The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

A few more days passed.

Enclosed by high walls and a majestic gate tower, the wind ripples across the water, causing the lotus leaves to sway gently.

The sun was shining brightly, and the servants of the Duke of Shun's mansion were all gathered in the library, bustling about.

"With the rainy season fast approaching, the mistress has ordered all the books in the library to be moved out and aired while the weather is still pleasant these days, to prevent them from getting moldy later."

Like an old woman giving orders back and forth.

"Men, go to the library and move them. Start with the first floor, be careful and slow. These books are extremely valuable."

"Girls, come here and spread these old materials on the ground. Cover them completely so the book covers won't get dirty. Then wash your hands before you air them out."

"Everyone, be on your best! The mistress has said that once this busy period is over, this month's pay will double."

Everyone beamed with joy: "Yes!"

The Duke's Mansion has always been fair in its rewards and punishments; as long as you work diligently, you will not be treated unfairly.

Even though there are more rules, the master is not as difficult to serve as in other mansions, where people often beat or scold him.

They rolled up their sleeves and worked diligently and cautiously.

Because this book is real! Exquisite.

The Wei family has a rich heritage; the books that can be included in the library are all collected one by one by generations of Wei family members.

Ning Suchan wore a deep purple brocade dress with intricate patterns embroidered on the collar. Her hair was piled high in a bun. She sat on a grand chair, holding a cup of tea in her hand. Her eyes were deep and unfathomable, exuding an air of authority without anger.

She didn't say a word from the moment she appeared.

But her powerful aura makes her impossible to ignore.

After the old woman finished giving her instructions and came to serve her from behind, Ning Suqian frowned slightly.

"What has Madam Yu been busy with these past few days?"

Considering she was unwell from drinking, Ning Suchan had someone run errands for her that day to exempt her from looking at the accounts. But she did just that, not showing her face for several days in a row. How dare she!

The old woman lowered her head silently: "The servants in Lan Garden are all from the Wei family army, and they are very tight-lipped. Since the Crown Princess hasn't come out, this old servant shouldn't inquire."

"but……"

She paused, and when Ning Suchan looked over, she said, "However, yesterday Shunzi carried a newly made rocking chair for midday rest over from outside."

The old woman, however, had a complicated story to tell: "That rocking chair wasn't made of nanmu wood, nor was it made of rosewood. It was pure gold."

"It glittered under the light, it was really dazzling."

Ning Suchan: ?
However, it was a minor matter, and she didn't care much about it.

She took a sip of tea: "Go and run an errand to get them here."

"Yes."

Taking a break, Yu Tingwan had a rocking chair moved to the sunniest spot in the courtyard. She lay down and watched Wei Zhao sitting on a stone bench not far away, polishing his Broken Cloud Spear.

He had to wipe it down every other day, I don’t know if it was out of habit or because he was afraid of dust accumulating.

However... it took an unusually long time to clean today.

Yu Tingwan did the math.

It's been about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

She said softly, "It's almost shiny with oil."

Wei Zhao: "It's been idle for too long."

Wei Zhao continued his work without slowing down, saying calmly, "It's been a long time since I've killed anyone."

Yu Tingwan: ? ? ?

It doesn't sound like something a normal person would say.

Wei Zhao: "Let it suffer."

Yu Tingwan: ...

Wei Zhao: "I need to think about it."

Yu Tingwan: ... "What are you thinking about?"

“Pick someone out and let them get stained with blood.”

who?

Wei Zhao's eyelids drooped, his eyes devoid of emotion, yet he had already chosen a candidate.

Just as Yu Tingwan was about to speak, Rong Di entered from outside.

"General!"

"News has come from the palace that His Majesty has issued an edict to depose her. Out of consideration for the late Crown Prince, Zhou has been banished to the Cold Palace and will never be allowed to leave."

"The Ministry of Justice, the Jingzhao Prefecture, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate are jointly handling this case, with the Grand Tutor supervising the trial. Zhou Qing vehemently denies the charges, but the evidence is irrefutable, and the charge of treason is established. His title is revoked, and he is sentenced to death by a thousand cuts, with his entire family implicated."

Is the result out?

It's fast, though.

