Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 566: As the music starts, the whole family young and old await the feast!

Chapter 566: Chapter 566: As the music starts, the whole family young and old await the feast!

Chen Shijing was taken away by the Ministry of Justice constables, his face ashen as he walked out, pleading, "Empress, show mercy! Empress, spare my life!"

Huang Gun seemed completely unmoved by Chen Shijing’s despair. He clicked his tongue, adding insult to injury, "Tsk, tsk, you’ve done every bad deed possible. Now the curtain falls, and the whole clan waits to be served on a platter!"

Zhan Lan was almost amused by Huang Gun’s words. She suppressed her smile, deciding it might be better not to have Huang Gun around during serious matters in the future, as his presence might lead to laughter at inappropriate times.

Chen You felt as heavy-hearted as if he were visiting a grave. As he was taken away, he gave Zhan Lan a deep look. He finally understood the meaning of "the blade hidden behind beauty." If it weren’t for his lustful intentions, today’s events wouldn’t have transpired.

His life was hanging by a thread!

No one could save him now!

Chen Jun glanced at his brother, who was crying like a child, his anger turning his face blue.

Not long after, box after box of silver and gold jewelry, jade, agate, antiques, and paintings were carried out of the Chen Family home and sent to the national treasury.

Chen Jun’s face was like a dye house, turning green and then white. He was doing his best to control his emotions. If he weren’t such a calm person, he might have spat blood from anger by now.

Zhan Lan was ruthless indeed, conducting a search and confiscation. Even though the Chen Family was declining, they were still one of the four great families of the past. The ancestral silver was now likely going to be taken away by the Empress.

Fortunately, after reaching adulthood, he had separated his household from his father’s, with his own mansion and some savings.

Zhan Lan looked at the few aristocratic young men who had followed Chen You’s misdeeds and said to Xiao Chen, "Mr. Xiao, you should thoroughly investigate their issues. If they can’t explain themselves, have their parents come to the Ministry of Justice to clarify."

Xiao Chen knew every expression of Zhan Lan. Right now, Zhan Lan’s face said, "If I don’t hit the iron while it’s hot, when will I?"

Xiao Chen nodded, "Yes, Empress."

He understood what Zhan Lan meant. The national treasury was empty, and these Chen family scions couldn’t endure torture. If they wanted a lesser sentence, their parents would have to pay up. After all, the Chen family’s clansmen were wealthy. Zhan Lan wouldn’t let them off easily until the Chen Family was squeezed dry.

The Chen family scions knelt on the ground, crying with runny noses, desperately begging for mercy, "Empress, spare our lives!"

"Empress, show mercy!"

They had never suffered much and certainly couldn’t withstand the Ministry of Justice’s torture.

Chen Jun, with his keen mind, quickly realized that Zhan Lan intended to empty the Chen Family, converting all their silver into Dayu’s silver.

So, if these Chen family scions wanted to save their lives, they had to trade silver for it.

He suddenly understood what kind of adversary he faced. No, he was no match for Zhan Lan.

In terms of both status and strategy, he fell short of Zhan Lan.

Zhan Lan looked at Chen Jun, who was contemplating with downcast eyes.

"Chen Jun, I haven’t discovered your dealings. Regarding the matter with your brother, you took the initiative to sever ties with him. I admire your actions. Your brother is your brother, and you are you. You may leave!"

Chen Jun never expected Zhan Lan to say such a thing!

He had long heard that Zhan Lan never followed protocols, showing such a unique personality.

"Thank you, Empress!" He swallowed and kowtowed hard on the ground to Zhan Lan, then stood up and left.

After Chen Jun left, Zhan Lan looked at the Chen Family’s servants kneeling on the ground, "My people have found your indentures. You can take them if you want to leave, and we’ll give you the silver from back then. If you don’t want to leave, you can stay. I will not interfere."

Doorman Old Li had long had enough of Chen Shijing. He was the first to kowtow to Zhan Lan, "Thank you, Empress!"

The Chen Family’s servants never thought they could leave this hellhole. The Chen Family seemed large, but its members, relying on their indentures, relentlessly exploited them.

Now that they could redeem themselves, why not start a small business!

Even going back to the countryside to farm was better than staying here!

Old Doorman Li was moved to tears. His family back home wrote, informing him that the court had waived three years of taxes, and he had been enviously longing to return. Today, after being kicked in the chest by Chen Shijing, he thought he’d never be able to leave the Chen Family in his lifetime. Unexpectedly, the Empress came and saved them!

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Empress!"

Zhan Lan knew why they thanked Mu Yan because the three-year tax was waived.

Zhan Lan looked at the fat and overly excited Housekeeper Liu, "You don’t need to thank me."

Housekeeper Liu was initially quite pleased, at least not implicated by the Chen Family. He knelt on the ground, continuously thanking the Empress, but Zhan Lan unexpectedly said there was no need for his thanks.

Housekeeper Liu lifted his fat face, looking with small eyes at Zhan Lan.

Zhan Lan glanced at Huang Gun, "Mr. Huang, the Ministry of Industry is quite busy with projects right now, isn’t it?"

Huang Gun shook off the dust from his sleeves, "Empress, you see everything clearly. I just returned from the construction site today. With reservoirs and dams to build, we need people everywhere!"

Zhan Lan slightly raised her chin, "Then, Mr. Huang, take this informant housekeeper away. I’ve noticed he runs errands quite quickly."

Huang Gun squinted as if evaluating a pig ready for slaughter, glancing up and down Housekeeper Liu, "Reporting to the Empress, such a fat head and big ears would do well to move stones for building. Starve him for a while, and he’ll slim down!"

Housekeeper Liu’s fat face trembled, his whole face scrunched, and he wailed, "Empress, spare me! I won’t dare again!"

Housekeeper Liu was well-liked by Chen Shijing, often running errands for him. The Chen Family’s servants had never seen Housekeeper Liu in such anguish before. They were utterly delighted, suppressing their smiles with all their might.

The members of the Chen Family were either scattered, arrested, or released.

Zhan Lan, in a good mood, returned to the palace.

Little Anzi walked respectfully at Zhan Lan’s side. He noticed that the Empress seemed to walk with an extra spring, less dignified, and a bit more playful.

Especially when she saw the Emperor at the side door of the Imperial Study Room, she seemed like a child seeking approval from an adult, her pride written all over her face.

However, when the Empress turned to look at him, she regained her usual dignity and authority.

"Little Anzi, you may all withdraw now!"

Little Anzi nodded, "Yes, Empress."

He gestured to the people behind him, and the palace maids and eunuchs all withdrew.

Zhan Lan tiptoed up behind Mu Yan, wanting to tease him. Who knew Mu Yan would suddenly turn around, pulling her onto his lap as he held her hand?

Mu Yan smiled, his fingertips gently tapping her nose, "Child, you had quite a bit of fun outside, it seems!"