Chapter 965: Chapter 963: Abandoned
In Ji Chengru’s heart, his family, Ji Family, has always been noble and prestigious, setting a benchmark for scholars all over the world, yet being maliciously speculated by his wife like this. How could she do this?
Ji Chengru felt indignant.
Although his mother’s words were unpleasant and her actions excessive, ultimately, it was his wife who was wrong first. Instead of reflecting on her own mistakes and trying to make amends, she maliciously slandered her husband’s family.
Could it be that in Ye Xinyi’s eyes, he and the Ji Family are nothing but sycophants that seek favor?
Thinking of the word "sycophant," Ji Chengru couldn’t help but frown.
Though he was reluctant to admit it in many ways, previously his parents, particularly his mother, did make him uncomfortable in their attitude towards his wife.
Thus, he knew well that Ye Xinyi indeed spoke and acted inappropriately in many matters, not at all like the virtuous lady she and many people proclaimed to be. Yet, he had always tried his best to defend Ye Xinyi, striving to make some compensation on behalf of his family.
But this time, his wife truly crossed the line.
Ji Chengru returned to his own courtyard, where most of the servants were quietly focused on their tasks, heads down, not daring to make loud noises. To Ji Chengru’s surprise, there were even a few new faces in their courtyard.
These individuals Ji Chengru recognized were capable daughter-in-laws and old woman servants under his mother’s hand.
His face looked a bit displeased, for his mother hadn’t mentioned this matter to him. These individuals were commanding the servants in the courtyard, and upon seeing him enter, they hurriedly greeted him.
This meant the courtyard had actually been put under his mother’s surveillance, and his wife was indeed truly confined by his mother. How could his mother do this!
This was just a passing thought in Ji Chengru’s mind, and he quickly quelled it. It was his mother’s decision, and he had no grounds to oppose it openly. For now, all he and his wife could do was bear it patiently and follow his mother’s intentions, addressing it slowly later.
Fortunately, those serving in the room were still Ye Xinyi’s original senior maids.
He motioned to dismiss Qingqing and the others’ service and walked into the room.
Inside was an icy cold atmosphere. In this early winter weather, though it was noon, and the sun was shining high, the sun’s rays were cold, as the weather had gradually turned colder.
Ye Xinyi was sitting alone on the kang bed, her gaze passing through the half-opened window, staring blankly outside, unaware of what she was looking at. The remnants of makeup and tear marks were still on her face, but the sorrowful look had vanished, replaced by a numb and bleak appearance.
Ji Chengru was originally a bit angry, but seeing his wife in such a state, he felt pity for her. He walked forward, sat beside the edge of the kang bed, and called warmly, "My dear."
Ye Xinyi’s stagnant gaze moved slightly, then still blankly returned, fixed on Ji Chengru’s face. After a while, she calmly asked, "It’s already noon, but Brother Sheng hasn’t returned yet. Is it true that mother indeed forbids Brother Sheng from seeing me anymore?"
Ji Chengru hadn’t expected Ye Xinyi to be so calm, yet hearing her question, he felt both heartache and an inexplicable sense of danger.
He paused and said, half comfortingly, "Mother is now angered, inevitably acting extremely. You just need to follow mother’s instructions and settle down to transcribe the Buddhist scriptures. When mother’s anger subsides, and I persuade from the side, seeing your sincere repentance, she might not insist on separating you and your son."
"You say that, but when will that be?" Ye Xinyi continued asking. Her tone remained calm, the content of the question straightforward, yet Ji Chengru couldn’t answer.
Yes, when will that be? Surely not in one or two months, even one or two years may not be possible. Father and mother advocate perseverance, they wish to see his wife’s determination to mend her faults, one or two years, in his parents’ view, explain nothing.
Ye Xinyi’s mouth curved unconsciously, "Three years or five years? Or ten or eight years? Then, in this long time span, many will whisper in Brother Sheng’s ear, telling him how his mother was disobedient and unfilial, how maliciously lacking in feminine virtue, and how lowly born, unworthy to stand on the stage. Even if I can see Brother Sheng years later, how could he possibly be intimate with me?"
While speaking, Ye Xinyi seriously looked at Ji Chengru, "If this happens, my whole life will be ruined, leaving me with nothing. Without my father’s support, I lost my aunt’s love, my maternal family won’t shelter me, and my husband’s family despises me. Now, I even lost my son."
Listening to Ye Xinyi’s words, Ji Chengru felt an overwhelming sense of bleakness within.
Years ago, he married a renowned maiden from the Capital, though his wife was the concubine-born daughter, her conduct was graceful, dignified, and talented, plus she had strong support from her maternal family. From any aspect, his wife was not inferior to any legitimate daughter from a distinguished family.
Those years, indeed, the couple lived harmoniously and blissfully, but now...
"My dear, don’t lose heart, you have me, and I will teach Brother Sheng well, not letting him distance himself from you."
Ji Chengru’s words sounded so pale and powerless to Ye Xinyi. Her father and aunt treasured each other’s love for over twenty years, in those years, her father wouldn’t even glance at other women, yet what was the outcome?
The subsequent matters turned sharply downhill, and feeling she lost everything later, the only thing Ye Xinyi could hold onto was her dowry, which she was determined not to take out a single bit.
Her thinking was reasonable and could be understood. Even if she gave out Silver Coin to quell the Dongze Construction Firm issues, Madam Zhou would never change her attitude toward her.
Moreover, if Dongze Construction Firm workers couldn’t get paid, causing a big scene, it was not her fault. Now she was confined in the inner residence, banned from stepping out of the room, and although she had the intention, she had no power.
Even if Dongze Construction Firm sought salary, they would contact Ji Family and Ye Family, not Ye Xinyi who was in the inner residence.
Over the next few days, various rumors showed no signs of diminishing, on the contrary, they intensified. While blaming Fourth Grandma Ji, the Ji Family’s virtue was also questioned by many.
Soon another day, shortly past Chen Hour, Dongze Construction Firm workers indeed blocked Ji Family’s entrance. Some shouted they couldn’t survive, others kneeled at Ji Family’s door crying, and implored the sage-reading Lord Ji giving them poor folks a way out.
Ji Xiaoyuan and his father rushed back upon hearing the news, and after a brief discussion with Madam Zhou, did not pay in advance to settle matters.
If they did so, under widespread rumors, wouldn’t it confirm Ji Family’s maltreatment of the daughter-in-law and scheming for the daughter-in-law’s dowry?
This matter was sent to the Capital Prefecture yamen through proper channels.
You Chenghui received yet another thorny case. The Ji Family, the benchmark of scholars, and Duke An’s Mansion, a noble and prestigious family were not entities he could afford to offend.
Fortunately, he summoned the stewards dealing with Dongze Construction Firm, the matter wasn’t complicated and soon clarified in the trial.
Dongze Construction Firm was under Fourth Grandma Ji’s name, on the day of purchasing Dongze Construction Firm, a small portion of Silver was provided by Fourth Grandma Ji, another major portion was raised by Fourth Grandma Ji persuading her father Ye Hongyang to liquidate assets, supplementing for his daughter.
Fourth Grandma Ji used Dongze Construction Firm to scheme against her legitimate elder sister, yet things didn’t go her way, the business of Construction Firm went downhill and couldn’t sustain for the first half of the year.
Subsequently, Fourth Grandma Ji simply ignored it, directly throwing the burden on her father Ye Hongyang. Ye Hongyang also had no money, and even pawned household items, which were discovered by Duke An, suffering punishment, resulting in the current situation.