Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1296: Two Choices

King Ming, also known as Ming Shaoqing, is a name that echoes throughout most of Great Chu. In the Capital, his decisive and ruthless approach to matters, devoid of personal sentiment, is widely known and feared. No matter the reason for his appearance today, crossing him guarantees dire consequences!

Housekeeper Meng assisted Imperial Censor Meng in standing up. "My Lord, there must be some grave misunderstanding. You should hasten to see Junior Minister Ming and clear this up. Once the misunderstanding is resolved, even Junior Minister Ming wouldn't dare to arrest you by force, given your standing as a court official!"

"Indeed, I am a court official. Even if Junior Minister Ming wishes to aid that scoundrel Dou Ke, he cannot arbitrarily arrest me!" Imperial Censor Meng rose, turned his gaze to Manager Dou, and bellowed, "Guards, seize this detestable merchant at once! Bind him and bring him before Junior Minister Ming to confess his crimes!"

Manager Dou was taken aback and quickly retreated, exclaiming, "Father-in-law, what is the meaning of this? I have served the Meng Family faithfully for years. If you harbor resentment towards Dou Ke, your unfilial son, I will certainly punish him severely, but you cannot apprehend me!"

Who was King Ming? He was a scion of nobility, a powerful minister of Great Chu, and a trusted confidant of the Emperor. A single word from him could spell death. Manager Dou had absolutely no intention of meeting him.

Mrs. Dou Meng, still possessing affection for Manager Dou, rushed forward upon witnessing the unfolding events. "Father, you cannot do this. Even if the Old Master has erred, I do not wish to be rendered a widow!"

Imperial Censor Meng rebuked Mrs. Dou Meng harshly. "You still defend him now? His son almost annihilated the entire Meng Family and nearly caused your death!"

Manager Dou seethed with fury. Who was truly destroying whom? It was undeniably your daughter's foolish actions that incited Dou Ke's wrath. Now, unable to contain the fallout, you shift the blame to me... Truly, hundreds of thousands of taels of Silver have nourished a pack of ungrateful vipers!

The Meng Family's favor towards Manager Dou was rooted entirely in the Dou Family's considerable wealth. Manager Dou meticulously maintained his relationship with them through financial means. Over the years, he had lavished at least three hundred thousand taels of Silver upon the Meng Family, enabling them to preserve their affluence. He had even contributed to the funds used for hiring assassins for the Meng Family.

Imperial Censor Meng commanded sternly, "Silence! Not another word. Someone, bind this Dou fellow for me!"

"Yes, my Lord." The guards outside immediately entered, expertly binding Manager Dou and escorting him towards the front courtyard.

Imperial Censor Meng, regretting the potential loss of the Dou Family's wealth, conveyed to Manager Dou en route, "Junior Minister Ming is a formidable presence. If we do not bind you and present a clear explanation, we shall all be doomed... You will take the blame for now. It is the strategy of sacrificing a pawn to save the king. Harbor no resentment towards me."

Manager Dou silently cursed Imperial Censor Meng in his heart, but outwardly, he feigned distress and replied, "I understand, Father-in-law. Just promise not to abandon me completely... My second and third sons are still young, and Dou Ke has grown increasingly defiant. Without my restraint, he will undoubtedly act with even greater recklessness."

Manager Dou's pointed mention of Dou Ke caused Imperial Censor Meng to pause, hesitant to completely discard him and directly seize control of the second and third sons to usurp the Dou Family's fortune.

Imperial Censor Meng stated, "While your wife and you have made regrettable errors, I also do not wish for Sister Chang to be widowed."

He swiftly instructed both on the precise approach to handle the situation and the exact words to employ when they encountered Junior Minister Ming.

However, Imperial Censor Meng's elaborate counsel proved futile. Junior Minister Ming, who struck fear into the hearts of all officials, nobles, families, and even the Imperial Family, would undoubtedly dismiss their fabricated narrative.

...

The guest hall in the front courtyard was already thronged with Ming Shaoqing's retinue.

Clad in an opulent brocade robe, Ming Shaoqing occupied the principal seat, savoring his own high-grade tea, displaying utter contempt for the Meng Family's offerings.

"Junior Minister Ming, what an unexpected honor. I offer my apologies for not greeting you sooner. I trust Junior Minister Ming will not hold this oversight against me," Imperial Censor Meng declared, cupping his hands in greeting as he barely stepped into the guest hall. "May I inquire what brings Junior Minister Ming to our humble abode today? The Meng Family, as esteemed Imperial Censors, has always adhered to the Great Chu Criminal Law. We have committed no transgressions, have we?"

