Judgment

Having known Bao Nian for several years, Liu Yugeng would never have guessed that one day, the girl who had never left her hometown since birth would be so brave as to travel thousands of miles to Bian Jing, break through her original closed-minded thinking, and dare to beat the drum of grievance in Kaifeng Prefecture to sue him.

-

The Censorate was dimly lit during the day.

Everyone was silent and everything was proceeding according to plan, but the order was disrupted by the yamen runners who came to arrest someone.

They walked straight up to Liu Yugeng.

"Imperial Censor Liu, the Emperor invites you to come with us to Kaifeng Prefecture."

Kaifeng Prefecture? Kaifeng Prefecture!

Every word he heard was heard, and the rumors that were spreading all around exploded behind Liu Yugeng in an instant, poking his back.

He fell silent, unable to defend himself. Liu Yugeng had thought his bright future would be shattered overnight. He was furious, but he dared not speak out.

Liu Yugeng slammed the chair away to express his dissatisfaction.

Liu Yugeng walked past his colleagues' surprised gazes, his head held high, yet he refused to concede defeat. He reached the outside of the Censorate and glanced back one last time at the cloud-covered sky. His crimson official uniform was now covered in a thick layer of dust. Should Liu Yugeng feel resentful?

He must have destroyed the dream he had dreamed of for so many years...

-

Confrontation in court,

The husband and wife became strangers and parted ways.

Bao Nian lowered her head, not looking at Liu Yugeng's eyes that seemed to tear her apart. Qi Liyuan, filled with righteous indignation, threw down the divorce letter he had personally signed and demanded, "Liu Yugeng, was this a good deed you did?"

Liu Yugeng reached out and picked up the divorce letter on the ground, frowning in silence.

He had never imagined that Bao Nian, a mere village woman, could have evaded the Chu family's suppression and obtained the divorce letter from Xingren Mansion. Could it be that she had the help of a god? He had really underestimated her before, but Liu Yugeng had his own excuse.

Liu Yugeng bowed and said bluntly, "Your Majesty, I did sign this letter of divorce, but I will not admit the crime of divorcing my wife and remarrying. Your Majesty, you know that this woman was kicked out of my family because she disobeyed her parents and brothers, and she came to the capital crying and making a fuss to find me. I thought she had done a great service by giving birth to my son, so I did not pursue the matter. But she became even more unruly, often opposing me and disobeying my orders. Therefore, I had no choice but to divorce her."

He spoke nonsense without hesitation and even dared to deceive the emperor.

But...what Liu Yugeng said was not entirely false.

The eldest brother of the Liu family had used such a despicable excuse to kick Bao Nian out. Now, he didn't appreciate her hard work, and it would have been fine, but he also followed their example and pinned this fabricated crime on her.

Bao Nian had been exposed to such dirty water for no reason, how could he tolerate it any longer?

Seeing her change her usual self, she angrily pointed her finger and cursed, "Liu Yugeng, you're talking nonsense! When you were poor and destitute, who saved every mouthful of food for you to travel with? Now that you've become successful, you think I'm a hindrance? You're a bunch of ungrateful wolves—there's not a single good person in your family. Especially you, a filthy bastard who eats people without leaving any bones, you're the most disgusting!"

Bao Nian cursed out all her resentment, but she fell into Liu Yugeng's trap.

Seeing Bao Nian getting anxious, Liu Yugeng quickly feigned innocence and retorted, "You shrew, you are so outspoken and unreasonable. How can you be so rude in front of His Majesty? Your Majesty, please see the character of this woman——"

"Disrespectful and immoral, shameful!"

"This woman is always pretending to be weak and incompetent, but in reality, it's all a false facade to deceive everyone present."

Qi Liyuan felt sad when he saw the couple who had been married for a long time and saw that they had ended up in such a mess.

Also, contempt for Liu Yugeng.

Qi Liyuan felt that he had read all the sage books, but he had read them like a dog. If someone who didn't know the truth heard about this, they would think that this woman was immoral and deserved to be divorced! However, after listening to Si Kou Jue's story in bed last night, Qi Liyuan would not believe Liu Yugeng's lies.

Bao Nian wanted to say something again.

