You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 160 Time Limit for Surrender
royal palace.

Gu Xizhi entered the palace and recounted in detail the journey of the Emperor and Empress Dowager to Xiliang.

The Empress Dowager made no attempt to hide her admiration for Liang Jiang: "She is brave, resourceful, and has extraordinary courage. This girl has truly impressed me. The Duke's mansion has a worthy successor; she is a role model for women in the world."

The emperor nodded slightly: "At your birthday banquet last time, I thought she was just a woman who only knew how to scheme and plot in the inner quarters."

Yesterday in the Golden Palace, although she was in a sorry state, she remained neither humble nor arrogant, but calm and resolute. She was able to remain calm and composed in the face of the Emperor, showing the same tenacious spirit as her father and the calm and proud demeanor as her mother.

"I cannot understand why Fang Chengxu fell in love with Tong Zhao'er in the first place, and was willing to give up such an outstanding woman."

"I have heard a little about this matter; it is nothing more than a matter of power. At that time, Liang Jiang and her daughter went into hiding, and the Fang family felt that they were not worthy of Fang Chengxu, who had already achieved great success."

Furthermore, given Fang Chengxu's pre-existing affair with Tong Zhao'er, and the General's Mansion's repeated pressure, they resorted to any means necessary to force Liang Jiang to divorce.

The emperor, seemingly joking, teased Gu Xizhi, "Third brother seems to know everything about Liang Jiang. Could it be that you've been spending every day with her, sharing life and death, and have already developed feelings for her?"
"If you like, your elder brother can arrange for her to enter the family with Miss Jian."

Without hesitation, Gu Xizhi replied, "Does Your Majesty think that my mess isn't lively enough? I don't have a big appetite, and I can't handle it."

The emperor laughed heartily, understanding his meaning: "Wan'er will be arriving in the capital soon, won't she?"

"At the latest, two days."

"She's been recuperating in Weixi for two years, but her old ailment still hasn't improved?"

"No one in my family dares to provoke her, so she hasn't had any relapses in the past two years."

"Alas, this girl is truly devoted to my third brother, but unfortunately, her love is unrequited, and she is also too willful. If I were to issue an edict to betroth Liang Jiang and Jian Shuyan to you at the same time, she might dare to make a scene in my palace."

The Empress Dowager, who had been silent all along, frowned upon hearing this and said, "Your Majesty is truly absurd. Liangjiang has already been married once. How can she enter our royal family again?"
Besides, Liang Jiang is now the center of attention. Every woman in Chang'an is watching her every word and action. It's one thing to marry during the three-year mourning period, but if she remarries, it would be a loss of integrity. I'm afraid that others will follow suit, and then things will get chaotic.

"Either she stays obediently in the Duke's mansion for the rest of her life, or Your Majesty, you should make the decision for her and let her return to the Fang family. Let that Tong family maid give up."

Gu Xizhi's heart skipped a beat, and her hand unconsciously curled up inside her sleeve, trying her best to appear calm and collected.

"Reporting to Mother, this divorce was proposed by Liang Jiang herself, and she and Fang Chengxu had long since severed all ties."

As for the wedding during the mourning period, it was only to help Fang Chengxu take care of his ailing mother and younger siblings. The two had agreed beforehand that they would only bow to heaven and earth and not consummate their marriage, which was considered a way to fulfill their filial duty and not to violate any social norms.

The emperor's expression shifted slightly, his eyes brightening: "Fang Chengxu is fickle and has abandoned his wife who shared his hardships. Liang Jiang might not be able to forgive him. Besides, Liang Jiang now is someone Fang Chengxu can't possibly be worthy of."

In my humble opinion, it would be better to wait until Liang Jiang's three-year mourning period is over before choosing another suitable husband, thus demonstrating the boundless benevolence of our imperial family.

"These past two years have indeed been very difficult for the mother and daughter. Now that the Duke of Liang has been exonerated, I will give her a good home. In a few days, I will summon Liang Jiang to the palace and ask her what she really thinks."

The Emperor nodded: "That is exactly what I was thinking. In a couple of days, after Tong Shouliang is brought to justice, I plan to summon her to the palace and reward her handsomely."

Incidentally, I am currently eager to find talented individuals, and I would like to ask Liangjiang and my third brother to make another trip to Yuhua Mountain to persuade the disciples of the sage of literature and martial arts to descend the mountain and enter the temple, so that they may use their knowledge to benefit the people of Chang'an. I will certainly reward them with high-ranking official positions and generous salaries.”

