My rigid, jealous husband has fallen for me, even though I'm a hopeless romantic.

Chapter 88 Do you want a corrupt official or not?

It's no wonder Wei Dongning had such thoughts.

She has read many novels and watched many TV series with similar plots.

Seeing too much of this can easily lead to unnecessary worry.

"will not."

The laws of this dynasty are harsh.

If a prisoner escapes en route, the personnel responsible for escorting the prisoner will be held accountable.

In serious cases, even his superiors may be implicated.

Under such a system of punishment, no one was willing to risk their life for a few taels of silver.

Gu Peiyan put down her brush, picked up the memorial, blew on the still-wet ink twice, and then closed the memorial.

Wei Dongning rested her chin on her hand, seemingly lost in thought, and said, "Do you think Zhao Xinyi might regret meeting us at Guangning Temple that day?"

"Perhaps."

If it weren't for meeting them that day, and the series of events that followed...

She probably wouldn't be so heartless as to drug him, and could continue living the life of a pampered young lady for a while longer.

"I also think she'll regret it."

If she were Zhao Xinyi, she would be kicking herself right now.

There are so many good men out there, why insist on just one?

Now look what's happened; for this man, the whole family has been ruined.

Wei Dongning stared blankly at Gu Peiyan.

Aside from being somewhat good-looking, he doesn't seem to have anything special about him.

What did Zhao Xinyi see in him?

It's really quite puzzling.

Gu Peiyan coughed twice, pressing her fist to her lips: "There's no going back in life. Whatever the outcome, it was her own choice."

Xiao Wu's loud and boisterous voice echoed in Wei Dongning's mind again: "You're still wondering if they'll regret it, little do you know they're already packing their valuables and preparing to run away!"

"What? What? What?" Wei Dongning snapped back to reality.

"The person your brother sent to investigate was recognized by the gambling den owner. Knowing he couldn't escape, Zhao Anmin packed a lot of valuables for Zhao Xinyi, preparing to send her out of the city after dark."

Wei Dongning jumped up and was about to leave: "Trying to run away? You won't get away with that!"

Gu Peiyan was startled by Wei Dongning's sudden action of getting up. As she took a step away, he grabbed her wrist and asked, "Where are you going?"

“I’m going to go see Nao Nao,” Wei Dongning patted Gu Peiyan’s hand reassuringly. “I still feel uneasy. What if Zhao Xinyi runs away? I need to have Nao Nao find someone to keep an eye on his house.”

"I'm with you."

"Stop fooling around, you're just getting a little better, don't catch a cold again."

"It's okay, I'll just wear more clothes."

Gu Peiyan insisted, so Wei Dongning didn't refuse anymore.

As she pulled out the thickest cloak from the wardrobe, she silently berated herself: "Why do I feel more and more like an old woman?"

Xiao Wu shrugged: "I don't know either. Maybe his current fragile appearance triggered your maternal instincts?"

"You make it sound like I'm raising a son." Wei Dongning curled her finger and tapped Xiao Wu's cat on the head lightly.

She's still a beautiful young woman in the prime of her life.

Xiao Wu meowed and ran into Gu Peiyan's arms, nuzzling his chest several times before stopping.

Aren't you afraid of catching a cold from him?

"Don't worry, I'm not a real kitten, so I won't get sick at all," Xiao Wu said proudly.

Wei Dongning couldn't help but tap its head again: "Stinky Little Five."

From Gu Peiyan's perspective, Xiao Wu did nothing but jump next to Wei Dongning and was tapped twice by her.

Instantly transforming into a doting father, he rubbed its head, asking, "Does it hurt?"

Wei Dongning was amused by his words, and put her hands on her hips as she looked at the seemingly loving father and daughter: "Gu Peiyan, do you think I'm some kind of wicked stepmother?"

"No."

"I should have let you stay in the study for a couple of days. Hurry up and get dressed, we're leaving now."

Wei Dongning didn't really intend to argue with him about such a small matter. She tossed the cloak to Gu Peiyan, turned around and found one for herself, and didn't forget to assign Qian Rong a task: "Qian Rong, go and invite the Second Prince, and tell him that we will wait for him at the usual place."

"Yes, young lady."

Wei Dongning and Gu Peiyan were waiting in a private room at Tianxiang Tower.

Looking at the familiar scenery before her, Wei Dongning suddenly recalled the scene of their first meeting.

At that time, she only thought that Gu Peiyan was a nitpicker who was always looking for trouble and had a fatherly air about him.

Looking at that person now, after getting sick, they were so obedient, like a doll. They are completely different people.

Even with his eyes closed, Gu Peiyan could feel the burning gaze on him. He coughed lightly, feeling uncomfortable, and opened his eyes: "Why are you staring at me?"

“I was thinking, if my attention hadn’t been on Nao Nao the first time we met, I might have gotten so angry that I’d have argued with you in the street. We probably wouldn’t be as harmonious as we are now.”

Gu Peiyan gripped the teacup slightly, and the veins on the back of her hand were clearly visible.

Life is too good for him now, so good that he is unwilling and dare not imagine the situation Wei Dongning described.

Wei Dongning pried his fingers apart one by one: "If the cup breaks in a little while, we'll have to pay for it. You don't know how to manage money at all."

Just then, Su Yizhuo pushed open the door and entered.

Hearing what Wei Dongning said, he sat cross-legged opposite them, gave her a thumbs up, and said with a grin, "My Ningning is really good at managing her husband. Little Gu is almost being trained into a little wife by you."

"Get lost, I don't have time to joke with you right now. I called you here because I have something very serious to discuss."

"Tell me about it." Su Yizhuo sat up straight.

The private rooms on the second floor of Tianxiang Tower offer a view of the Zhao residence, which is why Wei Dongning chose to meet there.

Wei Dongning gestured with her chin towards the Zhao residence: "I have a feeling Zhao Xinyi is going to run away in the next couple of days. Could you send someone to keep an eye on her?"

"Don't worry, with me here, she won't be able to run away."

With Su Yizhuo's words, Wei Dongning felt relieved.

She had actually considered whether it was too cruel to treat Zhao Xinyi this way.

Xiao Wu kept comforting her, saying that her father's actions were too outrageous and that it was only when his crimes were exposed that Zhao Xinyi was implicated.

Their encounter that day was merely a catalyst.

The primary condition for not punishing one's family members is that one's family members are not benefited.

What she is doing now is in accordance with the laws of the Great An Kingdom.

In modern terms, she was a law-abiding citizen.

After all, reporting illegal and criminal activities is everyone's responsibility.

After parting ways with Wei Dongning and the others, Su Yizhuo went straight back to the palace, found the emperor who was painting, and knelt down immediately upon entering.

The emperor was so startled that his hand holding the pen trembled: "Can't you be a little more steady?"

Su Yizhuo stood up, grimacing.

I was walking too fast and tripped on the threshold when I came in.

I reckon we'll see two bruises on my knees when I get back.

"Father, do you want corrupt officials or not?"

"Who?"

Su Yizhuo told the whole story.

We'll talk about Gu Peiyan's impeachment tomorrow.

He needs to file a complaint immediately.

Having the most powerful father in the world as a backer, he'd be a fool not to use it.

The Emperor's shrewd eyes narrowed slightly: "Very well, the national treasury is empty. You came to see me just for this?"

"Oh right, I'm here to borrow someone."