The Hexagram Xian (咸) - Upper Middle Hexagram
Chapter 31, Hexagram Xian (咸), Upper-Middle Hexagram - Handing Over the Revenue
Rong Shu arrived a little late. It had been a long time since I'd seen her, and she had lost a lot of weight. At this moment, however, she appeared much more composed, as if she had become somewhat reserved after the incident with Princess Yongqing.
Xie Zhezhi rushed over upon hearing the commotion, but upon hearing of Aunt Zhou's tragic death, he dared not speak up for his mother.
How serious are three doses of labor-inducing drugs? You should know that a single dose of folk labor-inducing drugs can be effective.
The medicines in the hands of dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, barons, and other nobles were mostly imperial medicines, which were more effective than medicines available in the market, so that pregnant women would suffer less.
At this point, a dose of three doses is enough to cause the cervix to contract rapidly in the mother. If she is lucky, she will have a difficult labor, but at least she still has a glimmer of hope.
In the unfortunate, the fetus may suffocate and die, resulting in a stillborn baby and subsequent massive hemorrhage.
They went to such lengths to kill her; they never intended for Aunt Zhou and her companion to live.
How could the Marquis, who had been longing for a son for so long, not be furious?
Rong Yan quietly looked around and was shocked to find a pool of blood on the floor near the main beam of the room. He didn't know whose blood it was.
Apart from Wang Shi, a few mothers and nannies who kept their heads down, the rest of the people all showed expressions of shock.
No wonder even the careful Aunt Zhou, who usually ate from a silver bowl, couldn't detect it, because the labor-inducing drug is not mercury poison, and silver cannot detect it.
It turned out that today, out of consideration for the cold and dry weather, Madam Wang had someone cook a pot of medicinal porridge, and she even asked Mama Qian whether pregnant women could drink it.
Madam Qian said it was fine to drink, so she ordered someone to invite Aunt Zhou over.
Originally intended as a medicinal diet to replenish qi and blood, it was later discovered that it contained not only labor-inducing drugs but also extremely cooling ingredients, which pregnant women should absolutely not consume.
Adding cooling ingredients will hardly replenish your qi and blood; you'll be lucky if you don't suffer any deficiency.
“My lord, since Madam Qian has already died by hitting her head against the pillar, there is no way to verify the facts. You cannot conclude that it was your sister-in-law who did it based on this alone.”
It turns out that Qian's mother had already confessed before Rong Yan and the others arrived.
Not only did she tamper with the food, but she also deliberately manipulated the incision made by the scissors during the delivery, which caused the mother to lose her strength.
Afterwards, Qian's mother knelt down before Wang and confessed Wang's identity, then immediately committed suicide by crashing into the house.
The Marquis seemed to want to hear Wang's explanation, yet also appeared unwilling to. He pressed her for answers step by step, but she remained silent.
"Weren't you always so sharp-tongued? Even Aunt Qian is one of your people, she's betrayed you, what else do you have to say?!"
Wang laughed bitterly, her voice cold and sharp, "What else is there to say? Why would I kill her? Hahahaha, what a ridiculous joke! Anyone can doubt me, but you can't! Xie Qishan! All these years, how have you treated me? When your mother was bedridden, even the imperial physicians said she was beyond medical help, but it was I who took care of her day and night without eating or drinking, snatching her back from the jaws of death. When you contracted a terminal illness, no one dared to approach you, but it was I who risked my life to care for you, leading to the tragic death of my six-month-old child. All these years, when the household expenses were insufficient, who used the dowry to supplement your income, allowing you to live a life of luxury in public?! It was me, Wang Lan!"
As she spoke, she looked around and her gaze fell on Rong Yan's face. Her eyes were filled with tears and stubbornness. She quickly turned back to her own face.
"Today, you insult and humiliate me for the sake of a concubine, and you want to divorce me for the sake of your prematurely born child. Who will seek justice for my dead child? Who will compensate me for the years I have wasted?! Xie Qishan, let me tell you, today it is not you who wants to divorce me based on the seven grounds for divorce, but I, Wang Lan, who want to divorce my husband!"
As she spoke, she raised her head proudly, straightened her clothes, and said in a cold voice, "From today onwards, the affairs of your Xie family are none of my business. The divorce papers will be handed to the Marquis tomorrow. From now on, the Wang and Xie families will have no further dealings with each other!"
