Chapter 41 – Dripping Blood To Test Paternity

Although Xue-shi did not explain explicitly, Fifth Aunt fully understood her words.

At this point in time, Old Madam Yu had already passed away, and she was the one who had ordered the servants to bring the bowl of water at that time. If they conducted the blood test again, Yu Ming would not be willing to accept it no matter what the results would be. Besides, reconducting the test also meant that he was suspecting Old Madam Yu, so he chose avoidance. Essentially, as for what the truth was, Yu Ming already had no intention to know, and from that moment on, Xue-shi knew that he had given up on her and Yu ZiAn.

For couples to divorce in DaYou was not something rare. Although it would be hard to avoid being talked about by others, it was not something that was completely unacceptable. Nowadays, there were many examples of spirited women who led a prosperous life despite taking the initiative to leave due to the dissatisfaction they had with their husband’s family. A large number also managed to remarry into better families. Essentially, it was a far better option than sticking to a person and losing their capability to keep their own children. Not only that, Xue-shi already had Yu ZiAn. Since Yu Ming did not recognize him, she could just take him away and have someone to depend on in the future.

“But you would have to bear such a reputation. Wouldn’t it be a grievance? After all, it was obviously not your fault!” Fifth Aunt was not someone with a stubborn adherence to outworn rules and did not think it was anything bad for Xue-shi to divorce. However, she could not help feeling aggrieved for her.

Xue-shi worriedly replied, “Even then, so what? He does not want to do the blood test again, so what can I do? It is just that ZiAn would have to suffer with such a reputation, and I am afraid that he will be ridiculed in the future.” Currently, Xue-shi was in a dilemma. In the worst-case scenario, she would not be able to leave with Yu ZiAn. Meanwhile, if she managed to do so, she and Yu ZiAn would be ridiculed. Besides, since ZiAn was smart, he would most likely take the imperial examinations in the future, but his unknown paternity would inevitably affect his future career as an official.

To that, Fifth Aunt could not think of any suggestions and could only say, “No matter how bad it is, it will no doubt be better than now. However, did you think it through carefully and really want a divorce?”

As the saying goes, those around would always try to persuade a couple from splitting up. Although Fifth Aunt did not say those words willingly, she should still give a reminder so that Xue-shi would not regret it in the future.

“For a long time, I had already found this marriage futile, but I just could not bear to cut off this ‘rotten flesh’. As a mother, I should be strong and bring this to an end. Although I am the main wife now, it was all just in name, and I could be compared to a maid. What is the point of living like this? It is better to meet and part merrily.”

“Then what are your plans for the future? Are there other people in your family?”

Xue-shi shook her head. “I am the only one left in my family. Fortunately, I have not lost my embroidery skills and am still able to make a living in the future.”

“You have not found a house yet, right? It will be inconvenient for you, a woman, to bring your child along outside. I still have a courtyard here, so why don’t you rent from me? Even though the courtyard does not share an entrance with the others, we would still be neighbors, and we can take care of each other.”

Hearing that, Xue-shi’s eyes brightened. Even though she did not mind a hard life, she was afraid of being harassed, especially with her reputation, which made her an easy target for thieves. However, by being neighbors with the Lu family like this, she would not have to worry about anything anymore. After all, despite being ill all these years and rarely leaving her courtyard, she had paid some attention to the Lu family because of Yu ZiAn’s friendship and knew a little about them. Lu Feng’s official position in the capital might not be much, but people had not dared to provoke them in general.

“Thank you very much, but let us agree that the rent you charge would have to be the same rates as those outside.”

“Don’t worry, I will not charge you any less! Just now, you mentioned that you could do embroidery? It just so happens that my family is short of such a fine person. If you do not mind, can you help my family’s Lu shiyiniang make clothes? Because we come from a background of butchering pigs and do not pay attention to customs, I dress her up quite carelessly and invoke major ridicule. You look fine, so it would be great if you could help tidy my daughter up.”

Xue-shi knew that this was Fifth Aunt’s attempt at taking care of her, and she felt grateful, gaining more confidence in her decision.

In the end, Xue-shi was quick, and in a few days, she divorced Yu Ming and took Yu ZiAn away from the Yu family. As ZiAn became part of the Xue-shi family register, his name was changed to Xue ZiAn.

Initially, Yu Ming was unwilling to agree to the divorce, but Xue-shi had already hardened her heart. This, coupled with the concubine inciting trouble and even using the name of Old Madam Yu, caused Yu Ming to finally agree.

