Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home

Chapter 1259  Not Truth

His sole heir was about to be adopted. How could he be so shameless?

The chief and the clan elders produced Ms. Zheng's letter along with the signed evidence. Zhao Mu's face alternated between shades of crimson and pallor, leaving him so embarrassed that he wished for nothing more than to disappear into the ground.

He had never anticipated that even Zhao Shu, his own kin, had underestimated the extent of Ms. Zheng's preparation.

It was Auntie Qing who had safeguarded the letter, eventually passing it on to Zhao Shu when he made the decision to return to Yangzhou.

Without hesitation, Zhao Shu had gone to the clan elders before making his journey back to Yangzhou.

At home, he was hailed as a paragon of filial piety to his mother for three whole years.

Furthermore, Uncle Qing and Aunt Qing stood by him throughout those 500 meters for three years, treating the senior clan members with the utmost respect and reverence. Their actions garnered praise from the entire family.

Zhao Shu had hinted at offering substantial incentives, so why had the chief and group within the clan not come to his aid?

The chief was acutely aware that if he did not assist Zhao Shu, he would expose the contents of the letter to the public, leading to Ms. Zhao's humiliation and potentially tarnishing Zhao Mu's reputation as well.

The letter clearly revealed the relationship between Zhao Mu and Ms. Qin. Zhao Mu had harbored affection for Ms. Qin, and she had, at one point, broken off her engagement with her former fiancé, who had tragically passed away within two years.

While it was an unfortunate accident, Zhao Mu certainly hadn't taken any sinister actions against Ms. Qin. However, there was a glaring loophole that could be exploited to create a scandal.

Rumors spread without cost, and there was no easy way to counter them.

Adding to the complexity, Zhao Mu had fathered two sons with his concubines after his marriage. He had even coerced his wife into covering up for him. It was implausible that Ms. Zheng had acted willingly in this matter.

With Ms. Zheng now deceased, a great many people would undoubtedly sympathize with her plight.

Zhao Mu feared that his reputation would be irreparably tarnished.

The entire Zhao Family would undoubtedly suffer the consequences as well.

It was a situation Zhao Mu was desperate to avoid.

With a sneer, Zhao Shu remarked, "Just sign it, Old Master Zhao. You already have two capable sons and grandchildren. What's the point in holding onto me? You never truly cared for me, did you?"

Zhao Mu retorted with a sneer of his own, "If you're no longer my son, don't even think about receiving a fraction of the Zhao Family's wealth!"

This tired argument once again reared its head.

Without hesitation, Zhao Shu simply said, "Alright."

At this juncture, no amount of anger could change anything for Zhao Mu.

In the presence of the chief and the elders, Zhao Shu's name was formally stricken from the Zhao lineage, replaced with the designation of "brother of the chief."

Remarkably, Zhao Shu made no claims on the Zhao Family's assets. He made it clear that he would be leaving today.

Ms. Qin and Zhao Ye were overjoyed, particularly Ms. Qin, who couldn't conceal her elation. She was poised to take charge of her own family's destiny, a prospect that brought her immense happiness.

Zhao Shu did express his intent to claim his mother's dowry, which was explicitly mentioned in her letter as bequeathed to her lineal son.

Unimpressed, Zhao Mu sneered, "Since you've been adopted, you can no longer be considered Ms. Zheng's son. Her dowry is no concern of yours."

Zhao Shu asserted, "It's entirely reasonable for a woman's dowry to be designated for her children. I'm simply adhering to my mother's wishes in order to safeguard my rights. Don't you believe in your own authority over your dowry? If she's stated her intention to give it to me, then it's rightfully mine. Should Old Master Zhao refuse, I won't hesitate to report this matter to the authorities."

Zhao Mu harbored doubts about his chances of success should he pursue legal action.

After all, Zhao Shu possessed Ms. Zheng's written directive, and, as he correctly pointed out, Ms. Zheng had the legal right to allocate her dowry as she saw fit, as it constituted her private property, separate from the Zhao Family's assets.