No one present expected things to turn out this way.
Ultimately, the person who died in this dynasty was merely a concubine, and this concubine had not yet been removed from the official register. Even if she died in the mansion, the government would not pursue the matter.
The reason why things have escalated to such an extent, even implicating Lady Hou, is simply because of the issue of offspring.
Grandmother Xie seemed surprised that things had escalated so quickly. She stepped in to mediate, saying, "Jinlan, calm down. Don't act impulsively. As the matriarch of the household, your loss of composure today makes you a laughingstock among the younger generation. And you, Qishan, stop talking about life and death so easily. Now that the concubine is dead and the child is gone, the most important thing is to find out the truth and prevent such things from happening again in the future. Don't bring up old grievances. I've seen Jinlan's sacrifices. If you want to divorce her, I'll be the first to disagree."
Wang stood proudly, her expression brooking no argument.
"Mother, you don't need to persuade me. Over the years, how many concubines has Xie Qishan taken, how many mistresses has he kept outside? Have I ever made a fuss? In all matters of the household, big or small, in all matters of clan ancestral rites, have I ever caused you or Xie Qishan any worry? I have diligently taught Daoheng and Ningling since they began their education at the age of six. I have raised them to be able to compose poetry in seven steps and fight with a silver sword on horseback. If it weren't for their health problems, what household matter wouldn't I be capable of? Although Ningling is somewhat reserved, she has never made a serious mistake. Today, he disregards our more than twenty years of marriage and says he wants to divorce me. It's a small matter that I, the dignified lady of a marquis's mansion, lose face in front of all the younger generation; it's a big matter that he despises me. Since he doesn't believe me, I don't need to prove my innocence. Today, I, Xie Wangshi, will relinquish my husband's surname and return to my Wang family daughter!"
Her words, delivered in a resounding and powerful tone, echoed like pearls scattered on the ground. Even Rong Yan was stunned by her, and the hall fell silent for a moment.
After Wang finished speaking, she left without waiting for anyone else to react.
Xie Qishan then realized what was happening and stood up abruptly, roaring, "Don't even think about Wang Lan! You're not going anywhere! If it's true, as you say, that you didn't do it, then we'll have to find out the truth before you can even think about using any excuse to leave the manor!!"
No one dared to stop Wang Lan, and Wang Lan ignored the Marquis's accusations and left directly.
Xie Chengzhi stood up on his own. For some reason, Rong Yan understood what he meant. He believed that Wang Shi was innocent, and if he continued to kneel, it would be an insult to Wang Shi.
So Rong Yan got up too.
When Xie Chengzhi got up, his eyes were half-closed, his gaze was lifeless, and his fists were clenched. Rong Yan didn't know if it was because he was feeling unwell or because of Wang Shi.
Suddenly, a pretty figure rushed in. Everyone looked closely and realized it was Xie Ningling, who should have been on the mountain.
It seems that someone informed her of the information.
Rong Yan and she had only met once. After the wedding, she went up the mountain to observe mourning for her mentor.
Her appearance was quite similar to that of the Marquis, but not quite like Xie Chengzhi. She had a square face with a smooth forehead, and her features were natural and striking. She wore a light pink dress with a refreshing scent of incense, and a delicate begonia flower was embroidered on her lapel. She was both charming and pretty.
Although her originally exquisite makeup was a little smudged, it couldn't hide her elegance.
Rong Yan's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
She knelt down before the Marquis as soon as she arrived.
"Father, please calm down. This was definitely not Mother's doing. You and Mother have shared a bed for over twenty years. Don't you know Mother's character? She's the kind of person who wouldn't even kill a pigeon. If you continue to wrong her, you're unworthy of being a husband!"
The Marquis was furious, and his anger began to spread towards Xie Ningling.
"Yes, yes, you unfilial children know her best. I don't!"
Second Aunt Wenjun quickly tried to mediate, "Ningling, how can you, a woman, speak to your father like that? Go to your mother's room and persuade her."
Amidst the room full of accusations against Xie Ningling, Rong Yan suddenly spoke up, "Father, Grandmother, please don't blame my sister. So much has happened in such a short time; not only is she upset, but I am too. I believe she didn't mean it when she said those things. The most important thing now is..."
