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

It might be better for him to stay at home, even though he causes trouble every day and makes me angry. It's still better than being framed, schemed against, and imprisoned.

Jiang Huaiyu raised her head, trying to hold back her tears, not wanting Wei Fengyun to see her sadness and worry.

"Fengyun, I will also be attending the jury tomorrow. Don't worry, your mother will do everything she can to get you out of this predicament."

Wei Fengyun nodded slightly, his voice firm, "Yes, Mother, I understand, and I have no fear."

As Jiang Huaiyu stepped out of the dark cell, he handed the gatekeeper another substantial ten-tael silver note, pleading with him to prepare a sumptuous meal for Wei Fengyun that night and to provide an extra warm quilt. He also promised that if everything went well, he would send another hundred taels of silver the next day as a token of his gratitude.

The servant hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

After Jiang Huaiyu returned to the Marquis's residence, he immediately ordered Steward Zheng and Instructor Feng to go and find out if Cao Wei and Liang Mo, the captains of the Fujian Division, had made any unusual large expenditures recently.

As night fell, the two returned to report.

Butler Zheng reported: "Cao Wei has purchased a new mansion in the east of the city, while Liang Mo has redeemed a woman from a brothel and taken her as a concubine."

as predicted.

Jiang Huaiyu secretly pondered that these two must have been bribed by Mai Yufeng. Otherwise, how could they, as mere ninth-rank officers with a monthly salary of only ten taels of silver, afford to own a mansion in the east of the city, and how could they have the ability to redeem prostitutes?

"Does Liang Mo already have a legal wife?" he asked.

“Liang Mo is already married, and it’s said that after he took a new concubine, his wife had a big fight with him and is now making a scene about returning to her parents’ home,” the steward replied.

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Jiang Huaiyu's eyes. "Oh? If we can win over Liang Mo's wife and get her to assist us, then it will be possible to obtain evidence that Liang Mo was bribed by Mai Yufeng to frame my son."

After hearing this, Steward Zheng also fell into deep thought.

"How about I go to the Liang residence tomorrow after Liang Mo goes on duty and discuss this with Madam Liang?"

Jiang Huaiyu gently shook her head, "No."

In this worldly society, the husband is the head of the household, and after a woman marries, her interests and fates are intertwined with her husband's. Even if Liang Mo takes a new concubine, it does not affect the fundamental position of Madam Liang, so how could she easily betray Liang Mo?

Furthermore, if Steward Zheng were to rashly go to the Liang residence, it would likely alert Liang Mo and Mai Yufeng, prompting them to take precautions in advance, making it even more difficult to obtain evidence.

The situation has once again reached a stalemate.

Jiang Huaiyu sighed and then ordered, "Continue to closely monitor Liang Mo, Cao Wei, and Mai Yufeng's every move."

"Yes, sir." That night, Jiang Huaiyu tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She thought to herself that if Wei Fengyao were at home, this matter could be easily resolved, whether by relying on the emperor's authority or the princess's influence.

Unfortunately, Wei Fengyao will not be able to return for several more days.

If no solution can be found, in the Western Wei Kingdom, anyone involved in embezzlement or theft, with a staggering sum of 20,000 taels of silver, will face beheading as punishment.

Jiang Huaiyu was filled with remorse at this moment. The pain was like a sharp blade cutting into her heart. She had failed to protect her children. Since she was reborn, her two sons had suffered one hardship after another.

If she hadn't tried to change Wei Fengyun's fate and hadn't encouraged him to join the army, perhaps none of this tragedy would have happened.

Thinking of this, tears blurred her vision and soaked the edge of her pillow.

……

The next day, Jiang Huaiyu rose at dawn, her eyes bloodshot. She had tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. That afternoon, Wei Fengyun's case would officially go to trial, and she had to make thorough preparations beforehand.

Anxiety spread through Jiang Huaiyu's heart, and she paced anxiously back and forth in the room.

"The warbler."

Jiang Huaiyu called out towards the outside.

Upon hearing the noise, Cuiying rushed over and asked with concern, "Madam, what's wrong?"

Jiang Huaiyu looked tired and said in a hoarse voice, "Go and see if Steward Zheng is still in the manor."

Cuiying accepted the order and left, returning shortly afterward.

"Madam, the gatekeeper said that Steward Zheng left the manor before dawn."

Jiang Huaiyu realized that it seemed Steward Zheng had also been unable to sleep well last night because of this matter.

Jiang Huaiyu was as restless as an ant on a hot pan. Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck her, and she decided to take Cuiying to Qi Ziming's residence, Mojuyuan, in person.

As Jiang Huaiyu stepped into the Ink Chrysanthemum Garden, she saw Qi Ziming bent over her desk writing something. Afraid of disturbing her, she called softly from the doorway, "Is Sister Qi busy?"

Qi Ziming put down the letter in her hand and stood up to greet her. "Madam, what brings you here so suddenly?"

Jiang Huaiyu looked distressed, holding Qi Ziming's hands tightly as they sat together on the chaise longue. She sighed, "Sister, I'm at my wit's end."

She then recounted in detail the ins and outs of the Wei Fengyun incident.

"I originally planned to have Feng Yao try to ask the Princess for help, but Feng Yao followed the Princess to the south, and now I am completely out of options."

Before she could finish speaking, her voice choked with emotion.

Jiang Huaiyu sought help from Qi Ziming because she knew that Qi Ziming controlled the vast power left behind by the deceased empress in the capital—the Siminglou. In her previous life, Wei Fengyao's successful ascension to the throne was largely due to the power of the Siminglou.

Jiang Huaiyu was placing her bet at the moment, confident that Qi Ziming would not stand idly by after she had shown Wei Fengyao such care.

Upon hearing this, Qi Ziming secretly devised a plan in her heart, and then comforted her, saying, "Madam, the young master is destined by Heaven, and I firmly believe that he will be safe and sound."

Jiang Huaiyu sensed that Qi Ziming had made a decision, but on the surface she still maintained a sad and worried expression, and said with tears in her eyes, "I haven't found a single clue that can prove Feng Yun's innocence. What should I do?"

Qi Ziming witnessed Jiang Huaiyu's anxiety about her child, and her heart couldn't help but ripple with emotion.

Jiang Huaiyu wiped away the tears on her cheeks, her voice trembling slightly: "Enough, it's not a long-term solution to shed tears here. I'll go find Steward Zheng and see if he's made any progress."

Qi Ziming personally saw Jiang Huaiyu off at the door, gently comforting her: "Madam, please do not grieve too much and harm your precious health. The Marquis is a pillar of the nation. Even if the heir is unfortunately convicted, the Emperor will surely show leniency once he learns the details."

Jiang Huaiyu nodded slightly, her voice carrying a hint of expectation: "I hope so."

After saying that, she slowly walked out of the Ink Chrysanthemum Garden.

As Jiang Huaiyu's figure receded into the distance, Qi Ziming quietly left through the back gate of the Marquis's residence.

However, although Jiang Huaiyu sought Qi Ziming's help, she knew in her heart that she could not rely entirely on others. If Qi Ziming's efforts failed, she would ultimately have to rely on herself.

Just as Jiang Huaiyu was about to step out of the Marquis's residence, she happened to run into Steward Zheng, who had just returned.

Butler Zheng's eyes gleamed with excitement, and his voice revealed with fervor: "Madam, we've made a major breakthrough."

Jiang Huaiyu immediately pressed on with hope, "Tell me quickly!"