Even though Xue-shi felt sorrowful, she felt relief at the same time. Ever since joining the Yu family, she had hidden her real nature and lived with fear. After giving birth to Yu ZiAn, her body also did not recover properly, and she suffered damaging bouts of anger and anxiety. Not only was she not able to live how a main wife should, but her own child ended up living a miserable life too. At that time, anyone could climb all over their heads in the Yu family, and it was truly oppressing. What was even more disappointing then was Yu Ming. They were once so affectionate before everything turned painful. It was just fortunate that it was all over now.

“Mother, is it me who got you chased out?” When Xue ZiAn heard that Xue-shi wanted to live with him outside, he was not joyful but frightened instead.

Seeing that, Xue-shi felt grieved and embraced Xue ZiAn in her arms. She had such a good son, but she just had to get hung up on such a fickle lover.

“It was my fault in the past. ZiAn, do not blame your mother, okay?”

Xue ZiAn shook his head continuously. “My mother is very good.”

Xue-shi rubbed his head and continued, “In the future, there is only me and you to keep each other company. Life may be more miserable than before. Is ZiAn afraid?”

Xue ZiAn replied seriously, “As long as there is Mother, ZiAn is not afraid of going anywhere. Just-just that, won’t you be unhappy to leave Father?”

“It is enough for me to have ZiAn.”

Hearing that, Xue ZiAn grinned brightly. “ZiAn will definitely be obedient and filial to Mother.”

When Fifth Aunt saw such a scene, she could not help but wipe her tears, feeling unhappy. News of Yu Ming and Xue-shi’s divorce has long been spreading outside. Because Xue-shi had taken Yu ZiAn with her, it caused rumors that she had committed adultery to spread around rampantly. Fifth Aunt had not expected that Yu Ming would play so dirty, not leaving the mother-and-son pair a way out.

Fifth Aunt then called for Zhuang Zhong and told him the whole situation, “This is such an undeserving calamity for both ZiAn and his mother. Do you have any ideas how to prove otherwise?”

“Blood test? Such a paternity test is not reliable at all!” Zhuang Zhong had not expected that Yu ZiAn’s tragedy had stemmed from this, feeling both indignation and helplessness.

The people present were surprised.

Lu shiyiniang asked, “Isn’t that something that was accepted and passed down from the previous generations?”

Towards such a question, Zhuang Zhong did not give any further explanations and only ordered people to bring forth some bowls with water. Calling forth all the servants to come over, he then told them to drip their blood into the bowls randomly. In the end, there were several people whose blood was compatible.

Everyone was stunned. “This is impossible. Are we really biological brothers who have been separated for many years?”

“I don’t think so. I am from HeDong, and I am the only son in my family.”

“How can I be of the same family as the masters?”

While those present discussed animatedly, Lu Feng frowned. “What is going on? Did you put something in the bowls?”

Zhuang Zhong replied, “Since the start, I barely touched these bowls, and I did not tamper with them.”

Lu balang exclaimed in alarm, “Such a way to test paternity is truly invalid! However, why has it been around for so many years?”

Zhuang Zhong tried to explain to them in a way that everyone could understand. “People’s blood can be divided into four types. Blood from the same group can fuse together and vice versa. Essentially, one’s blood type is dependent on both parents, so most of the children would have the same type as them. However, even then, there are exceptions where the child’s blood type can be derived from the combination of both, leading to dissolubility. This, coupled with external factors, made this test even more inaccurate. If one looks for their birthright through such a blood test, the world would be full of their relatives.”

Hearing that, Lu Feng continued, “Such a matter must be made known to people everywhere. Otherwise, this might bring about many injustices.”

After that, Zhuang Zhong went to find Feng Huan and used his name to spread the news that blood testing was not a reliable way to recognize one’s relatives. At that time, Feng Huan had taken the test on the spot and his blood fused with Zhuang Zhong, causing him to be instantly convinced.

Not long after that, the news then spread throughout the capital and the whole of DaYou. As it was easy to conduct the experiment and impossible to falsify, it broke down people’s previous knowledge of it. It was also not known how many people faced regret for their past actions after knowing the truth.

One of them was Yu Ming.

After hearing the news, Yu Ming had gone to find Xue-shi, but she no longer cared and only said, “From the point in time when you refused to conduct the blood test again, our relationship had already ended.”

Yu Ming also wanted to bring Xue ZiAn back, but he was sent away by Xue-shi. When asked if Xue ZiAn would like to return to the Yu residence, ZiAn shook his head. “ZiAn will only be where Mother is.”

