Yunniang quickly knelt down.
"Your subordinate knows his mistake. Master only listens to you. If he wants to forgive someone, he can only come to you for help."
Fang Qing sighed softly, got up and walked to Yunniang to help her up.
“You don’t need to be so afraid of him. You can tell him all this.”
In Fang Qing's eyes, Zhao Shi'an was not the kind of person who was completely unreasonable.
The virtuous prince plotted rebellion, but the concubine was indeed innocent. If she posed no threat to them, she could be treated leniently.
However, Zhao Shi'an's imposing presence was so deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people at Fengyulou that they dared not even plead for him.
"Have dinner at home before you leave. You can talk to Zhao Shi'an about this."
Yunniang was filled with trepidation.
"Stay, don't be shy."
Fang Qing led her to the warm pavilion in the backyard, and after they sat down, they chatted about things in Yangzhou.
Yunniang grew up here and is very familiar with Yangzhou, so she opened up as they talked.
"If Your Highness has some free time another day, I will take you to Yangzhou for a visit."
"Don't keep calling me 'County Princess,' just call me Fang Qing. That way, I'll feel more comfortable."
Yunniang was terrified.
"This is not appropriate."
If our master finds out, what will happen?
“Why is it inappropriate? You come from a prestigious family. Now that the Zhong family’s case has been overturned, the imperial court is also searching for the Zhong family members who were lost in the past. Once you regain your status, I, who am just a county princess in name only, will probably have to pay my respects to you.”
"No, I mustn't..." Yunniang sighed softly.
"Although I come from a prestigious family, my family went bankrupt when I was young. I have endured many years of hardship, and now that I finally have a stable life, I don't like any changes."
From what she's saying, it seems she doesn't plan to return to Beijing.
"Does Xiao Wu know? What does he think?"
“He knows, and he supports my decision.”
Speaking of this, Yunniang lowered her eyes and chuckled softly, a little shy.
"That's good."
Later that evening, Zhao Shi'an returned. Hearing that Fang Qing was in the greenhouse, he rushed over. When he lifted the curtain, he was surprised to find that there were other people there, and the smile on his face disappeared.
Yunniang stood up and bowed to Zhao Shi'an.
"Please sit down."
Zhao Shi'an squeezed next to Fang Qing.
"It's gotten colder today, aren't you cold?"
"It's not cold."
Are you hungry?
"It's alright. If you're hungry, let's eat now. Yunniang has something to say here."
Zhao Shi'an looked at Yunniang.
"Why come here to make things difficult for Madam instead of telling me what's wrong?"
These words inexplicably made Yunniang feel somewhat displeased, and a chill ran down her spine.
Fang Qing tugged at Zhao Shi'an's arm.
"I'd be so bored if Yunniang hadn't come. Don't blame her, let's eat."
They ate in the greenhouse. During the meal, Fang Qing told Zhao Shi'an about Pinming coming over to plead for the concubine of the Prince Xian.
"She knows you're soft-hearted."
Zhao Shi'an was somewhat displeased.
"What were your original plans regarding the Consort Cai of the Wise Prince?"
"They were all placed in the lowest social class, and the women of the Prince's family were all treated this way, so she was no exception."
"Can't the punishment be lenient?"
“It is possible, but this concubine has given birth to two sons for the Prince, one ten years old and the other five years old, and she is currently pregnant with another one. If the concubine is pardoned, what should be done with her child?”
Fang Qing hadn't thought of that.
"It's not impossible to forgive her, but is she willing to be separated from her child?"
Fang was stumped by this question again.
"Then I'll ask tomorrow..."
Before Fang Qing could finish speaking, Zhao Shi'an placed a piece of food in her bowl with his chopsticks.
“Qing’er, you can be kind-hearted, but you can’t be too soft-hearted. Although I orchestrated the Prince Xian’s rebellion, he did have the heart to rebel. From the day he secretly harbored Gao Wancheng, he should have thought about the consequences he would face today. As for his family members, since they enjoyed everything that the Prince Xian’s mansion provided for them, they should also bear the consequences of their current crimes.”
"Today you pleaded for the Prince's concubine on behalf of an unrelated person. What will happen when I handle more cases in the future? Will their families also come to you for help? If this continues, won't the laws become nothing more than decorations?"
Fang Qing poked at her rice, remaining silent for a moment.
Zhao Shi'an's words made sense, but she felt it was unfair.
Why should even an unborn fetus be punished when one person commits a crime?
Zhao Shi'an gently patted her back.
"Don't worry, my lady. Although I can't let this concubine of the Prince Xian go, I can still give her a lighter punishment for your sake."
Fang Qing nodded, but then shook her head.
"Don't give me face, punish me however you want."
Zhao Shi'an smiled and served Fang Qing more food.
Yunniang looked at the couple, unsure of what to say.
They all said that Zhao Shi'an was incredibly accommodating to Fang Qing, practically begging her to come to him.
But now it seems that this wasn't just one-sided favoritism, but mutual understanding, which is what makes a lasting and happy love.
Sensing Yunniang's gaze, Zhao Shi'an looked over.
That one look sent a chill down Yunniang's spine.
Although Zhao Shi'an didn't say anything, Yunniang knew what he meant.
I'm afraid I won't dare to ask Fang Qing for anything in the future.
Yunniang didn't really enjoy the meal and left in a hurry afterwards.
The next day, Pinming came to see Fang Qing again. This time, no one informed Fang Qing, and Seventeen took Pinming directly to the prison where the family members of the deceased were imprisoned.
Zhao Shi'an is here.
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