But Army Officer Qin stopped him, saying, "This is a woman in this courtroom, so please be mindful of your words and emotions. Don't act on impulse. You said you're suing Liu Yugeng for divorcing and remarrying. Do you have any evidence to prove that Liu Yugeng intended to do so?"

Bao Nian was speechless. General Qin was impartial and looked at Liu Yugeng sternly. "Defendant Liu Yugeng, you said you wanted to divorce your wife. But do you know that according to the current situation between you, if you do not divorce her for three reasons, the punishment for divorcing her will be one hundred strokes of the cane. Do you accept these one hundred strokes of the cane?"

Liu Yugeng was shocked when he heard this.

After all his calculations, he forgot about this one.

At this moment, Liu Yugeng's mind began to work frantically. He had already made plans to drag Chu Fanghua into the water.

Unexpectedly, the drum of complaint outside Kaifeng Prefecture sounded again at this time.

Lu Jianyuan raised an eyebrow. This was truly a case of one thing after another. He finally understood why that old fox, the Prince of Bei, hadn't come. It was simply because he didn't want to wade into this mess. Lu Jianyuan was just thinking about this when, regaining consciousness, he noticed Qi Liyuan's gaze, and he quickly bowed.

"I will go out and take a look, go out and take a look."

-

Outside the government office, Cui Jianchun shouted, "Your Highness has evidence that Liu Yugeng divorced his wife and remarried. I will present this to His Majesty for a clear judgment—" This made Lu Jianyuan confused. He thought to himself: What is this young lady from the second branch of the Bo's Mansion doing here to join in the fun again?

Unexpectedly, just as Lu Jianyuan raised his hand to take the invitation from Cui Jianchun, Chu Fanghua, having gotten some information from nowhere, rushed over, disregarding propriety, and pushed Lu Jianyuan over to try and snatch the invitation from him. Terrified, Lu Jianyuan fell to the side, adjusting his crooked bun and shouting, "Who, who, who has the audacity to openly defy an imperial official outside Kaifeng Prefecture—"

When Lu Jianyuan looked carefully, why was it her again?

The family division case a few years ago caused such a big stir. Will the Pingkang Marquis Mansion ever stop dealing with it? Why is it that in all of Bianjing, only his family has so many problems?

Cui Jianchun was quick to act and snatched the post back with tears in her eyes. "Mother, why are you so stubborn?"

But Chu Fanghua was already panicking and she would not listen to any of Cui Jianchun's dissuasion. She only focused on the evidence that was taken away by him again and wanted to destroy the post completely. "Rebellious girl, give me the thing. If you really submit this thing, we are all finished. Who is so stubborn——"

Cui Jianchun pursed his lips and shook his head, stepping back repeatedly, refusing to give in.

Chu Fanghua was furious, and because of their differing ideas, the mother and daughter started fighting outside Kaifeng Mansion. Lu Jianyuan quickly stood up to stop them, but the engagement note flew out of their hands and landed at the feet of the person who was coming from a distance.

Zheng lowered her eyes and picked up the engagement note that had fallen to the ground. She suddenly looked at Chu Fanghua and said, "Second aunt, since you're here, let's go in together. This will prevent the official from going to the uncle's house to invite people and disturbing the old lady."

Chu Fanghua looked up and saw Taishi Zheng holding the engagement letter and standing in front of him with a fierce look in his eyes. He immediately cursed, "Taishi Zheng, are you crazy?"

Zheng didn't respond. She walked up to Lu Jianyuan and handed him the evidence.

"Please trouble you, Judge Lu."

Lu Jianyuan glanced at the unruly woman outside the door and took the item from Taishi Zheng. Zheng looked back at Cui Jianchun and said, "Chun'er, go ahead. Don't be afraid. Justice is in the hearts of the people. We will definitely be victorious. Don't keep His Majesty waiting."

Cui Jianchun nodded and followed Lu Jianyuan into Kaifeng Prefecture without saying a word.

Chu Fanghua was still determined to do something evil and even shouted, "Cui Jianchun, you are not allowed to go—" but was stopped outside by Zheng. "Second aunt, the emperor is above, the law is above, do you still want to deceive the emperor? It seems that the madman is not me, but someone else. Before you did this, you should have expected that there would be a day when it would be exposed. What you are greedy for is something you don't deserve, so it will eventually push you into the abyss. Chun'er, I am saving you."

