Chapter 131: Rewards and Punishments Are Clear
She cried out, her nails almost digging into Huo Siyuan's flesh, "That's the Third Prince, how can we defeat him..."
If you don't know the truth, you would really think that the mother and son were forced into this situation.
"At this point, you still want to cling to me?" Liang Weiyuan finally spoke, her voice as clear as ice.
"Do you think anyone will protect you? Little do you know that once the truth is revealed, the people behind the scenes will wish you dead, so that there will be no evidence!"
"That account book hidden under the bed contains the details of how the spoils were divided, right? Do you think you'll be alright if you just altered the mansion's account book? I'm afraid Chief Li has already made some plans."
These words were like a bucket of cold water, pouring down upon Yu and Huo Siyuan, leaving them in complete despair.
Huo Siyuan suddenly pushed his mother away, threw himself at Huo Hou's feet, hugged his legs and cried, "Dad, I'll tell you, I'll tell you everything!"
"I was determined to accomplish great things, but I was repeatedly frustrated working for the Crown Prince, so I wanted to find another way... Later, it was Li Zhushi who took the initiative to find me. As for who else was involved, I have no idea!"
"A total of 150,000 taels of military pay were embezzled, 50,000 of which were given to Li, and the rest... was said to be a tribute to the Third Prince..."
"But I didn't take a cent. I just wanted to change my official position after the current situation is successful!"
"Fifteen thousand taels?!" Marquis Huo suddenly had difficulty breathing and almost fell to the ground.
Anyone who embezzles military pay, even a small amount, will be severely punished, let alone such a huge amount!
"It's over, our Huo family is finished..."
With a plop, Marquis Huo knelt in front of the old lady with a pale face.
"Mother, it's because of my poor parenting that this evil creature has brought disgrace upon our family and tarnished the Huo family's reputation... Now, what should I do?"
When such a disaster that threatened to wipe out the entire family occurred, Marquis Huo immediately looked for the backbone of the family.
The old lady had been covering her chest from the beginning, and her cloudy eyes were already bloodshot.
"It's been thirty years. I thought the Huo family could maintain the innocence left by your father, but I didn't expect..."
The old lady's voice choked with sobs, and she banged her cane vigorously, "This evil creature Siyuan is pushing the entire Huo family into the fire pit!"
The sharp glare blew fiercely at Marquis Huo and Yu's mother and son.
Yu was still crying in the side hall, while Huo Siyuan was being watched closely by two servants. Marquis Huo had a red mark on his forehead from knocking his head, but he still didn't dare to look up.
The old lady finally took a deep breath and turned to Liang Weiyuan, her voice hoarse and vicissitudes of life: "Weiyuan, has anyone else seen these account books?"
"Grandma, there are no outsiders." Liang Weiyuan replied, but she was also worried and upset.
The exposure now can only be regarded as a timely rescue, but no one can predict what the outcome will be.
If it were like the last life...
Suddenly, a big, warm hand slowly held hers. Huo Jin stood silently beside her, transmitting a steady warmth through the thin callus.
"Grandmother, the most urgent task is to preserve the foundation of the Marquis' Mansion." Huo Jinjianshen's voice was hoarse but decisive, and he looked at Censor Zhang.
The old lady met her eldest grandson's clear and resolute eyes, nodded, and forced herself to calm down.
She stood up with the help of her cane and walked step by step to Marquis Huo: "My unfilial son, you will go to the palace early tomorrow morning, present these account books to the emperor, and apologize for your crime."
"Misappropriation of military funds is a capital offense, but if we confess and return the stolen money... the Emperor might show some leniency, considering the Huo family's long history of loyalty!"
Then, he turned to Censor Zhang with trembling hands.
"Master Zhang."
The old lady's voice was unusually hoarse and vicissitudes of life, and her eyes were filled with pleading, but without a trace of servility. "I know that the Huo family has produced such a scum, tarnishing the word loyalty and goodness. According to the law, he should be punished, and we will not argue."
She raised her hand and pointed at the altar set out for today's birthday banquet, where scrolls of achievements of the Huo family through the generations were enshrined.
"Our ancestors are watching. Anyone who makes a mistake will be beaten or killed. The Wenxin Marquis Mansion will not shy away from this!"
Censor Zhang stood where he was, looking at the old lady's hunched back and sighed.
"The old lady is sensible. General Huo will definitely be grateful for your responsibility if he is still alive."
"Ke Jinjian and Weiyuan..." The old lady's voice suddenly choked. She turned her head and looked at the young couple standing hand in hand.
The man's back is as straight as a pine tree, and the woman has more character than many wives of nobles.
"They are both good kids!"
The old lady's voice suddenly rose, trembling: "Jin Jian risked his life to protect the border in Mobei, and his injuries are still not fully healed."
"Wei Yuan has been in charge of the household for three months and has managed it perfectly. If it weren't for her meticulousness, this corruption would have spread far beyond recognition!"
The old lady took a step forward, her skinny hands tightly grasped Zhang Yushi's sleeves, and two lines of tears fell.
"They didn't get any of the stolen money, but instead got splashed with this muddy water!"
"Master Zhang, you've watched Jin Jian grow up, and you know his character. He respects the court more than anyone else, and cherishes the Huo family's reputation more than anyone else!"
"I, I..."
Censor Zhang looked at the old lady and choked with sobs. His tears contained pity, fear, and an unquestionable love for his daughter.
"Don't worry, old lady." Censor Zhang sighed deeply, understanding the old lady's implication.
"I have seen the conduct of Young Master Huo and Young Madam Huo. The Huo family's loyalty and integrity remain unbroken."
"Tomorrow when I see the emperor, I will inform him that the Huo family is willing to return the stolen goods and apologize, which is loyalty. The rest of the Huo family has not been tainted by the dust, which is purity."
"The Emperor has always been clear about rewards and punishments, and will never allow the descendants of loyal and good people to suffer injustice."
The old lady finally breathed a sigh of relief, and her tense back hunched slightly.
She bowed deeply to Censor Zhang, her crutches barely able to support her body. "Thank you, Master Zhang. The Huo family owes you a favor!"
"You are too kind, madam. I was only doing what I should do." Censor Zhang said, feeling indescribable sadness in his heart.
If Mr. Huo were still alive... Alas!
The old lady could no longer hold on and her body was about to collapse.
Huo Jin and Liang Weiyuan were shocked when they saw this, and hurried forward to support them on the left and right.
"Grandma, let's take you back to your room to rest first."
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