Chapter 367: You’re Far From It
Everyone looked towards the door upon hearing the voices.
Madam Qi and Eldest Madam Cui appeared at the door, followed by Wen Yu and County Princess Huiyi, with Qi Wu entering last.
Unlike the agitated people in the room, this group appeared calm and composed.
Qi Youyi stared hatefully at Cui Shi, screaming internally: What is this woman trying to do?!
Marquis Qi saw that the situation was escalating again, giving him a headache! He whispered to Old Master Cui, “Pinrong, this is too chaotic… Let’s go to the small room and talk alone…” He had a pleading look on his face.
Old Master Cui also felt apprehensive: All these women! He had no desire to listen to the impending argument, so he got up and slipped away with Marquis Qi.
Eldest Madam Cui first looked at Qi Youyi, his face a mess and clothes torn.
Then she looked at Tan Shi. Earlier, Tan Shi had been splashed with ink, and although she had wiped it with a handkerchief, a bit remained on the left side of her nose, resembling a beauty mark and looking rather comical.
Eldest Madam Cui chuckled at the sight and took a seat.
Wen Yu helped Madam Qi sit down and stood behind her.
Logically, Tan Shi should have gone to freshen up and tidy her face and clothes, but she couldn’t leave this matter unattended.
The Cui family’s uproar and the promise the Marquis was about to make disrupted her plans.
To be honest, she wasn’t entirely sure about the extent of the Qi family’s assets. Qi Hua managed a considerable portion of the family business, but the Marquis still held some control!
Moreover, what the Marquis controlled should be closely tied to the Qi family army. Without silver, how could they support the troops? Those tens of thousands of soldiers, was the court’s funding enough?! They had to contribute themselves.
If the old man got impulsive and touched this part, even if he handed the title to Youduan, what would he use to support it? Wouldn’t he be controlled by others?
This old man is truly muddled! At this point, why is he still trying to appease them?
The Cui family, let them do as they please! So what if they become enemies? Are we afraid?
Since they’ve already fallen out… she didn’t bother pretending anymore. Looking at Cui Fengying, she coldly said, “You were the one who said you would leave the Qi family, and now you’re the one who says you won’t go. You call yourself a daughter of a military family, going back on your word! You have the nerve!”
Eldest Madam Cui smiled inwardly. She had known this benevolent Madam Qi of the capital for over twenty years, and she had never seen this side of her.
Madam Qi was provoked by Tan Shi’s tone, her anger rising. Wen Yu hurriedly whispered beside her, “Mother, don’t be upset!”
Madam Qi glanced at Qi Youyi. He was staring blankly at the divorce letter on the table, which only had three words written on it…
“What mother doesn’t think for her son? Madam has been planning for her biological son for decades, so I can’t fall behind, can I?! I can leave the Qi family at any moment, my brother, sister-in-law, and nephews can provide for a comfortable life for me in my later years. But what about Xiao Ge’er and Xiao Wu without a mother? In this world, besides me, who else is worthy of being called their mother?”
Hearing this, Qi Youyi looked at Madam Qi with anger. At this moment, he was the most disappointed. He had endured a beating for nothing, achieving none of his goals.
Tan Shi coldly said, “Some things, you can’t do just because you want to. Although you never take me seriously, but! To the outside world, I am the Madam of Zhenyuan Marquis. At home, I am Qi Youyi’s mother. As long as I want to do something, I can achieve it. Writing the divorce letter is just to maintain appearances for both families. If I want to divorce you, the Marquis has to obey!”
Upon hearing this, Qi Youyi’s eyes lit up again. “Yes! Mother is right!”
Cui Si snorted and clenched his fists. This time, Qi Youyi also acted fierce: If Cui Si dares to lay a hand on me again, I will fight back!
Madam Qi flung her sleeves, “Divorce me? Madam, you are not qualified. I married into this family under the imperial edict of Empress Dowager Cihui Ren! If you want to dispose of me, Madam, you’ll have to petition the Emperor! Besides, since entering the Qi family, I’ve been a virtuous wife, given birth to sons, and even repaired my mother-in-law’s tomb and chanted scriptures, strictly observing filial piety. Every action of mine has been impeccable…”
Hearing her directly mention her mother-in-law and completely disregard her own existence, Tan Shi couldn’t help but feel angry!
Qi Youyi, however, jumped out and shouted, “You’re jealous, that’s unvirtuous! That’s also one of the seven grounds for divorce. As her husband, if I say so, even His Majesty the Emperor must agree!”
Madam Qi said, “I was admonishing you with the intention of helping you progress! If you had listened earlier, would you still be nearly fifty without even the position of heir apparent?”
“I don’t care! You want to be the Madam of Zhenyuan Marquis? I won’t let you have your way.” Qi Youyi shouted triumphantly.
This fool…
Eldest Madam Cui was so angry she laughed. “General Qi, you are truly extraordinary. Why don’t you become a monk?”
Qi Youyi disdained engaging in conversation with women. He stuck his neck out, unconvinced.
Wen Yu said, “Father, you were personally raised by Madam Qi. It’s widely known that she is like a biological mother to you, teaching you to be noble and capable. But if people hear your words now… won’t they suspect that she intentionally raised you to be this muddled, just to secure the title for her own biological son?”
