Another few days passed.

The high walls enclosed, the gate tower majestic, the wind brushing across the water surface, prompting ripples in the pond, and lotus leaves gently swaying.

The sun was just right, and the servants of the Duke Shun Mansion gathered in the Book Collection Pavilion, busy up and down.

"The rainy season is approaching, as the weather has been good these days, the matriarch has ordered all the books in the Book Collection Pavilion to be taken out and aired to prevent mildew in the future."

Nanny Ru commanded back and forth.

"The men go into the Book Collection Pavilion to move the books. Start with the first floor, be careful and slow. These books are incredibly precious."

"Girls, come over, spread these old fabrics on the ground completely to prevent the book covers from getting dirty. Wash your hands before flipping through them."

"Everyone, stay extremely alert! The matriarch has announced that after this busy period, the monthly silver will be doubled."

Everyone was all smiles: "Yes!"

The Duke Mansion has always been clear on rewards and penalties, as long as one commits to doing the job, they will not be treated poorly.

Even though there are more rules, the masters are not as difficult to serve as those in other mansions, where there is beating and scolding at every turn.

They rolled up their sleeves, busy but orderly, their actions extremely cautious.

Because these books are truly precious!

The Wei Family has a profound background, and those collected in the Book Collection Pavilion have been carefully gathered by generations of Wei Family members.

Ning Suxuan was dressed in a deep purple brocade long dress, with intricate patterns embroidered on the collar, her hair styled high, sitting on the grand tutor chair, holding a cup of tea, her gaze deep and calm, inherently imposing.

She had not spoken a word since she appeared.

But her aura was powerful and could not be ignored.

When Nanny Ru finished her instructions and came to serve by her side, Ning Suxuan slightly frowned.

"What has the Yu Family been busy with these days?"

She, feeling unwell from drunkenness, had someone cancel her bookkeeping run-out trip that day. Yet, for several consecutive days, she didn’t show up, which was quite something.

Nanny Ru silently lowered her head: "All those serving in Lan Garden belong to the Wei Family Army; they are very tight-lipped. The Heir’s wife hasn’t come out, so it’s challenging for this old servant to inquire."

"However..."

She paused, and when Ning Suxuan glanced her way, she continued: "However, yesterday Shunzi brought in a newly made midday rest rocking chair from outside."

Nanny Ru was at a loss for words: "That rocking chair wasn’t made of nanmu, nor was it of red sandalwood. It was made of pure gold."

"In the light, it shone with a golden glow, truly dazzling to the eyes."

Ning Suxuan: ??

However, in the end, it was a trivial matter, and she didn’t pay it much mind.

She took a sip of tea: "Go and fetch her."

"Yes."

The leisurely Yu Tingwan had the rocking chair moved to the sunniest spot in the courtyard and lay down to watch Wei Zhao sitting on a stone bench not far away, wiping the Cloud-breaking Spear.

He seemed to wipe it every other day, maybe out of habit or perhaps fearing accumulation of dust.

However... he was taking particularly long today.

Yu Tingwan calculated.

It had been a stick of incense long.

She softly said: "It’s already so shiny."

Wei Zhao: "It’s been idle for too long."

Wei Zhao’s hand movements didn’t slow, speaking faintly: "It’s been a long time since it’s tasted blood."

Yu Tingwan: ???

It really didn’t sound like something a normal person would say.

Wei Zhao: "I’ve wronged it."

Yu Tingwan: ...

Wei Zhao: "I have to think."

Yu Tingwan: ..."Think what?"

"Pick someone for it to taste blood."

Who though?

Wei Zhao drooped his eyelids, devoid of emotion, but he had a candidate in mind.

Just as Yu Tingwan was about to speak, she saw Rong Di enter from outside.

"General!"

"News has come from the palace that the Holy Emperor has issued a deposition edict. In consideration of the late Crown Prince, the Zhou Family has been ordered into the cold palace, never to emerge."

"The Ministry of Justice, the Capital Mansion, the Ministry of Justice, and the Imperial Censorate jointly handled the case, with the Grand Tutor overseeing. Zhou Qing refused to confess, yet the evidence was undeniable and he was convicted of treason. His title was revoked, and he is to be subjected to the punishment of slow slicing with execution of nine generations connected."

