The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 112

A maid peered through the gates and was so shocked by the sight of the courtyard filled with gold that she nearly fell over.

Her hands and feet went cold as she took deep breaths, then she turned and ran off like the wind.

In the magistrate’s wife’s room.

As she finished writing, the magistrate’s wife gently blew on the ink.

The maid burst in, closing the door behind her. “Madam, the Fourth Prince found a courtyard full of gold in the master’s yard.”

The magistrate’s wife’s heart pounded. “A courtyard full? How can there be so much? Where did it come from?”

The maid shook her head. “I didn’t dare get too close. The Crown Prince and the Minister of Justice were also there. As soon as I saw them approaching, I ran.”

The magistrate’s wife nodded slightly and, after a brief silence, asked, “Did the eldest young master and the third young miss leave?”

The maid nodded. “They’ve been taken to Baizhifang Bridge. The young master is worried about you and asks that you join them soon.”

“Good. Pack my things. Make sure the other concubines’ courtyards are locked. We can’t let them cause trouble now.”

“Don’t worry, Madam. The courtyards are locked, and the young masters and young ladies are with their respective mothers.”

The magistrate’s wife waved her hand. “Pack quickly and take the items to Baizhifang Bridge through the back gate. I’ll follow once this is over.”

The maid was concerned. “Madam, I should wait for you.”

The magistrate’s wife’s face hardened. “Nonsense. How will you carry everything if you wait for me? No one will notice if you leave now. Once I’m alone, I can escape more easily. Hurry.”

Seeing that the magistrate’s wife had made up her mind, the maid complied. “Be careful, Madam.”

“I will. Go now.”

The magistrate’s wife watched the maid leave before focusing again on the paper in her hand.

It was a divorce letter.

She had practiced imitating the magistrate’s handwriting ever since she married him, preparing for a day when he might get into trouble so she could save herself and their children.

She didn’t want to die with him, nor did she want their children to suffer because of him.

Men could have multiple wives; she only had her children.

Marriage had been a matter of her parents’ arrangements. She had no choice then, but now she wanted to live.

After ensuring the ink was dry, she folded the letter and tucked it into her sleeve. She then left her room and headed towards the magistrate’s courtyard.

In the courtyard, Song Jin leaned against a tree, holding a spade.

The Crown Prince entered the courtyard and immediately noticed the gold. Frowning, he walked towards Song Jin.

Seeing the Crown Prince approach, Song Jin shuddered and stepped back.

Why is this pervert here again?

Right, Consort Jiang was the Crown Prince’s plant in Shen Yue’s residence. With the magistrate in trouble, the Crown Prince must be here to help.

Before the Crown Prince could speak, Song Jin said, “Brother, you can’t just take all this gold. Trying to save someone could drag you down.”

The Crown Prince paused, smiling. “That depends on who I’m saving. If it’s you, I’ll always try.”

Song Jin bit her lip, avoiding his gaze, and turned to the Minister of Justice, who had just arrived. “Father Emperor ordered me to investigate the magistrate’s corruption. I found this gold in his courtyard. Since the gold is similar to what was found at the Duke’s estate, I called you here.”

The Minister of Justice, always respectful to the Fourth Prince, nodded politely before examining the gold.

Some of the gold still had soil on it. The soil was a reddish-brown color, similar to the soil from the Duke’s estate.

It was clear that the gold in the magistrate’s courtyard and the gold from the Duke’s estate came from the same place.

The Minister of Justice turned to the magistrate. “Where did this come from?”

The magistrate, injured and leaning towards the Crown Prince, seemed to address both the Crown Prince and the Minister of Justice. “I swear I didn’t know about the gold until now.”

The Crown Prince stood silently, staring at the gold, his thoughts unreadable.

The Minister of Justice glanced between the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince. “You didn’t know?”

The magistrate was on the verge of tears. “I truly didn’t know.”

Seeing the Crown Prince remain silent, the magistrate pleaded, “Your Highness, I swear I didn’t know.”

The Crown Prince raised a finger and gently waved it. “Whether you knew or not, I’m just here to observe. The Fourth Prince and the Minister of Justice will handle the investigation. Anything you say will be used as evidence.”

The Crown Prince’s words were a warning, telling the magistrate to keep quiet.

Feeling slightly reassured, the magistrate took a deep breath and turned his honest gaze to the Minister of Justice.

The Minister of Justice glanced at the Crown Prince and then at the Fourth Prince. “How did you discover the gold?”

Prepared for this question, Song Jin explained, “Minister Jiang had a gold belt that he couldn’t afford on his salary. He denied corruption, so I thought he might have hidden gold in his courtyard, like the Duke. When I dug, I found it.”

Song Jin’s explanation was straightforward. The Minister of Justice studied the gold again, knowing this was a tricky situation.

The Emperor didn’t plan to punish the Duke, only asking him to return the gold. But the gold in the magistrate’s courtyard was clearly from the same source as the Duke’s.

After a moment’s thought, the Minister of Justice said to the Crown Prince, “Your Highness, please watch over this place while I report to the Emperor. This requires his judgment.”

The Crown Prince reluctantly agreed. “Hurry back.”

The Minister of Justice…

If you don’t want to be here, why did you come?

But he couldn’t argue with royalty.