56 Chapter 056
◎Divorce turmoil◎
No one expected that Dr. Xu, who was wrongfully imprisoned for fighting for his friend, would be such a Dr. Xu.
He hugged Xu Qinglang and cried non-stop, without any trace of the cold and aloof temperament he had just shown when he was meditating with his eyes closed.
The jailer bared his teeth and said, "Xu Sanleng, you are such a jerk! I've always treated you well with good food and drink. So what's so hard about that?"
Xu Qinglang pushed him away in disgust and said, "Master Meng is here. If you have any grievances, please speak up."
Xu Sanleng's crying stopped abruptly. His eyes were blurred with tears, and he couldn't see who was who. He bowed his head and said, "Master Meng, I have been wronged. Please help me!"
"Master Meng!" Sun Xiang finally reacted and said hurriedly, "Don't listen to his nonsense. It's a fact that the Xu family clinic killed someone. We can't just rely on one side of the story when judging a case."
Who could have expected that the daughter of the Xu family would be so lucky and end up hooking up with a high-ranking official from the Imperial Guard!
If I had known this would happen, I should not have spared Xu Sanleng's life so that he would die without any evidence.
Xie Mingzhuo: "This is a case decided by the government. I have no right to interfere. I am here today to visit the prison at Qinglang's request."
Sun Xiang wondered what this meant.
"County Magistrate Yu, have you seen the case file?"
Yu Hong immediately bowed and said, "I have read it."
"What do you think?"
"I think there are many doubts in this case and further investigation is needed." Yu Hong replied loudly.
He had not had an easy time in the past six months. He had dodged countless attacks and had gradually become discouraged.
The county magistrate, the registrar and others are the local tyrants here, and their power is deeply rooted. As a temporary official and a young junior, he is not taken seriously by them at all.
If he hadn't used his family background to intimidate others, he would have become a puppet at the mercy of others.
The passion in his heart after passing the imperial examination gradually froze and solidified in the endless struggle.
He didn't know how much longer he could hold out, maybe a month, maybe three months. The most likely scenario was that he would waste his three-year term in vain, ultimately receiving the worst possible evaluation and ultimately ending his career in office.
Fortunately, fortunately he chose to persevere.
Before Xie Mingzhuo came, he asked the Jinyiwei to conduct a secret investigation and had some understanding of the open and secret struggles in the county government.
Yu Hong is a talented person who is worth cultivating.
She patted Magistrate Yu on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Then we should review the case again. Don't let down the title of a second-class Jinshi."
Yu Hong's eyes suddenly became hot: "Your subordinate will remember this!"
Xie Mingzhuo said he would not interfere and handed over the matter to Yu Hong, but only gave him a reminder before leaving.
"I don't want to hear any surprises before the trial is over."
Sun Xiang felt a bitter taste in his throat and could only nod in agreement as he stood behind Yu Hong.
Who dares to do something under the eyes of the Jinyiwei? He is not risking his life!
In addition to the Xu Sanleng case, there must be many other unjust cases in the county government, and Xie Mingzhuo knew it very well.
She gave Yu Hong an opportunity, and it depends on whether he can grasp it. As long as he can use it to suppress Sun Xiang and others and establish the authority of the county magistrate, those unjust, false and wrong cases will be able to see the light of day again.
"Do you have a place to stay?" Yu Hong invited warmly, "If you don't mind, why not stay in the backyard?"
Xie Mingzhuo: "I already have a place to live."
"I respectfully send you off, my lord."
Yu Hong accompanied them all the way to the gate of the county government office and watched them disappear around the corner of the street before returning to the second hall and sitting behind the desk.
"Someone, bring up the Xu Family Clinic's case files!"
*
On the outskirts of Fuliang County.
Lou Kun walked into a villa, passed through the corridor with carved beams and painted buildings, and came to a house under the guidance of servants.
The house is exquisitely laid out and beautifully furnished. The objects on the antique display cabinet alone are worth a fortune.
"Mr. Lou, please wait here for a moment." The servant left a word and left.
Lou Kun stood in front of a painting and waited for half an incense stick before he heard a noise outside the door.
He immediately turned around, lowered his head and said, "Son greets godfather."
The person had stepped into the room but did not respond.
Lou Kun looked up in surprise, but before he could see clearly, his eyes were covered by a veil. The intoxicating fragrance lingered around his nose, and his raised hand slowly fell down.
He smiled and said, "Nonsense, if my godfather sees me, he'll scold me for being dissolute."
