Chapter 178: The Yun Family Seeks Divorce
The Yun family entered in a grand procession.
Yuan Shi hurried forward to greet them: "Mother-in-law, what brings you here..."
"If I hadn't come, would our Chu'er have been devoured by your Xie family until nothing remained!" Lin Shi's expression was icy cold.
She lifted her gaze toward the mourning hall, where only a few incense sticks stood in the burner, burned out with no one replenishing them—a clear indication of how neglected the Xie household had become.
With death, many grievances could be considered settled.
Lin Shi walked over and added three sticks of incense.
Liu Qianqian and Yun Ze also stepped forward, lighting incense and inserting it into the burner.
After the mourning rites concluded, the Xie family knew serious matters were about to be discussed, and one by one, their expressions tightened.
Outside, spectators filled the entire doorway, craning their necks to peer inside with keen interest.
Lin Shi had no patience for pleasantries and came straight to the point: "As everyone knows, the Xie family is rotten from top to bottom. Above, Xie Jingyu embezzled official silver; below, the eldest son deceived the emperor and murdered his mother, while the second son killed Xie Laotaitai. Every time I think of it, it sends chills down my spine. Our Yun daughter married into the Xie family for five years. Whether managing household affairs, showing filial piety to her mother-in-law, or raising children, she fulfilled her duties flawlessly, without a single fault to be found. Yet, such sincerity was met with deception and fraud... Xie Jingyu's crimes were heinous, and he deserved his death, but our Yun daughter's remaining years cannot be wasted in such a household. Therefore—"
Liu Qianqian stepped forward and placed a document before the Xie family: "This is Chu'er's divorce agreement with Xie Jingyu. Since Xie Jingyu is dead, his son shall imprint his fingerprint in his stead."
These words caused an uproar throughout the hall.
The onlookers outside erupted in excitement.
"I guessed right—the Yun family is indeed seeking divorce."
"If I were Lady Yun, I'd also seek divorce for my daughter. Why stay to clean up this mess?"
"The Yun family isn't like some clans that would rather die than allow a married daughter to divorce. Being a Yun daughter, with such family backing, gives one confidence even in the husband's home."
"There's still a coffin in the room, the body not yet cold, and they're already bringing up divorce—how heartless."
"If the Xie family's divorce goes through, with only the elderly and children left, all women and minors, they'll have nothing to live on."
"The Yun family is too hasty. Relying on their status as a first-rank general's household, they completely disregard the Xie family."
"..."
Yun Chu lowered her gaze.
This is how people are—because hearts are soft, they instinctively sympathize with the weaker party.
To bystanders, the Xie family had already suffered enough. If the Yun family sought divorce now, they would become the unforgivable ones.
She had never been concerned about her own reputation, but rather that of the Yun family and its married daughters.
But Lin Shi couldn't afford to consider so much.
After the Xie family's troubles began, she had wanted to bring Chu'er home immediately, but Yun Ze advised her to wait, to wait a little longer.
Yet she could wait no longer.
No matter how unwilling the Xie family was, no matter how others might gossip, today she was determined to take Chu'er back.
Seeing her mother's heartbroken expression, Yun Chu exchanged a glance with her elder brother Yun Ze, and they shared a helpless smile.
Their mother loved her dearly and couldn't bear to see her suffer.
Fortunately, her elder brother was willing to cooperate in handling this matter; otherwise, the Yun family would truly be roasted over the flames.The Yun family elder spoke with a stern expression, "Xie Shiyun, as the eldest son of the Xie family, come forward and press your fingerprint on the divorce agreement on behalf of your father."
Xie Shiyun turned and buried himself in Ting Yu's embrace.
Ting Yu wept, "Madam cannot leave the Xie family. Without Madam, the Xie family will truly be finished. What will become of the children..."
Yuan Shi seemed to awaken from a dream.
She finally believed Ting Yu's words—Chu'er truly intended to leave the Xie family.
Chu'er must not leave. If she departed, this large Xie household would have no means of survival, dying by the roadside with no one to collect their bodies...
"Madam Yun, Jingyu's body is not yet cold—this is no time for separation." Yuan Shi's voice was hoarse as she mustered all her strength to speak, "Jingyu committed grave wrongs, but he has received his due retribution... These children are innocent. They've called Chu'er mother for so many years. She cannot simply abandon them like this..."
