"Long ago, Grandfather knew Zhao's character and intended for Uncle to divorce her. However, Uncle adamantly refused. Fearing it would damage their father-son relationship, the matter of divorce was left unresolved. Now that Zhao is so overbearing, Grandfather is determined to have Uncle divorce her."
If Ling Mohan hadn't mentioned it, Feng Jin wouldn't have known about these underlying reasons.
"Then, if you look at it this way, it's not surprising that Zhao was divorced." Thinking about it this way, Feng Jin's thoughts were finally clear.
Feng Jin couldn't help but feel a sense of schadenfreude about Zhao's divorce, and a smile never left her lips.
Meanwhile, Ling Wan wore a worried expression, her eyes downcast, appearing deeply troubled.
"What's wrong? Aren't you happy that Zhao was divorced?"
In Feng Jin's opinion, getting rid of the troublesome Zhao from the Ling family was definitely a good thing.
"No, I'm just worried... worried that Zhao will harbor resentment because of this and resort to underhanded tactics. Eldest Sister, we still need to be wary."
Ling Wan's words reminded Feng Jin. She knew how vicious Zhao's heart was. Having suffered such a significant setback, she was bound to harbor resentment. If pushed to desperation, she might act recklessly, so it was indeed necessary to be vigilant.
"For now, you can stay in the East Courtyard. The East Courtyard is heavily guarded, and even if Zhao had eyes everywhere, she couldn't extend her reach in here. Bring your mother over too, rest assured."
"Thank you, Eldest Sister." Ling Wan expressed her gratitude repeatedly. She was merely a minor concubine's daughter, living her days in the manor with great trepidation, never daring to cause trouble for fear of bringing disaster upon herself.
"I'll feign illness for the next few days. Once Zhao is driven out of the Ling family, I'll make an appearance."
After careful consideration, Feng Jin decided it was best to pretend to be ill. This was the safest course of action, preventing Zhao from finding any loopholes.
After Ling Wan departed, Ling Mohan led Feng Jin into the inner chambers.
"Why are you pulling me in here? Can't you say whatever you need to say outside? You even had to find an excuse to send Ling Wan away. Tell me, what's going on that requires such secrecy?"
"It's about the woman you rescued earlier."
Feng Jin's hand, holding the teacup, faltered. She put the cup down. "You mean Wang Yalan? Didn't I ask you to take her to the yamen? What's happened now?"
"Wang Yalan and her entire family were murdered by the Liu family," Ling Mohan said calmly.
The Liu family. If Ling Mohan spoke of them, it could only be the Liu family.
"You're not talking about the Empress's maternal family, are you?"
Feng Jin asked tentatively. From the expression on Ling Mohan's face, Feng Jin had already discerned the truth.
No wonder Wang Yalan had nowhere to turn for justice. For cases involving imperial relatives, not only did local yamen dare not handle them, but even the Dali Temple would hesitate to take them on.
It seemed she had once again caused Ling Mohan a significant problem. "What do you plan to do?"
"A sovereign who breaks the law is subject to the same punishment as a commoner. A life for a life is the natural order of things. Moreover, the laws of Eastern Chu are strict. Back then, the Empress Dowager's maternal family participated in rebellion and were punished accordingly. Now, it should be treated the same."
"Then let's proceed as you suggest. However, Wang Yalan needs to be properly settled for now. If the Liu family knows she's in the capital, they'll surely panic and might try to silence her."
After all, the best method would be for her to be dead, leaving no witnesses. The Liu family would not give up easily, and would the Empress in the palace truly stand by and do nothing?
"I'll make arrangements and ensure Wang Yalan is safe. However, evidence is currently insufficient, and we cannot file a case with the Dali Temple just yet."
Ling Mohan was also worried about potential complications arising from delays, but the case lacked sufficient evidence. Wang Yalan's word alone was not enough to convict them.
"That's simple. As long as the matter is escalated and the Emperor is angered, he will naturally send people to investigate, and evidence will be found."
If the situation blew up to an unmanageable point, Emperor Xuanwen, in order to quell public anger and suppress the turmoil, would certainly order a thorough investigation into the Liu family.
"Send people to collect evidence first. Then, we'll directly bring it before the Emperor. Even with a hundred mouths, the Liu family won't be able to explain themselves."
Ling Mohan couldn't help but admire Feng Jin's quick thinking. Only Feng Jin could come up with such a solution.
"Then, as my wife suggested, I'll have someone send Wang Yalan to the manor immediately."
The safest place would undoubtedly be the Ling manor. Even with all their audacity, the Liu family would not dare to rashly come to the Ling manor to apprehend someone. They would have to consider the consequences.
...
Zhao awoke and insisted on her own death. At one moment she threatened to drown herself, at another she wanted to hang herself, and then she clamored to take poison.
She felt she had no face to live, having been reduced to a state of being divorced. What face did she have left to live in this world?
Upon learning of this, Ling Yan pleaded tearfully to have her released from the ancestral hall. When she saw Zhao, she immediately burst into loud sobs, and mother and daughter crouched on the ground, embracing and weeping.
"Enough, stop crying!" Master Ling the Second was driven to dizziness by them.
"You heartless wretch! For nearly twenty years, I've been your wife, managing the household, bearing your children. If I have no merit, I certainly have toil. Yet, you disregard all marital affection and want to divorce me and send me back to my maiden home. Have you let dogs eat your conscience!"
Zhao stood up and pointed at Master Ling the Second's nose, cursing him vehemently. There was no trace of the demeanor of an official's wife or a noble lady; she was a complete shrew from the marketplace.
Being cursed at so thoroughly with her nose pointed at in front of so many servants, Master Ling the Second lost face. He abruptly pushed Zhao away.
"Enough! I have kept you in the Ling family until now, and I consider it the utmost benevolence. I have done nothing to wrong you!"
His father had repeatedly suggested he divorce her, but each time he had used their marital affection as an excuse to postpone the matter. He never expected her to become even more brazen and overstep her bounds.
Knowing Feng Jin was pregnant, how could she have been as foolish as a pig to go and cause trouble for her? Wasn't that courting death?
After being pushed, Zhao completely collapsed onto the ground and wailed, "You heartless wretch, you dare to hit me? You dare to hit me? You're just bullying me because my maiden family is in commerce, and that's why you treat me like this!"
"I'm telling you, I've borne you two children. Your Ling family can't just divorce me like this. It's impossible!"
Zhao placed her hands on her hips, her eyes blazing with fire as she glared at Master Ling the Second. Getting rid of her was simply impossible.
"It's not me who wants to divorce you, it's Father who wants me to divorce you. Zhao family's carriage will arrive soon. You'd better pack your things and leave!"
"What did you say? You dare to have my maiden family come to pick me up? I'm not leaving! I'll die here before I go!" Zhao screamed hysterically, clinging tightly to a pillar and refusing to let go.
"As you wish. The matter is settled. When the Zhao family arrives, whether you want to go or not, you'll have to go."