Chapter 44: The Cruel Retribution of Fate

“Old Madam Meng, as the mastermind and executor behind the child-swapping scheme, also ordered Nanny Zhang to commit infanticide, child murder, and arson. Given her multiple crimes, she should have been sentenced to execution after the autumn assizes according to Jingguo’s legal code.”

“However, your mother insisted that you were the child from back then and had not died. Thus, the presiding judge sentenced Old Madam Meng to exile three thousand miles away to a bitterly cold region—for life.”

Fang Yuean propped her chin on her hand, listening intently. She nodded approvingly. “That’s far worse than a quick death. Mother did the right thing—let that old hag have a taste of hunger and cold.”

Huai Ze continued, “As for the other main culprits equally responsible for the infanticide, Old Madam Meng and Lord Meng, their sentences were similarly reduced—they received only ten years in prison.”

Fang Yuean remained indifferent. “Ten years? That’s long enough for those two old bones to wither away. Whether they’ll even survive that long is uncertain.”

Huai Ze went on, “On the day of the longevity banquet, the Meng family turned against each other, exposing everything they knew in front of many witnesses. As a result, all Meng family members holding official positions were demoted by two ranks.”

“However, due to lack of evidence, it was difficult to determine whether the second branch of the Fang family and other members of the Pan family knew about the child-swapping incident, so no punishment was imposed on them.”

Curious, Fang Yuean asked, “But in reality, did they know?”

Huai Ze replied, “Only the second branch’s Fang Kun and his wife knew. The Pan family merely covered up the illicit affair but were unaware of the child-swapping. However, covering up an affair is not illegal in Jingguo.”

“That said, the second branch cleverly repositioned themselves as victims, just like you, which minimized the impact on them and even added another charge against Old Madam Meng.”

That day, when the maid announced the arrival of a concubine, both Huai Ze and Fang Yuean had been present and had heard the general details.

Later, when Lord Fang returned to the residence, he reunited with that concubine in a dramatic scene.

With that, the concubine’s identity was definitively confirmed.

Since this concerned whether Fang Kun would be punished, the Dragon Shadow Guards attempted to investigate the truth. But with decades having passed, there was no way to verify it conclusively.

Old Madam Meng, the only one who knew the truth, simply claimed she could not remember, though her vague answers implicitly confirmed the affair.

Nanny Zhang, in a dazed state, barely spoke of the past before she started ranting about how Old Madam Meng had harmed her husband and son.

Only that concubine, Concubine Liu, spoke clearly and recounted everything. But as it was merely one person’s testimony, it was difficult to verify.

Huai Ze remarked, “The revelation that Fang Kun was not Old Madam Meng’s biological son effectively severed their connection and diverted public attention. It was a clever move, making it easier for others to believe that the second branch was truly innocent.”

Fang Yuean was unbothered. “That’s fine. They have skeletons in their closet. When the truth comes out one day, the backlash will be even worse.”

After some thought, she asked, “What about that Nanny Zhang? She threw me into the water back then—it was freezing, I nearly died.”

Huai Ze replied, “She was of servant status and committed countless atrocities for Old Madam Meng. She was executed by flogging.”

“The Xinglong Gambling House was also shut down. Its owner, who had ruined many lives and was responsible for several deaths, was sentenced to immediate execution. The managers and debt collectors were all imprisoned.”

Hearing all this, Fang Yuean lazily sprawled across the table, fiddling with a grasshopper woven from straw. “Boring.”

Huai Ze was puzzled. “What’s boring? Most of the evildoers have received their just punishment.”

Fang Yuean stretched out on the couch. “Earthly punishment is dull. The retribution of fate is far crueler.”

Huai Ze narrowed his eyes slightly. He wondered if she knew something—but then dismissed the thought.

Her spiritual powers were weak now. Her ability to perceive the unseen was severely diminished. She couldn’t possibly know.

Shortly after the second branch of the Fang family heard the sentencing news, they received word directly from Qin Xuan about their final date to move out of the Marquis’ estate.

Having just escaped catastrophe, they feared drawing the emperor’s attention again. They dared not make a fuss and had no choice but to swallow their resentment and purchase a new residence.

The day before Old Madam Meng was to embark on her journey into exile, Fang Kun brought some food to visit her in prison.

The cell was dimly lit, the air thick with damp rot.

Old Madam Meng lay on a pile of dry grass in filthy prisoner’s garb, stripped of the elegance she once held as a noble matriarch.

Strands of white had crept into her disheveled hair, and her once-rosy cheeks were now gaunt and haggard.

“Mother, I’ve come to see you.”

The familiar voice was followed by the clanking of chains.

Hearing her son’s voice, a glimmer of life returned to Old Madam Meng’s dull eyes.

She hastily sat up, smoothing back her messy hair with her fingers and patting the dust off her clothes. She forced a smile as she looked toward her son, who walked in carrying a food box.

Only when the jailer locked the door behind him and strolled away did she lean forward eagerly, lowering her voice.

“Are you all alright?”

Fang Kun’s face remained expressionless. He glanced around, ensuring no one else was present, before setting the food box on the ground.

Squatting down, he began unpacking the dishes one by one as he spoke.

“His Majesty has stripped Father of his title. Yongding Marquis is now Fang Zhan. Qin Xuan used this as a reason to split from the family.”

Finally, he tossed a pair of chopsticks onto the straw.

Rather than his words, it was his actions that unsettled Old Madam Meng.

Her son had always been devoted to her—when had he ever shown such disrespect?

Yet, recalling the predicament she had put him in, she conceded that his resentment was understandable.

Fang Kun slowly lifted his head. The light filtering through the small window cast a sharp contrast over his face.

“I had hoped you could help me claim the title. But it turns out, you were useless too.”

Old Madam Meng froze, her hand reaching for the chopsticks pausing midair. Her brows furrowed in disbelief.

“Kun’er, what do you mean? I know I’ve dragged you down, but no matter how upset you are, I am still your mother. I have labored for you all my life, and in the end, I cooperated fully to avoid implicating you. How could you say such heartless words?”

Fang Kun suddenly laughed, a bitter, hateful glint in his eyes.

“Mother?”

He let out a few light chuckles, then leaned in close, lowering his voice to a whisper.

“My mother is in Yongding Marquis’ estate. You? You’re just a prisoner—how could you be my mother?”

He didn’t dare to raise his voice, but fearing that Old Madam Meng wouldn’t hear him clearly, he leaned in closer.

“You thought yourself clever, having Madam Qin raise your niece’s child, but you never realized that you, too, were raising someone else’s child.” Fang Kun paused before continuing, “Father couldn’t bear to see me suffer, so he personally swapped your son with me.”

Old Madam Meng stared at him, her eyes wide and unblinking. “You’re lying.”

Fang Kun looked at her with pity, his silent laughter filled with satisfaction.

This woman had always been domineering, controlling his every move, deciding what he could and couldn’t do.

Thankfully, she was not his real mother.

“Do you remember Fang Zhan’s trusted aide, Liu Qi? He is actually your son.”

Old Madam Meng recalled the man’s face and, inexplicably, felt that he did bear a resemblance to her.

Her gaze shifted slowly, tears welling up, yet she remained dazed, unable to fully believe it.

Fang Kun listened for a moment, making sure no one was approaching, before continuing,

“My mother raised him, constantly instilling in him the ambition to fight for the title. Then, my father placed him by Fang Zhan’s side, ensuring that he gained Fang Zhan’s trust—so that, in the end, he would become our blade to kill Fang Zhan.”