History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Hun Yu Niang also resented her eldest son for being so disappointing, and scolded him: "What a great opportunity this was! A chance to get ahead without spending money or pulling strings, and you just let it slip by! Tell me, what are you thinking about all day long?"

Zong Yin cried and admitted his mistake: "I didn't know, I was wrong, Father, please forgive me this time. If there are any more errands like this in the future, I will definitely volunteer to do them."

"Keep dreaming!" Zong Dian slammed the feather duster into the brat's face. "You think this kind of good thing happens every year? Look at your stupidity! You're already married, but you can't build a career and you don't care about your family. You're not even as sensible as your younger siblings!"

Hun Yu Niang: "You still don't understand the responsibilities of the eldest son! If you do well outside, even if your younger siblings are only seven parts smart, people will say they are nine parts smart. But you are idle and lazy, no matter how smart your younger siblings are, people will find fault with you even in the smallest detail!"

Zong Dian: "You useless debt collector!"

"Yes, I'm a good-for-nothing, okay? Aren't you all right? If my father were a high-ranking official, what would I be afraid of if I were a good-for-nothing?"

Zongdian roared: "You traitor!"

Hun Yu Niang angrily shouted, "Shut up!"

Zong Yin looked at his mother again: "I got into the county government as a jailer through my own abilities. I didn't want to marry a merchant's daughter, but I listened to you and married Lou Shi. How am I idle? It's because you're not satisfied, Mother!"

The door was pushed open, and Zong Yin's wife, Lou Shengnan, came in and said, "I knew you loved someone else before I married you. It was only because you saved me when I was being harassed by a scoundrel that I agreed to your family's marriage proposal, and I thought you were an upright person. Now I have repaid your kindness, and I will go to the county office tomorrow to get a divorce, and we will part ways from now on."

Zong Yin waved his hand and shook his head guiltily. At that time, the two ruffians were actually servants from his own shop who were about to return to their hometown. His mother gave them extra copper coins so that they could harass and scare Lou Shi. Then he pretended to pass by and chased away the "ruffians," and that's how he got to know Lou Shi.

After Lou Shengnan finished speaking, she came out of the house. Zong Jifu, the youngest daughter of the Zong family, hugged her and cried, "Eldest sister-in-law, don't go. I want eldest sister-in-law."

Hun Yu Niang quickly advised, "Go inside and talk it out. Young couples always bicker. Don't let the neighbors laugh at you."

The neighbors on the left had moved in not long ago; they were a couple of Qihu people. They were already climbing a ladder to watch the commotion, loudly making sarcastic remarks: "Of course the younger sister-in-law is closer to her elder brother. Who would prefer the elder sister-in-law the most? Lou, don't be soft-hearted. If you can't make it work, get a divorce as soon as possible."

Even if Hun Yu Niang was angry, there was nothing she could do, because the couple next door were not only unreasonable but also skilled in martial arts; she couldn't out-argue or out-fight them.

These two Qihu people were, of course, sent by Wei Yao. They quickly informed Wei Yao of Lou Shengnan's desire for a divorce. Wei Yao thought to herself: The clan really uses the same tricks as in my previous life.

When Zong Yin changed his mind, Wei Yao felt neither hatred nor resentment. Like Lou Shengnan, she wanted to divorce Zong Yin immediately. However, Zong Yin was entangled in two matters, and his family members kept pestering her, delaying the divorce again and again, ultimately causing her to die tragically!
This is the reason why Wei Yao hates everyone in the clan and is determined to avenge this grudge!

"You'd better step up your game so I can wipe out your whole nest of rats."

In late August, news of the great victory of the Prince of Pengcheng in his southern expedition, defeating the general Chen Bozhi of the Xiao Qi state, reached the capital. The emperor once again visited the East Hall of the Taiji Palace to summon several high-ranking officials and ministers to discuss sending envoys to the battlefield to offer their congratulations.

The power of prime ministers to decide on military and political affairs is becoming increasingly diminished.

After the court session ended, Sikong Yuanxiang and Taiwei Yuanxi walked side by side, and he deliberately said, "Second brother, have you encountered any difficulties recently? Why do you always look so angry?"

"Speak directly!"

