The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 592 - 559: Courting Death

Divorce and being repudiated are worlds apart; the former allows remarriage, while the latter invites scorn from society.

Xu Jia looked at the pieces scattered all over the floor, torn by the man, her expression unmoved, and only asked him, "Second Master, have you decided against divorce?"

Tang Yuan admitted that when he heard Xu Jia mention divorce, a subtle feeling arose in his heart. He wasn’t eager for her to leave, but realizing it was all her machination, that feeling was quickly swallowed by fury.

He approached, gradually closing in on Xu Jia who was sitting on the kang, "So you knew about my relationship with Qingyu long ago. That day when you hinted at sharing a room, it wasn’t your true intention, just part of an act. You later went to Qingyu’s room, deliberately lied to provoke her, driving her mind into chaos. That night, while I was in your Zilan Courtyard, Ruyi Courtyard caught fire, almost engulfing her in flames.

You wanted me to think that Qingyu was playing the bitter pill strategy, didn’t you?

But you underestimated my feelings for her. Since one plan failed, you seized the moment and brought my mother to the study, revealing my affair with Qingyu in public, trying to use the divorce document to end things and be free.

This step by step, piece by piece, is flawless.

Xu Family, you do have exquisite planning, superb scheming, such a brilliant mind.

With such cunning, laying such elaborate plans, haven’t you harmed me enough, and now you want to divorce and harm others?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Jia had no intention to explain, simply smiled lightly, "Second Master flatters me."

Tang Yuan’s pupils suddenly contracted, "So, you’re admitting it?"

Xu Jia spoke calmly, "When you like someone, whatever they do is right. When you dislike someone, whatever they do is wrong. Clearly, in Second Master’s eyes, I am the latter, so what difference does it make whether I admit it or not? You simply want an excuse to salvage some of the face you lost today."

The veins on Tang Yuan’s forehead bulged, lifting his hand.

Tang Yong suddenly crawled in front of Xu Jia, shielding her, eyes red and shaking his head vigorously.

Xu Jia did not expect this little one to stand up for her at the critical moment. This touched her heart. Coldly, she looked at Tang Yuan, "Second Master plans to challenge a martial artist’s bottom line? Consider carefully, if this slap doesn’t kill me, bear the consequences yourself."

Since marrying in, although Xu Jia’s temperament has been indifferent, rarely showing a pleasant face, she has never displayed such a fierce aura, making people’s hearts shudder.

Tang Yuan was merely a scholar, with no combat skills.

He was not unaware of this disparity.

However, perhaps as Xu Jia said, he lost face today seeking an outlet for his frustration, a reason to regain some of it.

Yet, under Xu Jia’s cold gaze, Tang Yuan ultimately dared not act. As he lowered his arm, he snorted lightly, "For the sake of Yongyong, I’ll let it slide today."

Xu Jia chuckled lightly, "Second Master truly exemplifies using people when needed, discarding them when not. This morning, you humbly sought my help with the mechanical beast, and now that the problem’s resolved, you think you can treat me as a plaything to be beaten and scolded at will. You overestimate yourself."

Knowing the vast disparity between them, Tang Yuan didn’t want to argue with her, shifting his attention to his young nephew, "Yongyong, come down and leave with Second Uncle."

Tang Yong was at an age where he began to understand things. Earlier in the study, he partially understood the conversation between his mother and second uncle, realizing their relationship was unusual. He recalled how his mother hit and scolded him before the fire, force-feeding him medicine that made him mute, and then setting the place ablaze to burn him to death inside.

Tang Yong trembled, instinctively huddling closer to Xu Jia.

The little nephew’s reaction reminded Tang Yuan of Jiang Qingyu’s accusations.

— When I entrusted my son to you, how did you promise me? Now, not long after the new wife enters, you dare hand my son over to her. Yongyong is only four years old, and already terrified by her. Afraid to act east or west, setting fires on her command, and then being poisoned to be mute afterwards...

So, that fire was actually set by the young and ignorant Tang Yong himself, instigated by none other than Xu Jia.

The more Tang Yuan thought about it, the angrier he became. Tightening his fists, his face shadowed over.

Xu Jia seemed indifferent, "Since Second Master disagrees with the divorce, let’s drag this out."

She spoke lightly, but Tang Yuan’s anger inexplicably dissipated. Looking at Tang Yong again, he saw his little nephew leaning against Xu Jia, watching him vigilantly.

Tang Yuan squinted his eyes.

He once again asked Tang Yong to come down and leave with him, but Tang Yong refused, so he had to give up and turned to leave Zilan Courtyard.

