"Your Majesty, His Majesty met with the Marquis of Wenchang today."

Inside Zhaoning Palace, Jiang Yu was leaning against the bedside. After hearing Ling Mama's words, she showed an expression of "I knew it." "I knew the Wenchang Earl's Mansion would not be willing to watch Fan Shen be executed."

[After Fan Shen's incident, Wen Changbo sought to see Gu Heng almost daily without success, but today Gu Heng unexpectedly met with Wen Changbo.]

“The Earl’s mansion only has young Master Fan as its sole heir, so the Earl of Wenchang will naturally not give up easily.” Ling Mama glanced at Jiang Yu’s expression before speaking again, “It’s just that I can’t quite figure out the Emperor’s thoughts.”

"If the Wenchang Earl's Mansion can provide the Emperor with satisfactory value, the Emperor will protect Fan Shen."

[Saving Fan Shen would damage my reputation; everyone would think it was I who pleaded for him, and that's why Gu Heng spared Fan Shen's life.]

However, I have no intention of sparing him.

"Issue the imperial decree."

Outside the Wenchang Earl's Mansion, Wanji held the Empress's edict in his hands, and everyone in the Wenchang Earl's Mansion knelt down to receive it.

Even the surrounding people fell silent, waiting for Wanji to announce the imperial decree.

"The Wenchang Earl's Mansion, being my maternal family, has become involved in the case of the missing woman in Heng County, aiding and abetting the evildoers. I am heartbroken and furious at their inaction."

"It is only right that Fan Shen is imprisoned. However, the Wenchang Earl's Mansion still bears the responsibility for its negligence in education. Therefore, the title of Lady Fan Lin of the Wenchang Earl's Mansion is revoked as a warning."

Upon hearing this, Madam Fan nearly collapsed to the ground. The Empress... the Empress had actually stripped her of her imperial title!

Instead of stripping her daughter-in-law of her title, they took away her title as the maternal grandmother!

"Madam, please accept the imperial decree and express your gratitude."

Wanji's voice was sharp and piercing, like a knife stabbing into Madam Fan's heart. "Her Majesty the Empress was also very saddened by this decision. She wept incessantly in Zhaoning Palace. Madam Fan, you must properly restrain your nephews and nieces in the future, so that such trouble will not arise again."

"Your subject receives the imperial decree."

Madam Fan was practically supported by Madam Fan as she received the imperial edict, and she was still in a daze even after Wanji left.

"Is the Empress going to put the greater good before family?" Marquis Wenchang trembled with rage. "The Emperor has already given his consent, but Her Majesty clearly doesn't want us to have an easy time!"

"She's just getting revenge, revenge for what her mother did..."

Everyone in the Wenchang Earl's Mansion was as anxious as ants on a hot pan, while Jiang Yu received Princess Yu at Zhaoning Palace.

"Royal Aunt." Jiang Yu looked weak and gestured for Princess Yu to sit by the bed.

"Your Majesty doesn't seem to be fully recovered yet." Princess Yu also readily grasped Jiang Yu's hand. "I've heard about what happened at the Wenchang Earl's Mansion. Your Majesty's act of putting righteousness before family is truly admirable."

“Aunt, my heart is also aching.” Jiang Yu burst into tears. “Nearly half of the missing women in Heng County have lost their lives. I cannot let down these wronged souls.”

"My health won't be fully recovered anytime soon. There are many things I need to ask of my aunt."

Princess Yu stayed in Zhaoning Palace for a full hour before leaving. After she left, Jiang Yu's expression returned to normal, and Granny Ling gently wiped away the tears on Jiang Yu's face with a handkerchief.

With Princess Yu stepping in on my behalf, Gu Heng won't be able to find any fault with me.

"When I saw that Your Highness was willing to be close to Old Madam Fan, I didn't dare to say anything." Ling Mama's eyes were full of heartache. "Old Madam Fan only cares about the wealth and glory of the Fan family. She has never really thought about Your Highness."

"I am now using the Fan family to establish my authority, and the Fan family will find it difficult to cause any more trouble in the future." Jiang Yu said with full force. "But I want to make the Fan family live a miserable life. Only in this way can I relieve the hatred in my heart."

......

Hengxian County.

Mei'er and the other kidnapped women have successfully arrived in Heng County. The adults and children who were being held captive in Heng County have also been rescued. For a time, Heng County became as lively as if it were New Year's Day.

Gu Qingyan chose to remain silent at this time, only sending people to help the people with farming and post-disaster recovery.

"My mother is at odds with my father because of me, Qin Wei, I can't do nothing."

Gu Qingyan looked dejected. "My mother doesn't want me to be held back, she doesn't want me to be at a disadvantage in everything."

Qin Wei's eyes were unfathomable. "Third Prince, Heng County has changed completely. The most urgent thing is to return to the capital. If we stay in Heng County, we will be in a very passive position."

While Gu Qingyan was pondering a solution, a large group of people surged into the courtyard from the other side.

"Third Prince, many people have come from outside, saying they want to see you."

Chang Qing scratched his head. "It's not appropriate for your subordinates to stop them."

Gu Qingyan looked up and saw a huge crowd of people kneeling down in front of him.

"Thank you, Third Prince, thank you, Third Prince."

A chorus of voices expressing gratitude rose and fell, and for a moment, Gu Qingyan was somewhat stunned.

“If it weren’t for the Third Prince’s willingness to come to Heng County to investigate this case, we don’t know how long it would have taken us to escape this inferno.” Mei’er knelt down in front of Gu Qingyan, tears streaming down her face. “Third Prince, thank you.”

With a deep bow, an embroidered handkerchief was quietly slipped into Gu Qingyan's sleeve.

"Get up quickly." Gu Qingyan's eyes were deeply moved. "This is what I should do. Everyone, get up quickly."

So this is what Mother meant when she said, "Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it"?

The people took out their food and most precious items to give to Gu Qingyan. It wasn't until night fell that they reluctantly left the courtyard.

Only then did Gu Qingyan have the opportunity to open the embroidered handkerchief, and the more he looked at it, the brighter the light in his eyes became.

"Qin Wei, I've found a reason to return to the capital."

On the other side, Gu Lin quickly left Mount Ling after recovering most of his strength.

"My lord, where should we go next?"

After putting on the mask, Gu Lin regained his commanding presence, showing no trace of the life-or-death struggle he had faced not long ago.

"I should go to the capital to celebrate Gu Heng's birthday."

Gu Lin lightly twirled his fingertips. He wondered if celebrating Gu Heng's birthday would shorten his lifespan.

"How is Ayan doing?"

"Your Majesty, everything has been arranged. The woman has presented the young master with information about the sordid affairs of many officials in the capital. The young master can use this opportunity to return to the capital and report to Gu Heng."

Ling Shan refused to address Gu Heng as the Emperor of Daqing.

"The Madam has recently encountered some unexpected troubles. For the sake of the young master, the Madam and Gu Heng have almost fallen out."

Upon hearing this, Gu Lin's expression softened with a smile. "Going against Gu Heng? It seems my trip to the capital was perfectly timed."

The thought of meeting Jiang Yu soon made Gu Lin's heart tremble slightly.

I don't know if Ayu has changed or not. Judging from her personality, she is still exactly the same as before.

A low chuckle rang out, and Ling Shan and Ling Hai exchanged a glance as if they had seen a ghost: The master was the one who laughed?

"Set off for the capital immediately." As soon as Gu Lin finished speaking, the three figures quickly disappeared into the night.

Ah Yu, wait for me to help you.