Inside the Shou Kang Palace, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor sat waiting for the others.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, Regent, Lady Yan, and Princess An have arrived."

"An'an, these rumors have made you suffer these past few days. This is evidence that Song Shuyun is slandering you. An'an, if you want to deal with her, just have your brother issue an imperial decree." The Empress Dowager held Yan An's hand and said with heartache.

"Since Your Majesty has already investigated, why is there such a commotion today?" The person who bullied him cannot be simply punished by losing their life.

"Didn't you write a letter to me instructing me to hold back for now?" Seeing that Yue Xiyuan was about to pin the blame on him, the emperor could not possibly take the fall.

"When did I tell my brother to hold back his troops? When did I slander An'an?" You're definitely going to take the blame for this today.

"Are your secret service staff just sitting around doing nothing? Haven't you noticed these past few days? Haven't you sent a message?" I won't lie.

The Dark Pavilion didn't actually ask them to write, because during the past few days of travel, Yue Xiyuan had been cultivating his relationship with Yan An. One Su Jingzhan was enough for this kind of thing, and they certainly couldn't let other people or things affect it. So it seems that it really was Yue Xiyuan's fault.

"..." Yue Xiyuan was speechless. The Emperor was overjoyed.

"It is said that Song Zhiyuan, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, greatly favors Song Shuyun. Song Zhiyuan has also been colluding with the Left Chancellor for many years, so he must have been involved in embezzlement and bribery as well. Lord Song is kind-hearted and compassionate towards the people, and he wishes to use the treasury's silver to enrich the national treasury to benefit the people. However, due to his advanced age and declining health, he fears he can no longer handle the affairs of the court and has therefore requested to retire and return to his hometown. His Majesty is benevolent and considerate of his service to two dynasties, and considering his heartfelt dedication to the Yue Kingdom before his departure, he has granted Song Shuyun a special pardon to allow him and his father to return home together. This is not an unfortunate story." Yan An smiled lightly, but a hint of calculation appeared in his eyes.

"This is a good idea!" the Emperor exclaimed with great approval.

Song Zhiyuan and Left Chancellor Chen Taihan had wanted the Emperor to appoint Yue Zhixiao as Crown Prince when the late Emperor was choosing his successor. When the Emperor ascended the throne, they made things even more difficult for him. They also frequently contradicted the Right Chancellor and General Yan. It's hard not to believe that they intended for Yue Zhixiao to ascend the throne. In recent years, they have become even more arrogant. The Emperor has long wanted to get rid of them, but they are veterans of two reigns, and their actions have far-reaching consequences.

“Tomorrow morning at court, I will hand over the evidence to Your Majesty, but Song Shuyun will be dealt with by me.”

"Yes, but don't kill him. After all, that was something Song Zhiyuan sacrificed everything for," the Emperor instructed.

"Your Majesty, I will first escort my mother-in-law and An'an back."

The Empress Dowager's eyes lit up; the fourth prince had finally seen the light! She then rolled her eyes at the Emperor, "Look at your brother, and then look at you."

Yue Xiyuan escorted Jiang Luo and Yan An to the palace gate and then went to the Dark Pavilion.

Madam Song returned to the Song residence and rushed towards the study, disregarding her role as the mistress of the house. "Zhiyuan, Zhiyuan... hurry and save Yun'er..."

Seeing his wife in such a disheveled state, Song Zhiyuan got up and helped her sit down. Although Song Zhiyuan had racked his brains in the court, he was impeccable when it came to his wife and daughter.

Madam Song told Song Zhiyuan everything that had happened at the Hundred Flowers Banquet that day. Song Zhiyuan's legs trembled, and he would have fallen to the ground if he hadn't been holding onto the chair.

“Back then, I told you and your daughter not to provoke the Regent. When I help the Third Prince ascend the throne, I will grant our daughter the title of Imperial Concubine. Isn’t that better than the Regent’s wife? Besides, it’s uncertain whether the Regent will even exist by then. You…” Song Zhiyuan sighed deeply.