This served as a subtle reminder to Junior Minister Ming that despite his history of swift executions and confiscations, he could not arbitrarily arrest individuals. A crime and concrete evidence were prerequisites.

A cold smirk played on Ming Shaoqing’s lips as he directed a chilling smile towards Imperial Censor Meng. "I had just concluded the affair concerning the Tong family's private mine in Linhe Prefecture and was en route back to the Capital. By chance, as I passed the Jingzhao Mansion, I witnessed Dou Ke denouncing Mrs. Dou Meng and the Meng Family. Naturally, I decided to lend my presence to the spectacle. He apprehended a live assassin, presenting undeniable proof."

He continued, his voice firm, "Imperial Censor Meng, under the Great Chu's Criminal Law, a stepmother is forbidden from harming the original wife's son, with severe penalties including beheading. Since Mrs. Dou Meng employed assassins from your Meng Family, it implicates the Meng Family in the conspiracy to harm Dou Ke, thereby making both the Meng Family and Mrs. Dou Meng equally culpable."

"A misunderstanding, Junior Minister Ming! It’s all a misunderstanding!" Imperial Censor Meng exclaimed, his tone laced with anxiety. "The Meng Family and my daughter have never harbored intentions to harm Dou Ke. Those were imposters claiming to be Meng Family assassins. If you doubt my word, you are welcome to question my son-in-law or conduct a thorough investigation..."

With a resounding thud, Junior Minister Ming slammed his teacup down, his eyes glinting with lethal intent as he fixed his gaze upon Imperial Censor Meng. "Imperial Censor Meng, do you truly wish for me to investigate? I fear that once the inquiry commences, the Meng Family will face utter annihilation."

Imperial Censor Meng’s complexion grew ashen, yet he pressed on, "Junior Minister Ming, this is but a trivial disagreement between my daughter and young Dou Ke. How could it possibly escalate to the destruction of the Meng Family?"

Junior Minister Ming scoffed, "Hiring assassins repeatedly, your Meng Family maintains a considerable number of trained assassins, do they not? Since the establishment of the Great Chu, strict limitations have been placed on the permissible number of assassins and Shadow Guards an entity may possess. The Meng Family, by its status as mere Imperial Censors, must have undoubtedly surpassed this legal threshold."

"While other officials might overlook such transgressions due to their own affiliations, I, however, will not. My professional conduct has always been characterized by impartiality."

Imperial Censor Meng’s face turned lifeless, and he crumpled to his knees with a heavy thud. "Junior Minister Ming, I implore your mercy! Spare the Meng Family!"

Bearing the scars of the former dynasty's indulgence in private armies, the Great Chu Criminal Law's restrictions on the size of assassin and Shadow Guard retinues were widely disregarded. Consequently, major noble houses, distinguished families, high-ranking officials, and even the Imperial Family itself vied to amass as many as their coffers allowed, notwithstanding the stipulated limits.

This widespread practice meant the issue was seldom brought to the forefront. However, should King Ming truly decide to capitalize on this infraction and refuse leniency, the Meng Family would indeed face dire consequences!

Junior Minister Ming cast a dismissive glance at Imperial Censor Meng, then at Mrs. Dou Meng with evident distaste. His gaze finally settled upon Manager Dou. "You possess a capable son, yet fail to recognize his worth. Such folly. It would be prudent for you to relinquish your position as head of the Dou Family, lest you bring ruin upon yourself."

Manager Dou was seized by apprehension. What could King Ming possibly intend with such words? Was it conceivable that he favored Dou Ke and planned to eliminate the current patriarch to pave the way for Dou Ke?

No, he was not ready to meet his end!

display: Junior Minister Ming, his patience utterly depleted for further discourse, presented them with a stark ultimatum: "Either both the Meng and Dou families face extermination, or Mrs. Dou Meng is immediately dispatched to Jingzhao Mansion to atone for her transgressions."

Incredible!

A wave of shock washed over Imperial Censor Meng, Manager Dou, and Mrs. Dou Meng.

Mrs. Dou Meng fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "Lord Ming, show some compassion! I have committed no harm against Dou Ke; I have always treated him as if he were my own flesh and blood. This entire affair is a grave misunderstanding, I assure you."