Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1297: Gossip Reaches My Own Father

"Treat Dou Ke like your own flesh and blood?" Ming Shaoqing guffawed, his gaze fixed on the Imperial Censor Meng. "It seems Imperial Censor Meng’s daughter remains unrepentant. Very well, I now understand what must be done. Gentlemen, prepare the coffins."

Upon hearing this, Madam Dou Meng’s fury ignited. "You Ming, my father is an Imperial Censor, and you are but a junior. How dare you address him in such a manner?!"

Ming Shaoqing let out a derisive snort. Madam Dou Meng was truly dim-witted.

He then turned his attention back to Imperial Censor Meng. "An Imperial Censor, you say? That is all. The Censorate is replete with them; the institution will continue to function perfectly well without one Imperial Censor Meng."

As he spoke and made to depart, the Imperial Censor Meng was so overcome with fear that he nearly fainted. He quickly lunged forward, seizing Ming Shaoqing’s arm. "Young Master Ming, please quell your anger, quell your anger... Madam Dou Meng has committed the heinous crime of plotting to murder her stepson. I shall apprehend her this very instant and deliver her to Jingzhao Mansion to confess her transgressions!"

For the sake of the entire Meng family's survival, he found he had no choice but to sacrifice Miss Meng.

"Father, Father, what are you suggesting? No, you cannot do this, you cannot! Your daughter wishes not to die!" Madam Dou Meng was momentarily stunned. Then, as the reality dawned upon her, she wailed, pleading to the heavens and earth.

However, she had vastly overestimated her standing in Imperial Censor Meng’s heart. Despite his doting affection for this particular daughter, he valued the Meng family’s male heirs, their prosperity, and their honor even more. It was utterly unthinkable for him to sacrifice everything for her.

"Men, seize this transgressor, Madam Dou Meng, and bind her securely! I will personally escort her to Jingzhao Mansion!" Imperial Censor Meng commanded with haste.

Housekeeper Meng was thrown into a state of panic. Hearing the order, he immediately called out to the guards: "Quickly, quickly, tie up Madam Dou Meng!"

They had to hurry, lest the Meng family face ruin and they all perish alongside it.

The guards surged forward and, with a few swift maneuvers, bound Madam Dou Meng. They then stuffed a wad of sackcloth into her mouth, silencing her cries.

"Ming Shaoqing, the guilty woman is apprehended. Rest assured, I will certainly compel her confession... regarding the hired assassins?" Imperial Censor Meng inquired cautiously, wary of triggering Ming Shaoqing’s wrath.

Ming Shaoqing affirmed, "I am a man of my word."

With that declaration, he strode away. He did not accompany Imperial Censor Meng to Jingzhao Mansion, but he did dispatch a trusted prison guard to follow along.

After Ming Shaoqing departed with the prison guards, Imperial Censor Meng slumped onto the ground, weak-kneed, cold sweat coursing down his brow. Merciful heavens, he had been terrified to death. That fellow Ming was truly like King Yama himself; with mere words, he had been on the verge of annihilating the entire Meng clan.

"Mmm mmm mmm!" Madam Dou Meng mumbled towards Imperial Censor Meng, attempting to articulate her words.

Yet, Imperial Censor Meng made no move to remove the gag. He simply stated, "Sister Chang, compose yourself and confess your guilt. Ming Shaoqing is not someone to be trifled with. Should you resist, you will be sent to the Death Prison of the Dali Temple to endure unspeakable tortures."

What? Sent to the Death Prison of the Dali Temple!

The mere prospect sent Madam Dou Meng into a choking fit, and she promptly fainted then and there.

Upon awakening, she found herself sprawled on the courtroom floor of Jingzhao Mansion.

The Governor of Jingzhao was already delivering the verdict: "Madam Dou Meng harbored malicious intent and repeatedly conspired to murder her stepson. According to the law, she warrants execution. However, in consideration of her husband's plea, the beheading sentence is commuted. She is instead sentenced to thirty years of imprisonment, with the possibility of commutation through Silver payment."

Under the Great Chu Criminal Law, provided the offense was not of a major nature—such as violating chastity, homicide, rebellion, or treason—the sentence could indeed be commuted with Silver.

Madam Dou Meng listened in a stupor... She—her sentence had already been pronounced?

No, no, this was unacceptable! She refused to comply!

But the evidence was irrefutable; the assassins hired to commit the murder were still in custody. If she persisted in her refusal, it would be the Meng family who would pay the ultimate price.

"This old man expresses his gratitude to Your Lordship for your merciful leniency." Imperial Censor Meng exhaled a sigh of relief. However, the dissolute nobles observing the proceedings in the hall found the unfolding drama rather underwhelming. They grumbled, "Leniency? What leniency is there? Imperial Censor Meng, how do you even raise your daughters? How could you raise such a malevolent woman? Who would dare take a daughter from the Meng family as a wife after this?"

"Hey, Brother Shao, isn’t your elder sister-in-law from the Meng family? You should quickly urge your elders to dispose of her. The daughters of the Meng family are so wicked—keeping one might lead to the annihilation of your entire clan."

