This time, Lady Wukuza was actually trying to figure things out, unsure if what she was doing was right or wrong. But then she thought, which of those princes and nobles didn't have three wives and four concubines? It was all just for a fleeting moment of novelty. As long as she remained the Fujin (principal wife), if Hongzhou truly found another woman who stirred his heart and took her into his household as a concubine, it would be only a matter of time. Even if he didn't, the Emperor and Consort Xi would still bestow a princess upon him.
Hongzhou felt that only by taking care of official business could he calm down, so he went to check the manuscript of the case of the eldest son of the He family.
After Qingluo returned to Hongxiu Tower, she refused to see anyone and locked herself in her room all night. The madam called her several times at the door, but she wouldn't come out. Even her personal maid, Ke'er, couldn't do anything about her.
The following day, Hongzhou arrived at the Dali Temple prison to interrogate the eldest son of the He family.
The once dashing and impeccably dressed young master He was now filthy, perhaps from not having bathed or changed his clothes for days. The cell was teeming with fleas, and he was clearly agitated and terrified. Although he hadn't been tortured, he was utterly listless. Upon seeing Hongzhou, he froze, immediately kneeling and begging for mercy, "Your Highness, Your Highness, save me! I was blind to your greatness back then, I didn't do business with you properly, but the consequences are truly unimaginable! I am but a mere merchant, how could I dare to oppose the imperial court? If I hadn't so easily believed Fucha Argon, this wouldn't have happened!" The young master He's voice even trembled with sobs, "I truly don't want to stay in this cell for another second! Please, Your Highness, have mercy!"
Although the He family couldn't compare to royalty, they were still incredibly wealthy thanks to their several large granaries. Therefore, the young master of the He family had always been very extravagant in his diet. This current situation was truly devastating for him. The once lavish young master of the He family, now facing such bland food and drink, had become quite thin, not to mention the filth in his excrement.
Hongzhou frowned as he looked at the eldest son of the He family in his disheveled state. He couldn't help but think of Hongshi, wondering how Hongshi was doing, and felt awkward about visiting him. After a moment, Hongzhou collected his thoughts and looked at the eldest son of the He family, "You, the dignified young master of the He family, dare to do business with someone you don't even know?"
The eldest son of the He family was practically in tears, crying out in a hoarse voice, "Please, Your Highness, investigate thoroughly! I truly have no idea who this old man Fucha is. He was the one who approached me first, and I heard he was a high-ranking official in the palace who wanted to help me make a fortune, so I decided to cooperate with him." The eldest son of the He family paused, swallowed hard, and continued, "Back then, that old man Fucha only told me that since you needed such a large amount of grain that only my family could provide, why not raise the price first and make a profit? It wouldn't have any negative impact; the national treasury could still afford that amount. That's why I was momentarily blinded by greed and trusted him so easily. Your Highness, you must forgive me this time!"
Seeing his tearful state, Hongzhou decided not to bother with him any longer. He would go back and investigate. If he didn't know the truth, there would be a chance to be lenient. He Dongjia quickly bowed and thanked him. Hongzhou decided to go to his father, the Emperor, in person, and thus went to the palace to see the Fourth Prince.
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