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The Empress Dowager's decree had not yet been issued, but Gao Feng had already received the news.
People like them always had some sources of information within the palace, especially Gao Feng, who had always regarded intelligence work as the most important. He often told his close companions, "The outcome of a war is determined before it even begins."
Even though he looked down on Pang Yuanying, he was still gritting his teeth in anger.
What man could tolerate another man stealing his beloved girl?
Qin Yaru remained calm. When Gao Feng and Qin Wenyuan barged into her home, she was sitting on the couch, stuffing a medicinal granule into her pillow, with several exquisite flower-patterned pillows made of fine material scattered around her.
Gao Feng sat beside her, took her hand, snatched away the pillow, and pulled her into his embrace. Surprisingly, Qin Wenyuan did not get angry and pretended not to see.
Qin Yaru sighed and gently patted Gao Feng's head, smoothing his hair. "I could never marry Pang Yuanying. My status is too low; I am not worthy of that Marquis. Besides, the entanglement between the Qin and Pang families is too deep. Pang Yuanying's parents would never agree."
Before Gao Feng could respond, Qin Wenyuan angrily smashed a flower vase.
Wancui, Nongqin, and Bao Xia rushed over to save it, managing to rescue their mistress's favorite Mei Vase.
"The officials are being too unreasonable, causing my Qin family to end up in such a situation. Now they want to take my sister away! What do they want? Do they want my sister to marry into an enemy family? Is it a death wish for Aman?"
If Qin Yaru were to truly enter the Pang family, how could the elderly Pang family feel at ease? Did they not fear that Qin Yaru might rise in the middle of the night and poison or burn them all to take revenge?
In any case, there was absolutely no possibility of Qin Yaru marrying into the Pang family.
In fact, when Pang Yuanying returned home, his father, who had always doted on him, picked up a broom and chased after him shouting, "You ungrateful son! You wretched child!"
Pang Yuanying fled in embarrassment, receiving several hits on his back and legs, causing his face to twist in pain.
His mother from the Zhao family was startled and rushed over to hug her son while wailing loudly, "You heartless one! Are you trying to kill me? You old dog! Are you trying to beat my son to death? You might as well kill me along with him!"
The Zhao family was related to the royal family but had always been virtuous and kind. After decades of marriage with Pang Chunzhi, their bond was deep. Although Pang Chunzhi could be harsh with his son, he could never bear to be cruel to his elderly wife. Moreover, as the saying goes: teach your children in public but discipline your wife privately; how could he let his wife lose face in front of everyone?
He could only give up. Panting heavily, Pang Chunzhi dropped the broom and helped his wife stand up while still fuming with anger. "You ungrateful child! Now go see the Empress Dowager! Have you lost your mind from drinking? You don't want that Qin family girl; I will find you a proper noble lady instead. Just stay at home and prepare to marry."
Zhao family cried out as well: "Son, have you been bewitched by a vixen? Just listen to your father; don’t think about Consort Qin anymore; she is not worthy of you."
Unlike fathers, all mothers hope for their sons and daughters-in-law to have a respectful relationship. They can accept their sons treating their daughters-in-law politely throughout their lives but can never accept their sons valuing their wives more than their own mothers.
Without Qin Yaru's identity, Pang Yuanying actually dared to go against his parents for her, and the Zhao Family would absolutely not agree to let him enter their home.
Pang Yuanying, however, turned pale and remained silent for a long time. Finally, he closed his eyes and quietly said, "Yes, my son is indeed bewitched, lost in his thoughts. The only way to free myself is to obtain Consort Qin, whether as a wife or a concubine. As long as she enters my Pang Family's door, I am willing."
His handsome face was as cold as if covered with frost.
The Zhao Family was taken aback, their anger somewhat diminished—wanting to marry a woman of low status was one thing, but merely wanting a woman was another matter entirely.
"My son, are you serious? If you only want a woman, why make such a fuss at the Empress Dowager's place? If Consort Qin is unwilling to enter as a concubine, we can send wedding gifts and treat her as a favored concubine."
The Zhao Family frowned and shot her husband a glare. "It must be your disapproval and difficulties that have led our son to this state. I heard that Consort Qin is just the daughter of an official; what kind of family are we? Even if she comes in as a concubine, it would be her good fortune. Does our son think she would look down on him?"
