Maybe he thinks his father is too gentle and won't use his subjects as a target of punishment, but if that's the case, he is totally wrong.

"Lord Zhao is right. Let me consider it."

Xiao Ruyu had just finished drinking her milk and when she saw Prime Minister Lu, she immediately started eating melon.

After hearing what Zhao Longchen said, Xiao Ruyu suddenly realized something. Could it be that this governor-general was also Concubine Li's lover?

[Oh, isn't this Concubine Li's old lover? The treacherous minister who cheated on my father. My father trusted him so much, but he didn't know that he was secretly close to Concubine Li.]

Emperor Shangwen looked at Zhao Longchen's face with deep eyes, his gaze became cold and stern, he could not tolerate any sand in his eyes.

"Why does the governor want to interfere in the affairs of the harem?"

Zhao Longchen obviously didn't know Emperor Shangwen's temperament. He thought he had gained his trust and started to speak without thinking, which made him more annoyed.

"I am only speaking the truth, I have no other intention."

[Father doesn't know that the Zhao family and the Lu family are aristocratic families. Concubine Li and her were already engaged back then. Later, Concubine Li was sent to the palace by Prime Minister Lu.]

[Zhao Longchen was depressed for three years because of this incident. Later, Prime Minister Lu learned that his career was not bad, so he started to help him make connections and gained a lot of connections.]

Emperor Shangwen listened quietly to the little princess's thoughts and curled the corners of his mouth.

Prime Minister Lu knows how to win over the hearts of the people. If the Lu family is not eliminated, the capital will not be at peace.

"Your Majesty, Concubine Li is pregnant. Even if it makes the Queen unhappy, you shouldn't be so decisive. It will chill the heart of this old minister."

Everyone began to persuade her earnestly that if Concubine Li was always imprisoned, even after the child was born, she would not be as favored as before.

Prime Minister Lu put in so much effort, but in the end it was all in vain. How could he not be angry?

Therefore, if one wants to reverse this situation, one can only put some effort into Emperor Shangwen.

"You don't know the cause and effect, and you come here to advise me. Why do I need your permission for this choice in the world?"

These words were extremely serious, and could be said to be meant to be regarded as traitors, but since Emperor Wen was so unhappy, the ministers also worked diligently.

"I dare not."

"The child in Concubine Li's belly is not my child."

Emperor Shangwen, who was usually a refined scholar, spoke bluntly, which made people feel that he sounded a little vulgar.

Prime Minister Lu was secretly mocking in his heart. It was because of his secret arrangement that Emperor Shangwen was able to sit on the throne. Otherwise, how could Emperor Shangwen have achieved what he has today?

But, could it be that Emperor Shangwen has other intentions?

The Hanlin scholar was puzzled, "Your Majesty, Concubine Li has an excellent reputation, how could this happen?"

"You can just investigate for yourselves what happened to Concubine Li. Concubine Li actually faked her pregnancy and secretly used witchcraft to commit illegal acts in the palace. There is evidence for every single thing.

She even drugged me, so no matter what you say, it’s useless.”

At this point, there was no room for maneuver. Prime Minister Lu had planned everything, but he never expected that Concubine Li had hidden so many things.

"I am terrified."

Everyone knelt down trembling, as they did not want to offend Emperor Shangwen.

If one wants to gain a foothold in the imperial court, he must be promoted by Emperor Shangwen. Even if Prime Minister Lu is there, he cannot change anything.

The final decision still lies in the hands of Emperor Shangwen.

The fact that Concubine Li was convicted has been confirmed, and Emperor Shangwen used this incident to warn Zhong Wenmu not to have other ideas, otherwise he would never let him off easily.

The Prime Minister gradually felt uneasy. He came here today originally to speak for Concubine Li.

I didn't expect that I would lose both my wife and my army. I don't know what the emperor will think of me.

Thinking of this, Prime Minister Lu's face naturally looked very ugly.

He thought about it over and over again, and finally only thought of one person. Perhaps he could ask his mother, the old lady of the Lu family. She used to have a very close relationship with Empress Dowager Xiao and they were her best friend.

"Come here, pass on my decree. The governor is demoted to the position of Lin County Magistrate. Without my permission, you are not allowed to return to the capital."

Zhao Longchen seemed to have suffered a great blow. His face looked very ugly and he was extremely uneasy.

He originally wanted to use this matter to please Prime Minister Lu, but it seems that he accidentally offended Emperor Shangwen.

"I obey your orders."

Emperor Shangwen also punished other ministers one by one and gave them warnings. When it came to Prime Minister Lu, Emperor Shangwen was even more cautious.

"Your Excellency, you have made great contributions over the years. However, I ask you to be careful with your words and actions in the future. Otherwise, I will not be able to keep you."

Prime Minister Lu knelt down, feeling that Emperor Shangwen knew something, but with so many people coming and going, he couldn't be sure.

"Yes, I accept your order."

As everyone left, they almost dragged their feet and looked at each other in bewilderment.

Prime Minister Lu was inexplicably criticized and became even more dissatisfied with Emperor Shangwen.

Emperor Shangwen didn't bother to pay attention to Prime Minister Lu's thoughts and left the court with the little princess. He was full of anger at the moment and didn't want to pass it on to the little princess.

*

In less than half a day, the news of Concubine Li's fake pregnancy spread throughout the palace. No one could have imagined that Concubine Li was so ruthless that she even dared to deceive the current emperor.

It seems that this matter has been planned for a long time, and because of this, all the concubines in the harem were so frightened that they kept silent and refused to step out of the door.

The queen also comforted everyone and ordered people to send some things to everyone's palace.

Emperor Shangwen had not rested for two days and was feeling a little sleepy, so he handed Xiao Ruyu to Empress Duan and left.

The Empress Dowager's order soon reached Fengyi Palace. Xiao Ruyu stared with her round eyes in surprise. What did the Empress Dowager ask her mother to do now?

She was very confused and even a little puzzled.

"Your Highness, the Queen Mother has never tolerated you. Why don't we just refuse, so that the Queen Mother won't punish you secretly."

Queen Duan stroked the peony flowers on her temples and smiled gently and virtuously.

"The Queen Mother actually sent someone to pass on a message. If we don't go, it would be a loss of face for her. If so, she may hold a grudge against us. So why bother going all this way? It's better to go there."

She took the newly made cloak with her and left the palace with her maid. Xiao Ruijin would be taken care of by Imperial Physician Yang, so when the queen left, she also took Xiao Ruyu with her.

Shou'an Palace

The Queen Mother sat in the main hall, with an old lady beside her, who was about sixty years old. She was the old lady of the Lu family, and had the title of a first-rank lady.

"Old sister, it seems that our status is very different. I am shameless and want to see you. Please don't be offended."

Empress Dowager Xiao was usually the loneliest, so the appearance of the old lady made her feel relieved.

"You must have something that hurts my heart. Tell me what you have said. We are close friends, so I will naturally stand by you. Don't worry."