Is the result out? It was rather swift.

Indeed, the Minister of Justice, Mr. Yao, had long sided with the Fifth Prince Ying Yin.

The Imperial Censorate was under He Xuran’s influence.

The Capital Mansion’s officials were trusted aides of Emperor Ying.

Emperor Ying was furious and had not attended the early court for three days. He was clearly waiting to convict the Duke Zhou, to root out troubles thoroughly.

Wei Zhao seemed to have foreseen the outcome, not responding.

Yu Tingwan: "When is the execution?"

Rong Di: "In half a month."

Yu Tingwan was not a kind soul, pursing her lips: "Why wait another half a month? Why not just execute immediately?"

Wei Zhao finally spoke to explain to her: "The Zhou Family is flourishing. The nine generations include four paternal, three maternal, and two marital families. They are divided into legitimate and illegitimate branches, dispersed in various places. The Ministry of Justice and the Capital Mansion case requires all to be escorted to the Capital."

"With the imperial palace heavily guarded, Zhou Qing was still able to attempt to exchange the imperial heir. The Dog Emperor was already suspicious, further agitated when a few infiltrators were uncovered within the Imperial Army, lashing out furiously, taking the opportunity to eradicate officials who secretly allied with Zhou Qing."

Yu Tingwan understood.

She couldn’t help but ask: "Which minister will oversee the execution?"

Rong Di quickly replied respectfully: "The Holy Emperor has appointed the Second Prince, the Fourth Prince, and the Fifth Prince together."

Yu Tingwan: ...

There’s quite the crowd.

This was plainly a deterrent.

Clearly warning the sons contemplating the throne to witness firsthand the consequences of treason.

"I do feel for the Fourth Prince, having kept to himself only to be swept along."

Rong Di glanced at Wei Zhao: "Also..."

Wei Zhao: "Speak."

"The Holy Emperor has commanded court ministers to observe the punishment. Your name is on the list, General."

Wei Zhao wasn’t surprised.

Rather than calling them court ministers, it would be better to say ministers wielding great power.

Especially those with military authority.

Wei Zhao turned to her, speaking flatly: "Better sympathize with me."

Yu Tingwan: ...

What’s there to sympathize with you for.

The man was afraid when Zhou Qing’s plan to exchange the child failed, and even helped to cover it up.

Wei Zhao sighed gloomily: "With my poor health, I still have to go to a heavy place like Xuanwu Gate."

He feigned frailty: "Truly afraid."

Yu Tingwan: ...

If ghosts saw you, they’d call you a fierce god.

She chuckled softly, lightly tapping the ground with her toe, rocking the chair easily, the present days leisurely and hopeful.

It was a pity Fu Meng wasn’t around. No idea where he went to mess around.

Otherwise, stroking the tiger’s head again would make it more complete.

Then... Nanny Ru came.

The arrangement of which books are placed on which shelves in the Duke Shun Mansion Book Collection Pavilion is well-ordered, making it easiest to find when searching.

Thus, the servants carried the books out, and the maidservants had clear divisions of labor.

Some were airing books.

Some were carefully wiping dust with cloths.

Some were flipping pages.

By the time Yu Tingwan arrived, the servants had already moved out half of the books from the first floor.

She approached Ning Suxuan, saluting: "Mother-in-law."

Ning Suxuan’s gaze fell on her: "I remember you said you loved books at the last palace banquet."

Yu Tingwan: "Well..."

She looked at the books spread out, hesitating: "Actually, it was a misunderstanding..."

Ning Suxuan didn’t wait for her to finish.

"The airing of books in the Book Collection Pavilion every year was handed over to me by Gui Zhi’s grandmother in my third year after marrying into the Wei Family."

"It looks simple, as long as you give commands, there are those who will carry it out. But there are many subtleties within it."

Ning Suxuan: "Take any book at random, and I can roughly tell where it is stored in the Book Collection Pavilion."

"The books here are precious. If dirty, stains must be removed. If there are worm holes or damage, repairs and copies must be made for future generations of the Wei Family to read."

Her tone was light and airy.

"I’ve been managing it for over twenty years; in the future, it will be up to you."