Cheng Jiao Jiao spoke nicely, saying that when her brother returned, he would take over.
However, he did not return to the capital until Lu Nian Fu had completed her confinement period. Fortunately, her health was good, and reviewing account books every few days was not too strenuous. Having something to do during her confinement made it less difficult to bear. Finally out of confinement, she happily washed her hair twice and bathed in hot water twice, feeling as if she had lost more than five catties.
But…
She stood in front of the mirror, pinching her waist, and closed her eyes in pain.
Her stomach had gained quite a bit of weight, and her previously firm abdomen had become loose and flabby again. The stretch marks were even deeper than when she gave birth to Yao Er.
Alas, this life was unbearable.
A hand reached from behind and embraced her waist. "You finally finished your confinement, shouldn't you be happy? Why are you sighing?"
Lu Nian Fu pushed his hand away. "With such a thick waist, all my old clothes will have to be remade."
"We'll remake them. I can still earn money to buy clothes for my wife."
"Is this about making clothes? The key is that I've gained weight."
Si Tu Yan pinched her waist. "What's wrong with gaining a little weight? It's soft and super comfortable."
Lu Nian Fu was so angry she didn't want to talk to him. Si Tu Yan was still fantasizing, "Wife, holding you now is much more comfortable than before. Tonight…"
Lu Nian Fu blushed. "No more tonight. Until I lose weight, you won't set foot in my bed."
Si Tu Yan stiffened and said aggrievedly, "Wife, I've been holding back for several months."
"Hmph."
That night, Si Tu Yan indeed couldn't get into the room.
However, he climbed in through the window.
On the first night out of confinement, the main house called for water three times and didn't stop until the early hours of the morning. The next morning, Si Tu Yan went to court refreshed, while Lu Nian Fu slept until past noon. Fortunately, they had plenty of wet nurses and maids; otherwise, both children would have cried from hunger.
Xiao Er received many gifts during his cleansing ceremony and earned more at his full moon celebration.
Lu Nian Fu specifically reviewed the gift list. The gifts from Marquis Qi Ying's residence this time were significantly less than before.
She could imagine that Si Tu Yan had not offered him any help.
As expected, a few days later, news spread that Marquis Qi Ying had been impeached again and again. Old accounts of buying and selling official positions from eight hundred years ago were dug up, along with evidence. The case was handed over to the Dali Temple, and Meng Chang Dong, who had just been appointed Dali Temple Minister, did not hesitate and went directly to arrest Marquis Qi Ying and imprison him.
Jian Shi Jie still held a position in the Dali Temple, but his actual power had long been stripped away. Besides bringing his father food in prison, he couldn't even secure a better cell for him.
As for Jian Shi Zhao, he was even worse off. Due to his past misdeeds, although he had passed the imperial examinations, he was not heavily relied upon and was only given a nominal post. Even with his intelligence, he was helpless at this point. Concubine Jian, ever since her son died and she failed to have a grandson, had lost all hope and ambition to become the Empress Dowager.
She could not ignore the decline of her maiden family, but as an aging concubine who had lost her son, she was truly powerless.
Soon, Marquis Qi Ying's crimes were confirmed, and corruption and bribery were added.
Given his noble title and advanced age, Meng Chang Dong merely confirmed his crimes without daring to pronounce sentence. In the end, Emperor Chang Wu intervened with his grace. While the death penalty was commuted, he could not escape punishment. His property was confiscated, and his entire family was exiled. His two sons were stripped of their official positions, and for three generations, no one from their family would be employed.
When the news spread, the citizens of the capital remained calm.
Even Prince Ning was gone, so what good outcome could the leader of Prince Ning's faction expect? They had long anticipated it.
It was easy to add to one's glory, but difficult to help in times of need. On the day Marquis Qi Ying's family was exiled, many came to watch, but not a single person offered assistance. Those who had fawned over them before now wished to stay eight hundred miles away, afraid of being implicated by coming too close.
Finally, only a senior maid from the Shenfang Palace rushed forward and handed the silver notes prepared by Concubine Jian into Marquis Qi Ying's arms.
"Marquis, the Imperial Consort asked this servant to convey a message: the journey ahead is long and arduous. May my elder brother take care."
Marquis Qi Ying fell silent for a long time, then sighed.
The young girl behind him burst into tears, "Nanny, is my aunt abandoning us like this? If it weren't for helping Cousin Prince Ning, would our family be in this situation?"
Marquis Qi Ying's wife also began to cry, "If only we had known he would die young, we shouldn't have helped…"
Before she could even finish the last word, Marquis Qi Ying stopped her with a shout, "Enough! Do you think our family isn't miserable enough? Nanny, please return. Do not take the words of women to heart. Also, please help me convey a message to the Imperial Consort to take good care of herself."
His sister might be unable to turn the tide, but as long as she remained a concubine, the yamen runners on the road would not dare to torment them intentionally.
Otherwise, with his old bones, he might not even reach the place of exile.