Chapter 5 Divorce (Part 2)
After Li San Niang finished speaking, Wang Er Lang did not refute her point by point. Apart from the teacup shards and water stains on the ground that Li's mother had deliberately smashed, which proved that there had just been a rather heated argument, the entire hall was silent.
When Granny Wang thought of what Li's mother had said about her eldest son's three sons, she stopped talking and turned her head away to look at the ground, not daring to meet Wang Erlang's pleading gaze.
Wang Dalang's wife wanted to say something, but she knew it wasn't appropriate for her to speak in this situation. So she looked at Wang Dalang with anxious eyes, hoping that for the sake of their three sons, he would comply with the Li family's wishes and not implicate their children. After her father-in-law passed away, the family business was already in decline. What would happen if they offended the Li family, whose members held official positions, because of Wang Erlang's outrageous behavior?
Wang Niangzi gripped the handkerchief in her hand, which was weighed heavily on her heart, tightly, worried that Wang Dalang would still protect Wang Erlang at all costs, just like before.
After a few dozen breaths of silence, Li's father glanced around at the Wang family members, noticing Wang Erlang's evasive gaze, and finally looked at Wang Dalang and said calmly, "In the first year of Changshou, the Emperor issued an edict that women could bring their mothers with them and return home after a divorce. Princess Cheng'an's residence is just ten miles south of the city. If I remember correctly, Princess Huaming is now ten years old. The princess has always lived with Princess Cheng'an in the princess's residence."
At this point, Mr. Li fell silent, picked up his teacup, and seemed to want to savor the tea carefully.
Whether it was the pastries sent by the Li family that had any effect, or the sight of Uncle Li's presence to lend support, or the realization that the Wang family was a paper tiger, Sun Fang spoke up at this moment: "Young Master Wang, given the precedent set by Princess Cheng'an, if Second Brother Wang and Third Sister Li have broken off their relationship, they should part ways amicably and wish each other well. Otherwise, if this affair without a matchmaker is brought to the Jingzhao Prefecture, according to the law, Second Brother Wang's situation would at least warrant a year and a half of imprisonment."
Sun Fangzheng glanced at Wang Erlang, noticing his trembling and evasive manner, shook his head, and continued, "Don't think I'm bluffing. Back then, we Fangzheng all went to the Jingzhao Prefecture to learn these laws and take the exams. That's how we got our government jobs. If you don't believe me, go ask your Wang Fangzheng, and he'll tell you the truth."
Wang Erlang panicked first, and in a panic, he cried out to Wang Dalang in court, "Brother, I don't want to go to jail. Brother, please help me. Brother, Father asked you to take care of me when he passed away. You can't abandon me. I'm your own brother!"
"Big Brother, is it true? You can't let your brother go to jail. Erlang can't bear that kind of suffering." Granny Wang was also frightened and put pressure on Wang Big Brother.
Wang Dalang looked at his good-for-nothing younger brother, then at his mother who spoiled him like a child, and could only swallow his anger and repeat to himself, "This is my younger brother, this is my mother."
Wang Dalang, having reopened his eyes, dropped his fake smile and said to Li's father, "Uncle Li, my Wang family has agreed to the divorce. We also agree that you want to take Wang Luzhu away. But you must first agree to my conditions. As long as you all agree, I will immediately have Erlang write the contract."
Mr. Li nodded expressionlessly: "Go ahead."
"First, once Li Sanniang, your Li family, and Sun Fangzheng have left my Wang family, they must not mention Erlang's absurd deeds to anyone else."
Second, even if Luzhu goes home to be raised by Li Sanniang, she is still of the Wang family bloodline. The Wang family will visit her regularly, and Luzhu will return home to reunite with us during festivals. Furthermore, the Wang family will provide a child support payment. Third, if Li Sanniang remarries in the future, she must return Luzhu to the Wang family! As long as Uncle Li agrees to these three conditions, the contract will be finalized immediately.
When Mr. Li heard the first two points, he was fine, but when he suddenly heard the third, he felt a surge of anger. "My son can marry if he wants to, or not if he doesn't want to. Why should you dictate it!"
Dewdrop will naturally be raised by our Li family!
