Chapter 236: Breaking off the Engagement

The arrest of Minister of Personnel Ren Yuanjie shocked the court and the public.

He cut off Madam Cui's head, forced Minister Cui to commit suicide out of fear of crime, and even designed a plan to make Captain Jian fall into the water and drown. His crimes are too numerous to list!

Prince Yong demanded that Ren Yuanjie be executed immediately to serve as a warning to others.

However, Crown Prince Xiao Bicheng sensed something different and his attitude immediately changed 180 degrees. He ordered Xiao Jinxuan to re-examine the case of selling official positions and titles.

Unfortunately, Ren Yuanjie died suddenly in prison the day after he was arrested.

The case of selling official positions and titles was strangled by him.

After Ren Yuanjie's death, the position of Minister of Personnel became vacant.

The Crown Prince and Prince Yong both wanted to nominate their own men, but neither was willing to give in, and the argument became heated in the court.

At this time, Xiao Jinxuan brought the court officials to ask Cui Wen and Jian Liang for rewards.

The Left Prime Minister Shen Li'an said, "Minister Cui is a clear-headed and upright person, and no one is more familiar with the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel than him. Moreover, he has made such a great contribution in this case. Why not let him take the position of Minister of Personnel!"

This proposal received widespread support.

The Crown Prince and Prince Yong thought it was better to let someone else take it than to let each other take it, so they both agreed to it.

Jian Liang was awarded the title of Golden Medal Constable, and was greatly honored. However, since he had no family left, all the rewards were received by Hong Xiu on his behalf.

Hongxiu was also freed from her status as a pariah and returned to being a good citizen.

After the court was dismissed, the left prime minister called Xiao Jinxuan, "Your Highness, please stay."

Xiao Jinxuan turned around and bowed, "Teacher, you called me, is there something wrong?"

"You seem a little different in the court today."

The left prime minister stroked his gray beard, his eyes were full of wrinkles and wrinkles, but he also had a gaze and experience that others did not have.

Xiao Jinxuan raised his eyebrows slightly, "Oh, how are they different?"

"It seems that he is more aggressive than before."

He walked down the stairs and said in a gentle voice, "Isn't this a good idea?"

The left prime minister laughed, "Haha, good, why not? If a precious sword is hidden for too long, it will also be covered with dust."

The current emperor was born in an obscure family and has a poor health. Although he has ascended the throne, there are always tigers watching him closely, which is why he is suspicious and jealous.

Since he is highly valued by the emperor, he must fulfill his duties well, conceal his shortcomings and keep his edge low, which is the way of a minister.

But that is the way of a minister, not the way of a king.

Seeing the dark clouds covering the sky, the left prime minister looked up at the sky and sighed, "This thunderstorm came so suddenly. It looks like the weather is going to change!"

…

Zhenyang Marquis Mansion.

Looking through the window at the heavy rain outside, Xie Zhuoning held his chin in his hand, lost in thought.

Song Yuqiu was standing aside, still talking about how she teased Princess Qingyi——

"Sister Zhuo Ning, you don't know, I opened the needle bag, took out the thickest gold needle, asked her if she felt uncomfortable anywhere, and I gave her eight or ten stitches and she was fine."

"She shook her head like a wave drum and wanted to do a somersault on the spot to prove to me how healthy she was!"

Thinking of that scene, she couldn't help laughing.

It was so funny that her stomach hurt. Xie Zhuoning didn't respond. She couldn't help but jump up and come over, "Sister Zhuoning, are you worried about something?"

"Yeah." Xie Zhuoning rubbed his brows. There was indeed something difficult to deal with.

That is, how to ask Murong Yan to cancel the engagement.

At first, in order to please Xiao Bicheng, she fabricated an engagement with Murong Yan.

Now that she wanted to be with Xiao Jinxuan, she ruthlessly broke off the engagement.

It seems that she is not a human being.

After hearing this, Song Yuqiu covered her lips and exclaimed, "Ah, Sister Zhuoning, you are definitely a scumbag who cheated on her husband!"

"Hmm? Scumbag?"

"It means a bad woman who plays with men's feelings. But my sister is so bad, I love her so much!"

Seeing Song Yuqiu smiling and preparing to come closer, Xie Zhuoning simply reached out and pushed her away.

"I'm not afraid of being called a bad woman. I just feel sorry for Mr. Murong."

She had already gotten over the criticism and curses from the public and didn't care at all.

What she cared about was Murong Xu, whom she regarded as a friend, a comrade-in-arms, and an ally.

She said she would get engaged and she said she would break off the engagement. So what did she think of Murong Yan? Was he someone who could be summoned and dismissed at will?

"What should I do?" Song Yuqiu frowned and supported his chin with both hands, feeling embarrassed.

At this moment, Fuling came into the room, "Miss, Mr. Murong wants to see you."

It's true that the more you fear something, the more it will come.

Xie Zhuoning took a deep breath and straightened the hem of his clothes.

Since we have to face it sooner or later, we might as well face it sooner.

She was not the type to drag her feet, so there was no need for such a personal matter to affect their important work.

When I went out to the living room, I saw that Murong Yan was not the only one sitting there.

Next to him, there stood a pretty little girl of about a few years old.

Xie Zhuoning took a quick look and almost didn't recognize her, "Isn't this He Er's daughter?"

After the He Er cake poisoning case, she promised He Er's wife that she would find a good home for the little girl, and then sent her to be raised by an old couple in the manor who had no children.

I haven't seen her for more than half a year. She has become whiter and her face has become rounder. She looks very different.

Murong Yan nodded, "Yes, it was her. The old couple died of an acute illness. When I heard the news, I took her back. I thought she had no place to stay, so I discussed it with my mother and put her in the Murong family tree. I will raise her as my daughter in the future."

"Raise her as your daughter!" Although Xie Zhuoning had good self-control, he was still extremely surprised when he heard this.

"Yes," Murong Yan smiled and reached out to touch the little girl's head. "The name has been chosen. It's Murong Yunyi. Tell others that she was born to the wife I married in my hometown."

"Get married?" Xie Zhuoning couldn't help but frown as he listened to him getting more and more outrageous. "Murong Yan, have you really thought it through?"

Doesn't he know how much of an impact these words will have on him if they get out?

Murong Yan smiled faintly, his eyes were gentle, "I have thought it through. I concealed the fact that I had a wife and a daughter, and I wanted to marry into the Marquis's mansion, so I tricked the young lady into getting engaged to me. Now that the young lady knows the truth, it is legitimate for her to cancel the engagement."

Xie Zhuoning was stunned.

It turns out that he did all this just to give himself a legitimate reason to break off the engagement, even if it meant sacrificing everything and bearing all kinds of insults!

But if he did so, he would become notorious. Even if he became the top scorer in the imperial examination in the future, which family would be willing to marry their daughter to him?

Why does he need to do this?

"No, I don't agree." Xie Zhuoning rejected his idea decisively.

Isn't it just a broken engagement? Why bother with a piece of broken engagement paper?

Murong Yan shook his head. "If the reason for breaking off the engagement is too confusing, the prince will definitely know that you are fooling him."

"If you know, then you know. Am I afraid of him?"

"But I have already spread all the news. I hope Miss, please don't let me down."

Xie Zhuoning raised his head suddenly and met Murong Yan's smiling eyes, feeling very uncomfortable.

Why is he so stupid?