Chapter 135 - Which One Is My Brother-in-law?
Mrs. Xue had roused from her daze, now sitting on the bed, observing the “harmonious” scene unfolding before her. Her eldest son supported his pregnant wife, while her husband endeavored to win favor with the daughter-in-law she had never approved of.
Zuo Shuhui was the first to notice Mrs. Xue's awakening, having gone through a tumultuous two hours filled with fear and panic.
Seeing Mrs. Xue now, Zuo Shuhui felt a newfound strength within him. “Mother, you must seek justice for your daughter!”
Mrs. Xue's eyes gleamed with a sinister light, her voice hoarse and aged. “Why are you crying?”
Zuo Shuhui was taken aback by her transformation. When her second son had passed away, Mrs. Xue had experienced a period of insanity, but it paled in comparison to her current state.
The room's servants immediately bowed their heads upon hearing Mrs. Xue's words. Her frenzied demeanor continued to instill fear in their hearts.
“Mother…” Zuo Shuhui gently released Mrs. Xue's hand and used her sleeve to wipe her tears away. She looked at Mrs. Xue with a mixture of helplessness and concern.
“This is merely a minor turbulence. Remember when the Zuo Family was exiled from the capital? We endured much worse,” Mrs. Xue declared as she left the bed, momentarily unsteady. Madam Zhu swiftly offered support, draping her in a cloak and guiding her to a soft couch.
Zuo Shaoqing was taken aback by Mrs. Xue's resilience, yet he felt no remorse or sympathy.
“Master, the urgent matter now is to dispel the rumors circulating outside. Concealing the Shao Ling incident may be impossible, but I plan to have him relocated to the outskirts of the village for recovery. Meanwhile, we must address Shao Yan and Shuhui promptly,” Zuo Yunwen, typically mild-mannered, aligned with Mrs. Xue's sentiments and nodded.
Zuo Yunwen had always been pliable, lacking his own convictions, and Mrs. Xue's words coincided with his own thoughts, so he agreed.
Nevertheless, no one knew how to quell the rumors circulating outside.
Zuo Shaoqing remained on the sidelines, attempting to minimize his presence and merely serve as an attentive listener. He did not anticipate Mrs. Xue noticing him.
Suddenly, the teacup, perpetually filled with hot tea, was hurled in Zuo Shaoqing's direction. Zuo Shaoqing narrowed his eyes, but before he could react, Yinyi extended his hand and caught the cup.
Yinyi was no mere servant in the Zuo Family; his official position held significant weight, making him unafraid of anyone within the Zuo Family. He promptly returned the teacup, shattering it against the pillar directly above Mrs. Xue.
The scalding tea splashed onto Mrs. Xue's face, prompting a sharp cry of pain.
The Zuo Family momentarily froze, then swiftly reacted. They wiped the hot tea from Mrs. Xue's face, while Madam Zhu applied a soothing plaster.
Zuo Shaoqing discreetly gave Yinyi a thumbs up, pleased with the sense of justice served.
“Impudent! Just who are you to dare to harm someone within my Zuo Family?” Although Zuo Yunwen held reservations about Mrs. Xue, they had been married for over 20 years.
Yinyi crossed his arms and stood behind Zuo Shaoqing, maintaining a composed demeanor as he calmly stated, “It was an inadvertent slip of the hand. Had Lady Zuo not faltered, this wouldn't have happened.”
Zuo Yunwen regained his composure, aware that Mrs. Xue's expression had turned ugly just before she attempted to throw the tea. Despite this, he defended her, saying, “This is a family matter of the Zuo Mansion; outsiders like you are welcome to leave.”
Zuo Shaoqing smiled gently and replied, “Father, he's not an outsider. He's my personal guard. His intervention in this situation was part of his duty.”
“Your guard?” Zuo Yunwen struggled to recall Yinyi's identity due to his prior interactions with Zuo Mansion's servants.
“Yes, indeed. Master Lu instructed him to protect my life for the time being, ensuring my safety from those who seek to harm me.”
Zuo Yunwen, feeling uneasy upon hearing the connection to Wu Steel Manor, forced a smile and said, “Since it's Master Lu's directive, we must extend our hospitality… Ah, please stay here, Brave One.”
His countenance displayed a mix of resentment, melancholy, and complexity, likely contemplating the relationship between Zuo Shaoqing and Lu Zheng.
Recent events had brought immense turmoil to Zuo's Mansion, from Zuo Shaoyan's poisoning to his daughter's kidnapping. Just as he had begun to celebrate his son's exoneration from cheating accusations in the imperial examinations, news of his son's connection to Master Lu Lu surfaced.
The following day proved calamitous for Zuo's Mansion, as a series of unfortunate events unfolded. Zuo Yunwen had become so apprehensive that he dared not venture outside, fearing the judgmental eyes of others.
Recollecting his two decades in Youuxi Town, Zuo Yunwen acknowledged that although his life there had been filled with hardship, and the Zuo Family couldn't secure a position in the imperial court, they still commanded considerable respect within the region and were highly regarded by all.