Chu Fanghua was furious and raised her hand to teach Zheng a lesson, but was interrupted by the voice of "Second Madam" from the eunuch behind her.

Chu Fanghua looked back, as if she saw a savior, and her hope was rekindled.

She stepped forward and tugged at the Eunuch's sleeve. "Eunuch Zhou, did the Queen Mother ask you to come and rescue her? I knew the Queen Mother wouldn't sit idly by. After all, we are all family."

The eunuch remained silent upon hearing this, and he looked at Chu Fanghua with a meaningful look.

A family?

No, his purpose was to make her be careful with her words in front of the emperor. Even more so, if necessary, to push her into the abyss. So that he could get rid of the Empress Dowager and the Chu family completely. Because the order the eunuchs received from the Empress Dowager was only one word -

Abandon.

-

From the moment the evidence was brought to court, Liu Yugeng's expression of surprise never faded. He looked in disbelief at Cui Jianchun, who was kneeling beside Bao Nian and exchanging glances with her. This was the first time he had seen her. Yet Bao Nian seemed unusually familiar with her.

Conspiracy, all conspiracy.

Liu Yugeng felt that he had been deceived, deceived by the Chu family and deceived by two women.

Qi Liyuan passed the letter of divorce to General Qin on the desk. Comparing the handwriting on the divorce letter with the original, General Qin had an answer in his mind. But everything had to be done in order, and the parties involved had to have a chance to argue.

General Qin closed the letter and said to Cui Jianchun, "Witness Cui Jianchun, now that the evidence has been presented, please state your testimony. Remember not to lie."

After General Qin spoke, Cui Jianchun recounted her experiences. She described how Chu Fanghua's collusion with Liu Yugeng was uncovered, how she confronted him, and ultimately how she was placed under house arrest. She also described how Tai Shizheng came to her aid, and how Bao Nian and she fought back.

Black and white.

Cui Jianchun spoke calmly, without a trace of emotion, her gaze fixed squarely on the people in the hall. Before she uttered the last word, she bowed deeply. She wanted the emperor to make the decision for them, and she wanted the law to bring justice to her.

Qi Liyuan sat in the hall with a solemn expression.

He would never allow such ungratefulness to happen, nor would he allow evildoers to go unpunished.

Qi Liyuan wished he could have been tried right then and there. General Qin, sensing something strange, took over, "Witness, according to your account, you're acting for the greater good of your own family. But are you aware that those who divorce their wives and remarry receive a one-year prison sentence? If the woman is aware of the situation, her sentence is reduced by one level. If she is unaware, she's not punished."

"I know," Cui Jianchun answered without hesitation. "As long as the criminal Liu Yugeng is punished, I am willing to accept the punishment."

Cui Jianchun's determination touched Liu Yugeng's nerves.

Crazy, all of them.

Army Officer Qin was also shocked. A woman could actually be so bold! He turned around and scolded, "The defendant, Liu Yugeng, has all the evidence. What else do you have to say?"

The evidence was overwhelming and Liu Yugeng had no way to refute it.

But he tore off his disguise of a beast in human form like a madman and cursed, "That's not the case, that's not the case. Your Majesty, please be aware that these mother and daughter are truly terrifying. The mother is a lunatic, and she used coercion and bribery to force me to divorce my wife and remarry. The daughter is even more insane, and she actually wanted to drag me down with her, leaving both sides in ruins. Your Majesty must not listen to the slander of these two people - yes, Chu Fanghua, it was Chu Fanghua who used the power of the Chu family to force me to work for them. All of this was Chu Fanghua's idea!"

Liu Yugeng's actions finally revealed his true face to the bystanders who were unaware of the situation.

Qi Liyuan brought the gavel down once more and said, "At this point, with irrefutable evidence, you still refuse to repent? Okay, then bring Chu Fanghua here and confront you face to face. The law is clearly written, and none of you can escape."

Liu Yugeng was obsessed with it, immersed in his own persistence, and could not hear a word from the outside world.

"He's here."

Zheng came in from outside, standing beside her were Chu Fanghua and...

Internal Attendant.

