Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 372

After Mrs. Qin finished speaking, Gu Yin paused and then said with a smile, “Look, I’m here to discuss this with you. I didn’t intend to create such a scene.”

Mrs. Qin’s face turned pale, and her lips turned blue. After a while, she managed to regain her composure and asked, “What is it that you want?”

Gu Yin replied, “My intention is precisely what I mentioned when I arrived here. It’s simply for Sister Zhu and Duke Lu to get a divorce. The rest can be discussed by the parents and in-laws, and both parties should be present, right?”

Mrs. Qin waved her hand and asked Gu Yin to fetch Ge Zhu and Feng Yuan.

Ge Zhu arrived first, but after enduring a couple of days of misery, she had lost a significant amount of weight. Her complexion, despite the application of powder, still looked pale, and she appeared weaker than Mrs. Qin, who had been ill for many days.

The elders of the Ge family looked at her, their eyes filling with sorrow. Ge Zhu took her place beside them and comforted them by patting their hands.

Although she hadn’t expected her parents to arrive so soon, she had guessed something upon seeing Gu Yin and Mrs. Wang next to her.

Soon, Feng Yuan arrived as well. He had been somewhat despondent for the past couple of days, with a scruffy beard.

Upon entering the room, Feng Yuan declared, “I will not divorce my wife, and I won’t agree to a divorce.”

Gu Yin calmly responded, “Master Lu, there’s no need to be hasty. Why don’t you discuss it first with the old lady?”

Mrs. Qin sent someone to call Feng Yuan, probably to tell him that Ge Zhu’s family had brought Duke Ying’s household to mediate. Additionally, Mrs. Qin’s secret had been exposed by Gu Yin.

Realizing that, Mrs. Qin had no choice but to take Feng Yuan aside to explain the situation.

After listening to the details, Feng Yuan frowned and exclaimed, “Mother, you’ve lost your senses. How could you do this?!”

Mrs. Qin covered her face and admitted, “I didn’t expect Zheng Mama to leave this matter in the hands of such an unreliable person, but it’s done. Ah Yuan, let’s settle this matter in front of us first.”

Feng Yuan contemplated the situation.

Mrs. Qin continued to persuade him, “Son, don’t be confused. Mrs. Ge doesn’t want to stay with you at all. What’s the point of forcing her to remain in the mansion? What if Duke Ying’s household sends their steward to investigate? What will happen to our family’s reputation, not to mention your sister’s reputation in the palace?”

Approaching Ge Zhu, Feng Yuan asked, “Are you genuinely determined to divorce me? We’ve been married for ten years. Are you truly willing to disregard the husband-wife relationship and resort to threatening us with the family’s secret?”

Gu Yin wanted to clarify that the so-called threat was her idea and had nothing to do with Ge Zhu. However, Ge Zhu firmly replied, “Yes! Every moment spent in this mansion is torturous for me. I’m tormented beyond measure. You’re right; we’ve been married for ten years, and there was naturally some husband-wife relationship. If you still care about that little connection, then agree to the divorce. Don’t make me hate you as much as I hate others.”

At that moment, her eyes were as calm as if discussing other people’s affairs. In Feng Yuan’s memory, the daughter-in-law of the Feng family had always been docile and well-behaved. She had been gentle, never arrogant or impetuous, and never displayed anger.

In fact, when Ge Zhu first arrived at the barracks, she was gentle and sweet but possessed an inner strength that exceeded many others. At the time, the clerks in the barracks had looked down on her, arguing that there was no need for a woman in the barracks and that recruiting a man would be more practical.

Ge Zhu displayed determination and worked tirelessly, sleeping for only two hours a day. She was not pampered, and her work ethic was outstanding. Her tenacity made her more resilient than most men.

The barracks were filled with young bachelors, and Ge Zhu had gained admirers even before Feng Yuan noticed her. He took advantage of his position as a commander-in-chief to have her cook exclusively for him, and this gave him more opportunities to get to know her. Her beauty had not gone unnoticed, and many envied him.

Feng Yuan genuinely cared for Ge Zhu, and she had taken care of him when he was poisoned. So, how did a couple who had been so affectionate and in love reach this point?

After a prolonged silence, Feng Yuan said solemnly, “I understand. We will divorce today.”

Both Feng Yuan and Mrs. Qin heaved a sigh of relief, and the process went smoothly as the husband and wife provided their thumbprints.

Gu Yin promptly secured the documents, stood up, and declared, “Today’s matter is concluded. I will take my leave.”

Feng Yuan gazed at Ge Zhu, who was supported by the two elders of the Ge family, and inquired, “How will you manage in the future?”

Ge Zhu smiled calmly and replied, “Regardless of the hardships, whether I have to work tirelessly or beg for sustenance, I won’t trouble the general.”

Feng Yuan seemed ready to see her off, but Mrs. Wang and the two elders of the Ge family were waiting. Their expressions were far from pleasant, causing him to remain in place. He then said solemnly, “Ah Yu, accompany her.”

Mrs. Qin, however, grabbed Feng Yuan’s arm and said, “Our Feng family’s descendants should send off outsiders.”

She turned to Gu Yin and Mrs. Wang and said, “Are you planning to depart like this? Do you want to take our family’s servant with you?”

Gu Yin responded, “Naturally.” She glanced at the formidable old lady, and then she released the steward that had been tied up.

Since Ge Zhu hadn’t brought any dowry, and she wasn’t wearing any jewelry belonging to the Feng family, there was no need for division. Gu Yin quickly led the group away and instructed the coachman to depart.