Mistress Qin's accusations gradually dissolved into sobs. Her weakened knees could no longer support her, and she collapsed onto the floor.
Lu Nianfu and Gu Yanchen exchanged bewildered glances, never having anticipated such an old secret would surface.
The old Marquis of Guangling was solely dedicated to his official career and showed little interest in women. Though he had a few concubines, he only had two sons from his principal wife. Gu Rong and Gu Li lived in brotherly harmony, a testament to his choice of names for his sons, inspired by the tale of "Kong Rong yielding the pears."
Not only Gu Yanchen and Lu Nianfu, but Gu Rong and Gu Li themselves were stunned.
Neither of them had ever managed household affairs, so they had no idea that the seemingly fair division of assets years ago concealed such a hidden truth.
Mistress Fang leaped up in agitation, "Sister-in-law, what nonsense are you spouting? You mismanaged your own affairs and squandered the ancestral property father left you. Now you're using the unfair division of assets as an excuse, deliberately trying to sow discord between the Marquis and his younger brother? Besides, the division of assets was witnessed by the clan elders back then."
Mistress Qin had now thrown all caution to the wind, a sneer playing on her lips. "Those clan elders took your bribes, how could they care about justice? Aside from the shops, the land deeds are still here. Dare you, sister-in-law, compare the land deeds between our two families? It's just a pity that the master was so engrossed in his books that he paid no heed to the difficulties of managing the household."
The price difference between fertile land and dry land was more than ten taels of silver, not to mention their yields. It was difficult to even rent out the dry land, and the rent collected was meager.
Gu Li, recalling the financial issues his wife had mentioned to him several times, felt a pang of guilt.
Gu Rong, however, glared at Mistress Fang. "Tell me, what exactly happened during the division of assets back then?"
Mistress Fang cowered, "Who remembers such ancient events?"
"You... fine, very fine."
Gu Yanchen pulled him aside. "Father, Second Uncle, let's put these old matters aside for now. What's important is Second Aunt's situation."
Mistress Qin wiped her tears, "Madame Luan only asked me to sit in the Shuguang Tower for a while each day before the exam."
"Did any other examiners' wives go?"
"I don't know about that. This was my first time today. As soon as I entered, before I could even order tea and snacks, Qingya brought me out."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, grateful she was brought out in time.
Gu Yanchen pondered, "Let's put this matter to rest for now. Second Aunt, pretend this never happened. If Madame Luan contacts you again, just keep the letters safe."
Mistress Qin nodded, her eyes red.
Gu Yanchen found it difficult to admonish his elders, and Gu Rong felt too ashamed. Gu Li, however, adopted a stern tone with his wife. But thinking of his wife being driven to such a state by financial woes, his intended reprimand softened. "Now that I've been appointed an examiner by the Emperor, while not the chief examiner, many eyes are upon me. Like this incident, it's easy for people to exploit. If news of leaked questions breaks out after the imperial examination, and you were seen at the Shuguang Tower, you'd never be able to clear your name, no matter how hard you tried."
Mistress Qin sobbed, "Wuwu, Master, I know I was wrong."
"It's good that you know," Gu Li patted her back. "From now on, don't make such important decisions on your own."
Gu Rong glared at Mistress Fang, "You too."
Mistress Fang was indignant. Why was she involved? Moreover, "Does my husband mean that since Sister-in-law committed such a serious offense, it will just be overlooked?"
A respectable lady of the household, forced by life to bow down to ten thousand taels of silver. Gu Rong thought of his sister-in-law's accusations and felt ashamed to face anyone. Hearing Mistress Fang's words now, he became furious. "Then what do you want?"
"What do I want? Am I not doing this for the family? Brother-in-law, the only way now is to sever ties with Sister-in-law, so we won't be implicated. You should divorce her! If you're reluctant to write the divorce letter, as the elder sister-in-law is like a mother, I can do it on your behalf."
Everyone turned to look at her, their eyes filled with astonishment.
Gu Rong was the first to regain his senses. This time, he no longer held back and delivered a fierce slap.
Mistress Fang was sitting on a circular chair, but the slap sent both her and the chair tumbling, demonstrating the force he used. "If you say one more word, I will divorce you immediately."
He then turned to Mistress Qin with a face full of remorse, "Sister-in-law, alas, as your elder brother-in-law, I truly did not know about this. Please rest assured, I will give you a satisfactory resolution regarding the division of assets."
Lu Nianfu blinked, feeling a flicker of goodwill towards her ostensibly cheap father-in-law for the first time.
Gu Li sighed, "Eldest Brother, it's more important to resolve the issue of the examination questions first. Nephew, this matter is entrusted to you."
"Don't worry, Second Uncle. I've already sent someone to infiltrate the Shuguang Tower to investigate."