Chapter 2435 - 27: Fake Marriage (Extra)
Chapter 2435: Chapter 27: Fake Marriage (Extra)
Madam Tang was extremely anxious. At first, he was unwilling to marry, and now that they were finally married, they had no children, which she could not accept.
She was at her wit’s end. Last year, when Meng Han got married, Shu Yu’s family and Zhao Xi’s family both came. Madam Tang knew Zhao Xi’s medical skill was brilliant, so she secretly sought him out, pleading with him to examine Tang Wenqian’s wife.
Zhao Xi was bewildered at the time, and Tang Wenqian was both startled and angry that Madam Tang had approached them in private.
But because of this, he confessed the truth to Zhao Xi: he and his wife were not truly a couple.
He did not wish to marry but had to appease Madam Tang. As for his wife, Ms. Jiang, she needed protection.
The two had a marriage of convenience, intending to separate when the right opportunity arose.
Zhao Xi was truly impressed, not expecting such a daring move in this era; there was even fake marriage?
Since Tang Wenqian had been honest with him, Zhao Xi obliged by checking the ’couple’s’ pulse, and then informed Madam Tang that both their pulses were normal and they were in healthy condition.
As for the inability to conceive, it was probably just a matter of fate not yet arriving.
Madam Tang had great faith in Zhao Xi’s medical skill. Learning that there was nothing wrong with their health, she was relieved yet felt even more troubled. Saying it’s a matter of fate was simple, but who knew how long it would take?
Thus, after Shu Yu and the others attended Meng Han’s wedding and returned to Dongan Province, Madam Tang pondered and developed a new idea.
She thought, if the fate between son and daughter-in-law hadn’t arrived, then what about with other women?
Since her son was now a county magistrate, it wouldn’t be an issue for an official to take a concubine, right? Her daughter-in-law was an orphan, without the standing or confidence to object.
Indeed, Ms. Jiang didn’t interfere.
But Tang Wenqian was furious and refused to accept Madam Tang’s ’kindness.’
The mother and son erupted into an unprecedented argument, with neither willing to give in.
Shortly afterward, Tang Wenqian resigned from his position.
When Madam Tang found out, she almost fainted. She felt Tang Wenqian did it deliberately, blaming her for meddling in his business of taking a concubine and having children.
Despite Tang Wenqian explaining that this decision had been made years ago, Madam Tang didn’t believe it. She promised not to meddle in Tang Wenqian’s affairs in the future, urging him not to resign, as long as he continued as county magistrate, she wouldn’t interfere anymore.
However, once Tang Wenqian made up his mind, he was not one to change easily.
Madam Tang had no choice and, in desperation, threatened with her life. Yet, it was the long-silent Father Tang who scolded her, saying the resignation document had already been submitted, and the matter was settled; even if she died, the document couldn’t be retrieved.
If Tang Wenqian went back on his word, it would be a crime to deceive the emperor, endangering the whole family. He told Madam Tang to stop causing trouble.
Madam Tang was like a lost soul, unable to cry, and fell gravely ill.
Afterward, Father Tang and Tang Wenqian had a deep conversation overnight, finally learning of Tang Wenqian’s thoughts. He hadn’t been an educated man, spending his life working the fields and listening to his wife’s words, lacking insight. But he knew that with Tang Wenqian’s extensive education, his decision to retake the imperial exam must be for the best.
Eventually, after the imperial court appointed a new county official, Tang Wenqian went to the Imperial College to study.
He hadn’t contemplated leaving Father Tang and Madam Tang behind and wished to take them to the capital with him.
Over the years, he had saved some money and, coupled with the reward he had earned from earlier merits, had set up two shops in his parents’ names.