Zhou Miaoyin rose with a deathly pale face, walked to the princess, and knelt down with a thud, her whole body trembling.

Princess Rui'an put down her teacup. "You had Liu Xiangning hide poison powder under her fingernails, intending to ruin Mianmian's appearance. Do you admit it?"

Zhou Miaoyin stammered, "This humble woman..."

Princess Ryan took out another piece of paper and read out several names. These names were none other than those of the people who went to the pharmacy to buy poison powder.

Zhou Miaoyin's vision went black, and she almost fainted on the spot.

Marquis Xuanping and his wife were so angry they almost stomped their feet. Marquis Xuanping even turned his head to glare at his second son, Huo Rang.

Huo Rang felt his cheeks burning from being stared at, and wished he could divorce this shrew right now.

Princess Ryan gave a mocking smile. "Tell me, will you admit it or not? If you don't admit it, that's fine too. I've arrested everyone involved, as well as those who sold the drug powder. They're right outside the door. Let them come in and testify against you. That's not out of the question."

Zhou Miaoyin finally broke down, kowtowing desperately, "Princess, spare me! I was wrong! I shouldn't have framed Shen Shi, I will never do it again..."

Princess Ruian sneered, "Am I blaming you for framing Shen Mianmian? I'm astonished by your audacity! You knew Liu Xiangning was going to spar with Shen Mianmian, yet you let her harm someone in public. Are you ruining my Lotus Banquet, or harming the Xuanping Marquis's Mansion? Do you think the Xuanping Marquis's Mansion and the Anning Marquis's Mansion have too good a relationship? Or do you hope to use me to deal with your Xuanping Marquis's Mansion?"

The crowd erupted in uproar.

Marquis Xuanping immediately stood up. "Your Highness, please understand! This humble general swears that this matter has nothing to do with the Marquis Xuanping's residence! If my wife and I had known about this, we would never have allowed it to happen!"

Princess Rui'an chuckled, "So, according to the laws of Southern Chu, confiscation of property and collective punishment are not allowed? Zhou Shi, bearing the title of the second young mistress of the Xuanping Marquis's mansion, committed evil deeds, yet she has nothing to do with the Xuanping Marquis's mansion?"

Marquis Xuanping was so nervous that his forehead was covered in cold sweat. Beside him, Lady Feng, the wife of Marquis Xuanping, also stood up and stared at Zhou Miaoyin with a vicious look.

Marquis Xuanping clenched his fist one last time and said, "Please, Your Highness, have mercy. Once we return today, I will immediately have Huo Rang write a letter of divorce and divorce this wicked woman!"

"No!" Zhou Miaoyin screamed, "My lord, spare me! Your Highness, spare me!"

Princess Ryan reached out and pretended to cover her ears. "Guards, take him away. He's making so much noise."

"yes!"

Two female bodyguards immediately stepped forward, dragged the struggling and screaming Zhou Miaoyin out, and then closed the door again.

The hall fell silent once again.

Zheng Ruier and Zhou Miaoyin were convicted and taken away, but everyone present knew that there was another criminal who had not been taken away, but whose guilt had already been established.

Although the woman was eloquent and there were others who testified and covered for her, those present were either high-ranking officials or women well-versed in the ways of the inner quarters. If the matter was so obvious and they still couldn't see it, then in officialdom or in the inner quarters, they would probably be devoured without a trace.

Jiang Yinjin, a talented woman from the capital and the young mistress of the Marquis of Anning's mansion, was still sitting upright in her chair, but in everyone's eyes, she was already kneeling on the ground.

Her carefully constructed facade crumbled in the eyes of others, who could see the filth and hypocrisy in her heart.

The princess was giving the Jiang family face.

Jiang Shilang was a top scholar in the imperial examination more than a decade ago. He is exceptionally intelligent and a leading candidate for the future Minister of Rites.

There are even rumors that she might be able to join the cabinet in a few years. How could anyone not guess what the princess wants?

After pondering for a moment, Vice Minister Jiang stood up, walked to the center of the main hall, and bowed deeply. "Your Highness, I have a request to make."

Princess Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

“My daughter has been married into the Anning Marquis’s household for some time now. The young master is diligent, studious, gentle, and considerate. My daughter also admires him greatly. However, the two of us are indeed not very compatible. Therefore, I would like to ask the princess to make the decision and discuss it with the Anning Marquis. Otherwise… let’s get a divorce.”

Jiang Yinjin, who had been trying to maintain her composure, turned completely pale—divorce…divorce now…what’s the difference between this and being divorced?

That's right, a divorce... It's called a divorce, but secrets can't be kept forever. What secrets are hidden in the aristocratic circles of the capital? Not to mention, Lady Xuanping will spread the news as soon as possible.

Those gossipy ladies wouldn't believe she got a divorce; they'd only believe she was dumped...

She, a renowned talented woman in the capital, was about to be divorced just like that?

Two streams of warm liquid slid down her cheeks. She didn't even think about crying; it was just an instinctive reaction from her body.

She was once renowned for her talent, even holding her own against men at poetry gatherings, and matchmakers flocked to her family to propose marriage. Now, she's about to become a discarded wife? How can she live now? What face does she have left to live?

She thought that since she had been reborn and had memories of her past life, she would trample all those who had wronged her underfoot and ruthlessly crush them, but in the end... she ended up like this.

Is this fate?

In her previous life, she endured humiliation and hardship, lived a quiet and law-abiding life, and died in despair.

