Meanwhile, few others were aware of the engagement between the Feng and Xu families, but Feng Jinlin's rapid promotion was evident for all to see, naturally sparking envy, especially among the faction of the Ninth Prince.
On this occasion, Emperor Qi, in his magnanimity, punished everyone involved in the Grand Canal Administration affair, using Liang Quanbin as a scapegoat.
The fact that the Wei family was not implicated left them perplexed.
Even the Duke of Wei pondered the intentions of Emperor Qi and Prime Minister Bai.
However, his thoughts did not deter him from making other decisions.
Thus, he approached General Meng.
Upon seeing the Duke of Wei, General Meng couldn't help but swallow, having witnessed the Duke's methods firsthand.
Given that His Majesty could still spare the Wei family after hearing Liang Quanbin's testimony, one could imagine his capabilities.
"Duke, why have you graced me with your presence?"
The Eastern Capital was the stronghold of the Wei family, as was the palace. Despite the warning of the palace attendants being beaten to death, it was not difficult for the Duke of Wei to obtain certain information.
Therefore, he was aware that General Meng had personally brought Liang Quanbin and the Wei family's hidden operatives to see Emperor Qi.
With this leverage, he and General Meng had much to discuss.
As they spoke, imperial edicts were dispatched to the Liang family and the Prince Li's manor.
Liang Pan had been confined to his residence for several days, guarded by the Imperial Guards.
He had no idea of the reasons behind it, as his rank made it impossible for him to attend court.
Consequently, he was imprisoned before he could even learn about the corruption in the Grand Canal Administration.
His greatest concern was Wei Lanxuan; he wondered about her current situation.
He often thought that perhaps something had happened to the Wei family, which had implicated the Liang family. However, with the Duke of Wei's abilities, he could naturally avert disaster, and his role was perhaps to wait with peace of mind.
Alas, good things are always meant to be broken.
When Liang Pan received the divorce letter from the Wei family, the messenger casually left a sentence.
"The child in the young lady's belly is gone, and she has no further ties to your Liang family."
Then, they turned and left. Immediately after, an imperial edict was delivered to the Liang manor.
Liang Pan could no longer comprehend the specifics of the edict; his mind was consumed by the loss of his child and his forced divorce from Wei Lanxuan.
It was only when the shackles were placed upon him that he regained his senses.
He shouted loudly, proclaiming his innocence!
Unfortunately, no one cared anymore whether he was truly innocent or not.
The once prosperous Liang family, within half a year, became a thing of the past, spoken of by many.
Meanwhile, the news of Liang Quanbin's embezzlement gradually spread among the populace.
One moment, it was said that the Liang family possessed a private treasury filled with gold and jewels; the next, it was claimed that the Liang family had allied with the Wei family to gain this opportunity and was thus being used as a scapegoat by them.
All sorts of rumors circulated. When Liang Luo from Prince Li's manor was brought out from the dark prison, he was emaciated, like a walking corpse, his eyes unfocused.
The guards and the eunuch delivering the edict felt it was inappropriate, but this was Prince Li's manor, and who dared to say anything?
Thus, shackles were still placed upon him, and he was dragged away.
How could the Ninth Prince be pleased with such an incident occurring in his manor?
Fortunately, he had been frequenting the Duke of Wei's manor these days and was not often at home, so his consort and the women of the inner chambers had not lived in constant fear.
However, they had all witnessed Liang Luo's miserable state.
It inevitably instilled fear. The fall from power of a family was truly terrifying, and they prayed incessantly for their own family to remain stable, so that they might still have peaceful lives in Prince Li's manor.
The repercussions of the Liang family's downfall were not yet over.
Wei Lanxuan, who had returned to the Wei family a few days prior, was now confined to her maiden chamber before marriage, forbidden to leave.
She could not understand her grandfather's intentions.
Her food, lodging, and attendants were the same as before she married, yet she was not allowed to return to the Liang family.
Initially, the excuse was that Old Madam Wei was unwell, prompting her to rush back from the Liang family to visit.
Upon her arrival, it was then said that she was missed and wanted to stay at home for two or three days.
If her maidservant had not been stopped from sending a message back to the Liang manor, she would still be unaware.
Since she could not leave, she naturally sought to inquire about the situation from her grandmother. However, the result was that she could not even leave her own courtyard. Was this not house arrest?
"Madam, we haven't returned for four or five days. I wonder how young master is doing."
Wei Lanxuan sighed deeply, "Haven't things been fine recently? How did it escalate to this? Have you inquired if my husband has offended grandfather in some way, which is why they tricked me into returning and not letting me go back?"
"I have inquired, but the servants in this courtyard are all new, and they know nothing. Asking them is futile."
As the mistress and her servant were lamenting, Old Madam Wei entered, followed by seven or eight servants, evidently strong individuals.
Wei Lanxuan, confused, stepped forward and asked, "Grandmother, what is the meaning of this?"
Old Madam Wei felt pained for her granddaughter, whose promising future had been ruined by the Liang family.
However, at this moment, she had to harden her heart to speak of the matter.
"Lan'er, the Liang family has encountered trouble."
"What? What happened to my husband?"
Wei Lanxuan's first thought was that Liang Pan was in trouble, but she never imagined that the trouble would stem from her own father-in-law.
"His Majesty has issued an edict stating that Liang Quanbin is the mastermind behind the corruption case in the Grand Canal Administration and has ordered his immediate execution. As for Liang Pan and his sister Liang Luo, they are both to be conscripted and exiled. Your grandfather, disregarding his health, knelt in the palace for an entire night, which is why His Majesty spared you and agreed to your divorce from the Liang family, but with the condition that the child you are carrying must also be gone."
"What!"
Wei Lanxuan had never imagined that their happy life would change so drastically overnight!
Unfortunately, before she could react, the bowl of steaming abortion-inducing medicine was brought forward.
As a mother, her instinct took over, and she reached out, knocking over the bowl, her eyes filled with tears as she said.
"No, no!"
However, since Old Madam Wei had come, there was no possibility for the child to survive.
Otherwise, the entire Wei clan would suffer.
No matter how much she pitied her granddaughter, she could not drag the entire family down with her.
Therefore, she gave a signal, and the servants, who had been specially trained,
stepped forward and restrained her, but without causing her actual harm.
One bowl was overturned, but another remained. The abortion-inducing medicine was brought forward by a maidservant behind them.
Old Madam Wei said earnestly.
"Lan'er, be good. This medicine was prepared by a renowned physician I found. It will not harm your body, and you will have other children in the future."
"I don't want it, don't want it! Grandmother, please, please, let me go."