Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1295: Ming Shaoqing Steps In

This is a misunderstanding. It is true that Madam Meng has attempted assassination, but Young Master Dou has never taken vows seriously. To secure deals, to protect his life, or even to placate women, he has made thousands upon thousands of vows.

Qu Shaoyin's expression turns grim; this is the first time he has seen such open oath-breaking in public. Utterly shameless!

Yet, he quickly declares, "This is a matter for the Jingzhao Mansion. All unrelated individuals must depart immediately or face the consequences under the Great Chu Criminal Law!"

Upon hearing this, the officials from the Jingzhao Mansion swiftly move to clear the crowd.

However, the capital is brimming with nobility, and among the onlookers are some distinguished pleasure-seekers, eager for a spectacle. Not only do they refuse to leave, but they proudly announce their family names, demanding, "Quickly prepare seats and refreshments; we wish to witness this."

Qu Shaoyin feels a surge of irritation, wishing he could strangle them. Just as he prepares to expel them, an official discreetly advises him to allow them to remain.

The Jingzhao Governor has decreed that the presence of these noble families will ensure that even if the case becomes convoluted, once resolved, they will help disseminate the verdict, proving to the public that justice was served impartially.

The Jingzhao Governor uses the term "we," implicitly including Qu Shaoyin, leaving him no choice but to comply.

Nonetheless, the Jingzhao Governor remains strategic, refraining from appearing in court prematurely and opting to await the arrival of both the Dou and Meng families.

Young Master Dou has endured Madam Dou Meng’s relentless attempts on his life for years. If he does not depose Madam Dou Meng now, his peril will only grow. He turns to Qu Shaoyin, inquiring, "Lord Junior Prefect, when shall we commence the trial?"

With that, he begins to undress.

Qu Shaoyin is taken aback, pointing at him, "Dou, what are you doing? Stop at once!"

This is madness, undressing in the courtroom!

Young Master Dou disregards him, painfully removing his garments to reveal his wounds to all: "Esteemed ladies and gentlemen, these are injuries inflicted by the Meng family's assassins."

Those present are stunned by the sight of the wounds on Young Master Dou's back: "Madam Dou Meng is truly wicked; look at that chest wound and the two on his back; you can see the bones. She truly intended to kill her stepson!"

Young Master Dou, tears streaming down his face, continues: "I have suffered many such injuries since childhood. I intended to endure it this time, but I dreamt of Grandpa and Mother; they embraced me, weeping, and told me that continuing to endure would lead to disaster. They urged me not to bear it any longer and to seek justice from the Jingzhao Mansion officials... They advised that if I did not wish to trouble Father, I should use their names to accuse Madam Meng and the Meng family."

In the art of feigning supernatural occurrences, Young Master Dou surpasses even seasoned charlatans, speaking in a manner that is both enigmatic and seemingly plausible.

Listen to this, Young Master Dou is so filial that he does not wish to burden his father.

...

At this very moment, Manager Dou wishes he could skin Young Master Dou alive, this "filial son." Pointing at Madam Dou Meng, he curses: "Are you an imbecile? You failed once already, yet you commissioned a second assassination? You handed him such evidence!"

"He has been unruly since childhood and possesses a fiery temper; would he quietly suffer you once he had proof? You are bringing ruin upon the Dou family and yourselves, Meng family!"

He had even planned to leverage his connections with the Meng family to arrange marriages with the legitimate daughters of officials for his second and third sons. Now that this incident has erupted, even if the Meng family survives, no official will consent to marry their daughter to his sons.

With a mother-in-law as malevolent as Madam Dou Meng, who would dare marry into the family?

Amidst the scolding, Madam Dou Meng cries out, "Master, I did not send anyone to kill him. I dispatched people to eliminate Meng Wu instead. Leaving them alive would spell our ruin. You were aware and complicit; now you blame me? Oh, woe is me. I sacrificed my own well-being for this marriage and accepted the reputation of a wicked stepmother, yet now you hold me accountable?"

