He wanted to argue.
But I found that I didn’t know how to defend myself.
"Tell me, why did you do such a heartless thing? Why..."
Faced with Madam Xu's repeated questioning, Old Master Xu finally couldn't help but burst out the anger that had been suppressed in his heart for decades: "Shut up!"
"Why why, I'm tired of it, okay?"
"Day after day, what else can you do besides following all the rules? In order to live up to your reputation as a virtuous woman, you brought a bunch of boring women like you into my yard. I still have to consider giving you face and pretend to be happy to accept it. Do you know that I'm almost going crazy?"
"For so many years, you really thought that I couldn't have sex with you because of my poor health, and that I didn't favor those concubines. It was just because I couldn't get up when I saw you, and I felt particularly nauseous..."
Old Master Xu almost roared in anger.
The voice still echoed in the court, not only surprising everyone, but even Old Madam Xu was completely stunned.
rule?
Boring?
Everyone knew that Madam Xu came from an aristocratic family, her grandfather having been the emperor's tutor. The women in her family were among the most educated and well-mannered. Madam Xu had become renowned for her virtue over the past few decades.
But now, in the mouth of Old Master Xu, her virtue has become her greatest sin? She is the culprit who forced him to commit such a cruel and insane crime!
It really is... the knife pulled the butt and opened the eyes.
Madam Xu was stunned and couldn't believe it. "Are you saying that my boredom forced you to do such a cruel thing?"
Old Master Xu said nothing.
Old Madam Xu looked at Old Master Xu's expression and almost laughed out of anger.
Decades of neglect.
She had always thought that her husband was just like all other men in the world, easily bored with the old and eagle-eyed, and wanting to have three wives and four concubines. So she endured the discomfort in her heart, tried her best to be a virtuous woman, and took care of everything for him with all her heart.
The concubines he had taken in over the past few decades were of all kinds, even the most famous skinny horse from Hangzhou was arranged for him. What else could he be dissatisfied with?
Excuse.
It's just an excuse.
It's just an excuse for me to do those crazy things.
At this moment, Madam Xu, overwhelmed by anger, felt only immense disappointment and disgust: "Xu Dexin, you are simply hopeless."
After saying this, Old Madam Xu stopped talking.
She didn't make any excuses for Old Master Xu.
Because there is no excuse.
The emperor had already sent people to the Xu family and found so much evidence on the spot. He also held a trial in the Golden Palace, which showed the emperor's attitude. This was no longer something that the women in the inner chambers could argue about and cry out for injustice.
Rather than crying to the emperor and erasing the last bit of friendship with the Xu family, it is better to choose silence.
Because she knew that with the Queen and the Sixth Prince around, no matter what happened to Old Master Xu, their Xu family would not be implicated by him to the point of being unable to survive.
Sure enough.
Old Master Xu was thrown into prison.
Only when he was dragged away did he seem to react, shouting in horror, "The Emperor," and demanding an explanation from him.
Emperor Wenyuan was furious.
After Old Master Xu was imprisoned, a thorough investigation was conducted into the Xu family, and Xu Xuan was also dismissed from his post. Wang Hong and several officials who had stood up before were demoted one or two levels in rank due to the outrage.
This simply makes onlookers tremble.
No one expected that this was originally a difficult expedition against the Marquis of Zhenbei, but it would backfire on him. Not only was such a heinous scandal uncovered, but it also hit his weak spot, giving the emperor a direct opportunity to weaken the Xu family.
Afterwards, Yang Tiejiang brought up the matter of trafficking in illegal salt and mining.
This time, everyone was as silent as a chicken.
They would never say a word of opposition, for fear of getting into trouble for no reason and causing someone like the old man of the Xu family. They would probably go crazy.
Many officials secretly made up their minds to investigate their families thoroughly when they returned.
It's true, many people did find out some things. Although none of them were as perverted and beastly as Old Master Xu's, many of them were quite serious, such as molesting women in the street, bullying people by taking advantage of his power, etc. This made many officials alert and they took decisive action.
I heard that many of the bamboo sticks used as family discipline in officials’ homes were broken.
Later, the first thing many adults did after returning home was to inquire about the bad children at home, discipline their children personally, and encourage them to correct the bad habits in the family and never let a single bad apple affect the reputation of the entire family.
All the playboys in the capital city restrained themselves at the speed of naked eyes.
Of course, this is all later.
…
When he saw Old Madam Xu coming in, Old Master Xu in prison quickly climbed up and put his hands on the iron bars: "Madam, you are finally here. What's going on? Has the emperor said when to let me out?"
Old Madam Xu looked much more haggard.
Looking at Old Master Xu with a hopeful look on his face, Old Madam Xu did not answer immediately. Instead, she asked the maid behind her to send bowls of small dishes through the crack of the prison door. They were very rich.
And wine.
Old Master Xu had been hungry all day. When he saw his favorite dish placed on the ground, although he felt a little dissatisfied, he still squatted down, picked up the chopsticks and started to eat voraciously.
In just one day, his hair was disheveled, his clothes were wrinkled, and his face was stained with dirt. He no longer looked like the carefree man he used to be when he was raised in wealth.
Very embarrassing.
Seeing the maid bring a glass of wine, he hurriedly picked it up and took a sip. After he recovered, he remembered the question just now and looked up at Madam Xu: "Madam, you haven't said it yet. When did the emperor say to let me out?"
He seemed very sure that the emperor would let him go.
Even a little fearless.
In his eyes, although what he did was somewhat immoral, those were just some untouchables. If they died, they died. It was not a serious problem.
The emperor couldn't really do anything to him just for a few untouchables!
After all, he is the father-in-law of the emperor.
The sons have all achieved considerable success in various fields, and the family heritage is still there!
Not to mention the Queen Mother and the Sixth Prince.
Old Madam Xu still didn't answer him.
"This cell is not a place for human beings to stay. Not only is the food terrible, but even the toilet is in a corner. Those jailers dared to ignore me. They are really lawless. When I get out, I will not let them off."
Old Master Xu was not in a hurry either. He ate while complaining.
Home-cooked food is delicious.
In the past, he always felt that his old wife was annoying in every way and didn't even want to look at her. But after entering this prison, he suddenly felt that his old wife was actually somewhat useful, because she could take care of many things for him.
He doesn't have to worry about it at all.
"By the way, ask someone to get me some clean clothes and hot water later. I need to wash up thoroughly before leaving the cell. I can't let anyone see me in such a mess. After all, I'm the father-in-law of the emperor and I can't lose face." Old Master Xu said as a matter of course.
But he didn't notice that Madam Xu's eyes were getting colder and colder.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
