RWNEFE -Chapter 610 Giving the Shen Family Two Choices!

Far away in the northwest, Wu Yanzhi was still full of anticipation, expecting to return to the capital and enjoy favor and glory. He never imagined that the capital had already undergone earth-shaking changes.

From the moment the Wu family was accused to the confiscation of their property and their imprisonment, not even two days had passed.

Carrier pigeons sent from Wu Yanzhi’s faction toward the northwest were shot down before they could even leave the capital.

There was not even anyone who dared to plead injustice for the Wu family, because immediately afterward Shen Lanxi issued an order—punishment extending to nine clans.

The imperial prison, which had been nearly empty for some time, suddenly became overcrowded.

All nine clans connected to the Wu family were implicated. Even infants in swaddling clothes were not spared; all were thrown into prison.

The prison was filled with curses directed at Wu Yanzhi, the crying of women and children, and shouts of protest and pleas of innocence.

The next day in court, the Grand Tutor stepped forward to submit a memorial.

“Your Majesty, I believe that implicating nine clans is excessively harsh. Many of the Wu family’s neighbors, relatives, and former classmates had no contact with them. They are innocent people who have been dragged into this.”

“Your Majesty, what the Grand Tutor says is reasonable.”

“It is only Wu Yanzhi who committed many evils. The punishment should fall only on those who benefited from him. Others are innocent.”

“I disagree. Only severe laws can deter others from committing crimes.”

“In the capital these past six months, we have reached a point where doors need not be barred at night and lost items are not picked up from the streets. This is all thanks to the Great Zhou Code promoted by Your Majesty.”

“If punishment is not strict, some people may take chances and dare to stretch out their sinful hands.”

“I second the motion—severe punishment is necessary.”

The court clearly split into two factions over how to handle the matter.

But there was one point of agreement: the Wu family must be punished severely.

Wu Yanzhi was related by marriage to the Shen family’s main branch. The only question was whether His Majesty would show leniency.

After a moment of thought, Shen Lanxi said, “I am merely continuing previous practices. Since so many of you have differing opinions, it is clear that the Great Zhou Code still requires further refinement.”

Half the officials were stunned.

Weren’t they just arguing against punishing nine clans? How had the topic suddenly shifted to revising the Great Zhou Code again? It had already been revised countless times—still more revisions?

The Grand Tutor said, “Your Majesty is wise!”

All the officials looked at the Grand Tutor in confusion. Whose side was he actually on?

Shen Lanxi continued, “Then abolish punishment of nine clans and change it to punishing those who benefited.”

The officials fell silent.

“However, within three clans of the Wu family, anyone who benefited from them—even if only in reputation—shall not be spared.”

“My minimum requirement is punishment extending to three clans.”

The Ministry of Justice responded, “Your Majesty is wise!”

The Ministry of Punishments then asked, “Your Majesty, Wu Yanzhi’s daughter is betrothed to the Shen family’s main branch. How should this be handled?”

If she had already married in, they could divorce or repudiate her. But Wu Qingyu had not yet entered the Shen household—she only held the status of a fiancée, half a step in name only.

Shen Lanxi pondered and said, “I am I, and the Shen family is the Shen family. I cannot decide for them. Later, I will have the Shen family make their own decision.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Many people were watching this matter closely. It concerned His Majesty’s attitude toward Wu Yanzhi’s fate.

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After court was dismissed, a family letter was delivered to the Shen household.

At that moment, the Shen family was already discussing breaking off the engagement with the Wu family.

Now that the entire Wu family had been imprisoned, breaking off the engagement would require only a simple statement.

“This engagement must be canceled. My grandson cannot marry the daughter of a convicted criminal.”

When nothing had happened to the Wu family, Madam Liu had flattered them; now that they had fallen, she changed her attitude immediately.

Shen Congwen said, “We must not. People will say our Shen family is ungrateful and abandons others when fortunes change.”

Madam Liu gave Shen Conglian a meaningful glance.

