On the first day of the twelfth lunar month of the twenty-first year of the Pingjia era, which was also the day before the Qianqiu Festival, the sun was already setting in the west. Sun Xingjian rushed into the capital before the city gates were locked.
He rode a tall, blue horse, followed by a carriage, which undoubtedly contained the birthday gifts to be presented to Emperor Pingjia the next day.
Just then, the sounds of playful chasing came from not far away. Sun Xingjian turned his head to look at the alley that slanted in from the side and saw two people chasing each other as they ran towards him. The woman in front even kicked over the vegetable stalls set up along the street.
The man behind him held a gleaming knife, threatening as he chased after him: "Stop right there! If you don't stop, I'll chop you to death when I catch up! Tell me, who is that mistress outside, that she dares to talk to me about a divorce!"
Pedestrians along the street were frightened by the man and gave way, while feeling sorry for the woman who was running ahead. That woman was none other than Wei Ping.
As soon as Sun Xingjian saw her clearly, she seemed to recognize him on horseback as well. She rushed over without hesitation and hid on the inside of the horse he was riding, looking terrified.
Sun Xingjian looked down at Wei Ping in confusion, and Wei Ping quickly cried out for help, "My lord, save me! Someone is about to commit violence in the street!"
Although Sun Xingjian had only met Wei Ping a few times, and her daughter had even harmed his elder sister and niece, this matter involved lives, and he couldn't stand idly by. So he turned his horse around, shielding Wei Ping behind him. When the man chasing after them with a knife got close, he shouted, "In broad daylight, committing murder in the street! Stop now!"
Luo Yong was indeed a blustering but cowardly fellow. Upon seeing Sun Xingjian in his military attire, his previous arrogance vanished considerably. He glanced at Wei Ping, who was being protected by Sun Xingjian, and then looked up to explain, "My lord, this is a private family matter. As the saying goes, even an upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes. Please do not interfere."
Upon hearing the words "family matters," Sun Xingjian turned to Wei Ping and asked, "What is his relationship with you?"
"Yes, he's my ex-husband," Wei Ping replied in a low voice.
Upon hearing the word "former," Luo Yong was displeased and corrected him, "What 'former' husband? We're not even divorced yet, and she's already cheating on me. Sir, don't you think such a woman should be killed?!"
Sun Xingjian chuckled as he sat high on his horse, “It is shameful to steal people, but if stealing people should mean death, then every night there would be murders in the brothels and entertainment venues of Shengjing City, and every household in the wealthy neighborhoods of the East City would have to hang white banners.”
It wasn't hard to detect the intention to protect him in those words. Luo Yong narrowed his eyes, his gaze shifting between the person on horseback and the person hiding behind the horse, and asked in surprise, "Could it be that you two know each other?"
Seeing that Sun Xingjian did not deny it, Luo Yong seemed even more certain of his guess and suddenly shouted, "Could it be that you are her lover outside?!"
Before Sun Xingjian could say anything, Wei Ping became agitated: "Do you know who this man on horseback is? He is the Marquis of Pingyang County!"
The passersby who had been watching the spectacle from a distance became even more intrigued upon hearing the words "Marquis of Pingyang County." This drama of catching adulterers in the street seemed to be getting more and more exciting, even involving someone of such high status. How would the husband handle the situation? Would he fight the Marquis to the death, or would he hand over his wife to a powerful figure?
Sun Xingjian had not expected Wei Ping to suddenly reveal her family name, and even deliberately raise her voice so that people far and near could hear it clearly, and they all cast strange glances at him.
It seems they really do see him as an adulterer.
Even when facing thousands of troops on the battlefield, Sun Xingjian had never been afraid or retreated, but at this moment he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Luo Yong, who had been so arrogant before, had now become timid and softened his tone as he asked Wei Ping for confirmation: "Is your lover really this Marquis of Pingyang?"
It was a question that was obviously easy to answer, but Wei Ping just wouldn't answer. She just raised her face, looked at Sun Xingjian with affection in her eyes, and hesitated to speak.
Not to mention Luo Yong, even the bystanders could see that there seemed to be something unusual between the two. Sun Xingjian was completely bewildered, when he heard Luo Yong say:
"Fine, if Marquis Pingyang truly acknowledges you, I, a mere commoner, am no match for you. As the saying goes, the common people cannot contend with officials. I will divorce you today, and from now on, we will part ways amicably and have no further connection!"
This time, Sun Xingjian had to clarify things for himself, but just as he was about to speak, Luo Yong added:
“But if the Marquis of Pingyang doesn’t acknowledge you, then this is still a family matter. Today I will definitely chop you up, you wanton woman!” As he spoke, Luo Yong’s eyes were filled with murderous intent, making people fear him and have no doubt about his words.
Upon hearing this, Wei Ping, having no other choice, looked up at Sun Xingjian and began to plead desperately, "My lord, you can't just stand by and watch me die! He's a man of his word! Please... please take me in..."
"What am I supposed to admit?" Sun Xingjian frowned, truly experiencing the bitter taste of swallowing a bitter pill.
At this moment, a voice came from the carriage behind him: "Yes, what do you want Brother Sun to admit? Admit to adultery with you, and then marry you after your divorce?"
All eyes turned to the carriage, where a slender hand reached out and lifted the curtain, revealing a young woman in her early twenties. Her attire was neat and capable, unlike the noble ladies of Shengjing, yet it was clear that she came from a distinguished family.
Wei Ping recognized her at a glance; it was Pan Wenjun, the person she had tried to harm twice. She truly hadn't expected Pan Wenjun to be so eager to pick up Sun Xingjian and go with him to the Wei family.
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