Old Mrs. Wei had expected that Zhu Fang would not say anything, so she was not disappointed when she could not get anything out of Zhu Fang.
She stood up from the stool and looked at Zhu Fang leisurely, as if this was not the dark and gloomy prison of the Ministry of Justice, but the spacious and bright flower hall of the Dingbei Marquis's Mansion. She even smiled with a hint of joy: "But it doesn't matter whether I say it or not."
Mrs. Wei met Zhu Fang's sudden gaze, and the smile on her lips disappeared instantly: "Anyway, whether you say it or not, what happened before has happened. You almost ruined Amin's life, and almost ruined the Wei family. It is the retribution you deserve to end up like this today."
Zhu Fang's eyes were gloomy, and she sneered, "Old lady, did you come all the way here just to show off your eloquence and see me make a fool of myself?"
Old Madam Wei laughed without hiding anything, and her smile was much more proud than Zhu Fang's: "Yes, I just came to see how a stray dog like you can survive!"
She paused, and her voice gradually became colder: "Don't worry, even if you don't tell me, the Wei family won't wait for you to die. From now on, it will be your turn to have restless nights!"
She straightened her clothes, strode with her head held high and led Wei An out of the prison. The sun was shining brightly outside, and the sky was clear. She raised her hand to block the sunlight and slowly closed her eyes.
"We have done what we should do." Old Madam Wei leaned against the pillow in the carriage and drank a sip of tea: "It depends on whether Zhu Fang is really willing to give up his life. If not..."
If not, then it's time to seek help.
There might be places in Cao An where his hands can't reach, but here in Zhu Fang...
Zhu Fang and Censor Chen can get some information. As long as Zhu Fang really makes any move, Censor Chen will definitely find out.
Wei An reached out and took Old Lady Wei's cup and placed it on the small table. He nodded to Old Lady Wei and said, "Don't worry, Grandma. Even if Zhu Fang can really hold it in, and Cao An can keep it secret, there are other ways. Let's wait and see."
Wei An soon received the news.
On September 17, Zhu Fang, the son of Marquis Pingyang, committed suicide in the Ministry of Justice prison out of fear of punishment.
Soon after, the cabinet also made a decision on the treatment of Cao Wen and Cao An - their property was confiscated into the national treasury, Cao An was executed by slow slicing, and Cao Wen was beheaded.
Emperor Jianzhang personally wrote his approval.
The fate of Cao An and Cao Wen was decided so easily.
Even Censor Chen frowned at the result.
Fang Tingrong was full of joy, and said to him with a smile: "This matter has been resolved, and Your Majesty no longer has to endure the anger of that eunuch. Why do you look so sad?"
Censor Chen glanced at her, sighed and said nothing more.
When they arrived at the Fang family's residence, they spoke frankly to Mr. Fang in the study: "The one who wanted to harm the queen was probably not Cao An. Cao An was just a knife."
Master Fang seemed to have known this for a long time, and he was not particularly surprised to hear his words. He sat in the armchair with a tired and worried face: "Even my brother-in-law feels this way?" He sighed: "I am also worried about this... Although the queen and Cao An have some conflicts, how could she set up such a vicious trap? The queen is the queen! Cao An is a eunuch, how could he be so bold... What good will it do him?"
Master Fang lowered his voice and said, "Besides, they are using the Third Prince as a pretext. If the Third Prince dies, the Feng family will fall, and even the Empress will fall. Who will benefit from this?"
He finally couldn't help himself and looked at Censor Chen and shook his head: "Brother-in-law, I'm terrified when I think about it!"
Even Chen Yushi's hair stood on end: "Who said it wasn't true?" He hesitated for a moment before saying: "I think this matter is very complicated. Zhu Fang's crimes are all mining and the like. There is no confession of collusion with the Yang family... It seems like he is covering up something. And his death is really too strange."
He told Master Fang: "Brother, you also know the rules of the Ministry of Justice. If the Ministry of Justice wants someone to live, he will not die. But Zhu Fang was so afraid of the crime that he committed suicide..."
He said: "I checked, but I couldn't find anything. The Ministry of Justice is a shady place. The Minister of Justice Jiang Zining is an old fox. The man died, but he actually told me that he committed suicide out of fear of punishment... It's obvious that someone wants Zhu Fang dead, and they're afraid that he will say more, so they're so impatient..."
You can't even believe this. I'm afraid even ghosts wouldn't believe it. There's no such coincidence in the world.
Master Fang felt that the matter was not simple: "What should we do..."
There is someone behind the scenes sharpening a knife to attack the Fang family, and he hasn't been caught. It's a creepy thing to think about. What's more, people were so wary of Queen Fang before she became pregnant, and now Queen Fang is pregnant!
"At this point..." Censor Chen said, "We can't be too cautious. Since the person was sent to us by the Linjiang Palace, and the Linjiang Palace has done us such a big favor, we must express our gratitude..."
Master Fang understood what he meant.
In fact, the Fang family might not have been gloating over the misfortune of the Third Prince and the Feng family before. They never dreamed that this was actually a trap set by Cao An for their Fang family.
But the Linjiang Palace knew about it and reminded them. They didn't believe it, so the Linjiang Palace even called Yang Qinghe out.
Yang Qinghe's words really made the Fang family feel a little creepy - the Cao family actually started to scheme against the Fang family together with the Zhu and Yang families so many years ago...
Master Fang seemed to be thinking about something, and was a little embarrassed: "But the Linjiang Palace can't really just do good things..."
"That's why we have to find out what Linjiang Palace wants." Censor Chen also didn't feel relieved: "No matter what, we can't hide from it. Let's see what Linjiang Palace means first."
Master Fang narrowed his eyes and looked at him. After a long while, he hummed, "I will find an opportunity to visit you in a couple of days."
He paused and continued, "Now that the Third Prince has passed away and the Ministry of Rites is handling the funeral, the princes naturally can't escape, but depending on the emperor's intention..."
Censor Chen asked him, "Did the Empress say anything?"
Master Fang nodded slowly: "No one would feel at ease if it were you. The emperor has no son now." He said concisely: "What the queen means is that the emperor might learn from Emperor Xiaozong's method."
That is to say, holding hostages in the capital.
"That's as it should be." Censor Chen also nodded: "With the princes becoming more powerful and Cao An being of this character, it's normal for His Majesty to be suspicious. The most urgent task now is for Your Majesty to take good care of herself..."
This is of course, so it is even more necessary to visit King Linjiang. The teacup in Master Fang's hand was shining with a moist light. He picked it up and slowly sipped the tea, then put the teacup back in its place.