In this life, she meticulously planned and painstakingly schemed, only to be divorced and have her reputation ruined.

She was indignant! What did she do wrong? Did she deserve to die?!

And... what about the Jiang family's reputation?

With his father's career progressing smoothly and his future seemingly limitless, and his elder brother having just gained the trust of the King of Qin, is it all going to end in failure?

Having been reborn, would she really disregard her family just for her own grudges?

The Jiang family has come this far thanks to the hard work of at least three generations.

But she...

She used to ridicule some women for being short-sighted and narrow-minded, but how is she any different from those women now?

She regretted it...she really regretted it...she...was sorry to her father and brothers...

Seeing Jiang Yinjin's distraught state, Shen Mianmian thought to herself—the female lead has also lost her composure; things aren't as serious as she thinks. The princess shut you down to save face; how could she let your father and brothers lose face?

Princess Rui'an asked Marquis Anning, "Marquis Anning, what do you think?"

Marquis Anning rose, bowed slightly flustered, opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Princess Ryan lowered her eyes and pondered for a long time, and the room remained deathly silent for a while.

After a short while, the princess raised her eyes and slowly said, "Minister Jiang, you are an official of the Ministry of Rites, so you should be well-versed in the imperial examinations. If someone ranks in the top three and divorces during the examination period, what consequences will it have?"

Everyone was shocked—that's right! Prince Bai is currently taking the imperial examination; they had forgotten about it!

All those who passed the provincial examination were required to have their character examined. Those from noble families, of upright character, and without any blemishes would receive bonus points in subsequent examinations.

It's not that participating in the imperial examinations prevents divorce. Putting aside geniuses, for an average person, taking the imperial examinations might take most of their life. Who can guarantee that their family will not experience any changes for most of their life?

However, it has been less than half a year since Bai Shizi and Jiang family's daughter got married. Even if such a quick divorce is in accordance with the law, it will still have a bad impact. If others want to make a fuss about this matter, Bai Shizi will not benefit.

Let alone the young master Bai, even the daughter of the Jiang family would be gossiped about if she divorced less than a year after getting married.

Everyone was shocked by Zhou and Zheng Ruier's framing of Shen, but they forgot about this incident.

Madam Jiang looked anxious and tried to signal to Vice Minister Jiang with her eyes, but Vice Minister Jiang was standing too far forward to see her expression.

The Marquis of Anning and his wife also looked unwell, especially his wife, Lady Ding, who suddenly fainted.

Shen Mianmian was startled and didn't dare to shout. She could only pinch Ding's philtrum with her thumb... She didn't know if pinching the philtrum could wake her up. She had never pinched it before, but that's how it was written in novels and TV dramas.

Fortunately, Ding slowly woke up, tears streaming down her face like a spring.

Princess Ryan tapped her fingers lightly on the armrest of the rosewood armchair, producing a crisp sound. "A divorce after one year of marriage, do both families agree?"

Sleepy sleep—that's right, that's the solution!

A year later, they divorced. Fengchu's imperial examination was unaffected; Jiang Yinjin's reputation was also unaffected.

Moreover, in the novel, Jiang Yinjin framed the Marquis of Anning's mansion through Princess Ruian. Now that Jiang Yinjin has thoroughly offended Princess Ruian, this path is effectively blocked, and she can't make any waves.

Moreover, the novel states that Jiang Yinjin, as the young mistress of the Marquis of Anning's mansion, meets the Prince of Qin at a banquet. Although the plot has fallen apart, we should still try our best to fulfill the conditions if possible.

Her demand remains the same—that the male and female leads develop a romantic relationship so she can have a chance to leave this novel!

This proposal can be described as a win-win situation!

Marquis Anning, his wife, Minister Jiang, and his wife all breathed a sigh of relief.

Princess Ryan beckoned, "Someone, bring me pen and ink."

Everyone was puzzled—what were they going to do with the pen and ink?

The princess laughed and said, "Of course we'll write down the agreement. Who knows who might go back on their word six months from now?"

Jiang Yinjin's face was streaked with tears, her expression contorted—she would never go back on her word!

At this moment, Jiang Yinjin was no longer the young mistress of the former Zhuang family. Instead, she resembled a stray dog ​​trying to maintain its composure.

Princess Ryan scoffed, "I was referring to Qingzhou. Perhaps Qingzhou didn't do well on the imperial examination and is unwilling to divorce me?"

"..." Jiang Yinjin.

Everyone knew that the princess was joking, giving the Jiang family a way out.

It can be said that the princess gave the Jiang family a lot of face today.

With gratitude in his eyes, Minister Jiang bowed deeply to the princess.

Chen Mianmian was also amazed – this was a character with brains, not just cannon fodder. She used both kindness and severity, punishing the villains while making them grateful to the princess and submit to her.

She recalled the character of the eldest princess again—the eldest princess was the late emperor's eldest daughter, who cared for all her brothers and sisters, even those whose mother came from humble backgrounds.

All the princes and princesses in the harem loved and respected the eldest princess as their own sister, and the eldest princess also loved all her younger brothers and sisters very much.

Prince Jin, whose mother died at birth and who was raised by the Empress, was completely obedient to the Eldest Princess.

Even though the eldest princess was arrogant and kept male lovers, no one in the court dared to say a word against it, which shows how powerful she was.

Soon, the maid brought over a brush and ink.

Princess Ruian had Minister Jiang draft the agreement, and then had both fathers sign and affix their fingerprints. The agreement was then left in the princess's residence for Princess Ruian to keep.