Qi Youyi yelled, “Insolent! Nonsense. You unfilial woman, you should be divorced!”
Qi Wu’s eyes coldly watched this father, his entire body tense.
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Wen Yu smiled, “Daughter-in-law, am I wrong? People strive for higher positions, just like water flows downwards. Who in this world doesn’t desire fame, wealth, and power?! Even Madam Qi, when she mentioned her own status earlier, the pride in her tone was undeniable. You were raised by her, why are you any different?”
Tan Shi stared at Wen Yu, slowly saying, “Wen Yu. You caused such a big mess, and instead of hiding behind Cui Fengying, you dare to jump out and speak? Your reckoning hasn’t even begun!”
A mocking expression appeared on her face. “Heh… Marrying into the Qi family, opening a shop, having some manpower and silver, currying favor with some influential figures, and you think you can act with impunity?”
Her eyes were icy, staring at Wen Yu like a venomous snake. “You’ve always been competitive, scheming, and argumentative. Do you think I don’t know? I never took you, a mere nobody, seriously!!”
Eldest Madam Cui laughed, “Madam Qi, you’re so imposing! After knowing you for over twenty years, I never knew you had this side to you!”
Tan Shi looked at her darkly, “Even a clay bodhisattva has a temper. It’s not too late to know now!”
She turned to Wen Yu with contempt. “Cui Fengying has a good father…” She glanced towards the small room again. “Can the Wen family support you too?”
Under immense pressure, Wen Yu still smiled, “Old Madam, just like you, I rely on myself, not my family!”
The previous confrontations flashed through Tan Shi’s mind. This bitch was too much of an obstacle! Unknowingly, she had gained so much power, and even almost exposed Li Qun.
But you didn’t catch me then, and I won’t admit it now. Trying to control me? You’re still too inexperienced!
“Just like me?! You’re far from it!” Tan Shi’s eyes revealed her ruthlessness. Even if they couldn’t drive Cui Shi away today, she had to divorce Wen Yu, otherwise, she would have lived in vain!
“Although I might not be there yet, I have to set a goal. You came from humble beginnings with no family support! But relying solely on yourself, you’ve experienced prosperity, been granted an imperial title, raised children, and even arranged a good life for your descendants. Wen Yu has long admired you and learned a thing or two. If it doesn’t work, I still have my mother to support me!”
Tan Shi scrutinized Wen Yu, trying to discern the meaning behind her words.
Wen Yu’s eyes were clear, neither advancing nor retreating…
County Princess Huiyi spoke calmly, “You silly girl, remember that moderation is key in all things. If you constantly crave what you can’t have, you’ll lose your true self and might even resort to despicable methods, ultimately ending up with nothing!”
Wen Yu looked at Tan Shi and smiled, “The County Princess has great foresight. Wen Yu was shortsighted!”
Tan Shi smiled calmly, her dark eyes assessing the group…
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In the small room, Marquis Qi was having a heart-to-heart with General Cui.
“When the Empress bestowed the marriage, I was truly happy. Fengying’s character and conduct were impeccable. But I never imagined Youyi would end up like this with her.
I’ve never spoken to you in detail about my own matters. Let me say a few words now. Tan Shi saved my life. I would be dead without her. A young woman disregarding her reputation to clean and bandage my wounds, I can’t forget this kindness. Moreover, although she lacks a prominent background and skills, she is caring and devoted. She helped me manage household affairs and raise the children flawlessly. I’ve seen all of this, giving her some respect is only right.
As for the title, Youduan has endured hardships in the northwest and become one with the Qi family army. And Youyi? You’ve seen it yourself, he’s indecisive in his actions… If I had to choose a successor, who do you think I should choose?”
Old Master Cui said, “No one is born wanting to suffer in the northwest, and no one is indecisive from the beginning. It’s you and your second wife who deliberately shaped him this way!”
“You’re wronging us.” Marquis Qi denied it.
“Actions speak louder than words, old friend! No matter how much you explain, you gave the title that rightfully belonged to the eldest son to your current wife’s son. No matter how much you explain, and how much Tan Shi puts on a show, who will believe you? You can’t pretend you haven’t heard the jokes about the Qi family in the capital.”
Marquis Qi was speechless.
“You spoke of the past, so let me say this: I had a deep affection for my deceased wife, and we only had one daughter. If not for Qi Youyi’s title, would she have married into this family?! Even the Empress’s decree, I wouldn’t dare disobey!”
“Pinrong, brother! It’s useless to talk about those things now! You come from a military background, you know how soldiers are led. Without sharing their hardships, can you control them with just a title? Youduan has taken over most of the affairs, how can we change it now?”
Hearing Marquis Qi say this, Old Master Cui was also speechless. He wasn’t unaware of the situation back then, but firstly, he couldn’t interfere in their military affairs, and secondly… Qi Youyi, this fool, didn’t even care himself, so what could others do?
“All of this is my fault, but it’s been this way for so many years… Old brother, besides this, is there any other condition you have? I will agree… alright?”
Just one chapter for today.
