23. The undercurrents 2

Her eyes went red and she started crying but didn't say anything anymore. She looked at doctor Zhao, that was already so old, but had to bear this disgrace. ''That wife of yours, I have pushed her into your arms, even the daughter in law, it was my doing. I knew how they acted in your household, but you never rebuked them so far as they haven't done anything bad. But this... I understand. You must have missed her so much, haven't you? I will promote her to your wife, give her a noble name. Your son died while hunting in the forest, but your grandchildren are still alive. Bring them back home. It is time.''

She felt tired. At that time his wife was her best friend and begged her for a favour. So to get the first wife position, she made young doctor Zhao divorce his wife and kick the whole family out. Then she granted him a marriage and even pushed his son to marry a woman that he never even liked. His grandson was actually marrying someone he did like, so she was not feeling bad. But the women in old doctors household made so much trouble that he just couldn't handle it as a man.

His wife and son lived in the neighbourhood. He supported them as much as he could, but they chose to stay away from him in fear that he would be rebuked by the nobles. So the son lived off of hunting and farming. He married a young miss from the fallen noble clan and they had quite a good life.

Unfortunately, he had an accident and died. He left three children fatherless and a young wife as a widow. His son was big enough to start caring about the farm, so he worked hard while his two sisters helped him as much as they could. They were actually barely surviving.

Doctor Zhao looked at the Emperor with red eyes and he got a smile from him. ''What are you still waiting for? An Edict? You will get it soon enough, get going now. I think its time she starts living her life in grace, right?''

He saw the old man bowing multiple times and with tears streaming down his face, rushing out to get his family. Soon the whole town knew about this case. Doctor Zhao found out about the atrocities his wife did and couldn't handle it, so he divorced her and brought back his main wife to live peacefully. But not only that. Soon all the details came out. His wife killed or kicked out all his concubines and spent all his money. His daughter in law was not better, as she never let his son have concubines in the first place. And his granddaughter in law topped everything, when she killed multiple servants and used the most vicious methods to harm his own family.

Her brother was charged with murdering and killing many people, after a thorough investigation. Since the new law came out, many men used underhanded methods to get widows. Killing their husbands, or whole families and acting like protectors.

The deeper the Emperor dug, the more dirt came out on the top. The Dowager stopped taking any visitors and even her own sister was sent back home after multiple tries. This time her grandson really made a big mistake, but not such a big one to get killed, right?

She just didn't want to admit it. So what had to come, came. The edict about the minister's resignation and his property being taken away and given to all those people that were harmed by his son came out. After everything was done, just a small amount of money and a fief outside the capital was left. So the whole family was sent out, while the only male descendant was decapitated in the mid of town and on the walls, his head hung together with others that did atrocities as a warning.

All that was not even known by Liu Mei. She never asked and Hua Lan never spoke about such things. They got a message that day that he had personal problems and as soon he deals with it he will come and personally take care of everything she needs.

On the other hand, Yu Heng was actually having now more peaceful time was left. His wife became quiet when her family got kicked out and her brother got killed. She was so fearful that she would wake up multiple times at night and stay awake until the morning. When he wanted to help her, she would crazily throw things at him and after a while, she just asked him for a divorce. In her head was a weird version of him being at fault for all that happened.

He gave her all her dowry back and sent her to the family fief personally. He found out she married some nobleman and was living good. Her family was provided by him so they never made trouble.

About him, he regretted it. He tried talking to his grandfather once, but earned just cold eyes and a rebuke. ''It was your own choice. Now live comfortably. Your mother got some gold from me as well, so she can live good as long she does not over waste it. You have a good job here and I will never mistreat you. But do not call me grandfather. We have broken all ties.''

Ye Heng felt animosity against this old man and opened his own medicine hall. He was a good doctor so he got many clients and lived comfortably. But something still wormed him. One day he stood in front of the big gate and knocked on the doors.

A young girl opened it up and bowed politely. ''We already got the medicine from the medicine hall. Is there something wrong with it?'' She was always worried about that mistress of hers, that trusted everyone way too much.

''I would like to have a private word with your mistress. Is it possible?'' His hands were sweating as he felt seriously nervous.

The girl shook her head. ''Mistress will not receive any visitors until the drought stops. She is praying every day and locked her self out from the worldly matters. I am sorry.''

As the door closed the girl's face turned into a bright smile .''Wanna steal my mistress and you don't even respect your own family? Dream on.''

''Who was it?'' Liu Mei just woke up from her midday nap and sleepily rubbed her eyes.

''Someone thought this is the side door of the Zhao estate. I just sent them the right way. Miss, I prepared some tea. Let me bring it to you.'' The little girl rushed inside so her mistress wouldn't see the lie written on her face.

Somehow her mistress knew when she lied. Xiao Ran was now afraid to lie to her, as she could catch her before with every little lie.

Their life now was quite comfortable. The little garden they had was enough for both of them to live comfortably. The herbs they transplanted grew very well in a protected environment. So she knew that they will have additional earnings as soon as they were ready.

So her mistress would start praying in the outer hall every day in the morning and evening before she ate food. At midday, she would take a nap and between the time she would tend the garden and herbs, or just cook something that she felt was delicious.

Xiao Ran sighed. She thought this kind of life is not bad at all. But she knew it will not last forever.