The playboy county magistrate

He could stop a divorce, but he couldn't stop the imperial decree to divide the family!

Once His Majesty issues the decree to divide the family, Li Xuanzhi and the Marquis of Chengen will only be nominal father and son clan members, with no real ties remaining.

"How dare you!" Li Dehai roared angrily, his voice filled with barely concealed panic. "You've privately requested an imperial edict, severing the foundation of your clan! This is unfilial!"

"Your son is truly filial." Li Xuanzhi lowered his head and gently wiped away the tears on his mother's cheeks. "Filial piety is not blind obedience, nor is it forcing your mother to endure."

In a different era, Li Xuanzhi would have firmly insisted that his mother completely sever ties with him.

But Li Xuanzhi also knew in his heart that no matter how bad the Chengen Earl's mansion was, regardless of whether his mother was divorced or reconciled with her husband's family, her reputation would not be good.

After all, there are plenty of gossipy people these days. Although everyone says that divorced people should part ways amicably and live their own lives, there are always some people who can't stand seeing others climb out of the mire.

Just because you're unhappy with your own life doesn't mean you think it's wrong for others to escape suffering.

Moreover, my mother is kind-hearted and soft-hearted, and she was afraid of implicating her family.

Although Zhang only gave birth to one son, Li Xuanzhi, she didn't have to worry about her daughters not being able to get married. However, the Zhang family still had quite a few girls of marriageable age.

Therefore, Li Xuanzhi would never force his mother to do the divorce unless she consented.

Just like now, Li Xuanzhi naturally took in the sight of his mother secretly letting out a sigh of relief when his scumbag father, the Earl of Chengen, stopped writing.

But it's also true that the mother doesn't want to continue living under the same roof as her scumbag father. In that case, keeping the position of the aunt but never seeing him again might be the result the mother wants most.

Li Xuanzhi could roughly guess what his mother was thinking: she felt that even a fallen camel is bigger than a horse. After all, it was still a family with some heritage, and even if each generation was less powerful than the last, its wealth was not to be underestimated.

Despite the considerable financial support the Zhang family has provided over the years, there are still some ancient books and fragments that the Zhang family cannot afford to possess.

As for Li Xuanzhi, he was Zhang's only son, and as a legitimate son of the Earl's Mansion, he should naturally compete for the same position.

It's not about vying for the position of heir apparent, but rather for the cultural heritage that has been passed down through generations.

After all, the day the heir of the Earl's mansion truly takes charge, his title will be reduced from Earl to Viscount.

Li Xuanzhi cleared his throat and continued, "Protecting one's mother's innocence and ensuring her well-being for the rest of her life is the greatest filial piety a son can show."

"As for the division of clans and the establishment of separate households, there have always been precedents in the imperial court. Meritorious officials, rising stars, and those who are deeply favored by the emperor are requested to live separately to avoid suspicion and to stay away from clan interference. This is reasonable, justifiable, and in accordance with the law."

"His Majesty is always wise and discerning; he will surely grant your request."

Li Dehai was terrified by the rebuke, his heart filled with malice and rage, with nowhere to vent it. He could only clench his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white, his chest brimming with hatred.

He finally saw clearly that his son was not only upright and knowledgeable in the law, but also meticulous and shrewd, having already calculated all possible escape routes and unforeseen circumstances.

In today's confrontation in the main hall, he lost completely, with no chance of turning the tide.

Li Xuanjing, standing to the side, was already ashen-faced and his body stiff.

He always believed that clan rules were his innate and unbreakable support.

Only now did he realize that in the face of absolute authority, law, divine favor, and power, the so-called order of seniority and distinction of rank were utterly fragile and vulnerable.

Li Xuanzhi was determined to leave, to separate from the family, to establish his own household, and to live out the rest of his life with his mother. No one could stop him.

