"The Marquis of Zhenbei!!!"

The Holy Emperor shouted, startling the Marquis of Zhenbei, who had just straightened up, causing him to collapse to the ground with a thud.

"Ouch..."

The entire court of officials burst into laughter.

Lin Wanwan sat in the main hall, looking at the Marquis of Zhenbei kneeling below her, and she was extremely excited.

"Okay, okay, good kneeling, kneel to me, kneel to me."

"Kneel down, kneel down, you scumbag..."

Upon hearing Lin Wanwan's words, Leng Shuran couldn't help but turn her head to look at her.

This child... why does he look so much like... his cousin?

Startled by her own thoughts, Leng Shuran shook her head.

How could that be!

It must be my imagination.

"Aunt, who is my cousin's fiancée?" She had only returned with the Empress Dowager yesterday, so she did not know about the Regent's marriage.

The Empress Dowager looked towards Ye Lanyin with a smile, just in time to see Ye Lanyin looking back at her.

Ye Lanyin smiled and nodded at the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "It is Ye Lanyin, the eldest daughter of the Ye family."

"Ye Lanyin?" Leng Shuran asked in disbelief.

Who in Bianjing knows Ye Lanyin?

That was the first wife of the Marquis of Zhenbei. The two were harmonious and respectful to each other, and were a model for many couples in Bianjing.

How is that possible?

In a daze, she looked up at the people kneeling on the ground in the main hall.

The person on the ground was dressed in court attire, but the attire was somewhat faded. Although he wore an official hat, he was completely different from the elegant young man in my memory.

Looking at it now, it actually seems rather... dilapidated.

What exactly happened?

"Yes, Ye Lanyin has already divorced her husband and will soon marry your cousin with her three children. She will be your cousin's wife from now on."

"Shuran, you've both been married before. She's different from you. She's suffered so much these past years. You have to treat her well in the future, understand?"

"Aunt, Ye Lanyin is marrying my cousin with three children. Does my cousin agree to it?"

After hearing this, Lin Wanwan made a face at her.

“My father agreed.”

"You're hopeless... It's over."

“You—” Leng Shuran was so angry that her face turned red.

"Your Majesty, on my way here, I was hit by a carriage. My carriage was small and was completely destroyed. I had no choice but to walk here."

"Your Majesty, I did not do it on purpose. I set off early this morning."

The Marquis of Zhenbei cried and wiped away his tears, recounting his story with snot and tears streaming down his face.

"Marquis of Zhenbei, where is His Majesty?" Prime Minister Jiang stood up abruptly, pointed at Marquis of Zhenbei, and said, "Last time, you were also late, saying that your carriage had been hit."

Lord Du also stood up angrily, "So I'm the only stupid one? Marquis of Zhenbei, you were just lying to me last time?"

Lord Wan also stood up, "Last time you brought me a document and promised to deliver it to my residence, but you were late again, making me wait for you for an hour."

"..."

Several ministers stood up and pointed at the Marquis of Zhenbei, rebuking him.

As if facing imminent disaster, the Marquis of Zhenbei weakly raised his head to look at them.

He was truly wronged.

He really was hit.

Lately, for some reason, every time he goes out in his carriage, it gets hit without exception.

He thought that if he left early today, nothing would happen, but he still got hit.

Who exactly is it that is plotting to harm him?

"Your Majesty, I... am innocent!"

"Marquis of Zhenbei, you have deceived your superiors and subordinates. What else do you have to say?" The Holy Emperor stood up in anger.

The retired emperor held Lin Wanwan in his arms and gave the Marquis of Zhenbei a meaningful look.

"He has always been honest and upright, but this is the first time I have ever seen someone so honest and upright when he is late."

"If you ask me, you are not qualified for your rank!"

The Marquis of Zhenbei was terrified as he looked at the white-haired Emperor Emeritus.

It is said that during his reign, the retired emperor was even more ruthless than His Majesty, and after abdicating, he never concerned himself with state affairs again.

Now, he actually disregards the officials and personally interferes in court affairs.

“Your Majesty, what I am saying is true. I don’t know why, but every time I ride in a carriage, I am hit by someone.”

"We beg the Emperor Emeritus to investigate!"

The Emperor Emeritus's smile froze. "What? It's like this every time?!"

"If you ask me, this is terrible! Does that mean we'll be late for court every single day from now on?"

The retired emperor could speak in a way that involved skipping words.

He glanced at the Holy Emperor.

The Holy Emperor gave an awkward laugh.

"The Marquis of Zhenbei will be demoted eight ranks, and from now on, he will be ranked last in court!!"

"If you are late again, you will no longer be required to attend court."

Marquis Zhenbei nearly cried himself to death on the spot.

No need to attend court?

Does that mean he'll be demoted?

"Your Majesty, I truly did not do it on purpose. The people of Bianjing all witnessed my carriage being hit; it is indeed true."

"Your Majesty, I really didn't want to be late..."

"Then why didn't you get up earlier?" the Holy Emperor roared. "Today is the welcoming banquet for Father and Mother, and you dare to be late for such an important occasion."

"If you had gotten up an hour earlier, even if you had been bumped into, the tortoise would have reached the palace by now, right?"

"I think you're just taking chances. You left right at the door, no wonder you were late."

"Ninth rank, your official rank has been reduced to ninth rank. If you utter another word, I will send you to guard the city gates!!!"

Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Zhenbei covered his mouth tightly with both hands, afraid that he might speak again in his excitement.

The Holy Emperor looked at him with satisfaction.

He waved his hand. "Alright, take your seat."

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