"Fifty percent!" Zhan Bei Wang, standing at the doorway, glanced at everyone inside but avoided Song Xi Xi's gaze. "We will return fifty percent of her dowry. If Old Master Song or Uncle Song are dissatisfied, you can take it to the authorities and see if my actions are reasonable."
Song Shi An was furious. "Fifty percent? How dare you! When Xi Xi married you, her dowry stretched for ten miles. Do you know how much silver, land, and businesses that entails? How dare you open your gluttonous mouth like this?"
Zhan Bei Wang gripped the crumpled letter in his hand and spoke coldly, "I said, you can take it to the authorities. The divorce letter is prepared; you can review it first."
He signaled the steward to present the divorce letter. Song Xi Xi reached out to take it. The steward sighed almost imperceptibly and retreated. The lady was so good; why did she have to be divorced?
Song Xi Xi glanced at the divorce letter; it was indeed written by him. She had received family letters over the past year and recognized his handwriting. The letter was simple, briefly stating her disobedience and jealousy, ending with a wish for her to find a better match.
"Hope you remarry and don't resort to such tactics. Be sincere, and you'll find happiness," Zhan Bei Wang said, his tone complex. After handing over the divorce letter, he felt a strange discomfort in his heart.
"Thank you, General, for teaching me how to be a person!" Song Xi Xi raised the divorce letter. "It still needs the official seal."
Zhan Bei Wang avoided her eyes. "I'll personally take it to the authorities... Regarding the dowry, we are being generous. According to the law, a divorced woman cannot take her dowry. I hope you don't blame me; this is all because of your own actions."
Song Xi Xi had already made proper arrangements for her dowry. They couldn't take much. She just didn't want to entangle with this family any longer. After all, she hadn't received the Emperor's decree for an amicable separation, and she feared it would come only after Yi Fang entered the household.
She said, "There's nothing to blame. Spending a little silver to see what kind of people reside in the general's mansion is worth it."
Zhan Bei Wang was stung by her words and said coldly, "Don't speak ill anymore, or else..."
Song Xi Xi looked up. "Or else what? Seventy percent? Fine, seventy percent or even ninety percent, just leave me a few taels so I don't starve. Will that satisfy you?"
Zhan Bei Wang felt extremely embarrassed. He didn't want to argue with Song Xi Xi anymore, but her relentless words infuriated him.
"I said fifty percent, and that's what it will be. I do feel somewhat guilty for delaying you a year, but all this is because of your own actions..."
Song Xi Xi interrupted him, "Don't feel guilty. The guilt of taking half my dowry is cheaper than mud. Let's leave it at that."
Old Lady Zhan, hearing her words, was so angry that she turned to Old Master Song. "Look at her! Is there any semblance of a proper wife in her?"
Old Master Song coldly replied, "She's being divorced. Should she kneel and kowtow to you? Not cursing you is already showing mercy."
Old Master Song, being elderly, had seen through the ways of the world. But the entire Zhenbei Marquis's household had perished in battle, and all the remaining family members, except Song Xi Xi, were killed. Now, seeing Xi Xi treated this way, no matter how enlightened and open-minded he was, he couldn't suppress his anger.
However, he knew this anger was impotent because the Zhenbei Marquis's household had no one left. The other descendants of the Song family were not competent, and they could only watch helplessly as Xi Xi was bullied, unable to do anything.
Old Lady Zhan, seething with rage, said, "How dare you speak like this? Just because you're old doesn't mean you can speak such venom. We haven't mistreated Song Xi Xi. She brought this upon herself. Ask her: if she could accept Yi Fang, would she have gone to the palace to ask the Emperor to rescind the marriage decree? Keeping half of her dowry is lawful. We haven't wronged her. It's your Song family that's narrow-minded. Just wait and see: while the Song family may have no more capable people, my Bei Wang will become one of the most esteemed generals in the land."