The carriage moved slowly along the street in the early morning, and the sound of horse hooves echoed.

"I can't say whether it is a good thing or a bad thing." Ning Yunzhao said, "If you can retreat while you are ahead, it will be a good thing for the current Duke Cheng, but I am afraid that if you retreat step by step, you will be pushed to a dead end."

This was the first thing he said after we met.

There was no politeness or small talk, just straight to the point.

Miss Jun looked at him from the car window with the curtains raised.

"But if we don't retreat, there will be no way out," she said.

He couldn't just confront the emperor head-on. He was afraid the emperor was waiting for him to do so, which would give him even more reason to hold him accountable.

He knew what she was worried about, and she would not hide anything from him. Their conversation was so relaxed and casual, without much words.

Ning Yunzhao smiled.

"That's right," he said, leaning slightly closer, "Your Majesty has become more and more calm and resolute recently."

calm.

That's a great word.

Such a hypocritical emperor finally calmed down, because his throne became more and more stable, and all the dissident ministers were eliminated. He no longer had any scruples and no need to pretend to be kind and merciful.

Miss Jun smiled sarcastically.

"But I'm not worried about Duke Cheng." Ning Yunzhao continued, "Since he did such a thing, he must have considered both the good and the bad."

Miss Jun nodded.

Although Duke Cheng said nothing and it seemed that he really wanted to return to his countryside to retire and enjoy a leisurely life, he must have known that now was not the time for him to enjoy a leisurely life.

As for his plans, everyone has things they don't want to tell others, so it doesn't matter if he doesn't say it.

"What are the rules for an audience?" Ning Yunzhao suddenly asked.

"Listen more and talk less." Miss Jun said with a smile.

Ning Yunzhao also smiled, sat up straight, looked forward, and said nothing more all the way to the palace gate. He watched Miss Jun get off the car and follow the eunuch who came to greet her to the back palace, then he walked towards the court officials who were arriving one after another.

The appearance of a woman in front of the palace gate had already attracted everyone's attention, and Miss Jun was also known to everyone. Everyone also knew the relationship between Miss Jun and Ning Yunzhao.

"Lord Ning and Miss Jun seem to be the same as always." Huang Cheng said suddenly.

In the past, Ning Yunzhao and Miss Jun were going to be husband and wife.

Ning Yunzhao smiled.

"Of course." He said, "You should know that my engagement with Miss Jun is due to the great favor of the Jun family saving the Ning family's life. Even if the engagement is gone, the favor of saving my life will never be forgotten."

It's unforgettable anyway. Why is it unforgettable? It's just something he said casually.

Huang Cheng smiled and said, "In short, as long as you speak for Miss Jun, you are acting out of selfishness rather than fairness."

This time the emperor did not arrive late. He came to the Qinzheng Hall with the court officials. The emperor looked more energetic than before, with sparkling eyes, a complete departure from his usual calm and even somewhat timid appearance.

It seems that Duke Chengguo's resignation of his military power really relieved the emperor's worries.

Ning Yunzhao said in his heart, and just as he stood up, he saw Huang Cheng take a step forward.

"Your Majesty," he said, bowing, "I ask that Duke Cheng Zhu Shan be punished for his mistake in avoiding battle."

Well, it was indeed a step-by-step retreat followed by a step-by-step approach. Ning Yunzhao held the tablet in his pocket with a calm expression.

"Sir Huang, Duke Cheng has already resigned, so his past crimes should be forgiven," the emperor said gently. "Since he has defended the border for ten years, let's use his merits to offset his crimes."

Huang Cheng raised his head.

"Your Majesty is merciful, but it depends on what the fault is," he said. "Some faults can be forgiven, but some cannot."

The emperor said "oh".

"Like?" he asked.

"Treason." Huang Cheng said.

When these words were spoken, even Ning Yunzhao, who had expected this, was shocked.

Treason? That's a really harsh charge.

The emperor's eyes lit up.

"Master Huang," he shouted, "don't talk nonsense!"

Huang Cheng took a step forward.

"I dare not speak nonsense." He said in a steady voice, "Since Duke Cheng left the North, the officers and soldiers are no longer under pressure, and many people have reported his evil deeds."

