When the steward informed Zhen Qizhong, he was shocked. He hadn't expected Zhao Shu to dare to cause trouble so brazenly in the capital. It was one thing in Jiangnan, where Emperor Mingde couldn't see it, but under the emperor's nose, she was so audacious.

This truly surprised him.

"Sir, what should we do?" The steward had some complaints about Zhen Qizhong, but Zhao Bi trusted Zhen Qizhong, and the two were as close as one person. He dared not disobey, much less say anything about homosexuality.

Zhen Qizhong thought for a moment and said, "Given Zhao Shu's domineering personality, since she has taken on this matter in broad daylight, she will not let it go. One day she will break in. Quickly notify the steward to send me out of the mansion."

He cannot allow Zhao Shu to capture him at the Fourth Prince's residence.

"Yes." The manager also felt that leaving was the best solution.

With everything prepared, the group was about to leave the Fourth Prince's residence through the back door when they were blocked by Zhao Shu's men. They did not force their way into the residence, but instead refused to allow Zhen Qizhong to leave.

The matter quickly escalated, and rumors that Zhao Bi was a homosexual spread rapidly and became a hot topic. When Emperor Mingde learned of this, Empress Yide happened to be by his side. She said worriedly, "Your Majesty, you just gave Bi'er a job, and he has already suffered such criticism. It's really... Your Majesty, I have not fulfilled my responsibilities as a mother, and I feel extremely sorry for Bi'er. Now, seeing him suffer such injustice, I feel extremely distressed. Your Majesty, why don't you demote Bi'er to a commoner and let him live as an ordinary person, so that he won't be framed?"

Emperors are often suspicious by nature, making falsehoods appear true and truths appear false. When Emperor Mingde heard this, he felt that Yide's words made sense, and although Zhao Bi had no legitimate son, he had a son born of a concubine, so the relationship between the emperor and Zhao Bi could not be established.

After pondering for a moment, he said coldly, "Ah Jun is becoming more and more ignorant. She actually helped outsiders slander her own brother. It is because the Empress Dowager and I spoiled her too much that she forgot her status. Someone, go and tell Ah Jun to stay in the mansion and do her needlework properly, and not to go out and show her face in public."

When Liang Yunsi brought his men to find Zhao Shu, she was still making a scene at the Fourth Prince's residence, displaying her extreme hatred of evil.

"Princess, His Majesty has instructed you to return home and focus on your needlework, and not to meddle in other people's business anymore," he said earnestly, without making things difficult for Zhao Shu.

However, Zhao Shu showed no mercy, pointing her finger at him and saying, "The emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people. What, does Your Majesty intend to protect my fourth brother? How can he disregard the law like this? Where does he place the people of the world? I will take charge of this matter. As a princess of the royal family, I swear to fulfill my responsibilities and obligations to uphold the law and justice. If my fourth brother can forcibly detain another woman's husband and destroy her marriage today, he will be able to bully men and women and run rampant in the world in the future. This trend must not be allowed to continue!"

Liang Yunsi narrowed his eyes, his mind racing. The Princess Jun of the past was not like this. Although she was more domineering in the past, she would never openly oppose the Emperor like this. Could she have some plans?

He himself disliked Zhao Bi. After thinking about it, he soon realized that someone who could stay by Emperor Mingde's side for decades could not be a fool.

After figuring it out, he immediately put on a cold face and ordered the eunuchs behind him, "Escort the princess back to her residence!"

"Liang Yunsi, how dare you!" Zhao Shu stepped back, while Xiao Guozi and Chu Chun blocked her way.

"Princess, I'm sorry, but you still have to return to your residence." Liang Yunsi showed no mercy and ordered his men to take Xiao Guozi and the others away as well.

Xiao Guozi, who was usually quite skilled, was unable to fight back and was subdued in just a few rounds. At the same time, Zhao Shu was also surrounded.

The frightened people scattered, but did not leave.

"You will be punished! What kind of heroes bully a weak woman? Let me go! Let me go!" Zhao Shu struggled, her voice loud.

However, despite his loud voice, he was still sent back to Prince Yong's residence and ordered not to leave the residence.

This scene quickly spread throughout the city, and Zhao Shu successfully established herself as a heroine who hated evil and upheld justice among the people.

However, those in the palace each had their own plans, especially Consort De.

When she received the news, she laughed for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, exclaiming, "Heaven is helping me! Heaven is helping me! Hahaha!"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! Our good day has arrived!" The people around him immediately began to flatter him.

After laughing enough, Consort De said calmly, "Xie Yun and Yang Zhong have retired, Yan Shiren is only focused on reforming the system and does not participate in the struggle for the throne. That leaves Qiu Chengshi, but the Emperor dislikes the Crown Prince, the Empress has offended the Empress Dowager, and now Zhao Bi is still a homosexual. Hahaha, this world will soon belong to my son."

"Your Highness, have you forgotten? Our Prince has already taken power in the Northeast. Prince Yong is injured and ill. His Highness sent word that Prince Yong is on his last breath."

Upon hearing this, Consort De laughed triumphantly again, "Go, tell our ministers in court to petition for Zhao Bi to be demoted to a commoner tomorrow. How can the royal family have homosexuals?"

"Yes, I will take care of it right away."

Consort De saw a golden opportunity to get rid of Zhao Bi. Instead of being foolish enough to speak directly to Emperor Mingde, she used a tactic of influencing the inner palace through the court.

The Empress, of course, would not do nothing. As the Empress, she was not like Consort De, and had jurisdiction over matters concerning the palace. She immediately went to see Emperor Mingde.

"Your Majesty, you must handle the matter of the fourth prince properly, after all, the royal family's reputation cannot be compromised."

Emperor Mingde snorted coldly, "Empress, you are the mother of the nation, a model for the world. How can you believe the rumors circulating in the streets? You have no judgment at all, just parroting what others say?"

The Empress was surprised that Emperor Mingde trusted Zhao Bi so much. Realizing something was wrong, she immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I know I am guilty. I should not have listened to rumors and lost my judgment."

Emperor Mingde looked at her coldly, his anger rising. "Get up. I have state affairs to attend to. Empress, please return."

Realizing her mistake, the Empress stood up, curtsied, and left the Taihe Hall. As she exited, Bai Yue noticed her pale face and asked worriedly, "Your Majesty, what did the Emperor say?"

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!