The Wu Family residence was swiftly surrounded by imperial guards.
"By order of Prince Qin, the Wu Family has conspired against the Guo Family Matriarch—an unforgivable crime. All members of the Wu Family are to be arrested and imprisoned pending trial. Not a single one shall be spared."
Liuxi's deliberately amplified voice rang out, startling the onlookers into silence.
The Guo Family Matriarch—wasn’t that the Wu Family’s own daughter?
Had the Wu Family truly plotted against their own flesh and blood?
The Wu Family’s gatekeeper, seeing the commotion, rushed inside to alert the household. A mocking glint flashed in Liuxi’s eyes as he raised his hand and commanded, "Enter the residence and arrest everyone."
Truly, those who commit heinous deeds will inevitably face divine retribution.
Who could have guessed that the current Guo Feng was none other than the illustrious Prince Qin?
Within the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Old Lady Wu was helped to the front gate, wiping her tears as she pleaded, "Sir, there must be some misunderstanding. Shanling is my daughter—how could I ever harm my own child?"
Seeing Old Lady Wu’s pitiful state, the crowd began to murmur in doubt.
But Liuxi remained expressionless. "Save your words for the courtroom. The magistrate will decide the truth of the matter."
"Take them away."
In less than an hour, the Wu Family residence stood empty, its entire household escorted to the magistrate’s office in Ji'an Prefecture.
Three days later—no more, no less—Song Yu stood once again in court as Guo Feng, facing the Wu Family. This time, Guo Lang was also present.
Seated in the judge’s seat, Song Shihuan struck the gavel.
"Bring forth the evidence for the Wu Family to identify."
With those words, Song Shihuan had already condemned the Wu Family in the eyes of the law.
When the red coral bracelet was presented, the Wu Family members recoiled in shock. Old Lady Wu, in particular, nearly collapsed, her legs giving way beneath her.
Outside the courtroom, citizens gathered, eager to witness the truth unfold.
Their gazes turned accusatory as they stared at the Wu Family.
"I remember this bracelet clearly," Song Yu said, fixing Old Lady Wu with a piercing glare. "You personally gave it to Madam Wu, claiming it would help her conceive. But yesterday, the royal physician sent by the Princess confirmed it contains large doses of a drug that causes infertility."
"Old Lady Wu, why would you poison my wife?"
At the mention of the drug, an uproar erupted outside the courtroom.
Old Lady Wu had drugged her own daughter!
"Silence!" Ye Shijie, seated beside Song Shihuan, called for order. "Does the Wu Family have any explanation?"
"I—I know nothing of this red coral bracelet. I never gave Shanling such a thing," Old Lady Wu stammered.
Wu Li quickly chimed in, "That’s right! My grandmother never gave Aunt such a gift. Guo Feng, you’re slandering us!"
Song Yu smirked.
"I have witnesses."
Moments later, several of Wu Shanling’s childhood friends stepped forward in court.
Each confirmed the bracelet had indeed been a gift from Old Lady Wu.
"The Wu Family rarely gave Shanling anything—they only ever took from her. When she received this bracelet, she was overjoyed for days."
Cornered by the testimonies, Old Lady Wu collapsed to the ground.
It was over.
"You can’t convict my grandmother based on their words alone!" Wu Li protested, his voice trembling.
Song Shihuan rose slowly, holding the wooden box that had contained the bracelet. She approached Old Lady Wu.
"This box was part of her dowry."
A check of Madam Wu’s dowry records revealed nearly all valuables had been stripped away by the Wu Family, leaving only worthless trinkets behind.
"Did you know this box has a hidden compartment?"
"Open it."
The sharp command made Old Lady Wu flinch. Instinctively, she pressed the hidden latch.
A yellowed letter tumbled into view.
Song Shihuan’s lips curled in cold amusement.
"I possess samples of Madam Wu’s handwriting from her marriage contract. Magistrate Ye, please compare it to the letter."
Ye Shijie stepped forward to examine the script.
Time crawled for the Wu Family, each second an eternity of dread.
They had no idea Madam Wu had left behind such damning evidence.
Nor did they know what the letter contained.
Half an hour later, Ye Shijie delivered his verdict. "The handwriting matches perfectly. The letter’s age confirms it was written during Madam Wu’s lifetime."
"Then let Old Lady Wu read it aloud for all to hear."
Song Shihuan’s gaze was icy, as if already viewing Old Lady Wu as a corpse.
——
"Since childhood, I was unloved by my parents. I tread carefully, fearing their disdain. At eight, they called me dull-witted; at ten, a waste of resources."
"By my coming-of-age, my reputation was ruined. No suitor dared approach—except Guo Lang, who praised my kindness and took me as his wife. Though others called him wayward, I married him willingly."
The courtroom was deathly silent, Old Lady Wu’s quivering voice the only sound.
Every listener could picture the heartbroken woman penning these words.
"In marriage, Guo Lang cherished me. My Father-in-law and Mother-in-law treated me as their own. Grateful, I longed to bear Guo Lang children—yet I remained barren."
"The Wu Family plundered my dowry. Bound by blood, I endured. But their greed knew no bounds. When Wu Li’s gambling spiraled, I confided in Guo Lang, seeking to sever ties."
"Yet my mother begged, then gifted me this fertility bracelet."
Here, the crowd wept openly, unable to bear more.
Song Shihuan’s eyes burned with fury, locked onto Old Lady Wu.
How could a mother be so cruel to her own child?
"For over a year, I was unharmed—until I overheard my mother conspiring with kin. Their true aim was the Guo Family’s wealth. They drugged me to ensure I bore no heir, planning to force a Wu Family child upon us."
Old Lady Wu’s hands shook violently, the letter slipping from her grasp.
"Our marriage vows spoke of 'descendants flourishing, prosperity unending.' I have failed Guo Lang. Death is my only escape. In my next life, may I never be a daughter of Wu—only Guo Lang’s beloved."
The letter fluttered to the floor at Song Yu’s feet.
With irrefutable evidence, the Wu Family’s fate was sealed.
"Seize this wretched woman. Fifty lashes of the rod."
The gavel struck.
In Madam Wu’s tragedy, Song Shihuan saw echoes of her own past—another soul discarded.
Old Lady Wu’s screams filled the courtroom as the punishment rained down. Unmoved, Song Shihuan ordered:
"Strike harder. I care not if she lives or dies."
