Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1294: Superb Acting Skills

"You claim someone from the Dou household is carrying a coffin to lodge a protest?" Qu Shaoyin furrowed his brow, his gaze fixed on the Government Official. "What grievance does he allege? Is he not afraid of bringing such a spectacle to Jingzhao Mansion, acting as if it were his own home, and disgracing the Meng family in the process?"

Considering merchants to be of low status, the officials in the Capital generally held disdain for them. This very reason was why Qu Shaoyin specifically referenced the Meng Imperial Censor’s Family.

The Government Official, dabbing away beads of cold sweat, replied, "Reporting to Lord Junior Prefect, the eldest Young Master of the Dou Family asserts that he is here to accuse Ms. Meng of multiple attempted murders. He invokes the names of his maternal grandfather and mother, declaring that should Jingzhao Mansion fail to adjudicate the case justly, he will end his own life at our entrance to uphold the laws of Great Chu!"

"To die for justice? A son of a mere merchant, is he truly worthy of such a dramatic gesture?" Qu Shaoyin’s irritation flared. His days were already packed with matters; the notion of a merchant’s son, even one from an Imperial Merchant family, causing him such undue stress was infuriating.

The Government Official wore a look of dismay as he continued, "Indeed, those were his exact words. He also conveyed that he is unmarried and has no son to perform funeral rites, hence his preparation of mourning attire and a coffin for his own use."

This was no mere bluff; the seriousness of his intent was underscored by the coffin he brought for himself.

With a decisive bang, Qu Shaoyin struck the table. "Truly, a lowly merchant, causing such chaos and disruption!"

As he spoke, his eyes narrowed in a glare towards the reporting Government Official. Pointing a clenched fist, he admonished, "Fang Hu, Junior Prefect Shen possesses superior skill in handling such affairs. You should have sought his counsel first."

Why did this official come to him, one of the two Junior Prefects in Jingzhao Mansion, instead of the other? Wasn't this a deliberate attempt to burden him?

Fang Hu, feeling unjustly accused, lowered his head and responded, "Replying to Qu Shaoyin, Junior Prefect Shen is indisposed today. As I cannot directly approach Lord Jingzhao Governor, I was compelled to seek your assistance, Lord Junior Prefect."

The official implied he had no choice but to come, not out of any desire to cause trouble.

Just then, another Government Official rushed in, stopping at the doorway. He saluted Qu Shaoyin, announcing, "Lord Junior Prefect, the eldest Young Master of the Imperial Merchant Dou Family is currently outside, wailing mournfully. A considerable crowd has gathered to witness the spectacle. He has further dispatched a servant to summon a Daoist priest to chant scriptures, stating that should he perish, only a Daoist’s guidance can ensure his successful reincarnation."

Bang!

Qu Shaoyin's fist slammed the table with such force he nearly injured his hand. Rising to his feet, he exclaimed in disbelief, "Is the man deranged? Who behaves in such a manner? Does he possess no concern for his reputation whatsoever?"

Bringing a coffin and donning mourning clothes to file a complaint was one thing; summoning a Daoist priest for funeral rites suggested he intended to establish a mourning pavilion at Jingzhao Mansion's entrance and be sent off directly from there.

Fang Hu, a native of the Capital whose lineage traced back to the former dynasty, offered his perspective. "Lord Junior Prefect has not resided in the Capital for an extended period, thus you may be unfamiliar with the temperament of Young Master Dou. He is a notorious rogue; forget about bringing a coffin to complain – if there were profit to be made, he would shamelessly dress as a woman and solicit business right outside a brothel."

Fang Hu then proceeded to recount several of Young Master Dou's most outrageous exploits, along with the deep-seated animosity between Young Master Dou and his stepmother, Mrs. Dou Meng.

Qu Shaoyin, a scion of a noble lineage, conducted himself with unwavering adherence to ancient propriety. His associates were invariably individuals of refined character, rendering him utterly unprepared for the existence of a scoundrel like Young Master Dou. He found himself momentarily disoriented.

Regaining his composure, he adjusted his official hat and instructed, "You there at the door, proceed outside and disperse the gathering crowd. Fang Hu, you will accompany this Junior Prefect to report the Dou family's matter to Lord Jingzhao Governor."

"Yes, my Lord." Fang Hu followed Qu Shaoyin, heading to meet with Lord Jingzhao Governor.

