The emperor's expression was complex and difficult to read, but Liu Zhi, being intelligent, was able to sense some of his feelings.
Is Your Majesty dissatisfied with Shen Du, or... because of the Song family?
Needless to say, Liu Zhi already knew the answer.
In front of the entire court of civil and military officials, Liu Zhi knelt down.
"Your subject begs for forgiveness."
The old emperor smiled as he looked at the kneeling man below, "What crime have you committed, my dear minister?"
Liu Zhi's face turned pale, and her eyes, which were lowered, were unreadable.
...
After the court session, the punishments for Liu Zhi and Shen Du were handed down one by one.
— — — — — — — — — — —
The news caused quite a stir both inside and outside the palace.
"Hey, have you heard? His Majesty has punished Vice Minister Liu and General Shen Du with three months' worth of stipends and confinement."
A young palace maid's voice came from inside the artificial hill.
Outside the artificial hill, Ziyan, who happened to be passing by, overheard that sensitive surname and stopped. She cautiously approached the artificial hill to eavesdrop.
"Minister Liu? Who is that?"
"Oh dear? You forgot about the youngest and most handsome Vice Minister Liu Zhi that you saw in the Hall of Supreme Harmony! Last time you said that his appearance was truly gentle and refined, a natural gentleman."
"Ah, please stop talking. How embarrassing! How could His Majesty punish that official?"
"Alas, I heard that the lord mistreated his wife. Because Lady Liu fell ill, His Majesty blamed Lady Liu for the illness."
"Ha, Lord Liu is being wronged! If you ask me, it must be that lady's fault..."
The two palace maids in the artificial hill were still excitedly talking about Minister Liu, but Ziyan, who was standing next to the artificial hill, had a livid face and was wringing her handkerchief tightly.
Others might not know, but as Consort De's head maid, did she not know that this capable Vice Minister Liu Zhi was their empress's biological son?
Vice Minister Liu got into trouble, all because of his unruly wife.
"No, she must tell Her Majesty!" Ziyan's eyes flashed with jealousy and anxiety as she hurriedly ran towards Consort De's Yunxiu Palace.
Yunxiu Palace.
"What! You said Zhi'er was punished by His Majesty because of the Song family!"
"Bang!!!"
A perfectly arranged decorative vase was slammed to the ground by a woman dressed in palace attire with a gentle face.
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