Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Furious, Qiao Xuan couldn’t believe how shameless and unreasonable her parents were becoming. They were twisting the truth and trying to appear reasonable even though they were clearly in the wrong.
Shao Yunduan was both surprised and enraged. He never expected that Qiao Xuan had endured such a terrible life before they got married. The thought of his beloved wife being bullied and humiliated without the means to fight back broke his heart.
“Officer Father-in-law,” Shao Yunduan said with a cold tone, “My wife was subjected to bullying and humiliation, and yet you still blame her for it? If you had truly cared for her, you would have known everything that she went through! Or perhaps you did know, but you allowed it to happen!
“Servants follow the orders of their masters and mistresses. If you had truly defended my wife, those maids and aunties would never have dared to mistreat her. Or are you suggesting that they had more authority than you in your own household?”
“My wife couldn’t have dared to speak up when no one was on her side. She wouldn’t have survived until now!”
“Officer Father-in-law, why are you trying to deceive yourself?”
Officer Qiao gasped, his eyes widening in realization. He had so much to say in response to Shao Yunduan, but Shao Yunduan’s composed demeanor made him feel overwhelming guilt. He could have continued deceiving himself, but he couldn’t convince those who saw through his actions with clarity. What right did he have to argue back?
Furious and filled with regret, Madame Qiao glared at Qiao Xuan. What had compelled her to arrange Qiao Xuan’s marriage in the first place? She should have eliminated Qiao Xuan, so no one would ever bother her again.
“Girl, you are utterly heartless! I am your lineal mother. Yes, I have made mistakes, but you have turned out fine, haven’t you? You can’t just cast me aside! As a daughter, it is your duty to respect and assist your parents—it’s only reasonable! You can’t deny this! Even the Emperor emphasizes filial piety, as do scholars. Those lacking filial virtue will never achieve any significant position! ”
Agreeing with his wife, Officer Qiao nodded fervently. “Absolutely true! That’s absolutely true! ”
Madame Qiao sneered and continued, “Furthermore, if it weren’t for me, you would have never married Shao Yunduan. You were initially betrothed to County Magistrate Yang Jiandong in Lin County before the marriage arrangement with Shao Yunduan came about. If you had married him, you wouldn’t be standing here today!’
Madame Qiao attempted to use the truth as a weapon to provoke disgust in them.
Qiao Xuan had never met her former fiancé, but there was indeed a man to whom she had been promised. Shao Yunduan couldn’t help but feel a pang of distress upon hearing this revelation.
After all, Qiao Xuan had been coerced into marrying him, while the other man held the esteemed position of County Magistrate and had achieved a high rank in the imperial examination, ranking third.
The disparity in their social status was considerable.
Naturally, people would assume that Qiao Xuan wasn’t particularly pleased about having her engagement forcefully broken and being compelled to marry someone else.
Any man in Shao Yunduan’s position would feel somewhat displeased with this history.
However, what Madame Qiao was unaware of was that Qiao Xuan not only harbored reluctance towards her current husband but had even attempted to take her own life in the bridal chamber. Although this tragic event stemmed from the experiences of the original host, the present Qiao Xuan had to bear the consequences nonetheless..