Just as Shang Changze had predicted.

Emperor Mingde did not believe it, but he also understood that Shang Changze was subtly and openly making his stance clear to his father.

That is why,

After Shang Changze left, Emperor Mingde sat on his high seat with a gloomy expression, remaining silent for a long time.

Okay, okay.

All his fears, speculations, and nightmares over the years have been right. Look, look!

He still holds great power, yet his good son dares to confront him openly and declare war on him!

Is it because she relied on Changge to win over Xiao Ji that she is so fearless and eager to sit on the dragon throne beneath him?

a long time,

The gloom in Emperor Mingde's eyes subsided, and he looked down at Shang Rui.

As always, he could see right through Shang Rui's thoughts and his expression softened.

He loved this son, not only because he was his and Yunrou's first child.

Furthermore, because his son is simple-minded and easy to understand, he doesn't need to worry about this child threatening his throne for at least the next twenty years.

Over the next twenty years, he was confident that he could educate the child and raise him into a qualified emperor.

Emperor Mingde: "Rui'er."

Shang Rui was startled. He quickly composed himself, concealing the anger and embarrassment on his face, before replying, "Your subject is here."

Emperor Mingde: "Is the eldest daughter of the Ge family still in your residence?"

Shang Rui nodded: "I am still at my residence."

Emperor Mingde smiled with satisfaction, his words filled with the kindness and gentleness of an elderly father.

There was none of the harshness he had shown towards Shang Changze earlier, nor any blame or reprimand.

"That's good. Her father and two uncles all died because of the matter of being granted amnesty. In the end, we are the ones who have wronged her."

"Keep her in the manor and take good care of her during this time. Under no circumstances should she act rashly out of greed for revenge and lose her life."

Shang Rui didn't quite understand the deeper meaning behind Emperor Mingde's words, but knowing that his father was more shrewd and cunning than himself, he obediently agreed.

"Your subject understands."

Emperor Mingde was extremely pleased with Shang Rui's obedience: "As for the murder of the group from Gejiazhuang..."

Emperor Mingde's face darkened, and the wrinkles around his eyes were filled with ruthless killing intent: "I will send people to investigate."

Hearing this, Shang Rui finally smiled: "Yes! Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your great favor on behalf of Yun Shu!"

Although he had some grievances against Emperor Mingde in this second life, Shang Rui still believed in him.

After all, in the previous life,

His ascension to the throne and becoming the supreme ruler was entirely due to his father's efforts.

Meanwhile, at the Princess's residence.

Today, the sky over the capital is a clear, deep blue, the sun shines brightly, and birds sing amidst the fragrant flowers.

Shang Changge had already changed out of his night clothes and was now sitting in the study dressed in fine clothes.

While seemingly practicing calligraphy, I was actually overcome with drowsiness and kept yawning.

To avoid arousing suspicion that the study doors and windows were still open, he would look around before each yawn.

suddenly,

A gust of cold wind blew in.

Shang Changge wasn't cold, but out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the two maids guarding the study door shiver in unison.

A brilliant idea struck her, and she looked at Qingyao as she began her performance: "Qingyao, go and close all the doors and windows for me."

"The weather is getting colder and colder. I am delicate and cannot withstand this cold wind."

Qingyao understood instantly and immediately got into character: "Yes, Princess."

He instructed two maids to close the doors and windows, and after giving these instructions, in order to complete the charade...

He also instructed one of the maids to close the doors and windows and then go to the small kitchen to give the order to add a warming and nourishing soup to the lunch.

After the doors and windows were closed, a maidservant hurried away and disappeared into the distance.

Shang Changge put down the brush, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and remained still.

Don't ask, I'm just sleepy.

She desperately wanted to go back to her bedchamber and sleep soundly, but she couldn't.

Because she went to bed very early last night, she has to get up early today.

I heard there's already a commotion outside.

Regardless of what happened at Gejiazhuang, and whether the old emperor believed the beauty's brother's story or not, he would send people to investigate.

She thought the old emperor wouldn't believe it, but whether he believed it or not didn't matter.

The important thing is not to let the old emperor find any evidence, otherwise there will be a lot of messy trouble.

...

……，……

Silence fell over the study for a long time.

Just as Shang Changge was getting drowsy and almost fell asleep completely, another flash of inspiration struck him.

She sat up abruptly and, under Qingyao's bewildered gaze, rushed to the bookshelf.

My fingers swept across the dazzling array of books, finally pulling out a storybook filled with tales of the strange and supernatural.

Open and quickly flip through the pages.

He quickly found the five sheets of paper tucked between the pages of the book, and looked at the five thin sheets of paper...

The atrocities committed by the Ge family were written in dense script, and Shang Changge's bright and beautiful face gradually became unrestrained and perverse with her smile.

These five pieces of paper were originally one, given to her by Xiao Ji. No one knows where General Xiao got such a valuable item.

At the time, she just glanced at it, muttered some curses, and then kept it in mind but didn't take it too seriously.

Things are different now.

Now she's going to use these five sheets of paper to create a negative reputation for Shang Rui...

That afternoon, almost every citizen in the capital city had a leaflet filled with accusations of the evil deeds of the Ge Family Village.

Who posted this? I don't know.

Just before lunchtime, a wandering swordsman wearing a bamboo hat appeared...

Stand casually in the busiest and most crowded restaurant in the capital, and casually toss something aside.

The flyers fell like snowflakes in the dead of winter, either landing on the ground or splattering on their faces.

The swordsman threw it away and left.

So fast, like a shadow, that they vanished in a flash.

They didn't even know who to curse at, let alone the soldiers who were late in patrolling the streets.

But it's okay.

Even if the swordsman didn't manage to insult them, there's still Ge Family Village, isn't there? Look at what's written on this paper.

Oh dear, this is truly a terrible sin! Is this something a human being could do?

"Hey Brother Liang! I told you long ago that the Ge Family Village is a bunch of scoundrels, but you didn't believe me then. Now do you believe me?"

"That's inhuman! Fighting and killing is normal in the martial arts world, but no one should be this ruthless. If there's a conflict, that's fine."

They wiped out an entire family without any grudge, just because they coveted their sect's secret manual and refused to give it to them, they resorted to such ruthlessness!

"Ruthless, absolutely ruthless!"

"Isn't that just being ruthless? Their sect is good at using poison, huh? Oh dear, they've been using poison for so long that even their hearts have become poisonous..."

"Wait a minute, why does the Emperor still want to offer amnesty to the Ge family village..."

"I heard it was the Third Prince who proposed it. I also heard that the Third Prince has a daughter who is the eldest daughter of the Ge family."

Previously, wasn't the Third Prince wandering the martial world? By chance, he participated in the martial arts contest at Ge Family Manor to find a husband, and the two became acquainted as a result…

"Good heavens! The Ge Family Village has done absolutely nothing right! And the Third Prince even proposed amnesty to the Emperor?! This Third Prince... sigh, sigh!!!"

After all, they were just ordinary people and dared not discuss the imperial family and nobility, but...

The people all had a few similar thoughts in their minds, namely:

Has the Third Prince lost his mind? What is the Third Prince up to?

The Third Prince is truly a prince who only knows how to have fun. Look at the statecraft advice he's offering to the Emperor!

His Highness the Crown Prince is the best! His Highness the Crown Prince is a treasure!

I can do anything well, and I'll do everything properly!

He is also very chaste and doesn't have a single close female friend by his side!

Dedicated to the country and its people, wow! That's impressive!