Volume 1 Chapter 15: Forced Self-Debasement
Qing Luan stood behind Yan Qing and said, "Madam, Nanny Li is not speaking nonsense. According to the Dayong Code, if a man marries while still having a wife, he shall be sentenced to one year of penal servitude, and the woman's family shall receive a reduced penalty of one degree. If deceit is involved in the marriage, the sentence is one and a half years… Madam should think carefully before speaking."
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Nanny Li wept profusely: "What the second lady said is exactly this…"
Madam Zhen sneered.
Just as she was about to speak, she saw Yan Qing calm and composed, appearing confident and assured. Her heart skipped a beat, and her face turned uncertain and suspicious.
At this moment, a scholar among the crowd nodded and said, "Indeed, the Dayong Household and Marriage Code does have such a provision…"
"So Minister Yan has violated the law?"
"If even the officials knowingly break the law, how can ordinary people survive?"
"Everyone, let's go and accuse Yan Junyuan of abandoning his wife and marrying another!"
"Right, if officials break the law, life is unbearable!"
"Let's go! This woman wants to drive us away? We'll go to the Prefectural Magistrate! To the Dali Temple!"
The common people suddenly all stirred up, clamoring to accuse Yan Junyuan.
This terrified Madam Zhen!
She was merely the daughter of a rural scholar. Although she knew a few words, she was not familiar with the Dayong Code.
She had thought Yan Qing was deliberately frightening her, but could it actually be true?
Seeing those few people truly intending to leave, heading toward the Dali Temple, Madam Zhen immediately exclaimed, "No!"
Those few people frowned and turned back.
Madam Zhen blustered weakly, "Do you know who my husband is? You dare accuse my husband?"
"Even the emperor is subject to the same law as commoners!"
"Yes, stop being unreasonable!"
"Let's go, write the petition!"
To her surprise, those three people showed no respect for Madam Zhen and were not afraid of offending Yan Junyuan, the Minister of Revenue.
Yan Qing couldn't help but look at them a few more times.
She hadn't expected Lu Zhi to find such three capable individuals, each word piercing Madam Zhen's heart yet leaving her unable to retaliate.
Seeing the group about to head to the Dali Temple again, Madam Zhen panicked and recklessly ran down the stone steps to block the three: "My husband has not violated the law; you cannot accuse him."
"Abandoning a wife and marrying another is breaking the law!"
"Outrageous!"
A cold voice suddenly rang out.
Everyone turned and saw Yan Qing parting the crowd, standing before the three with an imposing presence. She coldly stated, "My father is a minister of the court; how could he knowingly break the law? He certainly would not abandon his wife and marry another!"
"Yes, yes, yes."
Madam Zhen was already panicked.
Now that Yan Qing stepped forward to defend Yan Junyuan, she instinctively echoed, "My husband has not abandoned his wife and married another!"
"Not abandoned his wife and married another?"
One of the three suddenly turned to look at Madam Zhen: "Then what are you, Madam?"
Madam Zhen: "I…"
That person said, "You just said Minister Yan performed the wedding ceremony with you, and you are his wife. But as we know, Minister Yan's legitimate wife is the eldest daughter of the Jiangjun Fu, Ye Xi Ruo!"
"Indeed, if what you say is true, then Yan Junyuan is truly despicable!"
"Madam, do not worry, we will go and seek justice for you!"
The three spoke with righteous indignation, appearing ready to stand up for Madam Zhen.
But Madam Zhen was burning with anxiety.
Who wanted these reckless men to seek justice? If they really went to the Dali Temple, her husband might lose his official position!
"Qing'er, quickly think of a solution…"
At the critical moment, Madam Zhen had no choice but to look pleadingly at Yan Qing.
After all, she was Ye Xi Ruo's daughter, Old General Ye's granddaughter. As long as she spoke up, who would dare to accuse the master?
Yan Qing had been waiting for this moment.
She lightly furrowed her delicate brows, sighing with feigned concern: "If not for Madam's momentary slip of the tongue, claiming to be Father's wife in front of outsiders, this situation would never have arisen. I fear Father may not only lose his official position but also his life…"
Madam Zhen's face turned pale: "Then, then you must hurry to Jiangjun Fu and ask…"
Yan Qing shook her head: "It's too late…"
"What should we do then?"
"To untie the bell, the one who tied it must do it. The only solution now is for Madam to clarify things to everyone…"
Madam Zhen froze for a moment.
She seemed to understand, yet also seemed not to understand.
Although Yan Qing was the legitimate daughter of Yan Manor, because Ye Xi Ruo secluded herself in the rear courtyard and avoided managing affairs, and the master did not dote on her, Yan Qing had developed a timid and inarticulate personality since childhood. Though she possessed some cleverness, she never dared to show off in front of her. But just now…
Madam Zhen asked blankly: "Qing'er, what do you want me to say?"
Yan Qing fixed her dark eyes on her, smiling gently: "Of course, to say that Madam was lying earlier—you are not Father's wife, only his concubine!"
"Buzz—"
Madam Zhen's head felt as if struck by a heavy hammer.
Her entire face began to tremble.
What was Yan Qing saying?
To have her admit in front of everyone that she was the master's concubine?!
She was the master's rightful wife!
Watching Madam Zhen's trembling face, Yan Qing sighed softly: "If we don't do this, I fear Father…"
At this moment, Madam Zhen finally realized she had fallen into Yan Qing's trap.
She glared at Yan Qing, gritting her teeth in a voice only the two could hear: "So this was your goal all along."
"Oh, they're about to leave…"
Yan Qing, however, acted as if she hadn't heard her words.
Madam Zhen took a deep breath, suddenly putting on a smiling face as she stepped forward and said: "Everyone has misunderstood. My master did not abandon his wife to remarry. The master's rightful wife has always been Sister Ye. I beg you all not to ruin the master's reputation…"
"Then you are…"
"I am the master's concubine!"
As these words left her mouth, Madam Zhen's gaze at Yan Qing was sharp enough to shoot daggers.
For over a decade, she had painstakingly schemed, finally gaining control of Yan Manor's household authority and winning the master's unique affection. Both inside and outside the manor, everyone gradually forgot about that old wretch Ye Xi Ruo, remembering only her as Madam Yan.
But today, it was all ruined by Yan Qing!
What a Yan Qing! What a Ye Xi Ruo!
It seemed that mother and daughter had been pretending all these years!
After admitting she was a concubine, Madam Zhen could not bear to stay another moment. With a cold face, she flicked her sleeve and returned to Yan Manor.
She didn't even care about Lu Qiao Nan.
The surrounding commoners exchanged bewildered glances.
And the three who had confronted Madam Zhen earlier vanished into the crowd.
Yan Qing turned and said: "Let's go."
Qing Luan immediately signaled the coachman to bring the carriage over and helped Yan Qing board.
Just as Yan Qing stepped onto the footstool, a familiar voice suddenly called out urgently: "Qing Qing."
Lu Qiao Nan, his eyes red, stared at Yan Qing's back, his voice hoarse beyond recognition: "Qing Qing, I was wrong!"
Yan Qing only paused for a moment before getting into the carriage.
"Let's go."
She lowered the carriage curtain, not sparing Lu Qiao Nan a single glance throughout.
Lu Qiao Nan was deeply shaken.
Even as the carriage passed by him, he had not yet snapped out of his daze.
Qingqing… why are you so cold-hearted?