vstars Chapter 353: Sue and Divorce
Chapter 353: Sue and Divorce
Complaining for divorce - whether it was true or not, Lan Qingwu's impression of Concubine Jiang had dropped to the lowest level. Even if Concubine Jiang really didn't know, it was true that she wanted to use Jiang Yuxian to test the feelings of Emperor Shenwu and herself.
Lan Qingwu hesitated and said, "Noble Concubine Jiang is still under house arrest..."
Emperor Shenwu gently stroked Lan Qingwu's black hair and said absentmindedly, "Let's keep it for now! Weak..."
"If I really favor that Jiang daughter this time, will I really become estranged from you? Can you really give me up just like that?"
Lan Qingwu whispered softly, "When that time comes, it won't be up to me, not even Your Majesty. Someone has finally managed to break the harem's long-standing structure. How could the remaining people from the former dynasty and harem let this opportunity slip away? When chaos reigns, the most direct and effective solution will be what I've said! Your Majesty, even if you're an emperor, there are times when you can't do what you want!"
Emperor Shenwu sighed slightly: "In short, it's my identity that always makes you feel uneasy, isn't it?"
Lan Qingwu was silent. She had to admit that this was true. She was not nostalgic for the lofty position of the empress. When some things happened, she really hoped that Emperor Shenwu was just an ordinary nobleman. Then they would not be like now, facing the many conspiracies, situations and helplessness of the former dynasty and the harem. What's more, it would involve the next heir of the Dasheng Dynasty. Sometimes looking back on the past, Lan Qingwu would suddenly realize that the responsibility on her shoulders was so heavy!
If possible, can I be an ordinary person in my next life?
Lan Qingwu came back to his senses and said, "Your Majesty, have you heard about the recent divorce case of the Marquis' wife? What do you think?"
Emperor Shenwu gave Lan Qingwu a meaningful look. "What do you want to do now? You should know that although the Dasheng Dynasty abolished the prison for women, it was only a short time ago. If new laws were to be introduced at this time to allow couples to divorce, it would certainly be extremely difficult!"
"Your Majesty, the Da Sheng laws state that only husbands can divorce their wives, not divorce by agreement. However, once a woman is divorced, she often suffers a tragic death. If the affection between a couple has faded, or even if they have severed their affection, why not let them divorce by agreement, so that they can part ways and live happily ever after?"
"Take the case of the Marquis of Anping's wife, for example! The Marquis of Anping proposed to her three times, disregarding her merchant status. After this marriage was established, he expected harmony between husband and wife, not to mention respect for each other, but at least to be like guests! But what about him? He took the woman's generous dowry and supported his entire empty-shell marquisate, then couldn't wait to take his childhood sweetheart, Wang, as his concubine. He doted on her and trusted her for years, and now her legitimate son has died inexplicably. If she hadn't been forced into a desperate situation, how could the Marquis of Anping's wife risk the wrath of the world and sue her husband, asking for a divorce? If she were weaker, she might even divorce him!"
Lan Qingwu became more and more angry as he spoke. These tight shackles bound every woman here tightly, trapping them so tightly that they couldn't breathe.
Emperor Shenwu tightened his arms. "Why are you so angry? It seems that Ruoruo hasn't been idle these days while recuperating! What's the matter? Could it be that Ruoruo is still thinking of leaving me?"
Lan Qingwu thought helplessly that even if the law allowing couples to divorce was really established, it would not be extended to the palace. Since she entered the palace, she could never leave the palace.
Every woman in the palace, unless they were banished to a temple to become a nun, would never have the chance to leave. They would spend their entire lives in the palace, calculating, experiencing joy and sorrow... year after year, until they decayed! Of course, this included Lan Qingwu herself!
"Brother Heng, I'm telling you something serious! Of course I won't divorce you."
Emperor Shenwu glared at her: "How dare you think that! This matter involves too many things. I have to take a closer look. You've been exhausted today. Take a good rest and we'll talk about it another day."
Lan Qingwu had no choice but to lie down again. When her breathing became steady, Emperor Shenwu slowly retreated.
When Lan Qingwu woke up again, the sky was already full of stars. Ruhan helped her eat some food, and she finally felt better. "Ruping, how is the matter going with the Anping Marquis' wife suing the Anping Marquis and seeking a divorce?"
Ru Ping said, "Your Majesty, this matter is not easy to handle. If the wife of the Marquis of Anping had not complained to Lord Lin, the prefect of the Imperial City, he would have been kicked out long ago!"
"I know it's difficult, but success in anything is never easy. Lady Anping is the first woman to take the first step. Even though she has all the reasons, she still can't do it alone."
Ru Han was impatient, "What should we do then?"
Lan Qingwu's eyes flickered slightly. "Then find someone else and file a complaint again! The Anping Marquis' wife can't do it alone, what if there are more women? One tree can't support it, so find a few more pieces of wood. Ruhan, you go back to the Lan Mansion tomorrow."
Ru Han agreed and said, "The wife of Master Lan Shuren is coming to see Your Majesty. Your Majesty, please see..."
Lan Qingwu replied calmly, "No need. Just say that I'm not feeling well and can't see guests."
I met Lan Shuren and his wife last time. Mrs. Lan is gentle and dignified. She is a real lady from a noble family and a truly smart person. However, such smart people are rare!
The new Mrs. Lan is indeed a smart person. After she and Lan Shuren Jin met Lan Qingwu, she had a subtle feeling. She couldn't figure it out yet, but she was sure that the feeling was real.
Madam Lan turned her head to look at Lan Shuren beside her and said casually, "My lord, the Empress is indeed as the rumors say. She is peerless, noble and graceful, yet also rare in her easygoing and gentle nature. No wonder His Majesty has favored her for so many years."
Lan Shuren's expression changed slightly. "Although we are alone, please do not make irresponsible remarks about His Majesty and the Empress from now on."
Mrs. Lan was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said yes.
The situation of the wife of the Marquis of Anping was indeed extremely difficult. What she did was not supported by her family, and her father was indeed very angry with the Marquis of Anping. However, what the wife of the Marquis of Anping did not expect was that her mother was the person who opposed her the most. The people do not fight against the officials, and the lowest merchants are even more afraid of fighting with the officials. The wife of the Marquis of Anping understood her mother's concerns about her family and her brother, but if she were to give up, it would be impossible. So she risked everything and walked into the Imperial City Prefect without hesitation. She did not believe that there was no justice in this world, and she did not believe that she could not get justice even under the feet of the emperor.
A few days later, someone found the wife of Marquis Anping and tried to persuade her to withdraw the lawsuit. On this day, someone else found the wife of Marquis Anping, but she was a steady and gentle woman in her thirties. The woman claimed to be a nanny in the palace, who came to solve problems for the wife of Marquis Anping.
The nanny refused to withdraw the original complaint filed by the Marquis of Anping's wife, and instead filed a new one, accusing the Marquis of favoring his concubine over his wife, causing the concubine to harbor delusions and murder the Marquis's legitimate son. This new complaint accused the concubine, Wang, of murder, and with that, the nature of the matter changed! This gave Imperial City Prefect Lin Suzhi a legitimate reason to visit the Marquis of Anping's residence and investigate the truth behind the Marquis's legitimate son's death.