"Lou Lang hasn't come to see me for a long time. I miss you so much." The woman walked behind him, hugged his waist, and breathed sweetly, "Does Lou Lang miss me?"
Lou Kun grabbed her wrist and said, "Of course I do."
"You're lying," the woman said aggrievedly, "but when I came back I went to see Madam Xu first. I waited so long for you."
Lou Kun pulled off the veil on his face, brushed her hand away, turned around and said gently: "My father controls me, what can I do? Besides, she is my wife."
"Huh, is she prettier or am I?"
"Naturally, Ping Niang is better."
"You have good taste," the woman pushed him aside and sat down on the soft couch. "I, Li Ping'er, was once a famous courtesan. It was difficult for many people to see me. Now you have taken advantage of me but don't know how to cherish it. What a fool!"
Lou Kun fanned himself lightly, sat over, put his arm around her shoulders, sniffed her, and said with a smile, "As expected of an Oiran, you're as fragrant as a flower. Are you using osmanthus-scented powder today?"
"Why do you care what kind of perfume I use?" Li Ping'er glared at him angrily. "You're really spoiling the fun."
Lou Kun smiled and apologized: "Yes, yes, Ping Niang is naturally fragrant, it's not because of any perfume."
"That's more like it."
"It's a pity that I can only smell it here. If there really is such a charming perfume powder, I really want to take a bottle back to relieve my longing for it."
Li Ping'er poked her collar with her fingertips and said with a sweet smile, "Why bring perfume? Why not just take me back with you?"
Lou Kun sighed and remained silent.
"I think you still can't let go of Xu Zhixiu," Li Ping'er turned her back to him, "What's so good about her that makes you keep thinking about her?"
Lou Kun said impatiently: "You also know that it is my father who is satisfied with her."
"She's just a scholar's daughter, what's so special about her?" Li Ping'er turned to look at him. "Anyway, your Lou family's descendants won't be able to pass the imperial examinations, so why do you have to marry a scholar's daughter?"
Lou Kun coaxed her gently: "Don't be angry, it will make you look ugly if you get wrinkles."
"I don't care. When will you take me back? If you don't agree, I will go and ask the adults to make the decision for me." Li Ping'er said as she was about to stand up.
Lou Kun hurriedly stopped him: "I want to, but my father is stubborn..."
"Your father, your father, your father has the final say in everything. I'm going to ask the adults right now if you, as their godson, still know how to be filial to them."
"Ping Niang!" Lou Kun grabbed her sleeve and said, "Godfather is busy with all sorts of things. How can we bother him with such trivial matters? I promise you, I will take you back today!"
Li Ping'er turned around in surprise: "Really?"
"Of course, Xu is aloof and I don't like her. If my father hadn't pressured me, I would have divorced her long ago. But she didn't do anything wrong after all. I have no reason to kick her out. I can only make you a concubine."
Li Ping'er's eyes flushed red: "You are so cruel that you want me to be your concubine."
She walked towards the door crying, bumped into someone, looked up, and immediately cried even more emotionally: "Sir, you have to make a decision for Ping'er, Lou Lang betrayed me."
The man was slightly plump, with a fair face and no beard. He looked to be in his forties, of medium height, and had a fairly regular face.
"Brother Kun, Pingniang has treated you with deep affection and loyalty. How could you possibly betray her?"
Lou Kun blushed after being scolded, and replied helplessly: "Godfather, I don't want to let her down, but Xu is my first wife after all, I..."
"If there are no children for three years, you can divorce her." Yan Dong sat on the main seat and said slowly, "She has been married to you for almost three years."
Lou Kun: "But I swore an oath at my father-in-law's bedside. If I break my oath, I will be struck by lightning and die a miserable death."
"How could you still believe this, kid?" Yan Dong said with a smile, picking up the snacks on the plate. "If oaths were truly effective, wouldn't countless people in this world have been struck to death?"
Lou Kun said respectfully, "Godfather is right. I was obsessed with appearances."
"Okay, then, the Xu family can't help you with anything, so why are you reluctant to leave?" Yan Dong changed the subject, "I heard that you have a distinguished guest at home. I'll go to your house to pay my respects when I have time."
"Godfather, you're embarrassing me," Lou Kun said with a wry smile. "Who in Fuliang County is worthy of an audience with Godfather? They should come and pay their respects to Godfather. When Godfather is free, please let me know and I'll make the arrangements."
Yan Dong laughed: "Good boy, you are thoughtful."
The two chatted for a while, and someone outside the door called "Dong Lang". The voice was as melodious as an oriole, which made people feel itchy.
