Jinyi Spring

Chapter 196 The Kong Family Files a Lawsuit

Fearing her daughter might be embarrassed, Chen Qingrui said, "Chenchen, go check on how dinner is being prepared. I want to have a private chat with the old lady."

After listening to the old lady recount how she proposed marriage and how she forced the Empress Dowager to agree to the marriage, Chen Qingrui felt both grateful and bittersweet.

Royal rules are special; even during the mourning period, a consort can be betrothed before the wedding, and the marriage can take place after the 27-month mourning period is over.

The old lady had even chosen a location for the princess's residence, right next to the Ming residence, which was originally the residence of the Grand Princess of Chang'an.

Princess Chang'an was the late Emperor's elder sister. She passed away five years ago, and her residence was taken back by the Imperial Household Department. The residence was exquisitely built and spacious. Consort Xue had wanted to arrange for the Second Princess, Shui Raofu, to have it, so it had remained empty and had not been given to anyone.

Unbeknownst to her, she had actually left the mansion for Feng Chuchen and her grandson.

The old lady smiled broadly and patted Chen Qingrui's hand. "Although no one has lived here for five years, it will look very nice after some renovations. We'll also open two side gates in the walls between the two mansions for easy access. Don't worry, Wan'er, we will definitely not mistreat her in the slightest."

Hearing that the Ming family had even thought this through, Chen Qingrui was even more satisfied. "I know that no matter which girl marries into your Ming family, she will be blessed."

The old lady squeezed her hand tighter and smiled, "Absolutely."

She couldn't say for sure, but in the future, maybe you and your daughter will both marry into the Ming family.

The old lady was invited to stay for a meal.

It's time to go.

Tears welled up in both of their eyes again. They knew that this parting might be the last time they saw each other.

Chen Qingrui helped the old lady out the door and into the carriage. The carriage rumbled out of the east gate, which slowly closed behind them.

She stood in front of the door, staring at the tightly closed door, and remained motionless for a long time.

"Mother, let's go back inside," Feng Chuchen said, helping her up.

Chen Qingrui sighed, "This is already the best outcome. I feel sorry for Shanyue and the others."

She looked towards the western horizon, where the stars were particularly bright, twinkling and blinking.

I wonder if Brother Ming is safe and sound now.

Feng Chuchen said softly, "I heard that the Imperial Son-in-Law Shangguan personally went to the border to pick them up. If all goes well, they should be back before the 20th of the twelfth lunar month."

Not only will Ming Changqing not avoid Xizhou Prefecture, he will actually go that way. The Xue family has secretly mobilized a large force to kidnap them, and they, along with the Imperial Son-in-Law Shangguan, will attack from both sides…

On the afternoon of the thirteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, a snowstorm raged in the capital city, with the wind biting cold.

The Dengwen Drum in front of the Jingzhao Prefecture gate was struck heavily. The drumbeats were deep and resonant, one after another, carrying far through the wind and snow.

The drummers were two people—one in his fifties and the other in his twenties. The bailiffs led them into the main hall.

Lord Hu slammed his gavel, "Who beats the drum?"

The two quickly knelt down.

The elder man presented his petition, filled with grief and indignation: "This humble citizen, Kong Xiang, accuses Xia Achan of the Duke of Fengguo's Mansion. This wicked woman has committed two grave crimes: first, she has acted against justice and righteousness; second, she has anonymously filed a complaint against someone."

Lord Hu looked astonished and took the petition to examine it closely.

Kong Xiang was the cousin of Xia's ex-husband, Kong Rui. Years ago, the Kong family committed a crime, the patriarch was beheaded, and the main family was exiled to Nanyue.

All of his relatives who held official positions in the capital were dismissed, forcing him to return to his hometown of Chengzhou. Although three generations of his family had been barred from holding official posts, they still had some land in their hometown, and they were able to make a living.

Eight days ago, a middle-aged man suddenly came to my door, introducing himself as Xu Hu.

