Chapter 0202: Cursing Qiu Wenqi and Livid Hou Yuanzhen

“Although my grandson was wrong to resort to violence, your daughter is not without fault either. Failing to produce an heir in three years makes divorce justified. If you feel aggrieved, the Hou family can compensate for medical expenses,” Hou Yuanzhen said calmly.

“Bullshit!” Qiu Wenqi spat with disgust. “If your mother were divorced for failing to produce an heir in three years, would you think she deserved it? If she were humiliated and beaten by your father and grandparents, would some lousy money make it right?”

Hou Yuanzhen’s expression darkened. His mother had been dead for decades—how dare Qiu Wenqi drag the deceased into this! “My mother gave birth to me, so she certainly wasn’t barren!”

Qiu Wenqi roared, “Giving birth to a dog like you who can’t distinguish right from wrong doesn’t count as an achievement! Better to have remained childless!”

“You!” Hou Yuanzhen had never been cursed at like this before. His aged face flushed crimson and then turned ashen. “What exactly do you want then?”

It was true that Hou Wende had broken his vow first. Hou Yuanzhen thought that if the couple couldn’t get along, a peaceful separation would suffice.

But Qiu Wenqi declared vehemently, “We’re divorcing him! The Qiu family will divorce the husband!”

What?!

Not only was Hou Yuanzhen shocked, but the assembled officials also voiced their disapproval. “Isn’t divorcing the husband too extreme? Although the Hou grandson resorted to violence, the Qiu daughter failed to produce an heir first. Both are at fault—a peaceful separation is the proper solution.”

“Indeed, Minister Qiu, a peaceful separation should suffice. Why make this so ugly?”

“Who asked for your opinions?” Qiu Wenqi, hot-tempered as ever, retorted sharply to the crowd. “If I beat you all for three years, could we just laugh and reconcile afterward?”

“The Hou family is willing to pay compensation, isn’t they?”

“Exactly, it’s better to resolve enmity than perpetuate it. You’ll inevitably cross paths in the future—why make it so unpleasant?”

“Bullshit!” Qiu Wenqi cursed angrily. “Who needs to see him again? I’m only forty and have twenty years left in my official career! How many more years can Hou Yuanzhen last in court?”

“Oh, once he’s buried, I suppose I’ll have to look down to see him! With his character, he certainly won’t ascend to heaven!” Qiu Wenqi spat in Hou Yuanzhen’s direction.

His youngest daughter was so pitiful—gentle and delicate, usually too afraid to step on an ant, someone he couldn’t bear to scold. Yet that bastard had bullied her so terribly! When he went to the Hou residence and saw her injuries, he nearly wanted to tear the entire Hou family apart!

They were cunning enough to avoid hitting her face when tormenting her, so no one would notice!

If he had known earlier, he would have taught Qin’er to be more assertive!

“Qiu Wenqi! Watch your language!” Hou Yuanzhen raised a trembling finger, clearly enraged by the insults. “She’s just a woman who can’t continue the family line! Women are inherently inferior—they should respect their in-laws and obey their husbands. I’ve been exceedingly reasonable by agreeing to a peaceful separation. Don’t push this too far!”

“You!” Qiu Wenqi was so furious he felt dizzy, finding the man utterly unreasonable. He turned to Xie Chengze, “Prince Regent! I beg you to uphold justice for your subject!”

“Prince Regent, I also beg you to uphold justice for your subject!” Hou Yuanzhen addressed Xie Chengze as well. “Qiu Wenqi’s demand to divorce the husband is nothing but an insult to the Hou family!”

“Hmm…” Xie Chengze stroked his chin. “Minister Qiu, I believe divorce is indeed a bit excessive. After all, it is true that your daughter has not borne any children in three years. According to our dynasty’s laws, the husband’s family does have the right to divorce her. However, resorting to violence is truly immoral and should be resolved through mutual separation. As for breaking vows, they hold no legal weight—at most, it reflects the man’s inconsistency in word and deed. Your daughter simply misjudged him.”

