As time passed, Shanxi officials colluded with bandits, extorting the people. Evidence of official-bandit conspiracy, amassing copper to forge weapons and sell them to enemy nations, was presented to Emperor Changwu.
Along with it came various ledgers.
These ledgers were not only irrefutable proof but also represented enormous funds to fill the national treasury.
If not for the incident with Xiao Qi, Emperor Changwu would have been secretly pleased by these accounts. The treasury was severely depleted after years of war.
While accepting the money, Emperor Changwu, perusing the ledgers, was once again angered to find that a small prefect's residence alone yielded a million taels of pristine silver. He then made a swift decision, approving Ouyang Wen's memorial to leave a substantial sum for Shanxi.
After the three-day feast at the Rui King's manor concluded, tranquility returned.
Lady Ban returned to Pingning Marquis's manor, but still visited daily, spending the entire morning. She would cook soup, or do needlework while watching the child.
She meticulously avoided mentioning the troubles caused by Zeng Weiyang.
Lu Nianfu pretended not to know, continuing to focus on her recovery. If her health fully returned and Situ Yan still hadn't come back, she would go to Shanxi to find him. Therefore, she was more proactive about drinking nourishing soups than eating.
No one knew her intentions. Everyone assumed Situ Yan would not return, and thus treated her with extreme care, even refraining from mentioning his name. One day, Lady Fang arrived, weeping hysterically at the entrance, as if she had suffered the loss of a child.
If Situ Yan was gone, wouldn't the vast manor and all its contents fall into the hands of that merchant's daughter?
Lady Fang had intended to cause a scene to secure some benefits for herself, but the gatekeepers were unmoved. Qing Ya and the others, fearing she would upset Lu Nianfu, forcibly escorted her away before she could enter the inner courtyard.
As a precaution, Qing Ya also sent word to Gu Rong.
Gu Rong was furious. He closed the door and pointed at Lady Fang, scolding, "What are you trying to do?"
Lady Fang, with a shrewd look, said, "Master, setting aside everything else, Situ Yan received many rewards over the past year. Our family raised him, after all. We can't possibly let all that inheritance fall to that merchant's daughter, can we?"
Gu Rong's heart ached, "What inheritance? A'yan is merely missing."
Lady Fang scoffed, "Don't deceive yourself. Haven't you heard the rumors? If he could come back, he would have by now. Poisoned and fallen into the water, his body is likely half-eaten by fish."
Gu Rong was so angry he wanted to strike her, "The Emperor hasn't even spoken, and you're rushing to declare him gone? Am I short on food or clothes that you have to run to the Rui King's manor to fight over his property? Let alone A'yan's uncertain fate, even if something truly happened to him, his son has been born, what inheritance could possibly be yours?"
"We raised him, after all. Asking for some support allowance isn't too much, is it?"
"Heh, what do you think the Emperor's reaction will be if he hears this? I don't care; I've been an official for many years. Think about your son."
Speaking of her son, Lady Fang became even more indignant, "You dare bring up our son? Have you ever managed anything regarding Yan Dong's affairs? If it weren't for Yan Dong's official career, why would I have dedicated myself to seeking money?"
Gu Rong glanced at her, "There are many women scheming in the capital, but you are truly the first to scheme like this. Starting today, you are confined to the house. Copy the 'Nu Jie' two hundred times."
"What? You're grounding me? Gu Rong, do you have any conscience? Who am I doing this for? If you hadn't been so foolishly generous, giving away a hundred thousand taels to the second branch just like that, would our family be short of funds? If you don't think for our son, shouldn't you let me plan for them?"
Gu Rong picked his ear, "Spare me. I know the situation in the manor better than you. Guards, watch the madam. If she takes a step out of the manor, I'll have all of you sold off."
Reasoning with her was impossible; house arrest was the only option to prevent her from causing further trouble.
A'yan's life or death was uncertain. As someone who had been his father, he couldn't help him, but he certainly wouldn't allow his wife to seize his posthumous property.
Besides, A'yan's wealth was either earned by his wife or bestowed by the Emperor. What did the Gu family have to do with it? Running to compete with the Emperor's grandson for possessions, would the Emperor let them off if he found out? The more Gu Rong thought about it, the more he felt his wife was out of her mind. He considered sending her back to her parents' home for her mother to manage, but then he remembered the character of Censor Fang.
Never mind...
Lest she learn even more crooked ways.