Just as the coachman finished speaking, a stream of curses rang out.
"Stupid bitch! Trying to run away! You're asking for death!"
As he spoke, the sound of a slap resounded.
Song Zhaoyang frowned slightly and gently lifted the carriage curtain. She saw a young woman being grabbed by two men. One of the men was glaring at her ferociously, and the woman's cheek was swollen and red.
When she saw this young woman, her eyes suddenly shrank.
How could it be Yan Yazhang?!
In the previous life, Yan Yazhang was a well - known female teacher in the capital!
Song Zhaoyang had visited her three times before finally inviting Yan Yazhang to teach Xue Yunning in the mansion. Thanks to Yan Yazhang's meticulous instruction, Xue Yunning became a talented woman famous in the capital.
What was going on now? Why was Yan Yazhang being grabbed by these two men? She looked extremely miserable.
Seeing that Yan Yazhang was about to be taken away, Song Zhaoyang shouted sternly, "Stop!"
The two men were pulling Yan Yazhang away. Hearing Song Zhaoyang's voice, they instinctively turned their heads.
Song Zhaoyang got off the carriage.
Magpie and Purple Oriole quickly got off to attend to Song Zhaoyang.
"You want to leave after bumping into our carriage? Guards, take them to the Shuntian Prefecture!"
As her voice faded, the guards of the Xue Mansion immediately surrounded the three of them.
Seeing this, the two men instantly became flustered. One of them flattered, "Madam, I didn't mean to bump into your carriage. It's all this woman's fault for running around!"
As he spoke, he glared at Yan Yazhang fiercely and raised his hand, about to slap her.
Song Zhaoyang shouted sternly, "Stop! Beating a woman in front of me. You're really lawless! Tie them up for me!"
The guards immediately subdued the two men.
Regaining her freedom, Yan Yazhang slumped to the ground weakly.
Song Zhaoyang stepped forward to help her up and said softly, "Are you okay?"
Seeing this, Magpie and Purple Oriole immediately stepped forward to help.
Yan Yazhang didn't expect to be rescued by a passer - by. She thought her life was over. Tears welled up in her eyes. She curtsied to Song Zhaoyang and said hoarsely, "Thank you, Madam, for saving me."
Song Zhaoyang helped her up. Her sharp gaze shot at the two men, and she said coldly, "Take these two to the Shuntian Prefecture!"
"Madam, please spare our lives! Please spare our lives!"
The two men's faces changed drastically, and they both begged for mercy. Afraid of disturbing their master, the guards covered their mouths and dragged them away to the Shuntian Prefecture.
Although Yan Yazhang pretended to be calm, the fear in her eyes was hard to hide.
Song Zhaoyang softened her voice and comforted her, "Don't be afraid. They won't hurt you anymore."
Then she said to Magpie, "Magpie, take this madam to apply some medicine."
Magpie understood and immediately helped Yan Yazhang into another carriage.
After Yan Yazhang left, the gentleness on Song Zhaoyang's face disappeared.
"Feiyang!"
Hearing Song Zhaoyang's voice, Feiyang walked out.
"Go and check on her situation!"
Feiyang took the order and left.
Song Zhaoyang got back into the carriage.
Xue Mingchen leaned against Song Zhaoyang, looked up curiously, and asked, "Mother, is this what they call 'helping those in distress on the road'?"
Song Zhaoyang laughed and pinched his cheek, saying, "Yes. It seems you're not stupid!"
Xue Mingchen snorted twice and said, "This is what they mean by 'traveling ten thousand miles is better than reading ten thousand books'. So, mother, you should often take us out for a walk."
Hearing her son's words, Song Zhaoyang couldn't help but feel both amused and exasperated.
Soon they arrived at the manor, and Yan Yazhang got off the carriage.
Magpie had applied medicine to the wound on her face, and the swelling had gone down a lot.
By now, her emotions had stabilized a bit. She curtsied to Song Zhaoyang.
"Madam Xue, thank you for saving my life. I have nothing to repay you with. I can only keep your kindness in my heart. I'll repay you when I'm capable in the future."
Song Zhaoyang helped her up and said with a smile, "It was just a small effort on my part. Where are your family members? Do you need me to send someone to take you back?"
Hearing Song Zhaoyang mention her family, Yan Yazhang's tears flowed down, and her emotions instantly became agitated.
"No! I'll never go back to that cannibalistic place!"
Seeing this, Song Zhaoyang frowned and said, "Don't be so agitated. Since you don't want to go back, you can stay in my manor for the time being."
Yan Yazhang was stunned for a moment. After calming down, she bowed deeply to Song Zhaoyang.
"Thank you, Madam Xue. By the way, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Yan Yazhang. I'm from Huai'an."
Song Zhaoyang nodded. Seeing her red - eyed, she asked Magpie to take her to rest first.
After Song Zhaoyang settled the children, she leaned against the brocade pillow and stared blankly.
"Madam."
Nanny Xia stepped forward.
"Is there something wrong with this woman named Yan Yazhang?"
Song Zhaoyang smiled faintly and said, "No. I'm just curious about her identity."
Nanny Xia nodded and said, "Judging from her behavior, she doesn't seem to be from an ordinary family. I'm also curious about her experience."
Song Zhaoyang nodded.
When Yan Yazhang was famous in the capital, there were rumors that she had been divorced by her husband's family. But she was protected by the Princess Consort Qi, and the rumors were quickly suppressed.
At that time, Song Zhaoyang hadn't delved into Yan Yazhang's background. She only thought that Yan Yazhang was capable of teaching Xue Yunning well. She didn't care where she came from. Now that she thought about it, she really had been a bit hasty.
Feiyang soon came back.
"Madam, Yan Yazhang's husband owed gambling debts and used her to pay them off. Those two men are from the gambling house. They planned to sell Yan Yazhang to pay off the debts."
Nanny Xia said angrily, "How shameless! How could there be such a shameless man in this world!"
Song Zhaoyang frowned tightly.
She never expected Yan Yazhang's experience to be so miserable.
She asked, "What kind of person is her husband?"
Feiyang replied, "He's a failed imperial examination candidate."
An imperial examination candidate?
Song Zhaoyang was surprised. She never expected Yan Yazhang's husband to be a scholar.
She asked, "I remember that the laws of our dynasty clearly stipulate that those who have passed the county - level examination are not allowed to gamble, let alone an imperial examination candidate. That's even more serious."
Feiyang nodded and said, "Yes."
Song Zhaoyang fell into deep thought.
Nanny Xia asked, "Madam, do you want to help her?"
Song Zhaoyang said calmly, "She hasn't even asked for help actively. Helping her rashly may backfire."
Nanny Xia nodded in agreement.
During dinner, Yan Yazhang suddenly asked to see Song Zhaoyang.
As soon as she saw Song Zhaoyang, she knelt on the ground.
Seeing this, Song Zhaoyang quickly said, "Madam Yan, please get up quickly."
Then she winked at Magpie.
Magpie stepped forward to help Yan Yazhang up.
But Yan Yazhang insisted on kneeling on the ground and pleaded, "Madam Xue, I'm at the end of my rope. I can only beg you for help."
Seeing this, Song Zhaoyang said helplessly, "Get up and talk first. If it doesn't violate righteousness and the law, I'll try my best to help you."
Yan Yazhang's eyes flickered. Then she said firmly, "Madam, I want a divorce!"
As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.
"All the insults I suffered today were because of him. I hate him. I just want to never have anything to do with him again!"