Chapter 112: The Divorce Document

Chapter 112: The Divorce Document

Yunwan's death was the Lu family's fault, his fault.

He wouldn't deny it.

No matter how much the Lin family scolded him, he bore it all.

Lu Zhengliu, with trembling fists, went to the front courtyard to meet Lin Yunyi.

The hall was already in chaos. Despite the Lin family being known for their scholarly and rational nature, and Lin Yunyi adhering to the teachings of the sages, the tragic death of his sister stripped him of all reason.

"Yunyi."

Lu Zhengliu entered, filled with guilt, "Your sister, she... she..."

He truly couldn't bear to break the news of her death to her brother.

Lin Yunyi, his eyes red with anger, rushed forward and punched Lu Zhengliu in the face.

"Return my sister to me! Give me back my sister!"

The strength of the young man was surprisingly immense, knocking down an adult man onto a chair.

He was even unwilling to stop, pouncing forward to grab the man’s collar, as if wanting to beat him to death with his fists!

"Stop it! Master Yunyi, please stop!"

People from both families were trying to pull him away.

Lin Yunyi took a step back, the veins in his neck bulging, his eyes as red as blood.

"I'm sorry... it's the Lu family's fault..."

Lu Zhengliu stood up, pushing away those who were helping him.

A red mark was already visible on his face, his brother-in-law's blow was harsher than he had expected.

Lin Yunyi, gritting his teeth, questioned, "Didn’t you deny favoring a concubine over your wife? Didn’t you send that concubine away? Why did you bring her back? Why did you allow her to harm my sister!"

"I heard... on the day my sister died... the doors were locked... think about it... such a big fire... where could she have escaped... why did you bring back a concubine to harm her!"

Lu Zhengliu lowered his head, "...Yunyi, filial piety cannot be defied."

It wasn't his intention to bring Ge Baor back!

He even didn't want to put Ge Baor near Lin Yunwan. By the time he arrived, it was already too late.

He didn’t want this, more than anyone else!

"Filial piety? Ha."

Lin Yunyi sneered, "You are truly weak. Hiding behind filial piety, you don’t even dare to admit you killed my sister!"

"My elder sister married you for seven years, and you neglected her for seven years! My Lin family wanted to take my sister back and divorce you, but you kept making excuses. You said you would change, you would respect and love my sister. This is how you respected and loved her—"

"It wasn’t filial piety that killed my sister, it was you! You vile man! You killed her!"

"If you had agreed to let my sister divorce you, she wouldn’t have died! You bastard!"

Lin Yunyi threw another punch at him.

This time, Lu Zhengliu was stunned and didn’t even try to dodge.

It was him, he was the one who caused her death.

Lin Yunyi cried out in despair, "My sister was only in her twenties, so young—if you had agreed to the divorce, she might have found a loving husband and had children around her knees. But now she’s dead in your Lu family’s house!"

"What use is your apology? Can your Lu family bring back my elder sister?"

Overwhelmed with grief, he felt dizzy, steadying himself against a long table.

Members of the Lin family helped him sit down.

Lu Zhengliu, with tears in his reddened eyes and a bitter taste in his throat, found himself unable to utter a word.

"You’re right..."

If, if only he had agreed to the divorce back then, Yunwan wouldn’t have died.

The hall fell into a prolonged silence, with no one daring to speak.

Wiping away his tears, Lu Zhengliu earnestly assured the Lin family elder, "Rest assured, my Lu family will give Yunwan a dignified funeral."

"No need!"

Lin Yunyi stood up, staring resolutely at him, "My sister died heartbroken because of your Lu family, and now she is physically gone too! If you have any lingering affection for my sister, grant her the divorce!"

"My Lin family will handle the funeral arrangements."

"I only wish for my eldest sister – in this life, she shall not reenter the Lu family. In death, may her soul find peace and in her next life, be a person of tranquility and freedom!"

Someone already presented writing materials – ink, paper, and a brush.

Lu Zhengliu’s mind went blank!

"No… No way!"

If he agreed to the divorce, Yunwan would have no further connection with his Lu family!

"Yunyi, she is my wife."

"I cannot let her become a wandering spirit."

"I wronged your sister before, and now that she's gone, I… I want to make amends…"

The Lin family patriarch sighed, "No more amends are needed. Yunwan's death and her return to the Lin family fulfill her long-held wish. As husband and wife, fulfilling Yunwan's wish is all you can do now."

Lu Zhengliu gave a bitter smile.

The last time they discussed divorce, he also promised compensation. How had he compensated…

Her brother was right; his cowardice and greed had led to Yunwan's death.

As he hesitated, someone thrust a pen into his trembling hand.

Lu Zhengliu gripped the pen.

Lin Yunyi placed the paper before him, speaking indifferently, "The divorce agreement has already been drafted by our clan leader. Once you acknowledge it in front of the Lin family members and sign it, it's done."

Holding the pen, Lu Zhengliu hesitated to write.

The Lin family members urged him repeatedly, "Just write it!"

"Indeed, it's what Yunwan would have wanted."

Trembling, Lu Zhengliu finally signed the divorce agreement.

Lin Yunyi took the document, his eyes still red, and said, "Take me to see my sister, and her maids too. I'll take her dowry with me as well."

In a divorce, a woman is entitled to take her dowry back to her family home.

Lu Zhengliu, appearing numb, nodded and led Lin Yunyi to the council hall in the back courtyard.

The maids Taoye and Pingye were already waiting there.

They were the last to learn of Lin Yunwan's death, having fainted from grief. Hearing that the Lin family had arrived, they supported each other to come out and bowed before Lin Yunwan's body.

Seeing Lin Yunyi, both maids were speechless.

"Young Master Yunyi."

Lin Yunyi helped them up and said, "Sisters, when my sister was alive, you were part of the Lin family. Are you willing to accompany her back to the Lin household now?"

Pingye nodded, and so did Taoye.

Taoye, blaming herself, thumped her chest softly, whispering, "It's all my fault! I shouldn’t have left… I should have stayed with madam!"

Lin Yunyi comforted, "Sister Taoye, don’t blame yourself. My sister's death has nothing to do with you. If blame must be assigned..."

He cast a cold glance at the members of the Lu family.

"Sister Taoye, your willingness is appreciated. I entrust you with overseeing my sister’s funeral arrangements."

Taoye, regaining composure and wiping her face, said, "You're right, Young Master Yunyi. I managed all of madam’s dowry in the storeroom. I know it best and will ensure everything is accounted for and returned."

Pingye added, "I'm familiar with all of madam’s affairs. I too can help with her final matters."

Lin Yunyi approached Lu Changgong and said in a low voice, "Changgong, your elder sister cared for you the most and was always concerned about your studies."

"Although sister is no longer with us, you must not neglect your education. You can come with me..."

"There's no need, Uncle."

Lu Changgong, pale-faced, replied, "Uncle, I’m not leaving. I won't go anywhere."

"Changgong!"

Lin Yunyi frowned, remembering his sister's specific instructions about Changgong before her departure.

Lu Changgong said calmly, "Uncle, I won’t leave."

He bore the Lu surname and was inherently a member of the Lu clan; he couldn't just leave.

Moreover, he couldn't stand by and watch those who harmed his mother face no consequences.

If it weren't for them, his mother wouldn’t have ended up this way!