Chapter 62 When on Earth Will the Food Be Served?

The onlookers down below had always loved gossiping about such private matters. Hearing this sudden revelation, they immediately lost interest in the lavish dishes before them, bowing their heads to whisper among themselves.

So that was how it truly stood. If Qian Xianglan had indeed been unfaithful to her marital duties, then Shen Changdong could hardly be blamed for resorting to violence.

"The silver for Goodwife Zeng's medical consultation was delivered by my own hands," Qian Sheng spoke up once again, calm and unhurried.

"Smack—"

"Qian Sheng!" Unable to endure it a moment longer, Shen Changdong raised his hand and smashed a bowl against the floor. "Do you dare claim that your going to help that old wretch wasn't taught to you by your mother?"

"Has Father forgotten? Goodwife Zeng saved my life. She is advanced in years and her household is in dire straits; what harm is there in my lending a helping hand?" Qian Sheng looked straight ahead and retorted.

In his early years, he had been mischievous. While playing in the streets with other children, he had accidentally split open his head, collapsing to the ground in pain and bleeding profusely. His pageboy had bolted home in sheer terror to fetch the adults.

As it happened, Goodwife Zeng was returning from gathering sheep's grass when she came upon the scene. She tore a strip from her own garment to bind his head, then scooped him up and ran for a doctor's home without a single thought for her own life.

That bundle of sheep's grass she had left by the roadside was even stolen away by someone passing by.

Qian Sheng had never forgotten this debt of gratitude, which was why he had extended a helping hand when Goodwife Zeng fell upon hard times.

"You ungrateful, featherless whelp, I'll have you today..."

Shen Changdong loathed his inability to walk; otherwise, he would have given this son a sound thrashing across the face.

"Shen Changdong, shut your mouth!" Sun Anping interrupted him sternly, his expression severe. "You have committed countless vile deeds, yet you still had the nerve to send a concubine to fetch me so I could help you exact justice! How laughable that I was actually taken in by your deceit!

Given your conduct, you are entirely unworthy of remaining in the Qian family. I hereby decree that you and Qian Xianglan shall be divorced, and I order you to leave Laizhou City immediately, never to return!"

Trembling with rage from head to toe, Shen Changdong was struck speechless for a long moment, nearly fainting as his breath caught in his throat.

They always said people only use you when they need you and cast you aside the moment they don't, but this fellow surnamed Sun had turned his back even faster than flipping a book!

"Lord Sun," Qian Xianglan said, her eyes misty with tears, "heartless though he may be, I cannot be devoid of righteousness.

No matter what, he is the biological father of my three children. As long as he draws breath, I will never permit him to cross the threshold of the Qian family or bring shame upon our children."

"Well said!" Sun Anping nodded. "It was I who failed to consider every angle."

"My lord, this humble woman has only one plea. I beg your lordship to uphold justice for me."

Qian Xianglan wiped the tears from her face, her tone resolute.

"Speak." Sun Anping raised a hand.

"From the day Shen Changdong crossed the threshold of my home, it was not three months before he began dallying with women outside. Concubine after concubine was brought into the household, until now there are thirteen of them, who have borne him eight children of lower birth.

These women are neither kin nor acquaintance to me, and the children have not the slightest connection to my Qian family. I beg your lordship to drive them out of my household; the Qian family has no desire to continue supporting strangers."

Her eyes red-rimmed, Qian Xianglan's face was a mask of utter exhaustion.

"Qian Xianglan! You dare!" Shen Changdong roared instantly.

Even though he was crippled now and would have no further use for those concubines, those children were all his own flesh and blood. Ruthless as he was, he still felt a lingering pang of reluctance.

"Why should I not dare!" Qian Xianglan turned and glared at him with blazing eyes. "My Qian family is not a monastery; why should we support a pack of complete strangers for your sake?"

"Complete strangers..." Shen Changdong let out a bitter, tragic laugh. "That's right, they have no connection to you, but what of your fine son?"

He turned his face toward him, his expression filled with bitter hatred. "Qian Sheng! Do not forget, those are your half-brothers and half-sisters!

Where are your Confucian virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness? Have they all been eaten by dogs?"

