The Little Darling Wife Who is a Divine Doctor Saved the Entire Family of the Duke's Mansion Chapter 5: Born a Mohist, die a Mohist ghost.
Previously on The Little Darling Wife Who is a Divine Doctor Saved the Entire Family of the Duke's Mansion...
He Zhiran believed it vital to alert them beforehand about this issue. What's more, Mo Jiuye delivering the reminder personally would hold greater sway than her words as a fresh face.
"Fine, I'll dispatch someone to summon them at once."
He Zhiran ordered the servants beyond the door to head to various courtyards and bring the others. She then stepped back into the chamber.
"Have you thought of a solid plan?" she inquired of Mo Jiuye.
"You and the sisters-in-law should grab the divorce papers and depart." Right now, Mo Jiuye's sole idea was to limit the number of people dragged into this mess.
He Zhiran offered no counter to that.
Though her interactions with the eight sisters-in-law were limited, she sensed their genuine kindness.
Becoming widows so young was tragic enough. Dragging them into exile and hardship felt too cruel.
As for her own situation, she didn't dwell on it excessively.
She pitied the Mo family's misfortune and yearned to alter Mo Jiuye's doomed early end through her skills.
Soon enough, Old Lady Mo and the sisters-in-law rushed in one after another.
He Zhiran noted the authentic worry etched on their faces for Mo Jiuye.
Old Lady Mo reached her son's side first. Tears brimmed in her eyes, yet she projected strength before the others.
"Jiuye, how severe are your wounds?"
"Mother, your son is okay. Just superficial injuries."
"Ninth brother, what caused your injuries?" the fourth sister-in-law asked with worry.
Mo Jiuye scanned the room.
"Once all sisters-in-law are present, I'll explain to everyone at once."
No one pressed further after Mo Jiuye's words. They focused instead on fussing over his condition.
Moments later, the more distant sisters-in-law arrived too.
He Zhiran cautiously exited and commanded the servants to secure the entrance, barring all outsiders.
Mo Jiuye's heart warmed at He Zhiran's considerateness. It also shifted his earlier views of her dramatically.
Without this twist of fate, he might have strived to build a real bond with her and shared a lifetime together.
Alas, destiny toyed with mortals, denying him that opportunity from the heavens.
Mo Jiuye reined in his wandering mind and spoke gravely, "Mother, sisters-in-law, today the Emperor humiliated me in the palace and ordered fifty brutal lashes."
The sisters-in-law grew deeply agitated upon hearing this.
"Ninth brother, what misdeed earned you such punishment from the Emperor?"
"Indeed, Ninth brother. Fifty heavy strokes aren't trivial. How bad are the injuries?"
"Ninth brother..."
A wave of such caring queries even touched the iron-willed Mo Jiuye deeply.
This close-knit family harmony might vanish after today.
Though it pained him, duty demanded he press on.
"Mother, sisters-in-law, today's incident proves the Emperor can no longer abide our House of Mo. A decree will likely come soon—exile at best, execution at worst."
Mo Jiuye amplified the threat deliberately, urging the sisters-in-law to back away wisely.
All eight sisters-in-law's gazes turned simultaneously to He Zhiran.
Earlier, when exiting the bridal chamber, the ninth siblings had voiced similar warnings.
They'd dismissed it then as baseless pessimism from the newlyweds.
But Mo Jiuye repeating it forced them to heed the gravity.
He Zhiran faced their questioning stares and gave a serious nod, affirming her prior words weren't empty fears.
"Jiuye, is this truly happening?" Even steady Old Lady Mo now showed signs of distress.
"Mother, it's likely eight or nine parts out of ten." Mo Jiuye avoided absolutes, basing it on He Zhiran's intel plus his deductions.
Old Lady Mo trembled at those words.
"Generations of Mo loyalty and valor, men dying for the realm, and this is our reward?"
Her voice carried a bitter chuckle as she continued.
"I urged your father to retire from service back then. What value in glory, wealth, ranks against a serene family life? He wouldn't hear it.
The Mo duty was safeguarding Great Shun, he claimed. That vow claimed my husband and eight sons.
So we bled to defend Great Shun's territory?
Hah... How laughable..."
The eight sisters-in-law brimmed with righteous fury too.
"This is outrageous. What harm has our Mo family ever caused to warrant this?"
"I refuse to accept it. I'll head back to my parental home right away and have my father speak kind words on our behalf."
"I'll seek out my elder brother too, to see if he can lend a hand."
Mo Jiuye shook his head.
"Sisters-in-law, it's hopeless! The Emperor is set on wiping out the Mo family. Why would he heed any counsel?"
"Then what can we do? Just sit here waiting for them to slap false charges on us?" Seventh Sister-in-law Yang Man demanded furiously.
Mo Jiuye stayed silent, turning his gaze to Old Lady Mo instead.
"Mother, your son believes we should use this chance to issue divorce letters to the sisters-in-law, sparing them from sharing the Mo family's doom."
Old Lady Mo thought it over briefly, then declared gravely, "Indeed, Jiuye speaks wisely. You sisters-in-law have suffered enough already. The Mo family must not drag you down further. The same goes for the He girl. She's only just wed in; it would be unfair to involve her in the Mo family's fate."
"Mother, Ninth Brother, I want no divorce letter. I, Cui Biteng, was born a Mo, and as a Mo's ghost I shall die."
"Count me in. Even if the whole Mo family faces execution, I, Xie Fang, will stand with the Mo till the very end."
"I don't want a divorce letter either. I'll remain here, sharing life and death with the Mo family."
"I vowed to my late husband that regardless of anything, I'd serve his mother dutifully in his place."
"I'm staying too."
"..."
The eight Mo widows blazed with righteous anger, refusing to depart with divorce letters.
Though it offered the sole escape, they rejected it outright. They resolved to share the Mo family's fate, in life or death.
Witnessing her eight daughters-in-law's loyalty moved Old Lady Mo deeply. Her eyes then shifted to He Zhiran.
"Young Lady He, and what of you?"
"I wish to stay as well." He Zhiran replied firmly, without a second thought.
Old Lady Mo glanced back at Mo Jiuye. "Jiuye, look—the women of our house possess unyielding spirits. Mother wishes to honor their resolve too."
At these words, Mo Jiuye regarded them all with grave respect, admiration shining in his eyes.
"Sisters-in-law, life comes but once. Why court death when survival is possible? Please don't let misplaced loyalty cloud your judgment here."
"Ninth Brother, I've made up my mind. Say no more, please."
Following the Eldest Sister-in-law's lead, the others reaffirmed their decision once more.
Old Lady Mo understood her daughters-in-law's characters intimately. Though petty squabbles arose in daily life, at this pivotal hour, not one would abandon ship.
Such were the true women of the Mo family.