I Don't Want to Return to the Second Branch
The Court of Judicial Review distinguishes between men and women when handling cases, but they don't care about those who have already been convicted. Several Imperial Guards stepped forward, picked up the unconscious Mother Wei, and escorted her, along with several Wei Family from the Wei family, out with the imperial envoy.
Zhao Yuanliang was a playboy in the capital. Although he didn't have much money to squander, he still often went out with his friends to play around. There were also many sons of noble families in the Imperial Guards, and everyone knew them.
So without even saying hello, while they were dragging Mother Wei away, several other Imperial Guards pulled the dumbfounded Zhao Yuanliang over and started beating him.
Before anyone could react to the contents of the imperial edict and their actions, the thirty strokes of the cane had already been delivered. The men picked up the canes and left, their movements fluid and swift, clearly indicating they were experienced in this kind of work. Their actions were practiced and their teamwork was impeccable.
After all, everyone knows each other and they're related by marriage. If we're too slow, the women and children will cry and beg for mercy, and the elderly will throw themselves on their children and grandchildren to stop us from hitting them. Wouldn't that delay things? Who's going to be responsible if we don't complete the task? So, being quick is the only way to go.
"Father, Father, are you alright?" Zhao Jing'an, no longer able to grieve for his mother, rushed to Zhao Yuanliang's side and asked.
He's already lost his mother; he can't lose his father too.
"It's alright, it's alright." Although blood was seeping from Zhao Yuanliang's buttocks, he was still in good spirits and could even smile as he comforted his son.
Clearly, the Imperial Guards showed leniency and didn't beat him to death. This was also a good thing about Zhao Yuanliang; though somewhat incompetent, he had a good temper and a gentle nature, hadn't offended anyone outside, and even had some connections with the spoiled sons of noble families. Otherwise, thirty strokes of the cane would have left him half-dead, if not dead.
Zhao Yuanxun also rushed forward. Seeing that Zhao Yuanliang was still trying to get up, he quickly called out, "Don't move yet, let Physician Shi take a look. You guys go and take down a door panel and lay out a quilt so we can carry him back later."
Steward Liu and the other servants immediately sprang into action.
Zhao Ruyu and Zhao Rurui were initially hesitant to move, but now they quickly went up to Zhao Yuanliang to inquire about his well-being.
Compared to Lady Wei, Zhao Yuanliang genuinely loved the children, so Zhao Ruyu and Zhao Rurui were closer to him, and his care was truly heartfelt.
Seeing this, Zhao Jingli took two steps forward, looked at Zhao Yuanliang, his lips moved, but he didn't say a word.
With her brother-in-law injured, the eldest wife couldn't go to help; she was more worried about the old lady.
She took the old lady's arm and said, "Mother, let me take you home."
Zhao Yuanxun was also worried about his mother. Seeing that Zhao Yuanliang was truly unharmed, he came over and whispered to comfort her, "Mother, although I have been demoted, this is the best possible outcome. Otherwise, if the Emperor had blamed me, I might have been flogged or imprisoned."
The old lady had already accepted this fact, and seeing Zhao Jingli standing next to Zhao Yuanliang made her even more accepting of it.
For noble families to maintain their titles, they must continuously accumulate merit, just like the previous dukes of the Duke of Sui's Residence, who shed their blood on the battlefield. If the children of the mansion do not go to the battlefield, the title will always be downgraded—earthly, viscount, baron, until it is gone.
A natural demotion is nothing, but to have it taken away and let Lady Wei's son take it over would be an unbearable humiliation. Compared to having her title taken away by Lady Wei, she would rather have no title at all. Her family being safe and sound is better than anything else.
This was also thanks to Xu Xi's guidance some time ago. Otherwise, the old lady wouldn't have been able to come to her senses so easily.
The old lady glanced at Zhao Yuankun, who stood alone with his wife and children, and said listlessly, "I won't rest. Yuanliang, go and recover from your injuries. Everyone else, go into the main hall. Let's discuss the division of the family property."
Upon hearing about the division of the family property, both Zhao Yuankun and Lady Su were overjoyed.
They had longed to separate the family for so many years, but it hadn't been possible. Today, they were almost implicated by the Lady Wei and suffered imprisonment, which only intensified their desire to do so.
I thought the old lady still wouldn't let go and that we would have to wait until she passed away before bringing up the matter again. I didn't expect that the old lady would be so upset tonight and actually agree to divide the family property.
Could this be considered a blessing in disguise?
Seeing the surprise on Zhao Yuankun's face, Zhao Yuanxun was utterly disappointed in his performance.
Normally it's fine, but the three brothers aren't close, so it's normal for them to talk less.
But what time is it now? He was demoted, and Zhao Yuanliang was flogged. Zhao Yuankun didn't need to do anything; surely he could at least offer a few words of concern for Zhao Yuanliang? But instead, he stood far away, watching from the sidelines, completely indifferent. Now, upon hearing about the division of the family property, he immediately perked up.
They not only lack any brotherhood, but they're even worse than strangers.
A brother like that is better off without.
Zhao Yuanxun was determined to divide the family property, but he didn't want his mother to be tired. "Mother, it's too late, and you're not feeling well. Go back and rest first. The matter of dividing the family property can't be decided in a short time; we need to invite a few relatives to witness it."
The old lady paused for a moment, then realized what was happening.
"Yes, we need to invite the clansmen. Let's wait until tomorrow." The old lady looked at Zhao Jingli, then at Xu Xi. "Also, we need to tell the clansmen about the two children so they can make the necessary changes to the family genealogy."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Jingli, who had been suppressing a variety of complex emotions, finally burst into tears and knelt down before Zhao Yuanxun and the First Madam: "Father, Mother, don't you want me anymore? Waaah... I don't want to be Second Aunt's son, I only want to be your son, Mother. Mother, Mother, I don't want the title of Heir Apparent, can I just be your son?"
As he spoke, he burst into tears and began kowtowing repeatedly on the ground.
"Young Master Li, don't be like this."
The First Madam quickly went over to stop him, and touched his forehead. Finding that there was no bleeding, only a little bruising, she was relieved.
With tears streaming down her face, she said, "Child, do you think your mother isn't heartbroken? You know how much your mother loves you, how much your father and mother have put into you. But even though you've lost your mother, you still have your father. You can't disown your father because of this, can you? And you still have your younger brother."
Zhao Jingli turned to look at Zhao Yuanliang hopefully, as if he could remain unchanged if Zhao Yuanliang said he was allowed to not have his biological father.
Zhao Yuanliang forced a smile, trying to give him one, but his face was so stiff it felt like it wasn't even his own.
What could he say? He wasn't some naive child like Zhao Jingli. Offspring meant not only titles, but also power and inheritance.
Even if the Emperor takes away Zhao Jingli's position as heir apparent, Zhao Yuanxun reapplies to make Zhao Jingtai the heir apparent, as long as Zhao Jingli remains on the eldest branch's family tree, he will still be the eldest grandson of the Zhao Family.