Qi Liyuan narrowed his eyes. Sure enough, Baoci Palace had sent someone. He didn't know if they were friendly or not, so Qi Liyuan had no choice but to hold his ground. He asked, "Empress Zhou? I didn't expect you were here too?"

The old fox, the Eunuch, remained calm and composed. He bowed with his whisk. He replied, "Your humble servant pays his respects to the Emperor. This matter concerns the reputation of the Empress Dowager and the Chu family. The Empress Dowager, having heard of it, specially sent me here to observe the proceedings. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me for coming uninvited—"

Baoci Palace has suppressed Qi Liyuan for so many years.

Even the eunuchs did not take the new emperor seriously.

Qi Liyuan lowered his eyes. "Since it is the Empress' order, then Attendant Zhou will stay and listen. Bring the offender, Chu Fanghua, here."

Chu Fanghua was dragged forward by the yamen runners. It was her first time to see the emperor, and she was trembling visibly. She felt guilty and didn't dare to look at the majestic eyes above her head.

Qi Liyuan whispered to Yu Er to find a seat for Taishi Zheng. Zheng nodded and turned to sit down in the court.

General Qin spoke on behalf of the emperor, saying, "The offender is Chu Fanghua. The defendant, Liu Yugeng, says that you coerced him into divorcing his wife and marrying again, using your coercion and bribery. Do you admit it?"

Chu Fanghua had made a mistake, and she had thought that even if the truth came to light, she could rely on the Chu family. By putting all the blame on Liu Yugeng, she could still withdraw. The Kaifeng Prefecture would also be afraid to delve into the details due to the Queen Mother's power. The matter was thus hastily concluded as Liu Yugeng was ungrateful.

Who knows, who knows...

Tai Shi Zheng actually moved out of the official residence, cutting off her retreat.

It's really amazing.

But even when death was imminent, Chu Fanghua still stubbornly said, "Your Highness, I refuse to acknowledge you—it's all because of this man's greed for my family's wealth and status, wanting to climb up the social ladder and use his influence to ascend to the heavens. Liu Yugeng is a man of no virtue, no ability, no roots, no foundation, so why would I use coercion and bribery to make him my son-in-law? It doesn't make sense! It's clearly because of his greed that he deceived your Highness and your Highness."

Evildoers have their own opinions and are always trying to justify their mistakes. Good people are loyal and righteous, but they always hurt themselves because of their conscience.

Zheng lowered her eyes,

This wasn't fair, she thought.

"Don't recognize it?"

Zheng's voice emanated from the hall below. She said, "The messenger Second Aunt sent to Xingren Mansion is outside. You know better than anyone what happened to him. Do you need me to bring him in? Or, should you confess your crime now and submit to the punishment? Perhaps His Majesty will grant you a lighter sentence in light of your good confession. Second Aunt, you must choose carefully before cutting off your own escape route."

Chu Fanghua exclaimed: "It's not me, it's the Queen Mother——"

But she soon realized that she had said something she didn't want to say, and turned her head to look at the eunuch in panic and said nothing. The eunuch looked at the arrogant woman calmly, and the warning in his eyes suppressed all of Chu Fanghua's arrogance.

Attacked from both sides, Chu Fanghua was completely defeated by his own greed.

Confessing her guilt became her last resort.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty."

But she was still unwilling, "Your Majesty..."

All results come from causes, and all retributions come from karma.

Chu Fanghua shouldn't have complained. Outside the court, muffled thunder echoed through the thick, dark clouds, echoing through the fields. The rain, which had just stopped for a moment, began to fall again. Zheng, sitting amidst this tragedy, suddenly looked up at the screen wall in the rain. The Xiezhi, the symbol of justice, stood majestically and formidably in the wind and rain.

Cui Jianchun's heart ached. She suddenly knelt down in Chu Fanghua's direction and pleaded, "Mother, confess your sins and turn back. All the evidence is there. If you were wrong, you were wrong. As long as you sincerely repent, everything can start over again."

Starting over? How can I start over again when everything is gone?

Chu Fanghua, however, glared at Cui Jianchun and pushed him away, saying regretfully, "I'm not wrong! If I did anything wrong, it's all your fault, all your fault."

