Chapter 610: Two choices for the Shen family!
Wu Yanzhi, who was far away in the northwest, was still looking forward to the honor and favor he would receive after returning to Beijing. He never expected that the capital had already changed beyond recognition.
It took less than two days from the time the Wu family was sued to the time their property was searched and they were sent to prison.
The carrier pigeon sent to the northwest by Wu Yanzhi's faction was shot down before it even flew out of the capital.
There was not even anyone to redress the grievances of the Wu family, because Shen Lanxi immediately issued an order to bring disaster to the entire nine clans.
The sky prison, which had been empty for quite some time, was suddenly overcrowded.
All the nine clans related to the Wu family, even the babies in swaddling clothes, were not spared and all came in.
The prison was filled with insults against Wu Yanzhi, the cries of women and children, and cries of injustice.
The next day at the court, the old Grand Tutor stood up and made a memorial.
"Your Majesty, I think it is too harsh to implicate the entire family. Many of the Wu family's neighbors, relatives, friends, and classmates do not interact with the Wu family. They are innocent people who have been affected."
"Your Majesty, what the old master said makes sense."
"We should only blame Wu Yanzhi for his many evil deeds, and only punish those who profited from him. The others are innocent."
"I think this is wrong. Only by using severe punishment can others not dare to commit the same crime again."
"In the past six months, our capital has reached a point where people leave their doors unlocked at night and people do not pick up things on the streets. This is all thanks to the Great Zhou Laws that Your Majesty has implemented."
"If we don't deal with it strictly, some people might take the chance and dare to stretch out their evil hands."
"I will review the matter and use severe punishment."
There are two clear factions on how to deal with this matter.
But there is one result that is very consistent, and that is to severely punish the Wu family.
Wu Yanzhi is related to the eldest branch of the Shen family by marriage, but I wonder if Your Majesty will show mercy?
After thinking for a moment, Shen Lanxi said, "I am also continuing the previous practice. My dear ministers, there are many objections, which shows that the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty still need to be further improved."
Half of the courtiers were stunned.
Aren't they against punishing the entire clan? Why did they bring up the Great Zhou Law?
The laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty are about to be revised beyond measure, and yet they are still being revised?
The old master said: "Your Majesty is wise!"
All the court officials looked at the old Grand Tutor. Who was he helping?
Shen Lanxi: "Then abolish the punishment of the entire clan and change it to punishing the profiteers."
All the officials were silent.
"Of course, if anyone in the three clans of the Wu family benefits from the Wu family, even if it's just because of the reputation, we can't let them go."
"My minimum requirement is to punish all three clans."
Dali Temple: "Your Majesty is wise!"
Ministry of Justice: "Your Majesty, Wu Yanzhi's daughter is engaged to the eldest wife of the Shen family. How should we deal with this?"
If she had already married into the Shen family, she could have divorced and abandoned her. The key point was that Wu Qingyu had not married into the Shen family and only had the title of half-legged member.
Shen Lanxi pondered and said, "I am me, the Shen family is the Shen family, I cannot be the master of the Shen family. I will let the Shen family make the decision later."
"yes!"
Many people are watching this matter, as it concerns Your Majesty's attitude towards Wu Yanzhi's life and death.
After the court was dismissed, a family letter was delivered to the Shen family.
At this time, the Shen family was discussing breaking off the engagement with the Wu family.
The entire Wu family has been sent to prison, so if the engagement is to be cancelled, all they need to do is say a few simple words.
"This marriage must be cancelled. My grandson cannot marry the daughter of a criminal."
When nothing happened to the Wu family, Liu praised them, but when something happened to the Wu family, Liu immediately changed her attitude.
Shen Congwen: "No, someone will say that our Shen family is greedy for profit and forgets righteousness."
Liu winked at Shen Conglian.
"Brother, you can't say that. The Wu family is a criminal. If our Shen family's descendants really marry a criminal, how can we hold our heads up high in the future?"
Liu: "Even if it is true, it is true." Your grandson is not marrying the daughter of a criminal, so you can say such sarcastic things.
Shen Congwen: "During the time of the previous emperor, we were clinging to the Wu family. The Wu family didn't despise us for exiling us to Dongchuan. Now that the Wu family has fallen, if we quickly cancel the engagement, I'm afraid it will affect our reputation."
Shen Congli: "Then we can cancel the engagement later. Maybe we don't even need to cancel it, and the Wu family will be wiped out. At that time, the worst that can happen is that we can collect the corpses of the Wu family, and we can still have a good reputation."
"It's also the Wu family's fault. They did things uncleanly."
Miao: "Master is right."
"Wu Yanzhi must be put to death. With so many crimes committed, the Wu family will certainly not be able to escape." Liu now wished she could settle things with the Wu family as soon as possible, so as not to tarnish her grandson's reputation.
While they were discussing, someone came from the palace.
"Your Majesty has specially sent me a servant to deliver a letter from home."
That being said, the person who came was actually a eunuch delivering imperial decrees.
If it is a general letter, it is usually delivered by the Royal Guards.
"Brother, open it quickly and see what's written inside."
Everyone urged.
Shen Congwen opened it and read: "I am just making a suggestion. My family can adopt it or not!"
"Since Wu Qingyu was married to my Shen family, she has been doing great service and favors to my Shen family."
"I will strip Wu Qingyu of her title, and the Shen family can send someone to pick her up from prison."
"You can also stay out of this matter and let the engagement naturally become invalid."
"I hope my family members will consider this carefully!"
“No more.”
Shen Congwen put the letter aside. Since it concerned the first wife, Liu quickly took it and showed it to Shen Conglian.
"It's really gone." Shen Conglian read the beginning and the end, and it was what his elder brother said.
"Brother, what should we do?"
Shen Congwen slammed the table angrily: "How can we choose by ourselves? It's obvious that there is only one way to choose."
The Shen family was silent.
The people from the second room stopped urging.
Liu was still dissatisfied and muttered quietly: "What if we choose the second one?"
All the men in the Shen family looked at Liu, which frightened her and made her feel guilty.
See what she's doing? She's just saying it casually.
"How about we ask the princess?" Shen Conglian didn't know what to choose.
If they choose one, my grandson's future will be ruined. If they choose two... Your Majesty is clear, let them choose one.
If they disobey, the consequences may be serious. They cannot afford the risk and dare not take it.
"Brother, let's ask the princess!"
"Yes, brother, the princess's ideas are more effective than ours."
If His Majesty blames them, they can just say it was the princess' idea. Even if he blames them, it can't be them.
If it wasn't absolutely necessary, Shen Congwen didn't want to trouble the princess.
"Brother, this concerns Chengfeng's life, so I'm begging you for help." Chen Conglian begged with all his dignity intact.
"Brother, Chengfeng is also your relative and your grandson. He also calls you great-grandfather. Can you bear to see him marry the daughter of a criminal and ruin his future?" Liu covered her handkerchief and began to cry.
Shen Congwen thought that in the end he would have to handle this matter. If the second branch asked his mother for help, his mother would be upset if she knew about it. After going around in circles, he decided to go find the princess.
"Okay, you guys wait here, I'll go ask." Shen Congwen walked slowly with the letter from home sent from the palace.
~
"Second brother, it's never wrong to find the princess!" Shen Congli comforted him on the surface, but in fact he was gloating behind his back.
Before, I envied the second branch for marrying into the prime minister’s family, and envied the second branch for getting the prime minister’s support.
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