Although Shangguan Wanning and Xiao Zhenting reached an agreement privately, Xiao Zhenting was a moody person and she had no idea what choice he would make at the critical moment.
What's more, Ling Ruiying is here now.
"Your Majesty, I dare not hide the fact that these two black pearls from the South China Sea..." Xiao Zhenting's lips curled up into an evil smile, and he glanced at Shangguan Wanning from the corner of his eye.
"Your Highness..." Ling Zhiru clutched Xiao Zhenting's clothes tightly and placed all her hopes on him.
"After Zhiru came in, she went to the storeroom and said she liked these two pearls, so I gave them to her to play with..."
When these words were spoken, there was a sigh.
Ling Zhiru's face was ashen. She kept slapping Xiao Zhenting's legs and crying, "My Lord, why are you trying to hurt me... I'm your wife..."
Xiao Zhenting did not push Ling Zhiru away, but just looked down at her, his face full of regret and helplessness.
"Zhiru, I also want to treat you well, but I never thought that you would do such a cruel thing out of jealousy. You...ah!"
Ling Zhiru felt her whole body go cold, she knelt on the ground and covered her face and cried.
The emperor's expression changed slightly and he looked at the queen meaningfully.
"So, there is no doubt about it. The real culprit who caused the Qin Wang's concubine to have a miscarriage was the Qin Wang's wife, and it had nothing to do with Madam Shangguan."
The emperor said, casting his gaze towards Ling Zhiru. "Do you know that you have committed a capital crime?"
Ling Zhiru trembled all over and became flustered.
She had never felt that death was so close to her.
Ling Zhiru adjusted her posture, knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.
"Your Majesty, please spare my life. I was just confused for a moment. Please have mercy on me..." Ling Zhiru once again placed her hope on her husband, "Your Majesty, please, please beg Your Majesty for me. I will never dare to do that again..."
Xiao Zhenting lowered his head, his expression full of regret.
"Zhiru, I want to help you, but... if you only harm my child, I can still forgive you. But... if you don't go, you will cause the entire Wang and Xiao families to shed blood. What should we do about these...?"
Ling Zhiru never imagined that the man who shared the same bed with her not only did not stand up to protect her when she was in the most difficult time, but also kicked her at the critical moment.
"What does the Queen think about this matter?" The Emperor looked at the Queen with a smile.
At this time, the queen's palms were full of sweat. She tried her best to endure it and maintain her dignity and majesty.
"Your Majesty, I am ashamed that my mother's family has produced a girl as cruel and ruthless as Zhiru. I dare not protect her in any way. Please handle it according to the law and punish her severely. If anyone in my mother's family pleads for mercy, they should be punished with the same crime."
"ah!"
Ling Zhiru was so frightened that she fell to the ground, trembling all over.
The queen's last words blocked her only chance of survival.
"Empress..." Ling Zhiru never expected that the Empress and Queen Mother, who loved her so much, would now just choose to protect themselves.
She was in despair and her mind went blank.
"Come here," the emperor shouted to the guards, "Take the Princess Qin away and lock her up in the Sky Prison to await her fate."
"Your Majesty, please spare my life... Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please save me..."
As Ling Zhiru's voice faded away, Shangguan Wanning's thoughts became more and more confused.
"Your Majesty is very perceptive. I thank you on behalf of my father."
Shangguan Wanning knelt down, and the emperor looked at her with a relieved smile.
"Shangguan Aiqing is so lucky to have a daughter like you who is so well-behaved, sensible, and smart. You are courageous and resourceful. If you were a man, you would surely serve the country. What a pity, what a pity."
"Your Majesty, even though I am a woman, as long as I care about the country, I can also contribute to the court."
The emperor was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Okay, okay, well said. Now that your mother's innocence has been proven, I will immediately issue an order to release all members of the Shangguan family. Shangguan Yue will be reinstated."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Everyone, please leave."
The emperor waved his hand and everyone withdrew. Shangguan Wanning let out a long sigh of relief.
"Princess," Xiao Jian walked over and bowed deeply to Shangguan Wanning, "Thank you very much for saving my life."
"Doctor Xiao, I should be the one thanking you..."
Xiao Jian waved his hands and shook his head tiredly.
After surviving the disaster, he was the only one left in the family and he didn't know what to do next.
Shangguan Wanning looked at Xiao Jian's shaky figure gradually walking away, and couldn't help feeling a little sad.
She walked forward alone and silently. When she reached the corner, a figure flashed by and pulled her into the flowers.
Shangguan Wanning looked up and met Xiao Zhenting's cunning eyes.
"How is it? Are you satisfied with this result?"
Shangguan Wanning collected her thoughts and calmly pushed away Xiao Zhenting's hands that were around her waist.
"Of course I am satisfied. I want to thank you, Your Majesty, for standing up at the critical moment."
"You're welcome. I promised you something, so of course I have to do it." Xiao Zhenting lifted Shangguan Wanning's chin, and his fingers gently stroked the delicate skin of her cheek, and his heartbeat accelerated.
"Ning'er, what about what you promised me?"
Shangguan Wanning suppressed her disgust and smiled sweetly.
"When my parents are released from prison safely, you can come to my house and ask for marriage openly. Since I have promised to marry you, I will not regret it. It's just that..."
The turn of two words made Xiao Zhenting frown slightly.
He really didn't like hearing that.
"Just what?" Xiao Zhenting's tone turned cold.
Shangguan Wanning noticed his dissatisfaction and took the initiative, gently poking Xiao Zhenting's chest with her fingers.
"It's just that your Qin Wangfei is only in prison now. She hasn't been sentenced to death, or the engagement with you has been cancelled. So, how are you going to marry me? I've already said that I will only be your legal wife, never your concubine."
Xiao Zhenting came close to Shangguan Wanning and whispered, "Don't worry about this. I can do what I say."
"Okay, then I'll wait for the prince to come and propose marriage."
After Shangguan Wanning finished speaking, she pushed Xiao Zhenting away and walked out of the flowers.
A person was standing there, motionless, without knowing when.
Shangguan Wanning felt her whole body stiffen, as if struck by lightning. She stood there blankly, her heart aching.
Xiao Zhenting, who followed Shangguan Wanning out, saw Mu Jingrui staring at Shangguan Wanning with sharp eyes, and he slightly opened his mouth with a smile on his face.
"Thank you, Master Mu, for protecting Ning'er today at the martial arts training ground. I will send someone to deliver the reward."
Xiao Zhenting stretched out his hand and put his arm around Shangguan Wanning's shoulders, saying softly, "Ning'er, let's go. I'll go with you to the prison to pick up your parents."
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