"Shut up right there! Do you know that our family is in big trouble?"
Ignoring the presence of outsiders, Prefect Chen launched into a barrage of abuse: "Because you shamelessly pester Ye Changge, our family is facing disaster. Collaboration with the enemy and treason is a heinous crime. How can a mere woman like you bear the consequences?"
"Son, what are you talking about?"
The old lady was terrified. Treason was a serious crime, punishable by the extermination of all nine generations of the family.
How did his granddaughter become involved in the heinous crime of exterminating the entire family? Could it really be because of Ye Changge?
Prefect Chen pointed at the servants of the Jiang residence and said, "Jianzhou Prefect Jiang Xuqing sent someone to inform me that the Prince of Nanping has caused a disturbance in the court and even broke into the prison at night because of a woman. Guess what? It's all related to our daughter."
Chen Jiaojiao's face turned pale, and she looked incredulous. "That bitch is still alive?"
"What a bitch! She's the root of all trouble!" Prefect Chen said bitterly, "Mother, pack up your things and go to Prince Rong's mansion to cancel the engagement."
The old lady was completely stunned. "Wait, I still don't understand. Are you saying that the Prince of Nanping betrayed his country for a commoner woman? Where did he get the courage to do that, and how did he get caught by Jiang Xuqing? Your words are so inconsistent, how can I believe you?"
Chen Zhifu panted heavily and reconstructed the entire process in the letter for the old lady.
Ye Changge's old lover Tian Wan'er went to the prefectural government office to sue Luo Ying for violating her reputation. She became so emotional that she roared in court, committing insubordination and was caned and taken into custody.
Ye Changge was so eager to save people that he ignored the court laws and broke into the prison at night. As a result, he was caught by Luo Ying and imprisoned, and he is still in the cell.
The old lady frowned after hearing this. "After all, you are a royal relative. How could you do such a thing that disregards the law for a commoner?"
"I wish things were that simple." Prefect Chen glared at Chen Jiaojiao fiercely and signaled her to shut up.
"Coincidentally, while the prince was imprisoned, Jianzhou's garrison commander, Yang Zhiming, was being hunted. Luo Ying led his troops to rescue him, but unexpectedly discovered evidence of Yang Zhiming's treason."
Chen Jiaojiao shouted loudly: "That was Yang Zhiming's treason, what does it have to do with Changge?"
"Evil girl, shut up." Prefect Chen raised his hand and slapped Chen Jiaojiao, making her cover her face and hide in the arms of Old Madam Chen in fear.
"Yang Zhiming's correspondence with the Jiannu mentioned that the Prince of Nanping was a Jiannu supporter. In other words, he had long been colluding with the Jiannu and had financial dealings with them!"
"That doesn't mean he's the mastermind behind this," Chen Jiaojiao asked tearfully. "Dad, you're the chief judge of Jingzhou. You're experienced in solving cases and have a keen eye for people. How come you can't see the flaws here?"
"Where's the flaw?"
"Luo Ying has him from beginning to end, isn't that a flaw?"
Chen Jiaojiao, overwhelmed by love, interrupted Prefect Chen. "Dad, think about it carefully. Why does Luo Ying appear so many times? Is it really a coincidence?"
Luo Ying is Tian Wan'er's husband. When Tian Wan'er sued her husband, Luo Ying was furious and openly retaliated. He sent Changge and Yang Zhiming to jail just to avenge the loss of his wife!
How outrageous!
Prefect Chen was furious and asked the Jiang family servant, "Is what she said true?"
The Jiang family servant said, "The evidence is irrefutable. How could Lord Jiang make such a false accusation without any basis? Doesn't Lord Jiang know what the crime of falsely accusing a relative of the emperor is?"
It was precisely because of this that Prefect Chen believed in the letter from his subordinate Jiang Xuqing without a doubt.
Jiang Xuqing is a profit-seeking person. He just got promoted to prefect and before he even has the chance to enjoy the promotion, he is already thinking of falsely accusing the royal relatives to realize his dream of promotion?
Without absolute evidence, would he dare to speak nonsense?
The servant gritted his teeth and said, "Prefect Chen, you must make a decision as soon as possible. Regardless of whether this is true or false, as long as it involves your and your family's future, then everything will be over."
Yes. If Ye Changge's treason is proven, Chen Jiaojiao, who was engaged to him, will also be arrested as an accomplice. Even if he spends a huge amount of money to distance himself from the matter, his chances of promotion will be extremely difficult. He might even end up destroying his entire family because of his momentary weakness.
Don't be afraid of ten thousand things, just be prepared for one.
He couldn't let his path to success be tarnished, nor could he let the entire family be destroyed because of Chen Jiaojiao.
"Mother, if you don't go, I will go to your house to break off the engagement even if it means being unfilial." There was no time to lose and he couldn't afford to waste any more.
Chen Jiaojiao broke down in tears, clinging to Prefect Chen's sleeve and refusing to let go. "Dad, please think twice. If you cancel the engagement, it will be hard for me to find a good partner."
The old lady also tried to persuade him. "Heng'er, take another look. If things can still turn around, then that peasant girl will benefit."
"What peasant girl? That's a criminal woman."
Prefect Chen was furious. Why didn't any of the women in his family have any sense?
The Princess of Nanping County was a good person, but she wouldn't bring any benefits to the family. On the contrary, it was not worth it for his daughter to suffer the humiliation of a peasant girl.
Prefect Chen boasted of being from a family of scholars, so how could he bow down to such a small profit? That would be a disgrace to him.
"Mother, if this is confirmed, my career and everything in our family will be over. You won't even have a place to cry. Is it really worth it?"
The old lady still had a lucky mentality and didn't want to believe that this was true.
Prefect Chen gritted his teeth and added fuel to the fire.
"My son has been an official for many years, and I don't know how many political enemies he has accumulated. If he falls into poverty and they take advantage of his misfortune, do you think the Chen family will still exist?"
Old Mrs. Chen felt as if a thorn was on her back and broke out in a cold sweat.
When it comes to family interests, no matter how good the granddaughter is, we have no choice but to give her up.
"Come here, show the guests out." After sending away the servants of the Jiang Mansion, Old Lady Chen and Prefect Chen personally went to see Princess Rong to talk about the cancellation of the engagement.
As for Chen Jiaojiao, in order to prevent the news from leaking out, she was locked up in a small dark room and watched over by someone for twelve hours to prevent her from causing any trouble.
After Prefect Chen explained his intentions to Princess Rong, she felt a surge of indignation. While she was unhappy with Ye Changge, she was still from the Rong Palace. How could she just be asked to return goods by a civil servant? This was a slap in their faces.
Princess Rong tried to persuade him patiently, but Prefect Chen was determined to draw a clear line with the Rong Palace and even brought the affair between Ye Changge and Tian Wan'er to the surface.
Princess Rong laughed in anger. "Master Chen, isn't that a bit biased? My son's unruly behavior is wrong, but he also knows his limits. Why would he marry a peasant girl?"
"Your Highness, you don't know. The Prince of Nanping was so desperate for a peasant girl that he even broke up with her. This matter has caused a lot of uproar. How could Your Highness not know about it?"
"Are you blaming me for not disciplining you properly?"
No, he just wanted to cancel the engagement to avoid trouble.
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