On that day, everyone heard painful wails coming from Zhang Ning's mansion.

Later, Zhang Chu was unable to get out of bed for several days.

So now everyone knows, this is not only Zhao Hao's sister-in-law, but also his designated new concubine...

Wow, wasn't Zhang Ning in there that day too? Zhao Hao's playing tricks... Rumors like these started circulating.

Only the three of them, and a certain peerless swordsman who was eavesdropping on them from the rooftop, knew.

Zhao Hao was merely disciplining Zhang Ning on Zhang Chu's behalf because Zhang Chu was being difficult...

"Attend court!"

Another day passed, and now that Zhao Hao had returned to Jinyang, he naturally had to attend the morning court session.

However, the atmosphere at this morning court session was rather strange.

"Wu Song, when you are summoned to the palace, do not speak carelessly."

You must do everything according to my instructions, understand?

However, outside the temporary palace where Liu Bian was staying, behind Zhao Hao stood Wu Song, whose eyes were bloodshot, and four scholars with indignant expressions and clenched fists.

"Don't worry, young master, we understand!"

Zhao Hao nodded and stepped into the main hall, sword in hand.

Unlike in the past, this time at the morning court session, both Princess Wannian and the heir of the Duke of Qin's mansion listened to the proceedings from behind a curtain.

Zhao Sheng is already three years old. He is cute and has a clever yet quiet personality. Now that he can speak, he is beginning to realize his extraordinary identity and is always paying attention to everything that attracts him from the outside world.

“Mistress, I have been ordered by the Duke to come from Chengdu to protect you and the young mistress.”

Liu Tong simply nodded and didn't say anything more.

Li Xiuning, the first deputy of the women's army and Liu Tong's true confidante, frowned and her palms began to sweat.

"Gentlemen, if you have something to say, please speak; otherwise, the court may adjourn."

Liu Bian seemed to be half asleep, his voice sounding somewhat languid.

But He Ling, sitting behind him, sensed through the curtain that something was wrong with the atmosphere in the court.

"Your subject, Wang Yun, reports..."

"Your Majesty, I, Zhao Hao, hereby accuse Colonel Zhong Ji of the Changshui Army and Lieutenant General Wang Zifu of disregarding the law and allowing their relatives and servants to commit atrocities while I am away on campaign for the country!"

Wang Yun was taken aback, seeing the murderous intent in Zhao Hao's eyes, while Wu Fu and his royalist group were also locked in a fierce confrontation.

Seeing this, he didn't bother to report on the recovery of the people's livelihood in Sili and quickly stepped aside.

"Prime Minister, what crime have they committed?"

Liu Bian was stunned. Looking at Zhao Hao's aggressive manner, it seemed that he was not speaking without reason.

But these people didn't tell him what they were going to do. Didn't they all agree that since they couldn't seize power, they would continue to build up their strength while Zhao Hao was away?

What, you've already started?

"Hehe, Wu Fu, the Grand Counselor, you are on very good terms with these two, why don't you tell us?"

Wu Fu frowned, pondered for a moment, and then bowed and offered his advice.

"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister has accused two people, both of whom are important officials. I believe it would be better to summon them in for a confrontation to find out the root of the problem."

That's right, although they were of high status, they did not have the right to participate in court discussions.

At the same time, Wu Fu knew what Wang Zifu had done, but did he really not know that the Zhong family had a conflict with Zhao Hao?

Rather than being passive and letting Zhao Hao target your people, you should first clear yourself of any wrongdoing, and then examine the root of the problem between the two sides.

Then we can address the problem accordingly, either minimizing our own losses or taking the opportunity to expand our faction's power!

As for why the royalist faction is now led by Wu Fu, it's because Huangfu Song's generation are all cunning old foxes. Neither Zhao Hao nor they would get bogged down in the mud.

"Doctor Wu's suggestion is excellent, Prime Minister, what do you think..."

"Then let those two old dogs get in here!"

Zhao Hao's attitude naturally aroused the disgust of the royalist civil and military officials.

These two powerful figures are old dogs, so what are they...?

"Summon Prince Zhongji, and bring him into the palace in his princely robes!"

Helpless, Liu Bian had no choice but to order a eunuch to summon the two men.

Before long, Zhong Ji and Prince Fu arrived at the council hall.

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!"

"My two ministers, please rise quickly. Is there any misunderstanding between you and the Prime Minister? Please take this opportunity to clear things up today."

Zhong Ji was taken aback upon hearing this, while Wang Zifu immediately kowtowed and begged for forgiveness.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty. That day, I went to a newly opened bookstore in the city to buy novels and picture books to pass the time."

However, after seeing a book called "Romance of the Late Han Dynasty", I could not bear the descriptions of Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager in the book, so I angrily smashed and burned down the bookstore and the workshop responsible for printing the new paper books.

Fortunately, thankfully, no one was killed. I later learned that it was a bookshop under the Duke of Qin's household, and I deeply regretted my actions. The Duke must have consulted His Majesty and the Empress Dowager before he could publish such books; therefore, I have ordered the bookshop and workshop to be rebuilt. I beg the Prime Minister and His Majesty to forgive my overstepping of authority!

Is the prince adopting a humble attitude? Not at all.

He was just saying indirectly that Zhao Hao had ulterior motives, daring to kill off both the emperor and the empress dowager in the book.

As for me, I only did something 'against the rules' because I was filled with grief and indignation at the humiliation of my sovereign, but it was not an evil act 'unlawful and unreasonable'.

His words made him appear completely blameless, even portraying him as a loyal minister.

"Varied..."

"My son, the Prime Minister told me and you about this before he went to war, but you must have been too busy with official duties and forgot."

"I... what Mother says is true. Since that's the case, Prime Minister, you should be understanding of General Wang and order him to compensate you with some money and rebuild the bookstore and workshop as atonement."

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