Qian Sheng looked back at him with an expressionless face. "From the time I could first form memories, I frequently witnessed you beating my mother savagely. Sometimes, when my sister and I were present, you would restrain yourself slightly, yet you still ordered my mother about with harsh words and never once cast a kind look her way.

Yet toward your concubines, you smiled as warmly as the spring breeze, giving them whatever they desired.

From that moment on, in my heart, you ceased to be my father and became merely the one who engendered me.

Now, since Mother is willing to let you stay, I raise no objection—this is solely out of consideration for the fact that you gave me life, and in the future, I will naturally see to your burial and tend to your twilight years.

As for your concubines and children, in my eyes, they are mere dregs, and it is high time they were cleared out."

"You... you... unfilial wretch! Unfilial wretch!" Pointing a trembling finger at Qian Sheng, Shen Changdong shook with fury.

"I will not interfere with your concubines," Qian Sheng continued. "If they wish to take their children with them, they are free to do so. As for any whom no one claims, they may be sent to the large tenement courtyard in Twin Lanes. From time to time, I will provide some relief so they do not starve to death.

That is all I am able to do."

"Very well said. That may be considered carrying benevolence and righteousness to the utmost limit," Sun Anping nodded repeatedly. "Let things be handled precisely as Young Master Qian has prescribed. If anyone dares to disobey, send someone to me without hesitation."

With that, he pinched the draft in his hand. "Since the matter here is concluded, I shall return to the magistrate's office first."

He was anxious to get back so he could inspect the exact sum written on the draft.

"Will Lord Sun not stay and partake of a meal with us?" Qian Shihai had been so astonished by this side of his daughter that he remained dazed for a long time.

Seeing that Sun Anping was about to leave, Lady Ding gave him a sharp pinch, snapping him out of his reverie, and he hastily stepped forward to persuade him to stay.

"There is no need," Sun Anping replied, his mind wholly occupied with the amount on the draft; he had no appetite for dining.

Qian Shihai and Lady Ding followed them out to see them off.

Only then did Qian Xianglan turn to address the guests: "Forgive us for making a spectacle of ourselves today. Please, continue with your meal!"

"Qian Xianglan, you certainly know how to put on an act! Have you been waiting all these years just to see me fall from grace? Don't think that because my legs are broken I can't still make your life a living hell. Today I—"

Glaring at Qian Xianglan with venomous hatred, Shen Changdong looked as though he wanted to pounce and tear a chunk of flesh from her body.

"Are you all just standing there staring like fools with no sense of propriety?" Interrupting him directly, Qian Xianglan frowned and barked at the servants. "Can't you see that the master is tired? Carry him away to rest."

Several manservants swarmed forward at once.

As they hoisted him up, Shen Changdong continued his unceasing stream of curses, hurling insults so vile they were unfit for human ears.

"Give him a few slaps across the mouth," Qian Xianglan commanded angrily. "For every curse, deliver a strike. Let's see how tough his tongue really is!"

Sure enough, after a few resounding slaps, Shen Changdong fell completely silent as he was carried out horizontally by the servants.

The guests hurriedly vied with one another to offer comforting words to Qian Xianglan. Who among them failed to realize that from this day forward, the Qian family would dance to her tune?

Setting aside how wildly her usual demeanor contrasted with her behavior today, they raised their voices one after another to flatter her.

If not now, when would be the time to curry favor?

Watching coldly from the sidelines, Yun Jiao noticed that her cousin's hands were trembling slightly. She understood that Qian Xianglan had endured for many years, and today had truly been a desperate, make-or-break gamble.

Fortunately, she had fought and won.

Assuming a look of utter boredom, she cast a covert glance toward the side room behind her. Why was someone still keeping watch in there at this hour?

Seeing that the dishes on the tables were nearly finished, just when on earth would they serve the rice?

Naturally, she had no craving for plain white rice; she had other motives entirely.

Raising her eyes inadvertently, she caught sight of Gu Youzi lurking near the edge of the shed. Startled, she flashed a meaningful look at Jianjia.

Nodding, Jianjia departed.

Frowning, Yun Jiao wondered: Hadn't Gu Youzi gone to fetch her elder brother? How could she have returned so quickly?

Just as she was lost in thought, she heard Lady Ding instructing the servants not far away: "The dishes are nearly done. Bring out the white rice, and be sure not to damage my rice crust!"

At these words, Yun Jiao instantly perked up.