A Great Woman

Inside the great hall, the melon-eating crowd's minds exploded in wave after wave of shock.

Su Xue'er's attack struck so hard that Marquis Chengping flew into a rage out of humiliation.

Marquis Chengping pointed a trembling finger straight at Su Xue'er. "You... you... how dare you humiliate me like this!!!"

Su Xue'er said, "Those who humiliate others will be humiliated in turn."

Marquis Chengping nearly coughed up another mouthful of blood. Then his expression turned almost deranged.

"You... you simply can't tell good from bad! Su Xue'er, you think you were helping your sister, but really, you stole her good life.

"You could have said you were young and ignorant back then, but don't you understand even now?

"You're the marchioness now. What did your sister become? A merchant's wife!

"Even her own daughter was looked down on when it came time to marry, and could only become a concubine to a noble family!

"If she'd been willing to stay as a co-wife back then, at least it would have been better than dying young as she did!"

Marquis Chengping's words struck Su Xue'er right where it hurt, bringing even her unshakable resolve to a halt.

Although she often told herself that everything she had done back then was right and for her sister's sake,

the result was that her sister had died before she was forty.

That had hit her hardest. When she was in Huai City, she had been unable to face it. She had asked Marquis Chengping to take Xuetong away first, while she and her son had spent a long time investigating, determined to find out exactly how her sister had died.

In the end, they had found nothing. The local authorities had said it was an accidental fire, and they had had no choice but to return.

As for Xuetong, who had become a merchant's daughter, without this great contribution, her current status really was...

Although she still thought Marquis Chengping was unworthy even to carry her sister's shoes, she fell into self-doubt at that moment.

Shen Anxin: [Why is Su Xue'er hesitating? She did nothing wrong! If Su Lingyu had cared about power and status, why would she have run the Tiny Grass Hall?

With her talent and reputation, she could easily have moved among the noble ladies of the capital and found herself a better husband.]

The melon-eating crowd nodded. Indeed, given Su Lingyu's circumstances back then, even after her engagement was broken off, the nobles of smaller families would still have been willing to marry her as a principal wife.

There had been no need for her to marry far away. Though it had apparently been Su Xue'er's plan, it had clearly been her own choice as well.

Shen Anxin: [Besides, why does Marquis Chengping think being a co-wife or concubine is better than being someone's lawful wife? Just because he's a marquis and the other man was a merchant?]

Marquis Chengping was indignant. That was exactly why! He was a marquis; being his co-wife was naturally better than being a merchant's principal wife.

Shen Anxin: [Does he never look at things from a woman's perspective? Even I understand this, yet he seems to see it completely differently.

Although co-wives and honored concubines have commoner status and aren't servants, their husbands can still find an excuse to dismiss them or give them away.

Their children are born of concubines, and the principal wife is their mother under the rites and the law. The children are hers to raise and discipline; even if she takes them away to raise herself, there's no resisting it.

Their children can't even call them Mother.

How they fare in the future depends entirely on their husband's and the principal wife's consciences.

To give an unpleasant example, if a husband beats someone to death, a principal wife's status could drag him down to death with her. But a concubine? The punishment isn't even as heavy as for beating an ordinary person to death.

Who would want a status that leaves their life and future entirely in someone else's hands?

Only families who sell their daughters for glory, or those who really can't get by, would want their daughters to become concubines.]

Shen Anxin's perspective was certainly clear.

The great men of the civil and military court did not usually pay much attention to such matters, and her words left them reflecting with some feeling.

Hearing Shen Anxin's thoughts, Su Xue'er finally felt her heart settle.

That was right. However pleasant the title of co-wife sounded, she was still a concubine. Everything else was nothing but an empty promise, liable to be taken back at any time, with no protection from the law.

How could a woman as wonderful as her sister have been a concubine?

Yan Xuetong also came to her senses and took Su Xue'er's hand.

"Auntie, Marquis Chengping is wrong. Mother once said that with Father and me at her side, and the Tiny Grass Hall and the papermaking workshop to keep her busy, her life was fulfilling and happy. It was a good life she had never dared imagine."

