Qin Chuyuan came out from the palace and did not go back to the Qin residence directly. Instead, he took his attendants and guards straight to the Gong family house in Wuyi Alley.
When they arrived, the Gong family courtyard gate was closed. Just as they were about to knock, a voice came from the side.
"This is not a place for you to come. Leave quickly!"
The speaker was Madam Gong. She had just come back from the market after buying groceries and spoke to Qin Chuyuan's group coldly.
"Madam..."
Just as Qin Chuyuan started speaking, Madam Gong stopped him. "Stop it. Don't call me Madam. I can't bear it. Just leave and don't disturb our Gong family."
Then she opened the courtyard gate, slammed it shut with a bang, leaving Qin Chuyuan and his servants outside.
"Young master, shall we knock on the door again?" the attendant asked.
Qin Chuyuan thought for a moment and said, "Back to the Qin residence."
"Yes."
"Have the spies investigate whether anything has happened in the Gong family recently," Qin Chuyuan ordered the guard.
"Yes, young master."
The next day, Qin Yi faithfully reported everything that had happened to the Gong family in the last month to Qin Chuyuan.
Ever since news of the plague epidemic in Nanlong Prefecture came, Gong Xiaohua's fate was uncertain. The Gong family had become a target of attackers.
First, Gong Dafu's deli was falsely accused of selling contaminated food that killed someone. He was immediately imprisoned and sentenced to exile.
Secondly, while Gong Xiaonan was patrolling the streets, Wang Pengyun deliberately provoked him. Gong Xiaonan’s leg was broken by Wang's men. He might never be able to walk properly again in his life.
Finally, for some unknown reason, Dad Gong was reported for taking bribes and removed from his position.
One thing after another showed they had clearly offended someone powerful who was framing them.
“Young master, everything that has happened to the Gong family is definitely related to the Sixth Imperial Consort. Especially what happened to the young miss’ younger brother. If she comes back one day and finds out, there’s no telling what could happen,” said Qin Yi.
“Break Wang Pengyun’s legs twice over for what he did to Gong Xiaonan’s leg,” ordered Qin Chuyuan.
“Also, send someone to deal with Gong Dafu and Dad Gong’s matters.”
“Yes, young master.”
The Gong family had been looking everywhere for help to appeal Gong Dafu’s exile sentence. They hoped to meet with someone close to the Prefect of Jingzhao to help submit a proposal to retry Gong Dafu’s case.
But the power behind those targeting the Gong family was too great, and no one dared lend a hand. Needless to say, the Qin family had gone over several times but got driven away before even getting close.
The prison was also unwilling to allow visitors easily. With the day of exile drawing near, once exiled, few could survive the journey to the destination. Even if they arrived, they would be skinned alive.
The family also did not dare send a notice back home casually. Madam Gong and the rest were so anxious they couldn’t sleep at night.
"The aristocrats of the capital are so wicked. They plot and scheme all day long," said Gong Dazuang, Gong Xiaohua’s oldest cousin.
"That's right. The Lin Family did something wrong themselves. Sister Xiaohua is a victim. How could they blame her for this?" said Gong Xiaohua’s cousin Wu Xiaonian indignantly.
"If there's really no other way, shall we go to the Empress Dowager and beg for mercy?" Madam Gong asked Dad Gong.
"Alas, we can only try," Dad Gong sighed.
"Dear, I'll go. As an old woman, they won't need to give me face," said Madam Gong.
"Auntie, I'll go with you," said Wu Xiaonian.
"I'll go too," Gong Xiaohua's other cousins chimed in.
"No need. All of you stay at home obediently," said Madam Gong.
"But..."
"Enough. The Empress Dowager is a noblewoman. Why would she want to see you bunch of rough men? You're not going and that's final," Madam Gong declared.
Just as she was about to leave, Gong Dafu walked in looking haggard.
"Dafu?" Madam Gong exclaimed joyfully.
Hearing Madam Gong's voice, everyone rushed out. Seeing that it was Gong Dafu, the younger ones crowded around him happily.
"Little brother."
"Big brother."
"Auntie, uncle, big brother, little brother," Gong Dafu called them each in turn.
"Alright, stop crowding around him," said Dad Gong.
After the nephews moved aside, Dad Gong asked Gong Dafu, "Dafu, come, sit down and rest a while. Tell me, who helped you get out?"
"I don't know either. When I came out, the warden said someone helped clear my charges so I was released," replied Gong Dafu, shaking his head.
"Did he say who it was?"
"No."
"Dear, didn't you say the Fifth Young Master of the Qin family came by last time?" Dad Gong asked.
"Yes, he came once and I chased him away. What about it?" said Madam Gong.
"If my guess is right, Big Dafu's release must be thanks to this Fifth Young Master Qin's help," said Dad Gong.
"Ah? Then I shouldn't have chased him away so bluntly last time," said Madam Gong, realization dawning.
Dad Gong thought for a while and said, "Next time you see him, thank him. Big Dafu’s freedom is really thanks to him."
"I will," promised Madam Gong. Then she turned to Gong Dafu, "Dafu, you've just gotten out. Sit and rest while Auntie makes you something nice to eat."
"Alright, thanks Auntie."
"Uncle, how's everyone been recently?" Gong Dafu asked.
"We're all fine," Dad Gong replied.
"How can you call it 'fine'?" Wu Xiaonian interjected emotionally. "Xiaonan's legs were broken so badly by those men that the doctor says he may never walk properly again. And Uncle was falsely accused of taking bribes and stripped of his job. Now he has to do hard labor every day."
"Xiaonian, your cousin has only just gotten out. Don't talk about these things," Dad Gong chided gently.
"But Uncle, those people went too far! And Cousin Xiaohua still has no news. We don't know if she's alive or dead," said Wu Xiaonian, anguished.
At the mention of Xiaohua, everyone's smiles faded. They lowered their heads silently.
Seeing their expressions, Gong Dafu's mood also turned heavy.
"Now, now, don't think too much. We must believe in Xiaohua. She's the smartest girl I know. She will surely come back to us safe and sound," said Dad Gong encouragingly.
"Yes, Xiaohua is the sharpest woman I’ve ever met. She will definitely protect herself," Gong Dafu added.
Just then, they heard faint sounds coming from outside.
"Dear, did you hear some noise at the courtyard gate?" asked Madam Gong.
"His Majesty's Edict," they heard clearly.
The family quickly got up and opened the courtyard gate. The Edict Bearer, Lord Wu, had returned again.
"The Gong family shall accept the Edict," said Lord Wu formally.
"We humbly accept the Edict!" said the Gong family, bowing.
"Gong Xiaohua has shown wisdom and courage in exposing corruption in Nanlong Prefecture. She is specially promoted to Deputy General of Ministry of Justice. She shall be wed to Qin Fifth Young Master despite missing their original wedding date. The wedding ceremony will be held properly in ten days' time."
"We humbly accept the Edict!"
After Lord Wu left, Madam Gong asked in confusion, “Father, what did His Majesty mean? Xiaohua hasn't come back yet. How do we hold a wedding?"
Dad Gong sighed. "His Majesty has commanded. We cannot disobey. We have ten days to prepare what needs to be prepared. Even if Xiaohua is not back, we will still marry her off gloriously.”
