In the Southern Study of the Imperial Palace, Jing Chengzhi was kneeling on the ground while the Emperor sat in front of a pile of memorials. The number of memorials was decreasing, and Jing Chengzhi's legs were gradually becoming numb.

He moved quietly, and the emperor coughed lightly in front of him. Jing Chengzhi moved his legs and then retracted them obediently.

Only after all the memorials were processed did the emperor raise his eyes and look at Jing Chengzhi who was kneeling on the ground.

"Do you know why I called you here today?"

Jing Chengzhi knelt on the ground obediently and responded honestly: "It concerns Captain Zou."

"You do understand. I sent people to the Tian family to inquire about the situation, and they told me that Captain Zou's death was a plot by you to frame the Crown Princess."

"Your Majesty, I dare not. I am already grateful to Your Majesty for not leaving the capital. How could I dare to continue stirring up trouble?"

"This is all a misunderstanding. If Captain Zou hadn't been poisoned, I believe he would have believed me!"

The emperor was quite far away, so Jing Chengzhi couldn't see his expression clearly at the moment, but he could clearly feel the sharp light in his eyes, which was oppressing him and making him feel a little breathless.

"He's already dead, so you can say whatever you want." The emperor stood up and walked towards him.

Jing Chengzhi lowered his head in fear, "Father, the Tian family is also not immune from all this. Perhaps they just want to please the Crown Princess and deliberately framed me. If we are talking about the murderer, the Tian family is also a suspect!"

Jing Chengzhi, Ni Yueshan, and the Tian family are all suspects. There is little evidence to prove who the murderer is, and everyone has their own arguments.

"Even if Zou Yangyao is only a captain now, someone must take responsibility for his death!"

"Father, I am wronged. I cannot plead guilty!"

"Then go and find the evidence that you were framed. Otherwise, how can I let you go? You killed the young master of the Tian family and have a conflict with the Tian family, but you chose to go to the Tian family to join in this trouble! How can I help you?"

Jing Chengzhi knelt beside the emperor with his head lowered, and only the emperor's bright yellow dragon-patterned boots could be seen.

He frowned deeply. He was not the one who killed the man, nor was he the one who benefited from it, but the emperor asked him to find the murderer.

Jing Chengzhi clenched his fists and said, "Yes, my father taught me that. I will leave the palace right now to investigate the murderer and find someone who can take the blame for everything!"

"Your son will take his leave!" Jing Chengzhi stood up and walked out, looking a little anxious.

The emperor thought that he could leave after dealing with Jing Chengzhi's problem, but a palace maid came to report that Duan Gouqiong wanted to see him.

The emperor was about to leave, but he had to return to his seat.

Duan Gouqiong was dressed in ordinary women's clothes and a veil, and she bowed solemnly to the emperor.

"Your Majesty."

"Is Princess Gou Qiong adapting well to living in the Crown Prince's Mansion?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Everything is fine. But has the murderer who assassinated this princess's guard been caught?"

"If the results come out, I will have someone inform the princess. There is no need for her to go to the palace."

Duan Gouqiong stood below the prince and sighed helplessly, "The longer this princess stays in Xianchang, the more worried my father will become. This princess wants to go back early."

"I understand. I will urge them to speed up the progress of the case!"

The emperor looked like he was open to negotiation. Duan Gouqiong continued, "Your Majesty, in normal times, this princess has not met with any misfortune, thanks to the Duke. But today, I heard that the Duke is suspected of murdering Captain Zou. Your Majesty, you must investigate thoroughly! Don't wrongly accuse Gouqiong's benefactor!"

Duan Gouqiong looked worried about Jing Chengzhi.

The emperor was not surprised when Duan Gouqiong brought this up. He smiled softly and said, "Princess, don't worry. The prince is my prince, and I don't want anything to happen to him."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Duan Gouqiong left the palace. Outside the palace gate, the carriage was still waiting there quietly for her.

When she lifted the curtain of the carriage, she was surprised to find Jing Chengzhi waiting for her inside.

"What else?"

Duan Gouqiong walked in and sat down inside, looking very calm.

Jing Chengzhi sat upright in the carriage, his eyes fixed on Duan Gouqiong: "How did you get out so quickly? What did the emperor say?"

"He said you're his son, and he doesn't want anything to happen to you. It doesn't matter whether I beg for mercy or not!"

Jing Chengzhi fell silent, and the carriage began to sway.

Duan Gouqiong looked at Jing Chengzhi curiously and asked, "Do you want to go to the Prince's Mansion with me?"

Duan Gouqiong has been living in the Prince's Mansion all this time, so naturally she will return to the Prince's Mansion after leaving the palace.

Jing Chengzhi frowned tightly, "Thank you so much, Princess, for saving me today. But Princess, do you know that the Crown Princess is using your name to throw tantrums and stir up hatred?"

Duan Gouqiong was stunned for a moment, then smiled and replied, "What's the big deal? This is just my personality. If she becomes polite and good-tempered, then she's really different from me."

"The bigger the fuss she makes, the better. Let everyone know that I, Duan Gouqiong, am difficult to get along with. Then who dares to doubt Ni Yueshan's identity?"

Jing Chengzhi looked at Duan Gouqiong in confusion. She was always so different.

"One more thing..."

Jing Chengzhi looked solemn, as if he had a lot to say but hesitated.

Duan Gouqiong looked at him with a hint of impatience: "Can you please stop hesitating like a woman when you speak?"

"Well... I have become the target of suspicion this time. It was actually the Crown Princess who framed me. You should be careful while staying in the Crown Prince's Mansion."

He was trying to comfort her kindly, but before Duan Gouqiong could respond, he ordered the driver outside, "Stop!"

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!