Gu Zheng hurriedly stood up, bowed to His Majesty, and said, "When the eldest young lady returned to the manor yesterday, I explained to her that her mother died of illness and her father and brothers died in an accident."

Gu Jiaojiao said angrily, "The deaths of my father, mother and brother are suspicious. They must have been murdered by someone in the manor. I beg Your Majesty to do justice for me."

The old lady said, tears streaming down her face, "Jiaojiao, it was your father who deliberately locked the door and put tung oil in it, causing both of them to die together..."

“Father is the most afraid of death. How could he possibly drag my brother down with him to die?”

She pointed at Gu Zheng and said, "Your father and elder brother are gone, and the title and property have fallen on your shoulders as an illegitimate son. You are the murderer."

Gu Zheng argued, "Father and brother really did want to go. There's nothing I can do if you don't believe me, Miss."

Gu Jiaojiao suddenly said, "Third Aunt, tell me, how exactly did Father and Brother die?"

When Xie Zhaozhao was called out, she remained calm and her voice was clear and melodious: "Self-immolation!"

"Impossible! You must have conspired to kill them!" Gu Jiaojiao cried to Jin Shun. "Husband, you must avenge my parents and brothers!"

Jin Shun continued to pressure Emperor Hui: "Please, Emperor Da Gan, give us an explanation."

"Gu Zheng, show Miss the will left by the Earl." Xie Zhaozhao was too lazy to argue with Gu Jiaojiao.

Gu Zheng told his personal servant to go back to the mansion to fetch it.

Madam Zhang whispered to Xie Zhaozhao, "Judging from this situation, I'm afraid they have other motives."

Xie Zhaozhao smiled faintly.

A man's anger might lead him to betray his country for a woman?

Perhaps the Nanzhao Kingdom had other ideas after learning about the great war.

Gu Zheng's servant quickly brought Gu Boyu's last words and gave them to Gu Jiaojiao to read.

It is indeed Gu Boyu's handwriting, Gu Boyu's last words.

After reading it, Gu Jiaojiao angrily said, "Who knows if this is a forgery? Everyone else in the entire Marquis's mansion is fine, but my parents, brother and sister-in-law are the ones who are in trouble. Who would believe that?"

Xie Zhaozhao said calmly, "Whether you believe it or not, this is the truth."

"I don't believe it, Your Majesty. You must give my parents and brothers an explanation."

Gu Jiaojiao sat there sulking, her eyes brimming with tears, while Jin Shun carefully tried to comfort her.

The woman, who was very reserved, felt ashamed looking at the two men.

The old lady suppressed her discomfort and said, "Jiaojiao, your father and brother really did commit suicide."

The old lady was heartbroken at the thought of her eldest son and grandson dying.

She had three sons, but she loved her eldest son the most.

Gu Jiaojiao said, "You guys are just kidding. Someone has to give us an explanation, or this isn't over."

Emperor Hui exerted a subtle but authoritative aura and asked, "Then what do you say?"

"I demand that Gu Zheng and Gu Shaoyu pay for my father and brother's lives."

"Are you also suggesting that Da Gan should pay with his life for them?"

Emperor Hui sneered, "You are a high-ranking official, yet you have repeatedly instigated the deterioration of relations between our two countries. Your intentions are as clear as day. I could expel you from the palace before, and I can still expel you from the palace now. Guards, remove the chieftain's wife from the palace."

Jin Shun stood up and said angrily, "Your Majesty the Emperor of Da Gan, aren't you being too arbitrary?"

"I am receiving you out of respect for the Crown Prince and Princess of Nanzhao, but that does not mean I am afraid of you," Emperor Hui said.

The old lady suddenly stood up and said, "Gu Jiaojiao, if you insist on an explanation, I will tell you: that slut Aunt Yue is unchaste and had an affair with His Highness the Crown Prince. She was caught by the eldest son, and everyone in the capital knows about it."

The crown prince wanted to silence him to cover up his shameful deeds, and the eldest son dragged Gu Chengyan down with him to save the entire clan.

She burst into tears and said, "I wanted to ask His Majesty for an explanation, but my second and third sons disagreed... My poor eldest son and grandson had to give up their lives to get the Crown Prince confined for half a year."

Her words only made things worse. Gu Jiaojiao immediately stood up angrily: "No wonder His Majesty pretended to be deaf and dumb and even tried to kick me out. It turns out that my father and brothers were forced to their deaths by the court!"

She stood up, pointed at Xie Zhaozhao, and said, "What kind of bullshit Grand Secretary is he? For his own selfish interests, he will only drive his own people to their deaths."

Jin Shun stood up angrily and chased after Gu Jiaojiao outside, leaving behind the words: "If you want to fight the emperor, we'll see you on the battlefield."

The crown prince of Nanzhao bowed and said, "Your Majesty the Emperor of Dagan, let's have a proper talk later!"

They left as well.

Consort Xi looked at the old lady, her face darkening: "Old lady, you deserve much credit for the decline of the Marquis's mansion! You are truly more trouble than you're worth!"

Emperor Hui was furious and said to Gu Zheng, "The old lady of the Pingyang Marquis's mansion has behaved improperly in front of the palace and has been expelled from the palace. The Pingyang Marquis's line has come to an end."

The Marquis's Mansion will become the Earl's Mansion. Now, the Earl's generation ends. That is to say, the Earldom ends with Gu Zheng's generation.

Gu Zheng's face was pale as he looked at the old lady, feeling like he wanted to kill her.

As Jin Shun and Gu Jiaojiao were leaving the palace, a carriage blocked Gu Jiaojiao's way.

When the carriage curtain was lifted, Gu Jiaojiao naturally recognized the face: Princess Yu Rong.

She said arrogantly, "What does the princess intend to do?"

"Let's talk," Princess Yu Rong said.

"I have nothing to talk to you about."

Princess Yu Rong approached her and whispered, "What if I knew the truth about your family's deaths? Would you like to hear it?"

Gu Jiaojiao looked at her, and Princess Yurong nodded firmly.

The two agreed to go to Chaoyang Pavilion to eat and chat.

Jin Shun was worried, so she went with her.

Princess Yurong teased, "Jin Shun, it seems you two have a good relationship?"

Jin Shun felt strange. He was certain that this was the first time he had met Princess Yu Rong, but she seemed to know him very well.

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