In half a month, Jiang Qingyu couldn’t stay at the Tang Mansion any longer, so Tang Yuan instructed Yuan Yang and Cui Xi to pack her belongings and send the eldest lady back to the outer estate.

Tang Yong played in Zilan Courtyard for half the afternoon. After dinner, Xu Jia wanted to take him back, but Tang Yong shook his head vigorously. His little face was full of panic, and he clung to Xu Jia’s arm without letting go, his eyes still misty.

In the past, his expression would have been purely for pity, but now, it’s genuinely pitiful.

Xu Jia sighed; at only four, he had been treated so by his own mother. This shadow might be impossible to erase for life.

"Alright, if you don’t want to go back, I’ll have someone prepare a room for you to sleep in your second aunt’s courtyard, okay?"

The little boy grinned upon hearing this, nodding eagerly.

Xu Jia added, "Tomorrow, I’ll take you to Song Mansion again. Mrs. Song used to lose her voice; when the time comes, let’s ask her how she got cured."

As she spoke, she touched her sleeve pocket, where a fragment Tang Yong had given her was hidden.

Originally, it had words written on it, but then it was half-burned by a fire, leaving the remaining half blackened and unreadable.

...

In the main courtyard, Mrs. Qiao lay on the long couch with a damp cloth on her forehead, accompanied by anxious maidservants. Seeing her wake up, they were overjoyed, "Madam, you’ve woken up?"

Mrs. Qiao, recalling why she fainted, felt utterly ashamed, turned her head away from the servants’ gaze, and weakly asked, "Where is Second Master?"

The servant said, "Second Master just came to see Madam and has just returned. If you wish to see him, this old servant will personally invite him."

"No need." Mrs. Qiao’s heart still burned with anger; she feared losing control upon seeing Tang Yuan.

She propped herself on a soft pillow as the maidservant whispered, "A servant from Zilan Courtyard told me she overheard Second Madam proposing a separation to Second Master, but Second Master didn’t agree."

"What!" Mrs. Qiao nearly fainted again, "A separation?"

"Apparently, this matter hasn’t caused any commotion. That Second Madam used to seem rather dignified and competent. How could she be so unreasonable now? The house just faced issues, and she dared to mention separation at this juncture. Besides, which bride proposes separation less than a month after entering the family? She’s really not taking the Tang Family seriously."

The maidservant rambled on, but Mrs. Qiao didn’t hear the rest. Her face was tense. Not to mention Xu Family’s proud nature typical of a military family, even she herself, finding out her husband mingled with her sister-in-law, destined to marry and share a husband soon, would certainly propose a separation. Not just that, she would make a scene, never stopping until chaos ensued.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Qiao instructed the maidservant to invite Xu Jia from Zilan Courtyard, and also asked the housekeeper to bring her own box.

For various reasons, she couldn’t deal with the vile Mrs. Jiang, yet this daughter-in-law was formidable. As long as she stabilized her, and later used her means, she was sure to eliminate that vile Mrs. Jiang!

...

Xu Jia came to the main courtyard with Tang Yong.

Mrs. Qiao had just finished her medicine. Her spirit had suffered greatly during the day, and still hadn’t recovered much, feeling weak.

Seeing Xu Jia, Mrs. Qiao dismissed all the servants, sighing softly, "Second daughter-in-law, misfortune befell our family with such a son, and you have been wronged."

As she spoke, she took out a few sheets of property and land titles from the box and handed them to her, "This is a small token from me. Take good care of it. The Tang Family will rely on you to manage things in the future. This is your due."

Xu Jia could clearly understand; Mrs. Qiao implied she hoped she wouldn’t separate from Tang Yuan.

Ignoring what Mrs. Qiao offered, Xu Jia replied, "Second Master is the future head of the family. Having multiple wives is quite common. Regardless of whom he brings in, I just treat them as strangers. Mother need not be like this; I know my duty."

She didn’t want to accept benefits from the Tang Family, avoiding future entanglements.

Listen, what reassuring and comforting words!

Mrs. Qiao’s expression relaxed, "You are good, but alas that ingrate doesn’t recognize your worth and has wronged you for nothing."

Xu Jia was not keen on discussing Tang Yuan. Looking at Tang Yong beside her, she said, "Mrs. Song was without speech for over ten years before getting cured. I plan to pick a date to visit Song Mansion again to see which doctor they invited back then, to treat Young Master Yong." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Mrs. Qiao nodded in satisfaction, "Thank you for your hard work."

It could be seen that Tang Yong relied heavily on Xu Family now. Mrs. Qiao felt surprised but more so relieved.

Even the son favored Xu Family; Jiang Qingyu, that vile woman, was destined for doom once she entered the house!