If it weren't for Cui Jianchun's treason, if it weren't for Empress Dowager Chu's betrayal, if it weren't for Taishi Zheng's meddling. If only, then everyone else must have wronged her, not her. Even at this point, she still chose to make one mistake after another.

Admitting mistakes has become impossible.

Qi Liyuan was furious, and after he gave an order, no one present dared to speak loudly.

"That's enough—bring up the witness!"

After he finished speaking, Liu Yugeng, probably seeing that his defense was hopeless and the Empress Dowager's eunuchs were unwilling to help, actually took the initiative to admit his guilt before the witnesses arrived. "Your Majesty, I plead guilty. I was momentarily bewildered and listened to slander. I am ungrateful and ashamed of the Bao daughter. I am willing to accept the punishment."

Liu Yugeng wanted to ask for a lighter sentence.

Upon hearing this, Chu Fanghua tugged at Liu Yugeng's sleeve and said, "Confess? You can't confess. If you confess! If you confess..."

Doesn't that prove that she is also guilty?

But according to Yuan and Liang laws, with both witnesses and evidence available, how could they have any room to maneuver?

Liu Yugeng and Chu Fanghua actually knew it very well.

They just don't dare admit it.

The trapped beast still fought hard. Chu Fanghua turned around and stared at the last straw, "Empress Zhou, the Queen Mother can't just stand by and watch me die... Isn't all this the Queen Mother's order? The Prince's Mansion is also involved. The Queen Mother can't just leave me alone. The Queen Mother can't-"

The eunuch looked at him sternly, without the slightest sign of panic.

He lowered his eyes to look at the person lingering at his feet and said bluntly, "Second Madam, be careful with your words. Have you thought it through? Slandering the Empress Dowager is more than just a beating."

The straw broke, and this abyss was pushed into her by the Chu family. Chu Fanghua collapsed to the ground in an instant. Now, only judgment awaited her.

Qi Liyuan turned and asked General Qin, "Qin Qing, with such irrefutable evidence and the criminal confessing his guilt, can Kaifeng Prefecture convict him?"

General Qin bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, yes, you can be convicted according to the law."

"good."

Qi Liyuan got the answer, looked back at the criminal kneeling in the hall, and slammed the gavel for the last time today, "The defendant Liu Yugeng was treacherous and disregarded the law. He openly colluded with Mrs. Chu, intending to divorce her and remarry. According to the law, he should be sentenced to one year in prison. However, as a newly listed Jinshi and an official appointed by the court, he knowingly broke the law and betrayed the emperor's grace. His crime is one level higher. Therefore, the sentence is commuted to dismissal from the position of Imperial Censor and exile for 2,000 miles as a warning to others. Come, take the criminal Liu Yugeng to the prison, first give him the 100 strokes of the cane, and then exile him at a date to be chosen-"

Qi Liyuan spoke sternly and righteously, and Liu Yugeng couldn't believe that he had ended up like this.

Lifted up by the accompanying yamen runners, Liu Yugeng's eyes were filled with resentment. Ten years of hard study had been ruined in an instant. He should have had a bright future and a happy family, but he had destroyed it all with his own hands.

Of course he doesn't deserve it at all.

Liu Yugeng forcefully stayed in front of Bao Nian, then burst into laughter. He had reluctantly fallen for the woman he despised the most. Liu Yugeng looked at Bao Nian and uttered his final rant, "Are you satisfied? Are you satisfied? Is this what you wanted? Bitch, marrying you is the decision I regret the most. I will not let you go. You will never escape from me in this life. It's impossible—"

Zheng stared at Liu Yugeng, thinking that he was still stubborn even when facing death. He should have thought of ways to avoid death in exile instead of rushing to threaten the person he felt guilty about.

Bao Nian stood up straight, no longer as frightened as before.

She shot back, "Liu Yugeng, you're wrong. This is what you deserve. You shouldn't blame me. You should blame yourself." Without even a glance from those around her, Bao Nian suddenly bowed before Qi Liyuan. She said, "Your Majesty, I have another favor to ask. Please grant me some special favor."

Qi Liyuan responded: "Speak."

"I, a humble woman, request a divorce from Liu Yugeng. I beg Your Majesty to grant my permission—"

Bao Nian's words were powerful.

