Chapter 1719: Chapter 1657: Husband and Wife Turn Against Each Other
With Marquis Chang Leâs domineering obstruction, Wu Guanyuâs leg treatment was delayed by two days. Unfortunately, it was too late. The doctor said that while the leg might heal, it would appear slightly lame if he walked slowly.
Upon hearing this, Madam Wang fainted on the spot.
A lame woman might still be able to marry into a decent family, with a larger dowry as compensation. But for a man, a disability means a ruined life.
Because the court does not accept physically disabled men as officials, regardless of his talent, he would never be able to serve as an official. And isnât a manâs education aimed at passing the imperial examinations?
Yet Wu Guanyuâs leg was ruined. How could he attempt the imperial examinations? Why bother studying? With a disability, how could he marry a noble woman from a reputable family? What lady from a reputable family would be willing to marry a cripple with no future?
This calamity was even harder for Madam Wang to accept than Wu Yiningâs scandalous affair, because her son is her very life. Now that half of his future is destroyed, how could she possibly be well?
Under the double blow, Madam Wang lay half-dead on the bed, staring blankly at the canopy above.
Wu Lihong hurried in from outside, and upon seeing Madam Wang lying there, he berated her furiously: "Are you still daring to lie here like a corpse? Whatever happened to our son is one thing, but why havenât you sent gifts and apologies to Marquis Changleâs Mansion?"
"Apologize? On what grounds!" Madam Wang leapt up from the bed, almost three feet high: "If it werenât for their obstruction, would Yuyuâs leg be crippled, be ruined? And they want me to apologize? Ridiculous! I havenât even asked him for my sonâs leg back!"
"Fool!" Wu Lihong shouted: "It was Yuyu who first made a move, smashed the other personâs head until a hole was made. Do you know who Marquis Changle is? The Empress Dowagerâs cousin, her only legitimate son, to her as precious as her eye! You dare to provoke him, itâs like disturbing a powerful lord!"
"So heâs precious, but isnât my son precious too? Wu Lihong, Yuyu is also your only legitimate son!" Madam Wang yelled.
Wu Lihong sneered coldly: "Too bad, I donât have a sister whoâs the Empress Dowager!"
Madam Wang choked: "So they can bully others with power? Has anything happened to him? Heâs perfectly fine!"
"Even if they bully with power, what can you do? You should be grateful that the brat is fine, otherwise, your sonâs injury wouldnât be limited to just a broken leg!"
Madam Wangâs face turned pale, her lips trembling.
Wu Lihong looked at her coldly, snorted, and turned to leave.
After taking only two steps, Madam Wang started yelling from behind him, shrill and accusing: "Itâs her, itâs all her doing. Itâs Zhou Wufu, that girl, trying to ruin our family!"
Wu Lihong abruptly stopped and gave her a cold look: "Have you lost your mind?"
"Itâs her." Madam Wang pointed at her own face, saying: "Sheâs the one who ruined my face too. She sneaked into the mansion in the dead of night and harmed me like this. She said sheâd make me wish I were dead! Thatâs why she harmed Ningning, and now even Yuyu."
Wu Lihong saw her lapse into madness, pursed his lips, stepped forward and demanded: "What have you done?" Something flashed through his mind, and he widened his eyes, "Was Meiâs death related to you?"
Madam Wangâs eyes narrowed.
"Was it you?" Wu Lihong grabbed her by the collar.
Madam Wang struggled briefly but couldnât break free, simply confessed: "What if it was me? Do you want to kill me? A low-born woman, why should she lord over me, why should she have a better life than I? A despicable woman with no standing, why should she? She deserved to die, her death was heavenâs justice..."
Slap!