Font Size:
Liu Siniang looked at Aunt Li with an unprecedented determination, causing her scolding to halt. Aunt Li thought, “This wretched woman is set on her decision!” Meanwhile, Zhao Daliang, observing his usually docile wife, sensed a change, worsening his mood. It wouldn’t trouble him to divorce her, but the thought of her leaving to be with another man unsettled him.
“Liu Siniang, do you truly want to live with this Li Shi? You have no shame, you wretched woman!” Zhao Daliang gritted his teeth, feeling that Liu Siniang’s actions were disrespectful, tarnishing his reputation in the village, so he didn’t feel the need to show her any respect.
Li Zheng glared at Zhao Daliang, thinking that he had just mentioned the need for evidence and should not continue making baseless accusations. Although he couldn’t confront Zhao Daliang over this matter, he was already discontented with him.
Li Shi angrily exclaimed, “Zhao Daliang, are you even a man? How can you doubt your own wife like this? You want to demote her from wife to concubine, yet you won’t allow her to seek a divorce? What’s the matter? If she won’t be your concubine, you will resort to tarnishing her reputation? With your behavior, who in the village will dare to associate with you in the future?”
Upon hearing this, the onlookers were stirred, thinking that indeed, Zhao Daliang was truly despicable. They had initially assumed that having traveled outside, he might have gained some understanding and wouldn’t act as unreasonably as the women in the Zhao family. To their surprise, he was even more ruthless and unscrupulous. Not even the wife who had served them for three years was spared. Reputation was crucial for a woman, and he was willing to destroy it! It seemed that in the future, they would have to keep their distance from the Zhao family.
These were the thoughts of everyone present.
As Zhao Daliang looked at Li Shi, he felt frustrated, wondering if Li Shi was doing this deliberately. Was he trying to distance himself from the villagers? He was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Li Shi.
“Li Shi, what connivance do you have with this wretched woman? Don’t think I’m unaware! You want me to divorce her so you can marry her. It’s not that easy!” Zhao Daliang exclaimed.
Li Shi clenched his fists, feeling equally frustrated. Zhao Daliang’s outburst would tarnish Liu Siniang’s and his own reputation. He didn’t care about his own reputation, but for Liu Siniang, it was distressing. If Shen Zi’an hadn’t advised him against further conflict, he would have certainly taught Zhao Daliang a harsh lesson.
“Zhao Daliang, by slandering Siniang and Brother Shitou, you’re asking for retribution!” Su Zhi thought Zhao Daliang was despicable. His words could cause complications for Brother Shitou and Liu Siniang’s relationship. If they were to marry in the future, the Zhao family might accuse them of premeditation, further damaging their reputations.
At this moment, Shen Zi’an interjected, “Brother Shitou is a man of deep emotions and integrity, far better than your callousness. If they can’t find a good person to settle down in the future, your words will be responsible!”
Su Zhi glanced at Shen Zi’an, thinking: “Darling, you really know how to speak. You said it perfectly.”
Zhao Daliang glared at Shen Zi’an and said, “Brother Shen! Are you and your wife colluding with Li Shi to seduce my wife? What’s on your mind? Aren’t you afraid of future repercussions on your descendants?”
Shen Zi’an’s expression darkened upon hearing this. Stepping forward, he said, “Say that again!”
Startled, Zhao Daliang took a step back. Shen Zi’an’s stern demeanor created an almost palpable pressure, causing him to break out in a cold sweat. He realized Shen Zi’an had killed a tiger and even had a sacred beast obey his commands. He dared not confront Shen Zi’an head-on.
Aunt Li shouted and rushed forward, standing in front of Zhao Daliang. “What’s this? What’s this? You want to fight? If you want to fight, then fight me, this old woman! You help others steal someone’s wife and still have the nerve! Why doesn’t a thunderbolt come down from the sky and strike down these four heartless scoundrels? It’s as if they have no regard for their lives!”
Zhang Qingniang hurried over to support Aunt Zhao, comforting her in a soft voice, feeling troubled herself. How had things escalated to this point? It was assumed that by manipulating a seemingly sickly village woman, she could easily be turned into a concubine, a servant. But now, the entire village had gathered to witness the commotion. The way people looked at her made it clear that they saw her as a sly fox. She had also offended Shen Zi’an and his wife, these affluent villagers with a sacred beast at home. She had hoped to build connections with them, but now, it seemed that avoiding becoming their enemy would be enough.
“It’s all my fault. I think I should leave,” Zhang Qingniang said, tears welling up as she put on a pitiful and delicate façade in front of everyone. While she looked down on the villagers, considering them all to be peasants, she didn’t want to be seen as a sly fox. Acting was necessary.
Aunt Li reassured Zhang Qingniang, “Good daughter-in-law, it’s not your fault. It’s all because of this wretched woman’s lack of understanding. Don’t worry, you are the rightful wife of my son. We don’t want this wretched woman in our Zhao family!”
