Chapter 57 Shut Up

This matter has caused quite a stir, and even the emperor knows about it. How could he possibly protect such an incompetent fool?

Xiao Ce looked at Xu Shize: "What exactly happened on the ship?"

Xu Shize knew he was powerless to reverse the situation, so he wouldn't try to cover for the Meng family.

"It's just as you think, the deed was done, but Meng Yanzhi was absolutely unwilling and jumped ship!"

Xu Shize suddenly laughed.

He stared straight at Zhang Xuanyun: "You've liked her for a long time, you've had your eye on her for a long time, you've been hooking up for a long time, haven't you? Let me tell you, Meng Yanzhi is a prostitute who doesn't conceive, she's completely infertile!"

Zhang Xuanyun finally lost her temper, picked up a stool and smashed it hard against Xu Shize's face, saying viciously, "Shut up!"

This blow knocked Xu Shize unconscious.

Seeing this, Zhang Xuanyun finally felt a little better. Then, he looked up and met Xiao Ce's probing gaze, and knelt down on the ground.

"My relationship with Miss Meng is completely innocent; there is absolutely nothing shameful between us!"

Zhang Xuanyun immediately explained that he could disregard his own reputation, but he absolutely could not disregard Meng Yanzhi's reputation. Zhang Xuanyun was now certain that Meng Yanzhi was his benefactor. It seemed that she knew what was going on from the beginning, so she deliberately came to his door and changed his fate.

Xiao Ce smiled at Zhang Xuanyun's nervous expression, then said calmly, "Even if you really like her, it's nothing. She was going to get married anyway, so it would be a good thing if she could marry you."

Xiao Ce had originally thought highly of Zhang Xuanyun, but for some reason, the mention of marrying Meng Yanzhi to him now caused a dull ache in his heart.

"I only want to do what I should do now. As for anything else, I dare not have any wild thoughts."

"Miss Meng is kind-hearted and of noble character. A girl's reputation is far too precious for me to touch!"

Zhang Xuanyun spoke frankly, and his eyes were full of sincerity when he looked at Xiao Ce.

Now, Xiao Ce finally felt a little better, and then turned around and left with Zhang Xuanyun.

The next day, in the Imperial Study.

Xiao Xingyuan raised an eyebrow and looked at Xiao Ce: "What exactly is going on with Xu Shize?"

“Father, Xu Shize is an imposter. The real Jinshi is Zhang Xuanyun, who is by my side. It was Meng Yanzhi who guided me to investigate all of this. The Meng family also played a significant role behind the scenes.”

Xiao Ce solemnly recounted the whole story.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xingyuan nodded in satisfaction, snorted, and then said, "Looks like your brain isn't completely broken!"

"Father is joking. This eldest daughter of the Meng family must have suffered a lot of grievances at home, which is why she is targeting the Meng family."

"Speaking of which, Meng Yanzhi can be considered quite bold and daring."

When Xiao Ce said this, his admiration for Meng Yanzhi was absolutely genuine.

Xiao Xingyuan raised an eyebrow and looked at Xiao Ce: "Could it be that you've taken a fancy to that girl?"

“Father, I am the Crown Prince, and this marriage is definitely your decision. Therefore, I dare not act on my own.”

When Xiao Ce spoke, he lowered his head and looked at Xiao Xingyuan with humility. He respected Xiao Xingyuan from the bottom of his heart, but he was also genuinely afraid of Xiao Xingyuan.

Xiao Xingyuan usually appears indifferent, but he manages the court and the outside world with remarkable efficiency.

Xiao Xingyuan glanced at Xiao Ce, nodded in satisfaction, and then said calmly, "I understand this matter. You may leave."

"yes!"

Xiao Ce knew that if Xiao Xingyuan said he had a plan, then he really did.

Soon, the Emperor's decree was issued, and it not only went to the Xu family but also to the Meng family.

The Grand Eunuch Wang Huanhai came directly with the imperial edict, and the entire Meng family, young and old, knelt on the ground.

"His Majesty's decree!"

"Minister Meng, you have quite the audacity! You even have the power to influence the imperial examinations. How about I give you the entire empire?"

Wang Huanhai stood coldly in front of Meng's father, staring at him.

Upon hearing this, Meng's father was so frightened that he almost spat out a mouthful of blood. He looked at Wang Huanhai in disbelief and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Your subject dares not, your subject did not, your subject really dares not!"

"Her Highness also has something to say. Meng Anxian framed my sister and implicated the young general. Her Highness demands an explanation."

Wang Huanhai looked coldly at Meng's father, his face full of disdain.

"Lord Meng, please find some time to go to the palace and give your report!"

After saying that, Wang Huanhai turned around and left, leaving everyone in the Meng family dumbfounded.

Only Meng Yanzhi remained expressionless, because she had long known what the Meng family had been doing behind the scenes, and today's questioning was already considered lenient.

"Master, what exactly does the Emperor mean by this?" Mother Meng stood up and grabbed Father Meng's arm. "Master, please say something!"

Father Meng flung Mother Meng's hand away and slapped her hard across the face: "Isn't it all your fault!"

"Look at the mess your daughter has made of our family!" Father Meng grabbed Mother Meng by the neck. "We're finished! We're all finished!"

"Father, please calm down! Let go of Mother!" Meng Yanzhi rushed forward, grabbed her father's arm, and said, "Father, if you force your wife to commit suicide now, the Emperor will really kill you!"

Meng's father then came to his senses, pushed Meng's mother away, and looked at Meng Yanzhi.

"What do you mean?"

"Father, His Majesty has only issued a verbal order, not an imperial decree. This means there is still room for negotiation. After all, it is Xu Shize who is imprisoned, not you, Father!"

"As long as Father gives the Emperor a reasonable explanation and an outlet for his anger, this matter can be resolved peacefully."

At this point, Meng Yanzhi had calmed down and began to analyze the situation for her father.

"After all, my brother is doing quite well in the army now. Even if it's just for my brother's sake, the Emperor won't be too ruthless."

The Meng family's only support right now is Meng Anfeng, who works in the military, so Meng Yanzhi has to bring him up at this time.

Upon hearing this, Meng's father immediately realized what was happening and pulled Meng Yanzhi to the study.

"Rouge, how should I explain this to the Emperor?"

"What's so difficult about that? Just find a scapegoat."

When it was just the two of them, Meng Yanzhi was extremely cold and indifferent, as if she had become a completely different person.

Seeing Meng Yanzhi's state, Meng's father hesitated for a moment before speaking, "You want Meng Anxian to be a scapegoat?"

"It doesn't matter who our daughter wants to be a scapegoat. What matters is what Father thinks."