"Do you have any evidence?" Zhang Zhou sneered dismissively. "Don't forget, you just burned all the evidence."

Unexpectedly, Shen Yunting laughed out loud, seemingly unconcerned.

"You don't think I only have that little bit of evidence, do you? Not to mention that I presented all the evidence to the Emperor yesterday, and now you have nowhere to escape."

As soon as Shen Yunting finished speaking, a series of footsteps reached their ears.

Zhang Zhou's heart tightened, and when he looked up, he saw that the door had been opened.

A group of Imperial Guards surrounded them. The imperial eunuch, who was delivering the imperial decree, walked over slowly, his gaze towards them filled with nothing but coldness.

"Zhang Zhou, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, has been found guilty of abusing his power for personal gain, committing fraud in the imperial examinations, and brazenly kidnapping a county princess and threatening General Shen. The evidence is conclusive. He is hereby demoted to a commoner and to be executed in the autumn. The rest of Zhang's family members are to be exiled to the borderlands and never to return without a summons. This is the imperial decree."

Zhang Zhou knelt on the ground, his hands raised above his head, his face filled with nothing but death.

"Zhang Zhou accepts the decree, long live the Emperor!"

The eunuch snorted coldly and ordered directly, "Men, seize Zhang Zhou and imprison him in the Dali Temple to await further orders."

Zhang Zhou was captured by the Imperial Guards without any resistance. However, before being dragged away, his hateful gaze fell on Shen Yunting and lingered for a long time.

At this moment, Qu Jingyun's mind was entirely focused on Shen Yunting.

He asked eagerly, "Are you alright? How's your injury?"

"I'm fine." Shen Yunting shook his head: "I dodged in time and only suffered some superficial injuries."

"Thank goodness you're alright, otherwise I'd be so guilty." Qu Jingyun's eyes reddened, and her heart finally settled down at this moment.

Looking at Shen Yunting in front of her, she really wanted to rush over and hug him.

But she was worried about touching Shen Yunting's wound, so she could only endure it.

Unexpectedly, the next moment Shen Yunting reached out and embraced her, gently patting her back.

She gently comforted him, "I'm really fine, don't worry, and don't blame yourself."

"Mmm." Qu Jingyun nodded, nestled contentedly in Shen Yunting's arms.

After lingering tenderly for a long time, she finally left Shen Yunting's embrace, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

He awkwardly said, "I'll have someone send you back first. I need to go to the palace to report back."

Qu Jingyun responded, reluctantly parting from Shen Yunting, and muttered softly, "Then be careful in everything."

The eunuch quickly returned to the palace to report. After learning what had happened, the emperor did not speak directly, but his expression became increasingly solemn.

"What do you think of the current relationship between General Shen and the county princess?"

"General Shen is deeply affectionate and has not become estranged from the county princess even after their divorce. He was even injured while saving her," the eunuch reported truthfully.

The Emperor gave a soft hum, his expression unchanged, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.

Leaning back on the dragon throne, he couldn't help but recall the scene he had witnessed of Shen Yunting and Qu Jingyun interacting back then.

Would they really separate so easily after more than a decade apart?

If the so-called divorce is all a sham, then what is their purpose in doing so?

This time, the emperor did not attribute the matter to Shen Yunting's possible ulterior motives.

A bitter smile involuntarily crept onto his lips. Was all of this because of him?

A loud shout came from outside the door: "General Shen requests an audience."

The Emperor collected his thoughts and replied in a low voice, "Let him in."

"Your Majesty, the evidence of the Zhang family's cheating in the imperial examinations is conclusive. In order to escape punishment, they even kidnapped the county princess to threaten me. Their actions were despicable. Fortunately, Your Majesty's wise punishment has been dealt with, and I am extremely grateful."

Shen Yunting knelt on the ground, his tone calm.

"Although you and the county princess have divorced, your deep affection and loyalty are truly admirable," the Emperor said calmly.

These words successfully made Shen Yunting stiffen.

He was somewhat confused as to whether the Emperor's words were good or bad.

He then forced himself to say, "We have known each other for nearly thirty years. Even if we are divorced, we are still friends. Not to mention that she has given birth to three children for me. I owe her countless debts."

"Furthermore, I am a general personally appointed by the Emperor. As a general, I have the duty to protect the people. Let alone the county princess, I would do my best to save anyone else."

His words were flawless, and the emperor heard them but said nothing more.

After a long while, he spoke with a sigh, "Indeed, you have always been such a loyal and devoted person, always ready to go to great lengths for your friends."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yunting was unsure whether his words were good or bad, so he didn't say anything more.

Seeing Shen Yunting's obviously defensive posture, the Emperor felt increasingly bitter.

Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "I can see that your affection for the county princess has never diminished. Do you have any plans to remarry her?"

"You have had a difficult journey, and I have seen it all. I certainly do not wish for you to spend the rest of your lives like this."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yunting said directly, "I know that I am physically disabled and unable to bring happiness to the county princess. Rather than letting her suffer with me in the general's mansion, it would be better to set her free."

He paused, then continued, "At least as Miss Qu, she can freely do what she wants without easily getting caught up in gossip."

As he said this, Shen Yunting couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.

These words successfully made the emperor's body tremble suddenly.

Although Shen Yunting spoke ambiguously, he understood the underlying meaning.

What Shen Yunting was worried about was not his physical disability, but rather the Emperor's apprehension.

He was worried that Qu Jingyun's constant presence at the General's Mansion would cause the Emperor to be wary of her and the court officials to target her.

They worried that everything Qu Jingyun did would be maliciously speculated upon, ultimately arousing the emperor's suspicion.

That's why he chose to push the person away from him.

The Emperor, having known Shen Yunting for many years, finally understood everything.

As an emperor, he should have felt anger rising in his heart upon hearing such accusatory words.

But at this moment, he had no such thought at all; instead, he felt a pang of regret.

The emperor shouldn't regret it, but he couldn't suppress his thoughts.

After giving Shen Yunting a deep look, he changed the subject and said, "I have found out that Zhang Zhou was the one who secretly orchestrated your embezzlement. I am sorry for what happened back then, for I actually believed Zhang Zhou's investigation."

The emperor finally managed to find a way to save face.

"Your Majesty is busy with many affairs of state, so it is only natural that you would be deceived by a villain. I have not taken it to heart."

Shen Yunting replied without changing his expression, his demeanor distant.

The emperor felt powerless and could only say, "You are injured, so go back and recuperate. You don't need to come to the morning court for the next few days."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Shen Yunting thanked him and then left.