Ah, pfft!!

With matters having spiraled this way, shouldn't I be blaming you?

"Stop your crying, quickly gather your belongings and accompany me to the Meng residence. Use whatever means necessary to persuade your father to intervene at the Jingzhao Mansion and convince the Jingzhao Governor to settle this matter privately."

"If it is settled privately, we can later claim it was a simple misunderstanding. If the case proceeds to a full trial, not only you but also our second and third sons will be implicated!"

The second and third sons, being direct descendants of an official, possessed a partial scholarly lineage that afforded them a higher standing than the eldest. The third son excelled in his studies and had a viable path to an official career; this current predicament could not be allowed to jeopardize his prospects.

Mrs. Dou Meng harbored the greatest anxieties for her two sons. She felt they ought to have been legitimate heirs but were now relegated to the status of sons from a successor chamber. Unwilling to see them suffer further due to Dou Ke's actions, she immediately departed in a carriage for the Meng family residence.

The Meng Imperial Censor was initially furious and refused to grant them an audience. However, he eventually relented. Upon their arrival, he slapped each of them twice, reprimanding them, "Fools! Incompetent wastrels! How can you, as parents, fail to manage a mere youth who has just reached adulthood? With this scandal, the Meng family's reputation has been utterly ruined!"

"Father, your daughter knows she has erred. Please, save her, save your two grandsons. We cannot allow Dou Ke, that detestable child, to ruin them!" Mrs. Dou Meng knelt, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded with the Meng Imperial Censor.

The Meng Imperial Censor nearly kicked Mrs. Dou Meng in response. Yet, as she was the cherished daughter of his favored concubine, he refrained. Instead, he waved his hand and delivered two more slaps to Manager Dou, declaring angrily, "When you begged for Sister Chang's hand in marriage, you vowed she would never suffer injustice. You promised to bear any hardships yourself. Now that your eldest son brings trouble, you will resolve it yourself."

Manager Dou fell to his knees with a heavy thud, exclaiming, "Father-in-law, this is impossible! The situation is far too serious. Without your intervention, the Jingzhao Governor will not offer me enough favor to suppress this matter on my behalf."

Dou Ke had indeed gone too far. He had seized the Tang family's ancestral tablets, donned mourning attire, and brought a coffin to the Jingzhao Mansion to formally protest his grievances. Furthermore, he had captured the Meng family's assassins alive. It was said many onlookers witnessed the event; the Jingzhao Governor wished to quell the matter, but it had become nearly impossible.

With a resounding bang, the Meng Imperial Censor furiously kicked Manager Dou, shouting, "You pathetic excuse for a man! Unable to control your own son! Had I known you were this useless back then, I would never have married Sister Chang to you, not even under threat of death!"

Manager Dou snorted in disdain, thinking to himself: If not for my marrying your daughter, her reputation for failing to capture Prince Heng's attention would have certainly led to her demise at the hands of the Meng family elders!

In her youth, Mrs. Dou Meng had been exceptionally alluring. However, as the daughter of a concubine, her dream of marrying into the Imperial Family was impossible. Any hope of an honorable match vanished completely after she had indiscreetly ended up in someone's bed.

Back then, he had married Mrs. Dou Meng to elevate his own social standing by wedding the daughter of an official.

As for affection, who could dislike a beautiful woman? He did harbor some feelings for Meng, but being a businessman, his primary focus had always been on profit.

Now, Mrs. Dou Meng was proving to be a significant financial burden!

"Master, this is not good! Ming Shaoqing has arrived with guards from the Da Li Temple, stating they are here to escort the Old Master to the Jingzhao Mansion!" The Meng family's housekeeper rushed in, his face pale with panic.

"What did you say? Ming Shaoqing is here? Why has he come? What business does he have with today's affair?" The Meng Imperial Censor was so utterly terrified that his legs felt as though they would give way beneath him.