The next day, Xue-shi then ordered someone to inform Yu Ming’s concubine that he wanted to marry her again and accept Xue ZiAn. As expected, although Yu Ming occasionally came over to visit after that, he never mentioned the matter of recognizing Xue ZiAn again.

“Brother Zhuang, what is this?” Xue ZiAn took out an item that resembled a pair of scissors from Zhuang Zhong’s investigation case. However, instead of having the normal blades of a scissor, there were just two rods.

“This is called a mouth opener1.” Zhuang Zhong took it up and twisted the round metal part behind, allowing the screw to gradually open up the two metal segments. “When the deceased’s teeth are clenched together, the oral cavity will become very difficult to open due to the state they are in. Using this, one can then open the mouth and facilitate the inspection of the state of the tongue and teeth. Whether the deceased has mucosal contusion and bleeding, and whether the teeth are loose are of great significance to determine whether the deceased died of smothering.”

Ever since the blood test, Xue ZiAn was aware of Zhuang Zhong’s capabilities. Besides indirectly proving that he was not a child born from infidelity, Xue ZiAn had heard from Lu XiaoBao about the bone examination skills Zhuang Zhong had used to resolve the case pertaining to Lu balang’s father, causing his growing interest in autopsy. So, when Lu XiaoBao saw that ZiAn was curious, he cajoled Zhuang Zhong and insistently pulled him along to narrate his stories to Xue ZiAn and show him his tools.

As Lu XiaoBao was pretty insistent, Zhuang Zhong eventually took out some tools that were acceptable to show the two children. When Xue ZiAn saw the contents of the box, his eyes widened.

“Then what is this?”

“This thin and long rod is called the periosteal elevator2, which is used to peel back the periosteum of the skull. As the curved and flat parts of its two ends are not sharp, it can prevent the skull from being scratched during the process, reducing the possibility of obscuring the original wound.”

“Ah, listening to this is making my scalp numb. How can you tell Xiao’An3 such terrifying things.” Fifth Aunt, who had come over to send desserts, had heard Zhuang Zhong’s words and felt that it was frightening.

Xue ZiAn said, “Aunt, I think it is really interesting. I want to be like Brother Zhuang in the future.”

Fifth Aunt smiled and replied, “Well, Xiao’An is becoming more like our Lu family. We, the Lu family, used to be in this line of work. Now, Zhuang Zhong has taken over the work, and I did not expect that Xiao’An would also be interested.”

“Our two families have an affinity. If it were not for you all, I do not know whether ZiAn would be dead or alive.” While saying that, Xue-shi was currently embroidering on a screen for Lu shiyiniang. With her craftsmanship comparable to those sold outside and her ability to do double-faced embroidery, this was a rare object and was not something a large sum of money could buy without social connections. After all, due to the Lu family’s shallow foundation and their military background, they were seen as vulgar, so buying such an item was impossible even with money. It was then unexpected that Xue-shi would have such skills in creating a double-faced embroidered handkerchief that would put Lu shiyiniang in the limelight. Lu shiyiniang had also wanted to learn, but it was not suitable for her nature. With a lot of broken threads and an impatient personality, she only managed to endure two days before running off.

“Even though my family’s shiyiniang is older, why don’t we arrange a marriage between the two families? After all, it is said that if the woman is older by three years, the man would be pampered.” The more Fifth Aunt thought about it, the more she felt that it was suitable. Although she has not known Xue-shi for very long, Xue-shi was really accommodating to her temperament. Besides, Lu shiyiang was one of her greatest worries, and she was afraid of marrying her off to a stranger that would wrong her. So, if shiyiniang married Xue ZiAn, she would have nothing to worry about anymore.

Xue-shi, who liked Lu shiyiniang very much, replied, “This is indeed fine. I get along pretty well with shiyiniang.”

However, Lu shiyiniang, who was sitting at one corner, suddenly jumped up. “No! I do not want to marry Xiao’An. I am so big while he is so tiny. What if I accidentally break him?”

Those present laughed, and Xue ZiAn instantly blushed. Seeing that, Lu XiaoBao was not happy, as he felt that Xue ZiAn was being shunned by his sister. “If Sister does not want Xiao’An, I want!”

1

“开口器” (literally “mouth opener”) is usually used in post-mortem investigations. If you are interested to see how it looks like: https://www.bvda.com/en/mouth-opener

2

“骨膜分离器” are periosteal elevators that are mainly used to lift soft tissue flaps.

3

Here, “Xiao’An” is just an endearing way to address Xue ZiAn and the “xiao” stands for small or little.