Chapter 96 Chapter 96 His wife who takes advantage of the power of others to bully others.
Jasmine was very pleased and kissed her little face: "Manxi is so kind. In Manxi's heart, mother is the most important, right?"
Manxi hugged his mother's neck, waved to Erpang, and shouted, "Come and play some other day!"
Erpang chased Manxi to the palace gate and waved to her as well. As soon as Manxi disappeared, Erpang cried out, tears streaming down his face.
But even at such a young age, he knew the rules of the palace and knew that his father did not like his brother to shed tears, and as his father's second prince, he could not shed tears either.
But he couldn't help it, what could he do? At worst, he would just keep silent and not let his father know.
After crying, Erpang still sobbed and warned his mother: "Mother, don't... tell father."
Yuan Liangliang felt so distressed that he wiped his face and promised him, "Okay."
Erpang discussed with his mother again: "Tomorrow, mother will go to pick up Man'er."
Yuan Liangliang felt even more distressed: "She is so fierce, why don't we find someone else to be our friend?"
Erpang: "Hello, Man'er."
Yuan Liangliang understood Man'er's strengths. The Second Prince also had other children, but when other children came to the palace, they either cried and made a fuss, or were told to give in to the Second Prince.
But the young lady from Duke Yan's family was different. Not only did she compete with the Second Prince for things, she also particularly liked living in the palace.
Despite being angered countless times, Erpang still likes Maner very much.
Yuan Liangliang promised him, "Okay. Mother, please find a way to bring Man'er to the palace tomorrow."
"Hello, mother too!"
The mother and son were affectionate for a while.
In the past two years, the number of families in Daqi who favored concubines over wives has become countless. Even ordinary people have wives and concubines. When questioned, they would say that their wives were unable to bear children, so they had to marry a concubine.
When asked where the concubine came from, it turned out she was a refugee picked up on the road. Many refugees were willing to become concubines in order to find shelter from the rain. The pretty ones went to the wealthy, while the ugly ones, being women, went to the commoners.
Your Majesty is really worried about this.
Your Majesty has considered issuing a decree to revise the rules for concubinage. For example, taking more than one concubine would be subject to a fine, and concubinage must be legal, reasonable, and voluntary. If a family favors a concubine over their wife, officials will be dismissed, and commoners will be fined.
But His Majesty has a concubine. He knows he has no face. Once the imperial edict is issued, there is no telling who will be the minister who will ask him to set an example and depose the concubine.
After much thought, this matter can only be handed over to the Duke, who is supported by the people.
...
When Yan Ke came back, it was almost evening. The Duke's Mansion was extremely quiet except for the main courtyard, which was brightly lit and very lively.
In fact, there was not much movement in the main courtyard, but for the Duke, there was someone waiting for him and running towards him with a smile, which was lively.
Jasmine held her chin and watched her grandfather eat without missing a beat.
By now, the Duke was used to the feeling of having someone watching him. Sometimes, when his wife wasn't around, he still felt lonely.
Jasmine asked, "Master, you're back so late, do you have any more errands to do?"
Yan Ke nodded: "Yeah."
Jasmine: "Is the mission very difficult?"
Sooner or later, the errand would become known. Yan Ke nodded and said, "It's a difficult matter. Your Majesty has ordered me to persuade the people to correct the trend of favoring concubines over wives. I originally thought that I would first establish rules among the officials, and after seeing this, the people would surely restrain themselves. So today, I visited many officials' homes, but the responses I received were surprisingly consistent. I misunderstood them; they didn't favor concubines over wives."
Jasmine guessed it immediately: "But they're lying? I must have investigated before I came to their house and confirmed that those officials ignored my wife and promoted my concubines. But after I arrived, no matter how I questioned them, they refused to admit it, right? Even my wife herself denied it."
"That's right."
Jasmine tilted her head and said nothing. Yan Ke thought she didn't intend to ask any more questions. After finishing the meal, when she stood up, she heard her say, "I got it! I might as well scare them."
Yan Ke was puzzled: "What do you mean?"
"The consequences of favoring a concubine and killing the wife. Many people simply feel ashamed, but who knows how much more miserable they are. For example, a wife harms a concubine, secretly selling her out or beating her to death, resulting in two deaths. For example, a wife is weak and is killed by a concubine, and the husband deliberately claims that she died of illness. Another example is a wife who is strong-willed and argues with the husband, blackmailing him, causing unrest in the family and trouble in official affairs. There are also cases where a wife of a farmer is killed by a concubine."
Jasmine kept talking, "If I investigate, I'll definitely find out. I'll use these examples to warn the public about the dangers of favoring concubines over wives. Of course, just words and actions aren't enough. I'll have to use force as well. If anyone has problems, I'll go to their door and punish them. I don't believe everyone won't stop."
Yan Ke nodded: "That's indeed a solution. However, these examples can scare the common people, but they can't scare the powerful."
Jasmine thought about it and said, "Then I'll use His Majesty's intimidation to pressure them and set an example. No, I'll start by talking to them in a gentle manner, saying that His Majesty has given me the task, but I'm afraid I can't do it alone, so I want everyone to help correct the bad habits. If everyone refuses to cooperate, I'll use intimidation. What's the saying, what's it called?"
"Begin with courtesy, then use force."
"Yes, yes, that's it!"
Yan Ke sighed: "But the biggest trouble is His Majesty."
