“Fetch the ladder,” Ruan Ning instructed several muscular male servants. “Climb over the courtyard wall.”
The servants climbed the wall, looked down, and were shocked to see many people from the third house, with Wu Shi leading four sons and a crowd of servants and maids. The entrance was more packed than a Lantern Festival.
“Splash water,” Ruan Ning said with a gleeful smile. “One tael of silver for whoever splashes the most. If someone can splash green water on Song Sizong, I’ll give two taels.”
Wu Shi was kicking the door, shouting: “…A husband is a woman’s heaven. You wretched woman dared to drive your husband out and beat your mother-in-law. I’ll beat you to death today…”
Mid-speech, a large bucket of cold water was dumped on her head, turning her into a drenched chicken.
Following that, buckets of cold water poured from all directions. The area outside the gate instantly turned into a river, soaking everyone from the second house.
Ruan Ning stood on the wall, looking at Song Sizong covered in green vegetable leaves, and chuckled.
As they say, the wisdom of the people is infinite.
Unable to find green dye, the servants cut numerous vegetable leaves, mixed them in water, and splashed it on Song Sizong’s head, instantly turning him green. Even his brothers weren’t spared, sporting large green “grasslands” on their heads.
Amidst the splashing water, she announced loudly: “Respected neighbors, please judge. Song Sizong was adopted into my aunt’s family through the ancestral hall, but right after my aunt died, he reneged and returned to the third house. He took my aunt’s entire estate to curry favor with the third house. Is there anything more shameless? And her,” Ruan Ning pointed at Wu Shi, “she claims to be my mother-in-law, but she’s actually the third house’s wife, my aunt. She’s been bullying me, taking over the second house because we’re vulnerable. They’re trying to completely destroy us!”
The onlookers, who initially thought it was a mother-in-law disciplining a disobedient daughter-in-law, now understood the situation. While destroying a family was common, doing so brazenly in a prominent family like the Songs was unseemly, prompting discussions.
Wu Shi, disregarding her wet clothes, attempted to start cursing again, but a quick servant dumped another bucket of water on her head, causing her to choke and cough, her face turning red.
Song Sizong removed his leaf-covered outer garment and threw it over Wu Shi, angrily shouting at Ruan Ning: “Are you crazy?”
“Who gave you the right to treat the husband like this?”
“Who wants such a husband? I want a divorce!” Ruan Ning glanced at him and descended the ladder, ordering, “Keep splashing!”
Soon, the third house’s people could no longer endure it. The men managed, but the women huddled, arms crossed, worried about their dignity.
After some commotion, Song Bofu arrived. Ruan Ning had sent someone to inform him, and he came immediately upon learning it was her matter.
With a stern face, he assessed the sorry state of the third house’s mother and sons; his surprise deepened. Had she been deliberately appearing weak to achieve total victory?
“Stop this immediately. Fifth brother, take Third Aunt to change. I’ve summoned the clan elders. We’ll discuss this in the ancestral hall this afternoon.”
Gathering the clan elders typically took five or six days, but he decided to expedite the process to prevent further embarrassment and discover Ruan Ning’s intentions.
“Clan Leader, respected elders,” Ruan Ning spoke up, “Adopting an heir is for continuing the family line. Now that the lineage is gone, they even want to covet the deceased’s coffin. As the only remaining descendant of the Ruan family, I demand that Song Sizong be expelled and a new heir be chosen for my aunt.”
“Shut up!”
“Song Sizong could no longer contain his anger. ‘I’ll beat you to death, you unvirtuous woman!'”
Author’s note: Could this sick and clingy character be unlikable? I’m deep in reflection.
Chapter 36: The Blood of a Tyrant’s Heart
Song Sizong’s fist had not yet fallen when a powerful hand grabbed him. Song Bofu coldly said, “Fifth Brother, do you want to silence someone right in front of me?”
Silence someone? Song Sizong was stunned. Was this really necessary? He was a scholar; how much strength could he have, especially in front of so many people?
Before he could object, Song Bofu continued, “Fifth Brother, Second Uncle and Second Aunt were good to you, yet you want to covet their coffin. You’ve disappointed me. The Song family values poetry, etiquette, and filial piety. As clan leader, I cannot tolerate such behavior. You are no longer suitable to be Second Uncle’s heir and must return to your original branch.”
Currently, Song Bofu was the most promising member of the Song clan and the clan leader, with extraordinary influence. With one sentence, he condemned Song Sizong’s transgressions, and most clan elders quickly decided to strip Song Sizong of his status as heir to the second branch and find a more suitable person to adopt in the future.
Song Sizong stood weak-kneed. After just a few good years, it was all gone?
Returning to the third branch would be uncomfortable! Song Sizong stammered, “Big Brother, respected elders, I know I was wrong. I’ll definitely change. I’m already on the clan registry. How can you send me back?”
“If only you knew now, why not earlier?” Song Bofu said indifferently. “Bring the clan registry and erase Song Sizong’s name from the second branch. Fill it with a new heir when one is found.”
Song Sizong collapsed, and Wu Shi screamed but was quickly silenced and dragged away.
As the elders were about to disperse, Ruan Ning spoke: “Clan Leader, respected elders, Song Sizong has betrayed his promises and is unfilial. I want a divorce.”
A clan elder’s face darkened. “What business does a mere woman have in this matter?”
The other elders shared similar views. They had to handle Song Sizong for the clan’s reputation but disliked Ruan Ning for causing a scene.
Song Bofu wanted to agree with her to leave quickly but said calmly, “Marriage is not like other matters. Think carefully.”
“I’ve decided. If the clan doesn’t agree, I’ll cry for justice and ask the authorities to intervene,” Ruan Ning declared.
The clan elders erupted in discussion.
“Outrageous! The Song family has never had a divorced woman!”
“Shameless!”
Taking family matters to court!
“Song Sizong made a mistake, but as a wife, you also have responsibilities. How can you kick him while he’s down?”
Ruan Ning rolled her eyes. These old fools, may illness defeat you soon!
Song Bofu raised his hand and said, “Everyone, if we don’t give Ruan Niang a fair explanation and force her to report to the authorities, the Song family’s reputation will be lost. We won’t reach a conclusion today; we’ll discuss it again in a few days.”
With a slight loosening of his grip, Ruan Ning began to cough and cover her throat. Shang Mian gently stroked her hair and chuckled, “What kind of relationship is a one-cent relationship? Won’t you tell me who you really are?”
A good woman doesn’t suffer losses right in front of her; she’d better go with the flow. She switched to sweet talk: “My lord, you have all kinds of women around you. Why bother with a married woman like me? If someone finds out, your reputation will be ruined.”
“Hmm, what else?” Shang Mian seemed interested.
“My lord, you are majestic and extraordinarily handsome. I am but a withered flower, unworthy of you,” Ruan Ning flattered.
“What else?”
“You are brilliant and divine. People say you are a celestial star descended to undergo tribulation.”
You should cultivate yourself and achieve merit soon.”
“Anything else?”
“Also… you are injured in the leg and should not overexert yourself. For your health, you cannot continue like this.”
