After reading my mind, Daddy, why don't you smile?

Queen Xiaomin took Zhao Ying away. On the way, Queen Xiaomin asked Zhao Ying if there was any noble lady in the capital who could become the Princess of Ding.

Empress Xiaomin had been away from the capital for many years and was no longer familiar with the officials' wives in the capital.

Zhao Ying also felt that the matter of establishing a concubine was urgent. How could such a large palace be without a mistress?

Moreover, after this incident, the emperor must have put this matter on the agenda. He had originally intended to let Zhao Xi inherit the throne. How could that be possible without an heir?

But when asked suddenly, Zhao Ying had no idea for a moment.

Queen Hyomin had a list of unmarried noble ladies brought and had their portraits drawn, and the mother and daughter began to carefully select one.

In the previous dynasty, after Empress Xiaomin and Zhao Ying left, Emperor Jianxi asked the cabinet ministers to come in, saying that he was asking for advice, but in fact it was just to shut them up.

As long as the mouths of these ministers are shut, the matter can be reduced to a small matter, and over time, the impact will dissipate.

Emperor Jianxi said that Zhao Xi's drunkenness was an unintentional mistake, Jia and the Fang family divorced, and Prince Ding was responsible for taking her into the palace. The three parties had discussed it and had no objections.

Tutor Yang was a member of Prince Ding's party, so he naturally agreed with what Emperor Jianxi said. Emperor Jianxi was very satisfied and thought that Shangguan Shu would object. However, Shangguan Shu said nothing. Instead, it was Prime Minister Yin who spoke harshly and kept insisting on the matter, saying some very unpleasant things.

Later, Prime Minister Yin and Imperial Tutor Yang started arguing in public.

Everyone present understood Prime Minister Yin's paranoia, because he was the mentor of the deposed Crown Prince Zhao Cong. After Prime Minister Liu was angered to death, Emperor Jianxi promoted Prime Minister Yin. In addition to his real ability, it was also to stabilize Zhao Cong's throne.

Everyone is used to quarreling over state affairs and insulting civility. When things get serious, physical violence may even occur.

Emperor Jianxi drank his tea leisurely, watching the two old men fighting each other. When they got tired of fighting, he put down his teacup and asked, "Runzhi, why don't you say anything?"

Shangguan Shu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I will not comment because I do not agree with Yang Taifu's leniency or Yin Chengxiang's harsh punishment."

"Oh?" Emperor Jianxi sat up straight.

There are seven people in the cabinet, and the three ministers have the most say. The odd number is set only to allow for a vote to come up with an idea when there is a disagreement. For example, if Prime Minister Yin and Grand Tutor Yang hold opposite opinions, whichever side Shangguan Shu occupies will have a greater chance of being accepted for advice.

Who knew Shangguan Shu would not play by the rules and remain neutral...

Prime Minister Yin and Imperial Tutor Yang had gloomy faces, looking as pale as earth.

Shangguan Shu answered Emperor Jianxi's doubts, "Your Majesty, don't you think that His Royal Highness Prince Ding was framed?"

Emperor Jianxi's eyes lit up instantly, and Runzhi finally got it.

Shangguan Shu said calmly, "There are three reasons why I have this idea. The first is the character of His Royal Highness the Prince. He doesn't seem like someone who would do such a thing. If you say he got carried away, that's unnecessary. I have only heard of royal relatives getting carried away and winning the first prize. How could he forcefully take my wife from my own house?"

"Secondly, the evidence is insufficient. The testimony of His Royal Highness Prince Ding is not credible. Then is Jia's testimony credible? In the final analysis, Jia also has no solid evidence..."

Prime Minister Yin said coldly, "But your majesty has already asked the palace maid to examine Jia's body and confirmed that she has had sexual intercourse!"

