Han Xiufen forced herself to reply, "Yes."
On the second day of their marriage, when they met their relatives early in the morning, Xu Peng'an took good care of Su Wanwan, and the couple were very affectionate.
Therefore, for the past three years, she has never doubted Su Wanwan's innocence.
If it weren't for her desire for Su Wanwan's dowry, and if it weren't for her wanting to drag the rising star Xu Pengju down with her, she wouldn't have allowed Xu Pengju and Xu Chengbi to accuse Su Wanwan of adultery.
Gu Fang paused for a moment: "So, the only evidence the Xu family has to accuse Su Wanwan of adultery is Xu Peng'an's letter?"
"Yes," Xu Chengbi replied hesitantly.
“Su Wanwan left the capital in February of the twenty-first year of Honghua, while Gu Ziyu returned to the capital from the border in the twenty-second year of Honghua. The two had no contact, and what the letter said was untrue.”
Gu Fang waved his hand, and someone presented a letter on a tray:
"I also have another letter from Xu Peng'an here. I would like to ask the Duke of Wei to take a look and verify its authenticity."
After reading the letter, Xu Chengbi turned pale and looked at Su Wanwan with shame:
“Good daughter-in-law, I have wronged you.”
Xu Pengju's expression changed drastically.
Even Prince Rong, Lu Youting's face darkened.
Gu Fang had someone read the letter aloud.
"My dearest wife, this letter is like seeing you in person. I was overjoyed to hear that you are pregnant with my child. I only wish to return home soon to see you and our child..."
"The other day someone tried to sow discord between Gu Ziyu and others... only to find out it was a misunderstanding later, and I regretted it too late..."
It had the same handwriting and paper as the letter Xu Pengju had produced, but the content was completely opposite.
Xu Pengju took the letter and read it over and over, muttering to himself:
"Impossible, this is impossible!"
Gu Fang ignored him and directly ordered someone to bring in the witness, Deng Zhong.
Upon seeing the two completely different letters, Deng Zhong panicked so much that he collapsed to his knees, weeping and begging for forgiveness.
"My lord, spare me! My lord, spare me! That letter was written by my eldest son when he was drunk. It was never sent out and ended up in my hands..."
"I was just thinking of currying favor with the young master and earning some reward money to spend... This letter at the end is the one that the eldest young master wrote and sent out..."
Daliang had a well-developed postal system that covered all parts of the country, and Xu Peng'an's family letters were delivered through these postal stations.
However, Su Wanwan never received any letters from him.
The key witness turned against her, and Su Wanwan's innocence was finally proven.
Gu Fang remained expressionless, his words carrying a veiled threat:
"Lord of Wei, will you give an explanation for this matter yourself, or would you like to come to the imperial prison for another discussion?"
Xu Chengbi was so frightened that his back was soaked with cold sweat:
"Thank you for investigating this case, sir. My son and I were both deceived by this treacherous servant, causing Wanwan to suffer greatly. My son and I will come forward to apologize and clear Wanwan's name!"
A hint of impatience flashed across Gu Fang's face.
Xu Chengbi quickly added, "We let Wanwan take away every penny of her dowry. Our Xu family really owes her too much."
Gu Fang looked at Prince Rong, Lu Youting, with a calm expression:
"Does Your Highness have any objections?"
Lu Youting pursed his lips, his face extremely ugly, and glanced at Su Wanwan with resentment:
"No objection."
Gu Fang cupped his hands in greeting, "Then please, Your Highness, publicly refute the rumors and prevent Madam Su from suffering further injustice from these rumors."
Prince Rong remained silent for a long time, and finally only reluctantly uttered two words:
"nature."
Princess Rong, Liu Yixuan, smiled sarcastically:
"It takes only a mouth to spread rumors, but it takes a lot of legwork to refute them. You have completely ruined Madam Su's reputation."
Her former love rival has actually come to her for help.
Princess Rong found it all absurd.
Life is unpredictable; who can say for sure?
The eunuch He Xi, who had been watching the commotion from the sidelines, smiled, his old face wrinkled like a blooming chrysanthemum:
"The Empress Dowager was worried that Madam Su would be troubled by the rumors, so she specially ordered me to come and convey the imperial decree."
He finally straightened up, cleared his throat, and looked at Su Wanwan with a smile.
"The Empress Dowager said that since Madam Su has difficulty walking, she does not need to perform the ceremony and can simply sit and listen to the decree."
"By imperial decree of the Empress Dowager... Su Wanwan, daughter of Su Nan, is appointed as the head of the Imperial Seal Office. She shall assume her post immediately..."
While everyone else was still confused, Su Wanwan and Princess Rong, Liu Yixuan, were the first to realize what was going on.
Lu Youting's pupils trembled slightly, and a look of understanding flashed in his eyes.
Liu Yixuan was very surprised: "The Imperial Seal Office is responsible for managing the imperial seals and tallies in the palace. It is the most important of the six bureaus and twenty departments. The person in charge of the seals is a female official of the eighth rank."
"Madam Su, you truly enjoy the Empress Dowager's deep trust."
Prince Rong's face was so gloomy it looked like it was about to drip water.
He gave Liu Yixuan a sinister look.
Su Wanwan frowned: "Wanwan's leg injury has not yet healed, and I am unable to take on this important task. Please ask Steward He to inform the Empress Dowager."
He Xi wasn't surprised by her reaction; he simply waved his hand, signaling someone to push Su Wanwan's wheelchair forward.
"Madam Su, if you wish to decline, please go to the palace and inform the Empress Dowager in person."
There was no room for her to refuse.
Su Nan stood up to try to stop them, but was stopped by the people He Xi brought.
He frowned in anger: "Steward He, my daughter refuses to enter the palace, how dare you force her?!"
He Xi also said coldly, "How dare you obstruct the Empress Dowager's decree, Master Su is truly audacious!"
After saying that, he didn't linger and slipped away.
...
Su Wanwan was forcibly taken into Ning Shou Palace.
However, they did not see Empress Dowager Wang.
Instead, they were arranged to stay in a side hall behind the Ning Shou Palace.
Seeing the two robust maids who had served her for a day, Su Wanwan immediately realized that it was all Lu Xingjian's arrangement!
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