Mu Changxi's men naturally also investigated Madam Han's maternal family's escort agency.
This escort agency had been operating in Yuezhou City for many years, and its reputation was generally good.
Even Song Chaoyu had to admit that the Han Jia family was very clever.
Their escort agency did not cause trouble in Yuezhou City, but instead extended their reach to nearby towns further away.
Therefore, in the eyes of the people of Yuezhou, this escort agency had no issues, but in reality, they had committed many wicked deeds.
It's just that... although the whereabouts of the disaster relief silver were traced, the people at the escort agency did not admit that Lord Han had ordered them to do it!
The people at the escort agency said that everything was done by them and Han Wei, and Lord Han was unaware of it.
Even Madam Han said that everything was done by her maternal family, and she had harmed Lord Han. She wanted Lord Han to divorce her with a letter of repudiation, which would be considered as fulfilling Lord Han's righteousness and kindness towards the people of Yuezhou over the years.
In just one morning, these matters had caused a stir in Yuezhou City, and Mu Changxi was suddenly in the "center of attention."
Many people felt that perhaps Mu Changxi had wronged Lord Han, and many also gathered at the yamen's entrance, demanding that Mu Changxi re-investigate the matter.
For a time, the tide in Yuezhou City seemed to be turning.
Song Chaoyu could clearly feel that in just one morning, Mu Changxi's mood had turned sour.
While he was busy outside, Song Chaoyu did not disturb him, but instead said to Tiaohong, "Prepare yourself, I want to see Madam Han."
Tiaohong understood Song Chaoyu's intention but was a little worried, "If you want to see Madam Han at this time, I'm afraid she won't say anything to you, right?"
Song Chaoyu frowned, "Since Madam Han can treat Lord Han like this, it proves that she must know everything about Lord Han. So, as long as she speaks first, Lord Han will be convicted, and the Prince will not have to worry so much. Even if I can't achieve this, I must at least try!"
Tiaohong nodded and finally arranged the matter.
---
The Han family was currently being investigated by Mu Changxi's men, and Madam Han's maternal family was also implicated in the matter.
However, since Madam Han could not yet be convicted, she was merely being confined by Mu Changxi's men in a courtyard within the yamen.
As long as she did not run around or see outsiders, Madam Han was still provided with good food and drink every day.
Song Chaoyu walked towards that courtyard and saw Madam Han sitting in the center of the courtyard.
She had not touched the meal served to her at noon. She was just sitting on a stone bench in the center of the courtyard, looking up at the sky in a daze, as if something in the sky had captivated her so much.
Upon hearing Song Chaoyu's footsteps, she didn't even turn her head.
Until Song Chaoyu spoke, "Madam Han really has a good disposition! Yuezhou City is in such a mess, and Madam still has the leisure to sit here and look at the sky."
"You've come?"
Madam Han seemed to have expected Song Chaoyu to come, and still did not raise her head, staring at the sky, but said to Song Chaoyu, "Now that I am imprisoned here by you, do I not even have the freedom to look at the sky? Look at those birds, how free and unrestrained they are! Were the Prince and Princess as free as those birds when they were in the capital?"
Song Chaoyu truly did not want to answer such a subtly posed question.
So Song Chaoyu simply sat beside her and asked, "You and Lord Han, you truly have deep marital affection! How long have you been married to him?"
Madam Han smiled, and then withdrew her gaze, "Alright, don't tell me all this nonsense. I know why you've come here. But I won't say a single word, I won't let you succeed. Everything was done by me and my maternal family, and it has nothing to do with my husband!"
Knowing that she was stubborn, Song Chaoyu instead spoke in a relaxed tone, "Madam Han misunderstands me. Although I am the Princess of Chang, I am also a woman. Seeing how deeply affectionate Madam Han and Lord Han are as husband and wife, to this extent, even if you sacrifice yourself and your maternal family to protect Lord Han, my heart truly envies you."
She sighed, and in front of Madam Han, she seemed to be showing weakness, "I... everyone outside says I am the daughter of an outer chamber. I don't know what good fortune I've had to become the Princess of Chang. But because of this, I have to live cautiously every day. I heard that when Madam Han married Lord Han, it wasn't considered a match made in heaven. That's why I wanted to know how the two of you became such good spouses?"
"Good?"
A bitter smile finally appeared on Madam Han's lips, "It's only good in the eyes of outsiders. Look, you and the Prince, aren't outsiders also seeing you as a good match? But ultimately, only you yourself know whether you are living well or not. My husband and I had many quarrels in the first few years of our marriage. It was only after a long time that we truly walked together."
Song Chaoyu nodded, then raised her eyebrows, "So what the outside world says is true. It is said that Lord Han cherishes his concubine, Concubine Chun, the most, right? I imagine you must have suffered a lot under Concubine Chun over the years?"
When Song Chaoyu mentioned Concubine Chun, Madam Han's expression indeed changed drastically.
She turned her head and glared angrily at Song Chaoyu, "That little slut! No matter how capable she is, I am still the legal wife!"
"Alas—"
Song Chaoyu sighed again, knowing what was most "effective" when dealing with such a woman, "But in the end, Lord Han still gave many opportunities to Concubine Chun's worthless son, rather than to your legitimate eldest son born to you and Lord Han, didn't he? After the incident in Yuezhou City, Lord Han probably thought of that child first, right? Madam Han, you and your child have to stay here and cooperate with the Prince's investigation, but what about Concubine Chun and her child?"
Song Chaoyu shook her head, "As far as I know, they were arranged by Lord Han to go to the safest place long ago, weren't they? I sometimes admire you. Even at this point, you still want to protect Lord Han. You don't care even if your entire maternal family is ruined. Lord Han is truly blessed to have a wife like you."
At this point, how could Han Fengrun remain calm?
Her hands were clenched into fists at her side.
Thinking of Concubine Chun and that scoundrel living carefree lives, Madam Han's heart was filled with rage, but she maintained a last shred of reason, "So what? But my son's surname is Han, and he is ultimately a member of the Han family! No matter what I do, it is for my son's sake. The Princess does not have children yet, so she naturally cannot understand my feelings as a mother."