Even though she was exhausted after a long day, Shen Qingyu was still full of energy at midnight.
Nestled in Cao Zhi's arms, she felt for the first time the sensation of having her own little home. In the silent night, she could hear her own and Cao Zhi's heartbeats.
Even in the darkness of the night, when they couldn't see each other's expressions, the two still wore smiles.
Suddenly, Shen Qingyu heard a rustling sound outside the door. She raised her head slightly, "Husband, did you hear anything?"
Cao Zhi also listened for a while. There seemed to be someone moving outside the door, but the sound was very soft. If Shen Qingyu hadn't been alert, she probably wouldn't have noticed.
"They might be servants."
Shen Qingyu shook her head. "There aren't many people in our household to begin with. Shuang'er has already retired for the night; she wouldn't get up at night. Could it be a thief?"
Upon hearing this, Cao Zhi thought it was possible. After all, it was a joyous occasion for their family today, and although Shen Qingyu's dowry wasn't lavish, it still reflected the Shen family's affection for their daughter. If someone harbored treacherous intentions during the day, it was quite possible they would come to carry out their plan at night.
Cao Zhi tucked the blanket around Shen Qingyu and got up himself.
"Don't move inside, I'm going out to check."
Shen Qingyu nodded, clutching the corner of the blanket. Cao Zhi put on his outer robe, took the unsharpened sword hanging by the bedside, and went out.
The courtyard was pitch black, and the cold wind felt like knives scraping against one's skin, making one hesitant to move forward.
Although Cao Zhi was a bit rough-looking, he was very thoughtful. He walked around the yard with a lamp in hand and suddenly noticed that the dog hole in his yard was a bit strange.
He planned to get a dog, so he chose this house because of its dog hole. Since he hasn't had time to get a dog yet, he's kept the hole blocked up. Plus, it snowed a few days ago, so there should be a thin layer of ice over the hole.
But now, looking at it, it's quite clean; there's nothing there.
Someone managed to get into his house through this dog hole; this person probably scouted the place beforehand.
He had no idea what this person wanted to do, but people were more important than finances, so he went to call for help immediately.
In an instant, everyone in the courtyard was awakened by his shout. At the same time, sparks rose from the kitchen, and black smoke dissipated into the night.
"Fire! Help!"
The sound startled everyone, instantly bringing them to their senses. Shen Qingyu, hearing this, also threw on her clothes and ran out.
Fortunately, everyone woke up, and the fire wasn't too fierce, only burning half of the kitchen.
"Sir, we've caught this man!"
The servant carried over a person who was struggling. Upon closer inspection, Shen Qingyu realized that it was someone she knew.
"Cui Yan?" Shen Qingyu was speechless. This guy really was something else... He tried to sabotage Yongle's wedding, but failed and was sent to the authorities by his mother. Now, on her own wedding day, he's trying to sabotage it again.
Has he lost his mind? Why is he only targeting the Shen family?
"Send them to the authorities," Cao Zhi said to the servant.
Cui Yan glared fiercely at Cao Zhi, spat, and said, "Only you would want a used item! Cao Zhi, are you even a man? Going after someone else's slut!"
Cao Zhi immediately covered Shen Qingyu's ears, then kicked Cui Yan in the stomach. Cui Yan screamed, but before he could finish his wail, Cao Zhi's fan-like hand landed on his face with a "smack," sending Cui Yan's face to the side.
Cao Zhi slapped Cui Yan with all his might, causing his mouth to bleed and his head to buzz. He wanted to curse, but his face and mouth hurt.
"Cui Yan! If you've never learned how to be a decent human being, then go and be reborn! What kind of good person do you think you are! Spending your days in brothels, what kind of used goods are you! You're filthy yourself, yet you come to my house and defile my place! Tie him up and send him to the authorities! I'll change my clothes right now, and I'll make sure you spend the rest of your life in jail!"
Cao Zhi was so angry that he was trembling all over, but he still managed to put his arm around Shen Qingyu and take her back to the house.
Shen Qingyu leaned against his warm body, feeling a warmth spread through her heart. She knew what Cui Yan was saying, but she didn't care at all.
She had been married before; that was her past. Cao Zhi knew this before deciding to marry her. She had felt inferior because of it, but not anymore. She shouldn't let others use her past to attack her present self.
In her previous marriage, she was a lawfully wedded wife. Now that her husband is dead, her remarriage is neither illegal nor against public order and morality; what has she to feel ashamed of!
She just needs to live her own life well.
Shen Qingyu grasped Cao Zhi's hand and patted him, signaling him not to get too angry.
“I’m fine. This isn’t urgent. Let’s tie him up in the yard first, and we’ll send him over to the yamen when someone is on duty tomorrow.”
Cao Zhi thought it was a good idea. It was freezing cold in the courtyard at night, and if he dared to come, he would have to accept the punishment if he was discovered.
"I'll have him locked in the woodshed."
Staying in the courtyard for an hour might freeze someone to death. He just got married, and it would be too unlucky if someone in the family died.
Cui Yan was tied up in the woodshed. Although the woodshed had walls on all four sides, cold air seeped in through the cracks in the doors and windows, and soon he was shivering from the cold.
Even though he kept twisting his body to keep warm, it had little effect.
His teeth were chattering. At first, he could still curse Cao Zhi and Shen Qingyu, but later he was so cold that he couldn't say anything.
The next morning, Cao Zhi got up early and told Shen Qingyu to sleep a little longer. He then led his men to escort Cui Yan to the Jingzhao Prefecture.
After Cui Yan was sent to the authorities last time, he was stripped of his official position and academic honors because of his failed arson attempt, and now he is a commoner.
The Prefect of Jingzhao felt a slight headache when he saw him. He really couldn't understand how such a good person could have gotten so stuck in a rut and couldn't get out of it.
However, since his father, Cui Maosheng, still held a position in the Ministry of War, he still had to give Cui Maosheng face.
Therefore, early in the morning, Cui Maosheng was summoned to the yamen again. The Prefect of Jingzhao wanted to act as a peacemaker; anything that could be solved with money wasn't a problem!
Unfortunately, Cao Zhi was incredibly stubborn and refused to agree to a settlement, insisting on imprisoning Cui Yan.
Cui Maosheng only had one son. Even though he had caused a lot of trouble, he couldn't just let his son go to jail like that. So he begged the Prefect of Jingzhao to put in a good word for him.
"Money is no problem at all, please help me out a little more!" Cui Maosheng said, slipping a silver ingot to the Prefect of Jingzhao.
The Prefect of Jingzhao considered the matter for a moment, then pulled Cao Zhi aside and said, “Young Cao, you’ve only just gotten married and don’t know how expensive life is. You’ve spent all your savings on your wedding, haven’t you? How will you and your wife live together in the future? You can’t let your wife spend her dowry! Take my advice as someone who’s been through this: know when to stop. They’re willing to pay two hundred taels to settle things. With those two hundred taels, you can renovate the kitchen, buy your wife cosmetics and clothes, and even hire a tutor for your child. Let’s just let this go!”
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