The Xie family now had only one tactic left—weeping. The elderly, women, and children all cried together.
Making the Yun family appear utterly unyielding.
At this moment, Yun Ze finally spoke: "Chu'er, your elder brother only asks you one question—do you wish to divorce?"
The room instantly fell silent.
Even the chattering passersby at the main entrance closed their mouths and strained to hear Yun Chu's answer.
"Chu'er, whatever choice you make, every member of the Yun family will unconditionally support you." Yun Ze's voice rang clear, "The Yun family has served in the military for generations. We've been worthy of the Emperor and our ancestors above, and deserving of millions of common people below. Countless fine generals of our family have died on battlefields. If we cannot even protect one woman, what meaning is there in maintaining this First-Rank General's Manor?"
Hearing these words, both passersby and the Xie family understood there was absolutely no room for reconsideration regarding the divorce.
Yun Chu looked at the Xie family and spoke slowly: "Five years ago, when I married into the Xie family, I considered myself one of you. No matter what happened to the Xie family, I would never abandon you. Therefore, I will not divorce."
Lin Shi looked up in astonishment: "Chu'er, what nonsense are you speaking!"
She knew Chu'er had decided to divorce and had been waiting for the right moment—wasn't this the perfect opportunity?
Wait, wait—how much longer must they wait!
She couldn't remain trapped in the Xie family just for the sake of reputation!
Compared to the military achievements the Yun family had established, reputation truly meant nothing.
Yun Chu smiled and repeated: "I will not divorce."
Xie Jingyu had written the divorce agreement before his death, and it was now in her possession.
The divorce was already settled—she could leave whenever she wished. Why rush at this moment? Why depart before Xie Jingyu was even buried? Why make the Yun family the subject of capital gossip?
In her previous life, she had brought great suffering upon the Yun family. In this life, she would never cause them the slightest trouble because of herself.
Before Lin Shi could speak, Yun Ze said: "Very well, Chu'er. I respect your choice. But please remember—the Yun family will always be the mountain standing behind you. Whenever you change your mind, tell your elder brother. Your brother, our mother, and the Yun family elders will certainly intervene to secure your divorce and bring you home."
Lin Shi was about to speak in frustration.
But Liu Qianqian restrained her, whispering softly: "Since Chu'er has spoken thus, let us depart."
Yun Ze turned and led several dozen members of the Yun family out in a grand procession.Once outside, Lin Shi asked in confusion, "Yun Ze, why did we leave just like that?"
Yun Ze lifted the carriage curtain. "Mother, listen to what the common people are saying."
Outside, people were heatedly discussing the recent events.
"I never expected Lady Xie to refuse the divorce. If I were her, I would have left long ago."
"That's precisely why Lady Xie is considered righteous. The men raised by the Yun family fight enemies on the battlefield, while the women they raise are full of loyalty and compassion."
"Even with the Xie family in such a state, Lady Xie remains steadfast. One could only say the Xie family doesn't deserve such a daughter-in-law."
"With the Yun family behind her, Lady Xie always has a way out. She can leave anytime she regrets her decision."
"When the Yun women seek divorce, even the pregnant young mistress came out. They say sisters-in-law rarely get along, but the Yun family is completely different."
"The Yun family elders, despite their advanced age, also came."
"…"
Yun Ze lowered the curtain and spoke, "If we had proceeded with the divorce just now, everyone in the streets and alleys would be accusing the Yun family of bullying the weak. Chu'er is a sensitive soul. If her actions brought harm to the Yun family, she would live in perpetual regret. Why let Chu'er carry such a burden?"
Lin Shi fell silent.
The people in the streets were saying—
The Yun family elders' willingness to intervene in the divorce exemplifies a prominent family.
Lady Yun's fierce protectiveness of her daughter reflects the universal heart of parents.
The young mistress Lady Liu, despite her pregnancy, stood up for her sister-in-law—truly touching.
The young master Yun Ze, full of integrity, commands admiration.
The eldest daughter of the Yun family, Yun Chu, loyal and righteous, is a model of noble womanhood.
The Yun family truly lives up to its reputation as an eminent household, a prominent family, a lineage of officials and honors!
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