Chapter 600: Chapter 600 Adding to the Chaos

When the news reached the Prince Zhenbei Mansion, Su Jin was at Qihao Hall paying respects to the Old Madam.

The Old Madam’s illness came swiftly and dissipated just as quickly.

She fell ill from distress, worried that something might happen to the Yongcheng Bo Mansion.

Knowing that surrounding the Yongcheng Bo Mansion was a misunderstanding, the people of the Ministry of Justice dared not withdraw yet.

If they don’t withdraw, those ministers wouldn’t dare rashly impeach the Ministry of Justice and Marquis Dongxiang.

After all, to raid the Yongcheng Bo Mansion without any evidence, even the Emperor couldn’t act so impulsively.

Marquis Dongxiang dared to oppose Duke Chong, ordinarily, ministers dared not provoke him.

Once it was confirmed that the Yongcheng Bo Mansion was not in trouble, the Old Madam felt much better.

With her spirits lifted, she naturally regained her vitality.

But her vitality didn’t last long, as news of the Ministry of Justice raiding the Yongcheng Bo Mansion arrived.

Almost instantly, the Old Madam’s face turned grim.

The hand holding the Buddha Beads trembled.

The Third Madam looked at the message maid and said, “Didn’t they say it was a misunderstanding?”

“How did it end up with the Yongcheng Bo Mansion being raided?”

The maid shook her head, “It’s not a misunderstanding; the evidence is conclusive.”

“This time, the Emperor issued an imperial decree to raid the Yongcheng Bo Mansion, and he also ordered Marquis Dongxiang and the Ministry of Justice to thoroughly investigate the case.”

The Third Madam and Second Madam looked at each other in dismay.

It could be said that the Ministry of Justice surrounding the Yongcheng Bo Mansion was a misunderstanding.

But with the Emperor issuing an imperial decree, the possibility of a misunderstanding was almost negligible.

Could Elder Yong Cheng really have embezzled the tribute?

Embezzling tribute is a capital offense.

Su Jin looked at the Old Madam, truly afraid she might faint again from not catching her breath.

However, the Old Madam fainting would be a good thing.

Because the more she shows her favor towards Elder Yong Cheng, the more it raises suspicions.

Even if Mrs. Wang hadn’t doubted it before, after what was said yesterday, it’s hard to believe Mrs. Wang didn’t feel anything.

Among everyone in the Prince Mansion, including the Old Prince, none have been by the Old Madam’s side as long as Mrs. Wang.

Mrs. Wang can better notice anything amiss with the Old Madam.

What she says also carries the most credibility.

The Old Madam held back her anger and said, “I’m tired, everyone leave.”

Mrs. Wang hurriedly helped the Old Madam up.

After returning to her room, the Old Madam gritted her teeth, “Call the Eldest Young Lady here again!”

Mrs. Wang advised the Old Madam, “Regarding the Ministry of Justice, even calling the Eldest Young Lady won’t help. Elder Yong Cheng has helped you, but for so many years, you haven’t treated him poorly; all favors have been repaid.”

“The harsh words you said to the Eldest Young Lady yesterday about being ungrateful were already too much. Do you still want her to force the Minister of the Ministry of Justice to bend the law?”

Each word from Mrs. Wang was like a heavy blow to the Old Madam’s heart.

The Old Madam knew she was being rash out of panic.

“Can such a favor truly be repaid?” the Old Madam replied coldly.

Mrs. Wang said nothing more.

The Heir’s wife saved the Prince and the Old Prince, yet the Old Madam didn’t seem to keep that in her heart, while she engraved Elder Yong Cheng’s rare help into her very bones.

Mrs. Wang recalled what Su Jin had said.

Now, she believed seven-tenths of it.

The Old Madam waited, anxious and uneasy.

The Eldest Young Lady came, steeling herself for another scolding.

She could already imagine being reprimanded again.

Yesterday she assured nothing would happen, telling the Old Madam to rest easy, and now the morning has proved otherwise.

After entering the room and paying respects, the Eldest Young Lady said cautiously, “Mother, please don’t be angry. If you fall ill, your daughter couldn’t bear the responsibility.”

“I’m not angry!” the Old Madam said.

“I know you wanted to reassure me yesterday; I brought you here just to find out what wrong Elder Yong Cheng committed to warrant an imperial decree for his mansion’s raid.”

Still claiming not to be angry, yet her voice shook with fury.

