Chapter 16: The Imperial Pardon

The constables who had been waiting in the side hall immediately brought forward five individuals to the court: the Madam, the Second Madam, the old steward, and Meng Changle and Meng Changxin.

These five were the remaining key figures of Yangchun Manor, with the Madam as their de facto leader.

Minister Zhang Tianmiao of the Ministry of Works sat in the audience. Upon seeing Meng Changle, he seethed with anger, his teeth grinding audibly. If not for his advisor holding him back, he would have rushed forward to beat him senseless.

“Lord Zhang, you may do as you please after they are sentenced, but this is a public trial—please endure for now...”

“Hurry up then!” Zhang Tianmiao snorted coldly, visibly impatient.

Recognizing Zhang’s frustration, the three judges decided to expedite proceedings. “Do those below the dais confess to their crimes?” they asked.

The five exchanged glances, none daring to speak. After a moment, the Madam kowtowed and declared, “All of this was my doing alone. I confess.”

“Why did you kill the third daughter of Minister Zhang—the one who became your new daughter-in-law, Zhang Siyao?”

“Zhang Siyao insulted my son. She deserved to die.”

“You!” Zhang Tianmiao slammed the table in fury, shouting, “You deceived us into this marriage and then murdered my child, you venomous woman!” He lunged forward but was restrained by his advisor.

“This is the Jingzhao Prefecture, and the common folk are watching. Lord Zhang, you must restrain yourself...” After much persuasion, the advisor managed to calm him down temporarily.

Prefect Wen Li and Minister Ci Wen exchanged a glance, deciding to speed things along. “Are there any accomplices?” they asked directly.

“No, everything was done by me alone,” the Madam replied without hesitation, taking full responsibility. But anyone with clear eyes could see that such a massive case could not possibly be the work of one person.

Prefect Wen Li threw down an order arrow. “If you refuse to tell the truth, we will resort to torture! Bring her forth!”

The constables immediately bound her to the rack, alternating blows with heavy cudgels. Blood soon soaked her body, yet she remained silent, sweat pouring down her face, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. After twenty or thirty strikes, the Madam was on the verge of death.

Wen Li and Ci Wen exchanged another glance, both at a loss. They glanced toward Wu Rui’an, only to find him not looking at the Madam. Instead, his gaze was fixed on a woman in the crowd—a modestly dressed young lady with an oval face. Though not particularly striking, she possessed a delicate beauty.

They understood immediately that Prince Wu was of no help here. Reluctantly, Wen Li declared, “Since you refuse to confess, we’ll punish them all together! Perhaps you can endure, but they might not. You unruly peasants won’t shed tears until you see coffins, and without severe punishment, you won’t confess!”

Upon receiving the order, the constables fetched instruments of torture. Just as they were about to bind Meng Changxin to the rack, the Second Madam suddenly staggered to her feet. Staring at the dying Madam, she burst into hysterical laughter, clapping her hands. “Good beating! You finally get what you deserve! Hahahaha—”

Everyone’s attention turned to her, including Wu Rui’an, who looked astonished. No one expected the timid, submissive Second Madam to dare speak like this.

“What are you laughing at?!” Wen Li slammed the table and ordered the constables to restrain her. However, she seemed possessed of endless strength. A group of constables surrounded her, yet none could subdue her.

Standing wild-haired in the middle of the hall, she pointed at the Madam’s nose and cursed, “You stole men from me—I made sure they all died horribly! Those little harlots dared seduce Master Meng. When I caught them, I ordered their deaths—it was what they deserved! Wouldn’t you want them dead too?”

Suddenly, the Second Madam appeared possessed, shrieking madly in the courtroom. “Did you think marrying a wealthy and powerful daughter-in-law would secure the family fortune for your branch? No matter how hard you try to protect Meng Changle, he’s still a mentally deficient fool! Once you’re dead, my Xinxin will inherit Yangchun Manor! For my Xinxin, I’ll destroy you completely!” With that, she lunged at the Madam, claws outstretched.

