They hadn't originally planned to go this far. After all, Yuwen Sheng had placed Zheng Quchi's name alongside his in the ancestral hall, which meant he genuinely wanted to marry Zheng. Out of respect for Yuwen Sheng, they had given her a chance, as long as she obediently followed their arrangements.
The blame lies with this Zheng woman for being so ungrateful, daring to play tricks on them. Since that's the case, then let her get out of the Yuwen family completely.
Immediately, the onlookers in the mourning hall were in an uproar.
It turns out that Zheng Shi and Yuwen Sheng were not legally married.
Zheng Quchi knew that the Yuwen family could only use this one piece of evidence against them, so she was not intimidated by them. Instead, she argued logically, "Yuwen Sheng and I have done a wedding ceremony in Fu County, registered our household registrations, and exchanged marriage contracts. Everyone knows that. Do you think I'm lying?"
"So what? You eloped with him as a concubine, but as long as you don't have a marriage contract, your title as the general's wife is meaningless!"
In the State of Ye, no matter how deep the feelings between a man and a woman are, even if they have bowed to heaven and earth and held a wedding ceremony, they cannot be considered a legally married wife without a marriage contract. Even if they are enshrined in the ancestral hall, what then? At best, she can only be considered a concubine or a secondary wife, and she cannot be buried with the deceased in the same tomb.
"That's right, let's not talk about such useless things. What about the marriage contract approved by the King? Our Sheng'er is not like those peasants in the countryside. He is a dignified general. Without the King's personal approval of the marriage contract, your marriage is not valid!"
These people, relying on their status as Yuwen Sheng's uncles and elders, now speak to Zheng Quchi with absolutely no mercy, their words harsh and stern, as if they want to devour her alive.
At this moment, Yuwen Gui pretended to smooth things over: "Alright, she is still your grand-niece-in-law, even if she is not the principal wife, as a concubine she is still Sheng'er's wife. As elders, even if she is arrogant and unruly, you should be more lenient."
After "instructing" his own people, he looked at Zheng Quchi and smiled, but the smile was threatening: "Zheng, my Sheng'er had a hard life. He died at a young age, leaving behind a huge mansion. Now that you have no one to rely on, you should make other plans. We can understand that. If you marry someone else, the Yuwen family will definitely not mistreat you."
Zheng Quchi saw that these people were playing both good and bad cops, just to seize what didn't belong to them. If they truly cared for Yuwen Sheng and treated him as family, they wouldn't be causing trouble at his funeral hall at this time.
"I will not remarry, much less give away what my husband left me," she said resolutely.
Upon hearing this, the Yuwen family members arrogantly declared, "Without a marriage contract, you are not considered a daughter-in-law of the Yuwen family. I advise you to be sensible and return everything that belongs to the Yuwen family."
What if I don't know what's good for me?
She sneered, only to see that Fu Rong was already prepared. With a wave of his hand, dozens of guards from the General's mansion surrounded the mourning hall inside and out.
"You...you dare do anything to us? Don't think you can act recklessly just because you have connections!"
The guests quickly hid in a corner to avoid trouble, fearing they would be drawn into this family turmoil.
When they first heard that Zheng was just a concubine, they thought she would be devoured by the Yuwen family relatives until there was nothing left. But now it seems she is no pushover. She has won over the people of the General's Mansion and they are under her command. It is hard to say who will win this battle for the family property.
"Do you think you outsiders will just bully me in my own home?"
Yuwen Sheng gave her power, which gave her confidence and taught her to fight back against all evil forces with a strong attitude. Why should she be afraid to challenge these people?
"Zheng Quchi, so what if you use your power to oppress others? Your actions are illegitimate and unjust. Soon, the people of Ye will all know that you, the wife of the Supreme General, are a joke. What wife? You are nothing but a concubine, a woman who seizes other people's property, and a fraudster who steals fame and fortune!"
The Yuwen family did not hesitate to use the most vicious language to slander her. The transformation from wife to concubine was undoubtedly the same as the transformation of the mistress into a servant who could be dismissed and sold off cheaply. The difference between the two was huge.
As they said, if this were true, Zheng Quchi would be criticized and ridiculed by everyone, even if he held military power.
At that time, not only will her reputation be ruined, but she will also have all her inheritance rights as the general's wife confiscated due to the laws of Ye Kingdom, leaving her with nothing.
Once the guests realized the consequences, they all stared at Zheng Quchi with varying expressions.
I have sympathy.
There was schadenfreude.
We should wait and see how things develop.
Some people treat it as a joke, remain on the sidelines, and wait for the outcome.
Zheng Quchi, who was in the eye of the storm, remained calm throughout. The raging waves did not frighten her; instead, they revealed her unwavering resolve.
"Who says she's fake? Zheng Quchi and Yuwen Sheng's marriage contract has long been recorded in the Ministry of Revenue's archives. On the contrary, it is you who are spouting nonsense, spreading rumors, and insulting court officials!"
Outside the mourning hall, a sharp shout suddenly rang out. A burly middle-aged man led four soldiers and strode over. He was wearing a red official robe and a tall hat, indicating that he was a third-rank official. Many people in the hall immediately recognized him as the newly promoted Minister of Revenue.
Why is he here?
He was just a minor official in the Ministry of Revenue before, but recently he had a stroke of good luck and caught the eye of the Crown Prince, which is how he was able to rise to prominence. How could he possibly have a relationship with General Yuwen, who is at the top of the country?
The Minister of Revenue stepped forward and bowed to Zheng Quchi, saying, "Lord Zheng, His Highness the Crown Prince has sent me to deliver the marriage contract to you."
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