The words "a good life she had never dared imagine" nearly broke Marquis Chengping on the spot.

It was as though all his attempts to sow discord had lost their sting.

Yan Xuetong saw Marquis Chengping's expression change. She had once respected this elder, who had treated her with some kindness, but now she showed him no pleasant face.

"I don't know what Mother thought back then, but I know my own mind very well. If Marquis Chengping had told me beforehand, I would certainly have told him that even if I never married in this life, I could never become anyone's concubine! As for trading my parents' contributions for a place as a marquis's principal wife, forgive me for speaking bluntly, but I would scorn to do it..."

"You... you..." Having been slapped in the face by someone of the younger generation, Marquis Chengping was furious.

Shen Anxin couldn't help remarking, [Just because Su Lingyu was once his fiancée, he thinks he's entitled to mark her children down in value?

He even took it for granted that they'd agree and had no reason to refuse him? He's confidence turned into a spirit, but look at him now.

Although Su Lingyu can't slap him in the face in public, her daughter can. He should have heard clearly this time that she really is saying no and refusing him, right?]

The melon-eating crowd agreed. Yes, everyone had witnessed it this time and heard it clearly.

Yan Xuetong stared straight at Marquis Chengping, her gaze utterly resolute, making his cheeks burn.

But any sophistry was naturally useless in the face of the person concerned.

Yan Xuetong turned back to Su Xue'er. "Auntie, you know that the Xue in my name is there because Mother missed you."

Su Xue'er's face filled with sadness. She had first named Zhuo Lingqi with the Ling from her sister's name.

She had never expected that when her sister later wrote to tell her their daughter's name, it would be Xuetong. Su Xue'er had known then that her sister did not blame her for taking matters into her own hands, and that her sister missed her too.

Yan Xuetong said, "I think Mother must have felt guilty all these years too, because her happiness came at the cost of your sacrifice."

Although Su Lingyu had never told her daughter what had happened back then, she was always a little sad whenever she spoke of Su Xue'er.

At the time, Yan Xuetong had simply thought her mother missed her aunt, who was far away in the capital.

Su Xue'er quickly shook her head, her eyes wet. "I... I'm fine. I was happy to do it. I'm not like your mother. I'm not as accomplished as she was, and I don't have ideals for my life like hers.

"Your mother once wrote to tell me that the Tiny Grass Hall was only doing charitable work and could help a limited number of people.

"If she wanted there to be fewer people in Great Qi who couldn't read a single word, she had to work on the problem at its roots.

"She said she and my brother-in-law were trying to lower the price of paper, so that everyone under heaven could afford books.

"At the time, I just thought my sister was amazing, truly great. I thought she and my brother-in-law only wanted to expand their business and then lower their prices.

"But I never expected them to change papermaking itself. Although I don't love reading, I know how expensive books are..."

Emperor Hongyao, who had been eating melons all this time, grew serious when he heard this.

The expressions of the civil and military officials changed too, their hearts beating faster.

They had thought the improved papermaking method was merely an accidental technological innovation.

Perhaps the merchants had only wanted to lower their costs and make a profit.

They had never imagined that such a great ideal lay behind it.

Changing papermaking was indeed the way to change the price of paper at its roots, more effective than any other method or policy.

Shen Anxin: [Making books affordable for everyone under heaven? What a truly great idea.]

Chacha: [Yes. After Su Lingyu had run the Tiny Grass Hall for some time, she realized what the fundamental problem was. No matter how many Tiny Grass Halls there were, they couldn't change the fact that studying was difficult.

So years ago, she thought of starting a papermaking workshop. Because of her idea, her husband built a small papermaking workshop in Huai City in advance, and later used it as a betrothal gift.

After she married, although she continued to run the Tiny Grass Hall, she devoted most of her energy to researching ways to lower the cost of papermaking.

To that end, she spent years immersed in the papermaking workshop. The skin on her hands cracked again and again, leaving a crisscross of scars. In the end, she developed the improved method.]

