The Emperor and the Cold King’s couple remained silent, letting Lin Zhenfei and Fei Pang fight it out in the grand hall.
Lin Zhenfei, having been drugged by Tao Zhixing and unable to use his internal energy, felt his body weakened from his recent efforts in propagation.
Today, as he fought Fei Pang, who knew no martial arts, he gradually fell into a disadvantage. His face was scratched by Fei Pang, drawing blood in several places, and his abdomen was kicked twice by Fei Pang, instantly enraging him.
“Fei Pang, you scoundrel, Lin Zhenfei will kill you today.”
With that, Lin Zhenfei lunged at Fei Pang, attempting to smash him to death with the iron lock in his hand.
Subsequently, the two rolled around the hall, and everyone standing in the hall watched them as if they were watching monkeys perform. It wasn't until the Emperor grew tired of the spectacle that he ordered an end to their fight.
With a sweep of his brush, he wrote another imperial decree ordering the confiscation of property and extermination of the clan, handing it to Eunuch Li. He then instructed Eunuch Li to lead Yan Song to confiscate the Fei Mansion.
Fei Pang was so terrified that he nearly fainted in the hall.
Then, the Emperor ordered eighty strokes of the rod for both Lin Zhenfei and Fei Pang.
Originally, the Emperor had considered ordering a hundred strokes for both of them. However, seeing their frail bodies (as perceived by the Emperor), he realized that if he ordered a hundred strokes, they might die before being dragged to the execution ground.
After much deliberation, the Emperor ordered them to receive eighty strokes each, leaving them half-dead, and then declared they would be sent to the execution ground for beheading three days later.
With the Emperor's command, Lin Zhenfei and Fei Pang were dragged away by the Imperial Guards to be punished.
Not long after, the hall outside was filled with agonizing screams.
The hall inside fell silent.
At that moment, the Emperor looked at Tao Xiangqing and sighed, “Madam Tao, from today onwards, Tao Zhixing is no longer a traitor, nor are you the descendant of a traitor. However, your parents and brothers have already passed away, and I cannot bring them back. I shall write an imperial decree for you to burn before your parents’ and brothers’ graves, informing them that the Tao family’s grievances have been cleared and wishing them peace in the afterlife. As for you, I will compensate you for the suffering you have endured over the years. I will bestow generous rewards upon you shortly to alleviate all your worries.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. As long as my father’s name is cleared, this humble servant is content.”
The wealth meant nothing to her compared to her father’s exoneration.
Hearing this, the Emperor nodded approvingly, realizing that this Tao Xiangqing was quite astute.
Thus, with the help of the Cold King and his consort, Tao Xiangqing cleared Tao Zhixing’s name of grievances that had lasted for over a decade.
However, the Emperor's confiscation of the mansions of three court officials in a single day quickly caused widespread unease among officials in the capital.
In the afternoon, after Leng Ruoli and Jun Mohan returned to their residence, they went to visit Yin Chen for a while.
Leng Ruoli carefully examined Yin Chen’s wounds, noting that he was recovering quite well overall.
Her personal maid, Ling’er, had been by his side, taking care of him, and the two seemed to be getting along very well.
Leng Ruoli could tell from their subtle interactions that there was something developing between them.
Yin Chen was delicate, responsible, and handsome, while Ling’er was quiet, gentle, thoughtful, and kind-hearted. If Ling’er and Yin Chen could become a couple, it would be wonderful.
“Ling’er, you often accompany me on house calls to the clinic, and I’ve taught you many times how to care for patients. You should have learned at least a little by now. I’ll leave Yin Chen in your care. If there are any emergencies, come find me,” Leng Ruoli said to Ling’er with a smile.
Ling’er’s face instantly flushed a deep red at Leng Ruoli’s words.
“Yes, Your Highness!” Ling’er replied, lowering her head.
“Alright, take care of Yin Chen during this period. Once his injuries have completely healed, you can return to Hanchen Garden.”
Leng Ruoli did not tease them further. Before Ling’er could respond, she and Jun Mohan turned and left Yin Chen’s room.
On their way back to Hanchen Garden, Leng Ruoli suddenly said with a smile, “Jun Mohan, if Ling’er and Yin Chen become a couple, and Xing’er and Ye Ying become a couple, what do you think?”
“That would be great. I’ve been wondering how to find wives for Ye Ying and Yin Chen. But these men of mine are always busy with missions, and they have no opportunities to interact with women outside. And the maids in our Cold King’s Mansion are very few. Now that those two young men have finally found women they like, I’m happy for them. I’m only afraid you might not agree.”
Jun Mohan’s thin, attractive lips curved into a slight, uncontrollable smile.
“Haha… I have no objections either! However, your two good-for-nothings must treat my Xing’er and Ling’er well, and I also want them to promise never to take concubines.” Leng Ruoli said seriously.
“Don’t worry! If they dare to take concubines, I’ll be the first one to deal with them,” Jun Mohan promised.
Ever since Jun Mohan learned about the world Leng Ruoli came from, he had found the customs and views there extremely repulsive, especially regarding men having multiple wives and concubines and the wife’s absolute obedience to the husband.
Wasn't a lifelong commitment to one person better?
Subsequently, the two walked and talked, and in the blink of an eye, they arrived at their crop cultivation base in Hanchen Garden.
Last night’s heavy rain had caused the sweet potato seedlings in the garden to grow vigorously.
“Li’er, these sweet potato shoots in the field have grown so long. They should be ready to be transplanted to the manor, right?”
Jun Mohan looked at the lush green seedlings in the garden and asked with some excitement.
Hearing this, Leng Ruoli nodded in agreement.
“Yes, tomorrow we will organize manpower to cut these sweet potato vines and take them to the manor to plant.”
“Okay, I’ll arrange this,” Jun Mohan replied readily.
Then, Leng Ruoli pulled Jun Mohan along and walked among the sweet potato seedlings, carefully plucking a small handful of tender sweet potato leaves.
Jun Mohan frowned at this.
“Li’er, what are you doing? These sweet potatoes have finally grown leaves, how can you bear to pluck them?” Jun Mohan asked Leng Ruoli, confused.
“I’m picking a handful of tender sweet potato leaves to stir-fry for dinner tonight,” Leng Ruoli said with a smile.
“Sweet potato leaves can also be eaten?”
Jun Mohan was stunned to hear this.
“Of course, they can. Sweet potato leaves, when cooked, are a delicacy. They are also rich in vitamins A and C, mucoprotein, which helps improve immunity, lubricate the intestines, promote urination, and boost metabolism.”
Jun Mohan’s knowledge was expanded by her words.
“I never expected such a small thing as sweet potato leaves to have such a great effect.”