"This is exactly what I want to say. Does it mean that Prince Ding must have done it if there are signs of sexual intercourse? On the contrary, if Prince Ding is really wronged, then Jia and the person who designed it acted so meticulously, they must be killed!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Emperor Jianxi's eyes became cold and stern.

When it comes to the future crown prince, we certainly can't be careless.

Prime Minister Yin was so angry at Shangguan Shu's words that he laughed, "This is just your one-sided statement. What you said is even baseless conjecture!"

Shangguan Shu frowned.

But Taifu Yang said, "Prime Minister Yin is so eager to convict His Royal Highness Prince Ding, could it be you who did it..."

"You are talking nonsense! How could an old minister frame His Royal Highness Prince Ding!"

Prime Minister Yin was so frightened that he immediately knelt down, "Your Majesty, please understand!"

Emperor Jianxi raised his chin and said, "Okay... Runzhi, go on."

Shangguan Shu said, "The third is Jia herself. According to my investigation, Jia is indeed as virtuous as the rumors say, but she has never met a good man and is often beaten by General Fang. But I also found out that before Jia got married, she had an engagement with her cousin. Later, her cousin injured his leg and could not walk well, and could not enter the government, so the Jia family abandoned him and married Jia to Fang Dong."

"Is this related to this matter?"

Shangguan Shu paused and said, "Your Majesty, the groom who took Jia to Prince Ding's mansion that night was a lame man..."

"And after the incident, the groom fled the capital overnight!"

"I dare to speculate that after Jia married into the Fang family, she gradually drifted away from Fang Dong due to his abuse, and then rekindled her old relationship with her cousin. Jia wanted to divorce and live with her cousin, but the Fang family would definitely not allow it. If...she made such a fuss, used His Royal Highness Prince Ding to successfully divorce, and then reunited with her cousin who had fled far away after the divorce, and even had sex with him, it would all be..."

Half a cup of tea later, Emperor Jianxi ordered the capture of Jia's groom and brought him back for trial.

At the same time, Zhao Xi returned to the mansion with a deep look in his eyes.

Who designed him?

It feels terrible that the enemy is in the dark and he is in the light.

And how to solve this situation?

If I just accept it and marry Jia, wouldn't I be suffering this injustice in vain?

Although he was not sure whether he really defiled Jia while drunk, he was sure that he would never force Jia. As Jia said, he even... carried her into the bedroom. Qian Chengluo saw that he was carried into the bedroom after he was drunk, and there was nothing wrong with it.

The only solution now is to check again!

Before entering the palace, he had asked Qian Chengluo to conduct a thorough investigation into Jia, but it was unknown whether they had found out anything.

Just as Zhao Xi was thinking about it, Qian Chengluo came back and brought useful news. Zhao Xi asked someone to invite Hengbi over, and the three of them discussed the matter together.

Qian Chengluo said excitedly, "That Jia has a cousin who is a lame man. The groom who brought her here last night was also a lame man. I heard from the people in the Fang Mansion that the groom was deeply favored by Jia. Others get 50 cents a month, but that groom gets a full 1 tael!"

"That is to say, if Jia and the groom were secretly having sex, leaving traces behind, it is possible that they could pin the blame on the prince."

Zhao Xi narrowed his eyes, "So, I was indeed framed..." He suddenly thought of something and asked, "How did you suspect the groom?"

Qian Chengluo sneered, "The person who set up the trap made a mistake. The groom actually fled the capital overnight. If he had no guilty conscience, why would he run away?"

Zhao Xi frowned, "But these two are so bold as to harm me just to live together after the divorce? I think there is someone behind them. Mr. Heng, what do you think?"

Hengbi remained silent until Zhao Xi asked, then he said, "If you want to know who harmed His Highness, you have to see who benefits the most from this matter. His Highness has lost his prestige and face because of this matter. His Highness is the emperor's most valued son and the future ruler of Great Chu in the emperor's mind. Those who harmed His Highness and made Him lose the emperor's favor are nothing more than those who oppose His Highness in the court."