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

"what?"

Jiang Huaiyu was shocked and turned pale. Wei Fengyun had always worked diligently in the Fujian Division, so how could he suddenly be imprisoned? Her first thought was that Wei Fengyun had been framed.

"Tell me quickly, what exactly happened?"

Steward Zheng hurriedly explained, "I was originally investigating the information of officials at all levels of the Fujian Division when a Fujian Division guard rushed over to tell me that the Crown Prince was accused of stealing embezzled funds while investigating embezzled funds. The case was reported to the Ministry of Justice, and he was subsequently arrested."

Jiang Huaiyu frowned, a suspicion rising in his mind. "The Sword Subduing Division has an internal investigation department, which should handle this matter itself. Why submit this matter to the Ministry of Justice? This matter must be related to Mai Yufeng."

Butler Zheng nodded, his tone firm: "I also feel that there must be something fishy about this matter, and it is closely related to Mai Yufeng."

Jiang Huaiyu carried all the cash in the house with him and said to Butler Zheng, "We must go to the Ministry of Justice prison immediately to meet with Feng Yun. We need to find out the truth before we can try to get him out."

Steward Zheng's face was clouded with worry. "This matter is thorny. The Ministry of Justice is different from the Court of Judicial Review. It is very meticulous in its actions. This action means that the situation is serious. The Ministry of Justice's prison is not easy to enter."

Steward Zheng had served on the frontier and knew more about these matters. Jiang Huaiyu's expression was solemn. "I refuse to believe that money can't solve everything."

In front of the Ministry of Justice prison.

Jiang Huaiyu took out a tael of silver from his sleeve and handed it to the guard at the gate, saying, "Brother, please do me a favor and take this silver to have a drink."

The constable glanced at it, then continued his guard without looking to the side, as if he hadn't moved an inch.

Jiang Huaiyu smiled awkwardly, then took out a ten-tael silver note from his pocket and quietly slipped it into the yamen runner's waist.

The bailiff then slightly turned aside and opened the prison door a crack, without uttering a word throughout the process. Jiang Huaiyu stepped inside.

When Steward Zheng tried to follow them inside, the yamen runners quickly closed the door.

Jiang Huaiyu could only nod slightly to Steward Zheng, indicating that she could go in alone.

In the gloomy and dimly lit depths of the dungeon, the dampness and cold air mingled, and a faint smell of blood and mold filled the air, making it oppressive and suffocating.

Jiang Huaiyu carefully descended the stone steps, passing through a narrow passage paved with stone slabs, with cell after cell on either side. She searched each cell meticulously and finally found Wei Fengyun in the central cell.

"Feng Yun!"

Jiang Huaiyu's voice was filled with excitement and trembling. She gripped the iron bars of the cell tightly, tears glistening in her eyes, and gazed affectionately at Wei Fengyun, whose hair was slightly disheveled.

When Wei Fengyun saw Jiang Huaiyu arrive, his clear eyes revealed innocence, and he said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Mother, I did not embezzle any money."

Jiang Huaiyu's hand reached through the fence and tightly grasped Wei Fengyun's hand. She struggled to suppress her inner turmoil, knowing that panic would only lead to more mistakes. She calmly asked, "Mother knows, Mother firmly believes you didn't do such a thing. Now, tell Mother, what exactly happened? Who put you in this predicament?"

Wei Fengyun, his voice tinged with grievance, recounted: "Just today, Commander Qiao arranged for Mai Yufeng to lead me and two other captains to the warehouse to count the stolen money confiscated a few days ago. Mai Yufeng and I were responsible for counting the silver and banknotes, while the two captains were responsible for the other items. During the counting process, Mai Yufeng excused himself, saying he needed to use the restroom, and left the warehouse, leaving me alone. After waiting a while and not seeing Mai Yufeng return, I was about to go out to check when I found the warehouse door locked from the inside. I desperately cried for help, but when the door was opened again, I was met with a group of people who accused me of stealing. They searched me and found two banknotes with a face value of ten thousand taels of silver, using this as evidence to escort me to this dark cell."

Jiang Huaiyu frowned and asked in confusion, "Why are those silver notes on you?" Wei Fengyun pondered for a moment and replied, "Mother, I really don't know. I definitely didn't take those silver notes, and I don't know why they ended up on me."

What was the face value of those banknotes?

"Two bills, each worth ten thousand taels."

"Where did they find the banknotes?"

"On my belt."

"Did they just search your belt?"

"Yes, Mai Yufeng took those silver notes directly from my belt."

Jiang Huaiyu was now convinced that Mai Yufeng had framed her, but she still needed to figure out how to clear Feng Yun's name. She pressed further, "What else did Mai Yufeng say?"

"He claimed that during the counting process, he found that two 10,000-tael silver notes were missing, which aroused his suspicion. Then he pretended to go out to relieve himself, but actually went to inform the Ministry of Justice. He was also worried that I would flee to avoid punishment, so he locked the door in advance."

This sounds reasonable, seemingly flawless and perfect.

Jiang Huaiyu's tone revealed urgency as she continued to press, "Did he secretly hide the silver notes in your waistband without you noticing?"

Wei Fengyun pondered for a moment and recalled, "I remember when he went out to relieve himself, he seemed to have gently tugged at my belt, but I didn't think much of it at the time."

Jiang Huaiyu closed her eyes slightly. Everything was as she expected. After Mai Yufeng and Wei Fengyun entered the storeroom, they cleverly folded two 10,000-tael silver notes into small squares and, while he went to relieve himself, quietly slipped them into Wei Fengyun's belt.

Then, he locked the door and summoned the Ministry of Justice personnel. After the door was opened, they took the two silver notes from Wei Fengyun's waist, using his own testimony and the 20,000 taels of silver as irrefutable evidence.

However, Mai Yufeng, who clearly had an investigation department within the Fujian Division, did not make use of it. Instead, he notified the Ministry of Justice. This was probably because he was well aware of the connection between Yao, the commander of the Fujian Division, and the Jiaxing Marquis's mansion.

This was a meticulously planned frame-up, like catching a turtle in a jar. It seemed flawless and impeccable, yet there wasn't a single flaw in it.

Jiang Huaiyu reopened his eyes. The only flaw was the other two captains who were counting the items in the warehouse next door.

Wei Fengyun's cries for help were so loud, yet it took a long time for anyone to come and open the door. The two captains were right next door; they couldn't possibly have missed it. The only explanation is that they were bribed by Mai Yufeng.

The key to Wei Fengyun's rescue lies with these two captains.

"Feng Yun, what are the names of the other two captains who were counted with you?"

Wei Fengyun replied, puzzled, "One is named Cao Wei, and the other is named Liang Mo. Mother, are they also involved in this matter?"

Jiang Huaiyu gently stroked Wei Fengyun's head, her tone tender: "Fengyun, you must remember, the Ministry of Justice will begin hearing this case tomorrow. At that time, you must firmly claim that you have been wronged, that Mai Yufeng framed you, and that you have not committed any illegal acts, understand?"

Wei Fengyun nodded blankly, "I understand, Mother."

Looking at Wei Fengyun's honest and simple appearance, Jiang Huaiyu felt a pang of pity. She deeply regretted agreeing to let Wei Fengyun join the Fujian Division.