Just as Li's father was about to retort, he felt the anxious look in Li San Niang's eyes, and his anger subsided somewhat. He held back and didn't say anything more.
At this moment, it was Brother Li, who came from a martial arts background, who couldn't stand the conditions Wang Dalang had set. He immediately stood up, but he stood up too quickly, causing the teacup on the corner of the table to fall freely, just like the teacup that his mother had deliberately smashed on the ground. With a "bang," the teacup shattered and shattered all over the floor.
"Wang Mingheng, what utter nonsense! My sister can marry whoever she wants! She doesn't have to marry whoever she doesn't want to marry! Luzhu'er doesn't lack relatives, our Li family has plenty of people to raise her to adulthood! I think you've been cleaning up Wang Ziheng's messes too much, and you've lost your mind and started to go crazy."
"Brother, don't be angry, don't be angry. I know what I'm doing."
After calming Li Daxiong down, Li Sanniang turned around and glanced at Wang Ziheng, who was paralyzed with fear. She then said to Wang Dalang, "Wang Dalang, I, Li Sanniang, am free after the divorce. If I want to go to another family, that is my freedom. Even my parents can't decide that, let alone you, my ex-husband who has a different surname?"
Li San Niang suppressed her anger and spoke to Wang Da Lang.
“Luzhu’er is the child I risked my life to give birth to; she is the apple of my eye, Li San Niang’s life. As long as your Wang family can sign an agreement that you cannot arbitrarily interfere with Luzhu’er’s marriage after she comes of age, and that you want to marry Luzhu’er, you must get my permission as her biological mother, otherwise any marriage you unilaterally agree to is worthless nonsense! I can guarantee that I, Li San Niang, will not mention a single word about Wang Erlang and his widowed cousin outside the Wang family!”
Li San Niang thought to herself, "Evil people will be punished by other evil people."
Wang Erlang, that selfish and self-serving man, thought his cousin was some delicate, innocent flower. Well then, let's grant their wish and see what they do in the future!
“If Lord Wang insists on forcing me, then I, Li San Niang, will accept the summons!”
I naturally know the roads of Jingzhao Prefecture, having grown up in Chang'an since I was a child!
Although Third Sister wasn't as strong as a man, she could still beat the Dengwen Drum!
For her own sake, and for the sake of Dewdrop, what wouldn't Third Sister do!
Hearing Li San Niang utter these words, which were no less spirited than those of men, everyone present turned their attention to her.
Looking at Li San Niang, Li's mother murmured, her eyes filled with tears, regretting that she had made a mistake in choosing such a cold-hearted person for Li San Niang.
But Li's father thought to himself, at worst he would support his third sister for the rest of her life. If she wanted to marry, he would give her another dowry. If she didn't want to marry, so what?
Wang Erlang looked at Li Sanniang in astonishment, as if he had never known her before. Looking at Li Sanniang, who stood resolutely in the hall facing Wang Dalang's difficulties for the sake of Luzhu'er, he called out to the door, "Bohe, go and get the brush, ink, paper and inkstone."
Wang Dalang and Wang Pomu watched as Wang Erlang asked a maid to bring paper and pen to write a contract. Wang Erlang smiled bitterly and said, "I acted foolishly and recklessly. Luzhu is still my bloodline. I didn't really care much about her. Since Third Sister wants her, let her have her. Elder Brother and Mother, please grant my wish. After all, I don't want to go to jail."
Perhaps it was Li San Niang's love for her daughter that temporarily opened up Wang Erlang's remaining fatherly heart, or perhaps Wang Erlang was really afraid that the Li family would send him to jail. As the little maid brought him pen, ink, paper and inkstone, Wang Erlang immediately wrote a divorce agreement, and then wrote a contract that the Wang family would not casually agree to marry Lu Zhu'er off alone.
Two contracts, in triplicate, were sent to the government office after both parties and the neighborhood head signed them. The government seal was affixed, and each of the Wang and Li families kept one copy, while one copy was kept by the Ministry of Revenue as proof to prevent future disputes.
Everything has been discussed. Although it wasn't a complete falling out, it's pretty much over.