Pang Chunzhi shook his head with a bitter smile. "What are you saying! Sigh, our Pang Family owes the Qin Family. At this point, it’s useless to say anything more. However, if we still have any conscience left, we should not force a girl into this."
He knew that his old wife was confused; even though he was just a Marquis, there was no reason to force someone into becoming a concubine. Moreover, Consort Qin truly could not be married.
In the end, Pang Chunzhi disregarded his wife's expression and tiredly said to Pang Yuanying, "I have spoiled you too much and let you become reckless. You know nothing about family matters. I have come to realize that since you are a descendant of the Pang Family, even for the sake of the Pang Family, you cannot continue like this. Come with me to the study; I will tell you some things so you will understand why you cannot marry the Qin Family's Wife."
Pang Yuanying stumbled to his feet and followed his slightly unsteady father into the study. The father and son spent the entire morning in the study. Just before noon, Pang Yuanying burst out of the door with a pale face. After walking a few steps, he turned around angrily and shouted at his father, "Father, at this point, you are still indecisive? Truly a woman's compassion!"
Pang Chunzhi watched his son storm away and could only sigh in frustration, murmuring, "He is my junior brother; we have lived together for an entire year with deep feelings as one person. How could I let him die just like that?"
Although this marriage proposal hung over them like a sword of Damocles, Qin Yaru did not seem overly worried; she maintained her daily routine as if she did not care about this matter at all.
Gao Feng appeared indifferent on the surface but secretly intensified his actions. He tripled the number of spies monitoring Xiangyang Wangfu and the Pang Family and even deployed several undercover agents who had been placed for years. Even if there was a risk of exposure and significant losses were incurred, he could not afford to care.
Currently, there were turbulent undercurrents in the capital; even those outside the situation could vaguely sense something was off. Even officials felt that the atmosphere in the palace was tense.
Gao Feng's abilities were formidable; once he began acting, he moved swiftly. In just three days, he managed to capture an inspector under Xiangyang Wang's command. Under Gao Feng's direction, someone immediately impeached this inspector with numerous serious charges—seventeen or eighteen major offenses were listed. Although they were not exhaustive, they certainly drew attention.
Before Xiangyang Wang could react or prepare himself for what was coming next, this inspector was thrown into prison and subjected to a joint trial by the Three Departments. A multitude of charges emerged from this trial, among which the most critical was framing court officials while also exposing numerous wrongful convictions.
The case against the Qin Family was one among them.
Chen Wenyue sought to seize the Qin Family's assets and bore resentment towards them for their previous disdain. He offered substantial gifts and colluded with an inspector to falsely accuse Qin Yizhi of hoarding a Dragon Robe.
This case was clear-cut; although the person who initially connected these two had already been silenced, this inspector knew all the details—under pressure from interrogation, nothing could remain hidden!
A total of only twenty-one cases made the Qin Family matter clear. Qin Yizhi was indeed wronged, and his grievances were finally resolved, restoring his reputation, and he was appointed as a Third-Rank Scholar of Longtu Pavilion.
Qin Wenyuan was also granted the title of Fourth-Rank Loyal and Martial General, serving under Gao Feng.
As for the two daughters of the Qin Family, they were naturally well comforted. Qin Yaru was fine, but Qin Xiu had regained her freedom, cleared her name, and was no longer a lowly outcast.
Upon receiving the news, both Qin Yaru and Qin Xiu were momentarily stunned.
Especially Qin Yaru, although she knew that their family might be exonerated, she did not expect it to happen so easily. Qin Xiu, on the other hand, was in tears; she had never cried when she entered the Brothel Management Office, but now she could no longer hold back.
Holding her sister tightly, Qin Xiu cried and exclaimed, "It's useless, it's useless! After so many years in the Brothel Management Office, even if I regain my freedom, who will still not know what kind of person I am? It's useless..."
Qin Yaru frowned and angrily slapped her: "What nonsense are you talking? What do you have to be ashamed of? You did nothing wrong at all. Just hold your head high and live with dignity. Those who would look down on you are not worth our concern; the ones who truly care about you will only feel pain for you, not disdain."
"Daddy was wronged. Now that we have longed for this moment, we can finally see him exonerated. Are you still going to wallow in sorrow and wait for Daddy to feel upset?"
After some persuasion, Qin Xiu finally smiled through her tears. She was not the type of girl to be overly sentimental; it was just that after years of longing, achieving her wish all at once made it hard for her to contain her emotions. Once it passed, joy prevailed.
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