TRBDM -Chapter 80 Shen Zhizhi Demands Justice

“Mm.” Xie Chuan replied coolly.

He had wanted to put on the airs of an elder brother, but the very next second, Xie Sheng and Xie Yu immediately abandoned him and ran toward the carriage behind.

The enthusiasm they showed was a hundred times greater than what they had just displayed toward him.

Xie Lan’s eyes sparkled, a wide smile hanging on his lips, even his voice rising several notes:

“Mother, Eldest Sister, you’re back?”

Xie Wanrou was roused by the commotion outside. She blinked drowsily. “Mother, have we arrived at the Marquis Manor?”

“Yes. Since you’re awake, get down from the carriage.”

Xie Wanrou straightened her wrinkled sleeves from sleep and only then realized that she had just been sleeping with her head resting on Wei Zhaorong’s lap.

Such an intimate gesture—she had no memory of ever sharing one like this before.

A warm current flowed through her heart.

After that nap, Xie Wanrou felt completely refreshed. The moment she lifted the carriage curtain, she saw the young faces of Xie Lan and Xie Yu.

“Lan’er, Yu’er, it’s so late. Why aren’t you asleep?”

“We were waiting for you.”

As soon as Xie Lan and Xie Yu returned from school, they heard that people from the Marquis Manor had gone to the General’s Manor to retrieve Eldest Sister’s dowry. They had immediately grown anxious and tried to rush over to the General’s Manor.

But at the gate, they were stopped by the steward.

Wei Zhaorong had deliberately left the steward behind just for the two of them.

“Young Masters, before the Old Madam left, she instructed this old servant to keep an eye on you. She told you not to worry, to focus on your studies. Everything is under her control.”

Those words, however, did little to ease their worries.

The General’s Manor was no peaceful place. This visit was to reclaim their elder sister’s dowry—there was no way the people there would simply let it go. If it came to blows, how could the Marquis Manor possibly be a match for the General’s Manor?

That evening, the two buried their heads in their schoolwork, but their minds could not settle.

For once, neither of them felt like reviewing their lessons. By unspoken agreement, they came to wait outside the gates of the Marquis Manor.

They waited a long, long time. Finally, at the far end of the street, they saw the returning group.

“Mother, Eldest Sister.” The two greeted obediently.

Wei Zhaorong glanced at them. Her expression remained calm, but inwardly she nodded in approval.

The children had not been raised in vain—they knew to worry about their family.

“Enough,” Wei Zhaorong said, adopting a stern tone. “You two, go back to sleep at once. Only with proper rest will you have the energy for class tomorrow. I heard from Madam Dong that Mr. Dong will soon select several students to compete with those from the Imperial Academy. Do you know about this?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Since you know, then both of you must strive to earn a place in that competition. The Imperial Academy is filled with the sons of high officials and members of the imperial clan. Since childhood, they have been taught by Teachers and the Jijiu, and they have access to the imperial library’s collections and classical texts. Compared to them, you are as different as clouds and mud. If you are selected to go and compete at the Imperial Academy, it would be an immense honor.”

Wei Zhaorong did not expect them to win any ranking. She only wanted them to see that there was always someone better, always a sky beyond the sky.

A frog at the bottom of a well sees only a narrow world. To go further, one must witness a broader horizon.

Xie Lan and Xie Yu exchanged a glance and said in unison, “Mother, we will work hard.”

“Good. Then go back and sleep now. Rest well so you can face the competition in good spirits.”

“Yes.”

The two looked once more at Xie Wanrou, standing there graceful and smiling. They waved at her before running off with quick steps.

Xie Wanrou supported Wei Zhaorong. “Mother, I’ll escort you back to Anhe Courtyard to rest.”

“Mm.”

Wei Zhaorong was no longer young. After such a day of exertion, she was already at her limit, her head feeling heavy and faint.

“Mother, you go and rest. Leave the rest to me,” Dou Shuyao said.

“Mother, me too. I’ll help Shuyao. You should go to sleep,” Xie Chuan immediately added, raising his hand to volunteer.

