After Old Madam Sima’s case was sentenced, Imperial Censor Sima Yan also resigned from office.

Sima Yan’s reason for resignation was… first, due to guilt and remorse, and second, he planned to resign from office to accompany his mother to the place of exile, as he feared his mother wouldn’t survive the journey to the exile destination.

At morning court, Sima Yan knelt and kowtowed, requesting that Bai Qingyan fulfill his filial duty.

Bai Qingyan repeatedly tried to persuade him to stay, but Sima Yan’s mind was made up. He kowtowed until his forehead was red, only begging to be allowed to resign and accompany his mother to the place of exile. Otherwise, allowing his mother to suffer while he remained in the capital, enjoying comfort, would leave him uneasy for life.

Bai Qingyan secretly admired Sima Yan’s cleverness. Though Sima Yan had sacrificed his prospects, he had secured a reputation as a filial son, which would benefit all three of his sons’ future promotions.

It seemed Sima Yan truly understood the meaning behind her words about valuing Sima Ping.

“Since Minister Sima’s mind is made up, then I… shall fulfill Minister Sima’s wish.” Bai Qingyan said deliberately.

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s fulfillment! This subject is eternally grateful!” Sima Yan kowtowed again.

Within half a day, news of Sima Yan’s resignation to accompany his mother to the place of exile spread throughout the capital. Although Sima Yan’s mother had previously forced Princess Xiangxie’s mother to death and sent people to pursue and kill Princess Xiangxie, all to forcibly seize the marriage between Princess Xiangxie and the top scholar Xue Renyi, even old matters like adopting an heir and then abandoning the adopted son after bearing her own were dredged up. The people of the capital despised this Old Madam Sima from the bottom of their hearts.

But… hearing that Imperial Censor Sima Yan, feeling guilty in his heart for failing as Imperial Censor to detect his mother’s evil deeds, had resigned from office and planned to accompany his mother to the place of exile out of filial duty, for a time, the common people who had been cursing the Sima family when the case broke a few days ago changed their tune, now feeling that Minister Sima was actually quite decent.

Sitting at home, Sima Yan listened to his loyal servant’s report that public opinion in the capital had changed—it wasn’t like the previous days when the Sima family was being cursed everywhere. Sima Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Sacrificing his future didn’t matter much, as he was already advanced in years. What mattered was his three children’s futures, especially Sima Ping. Since Her Majesty said she valued Sima Ping, she would certainly make good use of him in the future. Her Majesty was already emperor—there was no need to deceive him.

Sima Yan slowly sat down in his chair, actually feeling that his retirement was for the best. After accompanying his mother through the exile and serving her until her natural death, he could return to teach his little grandson to write and tend to flowers and plants—quite a pleasant life.

As long as the Sima family’s reputation wasn’t completely ruined, his three sons’ futures would all be bright.

He had already given instructions to his eldest son. Next, he needed to write a letter each to his second son and Sima Ping.

Thinking of this, Sima Yan picked up his brush and wrote two letters. Sima Ping’s letter was thicker, partly because Sima Yan had always favored his youngest son somewhat, and partly because Bai Qingyan valued Sima Ping, so he inevitably had more instructions to give.

Soon, the cases of Bai Qingshi and Bai Qingfan were tried by the Court of Judicial Review with lightning speed.

Besides Bai Qingshi’s exile, Bai Qingshi’s grandfather and other officials involved in the case were also imprisoned and sentenced to hard labor.

The Second Miss of the Qin family, whom Bai Qingfan had rescued, was still sentenced to exile, and Bai Qingfan was also imprisoned for bribing court officials and privately releasing prisoners.

Among the clan members involved in both Bai Qingshi and Bai Qingfan’s cases, Bai Qihe expelled them from the clan in his capacity as clan leader.

May thirteenth was the day this batch of exiled criminals would be escorted away. Even the jailers escorting the exiled criminals were sighing that this batch of criminals had all once been precious people—they just didn’t know how to cherish their blessings, no wonder they ended up this way.

On this day, when Sima Yan arrived early outside the city to prepare to accompany Old Madam Sima to the place of exile, the Yan Kingdom envoy convoy also slowly entered the city.

Sima Yan, dressed as an ordinary wealthy household master, stood beside his carriage, followed by guards, servants, and two physicians. He saw among the Yan Kingdom envoy guard formation entering the city a guard with burn scars on the back of his hand. He felt as if he had seen this guard somewhere before and was quite familiar with him, but for a moment couldn’t remember where he had encountered him.

Sima Yan’s wife, Lady Li, stood nearby with red-rimmed eyes, continuously wiping away tears: “Although you say you don’t plan to use the carriage, my lord, it should still be prepared. In case your mother or you have any headaches or fever, you can rest. Moreover, the carriage contains your mother’s and your change of clothes. I’ve also prepared some pastries mother likes to eat, medicines for common ailments, and wound salve. It would be inconvenient for the guards to carry these.”

Hearing his wife speak thus, Sima Yan came back to his senses. He turned to look at his wife, took out a handkerchief from his chest to wipe her tears, his expression showing rare tenderness: “There, there. After I leave, the household will depend on you to manage. I’ve already sent that unfilial daughter and her birth mother to the manor and given instructions—just don’t let them starve to death! If their mother and daughter send people to beg you, just say it’s my order that they absolutely cannot step one foot outside the manor, and regarding food, just don’t let them starve—no preferential treatment allowed. You have no choice in the matter!”

Sima Yan knew his wife was good in every way, except that she cared too much about reputation. For the sake of her reputation, she could endure anything, just to gain a virtuous name outside. That concubine’s daughter had grasped exactly this point, which was why she dared to threaten her with death.

So before leaving, Sima Yan had made arrangements—from his eldest son and daughter-in-law, to the steward… down to the servants, anyone who went to serve that mother and daughter pair, anyone who dared accept benefits from them or spread word outside would be beaten to death.

He didn’t know how long this journey would take, so everything had to be properly arranged.

“Husband, rest assured, I understand what’s important!” Lady Li grasped Sima Yan’s hand that was wiping her tears and instructed, “When you’re away from home, my lord, you must take good care of yourself. Don’t be stingy with money for bribes. Don’t worry about the home—I will certainly take good care of everything. If you lack anything, just send someone back with a message, and the household will send someone to bring it to you quickly.”

Sima Yan nodded: “I estimate that after the Yan envoys arrive and give an explanation regarding the Yan Kingdom’s betrayal of the Great Zhou, A’Ping should return. I think A’Ping has reached the right age. If you see any suitable young ladies, arrange a betrothal for A’Ping. Cultivating oneself and managing one’s family are major life matters. Just send me word, and you can decide the rest.”

Speaking thus, Sima Yan moved closer to Lady Li and said in a low voice: “Just one thing—A’Ping’s prospects are limitless. The in-laws must be carefully selected, ones who can assist A’Ping in court. Don’t feel that just because A’Ping is legitimate-born, he must have a legitimate daughter. As long as the character is noble, whether legitimate or concubine-born, is fine.”