This also explains why he helped Ye Zhen, who had saved Xie Tingzhou's life twice.

Ye Zhen opened her eyes slightly wider as she looked at him, as if asking, "Are you still going to lie to your father?"

Xie Tingzhou smiled, looking back at her, "Don't be afraid, it's a white lie."

Otherwise, Marquis Zhongyong will surely question Ye Zhen about every little thing later. The clearer you understand something, the easier it is to create misunderstandings when you delve into it.

Since Ye Zhen cares about this father-in-law, there's no need to let Marquis Zhongyong know too much about her methods.

Moreover, if they confessed the truth, it would be impossible to hide the fact that they had been in contact before, which would undoubtedly add fuel to the fire.

He also didn't want Marquis Zhongyong to discover his feelings for Ye Zhen too early.

"My sister-in-law hasn't answered my question yet. Is it inconvenient for her to answer?"

He then steered the conversation back to the topic.

Ye Zhen understood Xie Tingzhou's meaning. Seeing that Zhongyong Hou was also looking over, he explained, "My aunt invited my master. She is a person from the martial arts world, and her name is Yin Jiuniang."

After agreeing to let my aunt take me as her disciple, my master went into seclusion in a nunnery. When my aunt was in danger during the war, she went to help her, and her whereabouts remain unknown to this day.

Marquis Zhongyong thought carefully, but he did not remember this person. However, Ye Jinghong did have many friends in the martial arts world.

It seems that Ye Jinghong does care about Ye Zhen and is willing to plan for her future.

Thinking of his own guess, he simply asked directly, "You severed ties with your family today because you doubt your own origins?"

Marquis Zhongyong is not stupid; give him a clue and he can figure out many things.

Ye Zhen couldn't talk about his rebirth, so he just nodded and said, "I've had my suspicions, but I have no evidence."

"Then do not act rashly."

He hung his riding whip on the wall, sat down, and said in a deep voice, "His Majesty's marriage to Ye Wantang is not because he values ​​Ye Wantang, but because she is Ye Jinghong's daughter."

His Majesty probably never expected that Ye Jinghong's daughter would be switched, or that she would grow up to look like Ye Wantang.

"Now that Jinghong is dead, even if His Majesty suspects Ye Wantang's identity, he will not easily take action against her without a culprit."

Otherwise, if they are exploited by those with ulterior motives, they might be accused of mistreating the orphans of meritorious officials.

Jinghong enjoys high prestige among the people; without concrete evidence, His Majesty will only protect Ye Wantang.

To maintain the image of a wise ruler and stabilize public sentiment.

If Ye Zhen were to openly oppose Ye Wantang again, he might attract the attention of the royal family, which would be detrimental to Ye Zhen.

There's one more thing he didn't mention: given the current relationship between the Emperor and the Crown Prince, the Emperor might not want the Crown Prince to have a virtuous wife.

"Thank you for your guidance, Father."

Marquis Zhongyong snorted, "Since you still call me father, don't scheme against me anymore."

He also cares about his reputation.

Seeing that he seemed to have more questions, Xie Tingzhou spoke up, "It's getting late, and Father still needs to go to the palace to discuss matters concerning the General's Mansion."

Otherwise, if Ye Wantang, or someone else, gets there first, it will only cause more trouble.

He looked at Ye Zhen and said, "You should go back first. We can talk about it when Father has time."

Marquis Zhongyong immediately thought of Fu Jiang and the Grand Princess, and nodded, signaling Ye Zhen to leave first.

After Ye Zhen left, Xie Tingzhou said unhurriedly, "Do you know what would have happened to her if she hadn't been able to save herself?"