This was something Zheng had never expected. She felt that Bao Nian had really changed. She was no longer the submissive person she used to be. Now she was brave only for herself.

"Since Liu Yugeng has committed such a heinous act, your request is understandable. I grant it. I will also grant you another grace. As a father without virtue, the child you two raise can, at your discretion, be given the mother's surname. You will raise him personally."

Qi Liyuan spoke with such sincerity that Bao Nian thanked him, but Liu Yugeng angrily shouted, "I don't agree, I don't agree."

Don't you agree?

Don’t you agree that it’s useful?

Qi Liyuan frowned at Liu Yugeng, finding him too noisy. He waved at Lu Jianyuan, who immediately urged them to be escorted away. Liu Yugeng's guilt was sealed, and his voice faded into the wind and rain outside the courtroom, drifting away towards the prison.

At that time, Qi Liyuan stood up from the desk silently. He casually took out a stick from the stick box, held it in his palm, and tapped it as he walked.

There is still one person whose guilt has not been determined.

Chu Fanghua was so frightened that he was speechless.

The sound of the sticks hitting the palms fell again and again, stimulating Chu Fanghua's heart anxiously.

Waiting for the unknown is the most torturous thing.

Qi Liyuan looked down at Chu Fanghua in front of him, and also looked down at the Chu family. He said, "Since the woman knew about it, her crime will be reduced. Liu Yugen was sentenced to exile, and logically you should be sentenced to a year in prison. But considering that you, my daughter, are impartial and fair, the offender Chu Fanghua..."

"Let it be according to the law of eighty sticks."

The stick falls to the ground to indicate the order.

The bailiffs picked up their weapons and were about to go forward to arrest the man.

Cui Jianchun had no objection to the emperor's judgment. But she still made a request, "Your Majesty is fair and wise, but I have a favor to ask."

"You also have something to ask for?" Qi Liyuan was puzzled.

Cui Jianchun then said, "I am also aware of this matter and am also the one who harmed them. Moreover, my body and hair were given by my parents, and I am willing to take the blame on their behalf. I accept these eighty strokes of the cane. I hope Your Majesty will approve..."

"Chun'er..."

Zheng stood up and wanted to speak up to dissuade them, but she also understood the feelings and helplessness of children.

She endured it and swallowed her words.

Perhaps only in this way can Cui Jianchun feel better...

Qi Liyuan raised his eyes and exchanged glances with Taishi Zheng. He recalled that Si Kou Jue's instructions yesterday hadn't mentioned this trick. Cui Jianchun might be loyal and filial, but Chu Fanghua certainly deserved his punishment. How could he not be taught a lesson?

Qi Liyuan was in a dilemma.

But after a brief pause, Qi Liyuan waved his sleeves and said, "How can you take all the punishments for me? Since you love your mother so much, then... give each of you forty lashes, and then go home early after that."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your favor." Cui Jianchun bowed his head in thanks, turned around and stood up, and without waiting for the bailiff to take the man away in a panic, he helped Chu Fanghua stand up to be punished.

Chu Fanghua, like Liu Yugeng, was stubborn and refused to change.

She once again pushed Cui Jianchun's hand away, "Rebellious girl, let go. I don't need your false affection."

Cui Jianchun insisted on stepping forward, pulling Chu Fanghua forward, but this time there was no longer a trace of tenderness in her eyes, "Mother, after enduring these forty blows today, the grudge between us is written off, and your daughter doesn't owe you anything."

Cui Jianchun was resolute and solemn.

The mother and daughter looked at each other, although they were so close to each other, yet they were now separated by two sides.

Chu Fanghua must be a lonely person...

-

In the court, the emperor restored justice, and the evildoers received the punishment they deserved. Lu Jianyuan took advantage of the situation and led the crowd, saying, "Your Majesty is wise. It is a blessing for the people of Yuanliang to have a wise ruler like you—"

Qi Liyuan had long lost his confidence due to the attacks from the old men in the Secretariat, so he was a little uncomfortable when he suddenly ran into these flatterers.

Zheng looked at Qi Liyuan's frightened expression, shook her head and smiled, then stepped forward to help Bao Nian up amidst the cheers of the crowd.

