RWNEFE -Chapter 613 The Red Sedan Chair Brings Out the Wu Family Girl

After thinking it over all night, Hu Jinyu gave Shen Yuanxu her answer.

“Husband, let the children stay in the capital. Chengfeng marrying the Wu family girl is only temporary. His Majesty plans to punish the Wu family—keeping the Wu girl around would just be a source of trouble.”

Could a person like His Majesty allow a troublemaker to survive indefinitely?

Even if it weren’t His Majesty, someone else would take action—those in the Shen family were no pushovers.

“Alright, I’ll send the reply to the capital immediately!” Shen Yuanxu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing her response.

At least as a couple, they were now in agreement.

Before Shen Yuanxu’s letter reached the capital, the second branch of the Shen family had already begun arranging Chengfeng’s marriage.

“Chengfeng’s marriage to the Wu girl should not be too high-profile. The Wu family is disgraced—just a single red sedan chair to bring her home is enough. No banquet is necessary.”

“Chengfeng is still too young. Bringing the Wu girl in is just for appearances. In my opinion, there’s no need for a formal ceremony. Just treat her as a distant relative in the household.”

“No need to bother Yuanxu’s side. Everyone in the capital is watching our family—this must be done quickly.”

“Once we send a memorial to the palace and receive a reply, we’ll go fetch her.”

“After bringing the Wu girl home, we’ll place her somewhere quiet in the house.”

The Shen elders, each offering their input, quickly finalized the arrangements for Chengfeng to bring the Wu girl into the family.

Soon, a reply from the palace arrived:

Approved!

The next morning, even before the prison gates opened, a red sedan chair was already stationed outside.

Members of the Shen family’s second branch, carrying Shen Lanxi’s handwritten instructions and some bribe money, quickly brought the Wu girl out.

They didn’t linger. After collecting her, they immediately returned to the Shen household.

Early risers on the street watched in bewilderment as the red sedan chair entered the Shen family home.

Later, rumors spread: the eldest son of the Shen family had married the Wu girl.

Many praised the Shen family’s sense of justice, while others cursed the Wu family, saying none of them should have been spared.

Next came the formal judgment against the Wu family.

The Three Departments confirmed the crimes, determined punishments, and submitted them to Shen Lanxi for final approval.

“By the Mandate of Heaven… Prime Minister Wu Yanzhi, guilty of corruption, perverting the law, and treating human life as worthless, is hereby sentenced to immediate execution. His property is confiscated. Family members over fifteen will be executed; those under fifteen, male and female, will be exiled to the frontier…”

Many officials in court were shaken, especially those allied with Wu Yanzhi.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter—they were now rootless.

They had expected leniency for their past merits, but instead a ruthless purge followed, like a storm of blood and carnage.

“Wu Yanzhi’s faction—forty-three people in total—are scattered across various government departments. Some hold important positions; some are minor officials. Punishments will be assigned according to the severity of their crimes.”

“Severe cases: confiscation of property and exile. Lighter cases: removal from the capital to serve in remote posts.”

Shen Lanxi listened to the reports from the Court of Justice and was reasonably satisfied with the punishments.

“Recently, many have gone to your house to curry favor, right?” Shen Lanxi teased.

Wei Jie broke out in a cold sweat.

“I have always acted according to the law, without showing mercy. Those who came to beg at my home were all turned away by me.”

Shen Lanxi nodded. “I trust you, Lord Wei. It’s just that you’ve been so absorbed in official matters, you neglected the family somewhat.”

Wei Jie’s brows twitched; a bad premonition filled his mind.

He muttered, “I’ll go home and check after court.”

After court, Wei Jie rushed home anxiously.

He had some understanding of His Majesty’s temperament. If she spoke of something without evidence, she wouldn’t mention it.

Once she did mention it, it meant there was solid proof.

Reaching home, he kicked the door open before the gatekeeper could, and shouted:

“Why is there a carriage outside? Who’s here?”

The gatekeeper, guilty and nervous, replied, “It’s your lady’s family visiting.”

Wei Jie frowned. His wife had long severed ties with her natal family.

He stepped forward and sensed something wrong.

The gatekeeper’s behavior was clearly nervous. If it were just a one-time visit, it wouldn’t be like this.

“Does your lady’s family come often?”

The gatekeeper, unable to lie, nodded reluctantly. “They visit every two or three days.”

Wei Jie’s brows shot up. He asked sharply, “Do they come empty-handed?”

The gatekeeper thought for a moment. “No, they always bring something, sometimes leaving with something too.”

Wei Jie’s face darkened with rage as he stormed toward the backyard.

In the backyard room

“Sister, you have to help your brother this time.”

“His direct superior is involved with Wu Yanzhi, and now he’s being sent to the southwest. Your brother is his subordinate—he’ll be sent too.”

“The southwest—is that even a place for humans? Not only are there poisonous insects and plants, but also miasma. If your brother goes, will he even return alive?”

“That person said, if he can stay in the capital, he’ll receive five thousand taels. If he stays nearby, three thousand. Even if he must go to a prosperous region, he’ll get one thousand, and your brother will get promoted a rank.”

Wei Jie’s wife hesitated.

“Sister-in-law, the Wu family matter is huge. His Majesty is personally overseeing it. If he finds out, our master won’t get off lightly.”

“It won’t happen. His Majesty is busy with so many matters daily—a lowly official won’t decide things; your brother-in-law does.”

“I heard His Majesty has entrusted the Wu family case entirely to your brother-in-law.”

“Your brother-in-law is now the big favorite in front of the emperor!”

Wei Jie’s wife was still hesitant.

“Sister, can you bear to see your brother suffer?”

“You have only this one brother. If he goes to the southwest, you might never see him again in your life. Can you bear that?”

“If you don’t speak up, how can you face our father and mother? Otherwise, I’ll have them plead with you personally!”

Hearing the mention of their parents, Wei Jie’s wife immediately gave up her hesitation.

“Alright, I’ll try. I can’t guarantee success.”

“As long as you speak, it will succeed. All your brother-in-law’s subordinates will respect you.”

Just as Wei Jie’s wife was about to nod, there was a loud bang—the door was kicked open.

Wei Jie stormed in, face dark with anger.

“Master, why are you home?”

Wei Jie glared at his wife’s sister-in-law, furious.

“You said you no longer associate with them. Why are they here?”

Chen Gao’s wife sensed danger and tried to run.

But thinking of her husband’s career, she swallowed her fear and said, “It’s my first visit. Your brother-in-law is back.”

“They’re just worried about their daughter, so they sent me to speak with you. After all, she’s our own daughter. Blood is thicker than water, isn’t it?”