"You mean... to confiscate all of the Fang family's assets and put them into the national treasury?"

"It seems the Princess hasn't understood my meaning. What I'm saying is, if you truly want to save Fang Ziyao's life, it's absolutely impossible without money. If the Princess thinks Fang Ziyao has committed such a grave mistake that he deserves to die, then make him pay two million taels, and His Majesty will execute him. That will be the end of the matter. Have I made myself clear?"

Chu Tan'er took a half step back, her shoulders suddenly slumped, and she seemed to have been suddenly drained of her energy, visibly losing her spirit.

"You mean to save his life, or to save the Fang family's money, right, Imperial Noble Consort?"

Gu Jiangli smiled gently and nodded, "The Princess is a wise woman. Have you made your choice?"

Chu Tan'er's chest heaved violently, her fists clenched tightly, and finally, she spoke in a trembling voice:

"Imperial Consort, please tell my brother that Fang Ziyao evaded taxes, which is detrimental to the people's livelihood and is a heinous crime that deserves to be executed. I will make him pay the outstanding amount."

Gu Jiangli remained silent.

Chu Tan'er's choice was exactly the same as what she had thought.

She had been wondering before, how could someone as power-hungry as Chu Tan'er choose to marry into a merchant family?

As she expected, she married Fang Ziyao because she valued his business empire of over a hundred shops; having money would make it easier to conduct business in the court.

The initial reason for wanting to protect Fang Ziyao was to prevent this cash cow from dying.

However, if this cash cow threatens the greater family fortune and requires her to give up one of them, she will inevitably give up Fang Ziyao.

"I understand what the Princess means. Please rest assured, I will definitely convey it to His Majesty."