Chapter 40: Concubine Liang Sends Someone to Break the Engagement

The hall was once again silent.

Mr. Chen, struggling to rise from his chair, his eyes bloodshot, filled with pain, seemed as though he had aged years in an instant.

“My son studied for many years, finally passed the imperial exams, and had just started his official career, yet he died at the hands of filthy schemes within our own household.”

Mr. Chen looked to the heavens and cried out, “What sin has my Chen family committed?” Tears welled up in his eyes.

It was his daughter who first told him about this, and he had spit blood on the spot, then stayed bedridden for several days. It was only out of a desire to avenge his son that he managed to get out of bed.

Whether it was from hearing it first from the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review or now, the pain was still like thousands of arrows piercing his heart.

However, Chen Susu remained eerily calm, devoid of any emotion, and said flatly, “Meng’s lover is Pan Bin. Take him away and interrogate him properly.”

Mr. Meng stood frozen in place, unable to process the shock.

So, it was her daughter who killed Mr. Chen!

The rest of the Meng family exchanged looks, unable to believe it.

As the crowd left the Chen residence, they were all still in a daze.

Only Fang Yuean, with a bright smile on her face, her cheeks flushed red, stood tall and proud.

Behind her, several servants carried four roosters and other auspicious items, returning laden with gifts.

At the entrance to the Chen family estate, Fang Miaoyi cried as she tried to board the Fang family carriage, only to be held back by Pan’s mother.

“She doesn’t want you anymore. Why are you still going after her?”

Upon hearing this, Madam Cao, standing nearby, grew angry. “What do you mean ‘doesn’t want her anymore’? One…” She stopped herself from saying ‘bastard’ but added, “She was never a member of the Fang family!”

Pan’s mother glared at her, her eyes gleaming with malice. “Does it matter if she’s not by blood? It’s the feelings that count! We’ve raised her for so many years, and now she just wants to cast her aside!”

Her gaze shifted to Qin Xuan. “I see you’re also a heartless woman.”

Nanny Lei retorted sharply, “Since you think blood doesn’t matter, I wish you good luck raising someone else’s child for the rest of your life!”

Pan’s mother gave her a cold glance, dismissing her words.

Qin Xuan, weak and supported by Nanny Lei, had already cried her eyes red, half genuine, half feigned.

She ignored Pan’s mother and looked at Fang Miaoyi, who was also crying.

From now on, she would be Fang Miaoyi.

They would likely never meet again.

Huai Ze, reflecting on Pan’s mother’s words, thought silently to himself: [The four children born to her eldest daughter-in-law were never Pan’s. If she knew that, I wonder if she’d still say such things.]

Fang Yuean stood by the carriage, watching: [Since this old woman said it, then she’s willing to raise her, let her do it.] She said this and climbed into the carriage.

Qin Xuan snapped out of her thoughts and whispered in Madam Cao’s ear before pulling her away.

Madam Cao opened her mouth in surprise, looking at Qin Xuan, then glanced back at the Pan family. She whispered something to Qin Xuan as they left.

The Pan family watched them leave with disdain.

Fang Miaoyi cried her heart out, struggling with all her might to chase after her mother but was hit on the backside by Pan’s mother.

“Stupid girl, stop wailing! It’s you and that slutty mother of yours who killed my Bin’er!”

“Do you think you’re still a young lady? Cry again, and I’ll sell you as a servant!”

She pulled her away with force.

Inside, the various branches of the Meng family were quarrelling, blaming one another for agreeing to let Meng give birth to the child. They argued bitterly, accusing each other of yielding to the elders’ foolishness, and soon a fight broke out with even greater fury.

In their hearts, they harbored resentment, but they couldn’t directly challenge the elders. Instead, they vented their anger on their peers.

The next day, the memorials accusing the Meng family would fill the emperor’s desk.

Their family, it seemed, was finished.

Old Madam Meng’s face was bruised, her hair disheveled, and her eyes carried an emptiness that reflected the hopelessness she felt.

