Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home

Zhao Zhai seethed with anger, his voice dripping with frustration as he confronted his cousin. “But you’re also part of the Zhao Family, the Young Master no less! Selling the mulberry garden, how can we produce silk for ourselves?”

Zhao Shu retorted with a hint of indifference, “You can always buy it.”

His suggestion was met with a derisive scoff from Zhao Zhai. “You, of all people!”

Zhao Zhai’s annoyance remained unabated as he accused, “You did this deliberately!”

Zhao Shu calmly explained, “Those lands were passed down from our grandparents, and I have every right to manage them as I see fit. I need the money, so selling them is my prerogative. If you wish to purchase them, I can intercede with Madame Shao on your behalf. Perhaps she might consider selling you half. Are you interested?”

Zhao Zhai was left in contemplative silence. Where would he acquire the funds?

Finally, he sneered, “Just you wait; Father will never forgive you!”

Uncle Qing had managed to gather a group of onlookers, and they began to disperse.

“I can’t tolerate this any longer! The audacity of that concubine’s son! Look at how he treats the legitimate heir, Young Master Zhao!”

“They say Old Master Zhao is playing favorites!”

“That’s preposterous. He has every right to sell what he pleases, doesn’t he? Why should he use it to support this unrelated concubine’s son? If the concubine’s son treated him as a brother, it would be different, but the way he behaves… it seems that neither the brother nor the concubine are decent people!”

“Exactly! If I were Young Master Zhao, I wouldn’t stand for such humiliation! We’re meant to be a family, but Old Master Zhao and the concubine’s son hardly deserve to be called that! This is an affront to our dignity!”

Zhao Zhai seethed with anger and hatred, wanting to retaliate vocally, but he feared the stern reprimands of the officials in the courtroom. So, all he could do was shoot Zhao Shu a fierce glare, silently conveying, “Your actions won’t go unanswered.”

He had overlooked the fact that he would become the center of attention.

Witnessing this, discontent among the onlookers grew.

The officer concealed his inner disdain and taunted her for her perceived foolishness and ineptitude. “Is there anything else you’d like to add to this case?”

It was time to bring the matter to a close.

Zhao Zhai snorted and directed a pointed glare at Zhao Shu, silently vowing to bide his time and seek justice. He yearned for the day he could present his case and expose Zhao Shu’s actions to the family.

Although deeply discontented, Zhao Shu, being Zhao Mu’s son, couldn’t utter a disparaging word about his father or the Zhao Family.

As a servant, Uncle Qing remained silent.

Sun Qian raised her voice, addressing the officer. “Officer, my master has been unjustly accused. I implore you to uphold justice. Must the wealthy and powerful manipulate intermediates like pawns, framing innocent individuals without evidence? Is this what the governmental office stands for? Disregarding the laws of the Qin Dynasty and making baseless accusations will erode morality over time, leading to a decay in society’s values. Such actions fail to deter wrongdoers or educate the populace! Please, render a fair verdict, Officer!”

Zhao Zhai’s eyes widened, struggling to comprehend her eloquence. He longed to refute her but lacked the education to do so, sensing that her words were far from complimentary.

After careful consideration, the officer turned to Zhao Zhai and declared, “Sun Qian is correct. Those who abuse their influence must face consequences. You shall pay Madame Shao 10,000 liang as compensation and make a public apology in court. This case is now closed!”