Capítulo 966: Chapter 964: Stepping into the Spotlight
On the day the Capital Prefecture yamen was to hear the case, neither the Ji Family nor the Ye Family’s head showed up, and it was still the steward of the Ji Mansion who appeared, but he brought with him handwritten letters from Ji Xiaoyuan and Fourth Master Ji Chengru.
Ye Xinyi, as soon as her parents-in-law handed the matter of Dongze Construction Firm to the yamen, had already understood that the Ji Family did not plan to keep her as their daughter-in-law.
So, she prepared for the worst, although she could not constantly keep tabs on the progress of the trial, she understood the general direction.
The day before the yamen verdict, Ye Xinyi could guess the result of the trial and the final decision of the Ji Family from Ji Chengru’s conflicted and guilt-ridden expression.
Thus, she also made her own decision.
This was, in essence, a civil case with the Ji Family as the plaintiff and Dongze Construction Firm as the defendant, and mysteriously, the owner of Dongze Construction Firm appeared as the Ji Family’s Fourth Grandma Ji.
If the Ji Family did not know who the owner of the construction firm was, this move could still be understandable. At the beginning of the trial, according to the Ji Family’s steward’s statement, this construction firm belonged to the Old Master of Duke An’s Mansion, and it was unreasonable to blame it on the Ji Mansion.
Many are speculating whether the Ji Family intends to fall out with Duke An’s Mansion or has different plans for their own daughter-in-law with this unexpected result in the case trial.
Neither the head of Duke’s Mansion nor the Ji Mansion appeared, so You Chenghui simply went about business officially.
According to the law, the Ji Family naturally won the case.
Dongze Construction Firm did not entirely lose since pursuing wages was not inappropriate. The real loser was Fourth Grandma Ji.
Before the yamen announced the handling result for Fourth Grandma Ji, the Ji Mansion’s steward presented two letters from the head of the Ji Family and Fourth Master.
The gist of the letter was that women like Lady Ye, who are unwise, undutiful, and unethical, the Ji Family is powerless to educate. Out of benevolence, they do not abandon her but sincerely request the yamen to decree a separation between the Ji Family’s fourth son and fourth daughter-in-law.
In this case, Fourth Grandma Ji first planned to harm her legitimate elder sister without reason, then deceived her father’s money from her own family. Subsequently, despite possessing substantial wealth, she refused to pay the artisans, instead pushing her father out as a scapegoat…
For all that Lady Ye has done, the Ji Family’s decision not to immediately cast off this daughter-in-law can indeed be considered tolerant and righteous. At least, based on the trial proceedings and evident evidence and statements, the Ji Family was not wrong.
Even though Fourth Grandma Ji was backed by her family at Duke An’s Mansion, the capital’s yamen still handled the case impartially, decreeing a separation between the two.
Next up was Dongze Construction Firm.
The wages for workers were in arrears due to the previous Fourth Grandma Ji, now known as Lady Ye. Dongze Construction Firm’s approach to the Ji Mansion had its reasons, leading to exemption from punishment.
However, the case of significant unpaid worker wages had already escalated to the court, making it impossible for the yamen to ignore.
The measures taken by the yamen were rather mild, with no significant punishment but ordered the owner of the construction firm to immediately pay the back wages.
Today, those present were members from the Ji Family, Duke An’s Mansion, the head of Dongze Construction Firm and two artisans, and additionally, Ye Xinyi’s chambermaid Liu Xiang along with the steward managing Dongze Construction Firm.
Upon hearing the yamen’s decree for his master to settle the wages, Liu Xiang was momentarily stunned, then fearfully explained, unable to make decisions, he needed to return to ask Fourth Grandma Ji.
After mentioning Fourth Grandma Ji three times, Liu Xiang sensed the unfriendly gaze from the Ji Family’s steward, realizing that the yamen had already decreed his master’s separation, thus she was no longer a Ji Family Lady.
“What do you intend to do?” You Chenghui frowned, considering the case so clear, yet Lady Ye’s subordinates were still evasive. Did this steward think they could avoid paying the debt in such circumstances?