And he, guarding the vast Earl's mansion, possessed only the title, utterly devoid of talent. He received neither imperial favor nor accomplished anything. His future would only grow increasingly bleak, forever living in Li Xuanzhi's shadow, never to rise again.

Li Dehai stared intently at the mother and child clinging to each other, the rage in his eyes gradually fading.

He stopped roaring and arguing, but the pressure around him remained frighteningly low.

"Fine, fine... You want to separate from the family, you want to establish your own household, you want to break free from the constraints of the Earl's Mansion..."

He spoke slowly, his voice low and hoarse, chilling to the bone.

"I'd like to see how long you, a rootless duckweed, can hold out in the treacherous court after being deprived of the protection of the Marquis's clan!"

He no longer tried to stop him, but he had already made up his mind in his heart.

If you can't keep it, then there's no need to keep it.

Since this son is so determined to break ties and show no regard for family ties or clan, then whatever happens in the future, don't blame him for standing by and watching, or even... adding fuel to the fire.

He wanted to see how Li Xuanzhi, without the ties and protection of the Earl's Mansion, would contend with the deeply entrenched old faction and how he would gain a foothold in the court surrounded by enemies.

If Li Xuan knew he was going to win, he would lie low and bide his time, waiting for another opportunity.

If Li Xuanzhi loses, it will be his own fault, and he will reap what he sows. The Earl's Mansion can then completely sever ties and remain uninvolved.

Li Xuanzhi didn't care at all. He simply helped his mother up and turned to leave calmly.

"Mother, let's go back to the courtyard to rest. Tomorrow morning at court, everything will be settled."

His back was straight and upright, his steps firm and composed, showing no trace of lingering attachment.

In the secluded courtyard of the Marquis of Chengen's residence, in Li Xuanzhi's small courtyard.

Zhang sat upright under the lamp, quietly watching the people in front of her.

She used to endure humiliation in order to protect her young son so he could grow up safely.

Now her children are all grown up, able to shelter her from the wind and rain, and break free from the shackles of her confined home. She no longer needs to be humble, yielding, or compromising.

Liu Yunrou brought over some warm tea and gently comforted him:

"Please rest assured, Madam. Young Master is thoughtful and well-versed in the law. His request is reasonable and in accordance with the law. His Majesty is always fair and just, so it will surely be granted smoothly."

Gu Pan'er frowned slightly, looking conflicted, and asked with some concern:

"But Lord Bo is narrow-minded and holds grudges deeply. Having suffered a great loss this time, he will certainly not let it go easily. What if he secretly colludes with the old faction in court tomorrow to obstruct the young master's division of the family property?"

Li Xuanzhi just put down his pen and, after the ink dried, neatly folded a memorial.

"It's alright. What I ask for is neither to fight for the family property nor to betray the clan. I only ask to be removed from the register and live separately to avoid suspicion and protect my relatives. This will prevent the clan from committing serious crimes under the guise of affection in the future. From the perspective of national law, the court, and human sentiment, there is nothing wrong with this."

Li Xuanzhi got up, walked over to Zhang Shi, and squatted down, his tone gentle and firm.

"Mother, please wait patiently. After the morning court session tomorrow, I will ensure your peace and comfort. For the rest of your life, no one will be able to cause you any grievances."

Zhang's eyes welled up slightly, and she nodded gently. All her words, however many, were ultimately reduced to a single admonition.

"Be careful with your words and actions in court, and don't be too upright. Your mother doesn't ask for you to have great power and position, she only asks for your safety and well-being."

"Your son will remember this, Mother can rest assured."

……

As dawn broke, the morning bells rang throughout the imperial city.

As before, Marquis Chengen Li Dehai held a leisurely title and a meaningless post, and was still not qualified to participate in the morning court.

He didn't sleep a wink last night, secretly writing several letters and sending them by fast horse to the residences of officials he was on good terms with in the court.

Since he could not personally go to the palace to stop it, he used the words of the court officials and the moral principles to launch an attack.