After a long while, Chen Xiao finally spoke, his voice as cold as ice: "Lin Ling, do you know how many people you have harmed by keeping this a secret? Your so-called father-daughter relationship is utterly laughable in the face of those displaced people and those whose families have been destroyed."
Lin Ling cried even harder, her forehead slamming heavily against the carriage floor: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I am willing to accept any punishment, I only beg Your Majesty to spare my father's family. They... they knew nothing about it."
Zheng Pianran also kowtowed beside her: "Your Majesty, Miss Lin was confused for a moment. The crime committed by the Prefect should not be borne by Miss Lin alone. Please be lenient, Your Majesty."
A hint of pity flashed in Chen Xiao's eyes, but it quickly returned to its icy expression: "Lin Ling, did you enjoy any of the money your father embezzled?"
Lin Ling was stunned. She raised her head, her face streaked with tears: "Your Majesty, I... I did not directly enjoy the wealth and glory of those years, but it was all obtained through my father's embezzlement. I am guilty."
Chen Xiao nodded slightly: "You can admit it, so you still have some conscience. But the law is merciless. Although you did not participate in the embezzlement, you still have to be punished for knowing about it and not reporting it. As for how to punish you, we will decide after I return to the palace."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ling and Zheng Pianran felt somewhat relieved, knowing that His Majesty had given them a glimmer of hope.
The carriage moved slowly forward amidst the bumps and jolting, the atmosphere inside so oppressive it was hard to breathe.
Chen Xiao closed his eyes and pondered, seemingly weighing something.
Yin Yuyao gently patted Chen Xiao's hand, her eyes filled with worry. She knew the inner turmoil Chen Xiao was going through. As the ruler of a country, he had to uphold the fairness of the law while also considering human relationships.
Zhao Cheyu watched all this quietly. He knew the seriousness of the matter. Corruption was a major taboo of the court, and if it was not severely punished, it would be difficult to convince the public.
But Zheng Pianran and Lin Ling were, after all, people who valued loyalty and righteousness. They just made a wrong step in the face of this major issue. He looked at Chen Xiao, his lips moved slightly, but he didn't know how to persuade them.
After a long while, Chen Xiao slowly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with weariness: "Lin Ling, I know you are not a bad person by nature, but the law of the country is as solid as a mountain, and I cannot break the rules for the sake of one person. However, I can give you a chance. If you can assist the court in recovering the property your father embezzled and find evidence of his embezzlement, I can give you and your family a lighter punishment."
A hint of surprise flashed in Lin Ling's eyes, and she hurriedly kowtowed to express her gratitude: "Your Majesty is wise, and I will do my utmost."
Zheng Pianran also breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Chen Xiao gratefully: "Your Majesty's kindness will be remembered forever."
After the conversation ended, they soon arrived at their destination, Xunyang.
After returning to Xunyang, Lin Ling bid them farewell and began traveling around.
Chen Xiao and his group arrived at the imposing and solemn Prefect's Mansion.
Chen Xiao's personal arrival was made without prior notice, so the guards standing watch in front of the prefect's mansion were completely unaware of their identities.
These guards, who were usually very dutiful, were stunned by the sudden appearance of Zheng Pianran.
They instinctively rubbed their eyes, as if they couldn't believe what they were seeing, their faces filled with shock.
In an instant, their eyes were filled with boundless joy, a heartfelt happiness at seeing someone they hadn't seen in a long time.
One of the older guards, with tears of emotion welling up in his eyes, spoke first: "Young Master, you...you weren't already a concubine in the palace? How come you're suddenly here?"
His voice trembled slightly, and his words were full of concern and doubt.
Zheng Pianran remained calm and composed, a warm smile playing on her lips. She slowly said, "His Majesty is kind and benevolent. After learning of my father's serious illness, he granted me permission to return home for a month to visit my family. These three are my close friends, and also friends whom His Majesty values highly."
His words were spoken slowly and deliberately, yet they possessed a convincing power.
Upon hearing Zheng Pianran's explanation, the guards immediately understood and quickly bowed respectfully to the people beside Zheng Pianran, saying in unison, "Greetings, sirs!"
The unified sound echoed in front of the prefect's residence.
This was in front of the prefect's residence, and a large crowd of people had already gathered around, all looking on with curiosity.
Zheng Pianran was worried that such a scene would be too ostentatious, so she quickly said, "Alright, how is Father now? Let's go in and see him."
His brow furrowed slightly, his eyes filled with worry.
The guards dared not delay for a moment and immediately stood in neat rows to the side, respectfully welcoming the group into the vermilion gates of the prefect's mansion.
The prefect's mansion was adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, and the courtyards were deep and secluded. The group of people walked quickly inside, leaving the common people outside the mansion to discuss among themselves.
Upon entering the prefect's residence, a heavy, leaden atmosphere rushed towards me like a surging tide.
In the courtyard, the servants were like ants on a hot pan, hurrying about with furrowed brows, their faces filled with deep worry, as if shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere.
Seeing this, Zheng Pianran was extremely anxious and quickened his pace like a gust of wind, rushing towards his father's residence. His hurried footsteps seemed to tell of his inner turmoil.
Chen Xiao, Zhao Cheyu, Yin Yuyao, Lin Ling, and the others dared not slack off in the slightest and followed closely behind Zheng Pianran.
They walked through winding, labyrinthine corridors, the walls of which were carved with exquisite patterns, but no one had time to appreciate them at the moment.
Finally, they arrived at a house.
The door was tightly shut, like a barrier, isolating the world inside from the outside world.
However, the faint coughing sounds coming from inside the house struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer, each cough making Zheng Pianran's face even paler.
Zheng Pianran could no longer contain herself and pushed open the door.
In an instant, a strong medicinal smell filled the air, making people almost burst into tears.
Inside the room, on an old-fashioned bed lay a haggard-looking old man with sunken cheeks and dull eyes. He was none other than Zheng Hanying, the prefect of Xunyang.
Time and illness have left deep marks on him, making him look frail and weak.
The moment Zheng Hanying saw Zheng Pianran, a glimmer of surprise flashed in his eyes, like a spark of hope igniting in the darkness: "Pianran, you... how did you come back?"
His voice was hoarse and weak, yet it couldn't hide his excitement.
Zheng Pianran rushed to the bedside, took three steps at a time, and tightly grasped her father's thin, bony hand. Her eyes filled with tears, and she said in a choked voice, "Father, your child has returned."
His eyes were full of heartache and worry, as if he wanted to take on all the pain his father had suffered.
Following Zheng Pianran's gaze, Zheng Hanying noticed the three young men and women standing behind him, and a hint of doubt appeared in his eyes.
But after only a moment, his gaze suddenly turned to shock, the shock in his eyes like a surging wave that instantly overwhelmed him.
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