The autumn rain that had been drizzling for half a month finally stopped, yet the court hearing at the county government continued.
Jiang Shisan's voice, though it hadn't ceased for half a day, showed no signs of fatigue.
"Truly impressive," Lady Fang said. Although she hadn't spoken as much as Jiang Shisan, her voice couldn't hide her weariness. "He's not tired at all."
Fang Yunxiao personally brought her tea, with a concerned and uneasy expression.
"Mother is truly modest," Fang Yuxiu said. "Back in the day when you settled the year-end accounts, managing thirteen provinces and twenty-four shopkeepers single-handedly, it was comparable to Zhuge Liang's debate with scholars."
Lady Fang smiled.
"I wouldn't dare, a true hero doesn't boast of past glories," she said. "Back then, I had your grandmother supporting me from behind."
As she said this, she glanced at the two daughters and Miss Jun sitting in the room.
Fang Jinxiu was still in Yangcheng, but never met her nor sat together with them.
"To speak of impressive things, I cannot compare to your prowess," Lady Fang said with a half-smile.
Though she spoke of their prowess, her gaze was fixed on Miss Jun alone.
Now she understood the truth, although she wasn't angry with her daughters anymore, she was not exactly happy either, not even she could fully grasp her feelings.
Just because of one word from Miss Jun, her three daughters and one son acted without hesitation or consulting the family, daring to do such unfathomable things.
The promise made back then seemed to have come to fruition. She managed to save Chengyu's life and delivered everything Chengyu deserved into his hands.
This Fang Family now entirely belonged to her.
"Actually, there's nothing impressive or unimpressive about it," Miss Jun looked at her. "Just that I had no other choice."
Lady Fang responded with an 'Oh'.
"Well, there's no choice but no choice. I still think I'm quite impressive." She said.
Fang Yuxiu burst into laughter, while Fang Yunxiao and Miss Jun were momentarily stunned—Fang Yunxiao in surprise, and Miss Jun not expecting Lady Fang to say such a thing.
"Aunt is right, there are many people in the world who have no choice, but not everyone can achieve what Aunt has done," she said with a gentle smile.
This smile greatly eased the atmosphere in the room, and outside, it seemed like Jiang Shisan was having a pleasant conversation with the county magistrate too.
This atmosphere widened the smile on Fang Chengyu as he walked in.
"Mother and sisters have worked hard," he said, bowing. "This matter can come to an end now."
Lady Fang looked at him.
"It's all resolved?" she asked.
"Everyone has left," Fang Chengyu replied.
Their conversation was simple, but everyone understood perfectly well what was meant. Ever since the merchants came to collect money, there were many watchers scattered across Yangcheng and even within Ze Prefecture. Now, have all those people finally left?
Receiving this news, Old Lady Fang sighed with relief, yet felt a bit regretful.
"What's taken has been taken, and from now on, we'll be strangers," she said.
The fact that the money was seized by her and Zhu Zan was unbeknownst to the Fang Family. Miss Jun turned slightly to pick up her tea, noticing Fang Chengyu watching her.
Hmm, not everyone in the Fang Family is unaware, Miss Jun smiled at him.
Her excuse to go to Taiyuan to invite Jiang Shisan couldn't fool him.
However, this matter was always a risky move. Although they arranged a double and used carriages to obscure the view, it's surprising it was resolved so smoothly.
Perhaps they could fool Eunuch Yuan Bao and his people, but what about Lu Yunqi's Jinyiwei?
Or perhaps the Jinyiwei weren't watching her this time? After all, this money matter and the emperor have always been cautious, usually not letting the Jinyiwei know.
This was also exploiting a loophole of the emperor.
"Gongzhu?" Fang Chengyu's voice called out.
Miss Jun returned to her senses, looking at him.
"And next..." she started.
Fang Chengyu interruptingly laughed.
"For what's next, Gongzhu, you shouldn't be involved," he said, looking at Old Lady Fang. "Grandmother can take care of it."
After all, she was just a niece; if she handled the end of this matter, Old Lady Fang might be laughed at in Yangcheng in the future.
Miss Jun nodded.
"Then..." she began again.
"Then Gongzhu, you should return to the capital first," Fang Chengyu interrupted her again. His expression was solemn. "I still worry about the capital."
Not to mention the emperor didn't get the silver as he wished, and even if he did, he wouldn't be satisfied and just drop it.
