The old duke found out when someone sent the emperor a complaint letter.
The letter of accusation, which was written in blood, was thrown at the old duke's feet by the furious late emperor.
After a final investigation, they found that Song Dahai had snatched five women away from their families within half a year of entering the capital. Four of them committed suicide after being defiled.
The fifth woman also committed suicide after leaving the bloody letter.
As for why no one dared to complain before this, it was naturally because of the Bulwark General's existence.
The old duke, who had lived a morally upright life, was unable to raise his head due to the shame he felt.
Initially, he wanted to behead Song Dahai in public, but his mother begged him not to, and said that she would willingly die alongside Song Dahai.
Due to his filial piety, the old duke had no choice but to personally break Song Dahai's legs and bring him to those families to apologize.
He knelt in front of the late emperor for 24 hours in order to spare Song Dahai's life.
However, even after saving his younger brother's life, Grandma Song and Song Dahai greatly resented him.
When the old duke sent Song Dahai and his family back to their hometown, Granny Song insisted on following them, and threatened to sever ties with the old duke.
The old duke was bitterly disappointed and left them alone.
It was only when Granny Song passed away that the old duke brought his family to visit the ancestral home.
The two families were like enemies now. Of course, this was only due to Song Dahai's unilateral thoughts.
The old duke had never taken these people seriously.
…
It had been summer when they set out. It's autumn now.
Shen Yijia, who was initially happy to be alone with Song Jingchen, was lying in a corner.
She no longer made a fuss and asked questions whenever she saw something new.
After two days of silence, Song Jingchen felt unused to it.
"If you're bored, you can read a book," Song Jingchen suggested.
Shen Yijia's eyes lit up for a moment before dimming again. She turned her back to Song Jingchen and said in a muffled voice, "You know I can't read. I'd just be staring at the pages."
Song Jingchen fell silent. He had totally forgotten…
Tentatively, he said, "Why don't I teach you to read?"
"Sure!" Shen Yijia straightened up and sat beside Song Jingchen. Her speed was still astonishing.
Song Jingchen, who didn't expect Shen Yijia to agree, was speechless.
Having spent more time with him, Shen Yijia could more or less tell what he was thinking based on his expression.
She narrowed her eyes and stared at him without blinking.
She pinched her fingers out of habit and said, "Hubby, you're not lying to me, are you?"
This familiar feeling made Song Jingchen recall the scene when he gave Shen Yijia the divorce letter.
Song Jingchen rubbed his temple. The hunch he got back then wasn't wrong at all.
Shaking his head, he said, "Not really. I just thought you'd find it boring."
Shen Yijia was satisfied and retorted, "It's very boring, but it's different if you're the one teaching me! Besides, if you write to me in the future, it won't be good if I can't read it!"
Song Jingchen said nothing.
"The letter from before didn't count. It was a divorce letter. I won't write to you again." he thought.
Song Jingchen met Shen Yijia's sparkling eyes.
He kept telling himself that he was doing this because Shen Yijia's sullen mood was severely affecting his own mood.
It definitely wasn't because he liked seeing her so lively.
"Hubby, when do we start?" Shen Yijia whispered in Song Jingchen's ear.
Her lively voice was like fresh water trickling from a spring.
The word "hubby" also seemed to flow into Song Jingchen's heart, causing ripples.