"I was just thinking that since our Yoon-ah is in love with that Regent, I was hoping to use this opportunity to get rid of Yan An..." Madam Song covered her face with her hands, looking worried and distressed.

"Zhiyuan, only you can save Yun'er now. You have to save our Yun'er."

“By the way, Yan’an… Yan’an was saying that you have something the Emperor wants. Zhiyuan, do you know what the Emperor wants from us?” Madam Song suddenly remembered Yan’an’s words.

“Over the years, Prime Minister Chen and I have secretly colluded with officials to amass wealth, hoping to help the Third Prince ascend the throne. This is probably what the Emperor is referring to. If we admit to all of this, we may both be doomed.” Song Zhiyuan’s heart tightened, and his face gradually paled.

The two pondered for a long time...

Yan An returned to the Yan residence but did not see Zichen. "Mother, where is Zichen?"

"Zichen asked me to tell you that he left Beiming Manor more than a month ago. Now that he's recovered, it's time to settle things that have been going on for so many years." Jiang Luo relayed Mo Zichen's words to Yan An.

After the Yan family of four finished their meal, Yan An went back to his room to rest.

"Creak..." Yue Xiyuan pushed the door open and entered.

"My boudoir regent is truly free to come and go as he pleases! Have you investigated all the evidence against Song Zhiyuan?" Yan An sat cross-legged on the bed, resting his chin on his hand, looking quite adorable. He gently patted the edge of the bed, gesturing for Yue Xiyuan to sit down.

Of course, Yue Xiyuan did as he was told. How could he remain unmoved when a beauty invited him into her arms? Yue Xiyuan handed the letter and accounts in his hand to Yan An.

Yan An leaned against Yue Xiyuan's shoulder, and Yue Xiyuan held Yan An's small hand and rubbed it.

"An'an, thank you for today." His elder brother and he had wanted to get rid of the Left Prime Minister's faction for a long time, but the faction was too large and most of its members were veterans of several dynasties, so they didn't know where to start.

Upon hearing this, Yan An chuckled, "Is the Regent only capable of a verbal thank you?"

Yan An suddenly moved closer, her slender white fingers wrapping around Yue Xiyuan's neck. Their eyes met, and Yue Xiyuan's lips, as warm as jade, were both sexy and aloof. She had wanted to taste what they were like for a long time.

At this moment, Yue Xiyuan's eyes were both vulnerable and frantic. It was as if there was a ball of fire inside his body, surging and roaring incessantly.

"An'an, don't be silly." Yue Xiyuan had no patience for Yan An, and this little fox was tempting him all day long. But he couldn't do anything to the person in front of him now, he couldn't let her suffer any grievances.

As he spoke, Yue Xiyuan pulled Yan An's hands off and wrapped her tightly in the blanket, afraid that she might make any more moves.

"Boring." Yan An still hadn't tasted its deliciousness, rolled her eyes at him, and couldn't help but mentally draw a few small circles around him.

Yan An slowly stretched his hands out from under the covers, picked up the account book and glanced through it. "Tsk tsk tsk... Song Zhiyuan has quite the appetite. A mere junior official in charge of marble has so many treasures."

"Over the years, Song Zhiyuan has been embezzling, accepting bribes, buying and selling official positions in the imperial court, and accumulating wealth. It would be too easy to let him return to his hometown."

“Hey… Yue Xiyuan, look at this expense.” Yan An then looked through the other months’ records. “Song Zhiyuan has had a considerable expense every month for more than two years. Song Zhiyuan and his wife are deeply in love, and he dotes on Song Shuyun. It shouldn’t be that the money was spent on a mistress. Could it be…”

Yan An and Yue Xiyuan looked at each other in surprise, with a bad feeling about them.

“I’ve also discovered it, but they’ve done it very discreetly, and there’s no news yet. I’ll have Dark Three keep an eye on it.”