Shen Anxin's heart shook. [Just as expected of Su Lingyu. Someone like her must surely leave a fragrant name for generations to come!]

Xiao Yanchen nodded. Su Lingyu's name must surely be passed down through the ages, and her husband also deserved credit for his help.

At that moment, the civil and military officials were filled with admiration and reverence. It was only a pity that they would never get to meet such an extraordinary woman!

Emperor Hongyao also drew a deep breath. To have such a person in Great Qi was his good fortune, and that of its people.

At that moment, Marquis Chengping's face turned pale. He seemed to realize that all his earlier arguments and grievances had become utterly laughable in the face of such a righteous cause.

Yan Xuetong was moved. "Auntie, Mother accomplished what she wanted to do. She had no regrets. And you deserve the greatest credit for allowing her to devote herself to it so wholeheartedly."

Su Xue'er's eyes reddened as she listened. "What my sister and grandfather did was great. She was selfless; she devoted herself to others. I'm just an ordinary person, and I couldn't do what she did, but I'm proud that I could add a brick or a tile to what she wanted to accomplish."

Shen Anxin exclaimed inwardly, [That's practically fanatical faith. Her head is completely full of her sister!]

Yan Xuetong was a little amused by the voice.

Su Xue'er, however, felt a little proud. She did believe in her sister.

Shen Anxin: [Actually, Su Xue'er is wonderful too. Not everyone can be like Su Lingyu, and paving the way for someone like her is worthy of praise in itself.]

The melon-eating crowd nodded inwardly in agreement with Shen Anxin.

Yan Xuetong smiled and held Su Xue'er's hand tightly.

Everything that needed saying had been made clear. Now that matters had come to this, many things could be explained, but not settled by argument.

Yan Xuetong turned and kowtowed to Emperor Hongyao.

"Your Majesty, I offer the improved method and ask for nothing else. I only hope that my aunt and cousin will be safe."

What she meant was that if Marquis Chengping pursued the matter of the switched bloodline, she was willing to exchange the credit for the improved method to keep Su Xue'er and Zhuo Lingqi safe.

Emperor Hongyao waved a hand. "There is no need. Your family's contribution is immense, and its blessings extend to your relatives. As for Marquis Chengping..."

Emperor Hongyao did indeed need to think about that.

The civil and military officials were also a little awkward. They could not be too openly biased; perhaps they should offer him some compensation?

Marquis Chengping had previously been nursing enormous grievances and anger, but after hearing Yan Xuetong and the voice speak of what Su Lingyu had done, he understood perfectly well that however great his grievances were, they could crush him beneath that righteous cause.

Marquis Chengping gritted his teeth. "I... leave it to Your Majesty to decide."

Shen Anxin: [Why does he look as if he's angry but doesn't dare speak?]

Marquis Chengping was furious. Wasn't he even allowed to be angry? At most, the matter between him and Su Lingyu had been one of private feelings, but Su Xue'er had schemed against him for more than twenty years, making him raise a bastard and leaving his household without a legitimate blood heir. That was against the law.

But he knew that none of the civil or military officials would stand on his side.

So couldn't he at least be angry?

Shen Anxin: [Although he is a little pitiful for having raised someone else's son for years, should I remind everyone that when this uncle first came into the hall, he repeatedly deceived and misled the emperor? The fact that Emperor Hongyao isn't charging him with deceiving the sovereign already makes him an enlightened ruler.]

Marquis Chengping: ????

Emperor Hongyao: ...

The civil and military officials: !!!!

"Y-your Majesty, I, your subject..." Marquis Chengping's voice began to tremble.

Shen Anxin: [Huh? Why did he suddenly lose his nerve again?]

Xiao Yanchen held back a laugh.

Emperor Hongyao swept an expressionless glance at Marquis Chengping. He then issued an imperial decree on the spot granting Marquis Chengping and Su Xue'er a mutual divorce. He stressed that they were absolved of everything in the past and that none of it would be pursued, including Marquis Chengping's earlier muddleheaded remarks. In other words, he would not be charged with deceiving the sovereign.

