Marrying the Sweet Story’s Melodramatic Villainess [Transmigration] - Chapter 53

The Emperor’s commendation of County Princess Duanmin acted as a clear signal. The Shen family was hit by a barrage of impeachments in the imperial court, leaving His Majesty with no choice but to order the Court of Judicial Review (Dali Si) to uncover the truth.

Upon hearing the news, the seventy-year-old Grandfather Shen felt his vision go dark. He knew then that the Shen family was finished.

During the reign of Emperor Huizong, Grandfather Shen served as the Assistant Minister of Imperial Sacrifices (Taichang Cheng). Throughout his tenure, he had been diligent and hardworking, never daring to slack off. Every three years, he watched his colleagues receive promotions; surely, it was finally his turn. Yet, a woman entered the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and in less than a year, she became the Vice Minister (Taichang Si Shaoqing), directly surpassing him to become his superior. That position should have been his. How could he possibly be satisfied? Especially since she had divorced her husband just to secure her official post—it was simply rebellious and against the natural order.

Determined to prevent such “home-ruining” women from appearing in his own family, Grandfather Shen became obsessed with etiquette and codes of conduct. When County Princess Duanmin, a member of the imperial clan, was willing to remain a widow for his grandson, he was immensely proud. Now, however, his regret was as deep as his pride had once been.

When Old Madame Xue heard her juniors mention the Shen family’s downfall, she said with a beaming smile, “I knew that bastard would get his comeuppance.”

The Xue juniors: “…”

Old Madame Xue had just passed her sixtieth birthday, but her constitution remained very robust. Her smile was as gentle as a spring breeze, yet her tongue remained as sharp and unfiltered as ever. She had once been the Minister of Imperial Sacrifices (Taichang Qing), the highest-ranking official of that court. Having reached the age, she had naturally retired. In her youth, she was a legendary figure of her generation; she married first and entered the officialdom later, rising steadily ever since.

The youngest girl of the Xue family lay against the Old Madame’s knee. The Old Madame affectionately stroked the girl’s “flower bud” hairstyle. In the distance, her middle-aged daughter was warning the other juniors not to learn the Madame’s habit of cursing.

Suddenly, she remembered: was her eldest son supposed to come pay his respects today? Back when she divorced, her son had stood with her ex-husband and declared he would no longer recognize her as his mother. As she rose through the ranks and he grew older, he had knelt before her, weeping bitter tears of repentance, playing the role of a filial son to the fullest.

Was he truly repenting to her? No. He was repenting to her official rank. He needed a mother in a high position to pave the way for him.

Her current daughter, Ciyang, was born later; no one knew who the father was. Old Madame Xue said to her, “Ciyang, don’t let your elder brother come to our door anymore.”

Xue Ciyang, who had been lecturing the others, was momentarily stunned.

The messy affairs of the Shen family topped the Chang’an “trending list” several times, eventually ending with the dismissal of every official from the Shen clan’s direct line.

Pei Mingjiao was dragging Cui Yi along to plant flowers, all of which had been sent over by Yan Qihua. Pei Mingjiao had grown bored with her painting studies and wanted some physical activity, naturally bringing Cui Yi with her.

She was working hard digging holes while Cui Yi stood nearby, directing her with a design map.

Mud stained both of their short-sleeved tunics. Pei Mingjiao panted as she shoveled, her mouth never stopping for a moment. The warm breeze was pleasant, and Cui Yi looked relaxed with her eyes half-squinted, occasionally offering a few words of agreement.

Pei Mingjiao said whatever came to mind—one moment a funny story from her childhood, the next some gossip about others—freely showing her true self to Cui Yi. Eventually, she suddenly tossed her hoe aside. “Yi-niang, let’s go out and play!”

“Hmm?” The sudden lack of logic left Cui Yi momentarily unresponsive.

Pei Mingjiao leaned in close to Cui Yi. “I saw those maps you drew. I only realized then that there are so many places you want to visit.”

Cui Yi enjoyed cross-referencing travelogues to draw maps, marking interesting places with vermillion ink. Pei Mingjiao had stumbled upon them by accident. With the sun shining so brightly, it was the perfect time for a journey.

Cui Yi felt moved by the suggestion, but she liked to have a plan for everything. She hesitated slightly. “Isn’t it a bit too rushed?”

Pei Mingjiao gave a hearty laugh. “It’s not rushed at all. Baiying will handle the arrangements.”

Baiying, the hardworking servant, forced a strained smile.

Cui Yi had great faith in the abilities of their all-powerful housekeeper, Baiying. They didn’t go far, heading straight for the city closest to Chang’an.

By the time the elders at home found out, Cui Yi and Pei Mingjiao had already arrived in Hu County.

Yan Linlang remarked meaningfully, “It’s good to go out for a walk. The water back here has become too murky.”

Zheng Liuniang had originally wanted to find Pei Mingjiao to vent some of her frustrations, only to find that the young couple had gone off on a trip. With the spring light so bright, it seemed she was the only one standing still. Suddenly, Zheng Liuniang had an epiphany. She went home, took her collection of writings, and knocked on the gates of Bailu Academy.

By the time the Zheng family found out, Zheng Liuniang had become the last disciple of Cheng Kangle.

Bailu Academy was founded by the First Emperor (Gaozu). There was a school rule stating that if a female student was forced into a marriage by her family, she could seek out the head of the Court of Judicial Review to have the engagement annulled.

This rule was used frequently during the First Emperor’s reign but had rarely been invoked in recent times.

The Zheng family never expected Liuniang to go to such lengths. Father Zheng’s face turned ashen. “I did it for her own good! Once she married, she would have been the wife of a First-Rank Prince. What is she dissatisfied with?”

Mother Zheng did nothing but weep, which only annoyed Father Zheng more. “This is the ‘good’ daughter you raised!” he barked before storming off.

Once he was gone, Mother Zheng used a handkerchief to wipe her tears and calmly instructed her attendants: “Liuniang likely took nothing with her. Go quietly and bring her some silver and copper coins.”