"This..."
Grand Tutor Lü's face turned ashen, and he almost dropped the jade tablet in his hand.
Prime Minister Fang didn't look too good either. But there was a glint in his eyes. He frowned but said nothing.
Xiao Jingnan was calm and composed. "Grand Tutor Lü, Prime Minister Fang, Marquis Xuanping and his son colluded with Anluo, burned the granary in Shou'an, and sold military weapons. Their crimes are unforgivable!"
His voice was clear and resounding, like the clashing of metal and stone. The on - looking commoners were instantly in an uproar.
"What? Marquis Xuanping colluded with the enemy?"
"The Anluo people occupied our southern border for more than a decade. They have a deep blood feud with our Great Sheng Dynasty. How could Marquis Xuanping collude with them!"
"He even burned the granary in Shou'an..."
"Selling military weapons is a capital crime!"
"Is there any evidence? Could it be a false accusation..."
Xiao Jingnan seemed not to hear. He calmly took out a stack of documents from his bosom. "I have the personal confession of Anluo's national master, Ananda, as well as the letters between them and Anluo, and the accounts of selling military weapons. Please take a look, my lords..."
This time, not only the commoners but also the well - disciplined Feng Family Army couldn't help whispering to each other.
"With the confession of Anluo's national master, it must be true!"
"I've long heard that there was something fishy about the destruction of the granary in Shou'an. I didn't expect it was the Kang father and son who did it!"
"They even sold military weapons? No wonder General Feng told us to buy weapons everywhere on our way..."
...
"This is indeed the case!"
Before Grand Tutor Lü and Prime Minister Fang could say anything, Zhao Yanke stepped forward suddenly, his eyes wide open in great anger. "Marquis Xuanping has received great kindness from the imperial family, yet he has committed such heinous crimes. I will never show leniency!"
After saying that, he snatched the confession from Xiao Jingnan's hand and stuffed it into Prime Minister Fang's without hesitation.
"This matter is of great importance and must be thoroughly investigated. I entrust this matter to you, Prime Minister Fang. Order the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, and the Censorate to conduct a joint trial. If it is true, punish them severely; if they are wronged, clear their names!"
Prime Minister Fang's eyes flickered, but he didn't take it. His eyes glanced at Grand Tutor Lü imperceptibly.
Grand Tutor Lü looked even worse.
The two old foxes exchanged a glance and knew they were in a difficult position.
— This was not as simple as the reward just now.
No matter how absurd the rewards were, they were just official titles, honors, gold, silver, and land. They could be bestowed today and taken back tomorrow. The merits, demerits, glory, and disgrace all depended on the emperor's whim.
But this matter, if not handled well, would be like a knife hanging over the Kang family's neck!
Once this case was confirmed, the entire Kang family might be in great trouble — this was clearly aimed at the empress dowager!
Now, they were in a dilemma.
If they took this confession, the empress dowager's wrath would surely come down on them in an instant. But if they didn't take it, what should they do about the boiling public opinion?
Grand Tutor Lü and Prime Minister Fang couldn't help but complain in their hearts: You young people are so bold. You even dared to use the commoners' mouths to force us to take sides and investigate the case...
Below the city tower, the angry roars of the commoners were like raging waves. "Punish the national traitor severely!" "These moths should have been punished long ago!" "Please, Your Majesty, investigate clearly!" "Seek justice for the commoners!"
The waves of sound grew louder and louder, showing a relentless momentum. Some excited old farmers even tried to break through the defense line of the imperial guards. After being stopped, they still waved their straw sandals and cursed.
This raging anger was not without reason. During this period, the stories of the Feng Family Army's heroic battles on the battlefield had spread throughout the streets and alleys, exciting everyone.
The soldiers were risking their lives on the front line, while these moths were burning the commoners' granaries in the rear...
They must be severely punished!
Grand Tutor Lü's face changed several times. Finally, he said tremulously, "In that case... Prime Minister Fang, you should take over this case. Be sure to investigate thoroughly and don't let down the emperor's trust."
"Yes..." Prime Minister Fang sighed deeply, took the confession from Zhao Yanke's hand, and bowed his head respectfully. "Your servant will follow Your Majesty's order."
...
When Li Wanming returned to the Prince Ning's Mansion, the sky was filled with the setting sun.
Xiao Jingnan didn't come back with her. Instead, he went into the palace with Feng Yuanji and Feng Xiao. It was easy to guess that after the news of the Kang father and son's betrayal spread, the palace must be in a complete mess.
In front of the mansion gate, a green - curtained carriage had just been harnessed in a hurry by the coachman.
The Prince of Ning, dressed in a purple court robe, was about to step onto the carriage using the footstool. Behind him, the Princess of Ning was holding a handkerchief, her face full of fear and anxiety.
Seeing this, Li Wanming quickly stepped forward a few steps and bowed gracefully. "Your daughter - in - law pays respects to Father and Mother."
The Prince of Ning suddenly turned around. His sharp eyes were like knives piercing into her. After a long silence, he finally said nothing. He pulled down the carriage curtain with a swish and ordered the coachman to drive away.
The Princess of Ning just sized her up for a while and said indifferently, "Get up." Then she also turned around and left without even a greeting, as if Li Wanming was some kind of evil star and she didn't want to look at her even for a second.
...
Li Wanming was almost laughed at by their actions.
Come on!
It was your son who forced Prime Minister Fang and Grand Tutor Lü to take sides in front of the city gate in order to deal with the Kang family. What does this have to do with me? Is it necessary to be angry with me?
I traveled thousands of miles to the southern border to save your son's life, but this is how you treat me?
This is really using someone when in need and discarding them when not!
If it weren't for me, your son would still be a bandit's wife in the mountains!
On the contrary, Mrs. Kang greeted her with a smiling face. "The Princess of the Heir Apparent has traveled all the way back from the southern border. You must be exhausted. Go back and change your clothes, take a bath, and have a good rest. I've already had someone prepare tea and meals. I'll have them sent to your room later. You don't need to come to the Jujing Hall for dinner today."
Li Wanming suppressed the annoyance in her eyes, forced a smile, and bowed again. "Thank you, Aunt Kang."
...
As soon as she stepped over the vermilion threshold, Qinglan rushed towards her in a hurry, lifting her skirt.
"Princess of the Heir Apparent!" Qinglan's voice trembled, and her eyes instantly turned red. "You're finally back..."
Chuntao bounced forward with a big smile and hooked Qinglan's arm. "Sister Qinglan, I've brought you a lot of good things from Fujian!"
When they entered the Shiyong Studio, Chuntao was like a cheerful little sparrow. She spread out seven or eight packages on the table and introduced them like a treasure - showman.
"This is rock tea, this is candied bayberries, and there are salted crispy peanuts... This kind of flavor can only be found in Fujian. You can't buy it in the capital! And this is a bead - embroidered purse. I specially picked one embroidered with phoenix flowers for you! These two jars sealed with mud are roasted salted duck eggs. They're extremely delicious!"
The aroma of the salted crispy peanuts filled the air, mixing with the unique fragrance and sweetness of the candied bayberries.
Li Wanming reclined on the soft couch, allowing the little maid to take off her outer clothes.
When a warm towel wiped across her fingertips, she squinted comfortably and watched Chuntao fiddle with those little things as if counting treasures.
"Qinglan," she said softly, "part of these things are for Caiwei. Take them to her when you have time. Divide the rest among you, Zifu, and the other little maids."
Qinglan answered with red eyes, thanked her repeatedly, and then took the things out.