The Eldest Young Lady looked at the Old Madam and said, “Mother, the mistake Elder Yong Cheng made this time is too severe, even Father can’t save him, you should stay out of it.”

The Old Madam’s heart sank.

“What exactly did he do wrong?!” the Old Madam asked.

The Eldest Young Lady felt a headache.

She hadn’t seen someone so concerned about outsiders.

This attention even made her, the legitimate daughter, secretly envious.

Knowing she couldn’t resist the Old Madam, the Eldest Young Lady confessed, “Three years ago, Elder Yong Cheng was ordered to transport grain and grass. When passing below Qingyun Mountain, he was robbed by bandits from the mountain.”

“Elder Yong Cheng reported to the court that four times as much was robbed by Marquis Dongxiang than what was actually stolen.”

“At that time, there was also a batch of tribute on board, which Elder Yong Cheng embezzled.”

“The batch of tribute was required by someone who falsely proclaimed the imperial edict. It’s still unknown if the person who did it is Elder Yong Cheng.”

“Even if it’s not Elder Yong Cheng, the fact he comfortably kept it without blaming Marquis Dongxiang shows he knows who falsely proclaimed the imperial edict.”

“If he confesses honestly, he may still save his life by being exiled a thousand miles. If not, the Emperor won’t easily forgive him.”

The Old Madam’s face turned pale.

Who else could have the audacity to falsely proclaim an imperial edict besides Duke Chong?!

Thinking of Duke Chong—

The Old Madam’s complexion regained some color.

If it truly was Duke Chong,

he would surely find a way to save Elder Yong Cheng.

The Old Madam quickly fiddled with her Buddha Beads.

A maid entered and said, “Old Madam, the Old Prince sent me to tell you not to concern yourself with the matter of the Yongcheng Bo Mansion.

“I understand,” the Old Madam said indifferently.

The Eldest Young Lady seized the chance to get up and said, “Mother, I have an appointment at the Beauty Pavilion, I’ll take my leave now.”

After the Eldest Young Lady left, the Old Madam knelt on a prayer mat, reciting scriptures and praying for blessings.

After a while, she said, “Tomorrow, we will go to the Great Buddha Temple to offer incense.”

“But Old Madam, your health…”

Before Mrs. Wang could finish, the Old Madam interrupted her, “Just give the order.”

Mrs. Wang had to agree.

After a few steps, Mrs. Wang paused.

She looked back at the Old Madam.

She thought of the day the Old Madam returned from JingAn Temple, taking the opportunity to detour to offer incense at Uncle’s Mansion.

Temporary visits arouse suspicion, but if it’s on the way, it blends in smoothly.

The palace.

Princess Beimo faced the copper mirror.

Upon hearing footsteps approach, the Princess Beimo quickly rose to see the approaching Prince Beimo, “Brother, did you see Father?”

The Prince Beimo shook his head.

Princess Beimo gritted her teeth with some displeasure at the thought of yesterday’s banquet.

Seeing Prince Beimo walk in, she immediately said, “Brother, why are they so rude?!”

“They wouldn’t let me talk about it at yesterday’s banquet, and today they’re still denying us access to see Father, leaving us hanging in the Palace.”

Prince Beimo looked at Princess Beimo and said, “Don’t you think they are being excessive to us?”

“When will they finally let us see Father?”

Based on Princess Beimo’s impatient demeanor, Prince Beimo hesitated and chose to say nothing.

He realized it was best not to reveal everything to her, lest she worsen the situation.

He added, “You just need to stay quietly in the Palace to recover. You just arrived in Daqi and got injured; don’t cause any trouble.”

“Who’s causing trouble?!” Princess Beimo’s voice was sharp as her eyes shot up.

She added after reflecting, “Alright, I’ll just stay in the palace and recover; my injuries will be healed by tomorrow!”

Reflecting on something, Princess Beimo bit her lip and went closer, saying in a low voice to Prince Beimo, “Do you know when they’ll let us see Father?”

Prince Beimo shook his head slightly.

Princess Beimo ground her teeth again.

Recalling what the palace maid had said,

“Yesterday when you returned, you were so desperate to take a bath as if poisoned by the vile stench of Young Master of Dongxiang Marquis Mansion’s shoes?”

Right, the proud son of the late Duke Chong and the current Young Master of the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion didn’t even have a decent pair of shoes.

Not that Prince Beimo cared to say anything about it anymore.

Never had he seen someone who cared so little for their own health.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep