Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1259: Mrs. Dou Meng Is Beaten

Master Ouyang shot a contemptuous look at Young Master Dou, inquiring with a hint of impatience, "Why the hurry? When I penned a letter to my elder brother, I specifically instructed him to address your entanglement. Naturally, his response will pertain to this matter."

Given that the contracts for Dou Ou Bank were dispatched directly to the court, coupled with a pledge that even if the Emperor did not sanction the bank, it would be dissolved once the farmers settled their debts, thus ensuring Dou Ou Bank's permanent closure.

The Emperor recognized their shrewdness and, to appease Ouyang Hong, issued a decree not only admonishing the Shen Family but also reprimanding the Meng Family. The decree condemned them for their inadequate upbringing of their daughters, which had blurred the lines between legitimate heirs and offspring born of concubines.

Lord Meng, who typically held the esteemed position of an Imperial Censor and was accustomed to reprimanding others, found himself on the receiving end of a rebuke. This humiliation left him so incensed that he fell gravely ill. While confined to his sickbed, he summoned Mrs. Dou Meng, his concubine daughter, back to their estate. He unleashed a torrent of scolding upon her, calling her foolish and her actions remarkably imprudent. He emphasized that had she genuinely intended to eliminate Dou Ke, she should have executed the deed discreetly, rather than orchestrating such a scandalous affair that now burdened her maternal family.

Mrs. Dou Meng was utterly humiliated by his words.

Her legitimate elder sister, who harbored a long-standing dislike for her, returned with the express purpose of witnessing her downfall. After Lord Meng concluded his tirade against Mrs. Dou Meng, her sister stepped forward and delivered two stinging slaps to her face. "You have tarnished the reputation of the Meng Family's daughters," she declared. "These two slaps are a fitting consequence for your actions!"

Overwhelmed by the verbal abuse and physical assault, Mrs. Dou Meng could no longer bear the indignity. She fainted and was subsequently carried out of the Meng Family residence.

Manager Dou, remarkably, received no direct reprimand from the imperial decree. In the Emperor's estimation, even acknowledging him with a scolding would have been an undue honor. Instead, the Emperor summoned the Chief Eunuch overseeing imperial affairs and subjected him to a severe reprimand.

The Imperial Eunuch, deeply displeased, promptly dispatched an envoy to the Dou Family. The envoy delivered a harsh scolding to Manager Dou, stating, "If age has dulled your senses, you should relinquish control of the Dou Family to Young Master Dou. Lest your secondary wife instigates another foolish incident that brings ruin upon us all!"

Manager Dou earnestly acknowledged his transgressions and pressed a substantial sum of silver into the hands of the eunuch who had delivered the reprimand. "Please assure the Chief Eunuch that Brother Ke is the legitimate eldest son of the Dou Family, and he is destined to inherit the position of Family Head in due course. Mrs. Dou Meng is indeed addled; I shall personally oversee her, ensuring no further foolishness transpires."

The eunuch let out a chuckle, responding, "Ha, Manager Dou, you certainly have a sense of humor. If you possessed the ability to control Mrs. Dou Meng, the scandalous affair of her mistreating Young Master Dou would not have become the talk of the Capital."

It is common knowledge that you, Manager Dou, in your pursuit of favor with Mrs. Dou Meng, the daughter of an official, actively assisted her in maltreating the legitimate son born of the original wife.

Manager Dou felt a surge of stifled anger, inwardly seething. He believed the incident of mistreatment was primarily the fault of that ungrateful son, who had acted rashly in the tavern. Had he approached his father first, this scandal likely would not have erupted.

Perceiving Manager Dou's rising irritation, the eunuch continued with a smile, "Manager Dou, the Emperor remarked that although Young Master Dou originates from a merchant background, his conduct is noble and serves as an exemplary model for court officials. Such a son is a treasure to be cherished."

He further conveyed, "The Chief Eunuch commented that in comparison to the Meng Family, is the Ouyang Family not a more advantageous connection? You should not abandon precious jade for worthless iron."

Manager Dou shuddered, realizing the truth in the eunuch's words. Indeed, that young man, Dou Ke, had forged a connection with Ouyang Hu. While Ouyang Hu himself held no official position, Ouyang Hong had served as a Master to the Emperor for two generations, commanding even the Emperor's respect. Therefore, it was prudent to treat Dou Ke with greater consideration.

"I am deeply grateful for your counsel, Chief Eunuch," Manager Dou stated. He then presented the eunuch who had delivered the reprimand with a red envelope containing three thousand taels of silver. Subsequently, he dispatched thirty thousand taels in silver notes and two pieces of exquisite jade to the Imperial Eunuch, ensuring the latter's continued goodwill and his non-interference in the Dou Family's affairs. This arrangement guaranteed the uninterrupted flow of the Dou Family's merchandise into the imperial palace.