"I know all this. There have always been many impeachments against Duke Cheng." The emperor waved his hand and said.

"No, Your Majesty, the impeachments in the past were against the officials of the Historic Bureau or the prefectures in the north," Huang Cheng said, "but this time, the people who were impeached were all officers and soldiers in the north."

He took a steady step forward.

"I did not speak up before because, firstly, I did not believe that Duke Cheng was so arrogant, and secondly, Your Majesty rewarded Duke Cheng for his great achievements, so I have been investigating secretly. I did not expect that the more I investigated, the more I found out. Duke Cheng's behavior became more and more arrogant, and he almost provoked trouble between the two countries. I dare not hide it anymore."

There was a buzz of discussion in the hall.

"I understand that Duke Cheng is arrogant, and I also understand that he is arrogant and takes credit for suppressing the officers and soldiers." The emperor sighed, "But this conspiracy..."

He shook his head.

"Duke Cheng is a military commander whom the late emperor relied on. He is highly respected and virtuous. I do not believe such a thing."

Huang Cheng was neither anxious nor impatient, and his expression was as steady as his voice.

"I know that I can't justify it with words," he said. "I have witnesses and physical evidence."

Witnesses and evidence?

The emperor sat up straight.

"Preach," he said.

The eunuchs received the order and summoned the officials. The officials looked back and saw two people walking in from outside the hall.

They were dressed in military robes and had sturdy build, but like all officials who entered the palace to meet the emperor for the first time, they lowered their heads tremblingly and knelt down to wish him a long live the emperor before they even got close.

"Look up," said the emperor.

The two generals raised their heads, the officials present were all surprised, and Ning Yunzhao's face also darkened.

"I think everyone knows them." Huang Cheng said, "These two are the two lieutenants that Duke Cheng relies on the most. Wang Chong, Zhang Gui, how many years have you followed Duke Cheng?"

The two generals leaned forward.

"I have followed Duke Cheng for twenty-three years." They answered in unison.

Huang Cheng didn't need to ask, the officials present all knew that knowing Duke Cheng, they naturally knew that Duke Cheng had two personal generals who had followed him since before he became famous. The Duke Cheng went to Beijing this time because he felt at ease leaving these two to guard the north.

The testimonies of other generals are not credible, but the words of these two are extraordinary.

This is unbelievable. Is there really a conspiracy? Otherwise, who could persuade these two people to sue the Duke?

Ning Yunzhao glanced at Huang Cheng and shook his head inwardly.

Now is not the time to ask that. It seems that this time he is not only trying to seize Duke Cheng’s military power, but also his life.

It's really a desperate situation.

This is too fast. I thought it would slow down a bit.

The thought flashed through my mind, and my heart couldn't help but skip a beat. Is Miss Jun in the palace... okay?

…

Miss Jun is now in Qiujing Palace.

She didn't know what was happening in the court, nor did she suffer any difficulties.

She stopped and looked around.

This place is not far from the Empress Dowager's palace. The reason she came here was because the Empress Dowager asked her to treat a concubine.

The concubine's illness was not serious, and she was not harassed. It was just that when the concubine's maid was sending her off, she suddenly said she had something to do halfway through the journey.

"Miss Jun, please leave the palace by yourself." She said this, then left her halfway and walked away.

It's not difficult to leave the palace by myself, but this matter is a bit strange.

Was this palace maid instructed by someone to deliberately make things difficult for her?

What's the intention?

She didn't know where to go in the palace and was walking around aimlessly, and then she was accused of colliding with some noble?

If this is the plan, they will be disappointed.

This is where she has lived since she was a child. Even without the palace maids and eunuchs to lead the way, she can walk out with her eyes closed.

Her mind was full of thoughts as she walked through the alleys and around the palaces. Soon the palace gate came into view in the distance. She just had to walk out of this alley.

She quickened her pace and approached the hanging flower gate. She lifted her foot skillfully, but did not step over it. Instead, she put it down lightly, stepped over a step, and then put her foot down again.

"Chu Jiuling."

A voice was heard at this moment.

Miss Jun responded subconsciously, and then her scalp went numb and she broke out in sweat.

She knew what the intention was!

There were heavy footsteps coming from behind, accompanied by a man's deep voice.

"You're back."