Cao Zheng was dumbfounded, clearly not believing that she knew about his affair.
She usually kept a very strict eye on the concubines in her household. If she found out that there was a concubine outside, wouldn't she cause a huge uproar?
But she didn't make a sound, so Cao Zheng thought he had kept it well hidden. He didn't expect that she had known all along and had even kept this trick up her sleeve.
Seemingly anticipating his thoughts, Madam Ma turned around and calmly said, "We were husband and wife after all. You've done so many heinous things outside, you have to let me find a way out for myself, right? You think you can get away with keeping someone outside? Impossible. With her involved in those things with you, she and your two bastard children both have to die!"
As she spoke, a very pleased smile appeared on her face, as if she had finally made it through after so many years of forbearance.
Cao Zheng wanted nothing more than to kill this vicious woman, but he was pinned to the ground and unable to move.
After reading the evidence, Qin Jian was somewhat shocked and had to admit that it was amazing. This information was even more complete than what Zheng Fei had provided, involving many people and specifying the exact amount of money involved. If this information were handed over, another wave of officials in the court could be purged.
What's even more remarkable is that Madam Ma was incredibly clever, managing to absolve herself completely. Even if Cao Zheng were to be torn to pieces, she, as a family member, would be spared, with the worst outcome being exile.
Ma's family was not involved in these matters at all and would not be implicated. As long as they had a conscience, they could protect Ma. It can be said that Ma could truly escape unscathed from this turmoil.
On the contrary, Cao Zheng's beloved mistress's family is not doing well. The entire mistress family depends on Cao Zheng for their livelihood and has done a lot of things for him over the years, so they cannot get rid of the connection.
According to Ma, the mistress's entire family must die.
That's why Ma was able to laugh so heartily.
After all that commotion, Cao Zheng knew he was doomed. He didn't even have the strength to struggle anymore. He lay on the ground, panting heavily, and had to admit that he had lost completely.
"Take them all."
All the officials in the prefectural government were imprisoned, and all the seized money and evidence were counted and sealed. Qin Jian then personally wrote to the emperor to ask him to decide how to handle the matter.
It is said that on the night the Cao family was imprisoned, Cao Shulan was beaten up by her sister-in-law in prison. If she hadn't coveted things that didn't belong to her, she wouldn't have offended Peng Yuan, and things wouldn't have developed to this point.
Cao Shulan already had a fever, and this ordeal nearly took her life.
Surprisingly, Ma was also in the same cell as her. She watched her being beaten but remained unmoved, as if the one being beaten was not her daughter at all. She stayed in a corner with her eyes closed, resting the whole time.
When Jiang Jiuniang heard about this the next day, she immediately praised Ma Shi, saying that she was a person who was truly capable of great things.
She said to Peng Yuan mysteriously, "Do you think Ma really doesn't care about that daughter?"
"Given all this, it must be true."
Peng Yuan was somewhat puzzled and added, "If she can treat her husband like this, it's not surprising that she doesn't care about her daughter's life or death now."
“That’s not how it is. You’ve greatly underestimated Ma’s, and perhaps even Cao Shulan didn’t see her mother’s intentions.”
Jiang Jiuniang shared her guess: "Based on my previous understanding of Madam Ma, she actually dotes on Cao Shulan quite a bit, and it doesn't seem like she's faking it. So, it's impossible for her to really ignore Cao Shulan just because she says she doesn't care about her. On the contrary, I think this is just a facade that Madam Ma put on to train Cao Shulan."
It's somewhat troublesome that a king has given birth to a bronze-level child. Perhaps the king wants to take this opportunity to hone her skills, since Cao Shulan is not yet married and a reliable marriage might be able to save the lives of her and her mother in the future.
Ma's emotions are very complicated. Unlike many mothers who love their children without expecting anything in return, she needs something in return and needs to see benefits from her child before she can consider whether to continue loving the child.
Peng Yuan seemed to understand but not quite, and asked, "So you mean that if Cao Shulan can't pass this test, Ma might give up on her?"
"Definitely."
Without hesitation, Jiang Jiuniang added, "However, human nature is very complex, and the final decision will depend on her choice."
Peng Yuan said she learned something; even though Sister Jiu Niang doesn't seem to care about anything, she actually knows all of this.
On the contrary, when it comes to oneself, if one doesn't care, one truly doesn't care; no wonder one is always remembered by others.
With the Cao family in trouble, the affairs of the prefectural government were suddenly left unattended. Fortunately, there was nothing going on at the military camp, and Prince Jing was overseeing things. Qin Jian continued to spend time with his wife, so the affairs of the prefectural government were left to Lu Baichuan.
During this time, they were stationed on the border. Cao Zheng didn't dare to do anything underhanded while he was in office, so there was no mess to clean up. Lu Baichuan was very leisurely every day and even had time to accompany Jiang Jiuniang to visit the workshop. Life was very comfortable.
More than half a month later, the people that Jiang Jiuniang had asked the emperor for arrived. Along with them were officials sent by the court to govern Tongcheng and Liancheng. The procession was quite large. When they arrived in Huizhou City, they were all very surprised to see how well Huizhou City had developed. The officials, who had thought that the border environment was harsh and difficult to stay in, instantly saw hope.
That evening, Lu Baichuan hosted a banquet, briefly explained the matter of Cao Zheng, the prefect of Huizhou, and then talked about other things. Not many people cared, and the matter was quickly brought up.
After the banquet, everyone stayed in Huizhou City to rest, and set off for Tongcheng and Liancheng the next day to take up their posts. However, the person that the emperor had specially assigned to Jiang Jiuniang stayed in Huizhou City.
They are absolutely loyal to the emperor, so Jiang Jiuniang doesn't need to worry about them doing anything that would harm the collective interest. However, she still has to make things clear beforehand. In addition to the same requirements that Jiang Jiuniang has for ordinary employees, she adds another clause: they cannot think they are superior just because they are sent by the emperor, and they cannot bully ordinary employees in the workshop. If they are found out, they will be sent back to the emperor.
"Do you all understand? You are all the face of the Emperor. If any of you do anything shameful or stupid, I will not let you off lightly. You will be returned to the Emperor, and your life or death will be up to you."
Jiang Jiuniang has always been both kind and strict, and she clearly distinguishes between public and private matters. She will not tolerate them in every way just because they are people given to her by the emperor.
Ultimately, this is a business she leads; she's still the big boss, so naturally she has to follow his arrangements.
There really were people who thought they were superior to others, but after Jiang Jiuniang said that, they immediately gave up their thoughts. They all knew how capable she was and would never dare to act rashly.
"Yes, madam."
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