Chapter 4: In the Process of Divorce

The women of the Li family chatted a few words under the jujube tree, and seeing the sky darkening, they went to prepare the evening meal.

One must say, the hardest thing to adapt to when transmigrating to ancient times is the lack of electricity. In this season, if you don't eat while there's still daylight, you can only busy yourself under the dim, yellow light of oil lamps.

Cherishing this bit of light, preparations had to start at the end of the Shen hour (5:00 PM). Once done, they would finish eating just before sunset, leaving a quarter of an hour for idle chat.

The food wasn't even ready yet when the four young masters of the Li family came racing back one after another. They had first paid their respects to their grandfather, father, and uncles at the medical hall in the front, then gathered in the back courtyard to pay respects to their grandmother, mother, aunts, and grandaunt.

This behavior always made the Second Sister-in-law sigh with emotion. She felt that literacy and knowledge of etiquette truly benefited a person; they were no longer like the foolish, playful boys of the past, seeming to have grown up in a trance.

Only today, after paying their respects, the four little ones did not go to tease little Lüzhu as usual, which was different from the past.

Usually, because the age gap between the brothers wasn't particularly large, and they had grown up inseparable since childhood, aside from the eldest, Li Dalang, who could suppress them with martial force, none of them conceded to the others.

It was only recently that Lüzhu was brought to the Li family by Li Sanniang to live. Delighted to have such a fair, cute, and young younger sister, they would rush to hold and cuddle her every day after returning from school. Just a few days ago, the eight-year-old Li Silang even said he wanted to teach Lüzhu to read.

The difference today was that after paying their respects, the four brothers didn't tease Lüzhu as usual but hurriedly hid in their own rooms, even seeming to avoid Madam Li's gaze.

Looking at such nephews, Li Sanniang winked at Madam Li, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth which she forced down, and whispered in Madam Li's ear: "Mother, the nephews probably caused trouble and are afraid you'll scold them."

"How old are they? You've been a mother yourself for several years, yet you still play tricks with your nephews." Facing Li Sanniang's whisper, Madam Li extended a finger and pretended to tap Li Sanniang's forehead.

Li Sanniang lowered her head obligingly so Madam Li could reach.

After a while, the four little ones had changed out of the scholar's robes made for last month's Dragon Boat Festival, wearing short coarse jackets convenient for movement. The three older ones went to the back yard, working together to draw water and carry buckets to fill the two large water vats in the kitchen.

Little Li Silang, still small in stature, couldn't carry a full bucket, so he stayed aside with Lüzhu, clapping and cheering for his brothers.

Not long after the four filled the two vats, Li Fu and Li Erxiong happened to return to the main hall after seeing off the two young apprentices and putting up the door panels.

Li Fu looked at the sky and said to Dalang: "Don't wait for your grandfather. Set the table.

The weather is getting hot. Set the table in the courtyard; there might be a breeze, and it'll be cooler."

After the ten or so members of the Li family finished eating, they were each cooling off in the courtyard with a bowl of mung bean soup when Li Daxiong finally returned home.

Li Dalang and Li Erlang hurried forward, one fetching water for their father to wash his face and head, the other handing a towel to wipe the water droplets, extremely attentive.

The remaining Li Sanlang, Li Silang, and little Lüzhu also stood in a row, bowing to their uncle.

Li Daxiong only smiled at Lüzhu, patted Li Sanlang and Li Silang on the head, and merely nodded at his own son.

At present, even if the brothers weren't blood-related, cousins were very close, let alone the Li family who hadn't divided the household and still lived with their parents.

Although Li Daxiong's situation was somewhat special, the children in the family made no such distinction, thanks to Li Fu and Madam Li's teaching by word and deed, which kept the household harmonious with few disputes.

Li Daxiong was the son of Madam Li and her former husband, Sun Datou. Sun Datou was originally a border soldier; being a border civilian, his ancestors had Beidi bloodline. He was tall from a young age, joined the army, and by a stroke of luck saved a superior officer and was promoted.

