Lady Hou is reborn and, by pampering her illegitimate son, reclaims her life of wealth and privilege

Jiang Huaiyu was already satisfied when she learned of Consort Li's plight, but she never expected that the Emperor would show such thoughtful care for the Marquis of Jiaxing's family.

After all, the Marquis of Jiaxing sacrificed his life for the country. If his widow could not be given fair care, how could the families of other soldiers feel at ease? In order to maintain the stability of the army, Emperor Erkang had no choice but to take such measures.

How can the blame be placed on Consort Xi? I am deeply grateful to Consort Xi for summoning the Emperor in time to uphold justice. Otherwise, I fear I would have returned empty-handed after entering the palace.

Consort Xi gently patted Jiang Huaiyu's hand and said softly, "His Majesty has specially granted you permission to ride in a sedan chair in the palace. Your knees are already swollen and red, making it quite difficult for you to walk. You should ride in the sedan chair directly back to the Marquis's residence later."

Jiang Huaiyu nodded slightly and said with gratitude, "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness and Your Highness for your care."

Escorted by eunuchs, the sedan chair was slowly carried from Shuiyun Pavilion to the gate of the Jiaxing Marquis's residence.

Wei Ruoyi and Wei Fengyun had been waiting for a long time.

Wei Fengyun rushed forward and hugged Jiang Huaiyu tightly, saying anxiously, "Mother, why did you return so late? I was so worried."

Jiang Huaiyu gently patted Wei Fengyun's head and softly comforted her, "Mother is alright. I came to the palace this time to seek good medicine for your brother."

Turning to Wei Ruoyi, she continued, "Fortunately, I have fulfilled my mission, and Feng Hui will be able to take the exam smoothly." Wei Ruoyi, who already knew what had happened in the palace, immediately knelt down, tears streaming down her face, and said, "I am grateful to you, Madam. I will remember your great kindness and virtue."

Jiang Huaiyu, who had difficulty moving around, sat in the sedan chair and gestured for Wei Ruoyi to get up quickly.

The palace eunuchs stopped the sedan chair in front of the Marquis's mansion, and Wei Fengyun carefully carried Jiang Huaiyu into her Moyou Hall.

Jiang Huaiyu handed the precious White Jade Bone-Mending Ointment to Wei Ruoyi, instructing her to give it to Imperial Physician Liu. After receiving the ointment, Imperial Physician Liu carefully applied it to Wei Fenghui and said to Jiang Huaiyu, "Madam's knee injury is also quite serious. There is still some of this White Jade Bone-Mending Ointment left, so why don't you let Madam use some as well?"

Jiang Huaiyu quickly waved his hand and said affectionately, "Let Feng Hui use it first. His big exam in a month is crucial. Keep the remaining ointment safe. My knee will recover after a few days of rest. Such precious medicine should not be wasted."

In the quiet of his bedroom, Wei Fenghui, lying ill in bed, heard shocking news: Jiang Huaiyu, in the palace, had endured the humiliation of Consort Li, kneeling under the scorching sun for an entire afternoon, all to beg him for medicine. Tears silently streamed down his cheeks, his heart overflowing with indescribable guilt and self-reproach. At that moment, he made a resolution: regardless of whether Jiang Huaiyu's actions were a political maneuver to win people's hearts, he was willing to accept her without reservation, forever erasing any doubts he might have about her, and in the future, he would repay her kindness deeply with concrete actions.

Wei Fengyun stood quietly by Jiang Huaiyu's bedside, his eyes filled with worry. Jiang Huaiyu looked at her biological son, a kind smile flashing in her eyes. Although he was somewhat simple-minded, he was kind-hearted and full of filial piety.

Thinking of the cruel treatment of Wei Fenghui by the Jing'an Marquis's mansion, and the humiliation she suffered in the palace, even though the emperor had punished Consort Li, these things were far from enough to heal the wounds in Jiang Huaiyu's heart.