“This—” Qiu Wenqi frowned deeply. Although he had come with the mindset that mutual separation would suffice, he still felt unwilling.

His daughter had suffered so much!

How innocent she was!

“The Prince Regent speaks rightly,” Hou Yuanzhen said smugly to Qiu Wenqi. “A woman’s failure to bear children is already subject to criticism. Minister Qiu surely wouldn’t want this to become widely known and hinder your other daughters from seeking second marriages, would you?”

Qiu Wenqi’s face turned pale. Just as he was about to speak, Xie Chengze on the throne continued stroking his chin and said, “However, I cannot rely solely on the words of you two parties. After all, you are outsiders, not the ones directly involved.”

“Attendants,” Xie Chengze called out. “Summon Qiu Ziqin, Hou Wende, and that mistress into the hall!”

Upon hearing this, the ministers exchanged glances. Summoning them now? Wouldn’t that prolong the session?

Unexpectedly, within moments, the three were escorted into the Golden Luan Hall. Hou Wende knelt on the ground in panic, searching for Hou Yuanzhen’s figure. Only after catching his gaze did he steady himself slightly.

The mistress lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to move, trembling like a leaf in the wind.

Qiu Ziqin knelt on the ground with vacant eyes, her hands tightly clutching her skirt. Only when Hou Wende glanced at her did she flinch and avert her gaze.

“Hmm…” Xie Chengze observed them for a while. “Madam Qiu, when did Hou Wende start beating you?”

Qiu Ziqin’s delicate frame trembled slightly. She instinctively glanced at Hou Wende, who quickly put on an ingratiating expression. “Qin’er, you know I just have a quick temper. Besides, didn’t I kneel and apologize every time?”

The ministers gasped softly. It is said that a man’s dignity lies beneath his knees. Since Hou Wende knew to kneel and apologize, it seemed he recognized his wrongdoing.

“Qin’er! Speak the truth!” Qiu Wenqi stepped directly between the two, blocking Hou Wende from view.

Sensing her father standing firmly by her side, Qiu Ziqin lowered her eyelids and whispered timidly, “R-Replying to the Prince Regent, my husband began striking me three months after our marriage.”

Three months—so early. If he beat her because she hadn’t borne children, it seemed excessively harsh.

Who wouldn’t wait at least two years to confirm infertility before considering taking a concubine?

“Mistress of the Hou family, when did you become involved with Hou Wende?” Xie Chengze then asked the mistress.

“This lowly servant became involved with the master three months after his marriage,” the mistress stammered, trembling.

Another three months. Did Hou Wende immediately seek a mistress upon believing Qiu Ziqin couldn’t conceive?

He had once vowed to have only one person for life, yet he betrayed that vow in just three months. Even though the ministers considered having multiple wives and concubines normal, they still found Hou Wende utterly shameless.

After all, it was this very vow that had earned him the emperor’s praise and a reputable name in the capital.

Seemingly aware of the ministers’ disdain for him, Hou Wende hastily explained, “My relationship with Yuan’er was purely an accident after drinking! I never expected Yuan’er to conceive my son after just one encounter. How could I not take responsibility?”

Hearing this, the ministers couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

Since it was an accident, there was nothing to be done. At least Hou Wende hadn’t taken her in as a concubine but kept her as an external household to care for her—that still made him somewhat of a man.

“So it was an accident…” Xie Chengze nodded. “But, Hou family, I must remind you: children conceived while intoxicated are prone to deformities and can suffer from poor brain development. It’s best to drink less in the future!”

Hou Wende hurriedly agreed.

The ministers also took note, having just learned that children conceived after heavy drinking are highly susceptible to deformities.

Xie Chengze then turned to Qiu Ziqin and asked, “Qiu Shi, how often do you and Hou Wende share a bed?”

As soon as these words were spoken, silence fell over the hall.