"What do you mean the Sheng family is bad? Even if I went too far in framing the Chu family, it's still a matter within the Sheng family. How long have the rumors about you favoring your concubine over your wife been circulating? There have been quite a few memorials impeaching you! Why hasn't your position been shaken in the slightest?"

Sheng Moshi didn't take it to heart...

"Do you really think the rumors from before had no impact on the Sheng family? If they had no impact, why would I spend two thousand taels of silver to have Chu Lan style Mo Shi's hair?"

Sheng Lingtian said irritably.

"I know! Didn't you say you wanted to reassure the border guards, the high-ranking officials, and even the Emperor? But so what?"

Mu Rou'er still looked indifferent when she said this.

These people have had their opinions for a long time, but what can they do about it?

Could it be that the emperor can interfere in the family affairs of his subjects?

In all her life, she had never heard of an emperor dismissing an official because of his family affairs!

"Mu Rou'er!"

Sheng Lingtian shouted through gritted teeth.

"What, did I say something wrong?"

Mu Rou'er still felt it was nothing serious. There might be more memorials impeaching Sheng Lingtian now, but as long as the Emperor didn't dismiss him from his post, people would naturally get used to it over time. Then things wouldn't be taken so seriously!

"The Emperor recently gave me a special warning, telling me to mind my own family affairs. Now, an even bigger mess has arisen at the General's Mansion."

Normally, if someone criticizes me for favoring my concubine over my wife, that's one thing, since I indulge you and can use the excuse that even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman.

But now you've used such cruel methods to almost ruin Chu Lan's innocence. Do you think what will happen to the border soldiers if this gets out? What will happen to Chu Lan's former subordinates? What will the Emperor do?

"Will they seek justice for the Chu family? Will they force you to divorce me? No... Sheng Lingtian, we're in this together, you can't divorce me!"

Mu Rou'er finally realized the key to it.

Yes! This time is different from the past. This time, she did that to Chu Lan in front of everyone.

Chu Lan was almost humiliated; if Sheng Lingtian had insisted on protecting her...

How could the border soldiers let this go so easily? What about the former subordinates of the Chu family? Would the Emperor intervene in the affairs of his ministers' private quarters to reconcile the various factions?

"Hehe... Mu Rou'er, are you scared now? If the Emperor makes a move, I will definitely kick you out of the Sheng family."

If I insist on disobeying, it will not only be considered defying the imperial decree, but it may also arouse the Emperor's suspicion. If the Emperor sends people to investigate secretly, you, me, and Prince Rui will all be finished!

Sheng Lingtian looked at Mu Rou'er, his eyes flashing with a cold light. Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, full of anger and threat.

Mu Rou'er turned pale with fright at Sheng Lingtian's words; she had never seen Sheng Lingtian so angry.

She knew that Sheng Lingtian was telling the truth. If this matter really escalated, not only would she be kicked out of the Sheng family, but even Prince Rui might be implicated.

She felt a surge of panic and didn't know what to do.

She originally thought that with her status and the power behind her, she could do whatever she wanted in the Sheng family, but she never expected that she would cause such a big mess this time.

"Then, what should we do now?" Mu Rou'er asked, her voice trembling.

Sheng Lingtian took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He knew that the most important thing now was to find a solution to minimize the impact of this matter.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "The only way now is for you to go back to your hometown for a while. I will tell everyone that you have made a grave mistake and that I have kicked you out of the Sheng family."

I will bring you back when the time is right.

That way, we're still in the same boat, which is better for both of us!

"No! I know you've developed feelings for the Chu family. What if your feelings rekindle if I leave?"

Mu Rou'er immediately rejected Sheng Lingtian's suggestion.

"No way! There's no way things can end well between us..."

As Sheng Lingtian spoke, a hint of melancholy appeared in his eyes.

"Don't worry! Chu Lan is destined to be a pawn. In the future, you can only be my legal wife! I know what I want!"

Sheng Lingtian reassured him.

Looking at him, Mu Rou'er felt her panic subside slightly.

She knew that Sheng Lingtian was telling the truth.

Sheng Lingtian has great ambitions, but these ambitions can only be realized by being tied to her.

Only if Sheng Lingtian's legal wife is she, can the Sheng family's position last.

"Well... okay, I'll listen to you." Mu Rou'er finally nodded and agreed to Sheng Lingtian's suggestion.

Seeing that she had finally relented, Sheng Lingtian breathed a sigh of relief. He knew this matter would be tricky to handle, but as long as Mu Rou'er was willing to cooperate, he was confident that he could minimize the impact.

"I will arrange for someone to take you back to your hometown. You must keep a low profile there and not attract anyone's attention," Sheng Lingtian instructed.

Mu Rou'er nodded in agreement, knowing that at this point she could only follow Sheng Lingtian's arrangements.

...

Meanwhile, Si Mingye was practicing his swordplay at the Peach Blossom Villa on the outskirts of the capital.

Peach Blossom Villa was the private villa of Consort Yun, the mother of Si Mingye. On Si Mingye's tenth birthday, the Emperor brought him here to drink peach blossom wine and tell him stories about Consort Yun's life.

His father said that if his mother were alive, Si Mingye would definitely not have the personality he has now.

It is said that his mother was a confident and radiant woman, and that even with many troubles, visiting her would lift one's spirits considerably.

Si Mingye did not show much emotional fluctuation at his father's words, as if those words were just the wind blowing past his ears and had failed to touch his heartstrings.

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