"This matter isn't the end, it's the beginning," Miss Jun said.
Earlier, the Fang Family had the imperial decree and hidden silver that couldn't be exposed, which was a restraint on the emperor. Now the restraint was gone, and the emperor would become unrestrained.
"Don't worry about things at home, we've prepared everything," Fang Chengyu said with shining eyes.
Miss Jun looked towards Old Lady Fang.
Old Lady Fang glanced at her.
"What, only you are impressive?" she said.
Miss Jun laughed heartily, stood up, and bowed to the Fang Family members in the room.
"No, you are all more impressive than me," she said seriously and sincerely.
In her resurrection journey to this day, she often relied on what she knew that others didn't, surviving hardships that way. It was a blessing from the Old Heavenly Father. However, the women of the Fang Family had no such advantage, yet they faced dire situations repeatedly and made fearless choices. That was truly impressive.
"Since we're all so impressive, what is there to worry about?" Fang Yuxiu said, turning her hands outward.
........
........
Just like when she came, it was one person and one horse, except Fang Jinxiu didn't leave together.
"Gongzhu, don't worry. Once things are settled here, I'll have someone send Jinxiu back," Fang Chengyu said.
Before Miss Jun could speak, Fang Jinxiu firmly refused.
"Seventh Chen has already hired an escort for me," she said, giving Miss Jun a glance. "You'll pay."
Miss Jun chuckled, nodding.
"Then I'll leave first," she said looking at Fang Chengyu.
Fang Chengyu extended his hand, his face full of reluctant longing.
Zhu Zan coughed on the side.
"It's getting late," he said.
Fang Chengyu embraced Miss Jun with a touch of petulance.
"Go quickly, go quickly," he said while saying it.
Miss Jun laughed, patting him.
With reluctance, Fang Chengyu released her. Miss Jun then turned to Fang Yunxiao and the others.
"Oh, no need," Fang Yuxiu raised her hand hastily before Miss Jun could speak, "I'm not used to hugging people."
Before Miss Jun could respond, Fang Chengyu delightedly spoke up.
"I can do it on behalf of Second Sister," he said, extending his hand again.
Miss Jun laughed, while Fang Yunxiao covered her mouth, smiling, and stepped forward to curtsy to Miss Jun.
"Safe travels," she said.
Miss Jun returned the gesture with a smile.
"Take care," she said.
.........
.......
The silhouette on the road was long gone, Fang Chengyu still standing there earnestly looking on.
The three Fang sisters talked beside him.
"Come home, you can go back now," Fang Yunxiao said, looking at Fang Jinxiu with an emotional expression.
It had been a long time, and even though she had come to Yangcheng long ago, they only saw each other once or twice at the courthouse, never really having a good conversation like this.
Fang Jinxiu smiled.
"I can't go back," she said.
This sentence 'can't go back' carried a lot of sadness and helplessness, causing Fang Yunxiao to feel a bit melancholy.
"Oh, Big Sister, just let her stay at the inn," Fang Yuxiu said, wrapping an arm around Fang Jinxiu's shoulder, breaking the slightly stagnant atmosphere. "Jinxiu the great shopkeeper now has money. Is this the fabric most popular in the capital? We haven't even bought it yet."
Fang Jinxiu cast her a sideways glance, ignoring her, but didn't push her away either.
Fang Yunxiao's melancholy dissipated, her smile growing softer.
No matter if they couldn't go back, as long as they were still fine, they could always look forward.
"Let's go back," Fang Chengyu's voice came from behind.
Fang Yuxiu responded, "Oh."
"I thought you hadn't seen enough," she said.
Fang Yunxiao glared at Fang Yuxiu in a reproachful manner.
Hearing this, Fang Jinxiu turned to leave, but Fang Chengyu called her back.
"There's something I want to discuss with you sisters," he said.
All three looked at him.
"What's there to discuss? Just say it," Fang Yunxiao said.
"Discuss what? Dividing the family property with us?" Fang Yuxiu asked with a smile.
They had already said the matter settled, what was there to divide? Fang Yunxiao smiled, but the next moment her smile froze.
"Yes," Fang Chengyu nodded, his expression serious. "But you have to agree to one condition."
"What condition?" Fang Yuxiu asked.
"You must promise that if I die, your money business must obey Gongzhu just like mine would," Fang Chengyu said.
The faces of the three sisters of the Fang Family looked astonished.
....…
........
(End of Volume)