He said that Xia Achan had committed many evil deeds and wanted to kill her to silence her, so her whole family fled the capital. He had a document in his hand, a letter of denunciation written by Xia herself, which he was instructed to copy and submit to the censor's office, accusing the Kong family of hiding traitorous property.

After explaining the whole story, Xu Hu left a letter and fled. The Kong family was furious. Xia Shi, who was still a daughter-in-law of the Kong family at that time, had personally pushed her husband's family into a fire pit, yet she divorced and returned to the Ming Mansion, where she has lived a carefree life ever since.

They discussed that this wicked woman must be punished as she deserved.

So the three of them went to the capital. Two of them went to the Jingzhao Prefecture to beat the drum and appeal for justice, while the third went to the magistrate to demand an explanation.

According to the "Da Yan Law", those who "violate righteousness by deceiving others" will be punished with 100 strokes of the cane and 3 years of penal servitude, regardless of whether the accusation is true or not, if their wives or concubines accuse their husbands or their elders.

Those who "submit anonymous accusations" will be exiled two thousand miles away, regardless of the veracity of the content.

Meanwhile, inside Fu Rong Hall, the old Duke and his wife, along with Madam Ming, were speaking in hushed tones.

A servant from the outer courtyard came to report, "Madam Xue and Madam Xue heard that the old lady was ill, so they came to visit her."

The old lady paused, her prayer beads faltering, and exchanged a glance with Madam Ming. The lady of the house had come without an invitation, and it was already early afternoon—she was frantic.

The old lady smiled slightly and said calmly, "Please come in."

She got up and went into the bedroom, while the old Duke leisurely went to the east wing.

Before long, the sedan chairs of Madam Xue and her daughter-in-law arrived outside the Furong Hall.

Madam Xue really didn't want to see the Ming family's attitude, but the Xu family had moved out completely a few days ago, and she couldn't contact Madam Xia no matter what. She heard that the Kong family had gone to the Jingzhao Prefecture to sue Madam Xia again, so she had no choice but to come in person.

Madam Ming greeted them at the door.

Madam Xue smiled and said, "How is the old lady's health? The Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine are very worried."

The three of them sat down in the hall, and a maid served tea.

Madam Ming said, "The weather is so hot and cold. A few days ago, the old lady took Chanmei to the winter plum garden, and she hasn't been feeling well since they came back."

Madam Xue got up, went to the old lady's bedroom to greet her, and spoke a few intimate words through the curtain.

Back in the hall, he added, "I've known Xia since childhood, so let Shen go and see her."

She pointed to her eldest daughter-in-law.

Madam Ming laughed and said, "Chan's illness is more serious than yours. She has a sweet tooth and ate some roasted mutton the other day. She vomited and had diarrhea, and she's lying in bed right now. How could she possibly see anyone?"

The voice was soft, but the attitude was firm.

Madam Xue's smile froze for a moment; she was determined not to let them see Xia Shi. Moreover, she seemed unaware of the Kong family's lawsuit against Xia Shi.

She forced a smile and said a few more polite words, just about to get up to take her leave—when the curtain was lifted, an old woman rushed in in a panic.

"Madam, something terrible has happened!"

Madam Ming frowned, her face darkening as she snapped, "How dare you! How can you be so rude?"

The old woman was so frightened that she knelt down with a thud and reported, "Madam, the Kong family is making a huge fuss at the door..."

Madam Ming was secretly delighted, but she didn't show it on her face. "Which Kong family?"

"It was the family of my aunt's former husband. They said... they said that the letter accusing the Kong family was written by my aunt, and then her wet nurse's son-in-law delivered it to the censor's door."

"The other two members of the Kong family have taken the aunt's handwritten letter to the Jingzhao Prefecture to file a complaint. He came to the Ming Prefecture to demand an explanation, asking whether the Ming family had instructed Xia to harm the Kong family... The man cried and cursed, and many people gathered around to watch the spectacle."

Madam Ming's face changed drastically. She gripped her handkerchief tightly and said incredulously, "How could this be... The Kong family is Chan's husband's family..."

Madam Xue glanced quickly at Madam Ming, then stood up and said, "You're busy, we'll take our leave." (End of Chapter)