"Master, that thing has fallen into Liu Yifu's hands."
Yan Xingzhou's expression darkened, and he said angrily, "What am I doing raising a bunch of useless trash? You can't even handle a scholar who can't even kill a chicken!"
"Liu Yifu? This man is just like that old codger Chen, he won't budge an inch!" He paced back and forth in the room, his eyes darkening. "I think it would be better to..."
"Your Highness, you mustn't!" Someone nearby frowned, their tone disapproving.
Yan Xingzhou turned around, pursing his lips in displeasure: "What brilliant idea do you have?"
The man sat in the shadows, his gaze unfathomable: "Your Highness's use of Pingting against Chi Yan is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, damaging the very foundation of the problem. Ordering the arson at Chunfeng Tower was an impulsive act. Now that things are escalating, His Majesty will surely investigate thoroughly!"
"Are you accusing His Highness?" another aide said sarcastically.
Yan Xingzhou was also somewhat displeased, but he held back and didn't lash out.
The man raised his head, his expression calm and composed: "I am considering Your Highness's grand plan. But Mr. Chu, you have repeatedly instigated Your Highness to act impulsively and expose yourself prematurely. I wonder what your true intentions are?"
The advisor, addressed as Mr. Chu, blushed and exclaimed, "You!"
"Alright! What time is it and you're still arguing?" Yan Xingzhou's forehead twitched as he looked at the man. "Continue!"
The man slowly said, "If Your Highness were to attack Liu Yifu now, the death of a court official would be vastly different from the death of a courtesan. His Majesty would be furious and order the three judicial departments to investigate thoroughly! It's hard to guarantee that Your Highness wouldn't be implicated along the way..."
Yan Xingzhou narrowed her eyes, then changed the subject: "But tomorrow at the morning court, Liu Yifu will definitely bring this matter to the Emperor's attention. Am I really helpless?"
He had put so much effort into cultivating Pingting as a pawn, and before the results were even ready, she died. Even the intelligence she had gathered fell into the hands of others. How could he be willing to accept this?
The man chuckled lightly: "Who says Your Highness is helpless? We can use this opportunity to shift the blame to another party."
Yan Xingzhou suddenly opened his eyes: "You mean?"
The other person lowered his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Your Highness, have you forgotten that the Crown Prince is still at the border? According to the reports of victory, he will be returning to the capital in less than a month. His Majesty has long been troubled by the power of the imperial relatives. Why don't we take this opportunity to sow discord among them?"
Yan Xingzhou's eyes shifted unpredictably before he slowly smiled: "You really have a way with me; I almost lost my composure!"
"Your Highness flatters me."
——
The next morning, inside Fu Rong Hospital.
Chi Yan knelt on the ground, and the people around him stood ready, as if a court hearing was about to begin.
Hoping to get out of trouble as soon as possible after the scolding, he admitted his mistake with a good attitude and put on a meek and obedient look: "This is all because I was playing and caused such a big commotion. Please punish me, Grandmother."
After he finished speaking, he kowtowed decisively.
After a long silence, a cold laugh came from above. The old lady was still furious: "You're quite self-aware. You admitted your mistake without me even having to remind you. Do you know how utterly disgraced our family this time? You've completely ruined our reputation!"
Madam Chi pursed her lips and said with a forced smile, "Mother, Ayan was also set up this time. The fault was not his. Now that the Jingzhao Prefecture has investigated and found that he has nothing to do with this matter, isn't that why they released him?"
Lady Hou covered her lips with her handkerchief: "Even so, those outside who don't know the truth will inevitably speculate about the Chi family!"
Madam Chi's face stiffened, and she said in a light tone, "Sister-in-law, not to be rude, but Yan-ge'er's reputation isn't very good. If this had happened to someone else, no one would have immediately accused them of it!"
Madam Chi's face turned slightly pale, but she stood firm for once and said sarcastically, "From what you're saying, elder sister-in-law, my son has a bad reputation, so he deserves to be framed? He suffered an undeserved disaster, and it's his fault?"
Shen Tangning glanced at her with slight surprise. To make her usually cautious mother-in-law so angry, it seemed she was really furious.
Lady Hou raised an eyebrow slightly, while the old lady spoke up: "If he had followed the rules before, this wouldn't have happened! I'm also puzzled, with so many people around, why would anyone want to frame him?"
She glanced at Chi Yan, who was bowing his head and remaining silent, a look of disgust flashing in her eyes. "Is it possible that his arrogant behavior offended someone, and they are deliberately retaliating against him?"
Madam Chi felt a chill in her heart.
This is what family is supposed to be. Her son suffered an undeserved misfortune, but instead of receiving care and concern from his family, he was met with ridicule and accusations.
If it were Chi Jingyu who suffered today, she would not believe that the old lady could say such cold and harsh words!
She clutched her chest and gritted her teeth: "Madam..."
“Grandmother is right!” Chi Yan suddenly spoke up. He lowered his head, and no one could see his expression. Only from Shen Tangning’s angle could they see the slightly upturned corners of his lips.
It sounded like self-mockery, like resignation.
"This whole affair started because of Chi Yan. He has ruined the reputation of the Chi family and caused my entire family to be implicated and criticized. Chi Yan is willing to accept the punishment!"
The old lady sneered, "Fine, you said it yourself!"
"Ayan!" Madam Chi Er stared in astonishment, her voice filled with urgency.
"Mother, don't worry, your son is willing to accept the punishment." Chi Yan winked at her, not daring to look at Shen Tangning's expression beside him, and quickly looked away.
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