Gu Xizhi hesitated for a moment, then said, “When my father was on the throne, he personally visited the thatched cottage three times to invite the two sages of literature and martial arts to come down from the mountain, promising them the positions of Grand Tutor and Grand Preceptor. The two sages were unmoved in the slightest. I am afraid that I do not have such great face.”

The emperor said, seemingly jokingly, "I think this Princess Heya has quite a lot of influence. She can command a large following. Even the Demon Lord Baili Shouyue doesn't give me any face, but he was willing to go to Xiliang for Liangjiang."

Gu Xizhi carefully chose her words and said, "The Duke of Liang and his wife are loyal and righteous. They risked their lives for Chang'an, but they were wronged and could not clear their names. We are all just doing our part for the Duke of Liang and for the reputation of Yuhua Mountain."

The Emperor nodded slightly: "In that case, I cannot slack off on the matter of apprehending Tong Shouliang. I must give an explanation to the Duke's Mansion and Yuhua Mountain, so as not to disappoint everyone."

"By imperial decree, issue a proclamation ordering Tong Shouliang to surrender himself to the authorities within three days. Otherwise, he will be convicted and his property confiscated! His wife and daughters will be punished as well! I refuse to believe that Tong Shouliang is heartless enough to stand by and watch someone die."

Upon receiving the imperial decree, Gu Xizhi immediately ordered the general's residence to be surrounded, and no one was allowed to enter or leave.

Tong Zhao'er, though a married woman now considered a member of the Fang family, was also implicated and placed under surveillance because the plaque hanging above her and Fang Chengxu's residence read "Tong Mansion." Fang Chengxu, the son-in-law of the Tong family, was also suspended from his post and forced to remain idle at home.

They will be convicted and their property confiscated in just three days.

Inside the Tong residence.

It's already in complete chaos.

The Tong residence is about to change hands.

I will be homeless.

After suppressing her anger for so long, Grandma Fang finally let it out without restraint.

She blocked Tong Zhao'er's door, cursing her as a jinx, a traitor, a shameless whore, and for ruining her son and the entire Fang family.

Tong Zhao'er was devastated and curled up in her room, covering her head and not uttering a sound, letting the old lady Fang's foul language rush into her mind.

After scolding for a while, Old Mrs. Fang sat down on the ground and slapped her thigh while muttering to herself in annoyance.

If it weren't for Tong Zhao'er, Liang Jiang would still be her daughter-in-law, a princess of the Duke's mansion, and countless people in the Fang family would be vying to curry favor with her, bringing glory to their ancestors.

Fang Yuan also cried and wailed. She had originally thought that by currying favor with the General's Mansion in the capital, she could rise in status and find a powerful and influential family. Now, instead of gaining any advantage, she was dragged down by the General's Mansion.

Two days later, Tong Shouliang would definitely not be coming back. The General's Mansion, including the Tong residence, was going to be raided, and Fang Chengxu was disgraced and lost his official position. Where would the family go to settle down?

Even in the countryside of Fucheng, he can no longer go back.

Fang Chengxu gulped down the wine, getting completely drunk.

He yelled at Old Mrs. Fang in a hoarse voice, "Enough! When will you two stop?"

Grandma Fang looked at Fang Chengxu in astonishment: "Even now, you're still protecting her..."

"Isn't all of this your own fault? Didn't you write to me back then, telling me that Liang Jiang was unfaithful and had an affair, and that I should divorce her to marry into the General's family?"

Grandma Fang choked: "Isn't that because Tong Zhao'er pretended so well and promised us so many benefits? It was all her idea!"

Fang Chengxu stood up unsteadily and shooed the mother and daughter away: "You've finally admitted it! What's the use of saying all this now? Get out and let me have some peace and quiet!"

Grandma Fang walked out grumbling, "Since that woman came into the house, I haven't had a single day of peace."

Fang Chengxu held his forehead, slammed the wine jar in his hand down, and yelled at the servants, "Get out, all of you! Get out of here!"

Everyone silently left the courtyard.

The courtyard fell silent.

Fang Chengxu staggered inside, and suddenly a figure appeared before his eyes.

He was startled, and immediately sobered up considerably: "Who?"

The words had barely left his mouth when he received a solid slap across the face.

"Coward! You wimp, I really misjudged you!"

Fang Chengxu had already recognized the person's identity. He rubbed his sleepy, drunken eyes, stood there stunned, and stammered, "Father-in-law, Father-in-law!"

(End of this chapter)