Chapter 74: Newly Wed, Yet Already a Widow

Marriage contract! The sudden appearance of this stunningly beautiful woman was like a thunderclap in the main hall, leaving everyone in astonishment. All eyes turned to Lady Xie, who sat upon the crimson dais, awaiting her judgment after reviewing the marriage contract.

Lady Xie swept her gaze across the hall, taking in the expressions of each person—she could distinguish sincerity from pretense. When Chu Xiu uttered the words “with child,” Lady Xie felt she had already seen through everyone’s intentions.

“Present the marriage contract,” she commanded. The steward, Yun Zhong, hurried to Chu Xiu’s side, took the document from her hands, and respectfully delivered it.

Lady Xie feigned careful scrutiny of the contract. “The handwriting does resemble the Marquis. But these fingerprints…” She paused, looking around the hall. “You are all heads of the branches of our clan and have seen the Marquis’s handwriting and seals. I ask you to judge the authenticity of this contract.”

She signaled for Yun Zhong to pass the contract among the assembled, when someone spoke up, “We have all seen the Marquis’s handwriting, but we are here for his funeral and carry no letters or documents with us. It is impossible to verify its authenticity.”

Lady Xie pondered this for a moment and instructed Yun Zhong, “Go to the Quiet Study and search for related documents to compare.”

Unexpectedly, Yun Zhong hesitated, replying, “My nephew Yun Feng, who now waits in the estate, is the manager of the Brocade House, reporting directly to the Marquis. He brought documents for the Marquis with him this time. You may summon him for questioning.”

“What are you waiting for? Go at once!”

Half a cup of tea later, Yun Feng rushed into the hall. Having been briefed by his uncle Yun Zhong, he wasted no words, carefully compared the marriage contract, and reported, “Lady Xie, honored heads of the clan, this is indeed written by the Marquis himself. The fingerprint matches his own, identical to those found on his usual documents.”

As it happened, Yun Feng had originally been the manager of the rice business in the Huainan district—a position neither high nor low, but with real power and lucrative benefits. After offending Yun Ci for seeking Chu Xiu’s hand, he was transferred to manage the Brocade House. Though stripped of authority, this was a genuine promotion, and reporting directly to the Marquis made his word particularly credible.

After all, the Brocade House had only one manager, while rice businesses spanned both southern and northern realms with a dozen overseers.

With Yun Feng’s firm confirmation and the matching documents, the assembly lapsed into contemplation—some speculating, some doubting, some believing.

Just then, Yun Xian, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, “May I see the marriage contract?”

Yun Feng respectfully handed it over.

Yun Xian glanced at it and raised a crucial point, “Miss Chu Xiu claimed this contract was written by the Marquis on his deathbed, which would mean only seven days have passed. Yet the paper is already yellowed, showing age. How do you explain this?”

Chu Xiu was prepared for this. She replied immediately, “Before his death, the Marquis took my household register and instructed me to seek recognition from Master Xia as my adoptive father. He then tore a page from the register and wrote the marriage contract upon it. If you doubt me, you may retrieve my household register and see for yourself.”

Her explanation was flawless, and Lady Xie agreed, “This matter is grave. Since there are doubts, let’s examine the register. Yun Zhong, send someone to fetch officials from Fangzhou’s registry department.”

This time, Yun Feng volunteered to fetch them.

Everyone waited, unwilling to let a single flaw in Chu Xiu’s words slip by. For if her claims proved true—if she was carrying the Marquis’s child with his acknowledgment—and the child was a boy, he would be the undisputed heir.

---

“Mother, I have a question!” Yun Qi, impatient as Yun Feng took long to return, spoke up, “As far as I know, Chu Xiu miscarried last August—that child was indeed my elder brother’s. Yet only half a year has passed, and now she’s said to be two months pregnant. Isn’t that impossible?”

As soon as he finished, Chu Xiu let out a mocking laugh. “Second Master, as you said, I miscarried last August, and that was the Marquis’s child. I recuperated for four months, and now am two months pregnant. Is that not reasonable?”

Yun Qi bit his lip. He sensed something amiss but could not pinpoint the flaw. After a moment’s thought, he protested, “Everyone knows you were demoted to the laundry by my brother. Why would he favor you again and let you conceive?”

Chu Xiu scoffed coldly, “Do you not know why I was sent to the laundry, Second Master? Do you wish me to reveal the truth publicly?”

Her challenging words startled Yun Qi. Indeed, Chu Xiu’s relegation to the laundry stemmed from his own misconduct—he had made advances on his brother’s woman and nearly paid the price.

With all the heads of the southern branches gathered, if they learned of his failed attempt to seduce his brother’s woman, all his recent efforts would be ruined.

Yun Qi reconsidered and, unwilling to press further, changed the topic, “Even if my brother favored you again, who can guarantee the child is his?”

“Second Master!” Chu Xiu cried angrily, “You insult not only me, but also the Marquis! He wrote this marriage contract himself. Could he not distinguish his own offspring? You shame his wisdom!”

Tears streamed down her face, making her look pitiable. “Lady Xie, whatever outsiders say, I know best how the Marquis treated me. Recall the day Madam fell into the water—the Marquis feared she had been poisoned, and worried for my safety, so he sent secret guards to protect the laundry… How could such devotion be easily denied?”

