Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

In the laundry room's kitchen, Shen Qiongju was stirring frostbite ointment in a ceramic jar.

The spicy aroma mixed with the rich scent of lard spread in the cold wind, surprisingly bringing a touch of warmth.

Chunxing rushed into the laundry room and pulled Shen Qiongju to a corner.

"Sister Qiongju!" Her eyes lit up, and she lowered her voice considerably. "My husband just arrived. He said your family sent a message and some money!"

Shen Qiongju's heart skipped a beat.

Chunxing continued, "It was your Shen family's manager, Huai De, who asked him to deliver the message. The manager said he knows you're suffering here, and told you to hold on until he's made enough money to redeem you. The winery in Shen Family Village is operating normally, the brewing is going smoothly, and everyone they've hired has signed contracts and is working day and night."

As she spoke, she pulled a heavy cloth bag from her bosom and handed it over: "This is what the shopkeeper asked me to bring. He said not to be stingy, but to use it as needed."

Shen Qiongju clutched the cloth bag tightly, feeling delighted that the winery was still operating normally.

This will be her future money bag.

Although Uncle Huai De didn't believe her, he still did as she suggested. What a stubborn old man.

"And another thing," Chunxing leaned closer, her breath tinged with excitement, "Shopkeeper Shen also had my husband tell you that a new magistrate has arrived in Wu County. He's a very handsome young man, and as soon as he took office, he brought up Pei's case again, saying that the blueprints that Commander Wen submitted earlier were just rubbings and not solid evidence. Now that he can't produce the original blueprints, the case is completely untenable."

"The magistrate has ordered that the entire Pei family be brought back for retrial! Perhaps you really will be able to go back!"

Shen Qiongju suddenly looked up: "Retrial? What's the magistrate's surname?"

"It seems her surname is Shen." Chunxing thought for a moment, "Yes, her surname is Shen!"

Shen Mo.

The eldest son of the Shen family, who later rose to the position of Vice Minister of Justice in his previous life, has arrived in Wu County so early in this life.

"Did Uncle Huai De mention...?" Her voice was a little dry, "...other members of the Pei family, such as... Pei Zhihui?"

Chunxing shook her head: "I haven't heard of it. But it's rumored that the new magistrate is very capable. He dared to touch a case in the military as soon as he arrived. He must have someone behind him."

Shen Qiongju fell silent, and someone offered some guidance.

Aside from Pei Zhihui, no one would exonerate the Pei family like this. The exoneration happened even earlier than she expected; no wonder he's the youngest prime minister of the Great Sheng Dynasty.

She suddenly remembered the dark figure outside the T-shaped tent. Could it really be Pei Zhihui?

But since he came all this way, why didn't he visit his family?

.

Several days later, the officials who came to escort them for retrial arrived at Dabao Village.

Liu rushed in from outside before she could even dry her hands, her face beaming with undisguised elation, and she almost tripped over the threshold.

"Qiongju, fantastic news!" She gasped for breath, her eyes shining brightly. "The newly arrived Magistrate Shen has ordered a retrial of our family's case. The officials have already arrived at the labor camp, looking for members of the Pei family. They say... they say there's a miscarriage of justice, and they want us all to return to Wu County to await trial!"

Shen Qiongju suddenly stood up, and her skirt accidentally overturned the pottery jar, the brown ointment soaking her thin shoes.

Although she knew they would eventually return to Wuxian, she was still somewhat excited.

Pei Zhihui's methods are indeed swift and never disappoint. It's just unknown how he will treat his sister-in-law, who caused his brother's death, when he returns.

"That's wonderful, let's go tell Auntie," she replied, her voice tinged with mixed feelings of joy and worry.

"Yes, yes," Liu nodded vigorously, her eyes reddening, "We have to tell my sister-in-law."

Other women washing clothes in the courtyard gathered around, offering their heartfelt congratulations and reflections.

The news spread like wildfire, instantly reaching every corner of the laundry workshop.

