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The Zhao family members’ faces turned red and white with anger. Zhang Qingniang stood nearby with a look of grievance on her face.
Zhao Daliang began to feel resentful towards Liu Siniang and Su Zhi, thinking, “If it weren’t for the two of them, one seeking a divorce and the other adding fuel to the fire, how could things have escalated to this point?” Especially when he saw Liu Siniang exchange a glance with Li Shi, though it was a fleeting one, so quick that he almost thought they weren’t looking at each other at all. But in his current state of anger, he still believed they were exchanging meaningful glances.
Recalling the rumors of Liu Siniang and Li Shi having an affair, Zhao Daliang remembered how he once tested Li Shi using his sister Zhao Xiaohua. Li Shi had refused, leading Zhao Daliang to think, “If Li Shi didn’t even spare a glance for the delicate and pretty Zhao Xiaohua, how could he be interested in her skinny wife?” But now, it seemed like Li Shi indeed had ulterior motives towards his wife!
If someone rational had heard Zhao Daliang’s current thoughts, they would surely say that he was simply venting his anger out of shame. He had done something inappropriate, and now, facing accusations against his wife, he sought to find her faults so that people would think he was blameless. He wanted everyone to believe it was all Liu Siniang’s fault, which forced him to take another virtuous wife.
Li Zheng furrowed his brow and said to Zhao Daliang, “Daliang, in our Riverside Village, those who take concubines can be counted on one hand. Only landlords have concubines; commoners do not. Now, you want to degrade a good wife to a concubine. This is truly unprecedented! Aren’t you afraid of being shamed? Think about this carefully! Don’t let the villagers drown you in their saliva!”
“I had no other choice! Not only has Liu Siniang been unfruitful for three years, but she has also been involved with other men, tarnishing our Zhao family’s reputation. Not divorcing her is already showing her mercy. She cannot stay as my wife any longer! Otherwise, I’d truly be drowned in other people’s spit! I hope Li Zheng and fellow villagers can understand my predicament.”
Upon hearing Li Zheng’s reprimand and the villagers’ accusations, Zhao Daliang, thinking back to the exchange between Li Shi and Liu Siniang, made up his mind and voiced his thoughts.
“Zhao Daliang!”
Li Shi couldn’t hold back any longer. He angrily rebuked Zhao Daliang, wondering how this man could be so shameful. Wasn’t he aware of the immense insult to Liu Siniang? She was such a virtuous woman. How could her husband not cherish her, let alone treat her so cruelly? Li Shi truly felt sorry for Liu Siniang.
Zhao Daliang looked at Li Shi, smiled, and said, “Why are you so anxious? I didn’t say anything about you and Liu Siniang, did I? You seem quite concerned about her. If you dare to do it, why fear others knowing? You want me to take the blame. It’s not that easy!”
Zhao Daliang thought that it seemed like Liu Siniang was determined to leave. If she wanted to go, fine, but he couldn’t let his reputation be ruined. He wanted her to leave with a tarnished reputation. If he could drag Li Shi and Shen Zi’an into this mess, that would be even better. Their luck was just too good, finding a tiger and a sacred beast in this remote village. They were living such a good life. He had toiled outside for years, enduring so much hardship, yet never earned such a fortune. He felt envy and resentment. If he could ruin their reputation, he would feel somewhat better.
Li Shi, infuriated, wanted to confront Zhao Daliang, but Shen Zi’an held his arm. Physical altercation wouldn’t resolve the situation; it would only make people believe Zhao Daliang’s words even more.
Su Zhi comforted Liu Siniang, who was trembling with anger upon hearing Zhao Daliang’s remarks. In her heart, she cursed Zhao Daliang, thinking that he truly lived up to being the son of that gossiping old woman, Li, daring to utter such words. Regardless of whether he felt guilty, he was shameless to say his wife had been involved with other men.
“Zhao Daliang, before you speak such words, examine your conscience. Everyone in our village knows the kind of person Siniang is. She’s worked like an ox for your Zhao family for so many years. You’re gone for a whole year, leaving behind your mother and younger sister, and it’s all thanks to Siniang that the family holds together. She took care of your mother and sister, and look at herself, she’s practically wasted away. Are you not ashamed? You dare say she’s been unproductive for three years. When the man isn’t home, who do you expect her to have children with? Ah, you’ve found a good woman now, and find Siniang an obstacle, so you claim she’s involved with other men. If she had a child, you’d call it illegitimate! You take advantage of everything! Have you no shame?”
Su Zhi stood by Liu Siniang’s bed, pointing and scolding Zhao Daliang, not to change his mind, but to express her disgust. Even if he did change his mind, Su Zhi still wouldn’t want Liu Siniang to continue living with him. She had seen the exchanged glances between Liu Siniang and Li Shi, and now, seeing Li Shi’s anxious expression, all her past suspicions became clear. So, it turned out that Li Shi and Liu Siniang really did have feelings for each other.
