Chapter 167 The Wicked Stepmother and the Poor Child (60)
The verdict caused an uproar outside the courtroom, with clapping and cheers from the onlookers. Such a gratifying ending filled them with satisfaction!
However, Shen Ci spoke up again at this moment.
"My lord, I have another request."
"speak."
"Gu Hongjian is such an inhuman and unjust person, worse than a pig or a dog. I, a humble woman, have no desire to have anything to do with him anymore."
Divorce is the peaceful separation of a couple when their love has ended.
But Gu Hongjian has murdered me; he has no sense of loyalty or righteousness left. I, the humble woman, do not wish to divorce him; I demand a divorce!
"Divorce?"
The Prefect of the Capital was stunned, and everyone in the courtroom was dumbfounded. Since ancient times, only husbands divorce their wives, how could a wife divorce her husband? This was truly unbelievable. Unexpectedly, the words spoken by this seemingly weak Madam Gu were more shocking than the last.
"Yes, divorce!"
Although the law does not explicitly state that a woman can divorce her husband, it also does not explicitly prohibit it!
If a man can divorce his wife based on the seven grounds for divorce, why can't a woman divorce her husband because he is unrighteous and murderous?
Such a man is unworthy to be a husband or a father! Moreover, Gu Hongjian was from a poor family and was practically a son-in-law of my Shen family, living off my dowry to support his studies.
In reality, he married me, and all his food, clothing, and daily necessities came from my dowry; he never supported a family.
Now that he has betrayed us so ungratefully, I, Shen Ci, will set a precedent today and dismiss this heartless scoundrel! Please grant my permission, Your Excellency!
Her tone was so forceful and clear, and what she said sounded quite reasonable. Upon reflection, it seemed to make perfect sense.
These words stunned everyone, and the debate among the onlookers intensified. Some found them shocking, while others secretly felt a sense of relief.
Some applauded, while others felt that Shen Ci's actions were inappropriate, as likes and dislikes are ultimately subjective matters of personal choice.
The Prefect of the Capital was at a loss for words. He had never encountered such a bizarre request in all his years of handling cases, and subconsciously turned his gaze toward the back hall.
There's someone else who can make decisions on things he doesn't dare to make on his own.
A slight smile curved the King of Qin's lips. He whispered something to his attendant, who quietly slipped out and whispered a few words in the ear of the Prefect of the Capital.
The Prefect of the Capital regained his composure, and his eyes lit up. "I've got it!" The gavel rang out.
"What Mr. Shen said may not conform to ancient rites, but it is reasonable."
Gu Hongjian's crimes are undeniable and arouse the wrath of both gods and men; he has lost all virtue as a husband.
By special permission, I grant Lady Shen the right to divorce her husband! From this day forward, we shall have no further connection in our own marriages!
Anyway, it all comes down to a matter of a word from someone in charge. You don’t have to make a perfect judgment, but you absolutely cannot offend anyone.
"Thank you, Your Excellency!" Shen Ci bowed deeply.
No! No way!
Hongjian is guilty, I admit it! But Mingzhu and Mingzhang are my Gu family bloodlines! They must stay in the Gu family and be raised by me!
"Shen, you've divorced your husband and are no longer a member of the Gu family. You have no right to take my Gu family's grandchildren away!"
The old lady suddenly realized Shen Ci's plan: she wanted to take the two children away! That was absolutely impossible! As long as the children were there, the Gu family still had hope! If the children were gone, everything would be gone!
My son is clearly dying, but I can't abandon my grandchildren!
To be fair, the old lady understood Shen Ci quite well at crucial moments, knowing that she wanted to take the child away.
Shen Ci turned around abruptly, staring intently at the old lady.
"You raised him?"
How can a vicious woman who would order her midwife to drown her own grandson, who was born with only a breath left, be qualified to talk about raising him?
How could I leave my child with such a vicious and cruel grandmother?
These words shocked everyone present. Even the Prefect of the Capital frowned. How could there be something else going on here? This Gu family was not a high-ranking or wealthy household, so how could it be so filthy and harbor so many secrets?
The revelations are truly explosive!
Madam Gu's face changed drastically, her lips trembling as she couldn't speak. How could she dare to say such a thing out loud! Such an unlucky matter should be buried deep in her heart!
How dare she! Does she seem to have no regard for her reputation?
Why should someone who hasn't done anything wrong be afraid of being talked about?
"Moreover, Gu Hongjian once instructed Aunt Zhou to try to ruin my children's appearances!"
Everyone in the household knows about this; Your Excellency may summon him for questioning!
With such a vicious father and such a cruel grandmother, how could I dare let my child stay in a den of wolves and tigers!
Gu Hongjian immediately denied it hoarsely! He roared in defense of himself!
"I don't!"
He has never done anything to harm his own flesh and blood! Even tigers don't eat their cubs, so how could he do such a thing? This is pure slander! It's a frame-up!
Yes, that's a setup.
Zhou Jingxuan suddenly raised her head, biting her lip as if she had suffered a great injustice and was enduring it.
"Sir, this is indeed true."
Gu Hongjian once ordered his concubine to use a hairpin to scratch the eldest young lady's face. I...I couldn't bear to do it, and ultimately couldn't bring myself to do it.
If you don't shift the blame now, when will you ever be able to do so cleanly? Now is the best time to clear your name.
Shen Ci kneeling and pleading was a sight that evoked pity. Such a frail and weak person kneeling there clearly had been subjected to long-term abuse.
"My lord! Gu Hongjian deserves his punishment, and the Gu family has corrupted its morals!"
The woman begs the magistrate to grant custody of the two children to her, and vows that she will never remarry in this life.
"I will carefully educate my children, have them change their surname to Shen, to continue the Shen family bloodline, and never allow them to have any further connection with the sordid Gu family! I beg you, Your Excellency, to grant my request!"
Madam Gu wanted to argue further, but the Prefect of the Capital had already received a hint from the Prince of Qin and understood the situation. He already knew how to judge the case, so there was no point in saying anything more.
"Silence! Gu Hongjian's crimes are heinous, and the Gu family has indeed committed wrongdoing!"
Ms. Shen is the biological mother of the two children, and the Shen family has a clean and upright family tradition, which is sufficient to raise the children. The two children are young, and it is more beneficial for them to grow up with their mother.
This judge hereby rules that Gu Mingzhu and Gu Mingzhang shall be raised by the Shen family, and are permitted to change their surname. They shall have no further connection with the Gu family! Court adjourned!
The verdict was final. The bailiffs stepped forward, removed Gu Hongjian's official hat and robe, and put shackles on him. Gu Hongjian's face was ashen, and his eyes were empty. He could not accept this sudden destruction.
He spent most of his life studying hard to become the top scholar in the imperial examination. He was supposed to bring glory to his ancestors, but after arriving in the capital, he realized how absurd and ridiculous he had been. Without a background and connections, it would be very difficult to gain a foothold.
The achievements he devoted his entire life to attaining are things that some people are born with. No one knows how difficult it was for him to get to this point.
But these people can negate all his efforts and achievements in the first half of his life with just one sentence, bringing him back to square one in an instant.
He considered himself a talented person, but lacked connections and background, so he tried his best to work hard in this area.
But now he has been stripped of his official position because of this, and not only can he not serve as an official, but he has also become a criminal. What is the point of his hard work all his life?
Is this a joke?
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