Chapter 78: Divorcing the Wife

Chapter 78: Divorcing the Wife

The old Marquis's favor was the trump card of the Lu family.

No matter what Lin Yunyi said, the elder Lady Lu was not going to give up.

She took a breath and said to Lin Yunyi, “Young Master Yi, you are young. Let this old woman explain to you. The favor of lending medicine in times of crisis is not repaid simply by returning similar medicine now that your family is prosperous.”

The elder Lady Lu paused, then continued, “I didn't intend to exploit the favor, but marrying Yunwan as the mistress of the Lu family was also the old Marquis’s wish. If we living contradict the will of the deceased, it's unkind and unfilial.”

“The Lu family is a benefactor to your Lin family. Young Master Yunyi, remembering the old Marquis’s favor, you wouldn’t want to force the heir into becoming an unworthy descendant, would you?”

How shameless!

Lin Yunyi said indignantly, “My mother told me that when my father was critically ill and beyond medical help, the old Marquis, although merely an acquaintance of my father, was grieved and generously brought five ten-year-old ginseng roots to our house out of righteousness.”

"I dare to speculate that the old Marquis didn’t save my father to just help him, nor to make my Lin family owe the Lu family a favor."

"The old Marquis did it out of his wise and compassionate heart."

"And now—"

"Old Madam, what are you doing with the old Marquis' wisdom and compassion? Helping your Lu family descendants to humiliate a weak woman!"

Lin Yiyi turned to look out the window at the sun, bowed deeply and said, "If the old Marquis were still alive, with his wisdom—seeing that your Lu family descendants still rely on my Lin family’s people to show filial piety, he would probably..."

"Probably die of anger!"

Everyone from the Lu family's faces changed dramatically, Lin Yiyi’s words were too reasonable to refute.

Old Madam Lu's actions, tarnishing the reputation of the late Marquis, could not be ignored by the Lu family members.

The clan leader stepped in to advise Old Madam Lu, "Sister-in-law, please don’t continue..."

"...to make a fool of yourself!"

Others in the family complained, "If this gets out, our Lu family’s descendants will be too ashamed to face anyone."

Another sighed, "It’s not just about shame; I fear even dreaming of the old Marquis at night. Such guilt."

Old Madam Lu, looking at them, was extremely angry inside.

"These clan members, well-fed and cared for daily, prove utterly useless when it matters most!"

The head of the Lin clan stood up and addressed Lu Zhengliu, "Heir, write the divorce papers. Let’s part amicably for the sake of the old Marquis. As a Lin, I assure you we won’t trouble the Lu family."

This stirred the Lu family members.

Knowing the Lin family's tenacity, especially evident in Lin Yiyi, and realizing that without Lin Yunwan as the mistress and the Lin’s moral support, the Wuding Marquis residence would not be the same. But that was still better than the current mutually destructive scenario.

Besides, she wasn't the mistress of their family; she was solely Lu Zhengliu's wife.

"Sister-in-law."

One after another, the Lu family members earnestly persuaded the elder Lady Lu.

The elder Lady Lu kept a stern face, showing impatience in dealing with them.

Ridiculous, it’s unheard of in a century for a wife’s family to trouble the husband’s family like this!

The Lin family might be eloquent and assertive, but they’re overestimating themselves!

She sat in the main seat, unmoving.

However, Lu Zhengliu could no longer sit still.

He approached Lin Yunwan and said, “I am brave enough to face the consequences. No matter how you resent me for taking a concubine, after today, Qingge will be returned to his birth mother, and she—will be sent to the manor, never to appear before you again.”

He then took off a string of keys from his waist, placed them beside her, and said in a hoarse voice, bowing his head, “These are the keys to my treasury, now in your hands. Dispose of them as you wish.”

What is he doing?

Lin Yunwan looked up at Lu Zhengliu, finding him ridiculous.

Does he think that sending Ge Baor away and recording Qingge as illegitimate erases everything that happened?

Who will compensate for the tears and blood of her past life?