Nevertheless, upon arriving in the capital with high hopes, his circumstances took a turn for the worse. Zuo Yunwen even contemplated returning to his hometown.
It was then that Mrs. Xue ceased her lamentations and hurled accusations at Zuo Shaoqing with unrestrained fury. “You despicable scoundrel! Do you have the audacity to stand here? Look at the mess you've caused, resorting to such underhanded methods to steal your brother-in-law!”
“Brother-in-law?” Zuo Shaoqing inquired, bewildered. “Which individual is my brother-in-law?” He then recollected, “Oh, there was a fellow named Big Brother Cao in the past, but unfortunately, didn't you all conspire to break off his engagement?”
He clicked his tongue twice in frustration and continued indignantly, “I'm too embarrassed to even face Big Brother Cao. Just thinking about how our family's reputation has plummeted fills me with shame.”
Mrs. Xue's expression grew increasingly malevolent, as she believed that all the recent misfortunes were a direct result of Zuo Shaoqing's actions. If he hadn't diverted Master Lu's attention, her daughter might have already been married into the prestigious Wu Steel Manor.
Zuo Shaoyan placed a comforting hand on Mrs. Xue's shoulder. It wasn't the right time to engage in a bitter feud with Zuo Shaoqing. At present, he was the family's sole intermediary with Master Lu.
“Mother, please calm yourself. Third brother is facing his own difficulties as well. If you have something to discuss, let's do it rationally.”
Mrs. Xue scoffed disdainfully, “What difficulties could he possibly have? He's merely enticed by the grandeur of Master Lu's family background, desiring to climb higher. Just like his mother, he's a cunning fox!”
Zuo Shuhui also came to the realization that her beloved husband had been swayed by her own younger brother. This realization was akin to a painful slap in the face, causing her great anguish and embarrassment.
Fortunately, she restrained herself from causing a scene, fearing that there might be individuals from Duke Zhen Manor present. Instead, she tearfully voiced her grievances, “Third Brother, how could you do this? Big Sis believed she treated you well, and the Zuo Family raised you. How will you face our ancestors now?”
Zuo Shaoqing's eyes widened in disbelief, as though he had heard something utterly absurd. How foolish had he been in his previous life to allow himself to be manipulated by this family?
He had no intention of rushing things with this group of people. “Speaking of being raised by someone,” he began slowly, “I just so happen to have something to say.”
Rising from his seat, he walked steadily toward Mrs. Xue. Leaning in closer, he asked with deliberate emphasis, “Mrs. Xue, do you happen to know how my mother died?”
As soon as those words left his lips, the crowd erupted in uproar. All eyes were fixed on Mrs. Xue, brimming with suspicion.
Few were privy to the knowledge that Mrs. Ruan had met her demise at the hands of Mrs. Xue within the Zuo Family. While most believed Madam Ye had a fiery temperament, they couldn't fathom her resorting to murder.
“Nonsense!” Zuo Yunwen was the first to lose his temper, jabbing his finger at Zuo Shaoqing and berating, “You ungrateful child, it's one thing for outsiders to spout baseless accusations, but you—how can you be so foolish?”
Zuo Shaoqing rolled his eyes in response, retorting, “Father, it seems your affection for my mother back then was merely a facade. You never bothered to investigate her death, leaving her unable to rest in peace. Hasn't she paid you nighttime visits?”
Zuo Yunwen's body trembled as if memories of Mrs. Ruan's tragic demise resurfaced. He lowered his voice and said, “Shao Qing, pay no heed to these rumors. They're fabricated by outsiders. They hold no credibility.”
“No, I believe you!” Zuo Shaoqing fixed his gaze on Mrs. Xue and asked, “Mrs. Xue, what's your take on this?”
“This is sheer nonsense, pure fabrication! You ungrateful child, how dare you address your mother like this!”
Zuo Shaoqing retrieved a piece of paper from his chest pocket and waved it before Mrs. Xue, saying, “This is the document I drafted last night. Whether you acknowledge it or not, the courts will render a verdict on this matter.”
Mrs. Ruan, as a concubine, was protected by the law, not merely a servant of the Zuo's Mansion. If Mrs. Xue was indeed responsible for her death, she would face charges of intentional homicide or, at the very least, exile.
However, very few dared to involve the authorities. Firstly, it tarnished the family's reputation, and secondly, few were willing to accuse their own mother. It was akin to abandoning one's family and disregarding personal honor.
Even if one were to win the case, the accuser would still be stigmatized with an unforgivable crime.
Mrs. Xue evidently contemplated this, spat on the ground, and declared, “If you have the courage, go ahead and file a lawsuit. I have nothing to fear in my old age.” On the other hand, bearing the stigma of being an unfilial child would be a lifelong burden, and one would never rise again in this lifetime.
Zuo Shaoqing smiled nonchalantly. Filial piety and unfilial conduct weren't defined so easily. Moreover, had he ever mentioned that he intended to take action?
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