Chapter 31: Powerful Protection of His Wife
“I’ll see who dares touch him!”
Chu Lianmo leaped in front of Qi Xiaojun, “He’s mine. To harm him, you’ll have to kill me first! Father, if you truly intend to punish him, kill me first!”
“You!” Emperor Chu Wen was so furious he nearly spat out blood.
“Your Highness!” Qi Xiaojun was both moved and anxious. He finally spoke, “It’s only thirty lashes. I can endure it. Why would you defy the Emperor for me?”
“As long as I’m alive, no one can touch a single hair on your head.”
Chu Lianmo answered without hesitation, then looked back at Emperor Chu Wen. “Father, did you hear that? How kind and sensible Ajun is. How could he falsely accuse Yin Mei?”
“Father, can you be clear-headed? Yin Mei is the villain. If you really think something is suspicious, let the Ministry of Justice thoroughly investigate this matter.”
“…” Emperor Chu Wen hesitated. He seemed to realize he shouldn’t readily assume Zhou Jun was guilty.
Yin Mei felt his guilt – he was the perpetrator, and he couldn’t withstand an investigation.
“Uncle Emperor, let it go!” Yin Mei finally spoke, “It’s been so long, it’s difficult to gather evidence. It’s better to resolve grievances than to exacerbate them. After all, we’ve been husband and wife for so long, I don’t want to make things too extreme. But after this incident, we can no longer continue as husband and wife. I request Uncle Emperor’s permission for a divorce.”
“I grant it.” Emperor Chu Wen didn’t want to pursue the matter further. He couldn’t really kill his favored son for a male concubine.
Chu Lianmo sneered, “I’ve wanted to divorce this villain for a long time. Out of consideration for him being the Empress’s nephew… Fine, I’ll write the divorce papers.”
Immediately, Chu Lianmo wrote the divorce papers and threw them to Yin Mei.
“Hee hee, Your Highness, tomorrow we’ll be officials in the same court.” Although Yin Mei hadn’t punished Qi Xiaojun, most of his goals had been achieved, so he was still smug.
Chu Lianmo really wanted to tell him to “get lost,” but he restrained himself because Emperor Chu Wen was present.
“Alright, Mei’er, let’s go.” Emperor Chu Wen said to Yin Mei, “I’ll send you back to the Wen residence.”
“Thank you, Uncle Emperor.” Yin Mei smiled sweetly.
Chu Lianmo stood silently, watching the disgusting figure disappear.
“Damn it!” Chu Lianmo slammed his fist on the table, “I hate myself for being lenient and leaving this menace alive!”
“…Your Highness, I’m sorry.” Qi Xiaojun’s mood was complicated. “I caused Your Highness to offend the Emperor…and thank you for your protection.”
“…You did nothing wrong. Why would I let anyone punish you? However, you now know who I truly love. Don’t think too much about it.” Chu Lianmo’s tone turned cold.
“I…” Qi Xiaojun was almost unable to contain his urge to tell him the truth.
But Chu Lianmo had just gone through so much; he must be emotionally agitated, now wasn’t the right time.
“I’ll go back to my room to rest.” Qi Xiaojun simply said.
Chu Lianmo responded with a faint “Mm.”
His mood wasn’t good.
He had worked hard to gain a place in Emperor Chu Wen’s heart, but this incident would likely significantly reduce that favor.
The news of Chu Lianmo defying the Emperor for a male concubine quickly spread throughout Chu.
It also reached Jiang Yingnan’s ears.
Jiang Yingnan felt a wave of sadness –
As brothers, Chu Lianmo and Chu Ziqian were worlds apart in this respect.
He recalled Chu Ziqian’s words: Jiang Yingnan is indeed immoral. I couldn’t resist his seduction and made a mistake.
Someone like Chu Lianmo, who would never let his loved one suffer, is truly worthy of love.
However, Jiang Yingnan had another, more important matter to worry about.
“Ziqian,” when Chu Ziqian came that night, Jiang Yingnan mentioned, “I heard Yin Mei requested an official position, and the Emperor agreed…Since family members can now hold office, can you also obtain a position for me?”
“…Let’s talk about this later.” Chu Ziqian rubbed his temples, “This was Yin Mei’s own initiative, not part of our agreement. Now that he is the Empress’s relative, this precedent will inevitably cause much controversy. If this goes smoothly, it’s fine; otherwise, I can’t get involved.”
“…” Jiang Yingnan’s heart sank. Chu Ziqian was unwilling to risk anything for him.
So, his heart still ached because of Chu Ziqian’s attitude?
How many times would he have to be hurt before becoming completely numb?
“Anan, isn’t it good to enjoy a life of leisure in this manor?” Chu Ziqian hugged Jiang Yingnan, softening his tone, “Being an official is tiring and troublesome, why bother?”
Jiang Yingnan sneered inwardly –
Isn’t being the Emperor even more tiring and troublesome? Why are you so afraid of not becoming the future Emperor?
I’m a man of seven feet tall, why should I spend my life idly in the inner household?
At home, because Jiang Chengjin was incompetent and held no office, Jiang Yingnan couldn’t surpass his elder brother to become an official, so he couldn’t mention it; but now that Jiang Pingzhong, the heir of the Jiang family, held office, he felt even more unwilling – in terms of talent, how could those people compare to him!
But outwardly, Jiang Yingnan only nodded in agreement, then picked up a handkerchief embroidered with vibrant peonies, “Ziqian, look, I just embroidered a handkerchief. I wonder how much silver this can sell for.”