Li Erxiong busied himself collecting Li Sanniang's dowry. She had brought a lot of furniture and medicinal herbs as part of her dowry, and even allowed Li Sanniang to take away three prescriptions to support her, including a prescription called "Yiyuan San" that she had modified herself when she was still a young woman.
There was also the twenty mu of land given to Li's parents when she got married, as well as an unknown amount of silver in her dowry.
Granny Wang didn't give her a friendly look and refused to talk to her. So, Madam Wang stepped forward and led Li's mother, Li's third sister, and Li's second brother to Wang Erlang's courtyard to count the dowry.
Everything was compared to the dowry list, except for what Li San Niang had used up in the years since her marriage, which of course all had to be moved away, as well as all of Lu Zhu'er's belongings.
Brother Li went to tell the driver at the entrance of Wang's Pharmacy to call three more carts to the back door, and then ask the old man driving the carts to help find some laborers, paying extra to help unload the heavy dowry.
Upon arriving at Wang Erlang's courtyard, Li Erxiong first instructed Li Sanniang to collect and pack away the valuable silver, jewelry, land deeds, medicinal herbs, and prescriptions.
Li's mother and eldest brother stayed behind to help move the furniture and belongings. Li's third sister and second brother then asked Sun Fangzheng to sign the deed, and together with Wang Erlang, they asked Wang Fangzheng to sign it. They went to the government office to sign the deed and kept a copy for record.
There was also a contract regarding Lu Zhu'er's future marriage. She got Li Lingxiao's invitation from Uncle Li, went to the Ministry of Revenue to find Li Lingshi, and was asked about the matter as arranged. Of course, she did not say that it was because Wang Erlang had an affair with his widowed cousin without a matchmaker, but that after three years of marriage, no son had been born and their feelings had faded, so they wished to part ways and each find their own happiness.
However, Li San Niang, thinking of her daughter's future, was willing to establish her own household and raise Wang Xiao Niangzi until she got married, but the Wang family would pay a monthly allowance for her upbringing.
Following Li Lingshi's instructions, she went to find the relevant person in charge. Both parties agreed that it was voluntary. Li Sanniang would have to pay a deposit of two hundred taels of silver. She also strictly stipulated the frequency and time of Wang Erlang's visits, as well as the necessary support money. Later, clerks would visit her to verify Wang Xiaoniangzi's actual living conditions.
But now it stops at Li San Niang establishing a female household.
Since Princess Cheng'an divorced her husband and took her daughter home to raise, many favored wives of high-ranking officials and nobles in Chang'an City have had several divorced wives who took their daughters home to raise. It could even be said to be a trend.
Because Emperor Wu personally gave permission, and it was merely to bring his daughter home, and she was from a noble family of considerable standing, many families agreed.
However, this process involved numerous lawsuits, which ultimately led the Ministry of Revenue to develop a comprehensive system to address this situation.
If Li San Niang wants to obtain this guarantee and this contract that concerns Lu Zhu'er's life, she must first establish a female household, and to establish a female household, she must first have property.
Otherwise, how can you support your mother if you don't even own a property?
Seeing this situation, Li Lingshi made a decision, asking Li Sanniang to first pay a deposit of two hundred taels of silver. The contract would be kept in the official records. Within half a month, Li Sanniang would buy a house and establish a female household registration. She could then bring the household registration certificate to have the contract stamped, and at the same time, she could also register Luzhu'er as the head of the household on the household registration certificate.
After thanking Li Lingshi, Li Sanniang and Li Erxiong first escorted Sun Fangzheng home. On the way, they bought some pastries from Xiangguiji for Sun Fangzheng to enjoy on his way home, and said that they would definitely treat him to a meal later. They made sure to send Sun Fangzheng, who had done so much for them that day, home in a very polite manner.
When Li San Niang and Li Er Xiong returned to the clinic, Li's father was seeing patients. After giving them a few instructions, Li Er Xiong went to the medicine cabinet and started working with the shop assistant.
Passing through the clinic, the main courtyard was filled with the fine furniture that Li San Niang's parents had commissioned a carpenter to make when she got married.
Dewdrop followed Li's mother and sister-in-law around for quite a while, and even knew to call out "Dewdrop's, Dewdrop's" to her own trunk, how adorable!
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