“Elder Brother, that’s not how it should be said. The Wu family are convicted criminals. If our Shen descendants truly marry into such a family, how will they ever hold their heads high again?”

Madam Liu added, “Exactly.”

(If it weren’t your grandson marrying a criminal’s daughter, you wouldn’t be speaking so lightly.)

Shen Congwen said, “Back in the late emperor’s time, we were the ones relying on the Wu family. They never despised us for having once been exiled to Dongchuan. Now that they’ve fallen, if we hastily break off the engagement, I fear it will damage our reputation.”

Shen Congli said, “Then break it off later. Maybe we won’t even need to—perhaps the Wu family will all die. At that time, we could simply collect their bodies and still gain a good reputation.”

“And it’s the Wu family’s own fault for not keeping their dealings clean.”

Madam Miao said, “Master is right.”

“Wu Yanzhi is certain to die. With so many charges, the rest of the Wu family won’t escape either.” Madam Liu now wished more than ever to sever ties quickly, lest her grandson’s reputation be dragged down.

Just as they were discussing, someone arrived from the palace.

“His Majesty specially ordered this servant to deliver a family letter.”

Though it was called a family letter, the one who came was an imperial eunuch bearing an edict.

If it were an ordinary letter, it would usually be delivered by the Imperial Guards.

“Elder Brother, open it quickly and see what it says,” everyone urged.

Shen Congwen opened it and read aloud:

“I merely offer a suggestion. The family may accept it or not.”

“Since the betrothal between Wu Qingyu and the Shen family was decreed, she has rendered merit and kindness to the Shen family.”

“I will strip Wu Qingyu of her noble title. The Shen family may send someone to the prison to complete the marriage.”

“Or you may choose not to intervene, and the engagement will naturally become void.”

“I hope the family will carefully consider.”

“That’s all.”

Shen Congwen set the letter aside. Since it concerned the main branch, Madam Liu quickly took it to show Shen Conglian.

“That’s really all,” Shen Conglian confirmed after reading.

“Elder Brother, what should we do?”

Shen Congwen slammed the table in anger. “What choice is there? It may say we can choose, but in reality there’s only one path we can take.”

The Shen family fell silent.

Even the second branch stopped urging.

Only Madam Liu, still unwilling to accept it, muttered softly, “What if we choose the second option?”

All the Shen men looked at her at once, making Madam Liu feel guilty.

Why were they staring at her? She had only said it casually.

“Should we ask the Princess Consort?” Shen Conglian said, unsure what to do.

If they chose the first option, their grandson’s future would be ruined. But if they chose the second… His Majesty clearly intended them to choose the first.

If they disobeyed, the consequences might be severe. They could not afford to gamble.

“Elder Brother, let’s ask the Princess Consort.”

“Yes, Elder Brother, the Princess Consort’s judgment carries more weight than ours.”

If His Majesty later blamed them, they could say it had been the Princess Consort’s decision. Then the blame would not fall on them.

Unless absolutely necessary, Shen Congwen did not wish to trouble the Princess Consort.

“Elder Brother, this concerns Chengfeng’s entire life. Consider it your younger brother begging you,” Shen Conglian pleaded, setting aside his pride.

“Elder Brother, Chengfeng is also your kin, your grandson in name. Can you bear to see him marry the daughter of a convicted criminal and have his future ruined?” Madam Liu began to cry behind her handkerchief.

Shen Congwen thought it over. In the end, he would still have to handle the matter himself. If the second branch went to their mother, she would only be troubled, and the matter would circle back to him anyway.

“Very well. Wait here. I’ll go ask.” Shen Congwen took the family letter from the palace and walked off slowly.

“Second Brother, asking the Princess Consort can’t go wrong,” Shen Congli said, appearing to comfort him, but secretly gloating.

Before, he had envied the second branch for becoming in-laws with the Chancellor’s family, envied them for gaining the Chancellor’s support…