Chapter 186 - 186: Severing Ties
Sun Junyan was put into a stupor due to Qiao Xiaomai and Tong Sanlang.
But, the matter today was not over yet.
Tong Tiehu made a sweeping gesture with his hand and said, “To the County Town.”
The ox-cart from his household had been brought over a moment ago, and Lady Sun was thrown onto it with two women keeping her firmly in place, one on each side.
Upon seeing this, Qiao Qinghe grew anxious, they couldn’t possibly be heading to the County Town, could they?
Indeed, they were making a trip to the County Town.
Qiao Xiaomai was resolute, and naturally, Tong Sanlang and Tong Tiehu followed suit.
“Xiaomai, Xiaomai, your grandmother promises she will never dare to behave badly again, truly!” Qiao Qinghe stood before Qiao Xiaomai and pleaded with her in a low voice.
“Grandfather, Uncle Wu has lost consciousness, do you still believe that grandmother won’t come to trouble me again?” Qiao Xiaomai gazed at Qiao Qinghe with crystal clear pupils.
Qiao Qinghe choked, knowing Lady Sun’s temperament, she might resort to even more unreasonable fits of rage in the future…
Qiao Qinghe fell silent, Qiao Xiaomai locked the courtyard gate and, together with Qiao Dami, climbed onto the donkey cart.
Tong Sanlang also clambered on, taking up the reins.
“Qinghe, come on up and take the reins.” Tong Tiehu called out to Qiao Qinghe to get on the ox-cart.
Qiao Qinghe hesitated in place for a moment before sighing deeply and walking over as commanded.
Leaving Qiao Changfu to take Sun Junyan home, they set out in a cart drawn by an ox and one drawn by a donkey.
Anping Village was quite a distance from Huai’an County, it would be a lengthy journey. Upon reaching the County Town, Tong Tiehu led the group to have lunch at an eatery before leisurely heading towards the County Government Office.
The local magistrate of Huai’an County was surnamed Dai, a man of the Left Chancellor, Yu Ang, and had been serving in this position for six years.
Leading such an entourage, Tong Tiehu proceeded as per usual course. They began by sounding the drum, and only after the court was put together did they enter the government office.
On the Main Hall, two lines of court constables stood sternly on each side, with onlookers from outside watching the scene.
The two women guarding Lady Sun were trembling, their heads bowed down, this being their first experience in a government office.
Lady Sun, being bound, looked terrified at the sight of the austere and formidable constables, wishing she could faint at that very moment.
She hadn’t expected Tong Tiehu to genuinely bring her here. What awaited her next?
Heavens!
Qiao Xiaomai and Qiao Dami supported Qiao Changsun on either side, following behind Tong Tiehu. As soon as they saw Tong Tiehu kneeling, they too knelt down.
Tong Tiehu gave an account of all the sins accumulated by Lady Sun over the years, and finally suggested: it was truly unfortunate for Qiao Changsun’s family to have an elder like Lady Sun. To prevent Lady Sun from continuing to cause trouble under the guise of an elder, it was necessary to cut off the family ties between Lady Sun and Qiao Changsun.
As soon as these words were spoken, Qiao Qinghe froze.
Qiao Changsun was dumbstruck.
Lady Sun became dumfounded.
All three had thought that Lady Sun would receive corporal punishment, or perhaps be detained for a few days. They never expected Tong Tiehu to bring up severing family ties.
“This, this…” Qiao Changsun looked at Qiao Xiaomai, his lips trembling. Although he was angry at Lady Sun’s actions, he had never considered disowning her.
Lady Sun was his mother, the relationship they shared was as inseparable as joints from their bones.
How could relations be severed?
Qiao Xiaomai was slightly taken aback; she did not expect Tong Tiehu to make this move either.
Turning her gaze, she whispered, “Dad, this disowning is only in name, in order to prevent grandmother from taking advantage of her elder status to cause trouble in the future.”
“But rest assured, our daily reverence towards her won’t be diminished, we will honor her even more in the future.”
“But she is your grandmother…” Qiao Changsun still found it hard to accept.
A mother, no matter how foolish, is still a mother. How could they disown her? How could they….?