Wang Qingyao lay in bed from the fourth day of the Lunar New Year until the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth.
Though she remained in bed, she heard all the news from various quarters.
Zuo Yun had brought Fang Yuan to see her once. She said that in the first lunar month, someone had beaten the drum to sue at the gates of the Duanjing Prefecture yamen, accusing the卫 family's youngest brother-in-law of abusing his power and seizing ancestral homes.
It was rather amusing, as this youngest brother-in-law of the 卫 family was actually the brother of a concubine in Wei Wenci's household.
Wei Wenci was the legitimate son of the second branch of the 卫 family, and Wei Yu's own brother.
A concubine's brother, not even a master, dared to act atrociously by relying on the 卫 family's influence. It was truly eye-opening!
If this had happened before, the Duanjing Prefect would have handled it quietly, perhaps with a bit more compensation in silver.
But now, it was impossible.
Firstly, Fang Zheng "happened" to pass by when the accuser beat the drum to sue.
Secondly, the Princess of Ding'an had just been bullied by the 卫 family to the point of spitting blood at the state banquet, placing the 卫 family in a precarious position.
At this time, any further incident would have the 卫 family drowned in the spitting of Duanjing's citizens.
Moreover, if the matter reached the Emperor's ears, Consort Wei's situation would likely become even more difficult.
The Emperor and Consort Chen were currently in great favor. Although Consort Chen's maternal family was not as powerful as the 卫 family, they had the Seventh Prince!
The Seventh Prince was only two years younger than the Fifth Prince.
If anything were to happen to the Fifth Prince, the most suitable candidate would be the Seventh Prince.
Not to mention the Crown Prince, who hung over their heads like a sword but had never shown his face.
Grand Tutor Wei made a decisive move.
Soon, the judgment for this case was announced.
The defendant was to return the ancestral home, receive thirty heavy planks, and pay one hundred taels of silver in compensation.
Wei Wenci's concubine, for disrespecting the main wife, condoning her brother, and damaging the 卫 family's reputation, was beaten to death with sticks.
As for Wei Wenci, for doting on his concubine to the neglect of his wife and for his debauchery, he was confined for three months.
After the verdict was announced, the criticism against the 卫 family subsided significantly.
At the same time, more wronged parties emerged.
These wronged parties believed that the 卫 family did not bend the law for personal gain and were just and fair, so their own grievances would surely be redressed.
The 卫 family never imagined that after resolving one case, a whole host of others would appear.
There were those who incurred debts for meals and saw no money for years.
There were those who colluded with local gentry to seize ancestral properties.
There were those who forcibly abducted civilian women.
There were those who forced widows to their deaths.
There were those who directly beat people to death over arguments.
In short, all the acts of abusing power and acting atrociously that one could imagine, the 卫 family's relatives and those who were not quite relatives had committed them all.
It was said that Grand Tutor Wei was so angry that he smashed two tables.
In his life, he cared neither for money nor for lust, but only for power.
He had also warned his family to act cautiously, not to become complacent, and not to let joy lead to sorrow.
However, no family remained pure and upright for generations.
Moreover, the 卫 family's roots were not exactly pure.
Grand Tutor Wei's two sons had inherited his true legacy; they did not wish to engage in such unsavory and disreputable acts, nor did they deem them worthy.
But his grandsons, Wei Wenbin and Wei Wenci, were another matter.
These two had long been spoiled, even more so than Wei Qing and Wei Yu.
If even his own grandsons were like this, let alone those outside who abused their power.
This matter caused quite a stir, and even the Emperor heard of it. He specially summoned Grand Tutor Wei to offer his condolences.
Grand Tutor Wei was already in a semi-retired state.
But he was shrewd. He did not formally retire but often cited poor health as an excuse to skip court sessions.
Yet, whenever a major event occurred, his health would miraculously improve.
It was like when he was promoted to Prime Minister and refused to appoint a successor to the position of Minister of Personnel.
To say he was not the Minister of Personnel, yet officials' promotions and assessments still had to pass through him.
To say he was the Minister of Personnel, yet he no longer served in the Ministry of Personnel.
Grand Tutor Wei was old, and he was the Emperor's teacher. The Emperor could not speak too harshly.
However, the Emperor's inquiry meant that he was aware of the matter, and it would be difficult for the 卫 family to deceive him further.
Furthermore, there was the heir of the Duke of Zhongyong, Fang Zheng, who would occasionally inquire about the case.
Fang Zheng could not try the case himself, but he could bring it to the Emperor's attention.
The 卫 family held an emergency family meeting overnight, and even the Crown Prince visited the 卫 family.
The next day, instructions were conveyed to the officials handling the cases.
Handle matters impartially.
After this incident, although the 卫 family suffered heavy losses, they gained considerable public favor.
Some even spread rumors among the populace that the 卫 family's impartial handling of cases was entirely due to the Crown Prince's love for his people, and his mediation had led to such swift justice.
For a time, everywhere was filled with praise for the Crown Prince.
Wang Qingyao found it amusing.
Indeed, the 卫 family was quite adept at manipulating public opinion.
Was this a case of fortune and misfortune intertwined?
Fang Zheng and Xiao Yun's influence was undeniable in this matter concerning the 卫 family.
No wonder Xiao Yun had been out early and late these past few days.
Although the Crown Prince ultimately benefited, Wang Qingyao was still quite happy to hear about it.
At the very least, those who had been wronged finally received "justice."
Fang Yuan was not very interested in these matters. After cursing the 卫 family a few times, she went to see Pingping and An'an.
She returned after a while, saying with envy, "In the future, I want to have a pair of twins too."
Zuo Yun chuckled, "Silly girl, twins aren't something you can just decide to have. You haven't even gotten engaged yet, and you're already thinking about having children. Aren't you ashamed?"
Fang Yuan was not ashamed at all. She counted the days on her fingers, "Next year, in the ninth month, I'll be married."
Wang Qingyao teased her, "If Zeng Huai knew you were so eager to marry him, he'd be overjoyed."
Fang Yuan replied, "We're in the same boat. He's also eager to marry me."