Additionally, he contributed one hundred thousand taels of silver to the imperial treasury. He also sent five thousand taels in cash to Dou Ke and instructed the various Dou Family establishments to increase the withdrawal limit for Young Master Dou to one hundred and fifty thousand taels per transaction.

Upon learning of these arrangements, Mrs. Dou Meng was consumed by such rage that she proceeded to smash a room filled with belongings. "Increasing the withdrawal limit to one hundred and fifty thousand taels per transaction! If that ungrateful brat withdraws money multiple times, won't he empty the Dou Family's coffers?!"

Unable to bear it any longer, Madam Dou Meng dispatched someone to summon Manager Dou. Upon their meeting, Manager Dou showed no leniency, instead delivering a stern warning: "Haven't we embarrassed ourselves enough? You need to be more discreet these days and wait until this storm passes before stirring up more trouble."

With that, he departed, instructing the servants to move his belongings to the study in the front courtyard, indicating he would not be residing in the main courtyard for the time being.

This further enraged Madam Dou Meng, leading her to smash objects and weep multiple times.

Young Master Dou rejoiced, laughing heartily. "The Emperor is truly the Emperor, handling matters with such magnificence. A mere few reprimanding decrees have resolved what we thought was an insurmountable difficulty. While the donation of silver was harsh, they accepted the funds but made no mention of tax reductions whatsoever."

"Silence! You insipid fool, have you already forgotten yourself in your complacency?" Master Ouyang was so incensed he felt like striking Young Master Dou. Pointing at him, he berated, "Keep your mouth shut! If your careless words stir up trouble and bring harm to everyone, I will not forgive you!"

Young Master Dou apologized with a laugh. "Yes, yes, I shall most certainly keep my mouth shut. Please do not be angry."

Master Ouyang let out a cold huff and handed a letter to Gu Jin’an. "I know you wish to see it. Take it."

"Thank you, Master," Gu Jin’an replied, accepting the letter and reading it with intense focus. Though Ouyang Hong's letter was brief, each word seemed to convey a sense of profound conflict and bloodshed.

Furthermore, he seemed to detect something unusual within the correspondence... such as the Emperor's disposition and his deep-seated animosity towards Da Rong.

However, possessing shrewdness, he refrained from asking any questions. Upon finishing the letter, he returned it to Master Ouyang.

Master Ouyang then stated, "Go and summon Lord Magistrate and County Magistrate Zheng."

"Yes," Gu Jin’an responded, immediately setting off to fetch County Magistrate Zheng and Magistrate Gu.

Upon seeing that it was Gu Jin’an again who had come to fetch them, Magistrate Gu treated him with increasing deference. This young man appeared exceptionally blessed. Having already gained the favor of Junior Minister Ming was fortunate enough, but now, being affiliated with the Ouyang Family and serving at Master Ouyang's side, to the point where Master Ouyang regarded him as family, was truly remarkable.

"I have heard that First Place Gu has a fondness for studying ancient texts? As it happens, we have some ancient texts at our residence. I shall have someone deliver them to you later; you may take your time reading them, and there is no need to return them," Magistrate Gu said to Gu Jin’an with a smile.

Gu Jin’an was astonished by the honor bestowed upon him. He quickly responded, "Ancient texts are precious commodities. How can a mere student presume to take what a lord cherishes? Simply lending them for copying would suffice."

Magistrate Gu, inwardly relieved, was quite pleased. Indeed, parting with the ancient texts would have been a source of great regret for him.

A short while later, Magistrate Gu and the others arrived at Master Ouyang's courtyard and received a letter from Ouyang Hong.

"Keep it, Magistrate Gu. Should any still possess a lack of foresight and attempt to cause you trouble, present them with this letter. The Emperor's decree is inscribed within. If they are not afraid of death, let them proceed," Master Ouyang stated. He had received two letters: one detailing the Emperor's dealings with the Shen Family and the Dou Family, the reactions of the capital's nobility, and the Ying Family and Zongzheng Family's act of preemptively confessing their guilt before the Emperor.

Although the Emperor had not yet issued a formal decree reprimanding the Ying Family and the Zongzheng Family, neither family head was foolish. Upon hearing of the Shen Family's reprimand, they rushed to submit to the Emperor overnight.

The second letter was penned by Ouyang Hong to Ouyang Hu, primarily concerning personal matters and offering advice—a letter that Ouyang Hu kept to himself without sharing.