In the next few days, Fang Zilan took time to accompany Cong Rong to Jingzhao Yin Mansion to testify, and also attended the interrogation of Pei Pening and his men. During this period, Pei Juqing never showed up, and Pei did not interfere in any way, which made her feel a little strange.
Ji Ningtian asked Awan to reply to her, saying that Pei Juqing intended to make Pei Penming suffer some hardships, but at least he would be saved, and asked her to keep an eye on Xu Youtong and step in at a critical moment to sell Pei a favor.
A Wan said these words carefully, for fear of saying a wrong word.
Fang Zilan had no expression on her face and asked, "I forgot to ask you, how did the young master react when you told him that the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet was a scam?"
"No reaction." Awan thought for a while and added: "Young Master has always been indifferent to emotions and anger, and I can't tell."
"Then when you entered Hong'an Pavilion, did you see anyone else?" Fang Zilan frowned slightly, and Awan shook his head and said, "No."
"Fang Zilan, what's wrong with you?" Awan looked curious, and Fang Zilan said softly: "It's nothing. I was just wondering, as far as the young master is concerned, I am already quite restless, why would he still mention me selling Pei's favor? ?”
Awan curled her lips and said, "Why else? The young master has some affection for you, but it's just up to you whether you appreciate it or not."
"I don't think so." Fang Zilan's eyes dimmed, "There are chess pieces in the Pei family that he can use, Pei Pening..."
She didn't say any more, feeling a little confused in her heart. Pei Pening didn't seem to be a good chess player, and his only purpose was to blackmail Mr. Pei. But Pei Juqing's unwillingness to come forward showed that Pei Pening's weight in his mind was not that important. If one day he needs to weigh the pros and cons, there is no telling whether he will abandon Pei Pening.
"Sister Lan." Mo Han's voice came from outside the door, and Awan picked up the empty medicine bowl and left.
"What's the matter?" Fang Zilan raised her hand and frowned slightly. She easily felt sleepy after taking the medicine and was not in a good condition.
"Master Zou Hongqi, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, has been summoned to the palace." Before Mo Han finished speaking, Fang Zilan was stunned, "Pei Pening's case has not been transferred to the Ministry of Punishments. Why did Your Majesty suddenly summon Master Zou?"
Mo Han didn't answer but asked, "Sister Lan, do you still remember Lord Wu Sheng being transferred to the Ministry of Punishment to revise the law?"
"Of course I remember." Fang Zilan reacted suddenly, "Is it related to the law revised by Lord Wu?"
"That's right." Mo Han nodded, "After Mr. Wu was assassinated, all his official duties were handed over to Mr. Gu Yuan. In addition, Mr. Pei Pening was imprisoned in Jingzhao Yin Mansion, so the revision of the law was handled by This Mr. Gu is in charge."
"I've heard a little bit about this matter." Fang Zilan nodded and said: "I heard that the draft was only submitted yesterday, and the result is coming so soon?"
Mo Han explained: "I don't know the specific situation, but I just went out and listened to the Su family's servants discussing the new draft in private."
"Su family?" Fang Zilan said thoughtfully: "The Yushitai is always well-informed. What have you heard?"
"I heard that in the draft, it is explicitly forbidden to buy or sell orphans and widows. Once discovered, they will be severely punished." Mo Han said, his voice became a little darker. "Not only that, but also requires wealthy families to contribute a sum of money every year to support orphans and widows. To do otherwise is to be guilty.”
Fang Zilan said doubtfully: "It sounds like a good thing, but I always feel that something is not right..."
Mo Han gave a rare cold snort and said: "It's really not right. After Confessing Girl, I carefully studied the laws of the capital and found that the definition of orphans and widowers was very vague, and the regulations could not withstand scrutiny. For example, the dowager in the palace The Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother, according to the theory of bereaved husbands, are widows. But when they lose their husbands and have adult children, they are not considered widowed, and no one will force them to do anything."
Fang Zilan asked subconsciously: "Is there any provision in the law for this situation?"
"No." Mo Han said helplessly: "That's why in many places, even if you have adult children when your husband is widowed, you will still be forced to build a memorial arch to observe the customs, or even be bought and sold. The reason is reputation and money."
He paused and continued: "For aristocratic families, if a woman has a very high status and background, she is not restricted even if her husband is widowed, and there are loopholes in the law that can be exploited, such as the empress dowager, the empress dowager, and many old ladies. For For wealthy families, orphans and widowers without prominent status are the reflection of their reputation, so it is most common to erect memorial arches to observe festivals. As for poor families, it is just a living, and business is the way out."
Fang Zilan understood a little more, and Mo Han thought to himself: "Remarriage is not allowed in the capital, so if the law is revised like this, no matter whether it is a wealthy family or a poor family, they will all attack together."
Fang Zilan completely understood and took a breath of air, "The former could have escaped without any expense, or even spent money to gain a good reputation, but now he is forced to pay to relieve other people's worries, so he won't I am willing. And even if the money is paid, it is still unknown whether it will be implemented where the money will go. The latter must feel that they have been cut off from making money, and they will gnash their teeth with hatred."
"When the system is imperfect and there are no guarantees, rashly changing the situation and infringing on the interests of vested interests will definitely not have any good results." Mo Han looked sharp, "I really don't know whether to say that Mr. Gu from the Criminal Department is naive or naive. Stupid."
"Has Mr. Zou, the Minister of Punishment, read Mr. Gu's draft?" Fang Zilan clenched her fingers tightly. Although she had not had much contact with Zou Hongqi, she could tell that he was not only not confused, but also extremely sharp. Mo Han can think clearly. He has been in charge of the Ministry of Punishment for many years and knows the law very well. It is impossible not to see it.
"I probably haven't seen it before." Mo Han lowered his eyes and said, "Due to Lord Wu Sheng's transfer, His Majesty gave special permission to several officials who revised the law, and all the documents can be directly submitted to the palace."
He hesitated for a moment and then said: "I just don't know if your Majesty, when he summoned Lord Zou to the palace, found something wrong and wanted to call an army to hold him accountable, or if he wanted to ask him for reference and advice..."
"Mo Han." Fang Zilan interrupted him, "No matter what they want to do, you can't get involved, you know?"
"Sister Lan, are you talking about them?" Mo Han looked at the people in front of her steadily and said word by word: "Your Majesty, Zou Hongqi, Gu Yuan, and even other people in the court, or Mr. Su Heng who is far away. Sir, whatever they want to do is their business and none of your business.”
Mo Han opened his mouth, and Fang Zilan's tone was full of refutation, "I know what you want to say, but I don't agree. Wu Sheng has already folded in. This pool of water is much deeper than what you and I saw."
"Sister Lan, the law is the foundation of the country. If someone plots evil, chaos is imminent." As if he was afraid of being blocked again, Mo Han spoke very quickly, but every word was very safe, as if he had thought it through carefully.
Fang Zilan was silent, and Mo Han took the opportunity to continue speaking, "Sister Lan, you will inevitably be involved in it once the chaos breaks out, and I will not be able to survive alone. In this case, why not give it a try? Where you and I come from, the law It can’t be said to be perfect, but at least it’s much better than the current Dajing, not to mention these are my strengths..."
Fang Zilan didn't listen to the rest of the words. She looked at Mo Han blankly. The boy who once had soft eyebrows also grew sharp edges, sharp but not concealing his edge. He sticks to his principles and beliefs without giving in.
