My sister became the empress, but I'm still growing vegetables and raising chickens

Chapter 228 Restoration of the Title

Chapter 228 Restoration of the Title

Outside the execution ground in Lingnan City, Eunuch Fang's voice was sharp and high-pitched, as if it struck everyone's heart.

When the imperial edict was issued, even the most urgent matters had to be put aside. The prefect quickly stood up and knelt with everyone else to receive the edict.

"Imperial decree: I prioritize benevolence and filial piety, and I care for all the people of the world. The Empress Dowager is my adopted mother, now advanced in age, and is concerned about her adopted daughter, Shao Qin. Considering that Si Xingzhi's family has committed no serious offenses, and considering that he has redeemed his sins by being exiled for nine years, I hereby pardon his crimes, restore his title of Marquis of Anle, and order him to return to the capital with his family on a date of his choosing. I hereby decree this!"

Si Xingzhi, who was kneeling on the ground, suddenly raised his head and looked at the eunuch in disbelief. The Si family was pardoned and the title of marquis was restored?

This……

Eunuch Fang looked around. Too many people caught his eye, all with their heads bowed. Only Si Xingzhi looked up. He had served in the palace for so many years that he was sure of his character. He remembered Si Xingzhi's appearance and smiled as he stepped forward.

"My Lord, the Emperor has issued an imperial decree. Why don't you accept it quickly?"

Si Xingzhi finally came to his senses and quickly knelt up, walked forward on his knees and kowtowed again to express his gratitude before accepting the imperial edict. For a moment, he felt a mixture of emotions, his hands trembling, and he almost couldn't hold the imperial edict steady.

Lord Shi, who was standing beside Eunuch Fang, saw this and bent down to help Si Xingzhi up, saying with a smile, "Congratulations, Your Majesty. Congratulations, Your Majesty."

Si Xingzhi waited for nine years and finally waited for this day. He burst into tears and held Mr. Shi's hand, unable to say anything.

Lord Shi smiled and said, "I was originally going to Fenghuang County to announce the imperial edict, but just as I arrived, I was summoned here by the Governor, Lord Bi. He said that the Marquis had a grievance that he wanted me to handle."

Si Xingzhi finally came to his senses and nodded repeatedly: "Master Shi, this is my eldest daughter's injustice. Please help me get justice."

After saying that, he asked his second sister to come forward, hand the complaint to Lord Shi, and then tell him the general course of events.

Eunuch Fang, after hearing the general idea, saw the young woman in prisoner's clothes on the gallows. He couldn't help but frown and said in a shrill voice, "Is that the eldest daughter of the Anle Marquisate? How dare you wrongly accuse even the Marquis' daughter?"

The prefect collapsed to the ground, knowing that there was no turning back.

Lord Shi said coldly, "Lord Bi, you are the governor. Since the prefect of Lingnan City has tried the case unfairly, you will take over the retrial of this case!"

Si Muyan's escape was possible thanks to the restoration of the Si family's title. The collusion between officials and businessmen in Lingnan City would keep Lord Shi and Lord Bi busy for a while. But since the Si family was no longer exiled criminals, they were no longer restricted by their region and didn't need to rush back to Fenghuang County.

Si Xingzhi was afraid that Si Muyan was exhausted, so he asked her to rest in the inn for a few days and wait for the results of the retrial.

Eunuch Fang accompanied Si Xingzhi and told him about the events in Kyoto: "Actually, at the end of last year, the Emperor promised the Empress Dowager to restore the Marquis' title. However, the Empress Dowager was seriously ill, and the Imperial Astronomical Observatory's astronomical observations were not favorable, so the matter was delayed. Last month, the Empress Dowager's health improved, and the Emperor immediately issued an edict."

"Your Majesty's grace is immense, and I am deeply grateful. I also thank you for your hard work along the way. It is true that the current situation of the Si family is not optimistic. I beg for your forgiveness."

Eunuch Fang was a sensible man and quickly said, "Hey, Lord, what are you talking about? I'm telling you the truth. The Empress Dowager's condition is really not good. The Emperor wants you to not delay too long and return to the capital to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager as soon as possible."

Thanks to Luo Tongpan's help, Si Muyan hadn't suffered much during his time in prison. However, he hadn't been eating or sleeping well, and had lost a lot of weight. After three days of recuperation, he finally felt more energetic and was able to walk around with the help of his second and youngest sisters.

Making money was the happiest thing. He would go out every day to inquire about the latest progress of the case, and then run back to tell Si Muyan and others as soon as possible.

"Sister Yan, that's great! We've caught the real culprit behind this. The Jin family deliberately framed Manager Yang and you, and we've also found out that their next move is to suppress the Si family and make it impossible for them to do any business!"

The younger sister looked at Si Muyan. It seemed that what the eldest sister said was right. The Jin family didn't just want to teach the Si family a lesson. If the eldest sister was gone, and they dared to continue running the food store, the whole family would suffer. No wonder the eldest sister had urged her to close all the family businesses before she was arrested.

The second sister hurriedly asked, "Besides framing my sister, the Jin family has done many other bad things. We can't let them go so easily! Have the adults found out about those things?"

Lai Qian said, "Of course. The Jin family has been suppressing so many businesses and colluding with many officials to commit many evil deeds. Many small businesses have been ruined by the Jin family. This time, the Jin family is in trouble, and many relatives of the victims have come forward to testify. The Jin family can't escape."

The second sister added, "Officials who don't care about the people's livelihood and only care about making money shouldn't be let off lightly!"

Lai Qian said, "This time, the Minister of Personnel and Governor Bi are personally conducting the trial. I heard that they have already reported the case to the court. They are just waiting for the emperor's order to clean up all the dirty work in the Lingnan officialdom!"

The second sister clapped her hands and laughed, "That's really satisfying!"

Seeing Si Muyan remained silent, the younger sister asked, "Are you unhappy when you hear this news, Big Sister?"

"Happy." Si Muyan said, "Those who abuse power will eventually fall under power. I just think that our suffering is not due to anything we have done, and neither is our salvation. The lives of ordinary people are just a word from those in power."

The second sister was puzzled and said, "It has been like this since ancient times. That's why we need to make laws to protect the people and ensure the country's peace and prosperity."

Si Muyan sighed, "Everyone says that money can move people's hearts, because money relies on brains and can be obtained through hard work. But what really moves people's hearts is not money, but power."

After returning to her room, the second sister asked, "Sister, I really want to ask, now that our family has restored the title of nobility, regarding the death of the eldest and second brothers, how do we..."

"They were an accident." Si Muyan's tone was calm, but revealed a deep sense of powerlessness.

After a long while, she smiled and said, "Second sister has indeed improved. She is not as impulsive as before."

This was a compliment, but the second sister pulled the corners of her mouth, her eyes red and she couldn't say anything.

The Si family is preparing to return to Fenghuang County. Eunuch Fang will go with them. Lord Shi cannot accompany them because he has to assist Lord Bi with the remaining matters.

Before leaving, Lord Bi invited me to have tea alone. I was grateful for Lord Bi's kindness and happily went with him.

When we arrived at the teahouse, my younger sister wanted to bow and was helped up by Mr. Bi.

"Things are different now. You are now a daughter of the Marquis's family. You cannot show me great courtesy."

The younger sister said, "No matter what, Mu Wan will never forget your kindness!"

Lord Bi didn't exchange pleasantries, simply asking, "Ms. Mu Wan, I know you're quite ambitious. I asked you to come here today to ask if you'd like to have greater power."