According to the twenty rules of the family law, it will kill someone, uncle—"
Cui Yu kicked Cui Zhisong away and resolutely humiliated him. "You are violating morals and bringing disgrace to our family. Even if you die, you will never bring honor to the Cui family. Even if you die, you must kowtow before our ancestors and admit your mistakes."
Cui Yu's words were more of a threat to Cui Zhijian.
But Cui Zhijian stood upright from his knees, his brows never lowered as he said, "If you want to fight, then fight. Why so much nonsense?"
Cui Yu snorted and flicked his sleeves when he heard this, then gave the order, "Beat him."
The messenger then took a cane, pulled Cui Zhisong back, and ripped off his shirt. But with just one blow of the cane, Cui Zhijian's back was covered in blood, and Cui Zhisong's wails echoed throughout every corner of the ancestral hall.
Make the people present,
Without eyes to see, people's hearts are all in panic.
Cui Bin, overwhelmed with grief, rushed to his son's side, shouting, "Okay, big brother. If you want to hit my son today, just kill me too. That way, my second wife won't cause any trouble for you and mother."
Seeing this, people stopped one after another.
Cui Yu didn't think twice and raised his hand, saying, "Let the Second Master protect him, and you guys continue to fight."
The scene before the ancestors was tragic. Zheng stood in the crowd, wanting to step forward several times, but was hesitant because of Cui Zhijun's words. However, Cui Yu might not listen to her advice.
Zheng was also confused by this scene.
She didn't understand why they couldn't talk things over peacefully and solve the problem together since they were a family. Why did they have to act like enemies...
Do I really have to watch my brother get beaten all over?
Zheng looked left and saw that Cang Yi was ready to make a move, but when she turned around and looked at Cui Zhijun, she was surprised to find that he had left her side.
Zheng raised her eyes and saw Cui Zhijun pushing through the crowd and going to Cui Zhijian despite Yu Yuelan's obstruction.
"Oh my God, Jiro. What are you doing? Come back soon..."
It doesn't mean that she should keep silent and ask no questions.
How come he just...
Zheng was stunned and speechless.
Yu Yuelan was even more flustered. She had never seen her son, who was always obedient and responsive to her every request, dare to come forward so openly and bravely.
But probably, Cui Zhijun in the past had no idea what resistance was.
Everything changed after meeting Taishi Zheng. It turns out people can be brave for the justice they believe in. People can say no.
He wanted to thank Taishi Zheng for allowing him to see many possibilities.
Cui Zhijun knelt beside Cui Zhijian, his robe caressed. This time, he didn't stand by and watch with indifference like the others. He said to Cui Yu resolutely, "You don't judge right from wrong, and you don't distinguish between rewards and punishments. It's the same as the twenty family rules, but father is being unfair. Even if the family rules of our ancestors are above all else, we must not lose sight of the word righteousness."
"Brother is innocent."
"But if father insists on his own opinion, I was there yesterday and failed to stop you, so that is also my fault. I am willing to share the consequences of this family's punishment with you."
What is a quarrel between brothers?
They simply choose to oppose those who do evil.
Cui Zhijun's words were powerful.
Cui Yu looked at Cui Zhijun with shock. He looked at this son in disbelief. He was the most satisfied and obedient son in the family. He hesitated and said, "Erlang, even you want to disobey?"
Cui Zhijian said, "Second brother, get up. There's no need to beg him. He's obsessed with the family's reputation. There's no fairness or human relations. Everything he does is just for his own sake. Everything he says is based on ancestral rules. How could he be wrong? It's just the 20th family rule. I can handle it. You're just a scholar. You don't need to show off your power."
Cui Zhijian wanted to drive the man away and take the blame alone.
Who would have thought that he had just finished speaking.
Before Cui Yu could refute, the two daughters-in-law stood up and knelt behind their respective wives. There was no sign of fear. The two sisters-in-law responded in unison: "Please forgive me, father-in-law. If you don't agree, I am willing to share the family law."
Cui Zhijian and Cui Zhijun turned around in surprise, looking at their powerful daughters-in-law. They were both relieved and worried...
Crazy, all crazy.
Yu Yuelan's eyes darkened, and Cui Yu was seething with rage. This was also the first time he had encountered such a united disobedience from so many people. Just as he was about to open his mouth to vent his anger, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted.
"And me!"
The noise startled everyone, causing them to turn around and look. Until pairs of surprised eyes stared at Cui Zhichou, his momentum gradually weakened.
He came to Cui Yu, knelt on the ground with a plop, and asked weakly: "Dad, I... I am also willing to share the family rules for big brother... Do you think it's okay... Is it okay..."
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