SGEIRS -Chapter 450 The Verdict Is Out

The cases involving Han Jin, Wei Heng, and the other officials were concluded after several days.

Han Jin, serving as Governor of Zhejiang, was found guilty of corruption, accepting bribes, abusing his power for personal gain, falsifying expenditures, and manipulating accounts to deceive the emperor. He was sentenced to the confiscation of his property and public beheading. The emperor, being benevolent and averse to unnecessary killing, only ordered the execution of the guilty official himself. Han Jin’s family was exiled, never to return to the capital, and his descendants were forbidden from entering official service.

The title of Duke of Zhen’guo, held by Han Jin’s family, was also implicated: the dukedom was revoked, and the family was exiled. The Han family was completely destroyed, with no chance of revival.

Wei Heng, guilty of corruption, accepting bribes, and abusing his authority to fabricate unjust cases—more than one—was sentenced to property confiscation and public beheading as well. His family was exiled, and his descendants barred from official service.

The other officials were punished according to the severity of their crimes. Some had their property confiscated and were executed, with families exiled; some were dismissed and imprisoned; and some, who had committed only minor offenses, were demoted. But even being demoted meant being sent to remote, impoverished regions, effectively ending their careers unless they achieved notable success that attracted the emperor’s attention and regained favor.

Since ascending the throne, this was only the second time the emperor had acted with such sweeping authority, dealing with so many officials at once. Even the centuries-old Zhen’guo Dukedom was abolished, shocking both court and commoners. Yet, many saw opportunity: Zhejiang was a wealthy region, and the sudden vacancies presented chances, especially for officials seeking appointments elsewhere.

The common people applauded. To them, it didn’t matter who was emperor or which officials were in power; what mattered was that the court enabled them to live well. Corrupt officials harmed the people, so removing them was seen as protecting the populace.

Because of Wei Heng, many people also recalled Mei Qingyun—the extraordinarily talented and beautiful woman who had once been Wei Heng’s wife. She had been divorced due to years of childlessness. Now that Wei Heng had been punished and the Wei family exiled, Mei Qingyun, divorced and with no connection to the Wei family, had narrowly escaped disaster.

“The young lady of the Mei family is really lucky.”

“Indeed. The emperor is merciful; he didn’t execute the family, only exiled them. But whether they survive the exile is another matter. Even if they survive, their remaining lives will be hard. The Mei young lady avoids all that.”

“Before, people thought she was too old to marry and couldn’t have children, making it hard to find a good match. But with her ex-husband’s fate, even marrying into a decent family would be far better than suffering with the Wei family.”

“You can’t just marry into any decent family. She has to choose carefully. Ever since she was divorced and returned to the Mei family, matchmakers have been constantly calling. Many families have proposed.”

“The most beautiful woman of that year, they say she is still as beautiful now. Remarrying won’t be hard. Even if she can’t have children, it doesn’t matter. Any man remarrying at this age would already have children anyway.”

Mei Qingyun heard all of this as she left the teahouse.

Indeed, matchmakers came often, but she hadn’t found any family she considered suitable. There was only one prospect she found acceptable—he came from a decent family, was only seven or eight years older than her, and wanted her as his principal wife. Yet, he was lecherous, with ten to twenty concubines and many illegitimate children at home.

She heard that his first wife had fallen ill and died from frustration because he was constantly chasing after other women, making her jealous and angry.

A man like that was worse than Wei Heng! Her elder sister-in-law even thought he was acceptable, urging her to marry, claiming that all men were lustful. The more concubines a man could take, the more capable he was. A man who couldn’t take concubines was weak. And having many children was fine; since Mei Qingyun couldn’t have children, she would have no pressure to continue the family line.

It infuriated her!

“Qingyun!”

Suddenly, a familiar voice called from ahead. Mei Qingyun looked up and saw the Lady of Jing’an Marquis walking toward her with a smile.

Mei Qingyun smiled faintly in return. Previously, she had overheard the Lady of Jing’an speaking ill of her and didn’t know why there was any grudge. But after encountering the Marquis recently, she understood: he had admired her for years and now wished to take her as a noble concubine.

But admiration meant little. She had heard that the Marquis already had several concubines. Being one of them, even a high-ranking one, meant being subordinate to the principal wife and forever inferior. Once someone had been a legitimate wife, who would willingly become a concubine? Only if the principal wife were gone could she seriously consider marrying.

As they drew closer, Mei Qingyun said, “Sister Yao, what a coincidence to meet you here.”

The Lady of Jing’an smiled warmly. “Indeed! I’m truly happy for you, little sister.”

Mei Qingyun, puzzled, asked, “Sister Yao, why do you say that?”

The Lady of Jing’an said, “I’ve heard about the Wei family. Master Wei will be executed in public the day after tomorrow. Fortunately, he had given you a divorce letter back then. Otherwise, you would have had to go with the Wei family into exile.”

Hearing this, Mei Qingyun’s smile faded slightly. She said softly, “Sister Yao, such matters are unpredictable.”

The Lady of Jing’an regarded her with more respect. Years of marriage still created bonds. Even if no longer a couple, hearing that her ex-husband would be publicly executed could still wound her. She comforted her: “Don’t be too upset. Look ahead; you have a long road ahead.”

Mei Qingyun pressed her lips into a smile, offering no reply.

The Lady of Jing’an shifted the topic: “Sister, has your marriage been arranged yet?”

Mei Qingyun glanced at her with a faint, wry smile and asked, “Sister Yao, why are you so concerned about my marriage? Every time we meet, you ask me this.”

The Lady of Jing’an’s heart tightened. This question concerned herself, of course she was concerned. That night, her Marquis had drunk a little too much and, mistaking her for Mei Qingyun, expressed his feelings: “Yun’er, if you marry me as my noble concubine, I promise to treat you well all my life. For all these years, you are the only one in my heart. I married Sister Yao only because our parents thought we were cousins and childhood companions, making the match advantageous. But I never loved her.”

Hearing this, her heart sank. She had spent over a decade as her cousin’s wife, bearing children, managing the household, yet all that counted for less than an older woman who had been previously married. Mei Qingyun remaining unmarried was her greatest threat. If Mei Qingyun became a noble concubine, would her cousin still glance at her?

Suppressing her anger, she maintained her composure and replied, “I only ask out of concern for my sister’s marriage. Please don’t take offense.”

Mei Qingyun said, “Thank you for your concern, Sister Yao, but I have no plans to remarry for now.”