Indeed, Minister of Justice Yao had long ago pledged allegiance to the Fifth Prince Ying Yin.

The Censorate was under He Xuran's command. The officials of the Jingzhao Prefecture were confidants of Emperor Yingqian.

Emperor Yingqian was furious and had not attended the morning court for three days. He was waiting to convict the Duke of Zhou, eliminate him completely, and prevent any future trouble.

Wei Zhao seemed to have already guessed the outcome and did not respond.

Yu Tingwan: "When will the execution take place?"

Rong Di: "Half a month later."

Yu Tingwan was no good person either, she pursed her lips and said, "Why wait another half a month? Why not just kill him directly?"

Wei Zhao then spoke to her, saying, "The Zhou family is prosperous. The nine clans include four paternal clans, three maternal clans, and two wife's clans. They are further divided into direct descendants, collateral descendants, and other branches, scattered in various places. Cases involving the Ministry of Justice and the Jingzhao Prefecture are all to be escorted to the capital."

"The palace was heavily guarded, yet Zhou Qing was able to switch the imperial heirs. The dog emperor was already suspicious, and when several traitors were found within the Imperial Guard, he was even more furious. He took the opportunity to uproot all the officials who had secretly sided with Zhou Qing."

Yu Tingwan understood.

She couldn't help but ask, "Which minister ultimately carried out the execution?"

Rong Di hurriedly replied respectfully, "His Majesty has appointed the Second Prince, the Fourth Prince, and the Fifth Prince as well."

Yu Tingwan: ...

There are so many people.

This is clearly a case of making an example of someone.

This was clearly a warning to the son who coveted the throne, and to witness firsthand the consequences of treason.

"I feel sorry for the fourth prince. He's been quiet and hasn't done anything, yet he's been dragged into this mess."

Rong Di looked at Wei Zhao: "Still..."

Wei Zhao: "Speak."

"We also ordered high-ranking officials of the court to witness the execution. Your name, General, is on the list."

Wei Zhao was not surprised.

Rather than referring to them as important officials of the court, it would be more accurate to say that they were powerful officials of the court.

Especially military power.

Wei Zhao turned his head to look at her and said indifferently, "Why don't you take pity on me instead?"

Yu Tingwan: ...

What is there to pity about you?

The man was afraid that Zhou Qing's attempt to switch children had failed, so he even helped cover for him.

Wei Zhao said softly, "I'm not in good health, yet I still have to go to Xuanwu Gate, a place with heavy yin energy."

He said delicately, "I'm really scared."

Yu Tingwan: ...

Even ghosts would call you a demon if they saw you.

She smiled, her toes lightly touching the ground as the rocking chair swayed back and forth. Life was pleasant and full of hope.

It's a pity Fu Meng isn't here. Who knows where he's off gallivanting off to.
Otherwise, petting the tiger's head would make it even more perfect.

Then... Granny Ru came looking for him.

The books on each shelf in the Shun Guo Gong Mansion's library are all pre-selected, ensuring the fastest possible search.

Therefore, the servants carried the books out, and the maids had a clear division of labor.

Some are drying in the sun.

The dust was carefully wiped away with a handkerchief.

There are page-turning features.

When Yu Tingwan arrived, the servants of the mansion had already moved half of the books out of the first floor.

She came to Ning Suchan's side and curtsied, saying, "Mother-in-law."

Ning Suchan's gaze fell on her: "I remember you said you loved books at the last palace banquet."

Yu Tingwan: "This..."

She looked at the books scattered on the floor and hesitated, then said, "No, actually there's an error in them..."

Ning Suchan didn't wait for her to finish speaking.

"The task of drying books in the library every year was assigned to me by my grandmother in the third year after I married into the Wei family."

"It looks simple; you just need to give the order, and someone will do it. But there are many tricks involved."

Ning Suchan: "If I pick up any book, I can now roughly tell you where it is stored in the library."

“The books here are precious. If they are dirty, the stains must be removed. If they are damaged by insects, they must be repaired. Furthermore, copies must be made so that the Wei family’s future generations can read them.”

Her tone was light and airy.

"I've been managing this for over twenty years, and I'm handing it over to you from now on."

(End of this chapter)