Xie Jingyan angered the emperor and was beaten, shocking the entire court.

But what shocked the officials even more was that the next morning at court, the emperor announced that he would grant the Yun family a pardon from death.

Upon hearing this, civil and military officials stepped forward to object.

The emotions were getting more and more intense.

Such a thing as a pardon from death is something that many ministers would never dare to dream of. How could the emperor so easily bestow it upon a mere merchant? Yes, the Yun family made a great contribution in the recent earthquake in Meizhou, but that contribution was far from enough to warrant the emperor granting him a pardon from death.

Many ministers have made great contributions to the court, especially military generals who guarded the borders and protected the people. Their contributions are no less than those of the Yun family. Yet, the Yun family was granted the title so easily. This is the heart of the meritorious officials.

The council chamber hadn't been this noisy in years; there was almost unanimous opposition.

It wasn't until the Emperor told his officials that the people behind the Yun family had not only foreseen the earthquake in Meizhou, but also the collapse of the dam in Xizhou and the floods in Yuzhou, that the court could take timely precautions and minimize the losses.

The officials' opposition weakened somewhat, but they still felt it wasn't enough.

The Emperor said, "Add another two million taels. Do you, my esteemed ministers, still not think that's enough?"

The officials were speechless.

I have nothing to say.

Many people travel thousands of miles to become officials just for money, risking the extermination of their entire family to embezzle. Yet the Yun family actually gave the imperial court two million taels of silver just to exchange for a pardon.

A get-out-of-jail-free card is certainly desirable, but it can only save one person's life. What kind of life is worth such a great contribution plus two million taels of silver?

The Emperor has wanted to build an iron cavalry since he was young, but the national treasury has been empty year after year, and the plan has been delayed. Now, with two million taels, it is enough to supply the iron cavalry for three years. Once the iron cavalry is built, it will be invincible on the battlefield, and the supplies it captures will be enough to be self-sufficient.

Xie Jingyan used the promise of building iron cavalry to tempt the emperor, and only then did the emperor agree to grant the Yun family a pardon from death.

The civil and military officials all knew that the emperor had this idea. Now that the Yun family could help the emperor realize it, who would dare to oppose it? The iron cavalry were all beckoning to the emperor because if they failed, and later they committed some crimes and fell into the emperor's hands, what would happen if they were dealt with severely and their homes were confiscated to raise the money?

They went back to their posts one by one, no longer objecting.

After the morning court session, the pardon was delivered to the Yun family, and it was Eunuch Yun who personally delivered it.

Old Master Yun wasn't overjoyed; he pinched himself five or six times just to receive the imperial decree, as if he were dreaming. Although Yun Qi had told him that this pardon was for him to use in arranging a marriage, and that the Yun family couldn't be kept around.

It doesn't matter if you can't keep it; having had it once is enough to bring honor to your ancestors.

As for money, the Yun family has so much money that it has become a source of trouble for them. Using it to build an iron cavalry for the court and protect the country is a worthwhile use of their wealth. In particular, the emperor has entrusted the important task of building the iron cavalry to Marquis Pingyang. This is why Yun Qi agreed without even discussing it with his grandfather and even rounded it up.

The Yun family is cautious and honest in their business dealings, and they do not cause trouble for Marquis Pingyang. However, if Marquis Pingyang were to fall one day, the Yun family's fortune would be exposed to the public, and everyone would want to take a bite. At that time, it would be unknown who would benefit from the family business that the Yun family has accumulated over generations.

The joy and pride of the Yun family were indescribable.

...

Furthermore, Xie Jingyan angered the Emperor and was struck on the forehead. Fortunately, the injury was not serious, and he recovered almost completely after two days of rest.

The Yun family was overjoyed to have received a pardon, and with Yun Mo's wedding imminent, and Xie Jingyan recovering from his injuries, Shen Wan couldn't wait to go to the Yun family to offer her congratulations and present additional dowry.

That day, after breakfast, Shen Wan took Yin Shuang out of the mansion and took a carriage to the Yun family.

With Xie Jingyan absent, Shen Wan and Yin Shuang were much more at ease in the carriage. Yin Shuang lifted the curtain, and Shen Wan could see people and carriages coming and going outside.

But as she looked at it, Shen Wan's brows furrowed.

Not far away, I saw my older brother riding over. There was nothing strange about my older brother riding a horse, but what was strange was that he was holding someone on his back. The person looked somewhat familiar from a distance.

Shen Wan saw Shen Du, and Shen Du saw her too, and immediately rode over.

Upon getting closer, Shen Wan saw clearly who her elder brother had captured, and was even more surprised.

Because the person they arrested wasn't just anyone, but their older cousin.

Shen Wan asked, "Big brother, what's wrong with my cousin?"

Chen Du said, "I knocked him unconscious and was preparing to send him back to the Yun family."

Shen Wan's eyes widened. "Why did you knock out my cousin, Big Brother?"

Chen Du said, "Didn't you instruct the Yun family to stop him from going to Huguo Temple? I just came back from Huguo Temple and ran into him on the way. The servant couldn't stop him, so he asked me to persuade him. He insisted on going, so I had no choice but to knock him unconscious."

I can ignore what my sister tells me to do, but I absolutely cannot do what she forbids me from doing.

Having witnessed the earthquake in Meizhou with my own eyes, and having escaped the disaster of falling from a horse thanks to Shen Wan, Shen Du was deeply moved.

Shen Wan asked curiously, "Why does my cousin insist on going to Huguo Temple?"

Chen Du shook his head. "The servant said that someone had asked my cousin to meet at Huguo Temple, but when I asked who it was, my cousin refused to say. I wanted to help him explain, but I couldn't."

Could it be that Princess Qinghe arranged to meet my eldest cousin?

That's possible, after all, her eldest cousin left the capital without saying goodbye, and Princess Qinghe even asked her where he had gone.

Shen Wan said, "I know who my cousin is going to see. I'll go and explain for him so she won't misunderstand and think he deliberately stood her up."

Shen Du looked at Shen Wan and said, "Going to Huguo Temple and back will take a lot of time. Won't that interfere with your own business?"

Shen Wan shook her head, "I'm just going to the Yun family to deliver some dowry to my cousin. It's fine to go later. I had planned to go to Huguo Temple to pray for the prince, but I haven't gone yet. It's good to do both things at the same time."

Xie Jingyan's vomiting still needs to be suppressed by candied hawthorns. Seeking medical treatment and medicine has been ineffective, so he can only try praying to gods and Buddhas.

This arrangement was perfectly appropriate for Shen Wan. With Chen Yu accompanying her for protection and the secret guards, there was no need to worry about Shen Wan getting into trouble. Shen Du nodded in agreement.

Shen Du rode his horse to escort Yun Qi back to the Yun family, while Shen Wan changed course and went to Huguo Temple.

The carriage rolled forward, and no one noticed a pair of gloomy eyes peering out from the open window of the restaurant on the second floor.

Xie Jingyin watched the carriage drive away and disappear from sight.

A murderous glint flashed in his eyes.