Chapter 597 – Persuading the Feng Family (Part 8)
Feng Du was trembling as she clutched the seemingly light yet unbearably heavy divorce letter in her hand.
“You—you dare to divorce me?”
Feng Du didn’t seem to have come to terms with the shocking reality and even pinched her own arm, thinking this must be a nightmare, not reality. How could Feng Gui write a divorce letter? Just because she called Changsheng a cheap brat?
Feng Gui subtly frowned, helplessly saying, “It’s a separation, not a divorce. Although you have made small mistakes, you haven’t committed any major faults. I have no right to abandon you. Moreover, it seems the customs in Zhong Zhao are particularly harsh towards divorced women…”
Before he could finish, Feng Du shrieked sharply, “You know that! So why write a divorce letter? You’re trying to drive me to my death! Feng Huaizhang, you have such a cruel heart! No separation! Absolutely no separation! Unless you poison me with a cup of wine!”
Feng Gui had seen crazed women and rowdy commoners before, but he never thought he would witness such a wild demeanor from Feng Du—totally lacking any grace, just pure hysteria and stubbornness, and she still didn’t realize what wrong she had done.
“Do you even know your position?” Feng Gui sighed, his voice still calm, but each word pierced Feng Du’s heart like nails. “You’ve been the matron of the Feng family for four years. Do you know what your responsibilities are? Managing the household, overseeing domestic affairs, controlling the maids, handling family matters, mediating conflicts, preparing sacrifices for the clan… Which of these have you done?”
The matron isn’t just someone who manages a small household; there are countless responsibilities involved.
When she first married, Feng Gui thought she was just a fresh-out-of-the-nest girl who hadn’t been exposed to these matters, so he had asked his mother to help her. But what happened? After four years, she had learned just enough to be inadequate, blaming Madam Feng for holding power instead.
“The matron should be a role model for all the women in the Feng family. Tell me, what about you is worth imitating? Hurting yourself to gain false fame and charm from other men, ending up with lifelong ailments, and prancing around like a fool?”
Feng Du’s face became ashen, as if caked in thick white powder, looking utterly lifeless.
“Let’s not talk about that. The customs in Zhong Zhao are corrupt, and the scholars pursue all sorts of strange ideas. Given that atmosphere, it’s understandable for an inexperienced woman like you. However, is having a loose tongue and spreading baseless rumors also part of Zhong Zhao’s customs?”
This can’t be blamed on the outside culture; it can only be attributed to her poor character.
Feng Gui opened the floodgates, saying all the hurtful words he had been holding back.
“I’ve brought this up to you more than once, but you’ve always treated it like the wind passing your ears. Being a matron isn’t about dolling yourself up in the inner chambers, thinking that’s enough. How many clansmen are laughing at you? It’s been over four years since you married; can’t you feel that, due to your influence, the family’s atmosphere has become more frivolous? A clean family tradition is essential for legacy. I cannot let you ruin the Feng family.”
Feng Du was almost breathless from the barbs and after a while spat out venomously, “Isn’t this all because your mother meddled everywhere? Always saying I do this wrong, that wrong, still clinging to power at her age—she’s forcing me!”
Slap!
Before she could finish, a deafening crash echoed as Feng Gui slammed his palm on the table, shaking it slightly. He looked at his reddened palm, his expression conflicted.
“What is in your heart? Is it a wolf’s or a dog’s?” Feng Gui said. “Has your mother treated you poorly these years? She should be enjoying family joys, surrounded by her children. If not for you… why would she be caring about your issues at her age?”
Feng Du was indeed startled by Feng Gui’s earlier outburst; she thought he might slap her but it merely resonated on the table.
“Let’s separate. After all, we were married, and we should at least save face for the children.”
Feng Du’s jaw trembled, still unwilling.
“Feng Huaizhang, do you have someone else in your heart? Which little flirter has captivated your soul—”
It must be so; otherwise, why would Feng Gui, who had always been accommodating, suddenly blow up and demand a separation?
“Were I to have someone, I’d bring them home openly. What could you do?”
Feng Gui wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, realizing how ridiculous he felt. After four years, he still hadn’t gained an ounce of trust from her.
“Who is that person? Is it that little tramp? That brat named Changsheng, is it your and your sister-in-law’s?”
If not, why was Feng Gui that furious just because she called Changsheng a “cheap brat”?
Feng Du’s eyes flashed with malice, the rage on her face making her look unrecognizable to Feng Gui.
He was almost laughing in anger, “If you utter another single word, you’ll grind away what little affection remains. Trust me, there’s more than one cup of poison waiting for you!”
Upon hearing this, Feng Du’s face turned as white as snow.
Everyone wants to live, and she was no exception. Just now, she said she would rather die than separate; it was merely in anger.
She always knew Feng Gui had a good temperament, gentle and composed, even seeming unfazed when the sky fell.
Such a personality gradually made her overconfident.
It turned out she truly didn’t understand Feng Gui; when he was truly heartless, even she felt scared.
Feng Gui said, “I have also read the so-called ‘Four Books for Women’ promoted in Zhong Zhao; you should review it and reflect upon it—see how many points you’ve actually achieved. Be strict with others, lenient with yourself! That is the ‘female virtue’ praised by countless scholars in Zhong Zhao? It’s utterly disgusting!”
“Break down every word you said before into tiny pieces and swallow them back. If Second Brother and his wife grow distant because of your nonsense, not only will I serve you a cup of poison, but I’ll also send you on your way with a white silk ribbon myself!”
The dispute between spouses had become so public and ugly that Feng Gui never imagined it would come to this.
The separation of Feng Gui and Feng Du was no trivial matter for the Feng family, given that Feng Du had already been recorded in the clan register.
If they separated, it wouldn’t simply be packing her dowry and going back to Zhong Zhao; it would require erasing her name from the family register.
The next day, when Madam Feng learned that Feng Gui and Feng Du had quarreled in their room, she felt quite guilty.
“If we wait two more years, I’ll find you a true noble lady, absolutely not considering those viperous women of Zhong Zhao.”
Feng Gui rubbed his brow.
It was impossible to not marry again; a matron was crucial for the Feng family and could almost influence the prosperity and continuation of the entire clan.
However… his two children were still too young, and he didn’t feel comfortable marrying again in two years.
“Let’s wait another three to five years; just bear with it for a bit longer, Mother.”