Jiang Huaiyu's strategies and methods were undoubtedly top-notch. In Jiang Huaiyu's mind, the end of the Jing'an Marquis's mansion had come.

She summoned Steward Zheng and Instructor Feng, instructing them to mobilize all resources to find the villainous leader who had been defeated by Instructor Feng last time.

Instructor Feng frowned and asked suspiciously, "Madam, I don't think it was the same thugs who broke the eldest young master's legs last time. They don't have that kind of guts."

A sharp killing intent flashed in Jiang Huaiyu's eyes, and her tone was resolute: "I have my own plans."

In the Western Wei Dynasty, there was a law commonly known as "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." This time, Jiang Huaiyu was determined to make Liao Yuli, the second son of the Marquis of Jing'an, experience the pain of broken legs, and this time, his legs would never be able to heal.

After Steward Zheng and Instructor Feng found the thugs who caused trouble that day, Jiang Huaiyu, despite her still-healing knee injury, resolutely rode in a wheelchair to the Dali Temple to appeal for justice.

Upon entering the courtroom, Minister Pei of the Court of Judicial Review solemnly inquired, "Madam Hou, what exactly has compelled you to beat the drum and appeal for justice here?"

Jiang Huaiyu sat in a wheelchair, followed by the loyal Cuiying and Steward Zheng.

"I accuse Liao Yuli, the second son of the Marquis of Jing'an, of instigating the murderer to take the life of my eldest son, Wei Fenghui."

Lord Pei frowned deeply. The feud between these two powerful marquisates was quite thorny to handle. A slight misstep could backfire and bring endless trouble.

"Pass down the order: summon Liao Yuli, the second young master of the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion, immediately."

Several constables received their orders and hurriedly left.

Lord Pei then turned to Jiang Huaiyu and asked, "What exactly happened?"

Jiang Huaiyu picked up the silk handkerchief in her hand and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. She sobbed dramatically, "Waaah... My poor eldest son... First he lost his father, and now he almost lost his life. The Jing'an Marquis's mansion is clearly bullying us orphans and widows, bullying our Marquis for sacrificing his life for the country and dying young."

At one point, Jiang Huaiyu's tears welled up, a truly moving moment.

Seeing that Jiang Huaiyu was overcome with grief and her words were incoherent, Lord Pei told her to rest for a while and continue her story after everyone had arrived.

At this moment, Lord Pei was weighing the case in his mind. He recalled that a few days ago the emperor had demoted Consort Li to Consort Liao and confined her to the palace for a year. Although the specific reasons were not explicitly stated, the scene of Jiang Huaiyu leaving the palace in a sedan chair that day had already reached everyone's ears.

Lord Pei deduced that this matter must be related to the Marquis of Jiaxing, which suggests that the Marquis of Jiaxing's family holds a very important position in the Emperor's heart.

Soon after, Liao Yuli was escorted to the courtroom.

He looked very confident. His mother had already given him detailed advice on how to deal with the situation. Since the Marquis of Jiaxing's family did not have any solid evidence, he could remain safe as long as he firmly denied it.

Jiang Huaiyu's act of seeking justice had already attracted the attention of many people, and the struggle between the two marquis families had become a hot topic of discussion among the people.

Outside the courtroom, crowds of onlookers craned their necks to see what was happening.

Lord Pei sat upright and slammed the gavel down heavily.

"quiet."

The noise outside immediately subsided into silence.

At this moment, Lady Jiaxing, indignantly declared, accusing Liao Yuli, the second son of the Jing'an Marquis's household, of hiring assassins to cruelly murder Wei Fenghui, the eldest son of the Jiaxing Marquis's household. Her eyes wide with anger, she loudly demanded, "Liao Yuli, what is your explanation for this?"

Liao Yuli retorted without hesitation: "This matter has nothing to do with me."

Lord Pei smiled slightly, turned his gaze to Jiang Huaiyu, and said in a gentle tone, "Madam Hou, please tell me the details of the matter so that I can examine it carefully."