Lin Yunwan closed her eyes, maintaining composure in front of her family, and calmly said, “Heir, if you truly repent, then write the divorce papers. If the Lu family properly settles Changgong, from now on, the Lin and Lu families shall go their separate ways, harboring no grudges.”

For the sake of the old Marquis, for the sake of Changgong, this is the greatest extent of her tolerance.

Lu Zhengliu shook his head, his gaze icy: “Impossible.”

His smile was stubborn, “Yunwan, it’s impossible.”

Wei Shi quietly advised, “Yunwan, Zhengliu has given you the keys to his treasury…” In her view, a man entrusting his wife with the treasury keys was the greatest sign of trust and affection.

The Lu family members were also somewhat swayed; if the heir showed such sincerity, winning back the Lin family daughter would be ideal.

But the Lin family was not easy to persuade.

“What took so long.”

Lin Yunyi spoke with a cold tone, firmly disagreeing.

The expressions of the Lin family members were as cold as if they had been frozen in an ice cellar, showing no warmth.

This matter had progressed beyond whether the Lu family would concede or not.

The elder Lady Lu could only speak up: “Zhengliu, let it be. Come here, take the pen.”

“Grandmother!”

Lu Zhengliu turned around, frowning at his grandmother. Had she lost her mind!

He hurried over and said, “Grandmother, remember Grandfather’s dying wish?”

The elder Lady Lu indifferently said, “Divorce is not an option. If the Lin family wants their daughter back, Zhengliu, write a letter of dismissal to Yunwan. Seven years without a child, disrespecting elders. You have grounds for dismissal under two of the ‘Seven Outs.’”

“Grandmother.”

Lu Zhengliu frowned deeply, strongly opposed to this course of action.

This was demanding Yunwan’s life.

Lady Lin suddenly stood up, directionless and blurted out in a random direction, "You, you! Are you trying to kill my daughter!"

If divorced and returned home, cutting her hair to live as a spinster for life would have been tolerable.

A woman abandoned by divorce brings shame to the family, with no way out!

Lady Lin, heartbroken, pointed and cursed, "Beast! You beast!" Her curses were directed at Lu Zhengliu.

Lin Yunyi, pale-faced, supported his mother, feeling heartache, yet unable to express anything.

The Lin family was powerless against the Lu family's desire for divorce.

The Lin family patriarch frowned and asked Lu Zhengliu, "Does the young master really want to divorce?"

It seemed like the old Lady Lu was being unreasonably troublesome, but it was uncertain if the young master understood the situation.

Lu Zhengliu's mouth twitched slightly.

Old Lady Lu said coldly, "Zhengliu, if you dare defy me, I'll go to your grandfather right now!"

"Grandmother."

Lu Zhengliu also frowned, clearly distressed.

Old Lady Lu asked Nanny Yan to bring ink, brush, and paper, and told Lu Zhengliu, "Write the divorce letter and end it with her."

The Lin family patriarch anxiously exclaimed, "Old Lady!"

If Lin Yunwan were to be divorced, it would be the end for all the daughters of the Lin family, destroying their reputation, and the Lin family would never be able to hold their heads high again.

All of them, fathers of daughters, either already in office or aspiring to be, would never agree to this extent.

Lady Lin turned around and, groping for direction, said to the Lin clan, "When has my daughter ever been disobedient to her in-laws? Seven years childless — the young master favors concubines and neglects his wife, never consummating their marriage. What could she possibly bear alone?"

"My lord, oh my lord, look how they're bullying your daughter!"

Lady Lin fainted.

"Mother!"

Lin Yunwan rushed over and burst into tears.

She had never mentioned the lack of conjugal relations to her mother. How did her mother know?

"Mother?"

Lin Yunyi quickly helped Lady Lin to sit down.

Mrs. Wei, in a panic, and Lu Zhengliu, extremely anxious, feared for Lady Lin's wellbeing.

Old Lady Lu, with her eyes closed, pretended not to see.

Today she was resolute, the Lin family could only take back a divorced woman.