Later, he married Madam Li. But when he was expelling the Turks at the border, he died saving a comrade.

Because of this bond, although Li Daxiong grew up in the Li family, he went from a young age to that superior's house to learn martial arts from Sun Datou's comrades.

Upon reaching adulthood, relying on this connection and his own martial prowess, he entered the Jinwu Guards. Usually, besides guarding the Golden Light Gate, he also had to patrol and keep watch over the capital day and night.

By this time, Li Datou had already set out the food reserved in the pot on the table.

Everyone waited for Li Daxiong to finish eating. Li Erxiong briefed him on the day's events. Li Daxiong took a sip of mung bean soup; the sweet, soft, and glutinous taste instantly conquered his palate. He enjoyed it and took another sip before saying to Li Fu: "Father, I've swapped shifts with someone. I can go with you tomorrow."

Li Fu nodded, indicating he understood.

Seeing everyone had nearly finished their mung bean soup, Li Fu stood up and instructed Li Erxiong: "Rain tonight. Bring the drying herbs back into the side room."

Li Fu finished speaking and returned to his room first.

That night, it really rained, and heavily, with thunder and lightning. Lüzhu slept soundly, completely unaffected.

Li Sanniang lay in bed, listening to the rain outside, smelling the earthy scent, closed her eyes, and thought "System." A virtual light screen appeared in her consciousness space—still the same interface, still unclickable gray.

Only one task: "Successfully divorce, obtain one Grand Gift Pack lottery draw" — "Incomplete."

Reviewing the day's events once more, Li Sanniang hugged little Lüzhu and fell into a deep sleep to the pattering rain.

Early the next morning, a light rain fell, the air fresh.

After finishing breakfast, except for the four little ones who went to the academy, the Li family adults and little Lüzhu gathered in the main hall.

Li Fu sat at the head, scanned the whole family, and ordered: "Today, Dalang's wife, Erlang's wife, and Lüzhu stay home.

Your mother has already found Sanniang's dowry list. First, go fetch the Ward Chief and your Eldest Uncle. After settling matters at the Wang family, Dalang, you take your cousin's (Li Dabo's eldest son, Li Lingxiao) name card and take Sanniang to the Ministry of Revenue to find Li Lingzhi to register the red deed.

Erlang, you go inventory Sanniang's dowry items. First, pack Sanniang's private savings to give her, so she can take them to the yamen to pay the security deposit and bring Lüzhu home.

Also, no need to open the door before noon today. Hang the 'Resting' sign."

Two donkey carts were parked outside the Li family gate, arranged the previous afternoon.

First, go to the ward gate to pick up Ward Chief Sun, then go to Zhuque Avenue to pick up Li Dabo. The two donkey carts headed for Chongyefang.

Arriving at the place, they got down one by one, and told the drivers to wait by the wall, to come back later to move Li Sanniang's dowry.

The Wang family pharmacy was open for business as usual. Li Erxiong stepped forward and gave their names to the apprentice, and was directly invited into the main hall behind the pharmacy.

Wang family's grandmother, Wang Dalang, Wang Datou, and Wang Erlang were all there. Wang Dalang welcomed the Li family and Ward Chief Sun inside, and everyone sat down. A little maid served clear tea.

No one spoke; silence permeated the hall.

Li Sanniang inwardly sneered, "Is this the negotiation stance? Whoever speaks first loses."

Wang Dalang couldn't hold back and spoke first with a fake smile.

"Uncle Li, we've been in-laws for so many years. When my father was alive, he was close friends with Uncle; otherwise, we wouldn't have become in-laws.

Erlang was confused. Sister-in-law is a virtuous person. Let's talk nicely; let the fuss die down. I'll take twenty mu of land outside the city from the Wang family public accounts and put it solely in Sister-in-law's name. What do you think?

I've already taught Erlang a lesson. He knows he was wrong and will definitely treat Sister-in-law well in the future. Think of Lüzhu; it's still better to have a complete family. Uncle, what do you say?"

"Heh." Followed by the sound of a teacup slamming heavily onto the table.