Upon hearing their report, the Jingzhao Governor felt a familiar throb of a headache, yet years of service had rendered him unflappable in the face of any bizarre case or hidden scandal. "Qu Shaoyin, proceed to accept the petition. Subsequently, dispatch an envoy to inform both the Dou and Meng families of Dou Ke’s predicament and ascertain their preferred method of resolution."

The Governor was adept at facilitating compromises; once the Meng Family arrived, he would deftly shift the responsibility back to them, leaving it to the Meng Family to discipline their daughter, whether through punishment or exoneration.

Qu Shaoyin, however, frowned. "My Lord, must we truly engage with this case? It appears to be merely a domestic dispute between a stepson and his stepmother. We could simply decline the petition, escort Young Master Dou back to the Dou family, and allow both families to convene and resolve it amicably amongst themselves."

The Jingzhao Governor, however, dismissively waved his hand: "Previously, we might have overlooked Dou Ke's petition, but that is no longer an option. The Dou Ou Bank has been instrumental in assisting the Emperor, and they maintain close connections with the Ouyang Family. To show respect for the Ouyang Family, we must accept this petition."

He urged with haste, "Do not dally any longer; see to it swiftly, lest Dou Ke finds himself prematurely mourning his own demise."

Upon hearing this, Qu Shaoyin had no alternative but to bow and escort Fang Hu to attend to the matter.

Outside the Jingzhao Mansion, Young Master Dou was indeed engaged in a display of self-mourning, tears streaming down his face:

"Mother, my dearest Mother, I beg your forgiveness. I had intended to marry soon and present you with a grandson, bringing a smile to your face in the underworld. Alas, that is now impossible; my fate appears to be sealed by Ms. Meng's hand, boo-hoo-hoo..."

He continued, lamenting, "Since childhood, Ms. Meng has relentlessly caused me trouble, yet out of respect for her position as my stepmother, I have endured it all. This time, Ms. Meng... Ms. Meng, you could even become my mother. If you desire my life, come and claim it. I offer it willingly, saving you the trouble of dispatching assassins to end me."

Dou Zhi, weeping inconsolably, clutched Young Master Dou's arm and implored, "Master, cease your tears. You have always been a paragon of purity and kindness, showing deference to the Second Madam since your youth, yet you find yourself in this dire situation. Boo-hoo, this servant grieves for you."

She added with apparent sincerity, "Fear not, Master, and do not despair. Should you perish, this slave vows to follow you into the depths of hell, to serve you even as a spectral being..."

With that, she dramatically feigned unconsciousness from her overwhelming sorrow.

Young Master Dou regarded this display with admiration, acknowledging that the art of weeping seemed to be a woman's forte. Though his own tears were nearly depleted, Dou Zhi's simulated faint was far more convincing.

Dou Meng, supporting the seemingly distraught Dou Zhi, cried out to Young Master Dou, "Master, you have always treated this servant like a brother. Without your benevolence, I would surely have perished long ago. Witnessing you endure twenty years of hardship and now facing the brink of death... boo-hoo, though this servant may not articulate well, I yearn to accompany you in death!"

The other servants of the Dou household, observing this scene, also joined in the mournful wails. The area began to resemble a funeral procession rather than the entrance to the Jingzhao Mansion, as if grieving for the departed.

Qu Shaoyin stood dumbfounded—was this truly a demonstration of mourning?

The onlookers began to dab their eyes, murmuring, "How tragic, how could such a brazen woman exist in this world?"

Some voices questioned, "The Meng family holds the esteemed position of Imperial Censors, renowned for their integrity. How could they possibly train assassins to commit murder? Are you fabricating this tale?"

With two decisive thuds, Young Master Dou's Shadow Guards unceremoniously tossed two individuals from a nearby carriage, declaring, "These are the assassins dispatched by the Meng family. The evidence is irrefutable; how could this be a lie?"

Young Master Dou then raised his voice in a solemn oath to the heavens: "I, Dou Ke, do hereby swear that if I have falsely accused Ms. Meng, may I suffer the ignominious fate of castration and be forever denied descendants!"

His words fell upon a now-silent crowd. The populace of Great Chu held such oaths in high regard, and for a young man to pledge such a severe penalty—castration and the forfeiture of progeny—it strongly indicated that he had indeed suffered a grave injustice at the hands of his stepmother.