Though the Meng connection to the Shao Family bore no relation to the Meng Imperial Censor’s lineage, the mockery from these dissolute youths struck deep. A flush of shame crept over the Meng Imperial Censor’s aged face as he hastily clasped his hands towards Governor Lord Jingzhao. "This old official has pressing state matters and must take his leave."

The matter of offsetting Mrs. Dou Meng’s penalty with Silver would be handled by Manager Dou; the Imperial Censor had no desire to linger and endure further humiliation.

However, these unruly young lords were not easily deterred. The Heir of Prince Heng intercepted the Meng Imperial Censor, declaring, "Old Man Meng, you claim official duties? If you cannot even govern your own household, how can you possibly supervise the Hundred Officials? Do you possess the merit for such a post? Be swift and resign. If not, I shall immediately submit a memorial to His Majesty to impeach you and strip you of your esteemed position as Imperial Censor!"

The Meng Imperial Censor’s heart leaped in alarm. His greatest dread was impeachment and the subsequent loss of his office. He quickly implored, "Young Heir, I beg you, calm your righteous anger. This old man admits he has failed in disciplining his daughter. However, Mrs. Dou Meng has been a bride within the Dou Family for nearly two decades. As a woman of the Dou household, her governance naturally falls under the purview of the Dou Family."

He gestured towards Manager Dou as he spoke, his intent unmistakable: if you seek to cast blame, direct it towards Manager Dou; I shall not be your companion in this.

Yet, Young Master Dou would not permit the Meng Imperial Censor such an easy escape. The assassins Mrs. Dou Meng had dispatched hailed from the Meng Family, making the Meng Imperial Censor complicit in the very plot that sought Young Master Dou’s demise. Without hesitation, Young Master Dou shot Fang Hu a knowing glance.

Fang Hu, comprehending the unspoken command, stepped forward to impede the Imperial Censor’s exit. "Young Heir, it would be best to allow the Meng Imperial Censor to depart. You truly cannot harbor resentment against him over Mrs. Dou Meng’s past ploy to ensnare Prince Heng and usurp his bed to become Princess Consort... That all occurred in times long past; let bygones be bygones. It is hardly proper to continuously dredge up ancient scandals."

The Heir of Prince Heng stood utterly bewildered. He had merely sought to spectate a bit of juicy gossip, never anticipating that the scandal would ensnare his own father. His eyes, wide as bronze bells, bulged as he seized Fang Hu by the collar, bellowing, "What did you just say? Mrs. Dou Meng plotted against my father and sought to become my mother?!"

Fang Hu responded placatingly, "Young Heir, please do not become agitated. This is all ancient history."

"Ancient history, my foot!" The Heir of Prince Heng roughly shoved Fang Hu aside. He then lunged towards Mrs. Dou Meng, raining down several forceful kicks upon her and cursing vehemently, "Outrageous! Utterly outrageous! A mere concubine’s daughter aspiring to the rank of Princess Consort! You are not only malicious, but utterly shameless!"

Mrs. Dou Meng was sent reeling from the brutal assault.

Still seething from the revelation and possessing the fiery temper of a royal noble, the Heir of Prince Heng had not yet fully released his pent-up fury. He bellowed towards the group of wastrels behind him, "If you truly consider yourselves my brethren, then come forth! Each of you deliver several kicks to this common slut so she may learn the proper way of conduct!"

"Consider it done!" These utterly reckless youths needed no further encouragement. Since the Heir of Prince Heng had issued the command, they would be fools indeed not to comply. They surged forward and, with a flurry of thuds, continued to assault Mrs. Dou Meng until her face was grotesquely swollen and bruised, ultimately rendering her unconscious.

The Meng Imperial Censor’s heart ached for his daughter, but faced with this pack of howling, ferocious ruffians, he was struck with abject terror. Fearing that the Heir of Prince Heng might next order them to beat him, he swiftly and silently slipped away.

Manager Dou also attempted to make a discreet exit, but Qu Shaoyin, who held a strong conviction for upholding justice and impartiality, pointed him out. "Stop Manager Dou. His punishment has not yet been served; he is not permitted to leave."

As recompense for indulging his stepmother in her schemes against his own son, Manager Dou was sentenced to twenty strokes of the heavy staff and a steep fine of thirty thousand taels of Silver.

This substantial fine was carefully calibrated to the wealth of the Dou Family. For a commoner household, the penalty would have been a mere three taels of Silver at most.

"Yes, your honor." The Government Officials promptly advanced, seized Manager Dou, and laid him down to commence the beating, the sound echoing with repetitive thuds.

Manager Dou endured the lashing, tears and mucus streaming down his face as he howled at the top of his lungs, plunging the courtroom into utter pandemonium.

Lord Jingzhao Governor, seated serenely in the head seat, adjusted his collar and observed the unfolding scene in the hall with an expression of unwavering calm... Hah, a minor disturbance at best. Not the least bit flustered.