AWB Chapter 282: Killing the whole family
Chapter 282: Killing the whole family
The next morning, news of the Zhang family's execution reached the ears of the Duke of Wen.
Yesterday, he had already learned from Xie Jinghan about the monstrous crimes that Consort Zhang had committed in the palace. Now, when he heard from his attendant that the entire Zhang family had been dragged to the Dali Temple, he was still momentarily dazed.
"The whole clan went to the Dali Temple?" he asked, then lowered his voice, "What about the married women?"
At least for now, he didn't want to see Madam Wen get involved.
He had been with Madam Wen for over ten years and knew her temperament best. He knew that once Madam Wen was sentenced to death, she would become like a mad dog and reveal everything.
In this way, the Duke of Wen's mansion will also be buried with the Zhang family!
If it were Prince Xin's confession, that would be fine, but he had absolutely no connection with Consort Zhang's scandalous affair in the harem. If he were implicated, he would die with his eyes wide open in disbelief!
The attendant assumed that the Wen family was worried about Madam Wen, and quickly said, "Master, please rest assured. His Majesty's decree specifically states that a married woman is no longer considered a member of the Zhang family. Madam will be fine."
Upon hearing this, Duke Wen breathed a sigh of relief.
He sat in the chair, his eyes somewhat unfocused.
The attendant cautiously glanced at his expression and asked in a low voice, "Master, many officials have sent invitations these past few days, wishing to see you. Do you wish to...?"
"Spread the word," Duke Wen interrupted him, raising his hand. "Say that I am seriously ill and will not see any guests."
He did want to make connections in official circles to strengthen the power of the Duke of Wen's mansion.
However, Consort Zhang's disgraceful act enraged the emperor, so how could he dare to show his face again?
If he attracts the emperor's attention and reminds him of what Consort Zhang did, will he still have his head on his neck?
These people wanted to visit him only because he was the father-in-law of King Jing, but he also knew that he was insignificant to King Jing.
If that's the case, why would he risk his life to befriend these people?
With this thought in mind, Duke Wen had no more ideas.
The attendants were shocked by what Duke Wen said.
But after a moment, he agreed.
No sooner had the attendants left than they bumped into Madam Wen, who was in a hurry, on the road.
Upon seeing Madam Wen, his eyes widened and he said in a low voice, "Greetings, Madam."
"Where is the master?" Madam Wen asked casually.
The attendant quickly replied, "He's handling official business in the study."
Upon hearing this, a hint of secret joy flashed across Madam Wen's face.
"Master must be tired from handling official business, I'll go to the kitchen and make him a side dish."
After speaking softly, Madam Wen walked towards the kitchen.
The attendant stared at her retreating figure, momentarily stunned.
—Doesn't Madam know about the Zhang family's affairs?
Madam Wen naturally already knew this.
In fact, as soon as the imperial edict arrived at the Zhang family, Lin Mama's old friend hurriedly sent a message, hoping that she could save the Zhang family.
Really ridiculous.
Madam Wen lowered her eyes and said calmly, "I can barely protect myself, how can I save the Zhang family?"
"Moreover..." Madam Wen asked calmly, "Aren't Father and Mother well aware of what my sister has done? Under His Majesty's wrath, there is absolutely no possibility that the Zhang family will survive."
The old nanny left the Duke Wen's mansion with a pale face, leaving Lin nanny behind, looking at Madam Wen with a worried expression: "Are you alright?"
Madam Wen had been tormented by the Zhang family for many years, but even so, she still had feelings for them.
Lin Mama, who was by her side, knew best how much she missed the Zhang family.
Hearing Lin Mama's worry, Madam Wen's voice was so faint that it seemed as if it would disappear at any moment: "Right now, all I want to do is protect Tong'er."
"As for the others..." her voice was hoarse, "I no longer have the strength to protect them."
Her daughter Tong'er was still being tortured by Wen Shuyao, and she, as her mother, couldn't sleep well day and night, worrying about her daughter.
and……
She also received a letter from Wen Shuyao.
She recognized the round-faced maid; it was Xique, Wen Shuyao's personal maid.
When the letter from the magpie was delivered to her, her fingers trembled as she opened it, only to find a single sentence on it.
—Three-day deadline.
When Madam Wen thought of those four words, her breathing became rapid.
After a moment, she lowered her voice and said, "Keep an eye on the study for me. I need to go out for a bit."
Lin Madam already knew about Madam Wen's plan, and upon hearing this, she expressed her disapproval: "You're taking too much risk."
"I have no other choice." Madam Wen's voice was hoarse. After a night of thinking, this was the only solution she could think of. "I need to find the witnesses from back then."
In fact, back then, the maids around Chu Wanqing were either beaten to death or sold off.
The only one who survived was Chu Wanqing's personal maid, Rongxiu.
Rongxiu was too strong-willed. She used every means to subdue Rongxiu, but she could not make Rongxiu submit. Back then, she originally wanted to kill Rongxiu to end it all, but for some reason, she was bewitched and kept Rongxiu's life without telling Duke Wen.
Rongxiu was kept by her in a small house in the capital. Apart from her and Granny Lin, no one knew of Rongxiu's existence—including the Duke of Wen.
If she wanted to solidify the charge that Duke Wen poisoned Chu Wanqing, she alone was far from enough. Only with Rongxiu's presence and her testimony could the charge of Duke Wen poisoning his wife be truly established.
"Why are you doing this?" Lin Mama sighed. "The young lady only wants the master's life, but she can't show herself because of filial piety. It would be better to let this old servant take his head. That way, you can finish your job."
"Granny, you don't understand." Madam Wen smiled bitterly, "If she only wanted the two of us dead, why would she go to such lengths?"
"She wanted the truth of what happened back then to come to light, she wanted to ruin my and my husband's reputations, and she wanted the world and history books to record this crime."
"She wants my husband and I to be cursed by people even after we die."
Madam Wen understood Wen Shuyao and knew her intentions in doing so.
Hearing this, Granny Lin sighed deeply: "In that case, you should go and do it."
“However, you must be very careful,” Granny Lin whispered. “If the master finds out about this… he might kill you to silence you.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Wen gave a cold smile: "Of course I know that, and I will never give him that chance."
"I'm entrusting all matters of the manor to you." Madam Wen patted Lin Mama's hand. "You must keep a close eye on him for me and make sure he doesn't know my whereabouts."
Granny Lin nodded immediately.
Lady Wen left the Duke of Wen's mansion at this time.
The streets were bustling with activity as everyone discussed the momentous event of the Zhang family being executed.
It should be noted that the Zhang family was greatly favored by the emperor because of the fact that they produced a Consort Zhang.