Chapter 1564 - 1562: Jiangnan Side Story 8
Chapter 1564: Chapter 1562: Jiangnan Side Story 8
Chapter 1562
Xia Jingfeng knew that his father and Second Mother were long at odds.
He heard Father was ill, and she would undoubtedly contribute silver, but she would not visit, which made sense.
But this Lady Jin...
Heh, she deflects rather slickly!
He squinted his eyes at Xia Weifeng with a cold smile.
"Third Brother, is what she said all true?"
The rather slow-witted Xia Weifeng was jolted into clarity by the question.
"Ah?"
"She..."
Though he remembered little of Lady Jin’s words, he gradually realized that she had shifted all the blame onto him.
He felt a pang of disappointment, disbelief, and an indescribable disgust.
"You woman, you’re talking nonsense!"
He crawled forward and clutched his Second Brother’s hem in explanation.
"No!"
"She’s spewing lies!"
Uncertain how to continue, he angrily pointed at Lady Jin’s nose.
"Wretched woman!"
"Clearly all this was your idea! You said we’re too poor, that we can’t afford to raise children, and should get something from Lady Wen!"
"You said Father was already gravely ill, a shame not to exploit him!"
"You insisted you’d bear me a son and urgently needed silver!"
"You said Second Lady would surely soften!"
"You even said that once Lady Wen was dead, we’d occupy her courtyard, her dowry, her savings!"
"You had all planned out; once Father dies, Lady Wen was next!"
"You... you piled all of this onto me! You are simply..."
He nearly coughed up blood in his rage.
But at this point, even if he bled all over, it was to no avail.
Seeing him speak thus, how could Lady Jin relent? She continued to wail tearfully.
"Master, please see clearly!"
"I’m merely a powerless and inexperienced woman!"
"How could I ever conceive such harmful thoughts!"
"Being discovered for such unvirtuous and unfilial acts like mistreatment of my father-in-law would ruin me forever!"
"Besides, I haven’t been drinking, gambling, nor indulging in debauchery!"
"Furthermore!"
With a pitiful gaze, she looked at Xia Weifeng and lamented.
"Husband, you say it’s true that this wife must bear you children, for that is my duty as a Xia Family daughter-in-law!"
"But this wife is not pregnant yet!"
"How could I urgently need silver without pregnancy?"
"You can’t just because I need to give birth, heap such a crime on me!"
Her words were pitiful and logical.
Even Xia Jingfeng could not refute, seeing that it was well known Third Brother was the one indulging in vice and laziness.
Xia Weifeng was further unable to argue.
Lady Jin’s cleverness was far above; Third Brother was clearly not her match.
But it didn’t matter, as he wouldn’t spare anyone; he didn’t believe Lady Jin would gain anything from Xia Weifeng’s fall, except maybe avoiding a harsh punishment.
Moreover, applying the punishment to Xia Weifeng was hardly unjust.
Marrying this disaster called Lady Jin was, after all, his fault!
He squinted fiercely at Xia Weifeng.
"Do you have anything else to say?"
Xia Weifeng slumped on the ground, eyes devoid of life.
Lady Jin’s biting words said all that could be said; what else could he say?
"Fine!"
"Since you’ve nothing to say, then there’s no avoiding the punishment!"
"Come!"
Though Xia Weifeng was desperate, his mind dull.
Before he could resist, he was bound harshly to the frame.
By the time he reacted, it was too late.
The cries from the ancestral hall continued from afternoon till night.
Initially, his cries were shrill, then muted whimpers, until by the end he was spent, with only pained murmurs.
In truth, Xia Jingfeng kept it controlled, causing no major harm, nor intending to endanger life.
Yet Xia Weifeng, having suffered no hardship since childhood, couldn’t endure even a bit of pain.
Seeing him cry like a pathetic waste, Xia Jingfeng felt a renewed disgust.
The Xia Family generations were pure, how did such a waste emerge, truly disgraceful to our ancestors.
He couldn’t bear to look any longer.
He ordered the instruments be removed and commanded coldly.
"To atone for your earlier wrongs, you’ll be confined at home to mourn Father for three years!"
"And you!"
He stared menacingly at Lady Jin.
"You will mourn three years as well, forbidden to take a step out of the mansion!"
"I’ll have guards watch you closely; if you dare escape, you’ll be killed without mercy!"
With a snort, he left, his sleeves waving.
Xia Weifeng couldn’t rise from the ground, Lady Jin slumped on it.
Offending the husband, how could she have any good days in the next three years??
...
Having punished Xia Weifeng and his wife before the ancestors.
Xia Jingfeng finally moved past the hurdle in his heart.
There were many affairs in Jinling; as Governor, he couldn’t delay, and prepared to set off.
Additionally, he decided to take Lady Wen away.
When Father was alive, she had to remain by his side, to avoid gossip.
Now the Master has passed, it was rightful for her to stay with her son.
Even if not her biological son, she no longer wished to remain.
Once the heart dies, escape becomes a return.
Xia Jingfeng and family set off for Jinling in early February.
At the old estate in Xiao Zhou County remained only Xia Weifeng and his wife, and ten guards skilled in martial arts.
Other household servants, those able to leave were taken; those unable were dismissed.
Only two servants stayed by Xia Weifeng and his wife; one to guard the door, the other to do laundry and cook.
Additionally, he’d send someone each month with Five Taels.
This was their living expense.
Five Taels spent conservatively were more than enough for a month, though not for eating richly or wearing lavish clothes.
Yet, mourning is not pleasure, nor requires fine foods.
Tang Xun was very satisfied with the outcome.
"Husband handled this well, both punishing them and ensuring their filial piety; Father would surely be happy, if he is watching from above!"
"Let’s hope!"
Xia Jingfeng replied with a smile, taking her hand.
Tang Xun added with a smile.
"Second Mother finally escaped the bitter sea this time; I’ll find a secluded courtyard in the backyard for her, and prepare a vacant room as a shrine, so we can mourn Father and offer incense!"
"Mm!"
"You’ve worked hard!"
Xia Jingfeng murmured, embracing her shoulders.
If not for her, he had no idea how he’d endure this time.
"Husband, what are you saying? We are husband and wife; your father is mine as well. Mourning and praying for blessings is natural!"
Her gentle, understanding words felt like the soft spring rain, nourishing the barren ground of his heart.
He held her tight in his arms, closing his tired eyes.
Currently, it was early spring, outside just a light rain had fallen.
The countryside was subtly verdant, along the road farmers came and went.
Those were farmers cultivating, and likewise, the people of Jiangnan yearning for a good life.
(End of historical era, modern era begins tomorrow)