Shi was also worrying in the house. The people she had sent out hadn't returned for several days, and she always felt uneasy inside.But Madam Jiao was utterly unconcerned. "What are you worried about..."Big brother, tell me the truth, what exactly did you do Why would the Emperor punish our family!"

"You have to make it clear! Although our two families live together, we have already separated. Any crime has nothing to do with us!" Old Master Wu was also in a hurry.

His beloved daughter had just given birth to a fat baby grandson for the Duke's Mansion. They were going to drink wedding wine, but suddenly they became prisoners! Who could stand this!

Mr. Wu was also filled with anger. He brushed aside his younger brother's pull and scolded, "How would I know If you want to know, ask the Emperor!"

"You caused this trouble, why aren't you the one going to ask the Emperor"

Old Master Wu was driven mad by his brother's rascal behavior and punched him!

Needless to say, the two brothers came at each other, fighting fiercely.

With their masters in such disarray, the servants, lacking guidance, were like flies without a head, scurrying about haphazardly.

Those with cunning eyes have already rushed to the master's room, secretly stuffing gold and silver jewelry into their sleeves for their own escape!

Mr. Wu and Mr. Wu's concubines and daughters, did not know what had happened at all, crying together in despair...

The entire Hou Mansion, which was once so prosperous, now seemed to be in utter disarray!

Yi Zongtang personally led people to search Wu Dayao's study, retrieving some key items and capturing two Qing guests. They were bound and gagged, awaiting interrogation back at headquarters.

Upon his return to the main courtyard, he saw the old Marquis deceased and the Marchioness on her deathbed. The two branches of the Wu family were fighting like chickens with their eyes pecked out, and he couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

I wonder if the Empress Dowager foresaw today when she chose a Wu family woman to be Empress for the Emperor all those years ago...

If this is truly the case, then one has to admire her shrewdness.

The Empress, after so many years in the palace, has not only failed to produce a prince, but she also failed to properly raise her princesses. Even the Wu family has become a liability...

Yi Zong sighed and waved his hand behind him.

Moments later, the main gate of Jiangning Hou's mansion was thrown wide open. The entire Wu family, from master to servant, a hundred or so people, were bound with ropes and escorted out.

This totally blew the minds of all the curious onlookers!

They had seen soldiers gathered at the gate of the Hou Mansion just now and knew something was wrong with the Wu family, but they racked their brains and couldn't have guessed such a shocking outcome!

What did the Wu family do to deserve being imprisoned as a whole

This is the Empress's family!

To look at the couples of Master Wu and his wife, as well as Master Wu's second son and his wife, was truly a heartbreaking sight.

The men tore at their shirts, split their lips, and had swollen cheeks.

The women simply threw their hair up in disarray, their jackets and skirts were unbuttoned and rumpled, they had even lost their shoes, and their faces were unrecognizable.

What crime did he commit to deserve such brutal treatment before even going to jail!

Someone immediately ran away and went to spread the word.

Before the Wu family members could even finish crying and leave their compound, news of their misfortune spread throughout the entire new city.

Some sighed, some gloated, and many more were consumed with morbid curiosity!

At the Marquis Zhen Guo's mansion, a cleansing ceremony was being held for the newly deceased. Guests filled the courtyard. Upon hearing this news, the Marquis’s son quickly led people out of the mansion.

After two years of marriage, he had turned over a new leaf. He and his wife lived harmoniously, and their lives were prosperous.

Now that his in-laws are in trouble, he can't just stand by and do nothing.

Lord Yi was riding a horse, escorting the Wu family to the Dali Temple, when he suddenly saw Prince Zhen Guo approaching on horseback. He smiled and bowed politely.

The prince, however, pulled his hand and greeted him politely.

As Yi Zongguan withdrew his hand, he seamlessly slid the silver note from his palm into his sleeve. Then he recounted the story.

The Duke's son immediately changed his face!

If the Wu family had a specific crime, there might be room for maneuver. But "betraying one's trust" -- those four words are like four mountains, immovable and unapproachable by anyone!

Because these four characters represent that the Wu family has angered the imperial majesty!

The Prince of the Nation while sending someone back home to report, hurried to the Jiangning Hou Mansion.