Lord Fang, pushing through the crowd, finally found Old Madam Meng, tugged at her clothes, and dragged her away, accidentally scratching his own face in the process.

He had heard about the child-swapping incident from Fang Kun but hadn’t paid much attention, thinking that Old Madam Meng was cautious in her actions, never expecting that it would eventually come to light.

He whispered a warning to Old Madam Meng, “If you don’t want your son to lose everything, keep your mouth shut. No matter who asks, say that only you knew about this. The rest of us, especially those from the second branch, had no knowledge. Do you hear me?”

Mentioning Fang Kun made Old Madam Meng snap out of her daze, and she slowly nodded.

Less than half an hour after the banquet at the Chen family had ended, the secret of the event spread to the homes of various officials and nobility, shocking everyone.

Upon hearing it, the emperor slammed his desk. “Go summon Meng Chang and Fang Jizu to me!”

This matter, although it shocked many and had a significant impact, was essentially a family affair among officials. The murder-related portion would be handled by the Court of Judicial Review. If officials presented memorials, they would simply act according to their suggestions.

There was no need for the emperor to intervene personally.

Unlike the Song family case, which had been brought before the emperor,
and unlike the Lin family case, which involved years of corruption and bribery, as well as the murder of important court officials,
this situation was different. Fang Zhan had fought for the country, but his whereabouts remained unknown. Despite many efforts to locate him, no results had emerged.
Now, with his wife and daughter in trouble, as the emperor, it would not be right to ignore the matter and refuse to judge the situation fairly for the main branch of the Fang family.

After the incident, the main branch did not use Fang Zhan’s military accomplishments or public opinion to cry at the palace gates, which earned them some sympathy.

Zhou Huajin and Fang Zhenzhen were carried back to the house by the servants.
Because of the actions of Old Madam Meng, they couldn’t even bear to think about how they would be ridiculed in the future.
What had once been boastful and flaunting actions would now turn into a slap to their faces.
Most importantly, not only would the marriage between Fang Zhenzhen and King of Qi be called off, but the marriages of the other children from the second branch were also ruined.

Soon after Lord Fang was summoned to the palace, Concubine Liang immediately sent an official to annul the engagement.
“Concubine Liang was so furious upon hearing this news that she fainted. If anything happens to her, the second branch will pay for it!”

The female official took the engagement document of King of Qi, then forcefully threw Fang Zhenzhen’s document on the ground, not even turning back as she left.

Although Zhou Huajin had anticipated the engagement annulment, it was still a hard blow when it actually happened, and she fainted.

Lord Fang had brought Old Madam Meng back to the house, threw her into a room, instructed a servant to watch the door, and left in a state of frustration.

Since returning, Old Madam Meng had sat by the bed without moving.
She had spent a lifetime maintaining her reputation and had gained the trust of the main branch, but all of that had crumbled today.
The devastating defeat left her in a daze, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

The door was gently pushed open, making a soft noise, but she did not lift her head to look.

“Mother,” Fang Kun called, walking in. “Concubine Liang sent someone to annul the engagement.”

His voice carried no anger or joy.

Only then did Old Madam Meng slowly raise her head. Her eyes were red, and her gaze gradually blurred.

“I have wronged you all!” she cried, raising her hand to cover her face in agony. “I didn’t consult with you before doing this, and now I’ve caused you so much suffering.”

Fang Kun stopped at a distance from Old Madam Meng and continued, “The people from the main branch haven’t come yet because the emperor has taken an interest in the matter and summoned Father to the palace to inquire about the details.”

Before the imperial order is issued, the Fang family can only detain those involved and cannot take further action.

Old Madam Meng trembled as she wiped her eyes, her tears still falling. She muttered to herself, “The emperor is involved…”

Fang Kun continued, “We can’t change what the emperor decides. But before Father went to the palace, he told me there is only one way to slightly restore the reputation of our second branch.”

Old Madam Meng looked at her son expectantly. “What is that way?”