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Rong Ze supported Madam Rong's other arm gently and said warmly, "Uncle Three, it's not convenient to move Grandmother right now. Let's place her on the reclining couch together."

Rong Xun was at a loss and, without thinking, nodded. He helped Rong Ze lay the unconscious Madam Rong on the couch.

While Rong Ze and Rong Xun were occupied, Rong Shu took a pill from her waistband, crushed it, and mixed it with tea. Then, she unfastened the top button of Madam Rong's robe and fed her the medicine bit by bit.

"This is a medicine prescribed by Doctor Sun. It should alleviate Grandmother's condition," Rong Shu explained softly. Watching Madam Rong's eyes slowly close, her expression was complicated.

She had initially suspected that Grandmother was involved in her eldest uncle's death, but after seeing her grandmother's state just now, it didn't seem like an act.

Rong Xun glanced at Rong Shu and then at Rong Ze. "Our grandmother would never harm anyone else's life. After our eldest brother passed away, she even went to the ancestral hall and knelt before our birth mother's memorial tablet."

He stood up dejectedly and continued, "As for how I know this, it's because, that night, besides Eldest Sister-in-law and Mother, I also went to see our eldest brother. Someone accompanied me."

Rong Xun paused here, his gaze sweeping over Rong Shu before landing on Zhu Shi. "It was my cousin, Shen Zhi."

Shen Zhi?

Recalling how Rong Jun had been seriously ill and Shen Zhi had arrived at Chen Yin Courtyard with a large chest of rare medicines, Zhu Shi's mind exploded with realization, nearly causing her to lose her breath.

Seeing this, Zhong Shi approached with a cold expression, supporting her as she sternly spoke, "You can't faint now, I still have questions for you!"

Her words were harsh, but the hands holding her were steady.

Zhu Shi turned her head slowly and whispered, "You must have guessed it too, haven't you? You've probably heard Qiu Shiyang's name from your second brother. He has always been loyal to him, and it was he who saved Shen Zhi in Qingzhou. As for why your second brother kept it from you, perhaps it's because he and your father didn't want you to be distracted, only wanting you to focus on taking care of the children at the Cheng'an Marquis Estate."

"You're trying to please everyone in the estate, catering to the Old Lady and building a relationship with Concubine Pei at Qiuyun Hall, all for the sake of a bright future for the children, isn't that right? Your second brother mentioned that if the Second Prince's plans succeed, he will earn you and the children the title of a general, and you'll become an official lady."

Looking at Rong Ze, Zhu Shi smiled and said, "Da Lang, there's no need for you to take the blame for me. Your mother has always taught that one must stand tall and face the consequences of their actions. For this matter, I will take responsibility."

Then, she turned to Rong Xun and declared, "Rong Xun, let's split the family! The first branch will take on these crimes!"

"No one needs to admit guilt or leave the Cheng'an Marquis Estate; these are clearly misunderstandings!" Rong Xun exclaimed, then softened his tone as he looked at Rong Shu, "Zhaozhao, your aunt and uncle are also your elders. Hand over that village chief and the evidence to me, and I will handle these matters."

Rong Shu had never seen Rong Xun so humiliated before, tears streaming down his face with a sorrowful gaze, looking at Rong Shu as if she was his last hope.

She took out the letters and documents from her sleeve and said softly, "Father, do you know where this letter came from? It was found during a search of the former Second Prince's residence. Not only are they secret messages, but also records of the silver Shen Zhi secretly transported to the capital and delivered to the Second Prince's residence through Qiu Shiyang and Aunt's assistance. These pieces of evidence have long been discovered, they just haven't been handed over to the Supreme Court yet."

These letters and account books were all delivered to Rong Shu by Gu Changjin, along with Qiu Shiyang's confession. With such evidence, how could the Cheng'an Marquis Estate escape punishment?

Rong Xun thumped down on the floor in a kneeling position.

"Moreover, Shen Zhi had conspired with pirates from the Four Square Island to purchase a large quantity of firearms, planning to hide them in Elder Aunt's manor. If the court discovers these weapons, do you know what crime Father would be charged with? Rebellion!" Rong Shu paused, her expression grave. "When His Majesty granted our family the marquis title, he also bestowed an imperial edict. In this situation, we either divide the family and have the two branches confess their crimes, or we use the imperial edict and title to mitigate the punishment."

In this lifetime, Shen Zhi had not yet had the chance to hide the firearms at Elder Aunt's manor, so the charges against the Cheng'an Marquis Estate would be much lighter. In her previous life, after Father confessed, he probably returned the imperial edict, which reduced the sentence to exile.

If the Rong family was willing to give up everything and surrender themselves to the Justice Ministry, Emperor Jia Yu's benevolent nature would likely result in lenient treatment.

She would not interfere with the decision, nor could she.

Half an hour later, the imperial physician that Rong Xun had summoned from the Imperial Medical Institute arrived at Ho'an Hall to treat Matriarch Rong.

Rong Xun stayed in the main room the entire time, only emerging from the inner chamber after the physician had finished treating Matriarch Rong and given her medicine. Seeing Rong Shu standing in the corridor, he paused, his voice hoarse. "Why haven't you returned to Qingheng Courtyard?"

"I'll be leaving the Cheng'an Marquis Estate tomorrow, but before I go, there's one last matter that requires Father's assistance. Mother is in Yangzhou dealing with Uncle's affairs and unable to attend to it herself, so I'll take care of it for her. This is the divorce certificate; Mother has already signed it. Once Father signs it, I'll head to Obeying Heaven Mansion tomorrow to have it stamped with the official seal." Rong Shu opened the wooden mailbox, extracting the divorce document.

Rong Xun was taken aback. "What is this?"

"A divorce letter, Mother's divorce letter from Father," Rong Shu said calmly.

"Shen Yizhen wants a divorce from me? Why doesn't she come back and tell me herself?" A flash of shock and anger crossed Rong Xun's weary face as he raised his voice.

"Because Mother has a family to protect and responsibilities as a member of the Shen family," Rong Shu looked at Rong Xun with a hint of disappointment in her eyes. "After all these years of marriage, Father still doesn't understand Mother's character. Not only does she need to uncover the evidence against Uncle and hand him over to the authorities for punishment, but she also has to find the batch of weapons he secretly purchased and present them to the court to prevent anyone from using them to cause chaos."

"Then I'll wait for her here, until she comes to tell me personally!" Rong Xun's jaw tightened, indicating his unwavering stance.