Before Li Fu could speak, Li Daxiong, being of martial background, couldn't bear hearing this and let out a mocking sound.

"Wang Dalang, when your father was gravely ill, my father sent three wild ginseng roots, not asking for a single coin. You run a pharmacy yourself; you wouldn't know the value of three wild ginseng roots compared to twenty mu of land?

Not to mention Sanniang saw your father through to the end and observed mourning for him.

How your mother treated Sanniang—do you think we don't know just because Sanniang didn't say anything?

Look at Wang Erlang's heartless appearance; does he look like he knows he was wrong?

Our family was blind to have found such a heartless man for Sanniang back then.

Has Wang Erlang forgotten how he poured his heart out before our father and three sons, vowing to treat Sanniang well?

Is this 'well' rolling around with his maternal cousin?"

Li Erxiong's tongue was sharp; a barrage of words shoved Wang Dalang's sophistry back down his throat.

Wang Grandmother couldn't bear Li Erxiong's sharp words. Humiliated into anger, she turned her spearhead toward Li Sanniang, pointing a finger at her: "You, Li Sanniang, so what if you observed mourning for my Wang family?

Married three years and only gave birth to a little girl, didn't even give my Erlang a son. What face do you have coming to my Wang family?

Divorce? Impossible!

It's my Erlang who wants to repudiate you, a little woman who can't bear sons.

Not a single fen of land outside the city for you!

Lüzhu is a girl, but she's my Wang family bloodline. Want to take her? Dream on!"

*Pa.* The sound of a teacup smashing on the floor, shattering, cut off Wang Grandmother's high-pitched, almost hysterical cursing.

Madam Li looked at the shards and water stains on the floor, smiling as she spoke softly to Wang Grandmother, who had just been berating Li Sanniang: "Oh my, my hand slipped.

Sun Zhaodi, your mouth is foul. Speak less, lest you dirty this house and just cause trouble for your good son."

Turning her head, she looked at Wang Dalang's dumbfounded expression with a kind and pleasant tone: "Wang Dalang, you are a good man; Aunt knows that.

For Wang Erlang, such an unpromising, heartless, trouble-making prodigal son, how much fire have you fueled, how much anger have you borne? Is it really worth it?

When your father was alive, it was his responsibility. He's gone; you're just an elder brother.

The Sage has long encouraged us commoners to live separately.

How old is Wang Erlang?

He's a twenty-year-old adult. Can you clean up his mess for a lifetime?

Wang Erlang hasn't become an official; a commoner daring to fool around with a widow—does your Wang family not care about its reputation?

If this goes to your Ward Chief, it won't be easily settled.

Your family has no daughters besides Lüzhu, but your three sons—will they not need to marry? Not take exams? Don't they need a future?"

As soon as Madam Li finished, Li Sanniang immediately followed up: "Sanniang calls you Elder Brother one last time. Elder Brother, you know my character. I dare say with a clear conscience that since marrying into the Wang family, I have done everything a daughter-in-law should do. Didn't I give Wang Ziheng a firstborn son?

Have you all forgotten the child in my belly when I caught them in that filthy act?" Speaking of this, she seemed to feel the original Li Sanniang's emotions; her heart ached, and tears fell.

Touching her lower abdomen gently, Li Sanniang said painfully: "Who knows if that child wasn't a male heir?

I have no way to continue with Wang Ziheng.

Since you don't care about my Lüzhu, why not let her go with me back to my natal home?"

Li Sanniang finished, choking back sobs, wiped her tears with a handkerchief, and looked at Wang Erlang with determination: "Wang Ziheng, you wronged me first!

Now I only want to take my Lüzhu and leave this heartbreaking place.

As long as you agree to divorce me and let me take Lüzhu away, I will naturally allow you to visit her often.

Your scandalous affair with that cousin, I will also keep strictly secret."

Thank you for reading.

Thank you to Yanwu Xuqing Jiaren for casting 1 recommendation ticket. Thanks.

(End of Chapter)