Chapter 47: Escaping His Punishment

Wang Yun went to the palace to plead guilty and knelt outside the Imperial Study for a long time. The Emperor heard his report and the evidence he presented. He knew that Wang Yun had simply failed to supervise his subordinates and was not involved in any conspiracy. Moreover, as the Prime Minister, it would have been easy for him to cover up such a matter, but he had taken the initiative to confess, putting justice above family ties.

The Emperor understood his sincere devotion to the country and only fined him half a year’s salary. As for Wei Hu, when the palace guards brought him to the palace, he repeatedly confessed, but only admitted that because his brother had died in battle at the border, he was so heartbroken that he hadn’t dealt with the compensation in time. He didn’t admit to embezzlement.

He insisted that he had neglected his duty and explained that the money he had used to bribe his father-in-law came from his estates and shops, and that he had never taken a single penny that was not clean.

The Emperor was furious and ordered a thorough investigation. However, Magistrate Zheng and the others committed suicide in the Ministry of Justice prison, fearing punishment. As a result, there was insufficient evidence. Moreover, some officials in the court interceded for Wei Hu, and he was the son-in-law of the Prime Minister. The Emperor, remembering his contributions in the battle at the border, decided to be lenient.

He demoted Wei Hu from a fifth-rank Middle Gate General to a seventh-rank Garrison Lieutenant and transferred him to Songzhou.

Before leaving, he specially went to the Prime Minister’s Mansion to bid farewell to Wang Chengxiang.

Wang Yincuan insisted on going to Songzhou with him, but he refused. Songzhou was remote, and he was worried that Wang Yincuan would suffer if she went with him.

“Your son-in-law greets you, Father-in-law.”

“Wei Hu, do you hate me?”

“Your son-in-law dares not. Your son-in-law knows that the matter in the prison was your silent…”

“No, I didn’t know about the matter in the prison.” Wang Yun stopped him from saying anything more, “You should know that I treat you like my own son. Yincuan also wholeheartedly follows you. She told me that even if you were demoted to a commoner, she would still follow you.”

“I know.” Wei Hu knelt respectfully, neither humble nor arrogant.

“The soldiers at the front fought bravely on the battlefield. How could you do such a foolish thing!” He was exasperated.

“I wanted to protect you, but all the evidence was right in front of me. The witnesses had even gone to the Ministry of Justice. I couldn’t risk the entire Wang family for you.” Wang Yun was both firm and gentle. Because Wang Yincuan refused to divorce, he couldn’t completely alienate Wei Hu from the Wang family.

Wei Hu was also insightful, “Father-in-law, I was wrong. I will definitely remember your teachings and reform myself.”

“Yes, don’t worry. In a couple of years, when the Emperor’s anger subsides, I will have you transferred back to the capital.”

Wang Baochuan patted his shoulder, comforting him.

His face lit up, and he thanked him repeatedly, “Thank you, Father-in-law.”

Lady Wang repeatedly tried to persuade Wang Yincuan to stay, but she refused. She insisted on accompanying Wei Hu to Songzhou.

Wei Hu also repeatedly assured Lady Wang that he would take good care of Wang Yincuan and wouldn’t let her suffer any injustice.

Wang Baochuan stood far away. She felt a little guilty towards her second sister. Wang Yincuan saw her and shouted, “Wang Baochuan! Don’t think I don’t know you’re secretly happy! You wait, when I return to the capital, I will mock you a thousand times over!”

“Cut it out!” Wang Baochuan refused to admit defeat, but her eyes were filled with tears. At that moment, she suddenly remembered the time when they were young and lived together.

Yes, Wang Yincuan disliked her. She disliked her when she was infatuated with men. She disliked her when she ruined her reputation. But in the end, Wang Yincuan was much more insightful than her.

Men were important, but the family’s future was even more important.

She hoped that after this incident, Wei Hu would come to his senses, be law-abiding, and not go down a dead end.

The beginning of summer, the trees were lush and green, and the sun was scorching hot.

The sweltering weather made people feel drowsy and listless. Wang Baochuan sat in the pavilion in the middle of the lake. A gentle breeze blew from the lake, bringing a cool breeze.

She was too lazy to move, so she had Qingqing move her midday meal to the pavilion.

Willows drooped by the lake, and lotus flowers bloomed in full glory.

The dishes for the midday meal were mostly light: bamboo shoots and ham, plain roasted goose, magnolia petals, steamed yellow croaker, and a refreshing plum soup. The bamboo shoots were particularly exquisite, made with bamboo shoots from Wen Zheng Mountain, only the tender parts were used, and they were crisp and refreshing in the mouth.

Wang Baochuan looked at the table full of delicious food and finally felt a little appetite.

Qingqing had been in a good mood these past two days, and she couldn’t help but smile. Wang Baochuan thought she had found gold on the road.

There hadn’t been any good news these past few days. On the contrary, because of the heat, the Empress Dowager had fallen ill in the palace. It was said that she was seriously ill, and even the wives of officials with titles had to go to the palace to inquire about her health.

Calculating the time, Lady Wang was still in the palace and hadn’t returned.

In the evening, Lady Wang hurried back to the Prime Minister’s Mansion, accompanied by Lady Xu.

“Baochuan, this is Lady Xu, the wife of Censor Xu. Come and greet her.” Lady Wang smiled and beckoned to her.

Wang Baochuan was about to greet her, but Lady Xu stopped her.

“What a beautiful girl.” Lady Xu secretly wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes, her voice choked with sobs.

“Thank you, Lady.”

Lady Xu held her handkerchief and wiped away her tears. From the moment she entered, she had sighed three or four times.

Wang Baochuan’s heart sank. Had something happened to Xu Wanning? It shouldn’t be. According to her previous life, she would at most be digging wild vegetables and shouldn’t have encountered any danger.

“Lady Wang, look at your three daughters, each one obedient and considerate. Then look at my Wanning… Sigh…”

“Lady, don’t cry.” Wang Baochuan tried to comfort her.

Lady Xu walked forward and grabbed her hand tightly, “Baochuan, I know you’re a good girl. I heard from Wanning’s maid, Nuanyu, that you advised Wanning not to marry casually.”

“Ah, yes.” Wang Baochuan looked at her mother for help.

Lady Wang didn’t seem to want to help her out. Somehow, she and Lady Xu had only met a few times, but today, when she saw Lady Xu crying to her in the palace, she also felt sad and cried, as if she could empathize with her.

“You want to…”

“I know this is presumptuous, but I really have no other choice. Baochuan, I want to ask you to help me persuade Wanning to come back. You don’t know how much my husband and I feel like we’re missing half our lives since she left home!”