This news shocked everyone in the hall.

Previously, everyone thought that the Grand Princess had given up her beloved to marry a foreign ruler for the sake of the country and its people.

What a loyal, patriotic, and selfless heroine she is!

If what Yin Jiuniang said is true, then the Grand Princess's marriage alliance back then wasn't as grand as the outside world portrayed.

The Grand Princess had been praised her whole life and felt that she had made great contributions to Dayuan. When Yin Jiuniang exposed her, she was so angry that her face trembled.

"Your Majesty, are you just going to let a mere commoner humiliate this old woman like this?"

She wanted the emperor to deal with Yin Jiuniang.

“I am old and not afraid of gossip, but what does her nonsense say about the royal family?”

She is the oldest and most senior princess in the royal family. How can the royal family look good if she is bullied by a mere commoner?

The Grand Princess increasingly felt that the current Emperor was incompetent.

Yin Jiuniang was not afraid of her. "I am not talking nonsense. Han Changgeng's remains are still lying in the mahogany box under your bed."

If this old princess doesn't continue to make things difficult for her Zhen'er, she won't expose her past.

The Grand Princess's eyelids twitched. "Who are you?"

She has royal guards by her side, and her defenses are top-notch, whether in her residence or on the imperial estate. How could this person know her secret?

Yin Jiuniang laughed, "As you said, the common people of the Jianghu have nothing better to do than listen to gossip in the Jianghu, and it just so happens that there is a legend about you in the Jianghu."

There are many talented and extraordinary people in the martial arts world. They always have their own ways of finding out secrets that others don't know. In addition, Yin Jiu Niang spoke with such certainty that everyone believed her.

The way he looked at the old princess was inquisitive and scrutinizing. How perverse it must be to keep the remains of the dead by one's side.

His once glorious image suddenly became utterly despicable.

Imperial Censor Wang was even thinking that he should go back and ask his wife what was going on with her keeping a dead person's skeleton by her side. He had recently become very interested in studying human psychology.

How could the old princess not notice the gaze fixed upon her? She coughed repeatedly in anger, gritting her teeth, "Your Majesty... this council hall has now become a place for unruly people to speak recklessly. I'm afraid our royal ancestors will not rest in peace."

The Emperor knew all too well how much glory the Grand Princess had received from the royal family because of her marriage to a foreign ruler years ago.

He knew the Grand Princess well, and seeing her like this, he knew that what Yin Jiu Niang said was true.

He was shocked, but with Emperor Renzhao's dying words in mind, he looked at Yin Jiuniang and said, "Let's leave it at that."

Yin Jiuniang knew when to stop.

The emperor then changed the subject, "You made a great contribution in the Battle of Dongwu. Have you decided what reward you would like?"

The Grand Princess was very dissatisfied. The Emperor did not punish Yin Jiu Niang, but instead wanted to reward her. However, she also sensed that something was wrong.

This person is no ordinary martial arts practitioner; she is actually involved in the battle of Dongwu. Who is she, and what merit did she achieve?

Yin Jiuniang cupped her hands and said, "Your Majesty, Jiuniang has no great ambitions. In this life, she only cares about her disciple Ye Zhen and hopes that she will live a peaceful life."

Undeterred by the dangers, she personally tested the smallpox inoculation technique. Ninth Sister, wishing to use her own merits as a blessing, requests His Majesty to bestow upon her the title of Princess and grant her the fief of Southern Jiangsu.

Southern Jiangsu is where Ye Zhen grew up.

Ye Zhen was moved. "Master, you mustn't do that."

Having infiltrated enemy territory for many years, Ye Zhen could roughly imagine the dangers involved, even though he had never experienced them himself.

How could she accept all the merits she had gained?

Yin Jiuniang glared at her, "It's been a few years, and you've grown too big for your britches, daring to disobey your master."

She looked at the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I am your teacher, and my word is law."

The emperor smiled when he saw that their master and mistress had a good relationship.

"Although the smallpox inoculation technique has been successfully implemented in the Marquis's residence, it has not yet been promoted nationwide. How about this, if it is successfully implemented nationwide, I will grant your wish."

Sunan is just a small county town. The princess from another family is only in name and has no real power. She can't have any impact on the court. Given Shui Wuhen's achievements, her request is not excessive.

However, Dongwu was only defeated in battle, not destroyed. If we were to lavishly reward Shui Wuhen, the spy, it might just bring trouble upon her.

The emperor cherished talent and did not want Yin Jiuniang to suffer any loss, so he thought that rewarding her with Ye Zhen was a good idea.

However, Shui Wuhen's achievements should not be publicized too much, and Shang Yezhen also needs a title.

Knowing the emperor's concerns, Yin Jiuniang smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise, and I thank Your Majesty."

The emperor then bestowed upon her another house so that she would have a place to stay in the capital.

Yin Jiuniang did not refuse.

With the matter settled, the emperor then proceeded to arrange the smallpox relief efforts in Wenzhou, and everyone took their leave.

The emperor was exhausted after resolving several lawsuits and was worried that the old princess would cause trouble again, so he ordered Chen Banjun to personally escort her out of the palace.

Xie Tingzhou stayed behind to discuss the smallpox issue.

On the way, the old princess inquired of Chen Banjun, "Who is Yin Jiuniang? Why did His Majesty bestow her upon him?"

She used to inquire about royal and court affairs, and Chen Banjun would usually tell her whatever he could.

But recent events have shown that the emperor is clearly distancing himself from the Grand Princess, and Chen Banjun, who is like a tapeworm in the emperor's stomach, naturally acts according to his master's attitude.

She smiled and said, "Your Highness, please forgive me, this servant truly did not know."

The old princess felt increasingly resentful at the difference in her treatment, and at the same time, she made up her mind to thoroughly investigate Yin Jiu Niang.

Anyone who dares to ruin her lifelong reputation will not be spared.

Yin Jiuniang sneezed twice and muttered to Ye Zhen, "It must be that old princess scolding me."

Ye Zhen held her hand, suppressing his emotions.

For Master Yu, it had only been a few years since they last met, but for Ye Zhen, it felt like two lifetimes had passed.

As soon as she got into the carriage, she hugged Yin Jiu Niang, tears streaming down her face like broken beads.

“Master, you are still alive. Why didn’t you tell me? I have been looking for you for so long.”

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