“Seize her at once!” The prefect slammed the gavel, his voice sharp and commanding.

Several constables rushed forward to apprehend her, but the Second Madam displayed unnatural strength, shoving three or four of them aside.

“You side with this wretch—I’ll take you all with me!” Her eyes bloodshot, she twisted the neck of one constable right before everyone’s eyes. Gasps erupted as all the constables surged forward.

The Second Madam thrashed wildly, emitting hoarse, ear-splitting roars that sent shockwaves through the entire street.

For years afterward, this scene remained a cautionary tale among the common folk. To scare misbehaving children into obedience, parents would warn, “If you don’t sleep, beware! The Second Madam of Meng Manor will snatch you away and seal you inside a bronze statue, leaving you a living corpse for eternity!”

In the end, under the combined assault of over a dozen men, the Second Madam was stabbed repeatedly until her body resembled a pincushion.

Thus, the long-standing mystery was finally resolved.

Wu Rui’an exhaled deeply, exchanging relieved glances with Prefect Wen Li and Minister Ci Wen.

The advisor summarized the Second Madam’s confession and submitted it as the closing statement to the court. Just as the prefect prepared to announce the verdict, a different voice emerged from the crowd.

“Wait.” It was Di Jiang.

“Who dares disrupt the court?” Prefect Wen Li snapped irritably. Recognizing her as the woman Wu Rui’an had been staring at, his tone softened. “What is your concern?”

“Your Honor,” Di Jiang began, “I spent several days among the remains and discovered that some of the skeletons predate the Second Madam’s birth. How could she have committed murders before she was even born?”

“Oh? This...” The Prefect of Jingzhao was not unaware of the situation, but he simply wanted to quickly wrap up the case and report it to his superiors. However, he did not expect her intervention at this critical moment.

Di Jiang continued, “Your Honor, identifying the culprit is actually quite simple. Whoever in the household matches the age of the skeletons could very well be the true perpetrator.”

With these words, everyone understood. Even the Madam, who had been lying on the bench, began trembling uncontrollably—clearly, Di Jiang’s statement had struck a nerve.

Wu Rui’an became intrigued. With a wave of his hand, he commanded, “Bring Grandmother Tao of the Meng family to the court!”

Several officials immediately went to fetch Grandmother Tao.

When Grandmother Tao was brought in, she remained unconscious. Upon seeing her frail state, no one could believe she was the cold-blooded mastermind behind the crimes.

“Wake her up with water!” The Prefect still sought a swift resolution and ordered her to be subjected to punishment.

At this moment, however, the Madam struggled to sit up and stepped in front of Grandmother Tao. She pulled out a yellowish paper-like object from her bosom, holding it high above her head, and cried, “I possess the imperial iron warrant personally granted by Emperor Taizong, which guarantees my family immunity from criminal charges!”

The Madam held up a bronze-colored iron plaque, shielding the elderly woman behind her, causing everyone present to hesitate, none daring to approach.

“This...” The officials exchanged glances, their faces filled with astonishment. Even Wu Rui’an, who typically disregarded conventional rules, appeared troubled. With such an iron warrant in hand, indeed, no one dared to act against them.

Upon seeing this iron warrant, the people of Yangchun Manor seemed to glimpse hope, scrambling to kneel beside the Madam.

This iron warrant had been bestowed by Emperor Xuan Taizong upon Meng Zichang, the founder of Yangchun Manor. During a time when the Yellow River floods had caused widespread suffering and depleted the national treasury, Meng Zichang donated ninety percent of his assets for disaster relief. In recognition of his contributions, Emperor Xuan Taizong issued this iron warrant as a symbol of honor, becoming the highest accolade of the Meng family.

Strangely enough, after receiving this iron warrant, the descendants of Meng Zichang progressively declined in stature. Whether it served as a protective charm or a curse remained uncertain...

