Just as promised.
A year after Zhao Qingqi ascended the throne, he made public what his father had done.
The Empress—no, she was now the Empress Dowager—had to pay for her husband's debts. While issuing an edict of self-reproach, she also personally went to kneel and pay homage to the ancestors of the Ning family.
It was practically stomping Emperor Chengye's face on the ground.
Many scholars at the time felt that this was highly inappropriate. It was truly shameful for a monarch to be so desecrated after his death.
“Father was wrong, and we can’t let the Ning family suffer injustice just to save face for him.”
Zhao Qingqi said calmly, "The Ning family has made great contributions to our Dayin, and their achievements are remarkable. Such people should not be suppressed by unfounded accusations."
“If we treat talent like this, who will be willing to be loyal to Da Yin in the long run?”
“Your Majesty is right,” Ning Hong said first.
"I second that proposal," said Jiang Guojiu. With the two most powerful people in the court having spoken up, no one else dared to say anything more.
Jiang Guojiu was alright, but Ning Hongze's Imperial Guards were not to be trifled with.
Moreover, the Embroidered Uniform Guards are elusive and unpredictable. Just as that old farmer said last time, since the Embroidered Uniform Guards were established, the lives of ordinary people have indeed improved a lot.
If these people ever try to create pretexts to collect exorbitant taxes, they should also consider the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) who are hiding somewhere.
Aside from all of these, the person who was most devastated was Shang Yin.
She never imagined that after her brother's death, his wife and son would reveal all these things.
At that moment, she almost became a sinner for all time.
The new emperor ordered her to go and kowtow to the Ning family to confess her crimes.
Although she was unwilling, she couldn't be exempted since the Empress had already done so.
Although she did this under the orders of the late emperor, it is also true that she betrayed her husband.
In particular, the husband enjoys a very high reputation among the people.
In the first few days after the truth was revealed, Princess Shangyin was almost universally hated by the people.
"Zhishan, what do we do now?" Princess Shangyin secretly ran out and asked with red eyes.
"What can we do?" Liu Zhishan said impatiently. "Shang Yin, you shouldn't have come looking for me."
"But I miss you so much." Shang Yin grabbed Liu Zhishan's sleeve.
“You should know what kind of person you are now. If you truly loved me, you shouldn’t have come looking for me. Instead, you should have severed ties with me.”
Liu Zhishan slowly pulled Shang Yin's hand away.
The reason he hasn't broken up with Shang Yin is because of her princess status. Now that Shang Yin's princess status is practically meaningless, staying with her will only damage his reputation and bring him no benefit whatsoever.
"You—that's not what you said back then?" If he hadn't tried to seduce her time and time again, how could she, a princess, have ended up in this state?
“How can the words spoken between men in bed be taken seriously?” Liu Zhishan flicked his sleeve. “Let’s not see each other for now. Even if we do meet, we should pretend we don’t know each other.”
"Liu Zhishan, are you really this heartless?"
"Aren't you afraid I'll spread this around?"
Upon hearing Shang Yin's words, Liu Zhishan turned around and said, "Is this your love? Is your love so selfish?"
"You were the one who wronged me first? If it weren't for being with you, why would I have agreed to the late emperor's idea?"
"That's because you were foolish, who else can you blame?"
Liu Zhishan sneered, "Now, you still have the title of princess, but unfortunately, you have lost all your dignity. Our family is completely finished."
Liu Zhishan opened the door and left.
Su Liu Shang collapsed to the ground, his body weak and limp.
She felt that her mood at this moment was even more desperate than when she knelt in front of Ning Laoda's grave that day.
The day after she returned to the palace, Zhao Qingqi sent Shang Yin to the Cold Palace and imprisoned her.
Since she did something wrong, she must pay the price.
In her past life, she was sent to a foreign land for a political marriage and died young. In this life, the cold palace will be her final destination.
Sometimes, death is a relief.
Ning Hongze was unwilling to let her die so easily.
As for Liu Zhishan, if it weren't for his provocations, things wouldn't have come to this.
Ning Hong then had him thrown into a brothel, forced him to serve customers, and then brought his wife over to check on him.
In his past life, he slaughtered this girl's entire family. Now that he's shown her his true colors, it can be considered repayment for what he did in his past life.
Liu Zhishan only got to where he is today by relying on women and his wife's family. The girl's family was powerful, so she directly divorced him, taking the child with her.
The Yue family also intervened and stripped him of his official position.
Overnight, Liu Zhishan lost everything, and was even assaulted—not long after, he couldn't accept it and became somewhat insane. Eventually, he disappeared, ending up in some low-class brothel, where a new male prostitute seemed to be appearing, constantly claiming he had been with the princess—
Zhao Qingqi secretly glanced at Ning Hongze.
He now knows about the deal his mother made with Ning Hongze.
He spared no effort to promote him to power, all in an attempt to clear the Ning family's name.
Is he also a member of the Ning family?
Put it away; he also shares the surname Ning.
"Why does Your Majesty look at me like that?" Ning Hong asked, fiddling with the prayer beads in her hand, her expression growing increasingly indifferent.
"I'm wondering, are you a member of the Ning family?" If he weren't, why would he be so willing to risk everything to clear the Ning family's name and help them find their child?
"I am not a member of the Ning family, but merely a relative. I only received help from the Ning family in the past." The Ning family members are all proud and upright men. In his current state, how could he dare to let anyone know that he is a member of the Ning family?
The Ning family's crimes have been overturned.
Ning Hong, on the other hand, could openly and legitimately search for his younger brother, Ning Youqing.
Sure enough, a month later, news came that someone resembling Ning Youqing had been seen in a temple on the outskirts of the city.
Ning Hong hesitated for two days before finally going, her heart pounding.
He's changed so much now, I don't even know if his brother will recognize him.
He really didn't expect that.
He actually saw the time-traveling woman next to his younger brother.
What's Qiaoqiao doing here?
And judging from how familiar she and her brother seem, they appear to have a very good relationship.
Ning Youqing was already deeply in love with Qiaoqiao, her eyes filled with tender affection.
Qiao Qiao, on the other hand, seemed to only regard Ning Youqing as a good friend.
Seeing how familiar the two were, Ning Hong took a step back.
If his brother is living a simple and happy life now, why should he disturb his peace?
If he returns to the capital, to the Ning family mansion.
Those days are probably over.
The only thing to do is protect him and let him continue the Ning family line. Since that's the case, as long as he lives well, that's enough. As for the Ning family's business, I'll hand it over to him personally after he gets married.
As for the rest, let's just take it one step at a time.
With that thought in mind, Ning Hong quietly left.
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