Shen Qiongju pushed open the creaking door, where Pei Junlan was mending Pei Zhichun's worn-out jacket stitch by stitch.

Hearing the noise, she looked up, her brows furrowed with a persistent melancholy.

"Aunt," Shen Qiongju said, "the new magistrate, Shen Mo, wants to retry Zhi Chao's case and has summoned us all back to Wu County."

The needle pierced her fingertip sharply, and a drop of blood rolled down. Pei Junlan's hand froze in mid-air, her expression first solidified, then gradually cracked, revealing disbelief beneath.

"What...what did you say?" Her voice was dry, like sandpaper being rubbed.

"Return to Wu County and reopen the Pei family's case," Shen Qiongju repeated. "Aunt, we can go back now."

In the corner of the room, an aunt was comforting Pei Zhichun, who was coughing. Upon hearing this, she suddenly turned her head. She was stunned for a moment, then suddenly covered her face, and suppressed sobs leaked out from between her fingers, her shoulders shaking violently.

"Bodhisattva...Bodhisattva has opened his eyes!" another aunt murmured, wiping away tears as well.

Pei Junlan slowly stood up, walked to the narrow window, and turned her back to everyone.

The bleak afternoon light of winter outlined her strikingly thin figure; her shoulders trembled slightly, but she made no sound.

"It must be Zhihui," Liu said, sobbing uncontrollably. "That child, I knew he wouldn't abandon us."

"Yes, yes! It must be Second Brother running around outside!" The other women echoed in agreement.

Shen Qiongju stood at the door, her fingertips icy cold. After the immense relief, an even deeper chill crept over her.

If he were to overturn the case, he would surely know how that crucial blueprint "ended up" in Wen Qianhu's hands.

Granny Kong arrived quickly, her face unusually relaxed. She granted permission for the Pei family women not to work today, but only to tidy up.

She looked at Shen Qiongju, sighed, and then smiled: "You're finally free from this misery. I'll have someone count the interest from these past few days and give it to you later."

Chunxing helped Shen Qiongju pack her meager belongings, her eyes red and full of reluctance: "Sister Qiongju, now that you're gone, this courtyard will be so quiet again."

Shen Qiongju held Chunxing's hands, which were covered in chilblains, and said in a low voice, "Chunxing, if you don't want to work here anymore, the winery in Shenjia Village is always open to you."

Chunxing's tears fell instantly, and she nodded heavily.

The next day at dawn, the sky was a pale gray.

When the officials arrived, they were not the fierce and menacing figures they usually displayed when escorting prisoners; they were simply polite and businesslike.

The leader, surnamed Li, was in his forties. His face was expressionless as he instructed his men, "Magistrate Shen has ordered that you take good care of them along the way and not be negligent. But you must also arrive on time and not be delayed."

The Pei family members lined up and silently walked out of Dabao Village. The men gathered from the labor camp, all emaciated, but their eyes were filled with excitement, except for Pei Shoulian.

He was carried out by Pei Zhiyan. The old man was wrapped in a tattered and stiff cotton quilt, with only his ashen and thin face showing, and his breath was weak.

Upon seeing her father in such a state, Pei Junlan's legs went weak and she almost fell, but Shen Qiongju caught her.

"Let's go," Officer Li ordered.

The procession moved silently along the official road.

After traveling for two days, the wind and snow subsided, and they encountered a caravan coming from beyond the pass, its camel bells ringing. They were about to enter the pass.

The caravan was large, with goods piled up, almost completely blocking the already narrow official road. Both sides had to stop and pass each other.

Just as they were waiting, a commotion suddenly broke out at the other end of the caravan. A middle-aged man dressed in a brocade coat, who looked like a merchant, rushed over in a panic and bowed to Constable Li.

His Mandarin, thick with a foreign accent, said, "Officer, please have mercy! My brother's feet got frostbite from following the merchants; they're swollen and black now, and he can't feel them at all!"

"We're in the middle of nowhere, please, officer, save us and show us the way!"