The Prefect of Jingzhao and the Minister of Justice exchanged a glance, ultimately declaring four words: “Temporarily adjourn the court!” As soon as the words left his mouth, he reached for the gavel, about to strike, when a sharp voice interrupted, “Your Honor, please wait!”

Though the voice carried urgency, the first two words were strong and forceful, while the latter two showed signs of breathlessness. The crowd parted, making way for the speaker.

Wu Rui’an, the Prefect, and the Chancellor finally saw that the person was Zhong Xu, who carried an aged old man on his back. The old man tilted his head upward, raising his hand, his eyes wide open, his beard completely white. It was he who had just shouted.

Zhong Xu placed him on the ground, and the old man knelt, bowing deeply, saying, “Your Honor, please wait!” His voice trembled slightly, but it was clear that the trembling stemmed not from fear but from his extremely advanced age.

“Who is below the dais?”

“The humble citizen Meng Zichang.”

“Meng Zichang? Who is that?” The three officials looked puzzled, and the crowd exchanged bewildered glances. Only the members of Yangchun Manor collectively shuddered.

“Meng Zichang? Yangchun Shanren Meng Zichang?”

“He died fifty years ago!”

Voices erupted among the crowd. Only then did the three officials recall that the first patriarch of Yangchun Manor was the nationally renowned philanthropist Meng Zichang, also known as Yangchun Shanren.

“Are you Yangchun Shanren Meng Zichang?”

Grandfather Meng struggled to lift his head and solemnly replied, “Indeed, I am!”

These words caused an uproar. Everyone exclaimed in astonishment, “Fifty years ago, I attended Grandfather Meng’s funeral. The scene was akin to a national mourning—he was clearly dead!”

“Now he should be nothing more than bones. How could he possibly be alive and kneeling here to speak?”

The Prefect’s face darkened. Clearing his throat, he said, “Old man, don’t joke around. This is a serious courtroom, and we cannot tolerate nonsense. Men—drag him away!”

“Hold on,” Wu Rui’an interjected, “He doesn’t seem to be lying.”

Wu Rui’an didn’t truly believe the old man was Meng Zichang; rather, he trusted Zhong Xu standing beside him.

The Prefect coughed and then addressed Meng Zichang, “Then rise first.”

“Thank you, esteemed official!” Meng Zichang painstakingly lifted himself, each movement visibly strenuous.

“Don’t call me ‘esteemed official.’ Call me Lord Wen. That form of address is outdated.” The Prefect paused before asking, “What matter do you wish to present?”

Deep down, he didn’t believe him but, constrained by Prince Rui’an, had no choice but to endure.

Suddenly, Meng Zichang tremulously stood up and retrieved a small dagger from his bosom.

Summoning unexpected strength, he approached the trembling Madam kneeling nearby. Lifting the dagger, he struck the iron plaque.

A loud “clang” echoed as the bronze iron warrant split into two pieces, falling to the ground.

“You lot... deserve death!” Grandfather Meng trembled with rage. Turning, he knelt before the assembled judges and declared loudly, “Our Yangchun Meng family has been merchants for three generations, diligently conducting business without ever violating the law. Never did I imagine that today, such unworthy descendants would emerge, disgracing our ancestors and the former emperor. How can we still have the face to seek the protection of the former emperor?! I, Meng Zichang, am willing to sacrifice myself to uphold the law and bear the punishment for these unworthy descendants!”

These words shocked the entire courtroom, causing an uproar.

Prefect Wen Li, Minister Ci Wen, and Prince Wu Rui’an deliberated briefly. Then, Wen Li waved his hand and declared, “Adjourn the court!” He subsequently ordered the constables to close the gates of the Jingzhao Prefecture, sealing off the premises and isolating the commoners outside.

With only a few people remaining inside the Jingzhao Prefecture, Wen Li and Ci Wen hurried to the palace to report the matter, leaving Wu Rui’an behind to handle the aftermath.