Marquis Chengping could only accept his defeat.

He was so overwhelmed by helplessness that his soul seemed ready to leave his body. He seemed to have lost a great deal that day, and waves of darkness passed before his eyes. Could this really be retribution, the consequence of breaking his word back then?

Marquis Chengping could barely stand when he got up. Fortunately, Zhuo Lingqi, who was beside him, gave him a hand.

Perhaps because the blows had been so devastating, he no longer felt humiliated or angry when he looked at Zhuo Lingqi now, and could not help feeling some attachment to their old bond.

"Lingqi, you... never mind. You can be my household's adopted son. When I have a legitimate son in the future, you must assist him well..." Marquis Chengping thought he was still capable of fathering children, and that if he married another principal wife, he still had a chance of having a legitimate son.

Having spent so long raising Zhuo Lingqi, he had to cut his losses in time and get something in return.

From now on, he would have Zhuo Lingqi pave the way for his child.

Su Xue'er, helped to her feet by Yan Xuetong, instantly bristled, her delicate brows standing on end. "Don't even think about it! His Majesty said it's up to Zhuo Lingqi whether he stays or leaves!"

They were still in the hall, with everyone watching.

Marquis Chengping could only ask Zhuo Lingqi, "You deceived me for your mother's sake. Although you had your reasons, you have still failed to repay the years I spent raising you. You ought to stay in the marquis's household! Otherwise, you're being unfilial!"

Zhuo Lingqi knitted his brows and sighed. "Father, thank you for still being willing to acknowledge me as your adopted son, but I want to follow Mother and help her and my younger sister keep the Tiny Grass Hall running."

Before they had gone to bring Yan Xuetong back to the capital, he had heard his mother and cousin discuss reopening the Tiny Grass Hall once they returned, as a comfort to his elder aunt.

At the time, he had thought that perhaps once they returned to the capital, his mother would lay her cards on the table with his father and his identity would be exposed. What would he do then?

And so he had come to this decision.

He would help his mother and cousin run the Tiny Grass Hall.

"You! Have you gone stupid too? If you stay in the marquis's household, you'll at least be its adopted son. If you go with them, are you expecting some of that immense credit to fall on your head?"

Zhuo Lingqi shook his head. "It has nothing to do with my cousin's contribution. The truth is, I wasn't a child Mother picked at random. I was found and taken in by the Tiny Grass Hall, by my aunt Su Lingyu. Aunt saved my life, and Mother raised me. Father, I will repay you for raising me. If you ever need me, I certainly won't refuse, but I can't stay in the marquis's household. Mother and my cousin need me."

Marquis Chengping was speechless. He looked at Zhuo Lingqi unwilling to accept it. He had originally despised him for not being of his blood, but at this moment, he felt he had suffered a great loss.

Su Xue'er breathed a sigh of relief. She did not trust Marquis Chengping in the least. He wanted the child she had raised to pave the way for his own offspring? In his dreams.

The melon-eating crowd naturally did not involve themselves in such matters.

But everyone had a fairly good impression of Zhuo Lingqi.

After all, their little lucky star had praised him.

Shen Anxin: [He knows how to repay kindness. Not bad, not bad. Huh? I just realized something. The improved papermaking method must have appeared earlier because of the Welfare Pavilion. Chacha, what happened in the original future? Marquis Chengping didn't get his way, did he? Did Yan Xuetong really marry Zhuo Lingqi? Did Su Xue'er reveal the truth?]

Marquis Chengping had still been stewing over the loss of his son. Now that he had been mentioned again, he was so angry that he wanted to glare at the owner of that constantly chattering female voice!

Shen Anxin's sudden change of direction also piqued everyone's curiosity. That was right. How had things originally unfolded?

Chacha: [Unfortunately, the improved papermaking method never appeared in the Great Qi Dynasty. The method was destroyed, and Yan Xuetong, Su Xue'er, and Zhuo Lingqi were assassinated in the small papermaking workshop one month after returning to the capital.]

In an instant, the entire hall fell silent!