The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 599 - 566: Begging You (Third Update)

The Tang Family is prestigious, with a reputation always for integrity and uprightness. When outsiders mention it, it has always been in praise. When have they ever been talked about behind their backs like this?

The steward did not look pleased either and hurried to smooth things over, "Miss Jiang is the twin sister of our main wife. She entered the residence at the behest of the main wife to take care of Young Master Yong. You have no proof, so you should keep your mouths shut to avoid a lawsuit over loose talk!"

This intimidation reduced the commotion among the onlookers, but it did not scare Chief Zhang.

The steward cupped his hands to him, "Officer, would you allow the bridal sedan to enter first?"

Chief Zhang was unyielding, "I have received Lord Governor’s order to arrest the suspect. If you say one more word, I’ll charge you with obstructing official duties!"

At such a critical juncture, how could the steward dare to let them take someone away? He continued to plead, "Sitting in the bridal sedan is indeed the younger sister of our main wife, and not the main wife herself, Officer, you have made a mistake."

Chief Zhang glanced at him with a faint smile, "Whether the Tang Family’s main wife has a sister or not is recorded in the Ministry of Revenue’s archives. Whoever obstructs me in arresting will be taken away together!"

The steward opened his mouth, but no words came out. Moments later, he turned and ran towards the corner gate.

Tang Yuan had arranged a moderately sized courtyard for Jiang Qingyu, and he was sitting there waiting.

Admitting his own brother’s woman into his house made him hesitant, but Jiang Qingyu told him she had no one apart from him.

At that moment, Tang Yuan was moved and felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and remorse.

After all, he was the one who initiated her involvement. Now, with no parents, no husband, and disliked by her mother-in-law, if he didn’t stand up to protect her, she truly would have nothing.

Thinking of this, Tang Yuan sighed silently.

When she was still his sister-in-law, he was powerless. Now that she was part of the second branch, he would do everything he could to make it up to her.

Before he could finish his reverie, the steward from the outer courtyard stumbled in, "Second Master, the worst has happened. The main wife, the main wife was caught as soon as she reached the West Corner Gate."

Tang Yuan shot up from his seat but suddenly realized, "What main wife, what nonsense are you saying?"

The steward hurriedly answered, "It’s not nonsense from this old servant. It’s what the government officers from Shuntian Prefecture said. They were ordered to arrest the main wife suspected of murdering the eldest master years ago, and they followed the lead to the bridal sedan."

Tang Yuan turned pale as paper in an instant, his dark eyes losing focus. The whole person appeared lost, taking a long time to react.

The steward, sweating profusely, knew that the master and madam were very opinionated regarding the second master taking a concubine. Now that trouble had arisen, no one dared to approach the madam, leaving only the second master to make decisions.

Thinking of this, the steward urgently called Tang Yuan several times.

"Second Master, Second Master..." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"How could this happen?" Tang Yuan still couldn’t compose himself from the heavy blow.

Jiang Qingyu’s identity being exposed by the government officers was embarrassing enough for him, but now it was also revealed that Jiang Qingyu was suspected of murdering his elder brother.

These heavy news items overwhelmed Tang Yuan’s mind, making it fuzzy, and he nearly lost his balance.

The steward hastily supported him, "Second Master, you cannot fall at this crucial moment. There’s still a slew of matters outside waiting for you to handle. The person in the bridal sedan, whether it’s the main wife or Aunt Yun, was taken to Shuntian Prefecture. Do we need to bail her out, and how? Give us a directive."

Tang Yuan steadied his violently fluctuating chest and asked him, "When the government officers came to arrest her earlier, how many people saw it?"

The steward replied, "Many people were watching today, and all those present saw it."

Tang Yuan grew furious, "In the bridal sedan was Aunt Yun. How could you let the government officers take her away?"

The steward, feeling helpless, explained, "Chief Zhang said whether our main wife has a sister is clearly recorded in the Ministry of Revenue’s archives. This old servant truly had no recourse!"

Tang Yuan felt the world going dark before his eyes.

How could he have forgotten that the household records of prominent families in the capital were particularly detailed, not to mention that Jiang Qingyu was the legitimate daughter-in-law of the main family? He was focused on fabricating an identity for Jiang Qingyu but forgot to get clearance from the Ministry of Revenue.

If this matter got exposed to the government office, it would be better to kill him straight away.

Sweat poured off Tang Yuan in torrents, and even his fingers trembled.

