Chapter 16: The Storm of Greed

A moment later, a scream came from the Ziying Pavilion, followed by the chaotic shouts of maids and servants. Then, a figure flew out of the Ziying Pavilion.

Tang Youze was trembling with anger. Aunt Mei, with a group of people, rushed to the Ziying Pavilion. Seeing the mess inside, she learned that she had been almost molested by a thief and fainted in anger…

When Dujian told Tang Chuyao this, she was beaming with excitement. Tang Chuyao felt a little sad looking at Dujian’s appearance. They had always been bullied by their so-called “family,” but she had only tried to please them, and in return, she had met a tragic end!

Since her rebirth, she not only wanted to live well, but also wanted those who truly cared about her to live well!

Yinghe came to Dujian’s side, pointed at her forehead, and scolded, “Don’t be so rude in front of the young lady!”

Tang Chuyao shook her head with a smile and said, “It’s okay, I like to see Dujian sister like this!”

Dujian gave Tang Chuyao a big smile, “Miss, at least we can have some peace for a few days!”

Huang Xiaoyu had already changed her clothes and came back. Hearing the conversation between the mistress and her maids, she said to Yinghe, “Aunt Yinghe, I brought some vegetables with me. I learned a new dish yesterday, braised fish, I’ll cook it for lunch!”

The three people in the room looked at Huang Xiaoyu with a mixture of emotions. Tang Chuyao pondered for a moment, “Sister, you’ve been working hard, and you just scared Aunt Mei and Tang Chuying. You should rest well first. As for cooking, leave it to Aunt Yinghe!”

Huang Xiaoyu said nonchalantly, “Little sister, don’t worry about me, I’m in good shape!”

“I’ve already cooked, it’s late, I’m afraid you’ll be hungry!” After saying that, she strode towards the small kitchen in the courtyard…

Yinghe didn’t even have time to say a word to Tang Chuyao, she hurriedly followed, her feet moving like greased lightning, afraid that if she was a step late, Huang Xiaoyu would blow up the kitchen!

Dujian was surprised by her mother’s current state. She was not tired at all, but rather energetic!

This was all thanks to the young lady. The young lady’s medical skills were truly amazing. She even opened a room specifically for medicine, and the whole Luoying Pavilion was filled with a faint scent of medicine.

Unlike before, when the young lady used to drink medicine all the time, the courtyard also had a medicinal smell, but that kind of smell was unpleasant. On the contrary, this medicinal smell made Dujian feel optimistic. She believed that the young lady’s future would be better and better!

In the Regent’s Mansion, Gu Qingchen frowned when he heard Night Wind’s report. The little one’s experience at home was so shocking!

Rumors about her in the capital had been circulating constantly, saying that she was uncultured and had none of the qualities of a noble lady! She was also rumored to be secretly involved with Gu Huaifeng!

She was said to be incredibly ugly, and ugly people are prone to mischief!

The little one was simply a laughingstock in the capital!

On the other hand, his good nephew was praised by everyone, saying that he was kind and righteous, and had a noble heart.

There were many people in the capital who sympathized with Gu Huaifeng, saying that he was young but was entangled with the ugliest woman in the capital, what bad luck!

“Master, should we spread the news of the relationship between Young Master Gu and Miss Tang?” Night Wind asked tentatively.

Gu Qingchen shook his head and said, “The little one should have her own plans, just wait and see!”

He didn’t know why, but Gu Qingchen felt that the little one had her own ideas. According to Night Wind’s description, the little one didn’t seem to have any feelings for Gu Huaifeng, and she seemed to be hiding her medical skills!

He didn’t remember when the little one learned medical skills. Wasn’t the Xiaoyao Valley known for its swordsmanship? When did it become proficient in medicine?

In a few days, the little one would go to the Xima Village to find her master for treatment. Speaking of which, he received a letter from Hua Wanshu yesterday, asking him to prepare some medicinal herbs. These herbs were all precious, such as ginseng, snow lotus, etc. It was obvious that the master wanted these herbs for the little one’s treatment!

“Night Wind, prepare ten times the amount of medicinal herbs according to this list! Send them to the Xima Village tomorrow!” After saying that, Gu Qingchen handed Night Wind a list. Night Wind took the list and left…

The next morning, Tang Chuyao and Huang Xiaoyu returned from practicing swordsmanship and found Dujian. They whispered a few words in Dujian’s ear, and Dujian nodded and ran away…

Tang Chuyao remembered that at this time in her previous life, the Censorate impeached the Duke of Wu’an. Emperor Song was furious and ordered a thorough investigation of the Duke of Wu’an’s mansion. They didn’t know what they would find, but they were shocked when they discovered that the Duke of Wu’an had embezzled five million taels of gold!

This included the disaster relief funds from five years ago, withholding military pay, selling official positions, and so on. Every single one of these crimes was shocking!

Emperor Song, in a fit of rage, had the entire Duke of Wu’an’s family beheaded and displayed in public…

The Duke of Wu’an’s sister, Consort Hui, was demoted to a commoner and imprisoned in the cold palace, never to be released!

The Duke of Wu’an’s fate was a cause for sighs, but no one felt sorry for him. The people all praised Emperor Song as a wise ruler!

Embezzlement was the most despised act in the Great Qi Dynasty! The punishment was also the most severe!

From high-ranking corrupt officials to those who embezzled their own wives’ dowries, anyone involved would be dealt with severely!

Sure enough, in the afternoon, the Imperial Guards surrounded the Duke of Wu’an’s mansion, and the mansion was raided!

Everything that was taken out was put into the national treasury. The luxurious ornaments, the chests of gold and jewels, made the onlookers furious!

“The Duke of Wu’an is so bold!”

“Who says he isn’t! I heard that Consort Hui in the palace helped the Duke of Wu’an get a lot of benefits!”

“Wow, this is an eye-opener! They’ve already filled fifteen carriages! There’s still a lot more that hasn’t been moved!”

After the Duke of Wu’an’s mansion was raided, the entire family was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice and executed three days later!

The next day, notices were posted all over the streets and alleys. Any official who had embezzled money was to confess voluntarily, and they would be given a chance to redeem themselves. If they were found out, they would be dealt with severely! Those who embezzled others’ money or their wives’ dowries would be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane, in addition to returning the money!

One hundred strokes of the cane was unbearable for most people, and they would have to stay in bed for a hundred days. One hundred strokes would directly kill a person!

For a time, the entire capital was in a state of panic. In the Rongjin Hall of the Yongyong Duke’s Mansion, the main members of the family gathered together to discuss countermeasures.

“Aunt, what should we do now?” Aunt Mei looked worried.

Since she fainted that day, her body had been unwell, and she had been feeling drowsy. Now, she couldn’t even muster the energy to sit up straight.

The old lady saw her lazy appearance and was very displeased, “What’s the rush?”

“I don’t believe that the eldest girl has her mother’s dowry list!”

Tang Youze didn’t say anything. They had a copy of the dowry list, and Chi Ran had a copy, but until Chi Ran’s death, they never found that dowry list!

“Aunt, but Chi Ran’s dowry list has never been found!” Aunt Mei reminded her.

“Humph! That poisonous woman must have given the dowry list to the General’s Mansion!” The old lady said angrily.

“That’s good, anyway, the General won’t be back for a while!” Aunt Mei relaxed slightly.