Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons

In Chen Guangrui's experience, no matter how angry Yin Wenjiao was, he could always appease her and get her to give in by mentioning their son, talking about their past relationship, and then slightly emphasizing her position as mistress, and then gently accusing her of a few mistakes. Unexpectedly, her attitude was very different from the past. When he asked her this question, she asked him back, which made it difficult for him to answer. He wanted Yin Wenjiao to leave enough money for the Chen family to live on, and it would be best if they could reconcile. But how could he say this first?

Yin Wenjiao said it herself, that she was moved by his sincere confession and decided to take into account their past feelings. But he said it, it was too straightforward and too vulgar, as if he was obsessed with money, which hurt the noble character of a scholar.

Wen Jiao did not give him a chance to think carefully about her words. "Yes, for the sake of my child who I carried for ten months and gave birth to, my dowry should all be left in the Chen family, so that his father who has forgotten him can have fun, support a house full of beautiful wives and concubines, and have a house full of children. He has already become a monk, so he doesn't need it. His mother's life is worthless, so she should be hanged, starved to death, or thrown into the river to die, so she naturally doesn't need it. Grand Secretary Chen, do you think this arrangement is okay?"

Yin Yuan's eyes were filled with evil, and he said with a fake smile: "I don't think it's a good idea. We should vacate my father's position and invite our Chen Daxueshi to take the position. Take out my mother's imperial edict and give it to the little beauty in Chen Daxueshi's heart. Our whole family should hold hands and jump into the river with Jiang Liuer, so as to preserve Chen Daxueshi's good reputation for life, right?"

The brother and sister were too harsh. Chen Guangrui's face changed slightly. He didn't dare to talk back to Yin Yuan. He only aimed at Wen Jiao and said, "Mantang Jiao, you are also from a big family. Why do you want to be as outspoken and unreasonable as a street shrew?" He smiled slightly, his expression helpless but doting, and sighed, "I am the only one who can stand you."

In the past, whenever Yin Wenjiao had any unsubmissive reaction, he would always question her upbringing in a disappointed, sad, yet loving tone, which would always make her lose all her confidence and admit her mistakes.

This method works every time.

Wen Jiao's eyes pierced straight at him, and those eyes were full of ridicule, which made Chen Guangrui dodge away. "I have always known that when it comes to being a rich man, I, an ignorant woman, need to ask for advice from a top scholar like Chen Daxueshi. So, let me ask Chen Daxueshi, the couple has divorced, the only son has become a monk, and the ex-wife brought people to take away her dowry, but the ex-husband just invited people to drink tea. What kind of rich family is this? He is still trying to rekindle the old relationship, is he trying to tease a decent girl?"

Chen Guangrui had not expected her to be so sharp-tongued. He was shocked and ashamed: "Drinking tea is a courtesy to entertain guests, and reminiscing about the past is... How can you be so heartless and make such assumptions about me?"

"It turns out that I misunderstood and wronged the Grand Secretary." Wen Jiao also wiped away two tears. "I am just an ignorant woman who is anxious to get my money back. What do I know? It seems that the Grand Secretary must have asked Accountant Chen to wait. Now that tea has been drunk, let's quickly call him over to check the accounts. If the Grand Secretary hasn't called him yet, ask Su Xin to call him. She knows the way to the accountant's office. After all, Grand Secretary Chen is usually busy with state affairs or drinking and listening to music with beauties. He can't even squeeze out time to visit his wife who didn't die. It can be seen that time is very precious, but we dare not delay it for a moment. Let's finish the transaction as soon as possible and leave as soon as possible, so as not to disturb the old lady. Otherwise, if the Grand Secretary's reputation for benevolence and filial piety is damaged, it will be my sin."

The accountant of the Chen family was also surnamed Chen. He was originally a distant cousin of Chen Guangrui. When he saw Chen Guangrui becoming successful, he came to him. In the past, the couple had a dispute. Seeing that Yin Wenjiao was at a disadvantage, he often tampered with the accounts and took advantage of them. Last night, Chen Guangrui dragged him to check the accounts all night. This morning, he saw so many warriors with swords and knives rushing in. He was already scared. He was so guilty that his legs were weak that he couldn't walk. He was carried over by two servants. At a glance, he saw the thick stack of dowry lists that Yin Yuan had placed next to him, and sat down on the ground.

Yin Yuan was too lazy to wait for him, so he pushed the dowry list to his personal guard Longquan. The latter understood, opened it and read: "Gold: fifty ingots of gold, weighing a total of one thousand taels."

Accountant Chen said nothing and stole a glance at Chen Guangrui. Wen Jiao was too lazy to confront him and glanced at Su Xin. Su Xin understood. She accompanied Yin Wen Jiao to do the accounts every day and knew everything about the Chen family. She immediately said loudly: "In the warehouse, the young lady was so angry that she fell ill, and the key was taken away by Chen Daxueshi's men."

The servant immediately kicked Accountant Chen and said, "Who has the key to the warehouse? Stop playing dead."

Chen Guangrui hissed, and felt as if the kick had hit his waist. He was in so much pain that he saw stars in his eyes. "Don't make it difficult for him. I have the key now."

The servant took the key and left. Longquan continued to recite: "A golden Buddha weighs forty-nine taels and nine cents."

"In the old lady's yard of the Chen family, she set up a small Buddhist temple and placed the young lady's golden Buddha there. She stays there every day to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures." Su Xin said.

Chen Guangrui felt as if he had been slapped hard on the face, and it stung. Seeing another servant about to leave, he quickly stopped him and said, "My mother doesn't know about the divorce yet. She's not in good health, and she'll be easily frightened if she's startled. Please put the things in her yard in a separate book for now, and let me talk to her slowly, okay?"

Yin Yuan's face was full of disbelief, but Wen Jiao spoke up, "Then I'll give you three days." She added, "Li A'man is pregnant now, and she shouldn't be frightened. Her things in the house will be sent to you for the time being."

She's not that mean to bully a pregnant woman.

Yin Yuan reluctantly nodded: "I will have to make another trip in three days. Mr. Chen is very busy, so he won't be free by then, right?"

Chen Guangrui forced a smile and said, "Of course I am free."