Wang He knelt on the ground, his head bowed, his face filled with endless regret and exhaustion.

“I confess. All the money I embezzled and accepted as bribes is in the government’s possession.”

His words revealed a deep sense of self-blame and despair. At this moment, he finally let go of all pretense and resistance.

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan threw all the evidence of Wang He's crimes and the imperial edict in front of Wang He. The documents scattered on the ground, as if silently accusing Wang He of his crimes.

"He embezzled public funds and broke the law, sleeping in a house piled high with gold and silver, while his own elderly mother suffered from a long-term illness without medical treatment. It's truly laughable."

Chen Zhennan's voice was filled with deep sarcasm and anger, and his eyes revealed extreme disappointment in Wang He.

Wang He took a deep breath, slowly raised his head, and said in a trembling voice, "I was afraid every day. I was in a golden house but couldn't sleep at night. I was in constant anxiety. Today I am finally free."

Wang He's voice was filled with relief; he was truly free, finally no longer having to live in constant fear.

Chen Zhennan snorted and shook his head, saying, "Everyone has their own difficulties that they can't help, but in the end, they're just excuses."

After a pause, Chen Zhennan's expression suddenly changed.

"Don't worry, I will help you support your mother. Shiyu, take him away and execute him!"

Following Chen Zhennan's instructions, Yan Shiyu stepped forward, grabbed Wang He's arm, and walked towards the door.

Looking at the remaining people, Chen Zhennan finally felt a little relieved and reached out to pat the envelopes on Long Shu's desk.

"I will keep these pieces of evidence. If any more officials are found to be corrupt or accept bribes, their crimes will be compounded. Now, disperse."

"We take our leave!"

After the officials had all left, Chen Zhennan got up and went to the Imperial Study to read through the memorials submitted by officials from various regions.

The memorials piled up on his desk, each one bearing the weight of local government affairs and the hardships of the people. Chen Zhennan was very focused, making annotations on the memorials from time to time.

Two days passed, and the officials of the Imperial Observatory set the date for the investiture of the empress, which was exactly one month later.

Officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites also made detailed plans and budgets, which amounted to exactly 100,000 taels of silver, no more and no less.

This amount is not much for the national treasury. Although Chen Zhennan wanted to save some money, he did not want his wedding with Song Yunyang to be too simple.

One is a new emperor who has accomplished an unprecedented feat, and the other is a female marshal of the Great Yan Dynasty. They cannot afford to lose face.

After setting the date, Chen Zhennan immediately sent people to various places to summon his former subordinates. His joyous occasion had to be celebrated in a grand and lively manner.

The atmosphere in the Imperial Study became relaxed and pleasant, and Chen Zhennan's face showed a long-lost smile.

Although Chen Zhennan's mood improved due to the upcoming wedding, he was still troubled by Song Yunyang's recent behavior.

Putting aside those unimportant memorials, Chen Zhennan decided to personally go to the inner palace to find out what was going on.

Although the two have not yet held a grand wedding, Song Yunyang is already the mistress of the harem.

Inside Yong'an Palace, Song Yunyang was intently playing with a submachine gun, her mind filled with curiosity and doubt.

She wanted to figure out how Chen Zhennan had created this thing, but after studying it for a long time, she still couldn't figure it out.

Outside the palace gate, when the palace maids saw Chen Zhennan arrive, they hurriedly bowed and greeted him. Chen Zhennan waved his hand, made a shushing gesture, and then quietly went inside.

Song Yunyang's attention was still focused on the submachine gun, and she didn't hear Chen Zhennan's light footsteps approaching.

"Yunyang, what are you doing?"

Chen Zhennan's voice suddenly rang out, startling Song Yunyang, who accidentally pressed the trigger with her finger.

The gunshot startled Chen Zhennan, who quickly grabbed the submachine gun and released the safety.

Chen Zhennan let out a long breath, his brows furrowing slightly, and complained, "How could Yan Shiyu give you bullets? It's too dangerous. If someone were shot with one, their life would be in danger."

Song Yunyang pursed her lips, a slightly embarrassed expression on her face, and explained softly, "I just wanted to study how Yan Shiyu taught me to use it, but I forgot to open the insurance."

Song Yunyang's voice carried a hint of apology, clearly indicating that she had realized her oversight.

Chen Zhennan said "Oh," and skillfully removed the magazine, then unloaded the bullets from the chamber and gently placed them on the table.

"Yunyang, the wedding date has been set for one month from now. I came to ask you what's been wrong with you these past few days? You seem a bit down."

Chen Zhennan's voice softened, and his eyes were filled with concern and love.

However, when Song Yunyang heard Chen Zhennan's question, her expression suddenly became somewhat melancholy.

"Your Majesty, I want to go home and visit my parents. They are still in Qingzhou, and I want to send them home."

Song Yunyang's voice carried a hint of expectation and pleading, clearly indicating that her longing for her family had been building up for a long time.

Without a second thought, Chen Zhennan smiled and nodded, "No problem, I'll go with you, but I have one condition."

Song Yunyang thought for a moment, then softly hummed in agreement, asking with a hint of curiosity and anticipation, "Okay, what are the conditions?"

Chen Zhennan coughed, his expression suddenly becoming very serious. He said solemnly, "Yun Yang, from now on, don't call me Your Majesty anymore. I don't want this kind of distance between myself and the people around me. This is my condition."

Song Yunyang was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected Chen Zhennan's conditions to be so simple, which was completely unexpected.

"After the investiture ceremony, everyone in the world will call me Empress. It's just a title, why bother with it?"

Song Yunyang's voice carried a hint of mockery and incomprehension, as if she were teasing Chen Zhennan's persistence.

Chen Zhennan scratched his hair, looking somewhat helpless, and pondered, "I still feel awkward. It's not just you; I feel like even Yan Shiyu is distant from me."

After a pause, Chen Zhennan continued, "If you agree to my request, I'll go with you to meet my father-in-law!"

Song Yunyang smiled slightly and nodded gently: "Okay, I agree, but we have to wait a day before we set off. There are still some things that need to be taken care of."

Chen Zhennan frowned slightly, a surge of curiosity rising in his heart: "What is it? Does it have anything to do with me?"

Song Yunyang pondered for a moment, a hint of hesitation in her eyes, before slowly saying, "It's also related to you. My people have discovered Jia Long's whereabouts in the capital. Before setting off, I need to resolve this concern first."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan frowned sharply, his eyes flashing with intense killing intent.

"Where is he? I'll have Shiyu kill him."

Previously at Cuiming Mountain, Gu Siyao let Jia Long go, leaving behind this potential threat. Chen Zhennan regrets it to death thinking about it now; he should have just killed him back then.

Song Yunyang slightly curled the corners of her mouth, as if she had returned to her former self, the one who once galloped across the battlefield.

“I didn’t get to meet him before, so I’m the one who came this time.”