TRBDM -Chapter 78 Heading to the General’s Manor

“Mother, you entered the palace?”

Xie Wanrou looked at Wei Zhaorong, dressed in her formal noblewoman’s court attire, and asked in surprise.

Wei Zhaorong stood straight-backed. Though her emotions churned within, she suppressed them. “Rou’er, kneel and receive the imperial decree.”

Boom!

The sudden ringing in her ears left Xie Wanrou almost unable to think. She simply obeyed her mother’s command and knelt.

“This is the divorce edict personally written by His Majesty. From this day forward, you and Lei Lieshan are no longer husband and wife. You have completely severed ties with the Weiyuan General’s Manor.”

Wei Zhaorong handed over the imperial edict. Xie Wanrou’s arms trembled so badly she could barely hold it.

The decree was clearly light—yet it felt as heavy as ten thousand catties.

She had never imagined that she would truly see the day she was freed from Lei Lieshan.

Two lines of tears streamed down her face.

For the first time, Xie Wanrou felt that tears could taste sweet.

Wei Zhaorong was equally overwhelmed, but she only let the tears gather in her eyes before lifting her chin and forcing them back down.

“Thank Your Majesty for Your heavenly grace!”

Holding the edict high above her head with both hands, Xie Wanrou bowed deeply in gratitude.

After a long while, once she had calmed herself, she carefully opened the decree.

Only a few concise characters were written upon it—bold and forceful, like a sharp blade cutting away the shackles that had bound her.

At the end of the edict were the words: The betrothal gifts and dowry shall each be returned to their original owner.

“Rou’er, are you ready?”

“Hm?” Xie Wanrou’s eyes were red from crying. “Ready for what?”

“To take back what rightfully belongs to you—your dowry.”

There was a spark in Wei Zhaorong’s eyes that stirred something within Xie Wanrou as well.

“We’re going today?”

“Right now!”

For the first time, the usually gentle and hesitant Xie Wanrou answered with such decisiveness, without the slightest hesitation. “Yes! I’ll listen to Mother.”

“Men! Go to the Eastern Courtyard and summon the eldest young master and the eldest young madam. Also gather all the household guards and attendants. In half a shichen, we depart for the Weiyuan General’s Manor.”

“Yes!”

In no time, the entire marquis residence bustled with activity.

Some led out horses, others prepared carriages, and some even gathered staves and cudgels.

Xie Chuan hurried over from the Eastern Courtyard, rolling up his sleeves as he spoke. “Mother, are we going to the Weiyuan General’s Manor to fight today? Don’t worry—these past days, stuck in the Eastern Courtyard with nothing to do, I’ve been training every day. My arm strength is astonishing now. Oh right, should I bring my bow? My archery is first-rate.”

Many of the attendants at the General’s Manor had been to the battlefield and served as soldiers. They were far more skilled in combat than the marquis household’s guards.

So Xie Chuan figured that if they couldn’t win barehanded, bringing weapons would surely help.

And he wasn’t exaggerating. During his confinement in the Eastern Courtyard, he had truly practiced riding and archery every day, improving rapidly.

Wei Zhaorong was inwardly quite satisfied with her son’s enthusiasm, though she did not show it. Instead, she asked, “I’ve heard the Lei family’s servants have trained in martial arts since childhood, and most of their attendants have seen battle. Are you afraid?”

Hearing this, Xie Chuan did hesitate a little.

But his eyes darted about, and he leaned close to Wei Zhaorong’s ear. “How about we recruit some highly skilled fighters from outside and disguise them as our household guards? If a fight really breaks out, we let them charge in front, and I’ll shoot hidden arrows from behind.”

“Recruiting talent requires silver. Will you pay for it?”

“Uh…”

At present, Xie Chuan didn’t even have a single copper coin on him.

“Mother, wait a moment. I’ll go ask Shuyao for some. The silver in Ruixiang Courtyard is all in her hands—I’ll go apply for funds.”

With that, he turned to run off.

“Chuan’er.” Wei Zhaorong called out in time to stop him. “I was only teasing you.”

