Warm room.

"Your Majesty must thoroughly investigate this matter and interrogate the perpetrators rigorously!"

The speaker had a white beard and piercing eyes. He was the imperial tutor of the current emperor, a man of integrity and uprightness. He spent most of his time recuperating at home and only intervened when there were major events in the court.

"Don't worry, teacher, I will investigate this thoroughly."

The Imperial Tutor was so angry that he blew his beard and glared at his opponent; his heart was still pounding violently.

"The other party is truly vicious. They simply want to destroy my Great An."

Perhaps because he was the emperor's tutor, he felt this event even more deeply.

As he spoke, he turned to look at Qin Su, a smile appearing on his face. He nodded, "The Marquis of Zhongyi has raised a fine daughter. But young lady, how did you know about today's events?"

Qin Su spoke with considerable humility, “This matter dates back to a few days ago. I overheard a conversation between Kang Lin and his men by chance. At the time, I considered taking him down directly. However, I wasn’t sure if his instructions had been given.”

“His arrangements have been completed, but capturing him is of no use, so I rushed to the palace to ask His Majesty for instructions.”

At this point, Qin Su noticed that Emperor Mingyang was looking over. She understood and said, "It is fortunate that His Majesty is wise enough to believe the words of a woman like me and temporarily entrust me with the Tiger Tally of the Imperial Guard and have Chief Steward Deng assist me."

"It is all thanks to His Majesty's wise decision-making; otherwise, it would have been difficult for me alone to resolve the current predicament."

Emperor Mingyang was pleased with Qin Su's sensibility and therefore did not point out her veiled sarcasm.

Qin Su took out the tiger tally, stepped forward and handed it to Emperor Mingyang, saying, "Your Majesty, I have successfully completed your mission. I now return the tiger tally to you."

Emperor Mingyang took it and casually placed it on the desk.

"You've done well. If you hadn't come to the palace in time to explain, I wouldn't have known they had such a vicious plan. What reward do you desire?"

Qin Su's eyes darted around, and she said, "I remember that Your Majesty will be going hunting in the Western Hills soon. Would you allow me to go with you?"

Emperor Mingyang was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "What kind of reward is this? Bring it up again."

Qin Su thought for a moment, but couldn't come up with anything to mention.

She wanted Xue Huai'an to go to hell and the Duke of Cheng's mansion to be destroyed, but she couldn't say it out loud, and Emperor Mingyang wouldn't agree.

Imperial Tutor Cen stroked his beard and said, "How about we give her a title? She's a young lady who deserves it."

Emperor Mingyang didn't actually intend to do so, but he also didn't have much to reward.

"This title should have been given long ago."

Emperor Mingyang did not hesitate for long and nodded, "Teacher is right, then let's do it this way." Then, he looked at the young man standing a little behind, whose demeanor was neither humble nor arrogant, "Which family do you come from?"

Xue Huai'an stepped forward and said, "I am Xue Huai'an, from the Duke of Cheng's mansion."

The warm pavilion suddenly fell silent.

Xue Huai'an clenched his fist tightly, his hand hidden under his sleeve.

Just because he comes from the Duke of Cheng's mansion, does that mean he should be looked down upon?

In terms of strategy and knowledge, where is he lacking? Just because he comes from a humble background, does that mean he should be looked down upon? That's unfair!

The resentment in my heart was like a dragon in a cage, struggling and thrashing, but to no avail.

He dared not show any unusual behavior; Emperor Mingyang was never an emperor who could be easily fooled.

"Hmm." Emperor Mingyang, sitting at the head of the table, responded indifferently, seemingly not caring about this person at all.

His attitude was completely different from before.

"You have rendered meritorious service in protecting the prince. What reward do you desire?"

When it comes to rewarding merit, even if the Duke of Cheng is not a prominent figure, Emperor Mingyang will not show favoritism.

"Back then, it was rare to find young people willing to stand up," another middle-aged man remarked with a sigh.

This man was the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, surnamed Huo. If you look closely, he and Xue Huai'an were from the same family, but they separated two hundred years ago and changed their surname to Huo to avoid suspicion.

The position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat is different from that of the Duke of Cheng's mansion. The Duke of Cheng's mansion has been declining, while the position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat has been almost always inherited by members of the Huo family, without any change.

One is becoming increasingly glorious, while the other is becoming increasingly declining.

Imperial Tutor Cen nodded, "The future of Da'an needs them."

Emperor Mingyang carefully examined the white-robed youth before him. He still smelled of blood, indicating that he had received some basic first aid on the way here.

This person is the one who was engaged to Qin Su.

He was good-looking and had a good presence, making him a good match for Qin Su.

"I remember that you and Qin Su were engaged."

Upon hearing Emperor Mingyang's words, Qin Su immediately had a bad feeling.

"Shall I bestow a marriage upon you two?"

Qin Su turned her head and glared at Xue Huai'an. Just as Xue Huai'an opened his mouth, Qin Su immediately knelt down and wailed, "Your Majesty, you can't break up this loving couple! Young Master Xue has already pledged his life to another woman. His heart is not with me at all. Since that's the case, why force them to be together? It's really inappropriate!"

Her commotion immediately made the eyelids of several senior officials in the warm pavilion twitch.

She was a lady just a moment ago, how did she turn into a little lion now?

"A forced marriage is never sweet. I know I cannot win back Young Master Xue's heart. So, it would be better to part amicably." Qin Su's eyes darted around as she quickly went through her thoughts. She continued, "Why don't you withdraw the decree that bestows upon me the title of Princess? I only wish to be free to choose my own marriage."

Emperor Mingyang rubbed his temples, his head throbbing from Qin Su's nagging.

"Nonsense! How can you take back a decision that's already made?" he scolded, feigning seriousness, then sighed, "Fine, it seems the two of you are not meant to be."

Xue Huai'an also knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, Su Su has some misunderstandings about me. In fact, I have always had feelings for Su Su."

Imperial Tutor Cen: "..." What's going on?

Emperor Mingyang was merely testing Qin Su's thoughts; how could he possibly grant the two a marriage decree?

Upon hearing Xue Huai'an's words, he immediately waved his hand, "Alright, you can handle this privately. I remember you are the eldest son of the Duke of Cheng, so how about this, take this opportunity to confer the title of heir apparent."

Qin Su breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time felt that Xue Huai'an had gotten a good deal.

He must have sensed something amiss in the capital and was taking this opportunity to benefit himself.

Xue Huai'an was not stupid at all; he was quite intelligent.

Whether Emperor Mingyang bestows the marriage upon him or grants him the title of heir apparent, Xue Huai'an will not lose out; he will gain.

Once he has the title of Crown Prince, he can go hunting, and the events of his previous life will repeat themselves.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Xue Huai'an obediently agreed, but when he looked up, he couldn't help but glance at Qin Su, his gaze lingering, as if he still couldn't forget her.

Pretending to be dead!

Qin Su turned her head away, utterly disgusted with him.

"The other young masters are also very brave; Your Majesty should reward them slightly," Imperial Tutor Cen added.

"I understand."

"Alright, you may leave." Emperor Mingyang instructed Chief Steward Deng to escort Qin Su and Xue Huai'an out.

It's not hard to see that Emperor Mingyang summoned Qin Su just for the tiger tally.