Li Wanming's guess was right. That was exactly what Chen Lin was thinking.
His ruckus in front of Zhaoyu Academy today was on purpose.
Firstly, it could vent his father's anger and redeem some face for the Imperial College, which had suffered a crushing defeat a few months ago, thus highlighting his filial piety and ability. Secondly, he could use Li Wanxin's act of obstructing official business as a legitimate reason to divorce her and draw a clear line from the "down-and-out" Li family from then on...
It was a win - win situation, bringing both face and practical benefits!
Yes, he had long wanted to divorce Li Wanxin.
This woman was gentle and humble, always just advising him to study. She was so boring...
If his father hadn't said that the Chen family must not divorce their wife, he would have got rid of her long ago!
So when Li Wanxin blocked the entrance of the academy today, his first reaction was joy. Haha, finally he could take this opportunity to get rid of this woman who was as dull as a log!
Obstructing official business and being unreasonable. What a perfect charge.
Presumably, even his father wouldn't object at that time.
However, Chen Lin probably would never have imagined that the Li family, which he thought had been abandoned by the court, was about to become the in - laws of Lord Ning, the first vassal king of the Great Sheng Dynasty!
This was a powerful ally that many people yearned for but couldn't get, yet he discarded it like a worn - out shoe.
The officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Academy looked at him as if he were a fool...
After hearing his words, Wanxin's face turned even paler, and she was on the verge of collapsing.
She looked at Chen Lin, her eyes full of shock and pain. "You... You want to divorce me? We've been husband and wife for four years. I think I've never done anything wrong to your Chen family. But you... you..."
"Elder sister, why bother talking to this heartless scoundrel?"
Wanmo supported Wanxin with one hand and held a shining spear with the other. "Divorce? So what? It's no big deal!"
"Elder sister, we're capable people. Where can't we survive? Why beg him here?"
"Chen Lin, if you want to divorce my elder sister, fine! But if you dare to say another word slandering my younger sister, I'll chop off your head right away!"
Chen Lin was so frightened that he took two steps back and stammered, "You... You shrew, how dare you... dare to threaten a court official..."
A well - dressed young man emerged from behind Wanmo. Frowning, he looked at Li Wanmo angrily.
"I've told you many times that women shouldn't always run outside, but you just won't listen! Now look, after spending so much time in the academy, you've even learned to chop off people's heads at every turn?"
Wanmo didn't even glance at him and said, "Get out."
The well - dressed young man looked embarrassed. He coughed twice and pulled Wanmo's sleeve, whispering, "What's wrong with you? Didn't we agree? It's okay for you to beat me at home, but you should give me some face outside..."
Wanmo gave him a cold look and said, "Who agreed with you? Are you going to get out? If not, I'll chop you up too!"
...
Li Wanming raised one eyebrow slightly.
Oh, what a rare thing!
Her two noble brothers - in - law had actually shown up together!
Her elder and second sisters had been married for four years. These two brothers - in - law had always been so arrogant that they had never stepped into the Li family once.没想到 they were both here at the entrance of Zhaoyu Academy today. It was truly a once - in - a - lifetime spectacle!
When He Muhao saw everyone looking at him, his face flushed immediately. He shouted, "Li Wanmo, don't go too far! You didn't talk like this when you came to see me yesterday. You said that as long as I could help your younger sister, you'd go back with me obediently..."
"What I said was that if you could save Wanming, I'd let bygones be bygones and be a good nominal wife for you from then on..."
Wanmo gave him a cold look. "But the question is, did you save her?"
"I... I..." He Muhao's eyes flickered. He said aggrievedly, "I tried my best. My father refused. What could I do..."
"Then stop pretending to be a big shot!" Wanmo yanked back her sleeve forcefully. Then she leaned over and whispered in his ear, "He Muhao, don't think I don't know. You just saw that my younger sister is going to be the princess of the heir apparent and still want to form an alliance with the Li family, so you came here on purpose to act stupid and cute."
"I... I didn't..."
He Muhao was sweating profusely. He stammered, "I came to pick you up before, but you refused to go with me... I thought that after you calmed down for a while, maybe you would..."
"Maybe what?"
Wanmo's voice was full of coldness and alienation. "Maybe go back and continue to be that crazy woman locked up in the courtyard by you?"
"He Muhao, I know that your He family is smarter and better - informed than the Chen family. You're good at judging the situation. But unfortunately, I, Li Wanmo, have never been a smart person who knows how to weigh the pros and cons."
Wanmo raised her voice and said loudly, "Today might be a good day for my elder sister to be divorced. If you dare to ruin my elder sister's business, I'll never forgive you!"
Hearing this, Chen Lin was secretly happy, but on the surface, he still pretended to be extremely angry.
He pointed at Li Wanxin and roared with veins popping out on his forehead, "Li Wanxin, did you hear that? This is your good younger sister!
"Your Li family's daughters are indeed all rustic girls who don't know etiquette. It's already extremely kind of my Chen family to tolerate you for so many years!"
"You..." Wanmo raised her spear and was about to step forward, but was stopped by Wanxin. "Second sister, don't."
"Elder sister!"
"Second sister, listen to me. He is a court official after all. If you really hurt him, I'm afraid neither the Earl's Mansion nor our younger sister can protect you."
Wanxin's voice was low, full of despair, but with a kind of calmness that came from complete enlightenment.
"Second sister, trust me. Let me handle this matter."
After soothing Wanmo, she tidied the hair by her temple and slowly took two steps forward.
"Chen Lin, I've been married into your Chen family for four years. I've served your parents, been considerate to my husband, managed the household, and taken care of your concubines. I've always been dutiful and diligent. I think I've never done anything improper."
"But you brought a concubine into the house less than three months after I got married. In the following years, you even lingered in brothels and stayed out all night... You indulged in women and ruined your health. In the end, you blamed me for not having a child!"
As Wanxin spoke, her eyes turned red.
Her lips trembled, and every word was like blood and tears.
"Your whole family is so arrogant and self - righteous. But in fact, you cherish yourselves like treasures and regard others like grass. You're all despicable and shameless people!"
"Chen Lin, you've been living outside for half a year because you don't want to take medicine. You don't serve your parents and have no virtue. But now you suddenly jump out and say you want to avenge your father and uphold the law? In fact, you just saw that my Li family is in trouble and want to take this opportunity to step on me and curry favor with the Queen Mother!"
"Chen Lin, a heartless, unrighteous, disloyal, and unfilial scoundrel like you. Even if you didn't mention divorce today, I would still seek a separation from you!"