Chu Ziqian looked at the exquisitely embroidered handkerchief and smiled, “Does my prince’s mansion need you to supplement our household expenses? If you’re free, why not make clothes or shoes for me?”
Jiang Yingnan thought: Next life. Your Prince’s mansion’s silver isn’t mine, don’t I have to consider how to make a living?
“Alright.” He smiled with a look of virtuousness. “By the way, Ziqian, I also tried making peach blossom cakes this afternoon. I left two for you, do you want to try them?”
Chu Ziqian smiled, “I’ve just had dinner and I’m not hungry, but since you made them, I must try them.”
Jiang Yingnan brought the plate of cakes. “They’re not as good as when they were freshly made, make do.”
Chu Ziqian took a bite and praised, “They taste good. Anan, your skills are improving.”
Jiang Yingnan didn’t want to be idle.
The two cakes were indeed specially made for Chu Ziqian.
He had made a lot, so leaving some was fine.
Jiang Yingnan realized he still had some faint warmth for Chu Ziqian, but he was no longer swayed by emotions.
Meanwhile, Yin Mei was taken back to the Wen residence by Wen Yuanru and prepared for dinner.
Wen Yuanru’s younger son, Wen Shan, was extremely unfriendly towards him.
Before Yin Mei arrived home, Wen Shan overheard two servants gossiping:
“I heard the eldest son is coming back. His temper must be better than the second son’s. Can I serve in the eldest son’s room?”
“Me too! The eldest son’s room must be short-staffed, let’s both recommend ourselves.”
“Great! The eldest son will be the heir of the Wen family. I wonder what the second son is so proud of?”
“Exactly, I hope the eldest son will be more imposing and teach his younger brother a lesson.”
Wen Shan was furious after hearing this conversation.
He had grown up pampered by his father, and his temper was naturally bad. Sometimes he would scold and punish the servants, but it wasn’t excessive.
He was used to being the only son of the Wen family and being arrogant, but now a brother had suddenly appeared, how could he not be upset?
So that night, when Wen Yuanru said, “Shan’er, quickly greet your brother,” Wen Shan just buried his head in his food, ignoring him.
“Shan’er,” Wen Yuanru frowned, “You’re becoming increasingly unruly. Who allowed you to eat first?”
“What brother?” Wen Shan sneered, glancing at Yin Mei. “The Wen family has a son who was a prostitute, aren’t you ashamed?”
“Shut up!” Wen Yuanru slapped Wen Shan. “I’ve spoiled you. How dare you disrespect your elder brother!”
“You hit me for him!”
Wen Shan was both angry and wronged, he overturned the dining table, the dishes shattering, and turned to leave.
“You scoundrel! Someone!” Wen Yuanru ordered, “Take the second young master to his room and make him kneel! Confine him to his room for introspection, and don’t let him get up without my orders!”
“Yes, Master.”
Wen Fu’s steward, Zhong Shu, roughly grabbed Wen Shan’s arm and pulled him towards his room.
“Let me go!” Wen Shan continued to struggle.
Zhong Shu didn’t relent, twisting his arm hard. “I won’t spoil you like your father.”
“…You!” Wen Shan looked back at his father, who avoided his gaze but didn’t stop Zhong Shu.
Wen Yuanru sighed and looked at Yin Mei: “It’s my fault for not properly teaching my children, but your younger brother is still young and doesn’t understand, don’t hold it against him.”
Yin Mei, aware of his true identity, didn’t dare to be arrogant in the Wen family, so he smiled good-naturedly, “Father, don’t worry, I won’t hold it against my brother.”
Seeing his father allow Zhong Shu to punish him, Wen Shan could only obediently follow Zhong Shu back to his room.
“Kneel properly!” Zhong Shu used a ruler to strike Wen Shan.
Zhong Shu had watched Wen Shan grow up. He felt Wen Yuanru had spoiled him, and now he had a chance to discipline him.
Wen Shan could only obediently kneel.
That night, Zhong Shu stood guard with the ruler, making Wen Shan kneel straight, not allowing him to adjust his posture, and striking him hard at the slightest relaxation.
After this ordeal, Wen Shan’s hatred for Yin Mei intensified.
Before bedtime, Wen Yuanru couldn’t help but visit his beloved younger son.
“Father!” Wen Shan saw him as a savior and cried out, “Father, I know I was wrong, please forgive me! Otherwise, Uncle Zhong will beat me to death!”
Wen Yuanru was startled, quickly helping Wen Shan up, displeased with Zhong Shu. “I only told you to make him kneel, not to beat him.”
Zhong Shu said calmly, “He wouldn’t kneel properly, always trying to slack off, so I had to discipline him.”
“…Alright, you can leave.” Since it was his order, Wen Yuanru couldn’t blame Zhong Shu too much.
Seeing Zhong Shu leave, Wen Shan threw himself into his father’s arms and cried, “Father, my knees hurt, my body hurts, everywhere hurts! Do you not love Shan’er anymore because you have a brother!”
“Don’t talk nonsense. Let Father see where you’re hurt.”
Wen Yuanru took off Wen Shan’s clothes, seeing a large bruise on his knees, and red marks on his back and buttocks. He felt heartbroken and applied medicine.
Wen Shan cried on the bed, “Father, they said the Wen family will be inherited by my elder brother, and I have to listen to him, is it true? I’ve been with Father for nearly twenty years! Why should he take it all so easily!”
“Shan’er, be good, don’t cry. Father will tell you a secret…”
Although the doors and windows were closed, Wen Yuanru lowered his voice, “But you mustn’t tell anyone else.”
“Okay, I promise I won’t tell!”