Jasmine also knew how much of a headache her master was having. He complained to her about the trouble His Majesty was causing.
Jasmine knew what this meant, so she didn't think much about it and said, "But the imperial concubine is very good, and His Majesty has been the same for many years and has never changed his mind."
Jasmine whispered, "It's just that Your Majesty had no choice but to marry the Queen. Should Your Majesty give up the one he loves just for the sake of responsibility? That's not right."
Yan Ke's eyes gradually became stern, and after Jasmine finished speaking, he was left with only helplessness.
"But he is His Majesty."
"But Your Majesty is also a human being of flesh and blood."
Their eyes met. His wife's eyes were bright and her words were firm. The Duke was defeated.
"Even if what you say makes sense, everyone will just think that Your Majesty hasn't set a good example. I'm afraid this won't be that easy to accomplish."
Jasmine said confidently, "But we're not looking for trouble with everyone. We're targeting those evil men who have countless concubines, who not only neglect their wives but also treat them like slaves. Some even lose their wives to support their concubines. We only need to deal with these people, make them pay a heavy price, and make an example of them!"
Jasmine kept saying "we", which Yan Ke always found strange, but he didn't take it to heart and just thought about doing his job.
"Madam, what you said makes sense." Yan Ke had to admit that his wife was really smart.
Then he suddenly thought, what if this is a vicious woman? Many images flashed through Yan Ke's mind, and he sighed, unwilling to think about it anymore.
Jasmine asked him again, "Where did you go today, sir? Did you go to Deputy General Zuo's residence? I heard that Deputy General Zuo's father favored his concubine over his wife when he was young. It was only in the past two years, when Deputy General Zuo returned after making great contributions, that Madam Zuo's life has become easier."
"Indeed. I will go to the Zuo Mansion tomorrow."
"Shall I go with you?"
Before her father could say anything, Jasmine continued, "Mrs. Zuo He may not cooperate with me in such an embarrassing matter, and I'm not in a position to ask any more questions. If you are stubborn, I will definitely take Madam Zuo down!"
Yan Ke felt her words made sense. Thinking back, he had visited several mansions today, but the reason he hadn't been successful was because the ladies seemed unwilling to talk to him. Two of them even claimed to be sick and didn't even show up.
With her wife here, perhaps it would be appropriate. Yan Ke nodded immediately: "Okay, you go with me tomorrow."
Early the next morning, Jasmine planned to entrust Manxi to the care of the old lady. However, before she could send Manxi over, Eunuch Fulu from the palace came to take Manxi into the palace.
Seeing that Manxi was also happy, Jasmine prepared a small basket of toys for her, and some of the Duke's Mansion's most delicious snacks, and asked her to take them into the palace.
Jasmine went to the Zuo Mansion with the Duke.
They were received by Mrs. Zuo, who politely welcomed them in.
The Duke said, "I'm here to meet Master Zuo. Is Master Zuo out?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Zuo's smile froze. Not daring to lie, she replied, "In the mansion. I've already called them."
Yan Ke understood: "You haven't woken up yet? I came too early."
This was her son's boss. Madam Zuo hurriedly said, "Duke, that's not right."
A burst of hurried footsteps came from afar, and soon, a tall and strong figure appeared in front of the living room door.
Master Zuo stepped in, bowing and greeting everyone along the way: "Your Excellency, I am sorry for not welcoming you in person!"
If it were someone else, Yan Ke would of course indicate that there was no need to be polite, but the person in front of him was really ungrateful.
The Duke stood with his hands behind his back and said, "Stand up." After Master Zuo stood up, the Duke continued, "I have come here today on orders to investigate the issue of the people of Daqi favoring concubines over wives. I heard that Master Zuo has more than ten concubines in his mansion, and that the management of the mansion has only been handed over to Madam Zuo in recent years. Before that, it was all controlled by your concubine. Am I correct?"
Mr. Zuo had long known that His Majesty was cracking down on the practice of favoring concubines over wives, and he knew it was only a matter of time before the investigation would fall on him, but he did not expect the Duke to arrive so soon.
Master Zuo pondered his words, and after confirming that there was no disadvantage, he nodded. "There are not more than ten, only seven in total. The housekeeper position was indeed returned to my wife four years ago. It's not that I favor my concubine over my wife, but I felt sorry for my wife's excessive work, so I didn't give it to her in the beginning. If you don't believe me, ask my wife about it."
Yan Ke turned his head and his eyes fell on Madam Zuo's face, only to see Madam Zuo nodding at him sharply.
Yan Ke then asked, "Are all your concubines willing to follow you?"
"Of course, definitely! I dare not do such a criminal thing!" Master Zuo said excitedly.
"Call out my concubines. I will question them one by one."
"This..." Master Zuo looked embarrassed. "They are all women and timid. I'm afraid this may be inconvenient. I hope Your Majesty will understand."
"Then I'll have a chat with them, okay?"
When Master Zuo heard this, he seemed to have just noticed her. He looked stunned, as if asking, "Why did the Duke bring a woman with him on his business trip?"
Jasmine looked down at herself. Her attire today wasn't as expensive as when she entered the palace yesterday, but it wasn't bad either. What did he mean? Jasmine said angrily, "I'm talking to you. Do you hear me? Say something back."
The Duke couldn't help but look back at his wife who was acting like a bully, but he didn't say much.
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