Even the harsh winter could not be endured, so he waved his hands to drive Lou Kun away.
"You go back first and take Ping Niang with you. Your father will like Ping Niang when he sees her."
Lou Kun lowered his head and responded.
*
At three quarters past noon, Xie Mingzhuo and his companions returned to the Lou family. They had just drunk a cup of tea when they heard a noise from the front yard.
"Go and have a look."
Lou Kun was kneeling in front of Lou He, with a charming woman beside him, looking at him pitifully.
"Old Master, I and Lou Lang are in love, please help us."
Lou He didn't even look at her. He kicked Lou Kun and yelled, "Asshole! Beast! How could I have given birth to a thing like you!"
Xu Zhixiu rushed over and walked quickly to the old man without knowing what had happened.
"Dad, calm down and take care of yourself."
Seeing the genuine worry in her eyes, Lou He was deeply touched and burst into tears of guilt.
"Xiu Xiu, I'm so sorry for you and Mr. Xu for raising such a wicked child."
Xu Zhixiu calmed him down: "Everyone makes mistakes. If you make a mistake, just correct it. Why are you getting so angry and hurting yourself?"
"He said he wanted to divorce you and marry someone else. How could I not be angry?"
Lou He raised his cane and was about to hit Lou He in the face.
When Xu Zhixiu heard this, confusion flashed in her eyes. Only then did she notice the beautiful woman kneeling beside her husband. Her heart suddenly felt sour, and even her throat seemed to be blocked, and she couldn't utter a word.
Before she could stop it, the cane hit Lou Kun's left cheek hard, and his cheek became red and swollen instantly, and blood flowed from the corner of his lips.
"Dad!" Xu Zhixiu came back to his senses, stopped his cane from falling again, and said in a hoarse voice, "I want to say a few words to him."
Lou He put down his cane and turned around angrily.
"Lou Kun, do you really want to divorce me?"
"yes."
"You and she are in love, so you will marry her?"
"yes."
"No hardship at all?"
"No."
Xu Zhixiu was stunned for a moment, turned away and wiped away her tears, then pretended to be calm and said, "Okay, I agree."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lou Kun took out two divorce documents from his arms and said coldly, "Sign them, stamp them, and go to the government office again."
"Xiu Xiu, think twice!" Lou He, no longer bothering to teach his son a lesson, hurriedly advised, "After the divorce, where will you go?"
The Lou family will definitely compensate her, and Lou He will also make proper arrangements so that she won't be left alone, but how can anyone feel at ease with a young girl living alone?
"Dad, you treat Xiuxiu like your own daughter, and I'm always grateful." Xu Zhixiu bowed and said goodbye. "Xiuxiu can no longer serve you in the future. I wish you a long and healthy life, and a long life."
Lou He wiped his tears and said, "Dad is sorry for you."
"Let's go." Xu Zhixiu walked towards the door.
Jinxiang glared at Lou Kun and Li Ping'er angrily, then chased after them crying.
Lou Kun naturally stood up and went with them, leaving his father and Li Ping'er behind.
"Ah? He's leaving now?" Jiang Qing watched the whole thing, dumbfounded. "How heartless."
Is Lou Kun blind?
He abandoned such an excellent wife for this woman who looked wrong at first glance.
"Master! Master!"
Jiang Qing came to her senses and found that Mr. Lou had fainted from anger and the servants were in chaos. It was only after the housekeeper repeatedly shouted at them to stop and arranged for the servants to call a doctor and carry the body inside that the situation calmed down.
No one cared about Xie Mingzhuo and Li Ping'er anymore.
Xie Mingzhuo watched the big show and did not comment on the acting skills of the father and son of the Lou family. He felt a little sympathy for Xu Zhixiu who was kept in the dark, and also developed some interest in Li Ping'er.
According to the intelligence from the Jinyiwei investigation, Lou Kun's personality suddenly changed two years ago.
From a highly praised young master Lou, he turned into a dissolute playboy.
His decision to recognize a eunuch as his godfather was also criticized by people of his time.
But if you dig deeper, the clues will disappear.
This woman who claims to be truly in love with Lou Kun might be a breakthrough.
Her eyes fell on Li Ping'er's face, who suddenly raised her eyes and greeted her generously, "Sir, what are you looking at me for?"
Xie Mingzhuo glanced at her coldly, said nothing, and turned away.
The character of the arrogant and rude Jinyiwei is firmly established.
Li Ping'er stared at her back, and the corners of her lips slowly curled up.
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