Wei Zhaorong felt deeply gratified. “All right.”

When they reached the entrance of the Marquis’ residence, Wei Zhaorong turned back for a glance. Xie Chuan and Dou Shuyao were efficiently directing the servants in moving the dowry.

The corner of her lips curved slightly. Reassured, she returned to rest.

The next day, Wei Zhaorong slept until well past mid-morning.

Everyone had been exhausted yesterday. After all the dowry had been moved, Dou Shuyao announced that everyone could rise later today and leave their tasks for the following day.

Aside from Quyang Courtyard, all the other courtyards slept in.

Shen Zhizhi, however, rose early. The clanging and commotion in the residence had gone on all night, and she had barely slept.

Ever since becoming pregnant, she felt as though she had not enjoyed a single good night’s rest.

The whip wounds on Xie Sheng’s back had not yet fully scabbed over. The pain clung to him like a shadow; he could not even get out of bed.

Shen Zhizhi had to care for him while also protecting the child in her womb. Her mood was foul.

She twisted her handkerchief resentfully. Why was it that the second branch was shrouded in gloom while the first and third branches were brimming with joy?

Even that timid and useless eldest sister, Xie Wanrou, had successfully divorced and reclaimed her substantial dowry.

Why did all the good fortune fall into their hands?

Wasn’t it she who carried the Marquis’ residence’s legitimate eldest grandson?

The more she thought about it, the angrier and more aggrieved she became.

She had to go to Mother and demand justice!

With that thought, she went straight to Anhe Courtyard.

Wei Zhaorong had risen late that day. When Shen Zhizhi arrived, she was having breakfast.

One should not speak while eating or before sleep, so Shen Zhizhi could not talk at the table and could only wait in the main hall.

Wei Zhaorong leisurely sipped her porridge and ate pastries, completely unhurried.

After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, she finally finished.

Shen Zhizhi had been holding in a bellyful of grievances; before she could speak, tears fell first.

She sobbed for quite a while, but Wei Zhaorong did not utter a word.

Seeing that crying was getting her nowhere, Shen Zhizhi finally wiped away her tears.

“Mother, this daughter-in-law greets you.”

Deliberately supporting her waist, Shen Zhizhi made a grand bow that appeared both difficult and somewhat affected.

“Mm.” Wei Zhaorong’s expression was indifferent.

Seeing no reaction from her, Shen Zhizhi straightened up and spoke the words she had rehearsed many times in her heart.

“Mother, I heard that yesterday you took the divorce edict to the Wei Yuan General’s residence and reclaimed Elder Sister’s dowry. Congratulations to Elder Sister. I had originally wished to contribute as well, but my husband is bedridden, and I am with child, so I truly lack the strength despite my intentions. I hope Mother will forgive me.”

In a single sentence, Shen Zhizhi laid bare the purpose of her visit.

Wei Zhaorong could not be bothered with empty courtesies and asked bluntly:

“You think I punished Xie Sheng too harshly and have been neglecting you, is that it?”

Shen Zhizhi looked at her without answering.

The second branch had always failed to understand its proper place. Wei Zhaorong felt it better to make things clear now.

“You think that because Xie Sheng has become a seventh-rank official with boundless prospects, the entire Marquis’ residence should revolve around him and treat him like an ancestor to be worshipped?”

Shen Zhizhi pursed her lips. “Mother, we never said that.”

“Setting aside how far Xie Sheng’s official career may go in the future, let me ask you this: since becoming an official, has he made any contribution to the Marquis’ residence?”

“Contribution?” Shen Zhizhi did not understand.

“Xie Sheng takes a salary from the court and spends the monthly allowance from the Marquis’ residence. He has neither added a single brick nor tile to the household, nor has he supported his younger brothers and sisters. What meaning does his position as a seventh-rank official hold for the Marquis’ residence?”

“My husband represents the face of the Marquis’ residence.”

“Oh? And how does a mere seventh-rank official represent the residence’s face? With me, a fifth-rank titled lady, here—what ‘face’ does he amount to?”