“Huh?” Xie Chuan was completely baffled.

At that moment, Dou Shuyao walked over and leaned close to his ear, giving him a brief explanation.

After listening, Xie Chuan slapped his thigh. “Move the dowry! Let’s go. I’ll take the lead—everyone follow me!”

Perhaps Xie Chuan wasn’t particularly capable, but his determination to protect his family had always been there.

When it came to handling matters outside the residence on behalf of the Marquis household, for now only the legitimate eldest son, Xie Chuan, could step forward.

Xie Sheng busied himself currying favor in official circles and liked attaching himself to those in power. He feared offending anyone the most. Asking him to offend a general of higher rank than himself was absolutely impossible.

Xie Lan and Xie Yu were still young; dangerous matters should not be handled by them.

For the time being, it could only be Xie Chuan.

Watching him roll up his sleeves eagerly, Dou Shuyao found herself, for once, thinking, He’s not so bad after all.

The next second, she stopped herself.

That thought was dangerous.

Men were born lustful—that couldn’t be changed. Xie Chuan’s flaws wouldn’t disappear overnight. In the future, he would still be attracted to other women.

She must not fall in too deep.

Dou Shuyao didn’t allow herself much time for idle thoughts. Seeing that it was getting late, they had to hurry to the Weiyuan General’s Residence to take care of business.

Once everyone was ready, the large group set off in an imposing procession toward the General’s Residence.

By the time the people of the Mingde Marquis Residence arrived at the gates of the General’s Residence, dusk was approaching.

Ever since Wei Zhaorong had ordered a plaque hung on the stone lion at the Marquis Residence reading “Dogs and members of the Lei family are forbidden entry,” no one from the Lei family had shown up again.

Lei Lieshan had been arrested and taken to the Court of Judicial Review, and the Lei family had lost face. They had been keeping a low profile ever since.

Xie Chuan strode up to the General’s Residence gate and began pounding on it loudly.

“Open up! Hurry and open the door!”

He knocked for quite some time before the steward finally opened it.

The steward looked up at the sight outside and jumped in fright.

“You… who are you people? What do you want?”

“Open your dog eyes and take a good look. You don’t even recognize me? What a waste of eyesight. Go get Lei Tieyun out here. We’re here to retrieve the dowry of the legitimate eldest daughter of the Mingde Marquis Residence. Move quickly and open the storeroom.”

“Wh-what?”

“What are you standing there for? Go!” Xie Chuan waved him off, then ordered the main gates opened and personally supported Wei Zhaorong as she walked inside.

Returning once more to the place of her nightmares, Xie Wanrou felt a thousand emotions surge through her heart.

But this time, she did not feel even a trace of fear.

With such a large group entering the residence in grand fashion, it quickly attracted the attention of the General’s household.

The servants inside were sharp-eyed and disciplined, entirely different from the marquis household’s guards.

Lei Tieyun, wearing a veil, hurried over.

“Wei Zhaorong! How dare you come to the General’s Residence to cause trouble again!”

Ever since being slapped several times by Wei Zhaorong last time, Lei Tieyun’s mouth had been swollen for days.

Now the swelling had subsided, but her broken false teeth couldn’t be put back in. Too embarrassed to show her face, she had taken to wearing a veil.

Her speech leaked air, but her voice was still full of force. At this moment, consumed by anger, the finger she pointed at Wei Zhaorong trembled violently.

“Men! Throw them out—throw them all out!”

At her command, the household guards immediately advanced toward the people from the Marquis Residence.

Just then, Lei Tieyun spotted Xie Wanrou standing to the side.

She immediately shifted her target.

“Xie Wanrou! You call yourself a model noble lady of the capital. Not only do you fail to greet your mother-in-law, you even bring your natal family to storm the General’s Residence. This is outrageous! When my Lieshan returns, I’ll make him divorce you and turn you into a discarded wife!”

In the past, Xie Wanrou had been like a mouse before a cat whenever she saw Lei Tieyun.

But this time, she was not intimidated by her words.

“Madam Lei, I’m afraid you won’t have that opportunity.”