Bao Nian looked at Tai Shi Zheng and cried with joy.

Years of depression were relieved overnight, and she even felt that everything was so unreal. Zheng touched Bao Nian's back and said comfortingly: "It's all over. There is no need to worry anymore. Life will get better and better."

Bao Nian nodded and stopped talking.

The eunuch at the other end was standing there calmly. Qi Liyuan was busy with government affairs and it was time for him to return to the palace.

But when he passed the Eunuch, he suddenly stopped and said something in a deep voice that was difficult to understand. "Eunuch Zhou, go back and tell the Queen Mother that I can leave this matter at that and will not pursue it any further. But I hope the Queen Mother will take care of herself from now on and retire to Baoci Palace. If Baoci Palace can't accommodate her, the Queen Mother can move to Guanyin Court to recuperate."

These were the instructions given by Sikou Jue to Qi Liyuan. Now that the emperor's favor had tilted towards the Sikou family, the Chu family's predicament was clear. They could no longer withstand any further blow. Knowing this, the Sikou family still wanted to preserve some dignity for the Chu family.

Otherwise, when this matter is exposed, the Chu family will not even be able to preserve its last glory.

What is right and what is wrong is decided by Empress Dowager Chu.

That was all Qi Liyuan wanted to say. The eunuch was very secretive, so he just said yes.

Turning around and standing in front of Taishi Zheng, Qi Liyuan immediately put on his smiling face again, "It's resolved, you don't have to worry about it anymore. Why do I find you so much like my mother? You like to take on everything, but it can be considered a good deed, you've done a good job."

Qi Liyuan praised, and Zheng happily accepted it, "Tenth brother is also not bad."

"You don't have to tell me that." Qi Liyuan said as he walked into the oil-paper umbrella held by Yu Er. He stood in the rain and looked back, "But Zheng, let me make a promise. This time, you owe me a favor."

Zheng pulled Bao Nian, opened the oil umbrella at her feet, and walked side by side with Qi Liyuan. "Okay, okay, okay, tell me, what do you want me to do? Oh, except for that thing!"

Bao Nian was shocked. She had no idea that Tai Shi Zheng was so familiar with the emperor, as if they were family.

Don't talk nonsense.

"Tsk, what are you thinking about?" Qi Liyuan curled his lips. "Come to think of it, I really do have something to ask of you."

Zheng smiled and said, "You say."

Whenever Qi Liyuan thought of Si Kou Jue, his cheeks would turn red. He had never felt this shy when he mentioned Tai Shi Zheng.

It's amazing.

Qi Liyuan said shyly, "My beloved concubine's birthday is coming up soon, and I don't know what to get her... In the past, I just randomly picked some gold and silver jewelry, but this time is different, so I want to give her something different. It has to be special, after all, my beloved concubine is very special. You said my beloved concubine cherishes you so much, you must know how to please her."

The smile on Zheng's lips grew more intense as Qi Liyuan became more shy.

They arrived at the gate of Kaifeng Mansion and stood in front of the tall porch. At that moment, Zheng looked up and saw a figure in the misty rain, which made her heart beat fast every time she looked at it. She smiled knowingly, a smile different from her previous ones.

It was only then that Zheng finally answered Qi Liyuan's question. "Tenth Brother, listen carefully! I'm only going to say this once. Any gift really just means one thing: we're married, and we love each other deeply. Think about it carefully. Someone's here to pick me up. I'm leaving now."

After saying that, Zheng handed the umbrella to Bao Nian and ran straight to the weeping willows on the street in the distance.

Cui Zhijun stood still, watching his wife rush towards him without any intention of slowing down. He quickly dropped his umbrella and reached out to take Zheng into his arms. Zheng jumped into Cui Zhijun's arms with joy, staring at the person in front of her from top to bottom.

She actually kissed Cui Zhijun in broad daylight.

This was so sweet that Cui Zhijun's heart was beating fast.

Zheng smiled, stroking the back of his neck over and over again, and said inexplicably: "Erlang, I miss you so much."

Cui Zhijun sneered, secretly wondering, hadn't they just met this morning? But even though he thought so in his heart, when he opened his mouth, Cui Zhijun still responded enthusiastically as usual: "Xiao Zheng, me too."