"Chongxu Temple is about to hold a divination competition. At that time, many will gather and use all means to win. It just so happens that there is a diviner in my household who will participate in this competition. I heard him say that Zhao Zhi's husband, Wei Yin, is also skilled in divination. Wei Yin is a descendant of Cui Hao. Even I want to see his divination skills for myself and see if he has even half of Cui Hao's ability. Unfortunately, the diviner in my household said that Wei Yin declined other people's invitations and does not intend to participate."

Yuan Xi sneered: "You can handle this yourself, there's no need to ask me."

Yuan Xiang: "Very well, my idea is... Since Chongxu Temple is a royal Taoist temple, the recruitment of diviners should be done by the court. I hope my second brother will not reject my proposal."

Yuan Xi's face grew even more hostile, and he replied, "Very well, you draft the petition, and I will approve it. There's no need to inform His Majesty of such a trivial matter."

When Zhao Zhi returned home after her leave, she learned that the imperial court had issued an edict from her home announcing a divination contest.

"This is outrageous!" She rushed out the door without even having a drink of water after entering the house. "I'm going to Chongxu Temple." Wei Yin hurriedly called out, "Azhi, come back—" but how could he catch up with his wife?

Zhao Zhi rode her horse swiftly along the Luo River and soon arrived at Chongxu Temple.

"I am Zhao Zhi, a Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate. Who is in charge here?"

There were too many officials in the court. The gatekeeper boy arrogantly said, "Master Lu is in seclusion. Don't think that just because you're a high-ranking official, even if a prince or princess came, the Master wouldn't be able to..."

"Slap!" Zhao Zhi slapped Dao Tong so hard he stumbled. If it weren't for Dao Tong's young age, she would have slapped him until his face was as round as a pig's.

"I'll go inform Zhao Changshi." The other Taoist boy, who hadn't been beaten, instinctively covered his face and ran into the Taoist temple to call for help.

He ran ahead, and Zhao Zhi followed closely behind.

Of the more than 300 people in Chongxu Temple, most were in charge of religious ceremonies, and fewer than 100 were skilled in martial arts. Zhao Zhi cut through the crowd like a sickle, and by the time Lu Tianshi's disciple Xiangling arrived, more than 50 Taoist priests had already been injured.

"I am the disciple of the Celestial Master, cough cough cough... Benefactor, please, please calm down..."

Zhao Zhi didn't even wait for Xiang Ling to finish speaking before grabbing his collar and dragging him backward. "Take me to where the Celestial Master is in seclusion, or I'll tear your Taoist temple down tonight!"

"Boom-"

Wood chips flew everywhere.

The door to the room where Master Lu was in seclusion for cultivation was kicked open.

Cui Hao's divination could thwart divination schemes, but it couldn't stop Zhao Zhi's hard kick.

Poor Master Lu took a punch first before seizing the opportunity to shout out four words: "I have a plan!"

Zhao Zhi's second punch landed right in front of the old master's nose. Like an angry tigress, she was both fierce and suspicious: "Bullshit! I didn't even ask you a question. What's your plan?"

Master Lu forced a smile across his wrinkled face and said ingratiatingly, "Whatever is troubling you, I have a plan. Please speak."

Soon, Zhao Zhi obtained the list of all the diviners who participated in the competition and left Chongxu Temple satisfied.

"Ugh—you shrew, you have no respect for the elderly and no love for the young." Master Lu squatted down, feeling sorry for the more than ten thousand yarrow stalks that were now scattered all over the ground.

"Husband, I'm back." Zhao Zhi entered the house with a beaming smile. Suddenly, she let out a soft "Eh," turned to the woodshed, picked up an axe, and smashed it hard in one spot.

The two baby rats that Yuanzhi had secretly left behind were smashed into mincemeat.

Wei Yin came out of the kitchen, his face covered in ash and his hands still covered in dough. "Azhi, I'm steaming your favorite venison pies. You rest for a bit."

“I’m not tired, I don’t need to rest. My husband and I are busy together.”

Wei Yin waved his hand: "Don't steal my credit. I'm happy just by you sitting here and watching me."

The fire in the stove glowed red, and although there were only the couple in the kitchen, they stole glances at each other as if they were still newly in love.

Deeply in love and affection, a devoted couple. (End of Chapter)