Xuan Ge Si.

"Master, something terrible has happened!"

The old steward of the Duke's mansion practically tumbled and crawled into Zheng Mingyuan's duty room.

Zheng Mingyuan took half a day off yesterday because of his daughter's matter, but today, after court, he forced himself to come and report for duty.

Already burdened with unresolved grievances, seeing the old butler's panicked state instantly triggered a strong sense of foreboding in him.

"What is it now!"

When Zheng Mingyuan finished listening to the old steward's incoherent account of the trial at the Jingzhao Prefecture and the rumors that were swirling throughout the city, he felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow, and his entire body froze in the armchair.

How could this be...?

This is to completely ruin Huiyin's reputation and nail the Duke's Mansion to the pillar of shame!

In a flash, Zheng Mingyuan understood that this was the Sixth Princess's revenge for the scheme she had plotted against him at the birthday banquet.

To treat someone in the same way they treat you, or even more cruelly.

"How did Huiyin get out of the manor?" Zheng Mingyuan's voice was filled with barely suppressed anger.

"Reporting to...Master, this old servant questioned the old woman guarding the side gate, and it should be that it was Captain Liu Feng who led her out."

Once last night, and again this morning…

"Idiot!" Zheng Mingyuan slammed his hand on the table, his face ashen and veins bulging on his forehead.

This is tantamount to walking into a trap, sticking one's neck out to be slaughtered.

"What's the situation now?"

"The rumors outside are quite unpleasant, but thankfully Miss reacted quickly and cleverly..."

He quickly recounted the story of how the negotiations and fabrications took place in the inner quarters of the Jingzhao Prefecture.

After listening, Zheng Mingyuan slowly closed his eyes and exhaled a heavy breath.

He knew that this was the best outcome he could achieve at the moment.

But so what?

The stain is already imprinted and can never be washed away; Huiyin is completely ruined.

"How is the investigation going for this year's top scholar?"

Zheng Mingyuan's voice returned to calm, but contained a chilling coldness.

"We've made progress, selecting three scholars with respectable backgrounds, modest wealth, and a good chance of passing the imperial examinations. Among them..."

Zheng Mingyuan waved his hand to interrupt him: "Whose hometown is the farthest from Zhongchen Road?"

"He is a scholar surnamed Wang from Baihu West Road, near the western border of the Western Regions."

“He’s the one. If he passes the imperial examination this time, he can be selected to serve as a county magistrate or assistant county magistrate back in his hometown.”

If he fails the imperial examination, then we can simply marry him and send him away; there's no need to fabricate any stories of mutual affection or a tale of a talented scholar and a beautiful woman.

"Yes, this old servant understands." The old steward bowed his head in response, feeling a chill run down his spine.

"Prepare a generous gift for your household and make a grand display. Have Bingjun personally deliver it to the Jingzhao Prefecture and bring the person back in style."

After giving his orders, Zheng Mingyuan's gaze pierced the old butler like a knife.

"Gatekeeper, you know what to do."

As for Liu Feng and Chunying, keep them around for now, and also keep an eye on the young lady's courtyard.

If she escapes again, you will be held responsible.

"Yes! This old servant obeys and will never dare to make a mistake again!"

...

It was almost noon, in front of the Jingzhao Prefecture government office.

Deng Hongyi, the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, had already been informed and was waiting at the gate.

All the backlogged cases have been concluded, and we should have been able to breathe a sigh of relief and rest properly, but instead, we've been hit with a huge disaster.

What alarmed him even more was that just now, he learned that Miss Suimo from the Sixth Princess's residence had come to the Jingzhao Prefecture this morning to complete the transfer of property worth 100,000 taels of silver.

While 100,000 taels of silver is astonishing, the more crucial point is that this property originated from Zheng Huiyin's name.

Coincidence? You're kidding me!

This time, the Zheng family has probably had even the last shred of decency stripped away, suffering a complete defeat.

As my thoughts were churning, a deafening sound of gongs and drums grew louder as it approached.

Zheng Bingjun, the eldest son of the Duke of Zheng, was dressed in fine clothes, riding a tall horse, followed by a line of servants carrying heavy gift chests.

The banging and clanging stopped in front of the Jingzhao Prefecture gate with great fanfare, attracting the attention of the people who gathered around once again.

"Lord Deng!" Zheng Bingjun dismounted, a grateful smile spreading across his face, and strode forward.

"Lord Zheng!" Deng Hongyi dared not be presumptuous in the slightest and immediately strode down the stone steps to greet him.

The two clasped hands and shook them vigorously up and down, their faces beaming with genuine smiles, as if they were old friends.

Zheng Bingjun's voice was loud and clear:

"Lord Deng, I am deeply grateful and cannot express my thanks."

The family has been frantic these past few days, fearing that the kidnappers might harm the young woman.

"Being afraid of unintended consequences, I kept it a secret and dared not make a fuss, sir!"

"Not at all, Lord Zheng, you flatter me. This is simply my duty."

Fortunately, thanks to divine intervention, Miss Zheng was blessed with good fortune. Although she was frightened, she was thankfully unharmed; this was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.

He deliberately emphasized the words "God's protection" and "unharmed".

Upon hearing this, Zheng Bingjun's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

Heavens? Was this a reminder that this was "divine will" behind it all, that His Majesty had tacitly approved it?

The gratitude on his face carried a subtle, genuine heaviness, and he shook Deng Hongyi's hand forcefully again.

"I will forever remember Lord Deng's noble character!"

Deng Hongyi stopped there.

His reminder was made out of consideration for their shared official relationship.

If the Duke of Zheng's mansion can see the situation clearly and cut ties in time, it may not be without a chance to regain stability.

But if one harbors resentment, outwardly complies while inwardly defying, and still dreams of balancing things out...

Ha, our Empress is no soft-hearted person!

So what if he's the head of the nobility?

The women's imperial examination alone has already caused cracks to appear in the seemingly monolithic noble camp.

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!