They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 481 Confrontation Before the Emperor
When Marquis Rong'an and his wife heard this, they were both displeased.

Heart-stuck
Fairness? Justice?
Is this the fairness and justice the emperor speaks of? They didn't feel it at all.

But they dared not voice their opinions.

Xu Zhichun naturally had no objections, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

The Emperor nodded: "This matter was originally something you and your child were wronged about, so it's only right. Alright, I won't say any more. You can discuss it yourselves. Don't be nervous, just do what needs to be done."

"Yes."

"Yes"

Liang Minglang, without any further ado, coldly snorted, adopting the full posture of a victim, "Marquis Rong'an, what do you intend to do?"

Marquis Rong'an was furious.
This should have been his son-in-law, who should have been respectful and obedient to his father-in-law, and should have obeyed whatever he said. Why did it have to be like this?

Why is this so!
Marquis Rong'an was filled with resentment and had no way to express his suffering. He glared at Liang Minglang resentfully and gave a slight, cold laugh in response: "Since His Majesty has said that the wife of Marquis Wuxuan is the aggrieved party, why don't you tell me what you want to do?"

The Emperor slammed his teacup down on the imperial table before him, giving Marquis Rong'an a chilling glance.

Marquis Rong'an subconsciously hunched his back, feeling utterly disheartened.

Lady Rong'an was also filled with jealousy. No wonder there were rumors that the Emperor valued Marquis Wuxuan. It was indeed true.

Didn't His Majesty say to let the two families discuss it themselves? When Marquis Wuxuan spoke, the Emperor didn't say anything, but his own Marquis replied in the same way, and the Emperor immediately showed his displeasure.

What kind of fairness and justice is this? Where is the fairness and justice?

The Emperor was naturally furious. He already knew the whole story. What wrong had the Marquis of Wuxuan's family done? The fault lay entirely with the Bai family, mother and son.

If it weren't for the Rong'an Marquis's mansion interfering, it would be only natural that the Bai family mother and son would end up like this, and everyone would applaud them.

But they just wouldn't.

They insist on bullying others by taking advantage of their power.

They even complained to the Empress Dowager.

Consort Xue is ridiculous. Does she really think the Empress Dowager values ​​her or favors her? The only person the Empress Dowager loves is her youngest son.

Apart from her youngest son, no one could capture her heart.

The reason she intervened in this matter was simply because her youngest son had suffered a defeat and she was angry with Marquis Wuxuan. She wanted to cause trouble for Marquis Wuxuan and herself, so she had to get involved.

Since Marquis Rong'an insisted on getting involved in this matter, instead of apologizing properly, speaking softly, and showing sincerity, he dared to make sarcastic remarks with an arrogant and disrespectful attitude. He was giving him too much face.
Was he, the emperor, dead?

Do they think they can act unreasonably and do whatever they want just because they have the Empress Dowager backing them? They've come this far, and they still dare to be arrogant?

Who is he trying to impress with his arrogance?
The Emperor's cold gaze fell on Marquis Rong'an: "Marquis Rong'an, since you are pleading for mercy, show some sincerity. I want to see if you are truly sincere."

Marquis Rong'an was frustrated and speechless. He came to his senses and wondered why the Emperor was angry, but could he be blamed? Liang Minglang should have called him father-in-law and treated him with utmost respect!
Instead, he took the initiative to "show sincerity and apologize!" What kind of situation is this?
"Yes, yes," Marquis Rong'an had no choice but to swallow his anger and forcefully said, "This matter was the fault of the Bai family, mother and son. They will definitely come to apologize in person and compensate us with a thousand taels of silver. Please forgive us, Marquis Wuxuan and his wife."

Liang Minglang: "Bai Baoying's matter is settled, there's no need to bring him up again today, is there?"

The Emperor nodded: "That's right. Let's just talk about the Bai family right now. As for the Bai family's son, the verdict has been made and cannot be changed. Otherwise, where would the dignity of the court be? Wouldn't the law be like a child's game? Marquis Rong'an, how can you not even understand such a simple principle?"

Lady Rong'an's expression changed: "But—"

“Lady Rong’an,” Xu Zhichun interrupted her rather rudely, “Didn’t you hear what the Emperor said? Or do you disregard the court and the law? Are you so concerned about your nephew that you don’t care about anything else?”

"you--"

"Shut up," Marquis Rong'an scolded his wife, glancing resentfully at Xu Zhichun. This rebellious daughter, how dare she!
"Your Majesty is wise. Let's just talk about the matter at hand. In that case, we'll go back and prepare a thousand taels of silver to send to the Marquis of Wuxuan's residence."

“I didn’t agree to that,” Xu Zhichun smiled. “My lord, kidnapping, harming people, causing a scene in court, and humiliating an official of the court originally warranted a beating and exile. You think you can get away with it for a mere thousand taels? How can you even bring yourself to say that?”

"What do you think, Lady Wuxuan?"

“I want three good shops on East Second Street. As for the thousand taels of silver, why not give it to Shuntian Prefecture as compensation? After all, Madam Bai has caused quite a stir in Shuntian Prefecture. The Prefect can’t just be cursed by her for no reason. There should be some compensation.”

Lady Rong'an Marquis's eyes widened: "What do you want? No way!"

Dong Er Street is located in the bustling center of the capital, where land is incredibly valuable. Which shop there would be willing to sell unless they were desperate? A single shop can earn at least three to five thousand taels of silver a year. She asked for three shops, which would bring in at least fifteen to sixteen thousand taels of silver in net income per year. Over several years, that would be an astronomical figure.

If such a shop were to be sold, it could fetch at least 30,000 taels of silver per shop.

No matter how you look at it, it's a huge sum of money.

That's too greedy, how can anyone bring themselves to ask?
Xu Zhichun: "Bai kidnapped the Marquis's younger brother and even tried to ruin his hands and his future in the imperial examinations. How vicious! I have some doubts. How could a merchant's wife from a small town have such audacity to do this? Could it be that she is just a scapegoat?"

Lady Rong'an was still in a daze and hadn't quite reacted when Marquis Rong'an was already furious: "You mean we orchestrated this? Ridiculous!"

Liang Minglang's gaze sharpened as he stared intently at Marquis Rong'an: "So, Marquis Rong'an is admitting it?"

"Stop talking nonsense! It's not true! Admit what? Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! You don't think so too, do you?"

“My wife makes a lot of sense.”

"Nonsense! Why would I do such a thing?"

Xu Zhichun sneered: "You came to our door to beg for Bai Baoying's life, and we didn't agree. Aren't you angry and embarrassed? After all, your family has Consort Xue backing you up. What is there that you wouldn't dare to do? You're just unlucky that you couldn't do it."

Liang Minglang: "Ha, the Rong'an Marquis's mansion is truly remarkable!"

Lady Rong'an, having finally come to her senses, was furious. "Nonsense! Nonsense! What does this have to do with us!"

Xu Zhichun: "Of course you won't admit it. It's no wonder that Bai Shi is willing to be the scapegoat. After all, her daughter is still in your household, and if her son wants to live a better life after being exiled, who else can she rely on but you to help take care of him?"