At this moment, he didn’t have the luxury to ponder whether Jiang Qingyu was truly involved in his brother’s death. His sole thought was to prevent Jiang Qingyu from getting involved in this lawsuit, or otherwise, the Tang Family would be finished, and so would he!

He pushed the steward aside and ran frantically towards the Zilan Courtyard.

Compared to the pandemonium in the outer courtyard, Xu Jia’s room was serene. She calmly sat at the writing desk, teaching Tang Yong how to write, hand in hand.

Mo Xiang suddenly came in, "Miss, Master is outside asking for you."

Xu Jia smiled faintly, "Tell him, today is his big day for taking a concubine. I don’t want to dampen the mood. Let him enjoy himself with Aunt Yun and hope she soon produces offspring for the second branch."

Mo Xiang couldn’t help but giggle, "Miss, you’re too mischievous."

They had already heard about the chaos outside. The miss’s words were clearly intended to infuriate the master further.

"Go on." Xu Jia gestured to her.

Mo Xiang turned and went outside. Tang Yuan, who looked completely disheveled, saw Mo Xiang and seemed relieved, "What did Second Mistress say?"

Mo Xiang collected herself, expressionless, "Miss said today is Master’s big day, and it’s inappropriate to disturb your affair. She asked Master to attend to Aunt Yun, hoping she soon bears an heir for the second branch."

Tang Yuan was bewildered, "Why would Second Mistress say such a thing? Doesn’t she know how serious this is?"

Mo Xiang appeared puzzled, "What happened outside?"

Tang Yuan opened his mouth but found himself unable to explain. This matter, apart from the Second Mistress, no one else could reverse the situation.

Pushing past Mo Xiang, Tang Yuan strode into Xu Jia’s room.

Xu Jia, guiding Tang Yong’s little hand to write, did not pause, with no trace of emotion on her face.

Tang Yong remained silent, and she acted as if she didn’t see him.

"Second Mistress." Tang Yuan observed her serene and composed demeanor, recalling how he was drenched in cold water last night while spying. His high fever hadn’t fully receded yet, leaving him feeling utterly powerless.

Xu Jia slowly raised her eyes, meeting Tang Yuan’s anxious gaze, "What’s the matter, Second Master?"

"Qingyu has been captured, can you help me get her out?" Tang Yuan’s voice was hoarse.

"Why was she captured?" Xu Jia sipped her tea.

"The officers claim she is suspected of murdering her brother."

Xu Jia asked, "Does Second Master believe this?"

"I certainly don’t!" Tang Yuan exclaimed, "Qingyu couldn’t possibly kill someone, besides, Big Brother died of illness years ago."

"Then that’s settled." Xu Jia stated, "The innocent will remain innocent, the guilty will be punished. If Mrs. Jiang’s hands are not stained with murder, the government won’t produce evidence, and ultimately they will release her, allowing you to reunite peacefully."

"No..." Tang Yuan murmured, suddenly finding his words to be feeble and powerless, and his voice weakening, "Qingyu cannot be involved in this lawsuit. If her identity is exposed, the Tang Family will be finished, and so will I. You, as the official wife of the second branch, must consider the family."

Xu Jia raised an eyebrow, "Did Second Master consider the family when you promised to make your sister-in-law your woman?"

Tang Yuan couldn’t respond.

"As the future Family Head of the Tang Family, if you’re not concerned about reputation, why should I, a mere woman, take on so much responsibility?"

Tang Yuan frowned, "At this time, can you put past grievances aside?"

Xu Jia smiled indistinctly, "When you were taking a concubine, you asked me not to interfere. Now that trouble has arisen, why don’t you turn to your parents instead of me?"

Tang Yuan didn’t have to go to the main courtyard to imagine his parents would want to beat him to death right now.

After a moment of silence, Tang Yuan steeled himself, "Song Sicheng is the most favored minister before the Emperor. If he wants to protect someone, the Shuntian Prefect must give some face. Second Mistress, you..."

"That makes sense." Xu Jia nodded, "Song Sicheng indeed has such capabilities. In that case, Second Master should approach him yourself."

Tang Yuan knew his limits. He had no relation with Song Wei, and the other party had no reason to intervene to protect a woman for him. He bowed his head and, after a struggle, squeezed out two words through his teeth, "I beg you."

Having spoken, he fell on his knees before Xu Jia with a thud.

Before Xu Jia could respond, Mrs. Qiao’s angry voice sounded from outside, "Second, get out here!"

Already suffering from a high fever, Tang Yuan had pushed himself to his limits. His mind, filled with chaos, caused his eyes to close, and he fainted.