Recalling the red waistband given to Li Shi, Su Zhi realized it was from Liu Siniang. The embroidery on it really did resemble Liu Siniang’s work!
Su Zhi wished it were true, hoping that after Liu Siniang divorced, she could marry Li Shi. She had always felt that they were well-suited, but unfortunately, at that time, Liu Siniang was a married woman. Now, it was the perfect opportunity for Liu Siniang to leave her painful marriage.
Divorce was necessary, and it had to be a clean break from the Zhao family, causing them to lose both a wife/daughter-in-law and their reputation!
Su Zhi’s loud accusations against Zhao Daliang were aimed at clearing Liu Siniang’s name, garnering sympathy for her, and making others see the Zhao family’s true colors. It would be the best time for Liu Siniang to leave the Zhao family.
“Exactly! Married for three years, yet absent for two and a half years, and he blames his wife for not having children. That’s truly unreasonable.”
Li Qing’s wife, who had just arrived with Shugen’s Wife, was always close to Liu Siniang. Being straightforward, she immediately began speaking up for Liu Siniang.
Shugen’s Wife chimed in, “If the aim is to have heirs, just marry a secondary wife. Why must they degrade their legal wife to a concubine? If they’re unhappy with their legal wife, they should state their reasons and seek a divorce. Demoting her to a concubine is like pushing a lawful wife into a corner!”
The others began to agree. Shugen’s Wife was right. Degrading a legitimate wife to a concubine would make life unbearable. Liu Siniang had already been mistreated by the Zhao family, and if she became a concubine, her situation would worsen.
Su Zhi mockingly recited Zhang Qingniang’s so-called family tradition.
“To demote a legal wife to a concubine in the name of a family tradition is truly a joke! Siniang would have willingly left, yet you wouldn’t let her go, accusing her of being involved with someone else! If she had really committed such an act, why would you want to keep her? Do you Zhao family members have such saintly tolerance to accept such behavior from your wife/daughter-in-law? Who would believe such accusations? All you want is to keep Siniang as a servant. Your thoughts are truly deluded!”
Li Zheng addressed Zhao Daliang, “Daliang, a woman’s reputation cannot be slandered lightly, especially considering that Siniang has been a diligent daughter-in-law to your Zhao family for years. You need evidence to make such claims. Otherwise, our Riverside Village cannot tolerate such disgrace!”
Aunt Li countered, “Li Zheng, evidence? I’ve long said this wretched woman was involved with someone else, but none of you believed me. Now, she’s eager to leave and find that wild man! Our Zhao family cannot tolerate such a woman tarnishing our reputation!”
Li Zheng angrily retorted, “And what do you propose? Let Siniang stay in your Zhao family as a concubine? In any other family, such an unfaithful woman would be dismissed. Why are you adamant about keeping her here? What kind of reasoning is this? I say, if there’s no evidence proving Siniang’s infidelity, then silence! Riverside Village cannot tolerate such tarnishing of reputations!”
Li Zheng was genuinely angry, feeling sorry for Siniang. Moreover, with the approaching Rain Worship Festival, the village had gained much attention this year. If rumors of infidelity were to spread, it would be a huge embarrassment.
Upon seeing Li Zheng’s annoyance, Zhao Daliang said, “Li Zheng, calm down. We won’t discuss this matter further. It’s our family affair, and we don’t want to disturb you and the villagers. Please, everyone, go rest. We’ll handle our family matters ourselves. Please, disperse.”
The onlookers had no intention of leaving; the drama wasn’t over yet. Despite Zhao Daliang’s polite gestures, they remained.
Su Zhi hurried over to pull Liu Siniang aside, urging her to speak up while everyone was still present. She was unsure about how easy it would be for a woman to seek a divorce at this time, so she felt it was best to finalize the matter while the crowd was there. Zhao Daliang was not a suitable husband, and divorcing him as soon as possible was the best course of action.
After Zhao Daliang’s outburst earlier, Liu Siniang was even more determined to seek a divorce. As Su Zhi pulled her, she dropped to her knees with a thud.
“Li Zheng, fellow villagers, today, please listen to me. I want to divorce Zhao Daliang. I quit being this Zhao family’s wife. I refuse to be a part of this household, let alone a concubine!” proclaimed Liu Siniang.
Aunt Li began to berate Liu Siniang, “You shameless wench! You’ve disgraced our Zhao family. You want to leave? No way! You’ll either die or die in our Zhao family!”
“In the laws of our country, there’s no prohibition against a woman seeking a divorce. I want a divorce, and you can’t stop me!”