Her sobs grew uncontrollable, her face streaked with tears.

Lady Xie feigned deep emotion, wiping her eyes. “Do not cry. If the Marquis knows in the afterlife, how could he rest in peace?” She sighed. “Summon Bamboo Shadow for questioning.”

Soon, Bamboo Shadow entered, dressed in white, and knelt. “Your humble servant greets Lady Xie, Second Master, Third Master, and the esteemed heads.”

Lady Xie nodded and asked directly, “The night the Marquis and his wife died, did he send secret guards to protect Chu Xiu in the laundry?”

Bamboo Shadow’s face was solemn, answering without hesitation, “Not only that night. Since Chu Xiu was sent to the laundry, the Marquis has always had guards protecting her in secret.”

Bamboo Shadow, the Marquis’s long-serving bodyguard, carried unmatched authority. With his testimony and the beauty of Chu Xiu—who easily captivated the Marquis—it seemed all the more credible.

The name Chu Xiu itself was suggestive, stirring thoughts.

As thoughts swirled in the hall, Yun Qi voiced another objection, “Something is wrong! When my sister-in-law fell into the water, my brother summoned Chu Xiu for questioning, suspecting her involvement. Why would he sign a marriage contract?”

This was the moment Chu Xiu had been waiting for! She pressed her fingernails into her palm and stood abruptly. “That day, only Fourth Concubine, Physician Qu, Bamboo Shadow, and Qian Yun were present in the interrogation room. Even Lady Xie did not know. May I ask, Second Master, how did you learn of it? And from your tone, you seem to know what the Marquis asked?”

“Were you secretly watching me? Or the Lady? Or the Marquis?” Chu Xiu’s beautiful eyes narrowed, cold and sharp. Her aggressive questioning reminded Yun Qi of Lady Xie herself.

He was struck dumb, regretting his words. To admit to spying—on anyone—was dishonorable. He could only mumble, “I was… only guessing.”

---

“Oh? Second Master, you are truly insightful. Indeed, I was in the interrogation room that night, but not summoned for questioning. As for what the Marquis said, Fourth Concubine, Physician Qu, and Bamboo Shadow were present. You may ask them.” Her words were clear and aboveboard.

“I can testify to what happened that night,” said Shen Yu, who had remained silent since entering the hall with Chu Xiu. Now he spoke, introducing himself, “I am Shen Yu, son of the Marquis of Wenchang.”

“Ah, Young Marquis Shen!” murmurs of recognition filled the hall.

Shen Yu wasted no time, continuing, “I am the Emperor’s adopted son, and thus, related to Prince Mu. That night, I was invited to Prince Mu’s residence and missed the interrogation. Later, Wan Zhi urgently sought me, but by the time I returned, he was already at death’s door.”

With a calm face, Shen Yu recounted, “Only then did I learn that Chu Xiu was diagnosed as pregnant in the interrogation room by my teacher, Physician Qu. But Wan Zhi suffered a sudden relapse and, near death, wished me to witness the marriage contract so Chu Xiu might have a proper name and bear his heir.”

His words lent further credibility. First, Chu Xiu’s pregnancy had been confirmed by the famed Physician Qu—beyond dispute. Second, Yun Ci, before his death, entrusted his friend Shen Yu to witness the contract.

With so many reputable testimonies, what remained to be questioned?

At that moment, Yun Feng entered with the registry official from Fangzhou, who verified Chu Xiu’s household register as genuine. Moreover, the register was missing a page—the torn edge matched the marriage contract exactly.

“Now, does anyone still doubt this marriage contract?” Lady Xie surveyed the hall, asking directly.

“Mother, I…” Yun Qi began, but Lady Xie shot him a look. She knew his intention—to expose Chu Xiu’s true identity. If it were revealed that Chu Xiu was formerly a courtesan, the register would be fraudulent, and disgrace would fall upon the Yun estate.

Lady Xie could not allow this and subtly addressed the assembly, “The descendants of Yun must be proud of their heritage. Let us not speak of rumors that tarnish the reputation of the Marquis’s household, lest we sully our ears.”

With these words, Yun Qi fell silent. He knew better than to push further—for if he continued, Chu Xiu’s reputation would not survive, and he himself would suffer.

Lady Xie’s statement carried different meanings to those present. Some recalled the mysterious deaths of Yun Ci and his wife; others suspected disputes over succession.

Seeing the hall fall silent, Lady Xie sighed deeply and addressed Shen Yu, “Young Marquis Shen, you were the Marquis’s closest friend and the Emperor’s adopted son. It is fitting that you witness this contract. Today, I ask you, before all present, to sign it.”

As soon as she finished, the steward Yun Zhong brought brush, ink, paper, and red clay for the seal. Shen Yu bent over the table, his right hand trembling, but solemnly signed his name and pressed his fingerprint firmly upon the contract, thus making it fully valid.

Yun Zhong presented the contract once more to Lady Xie. She caressed it for a moment, tears glimmering in her eyes, and announced to all, “Three days hence, the entire household and all branches will come to pay respects to the Marquis’s lady!”