As she spoke, she looked at Xie Ningling. Seeing Xie Ningling's tearful eyes, she said firmly, "I believe this wasn't Mother's doing. Since Father insists on seeking justice for our unborn brother, then we will investigate. This matter must be thoroughly investigated, every single detail must be clarified, to clear Mother's name and give my brother justice. Don't you agree? Not only will we investigate, but the government must also investigate. According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, the murderer should be strangled. We will not protect anyone, nor will we tolerate anyone."
As soon as she finished speaking, the hall fell silent.
Xie Ningling's gaze towards Rong Yan slowly shifted to shock and astonishment. Before the tears in her eyes could even fall, she looked at Rong Yan and hurriedly nodded, "Yes, yes, sister-in-law is right!"
Then, she tugged at the Marquis's sleeve and pleaded, "It couldn't have been Mother who did it, Father! We must investigate this matter thoroughly! Although Mother is usually very strict with us, she's the kind of person who wouldn't even kill a chicken, how could she possibly kill someone!"
Xie Qishan's expression softened slightly, and Madam Wang quickly stepped forward to pull him back, saying, "Mao Lang..."
Everyone: !
Xie Qishan: ?
Ms. Wang's face flushed red instantly. "I...I misspoke, I misspoke!"
The atmosphere inside the room was tense, like a bowstring drawn taut, but this slip of the tongue startled everyone.
Third Uncle Xie Qisheng hurriedly clarified the slip of the tongue that had fallen from the sky, "Don't call me that!"
"I...I..."
Du Chunhong didn't mind, and felt the atmosphere in the room had become more relaxed.
She pretended not to hear and continued Rong Yan's words with emphasis: "Although if Zhou's matter were to go to the authorities, it would inevitably be a loss of face for the Marquis of Runan's family. However, she is right, this matter must be thoroughly investigated. We will not tolerate the murderer, nor will we cover it up."
Grandmother nodded. "Of course we'll investigate. Let me make this clear: whoever did it, if they come to me and confess within three days, I'll protect them. Otherwise, we won't wait. If they don't confess and someone else finds out, don't blame us for handling this officially! We'll do whatever the laws of the Song Dynasty say!"
My second uncle didn't say anything, but just pulled his sleeves up, looking somewhat sleepy and listless.
The second aunt frowned. "If it really wasn't my sister-in-law who did it, then who could it be? I support a thorough investigation to clear my sister-in-law's name. She's worked so hard for this family..."
She stopped abruptly after saying half of what she was saying, seeing Xie Qishan's expression.
Xie Qishan snorted coldly, "From now on, no one is allowed to leave the manor. Mother, have your maids and nannies question each of them one by one about what they did today, and where the eyewitnesses are. It must be detailed down to every hour! I want everyone to have a statement! You two keep an eye on them."
Fortunately, today was the day Xie Chengzhi and Rong Yan entered the palace. The two of them cleared their names without saying a word. The Marquis looked at Xie Chengzhi and then at Rong Yan, and then asked the two of them to assist in the investigation.
Rong Yan knew that Xie Qishan was genuinely angry on the surface, but his request for her and Xie Chengzhi to assist in the investigation was merely a pretext—
If it really was Wang's doing, he told them to destroy the evidence.
Although Wang treated her only superficially, she was Xie Chengzhi's mother and the mistress of the mansion. If she were not there, the mansion would definitely be in chaos.
However, it seems that the Marquis's mind is truly in turmoil. How could this matter have been done by Lady Wang?
Grandmother beckoned, "Wenjun, you take care of the household affairs for your sister-in-law for a few days. I'm old and can't remember the numbers and things, so I'm afraid I'll make mistakes. It's most suitable to entrust it to you."
Lady Wang was a concubine; it was impossible for her to be in charge of household affairs.
Rongyan was still a new bride and was not as familiar with the situation in the mansion as the second wife.
Now, just as the old lady said, handing it over to the second wife is indeed the most appropriate course of action.
Unexpectedly, Rong Shu, who had been silent all along, knelt down and kowtowed to her grandmother, saying, "Grandmother, your granddaughter-in-law dares to ask to temporarily assume the power of managing the household affairs."
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