On his way back to the capital, Zhao Yunchen was ambushed 150 li away from the capital.
Xu Ningyou, disguised as Prince Anle Xiao Yi, personally took action and obtained the tiger tally of Zhao Yunchen's private army.
After Xu Ningyou forced Zhao Yunchen to reveal how he mobilized his private army, she severed his tendons in the hands and feet.
Then, all the people around Zhao Yunchen were replaced by the prince's men, who were disguised as members of the Qinglian Society, and people from the Qianji Sect.
The disciples of the Qianji Sect escorted Zhao Yunchen back to the capital and then left.
Zhao Yunchen assumed that his private army had fallen into Xiao Yi's hands.
Upon returning to the capital, an imperial edict arrived, and Zhao Yunchen was imprisoned in the imperial prison.
Zhao Guangyun then realized that the private army plotted by the father and son had been exposed.
Only then did he remember to ask his daughter for help.
Little did he know that in Kunning Palace, Zhao Guangyun would be subjected to a severe scolding by Huangfu Chuying.
Huangfu Chuying threw the letters written by Zhao Yunchen at Zhao Guangyun's head.
"You and your son had a good plan, but what happened?"
“The private soldiers were taken away by King Anle, and their talents were used to benefit others.”
"We'll use it against us later!"
"You and your son are incredibly stupid."
"Defend the Northwest well, lead your troops to victory, and the Northwest Army will all belong to us."
"You made Chen'er the Great General Who Guards the Northwest Border, and you've only made your appetites grow bigger?"
"Why don't you take a piss and look in the mirror? Do you think your Zhao family has that kind of luck?"
"If we make Ding'er emperor, won't he, as his uncle, benefit from it all?"
"It was all agreed that as long as Ding'er became the Crown Prince, Chen'er would be transferred back to enjoy wealth and luxury, and would have whatever he wanted."
"You two insist on becoming emperors yourselves."
"Now that you've done such a disastrous thing to the country and its people, how can you expect Wan'er to save you?"
"Good luck to you yourselves! From the moment you harbored the idea of becoming emperors yourselves, you were no longer on the same boat."
"Public opinion is against sacrificing Wan'er and Ding'er to save Chen'er."
Zhao Guangyun slumped to the ground, instantly aging ten years.
When Zhao Yunchen's wife learned that her husband had returned to the capital and been imprisoned, she fainted.
The Zhao family is in complete chaos right now, and Zhao Guangyun wonders why the road from the palace gate to his home seems so long today.
I walked for ages but still couldn't get home.
However, after decades in officialdom, he was also a ruthless man.
He had abandoned his eldest son, but he still had his youngest son.
The other woman's belly is also cooperating; she's about to give birth.
Moreover, he has three grandsons. If his son dies, so be it; he must keep his position as prime minister.
Thinking of this, Zhao Guangyun changed his previous dejected state and cheered himself up to walk home.
Upon arriving home, he learned that his wife, Madam Feng, had fainted. He instructed the steward to fetch a physician from the Imperial Hospital to help with the treatment, and then went out.
When he arrived at his mistress's place, he instructed her to take good care of herself during her pregnancy, as he had some official business to attend to and might not be able to visit her for a while.
Zhao Guangyun left enough money and had his capable servant stay in the outer room to help with errands and take care of things.
Then he went to the prison to see Zhao Yunchen.
Zhao Guangyun revealed that his private army had been exposed, and Zhao Yunchen kept begging Zhao Guangyun to find a way to save him.
Zhao Guangyun shook his head repeatedly.
"Chen'er, you must agree to all of this, or your wife and children will be in danger."
"You probably don't know that your sister and your mother are both heartless people."
“I just went to the palace to beg them, but none of them had any intention of saving you.”
“Let’s pretend that you did this all by yourself, and that neither I nor the Feng family knew anything about it. Otherwise, our whole family will be buried with you.”
Zhao Guangyun's thinking is too simplistic.
On the morning of the second day, the Censorate, the Chancellor, the Minister of Rites, and the Minister of Personnel all submitted memorials demanding that the Emperor thoroughly investigate the Zhao family.
Furthermore, since this matter involves the Zhao family, the Empress cannot interfere.
Because Grand Tutor Li investigated Lu Dacheng's case very quickly and efficiently last time, several ministers petitioned that Grand Tutor Li should investigate Zhao Yunchen's case again.
Zhao Guangyun finally panicked.
If it were Li Ting investigating the case, then with Li Ting's methods, he would definitely be able to find out that his uncle Li Peng's death was related to him.
Do I still have a chance to survive?
No, we can't let Li Ting take over this case.
Emperor Hui did not appoint anyone to oversee the investigation in the Golden Palace.
This matter involves far too much.
Upon learning the news, Consort Chen, holding the golden edict bestowed by the late emperor, went to the Golden Palace.
"I have dared to bring the golden edict bestowed upon me by the late Emperor to this Golden Palace. It was given to me by the late Emperor before his passing."
"According to previous oral instructions, if Emperor Hui fails to act, I may use this golden edict to go to the Golden Palace and make decisions on behalf of Emperor Hui."
"Now the Zhao family is full of wolfish ambitions, privately raising troops and diverting supplies from the Northwest army for their own use, which is suspected of hoarding troops and plotting a rebellion."
"Emperor Hui and Empress Zhao Yunwan are deeply in love and unable to make a decision, so I will do it for him!"
"All my ministers, listen to my decree."
"By the grace of Heaven, a treacherous villain has appeared in the Kingdom of Nanchen, attempting to sow discord within its own walls. To prevent this from happening, I hereby order the former Protector General and current Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, Li Ting, to investigate this case and give the people of Nanchen an explanation."
After making her decision, Consort Chen presented the gold token with both hands and returned it to Emperor Hui.
Each gold token can only be used once, and the late emperor bestowed three upon her.
Outside Xiagu Pass, Yuchi Mingjun's special envoy arrived.
Li Ting had the special envoy welcomed into Xiagu Pass.
The envoy looked at the masked, imposing Flying Tiger Army general before him and felt a sense of fear, lest he lose his life if the general refused.
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