The Marquis' mansion was being ransacked, and the dead old Marquis in the backyard was completely ignored.

The Duke, Prince and Grandson quickly found a carriage to take the old Marquis's body out of the city to a garden house. They hung up funeral banners and hastily arranged a burial ceremony...

Some people who saw him were surprised to find that the former wastrel had changed for the better.

At this time, to dare to approach the Wu family and help with the aftermath is considered loyal and righteous!

Without mentioning how the city's gossip hot list was refreshed once again, let's just say that Li Lao Er and Jia Yin returned to Suijin Beach. Those who had been anxiously waiting finally felt at ease.

"Little Funiu, you're back!" Old Li grabbed her granddaughter's hand and looked her up and down.

Jiayin couldn't help but chuckle.

They went to the palace to file a complaint, and they had solid evidence. There's no way they shouldn't be beaten.

She took her grandmother's arm and looked around at the family members before hurriedly saying, "The Emperor has made a decision for our family! The entire Wu family has been sent to prison!"

"Really!"

"Haha, that's great, good for them!"

"You deserve it!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Everyone was overjoyed and clamoring excitedly.

However, Jia Ren noticed something amiss. He frowned slightly but quickly replaced it with a smile.

Everyone crowded around Li Lao'er and Jia Yin as they entered the house, and for a moment everyone sat down to ask them about their experiences in detail.

Mr. Wen and Li Zhensheng were still in the city, on guard for what other changes this matter might bring.

The rest, Tao Hongying brought along Wan'er, Wenjuan, Jiaren and his three brothers, Lu Cong and Mrs. Wen, as well as the village head and Zhao Shu and a few others.

Li Lao Er told the story from beginning to end.

Of course, the emphasis was placed on the emperor's justice and wisdom, and everyone listened with gratitude and joy.

"Tonight, I'll cook up some delicious dishes myself to celebrate!" Tao Hongying proposed with a smile.

Wan'er and Wenjuan also joined in the fun, clamoring to help. They went to the side room to discuss the menu.

Li Lao Er called for Jia Ren, "Come with me to Zhang Shen Yi's place. Someone from the palace will be bringing a few witnesses soon."

Jia Ren understood, and immediately followed his father.

For a while, the remaining people chatted amongst themselves and then dispersed.

Jia Yin went back to the courtyard to change her clothes, but was chased by her grandmother.

"Little Fo, according to Grandma's thoughts, we should have Wu Family torn into a thousand pieces! But for the Emperor, they are his in-laws. He can't just disregard them completely, can he"

Grandma Li frowned and said, "Grandmother has already thought it through. If the emperor is lenient with the Wu family, our family will start moving south gradually after the New Year. We can't afford to provoke them, so we'll just avoid them for now, and look for an opportunity to take revenge later."

"But Your Majesty, throwing the entire Wu family into prison all at once... it leaves me deeply uneasy!"

Jia Yin didn't expect Grandma had calculated so much, even moving house to protect her.

She quickly leaned into her grandmother's ear and whispered a few words.

Li Laotai finally let out a sigh of relief, "It turns out it wasn't all because of our family. No wonder..."

Jia Yin laughed and said, "Grandma, no matter what the reason, the Wu family is out of luck, which is a great thing!

"From now on, I can go out whenever I want!"

"No way!"

Elder Li was cautious and rarely scolded her granddaughter, but this time she splashed a basin of cold water on her, saying, "For the next half month, you'd better stay home obediently. What if the Wu family has some other tricks up their sleeve"

"Wait until your uncle and second uncle have finished dealing with things thoroughly, then you can go out!"

"Grandma!" Jiayin whined in protest, but unfortunately her plea was harshly rejected...

The faint afterglow of the winter sunset bathed Xin'du in a warm light. Even the gossipmongers, usually eager for news, quickened their pace homeward.

Two burly young men, looking dusty and travel-worn, suddenly strode into a small tavern near the city gate.

They tossed a silver coin to the young attendant as soon as they entered, quickly ordering some food and then devoured it with their heads bowed.

Here are two more ~eam tomorrow, everyone gets a share!""Oh, Princess, you're so kind! I was just waiting for your words!" Gu Qingqing gave Jia Yin a big hug.Xu Xi and Mei Lan and the others were also beaming, learning...