He cast a sidelong glance at the hesitantly ambiguous Lian Gui, who promptly consented.
This case was evidently Ye Xinyi’s fault, with clear facts and irrefutable evidence. However, as the Prefect of the Capital Prefecture, he still had to consider Duke An’s reputation.
To everyone’s surprise, Liu Xiang actually did not intend to evade the debt, riding swiftly and efficiently. In just two quarters of an hour, he returned, accompanied by Ye Family’s Second Great Aunt, now a divorcee.
The one representing Duke An’s Mansion at the hearing was Lian Gui, who, these days, accompanied Ye Hongyang’s attendant and had been waiting at the yamen for the summons.
Lian Gui, upon witnessing the Ji Family’s conduct and implied intentions these days, was quite incensed. Especially upon beholding the divorce paper today, his anger rose.
The Second Great Aunt and Maternal Aunt Liu indeed wronged the wife of the heir apparent and the legitimate elder sister. Maternal Aunt Liu further harmed the wife of the heir apparent, leaving Duke’s Mansion without a proper legitimate grandson.
But the Second Great Aunt and Old Master, Maternal Aunt Liu did nothing wrong by the Ji Family.
The Ji Family, during the height of the Crown Prince and Second Miss’s prosperity, brought Second Miss into the Ji Mansion. Yet, during the Old Master’s worst decline, cast the Second Miss out the door.
No matter the number of reasons, such an act remains despicable. Additionally, does the Ji Family believe their claim as a literary family renders them invincible? Are they assuming Duke An’s Mansion is full of fools?
Nonetheless, the Duke instructed him to merely attend the hearing, mind nothing else. That means, the Duke has his own plans, and he is merely to perform this task.
Thus, during the trial proceedings, he consistently coordinated and cooperated with the yamen’s operations without the slightest hindrance or dissent. Even when the Ji Family requested separation, and when the yamen decreed it, he remained silent.
Then, he unexpectedly saw Duke An’s Mansion pampered and raised, utterly particular about a woman’s grooming and etiquette — Second Miss, no, now Second Great Aunt, actually appeared in public boldly, without even wearing a Veil Cap, right in the main hall for the trial.
Ye Xinyi’s arrival not only surprised Lian Gui but all present were caught off guard.
Back in the day, this Ye Family’s Second Miss was rather renowned in the capital.
Her beauty was delightful, her demeanor becoming, and she had dabbled in everything from musical instruments to chess, painting, and calligraphy, which was already outstanding. However, what was more remarkable is, she, being the concubine-born daughter, could exceed the legitimate elder sister in every aspect, adding an inspiring self-motivational image to her prominence.
This Second Miss used to conduct herself with propriety rarely appearing in public. Apart from attending gatherings of the Capital’s Noble Ladies, outsiders seldom encountered her.
At least those present, except between the Ji Mansion and Duke An’s Mansion who barely considered themselves familiar with her, everyone else, even Liu Changsheng from Dongze Construction Firm, had only seen this Fourth Grandma Ji twice, through curtains.
Yet today, at this precarious top, she actually appeared, and appeared in the main hall of the yamen.
One must understand that being involved in litigation not only is unacceptable for esteemed family ladies but also ordinary families would avoid being in court.
Yet this Aunt Ye appeared as such, dressed with dignity, her demeanor elegant, escorted by two maidservants and two old women servants, gracefully walking onto the courtroom.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Ye Xinyi saluted to You Chenghui seated high upon the hall: “This humble wife, Lady Ye, pays respects to the Prefect.”
“Rise.” After a moment’s surprise, You Chenghui returned to normalcy. His courtroom had already seen a woman from Duke’s Mansion; this was only the second. Considering this Second Miss’s prowess, she could hardly compete against her sister.
Duke An’s Mansion was quite extraordinary, thus he should not feel surprised, he should not.
Before You Chenghui could respond, the standing Ye Xinyi already spoke: “Having heard the yamen trial, involving the assets of this humble wife, I have come specifically to listen to the details.”