Aunt Li also realized that Liu Siniang wouldn’t stay. In reality, the Liang Dynasty did allow women to initiate divorce. In Zhao Daliang’s case, demoting his wife to a concubine was unreasonable. If Liu Siniang didn’t protest, it would work, but if she refused, they couldn’t lower her to a concubine. If it came to that, according to her family’s tradition, Zhang Qingniang couldn’t marry Zhao Daliang, and Zhao Daliang’s reputation would be severely damaged. That would be a significant loss.
Aunt Li, after weighing the gains and losses she had calculated for most of her life, decided to let go of Liu Siniang. Although losing someone who worked tirelessly without pay and could influence Zhang Qingniang was a loss, it was better than risking her son’s reputation, wealth, and honor.
Upon hearing this, Liu Siniang’s eyes brightened. Before she had requested a divorce, she feared this outcome. Now, hearing it, she felt as if a person imprisoned for years was finally going to see the light of day, feeling a sudden sense of relief.
Su Zhi and the others also felt relieved, sharing Liu Siniang’s joy and expressing sympathy for the hardships she had endured over the years.
“Hmph, don’t get too happy too soon. I haven’t finished speaking!” Aunt Li interrupted upon seeing the seemingly joyous expressions. She extended her hand, resembling a chicken’s claw, and gestured palm-up and palm-down.
“Ten taels of silver! If you want a divorce, bring ten taels of silver!”
Liu Siniang widened her eyes, standing still after being helped up by Su Zhi, gazing at Aunt Li with a vacant expression. Su Zhi also stared at Aunt Li, wondering if she had become obsessed with money.
“Aunt Li, have you ever heard of a wife paying silver for a divorce? Are you confused?” Li Qing’s Wife exclaimed loudly. Her words caused the previously quiet onlookers, who had been stunned by Aunt Li’s demands, to speak up against her.
Su Zhi said, “Aunt Li, perhaps you misspoke. You don’t want ten taels of silver from Siniang, but rather, you wish to give her ten taels of silver, right? If that’s the case, we’re almost there!”
Aunt Li glared with narrow eyes and retorted, “This wretched woman has shamed our Zhao family. Give her silver? Hmph! She should be beaten and thrown out. Giving her silver? I want her to give us silver, to compensate for the disgrace she’s brought upon our Zhao family all these years! Stop the nonsense, bring the silver. Otherwise, you can work in our Zhao family for ten years before leaving!”
Su Zhi was close to laughter. She thought Liu Siniang’s worth had apparently hit rock bottom, as if she was only worth one or two taels of silver for a year’s work. If this continued for ten years, Liu Siniang would probably be on the brink of death! What was Aunt Li thinking? She simply wanted them to help Liu Siniang with the silver, planning to profit from it in the end? This obstinate woman was truly fixated on money, with a fear of dying without it in the future!
Liu Siniang regained her composure, her face turning pale with anger. “I don’t have the money! I’d rather take this to court and let the county magistrate decide! Then we’ll see whose reputation is tarnished!”
Aunt Li glared at Liu Siniang. She thought Liu Siniang had grown bold, daring to speak to her like this. However, she truly didn’t want to involve the authorities. It would not only cost money but also damage her son’s reputation. Yet, she couldn’t back down now.
“Daliang, look at her! Look at her! This is your wife! What a difficult woman!” Aunt Li exclaimed.
At this point, Zhao Daliang had no response. He didn’t want to escalate the situation further, as it would tarnish his reputation. Besides, he couldn’t fight against Li Shi and Shen Zi’an. Moreover, he didn’t really care for Liu Siniang anymore. If she wanted to leave, so be it.
Zhang Qingniang approached and said, “Mother-in-law, don’t be upset. Siniang has worked hard these years. Let’s not ask her for the ten taels of silver; consider it as me paying on her behalf.”
Aunt Li immediately responded, “Qingniang, you are so reasonable. It’s truly a blessing for our Zhao family to have you. Originally, our Zhao family is kind-hearted, and you are also compassionate. We even thought about keeping that wretched woman in our home. But if she doesn’t appreciate it, then let her go. Having you as a wife is enough for Daliang.”
Zhang Qingniang thought to herself that Aunt Li really didn’t know how to speak. She wasn’t even afraid of being ostracized by the villagers! She couldn’t show her displeasure on her face and remained expressionless.
Li Zheng asked Zhao Daliang if he agreed to divorce Liu Siniang. After glaring at Liu Siniang, Zhao Daliang finally nodded in agreement.
In the Liang Dynasty, according to the law, a divorce between a husband and wife only required a divorce certificate, similar to a decree of divorce, but with a more euphemistic connotation.
Li Zheng had someone bring paper and pen, and then he wrote a divorce letter. Both Zhao Daliang and Liu Siniang signed and pressed their fingerprints on it. The names of the witnesses were also inscribed below.
Liu Siniang received the divorce letter, and her eyes were now dry. She held the document to her chest, feeling as if a heavy stone that had been weighing on her heart had suddenly disappeared.