Nian Huajiao: The cold-faced treacherous minister spoiled her unconditionally after breaking his vow

If Hong Er hadn't seen Jiang Luo's face, why would he be unwilling to make her his legal wife?

What's good about that face!

Since her life is ruined, Jiang Luo can't expect to have an easy life.

"Yes, Second Miss." Yue Jian's voice came from outside the door.

Jiang Zhou only put Aunt Liu in solitary confinement, but did not order the two siblings not to go to Fuxiangyuan.

Thinking of An'er, Jiang Nian's eyes darkened again.

Ever since her aunt was imprisoned in Fuxiangyuan, her younger brother also went to the outer courtyard, and the two siblings have rarely seen each other.

I don't know how Second Aunt's plan to adopt An'er is going.

Both the master and the servant walked towards Fuxiang Courtyard with heavy hearts...

Everyone in the backyard of the Duke's Mansion had different thoughts, while in the court, Duke Jiang Zhou was looking at the people arguing in front of him with a confused look on his face.

Censor Zeng reported with a stern face: "Your Majesty, I want to report Elder Ling for letting his daughter commit a crime. The Princess of Jiayang County hired someone to kidnap the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion, Jiang Luo, in the street."

Elder Ling: ...

Jiang Zhou: ...

When did this happen?

Elder Ling's eyes darkened, and with a sense of oppression all over his body, he said: "Master Zeng, this matter concerns the reputation of our Ningyang Marquis Mansion, so be careful with your words!"

Censor Zeng, however, seemed not to notice his anger and continued to speak calmly, "Lord Ling, I know which is more important, the reputation of the Marquisate or human life."

"Lord Zeng, please don't talk nonsense. My eldest daughter was staying well in the Duke's Mansion. When would she be kidnapped?" Jiang Zhou said with disdain.

This Censor Zeng really dares to say anything!

Even if Princess Jiayang really hired someone to kidnap Jiang Luo, it was impossible for her to offend Lord Ling because of Jiang Luo.

The Imperial Censor Chang Pingguang interrupted, "Master Zeng, how can you know so much about something that even the Duke doesn't know?"

"There are so many things that the Duke doesn't know. The reason why Miss Jiang was able to stay in the mansion safely is because she met the Jinyiwei and was rescued when the incident happened." Lord Zeng said with certainty.

Upon hearing this, Lord Ling glanced at Lu Jinan sitting opposite him.

Lu Jinan was aware of the gaze coming towards her, but she did not move and remained standing tall.

Chang Pingguang asked again: "How did Lord Zhang know about this?"

Mr. Zeng chuckled and replied, "I just happened to run into him."

"Oh, that's really a coincidence." Chang Pingguang said sarcastically.

Lord Zeng ignored him, but bowed to the person on the dragon throne and said, "Since your majesty ascended the throne, you have worked hard to govern the country and loved the people. Now, at the foot of the imperial city, someone is bullying others by taking advantage of his power. This is simply lawless. I hope your majesty will take a closer look."

No matter how many holes there are, flattery will never wear out.

The emperor worked hard to govern the country, and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment.

Now, someone is doing such a bad thing right under our noses, and he is a royal relative.

This really discredits the emperor and undermines his imperial prestige.

After this round of flattery, everyone couldn't help but admire him.

Not everyone can be the censor.

You have to be fair and selfless, and you have to flatter the right people.

"Oh? Is it really as Minister Zhang said?" The majestic voice of Emperor Zhaoding came from above everyone's head.

It was obvious that Lord Zeng's flattery was right.

"How dare I deceive His Majesty?" Lord Zeng replied respectfully.

Elder Ling looked at Jiang Zhou behind him.

Jiang Zhou understood and said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, I really don't know what Lord Zeng meant by this. My daughter stayed in the mansion well and nothing happened."

"Duke, as Miss Jiang's father, when you heard about this, you didn't show concern for her safety, but instead refuted me. Why is that?" Lord Zeng asked in confusion.

Jiang Zhou blinked: "I...I..." and that was all.

"In this case, my dear Minister Lu, is this true?" Emperor Zhaoding asked again.

Lu Jinan stepped out and replied with a folded hand: "Your Majesty, this is indeed the case."

Everyone in the hall immediately started talking.

"Sir Lu, this seems to be within the scope of the Five Cities Military Department's responsibilities, right?" Du Heng, deputy commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, asked, looking at Lu Jinan.

"Yes, Lord Lu, you cannot abuse your power." Chang Pingguang also echoed.

Kou Xun, the general of the Five Cities Military Division, who was named, was startled.

He hurried out of the line, cupped his hands and said, "Master Du is right. This matter is the responsibility of the Five Cities Military Department."

But he secretly complained: Why did Lord Du involve him again? It's really annoying...

"Sir Lu, we, the Jinyiwei, only obey the orders of the emperor. Aren't you overreaching a little too much?" Du Heng said, bowing to the person on the dragon throne.

Chengqian Hall immediately became quiet.

Everyone gasped.

This Lord Du is really good at talking!

"I, Lu, cannot agree with what Lord Du said." Lu Jinan stared at Du Heng with sinister eyes.

The deep and cold voice added: "The Imperial Guards had long discovered that these people were secretly selling smuggled salt and had been keeping an eye on them. It just so happened that the Princess of Jiayang County hired them to commit a crime, so the Imperial Guards had no choice but to step in and close the net."

The Jinyiwei had been keeping an eye on this person for a long time.

It was later that the Lady of Jiayang County hired someone to commit the crime.

The Jinyiwei had no choice but to come forward to rescue people.

"I am following the emperor's orders to thoroughly investigate the smuggling of salt. Do Lord Du and Lord Chang have any objections?" Lu Jinan also bowed to the person on the dragon throne.

Du and Chang turned pale, knelt down hurriedly and replied, "Your humble servants dare not."

Kou Xun also knelt down hurriedly.

He thought to himself: My parents are going to die.

Everyone: Lord Lu is still slightly better!

Upon seeing this, Censor Zeng also snorted coldly.

Imperial Censor Cheng Wen stared at the tall figure in the hall but did not come out.

At this time, Emperor Zhaoding fixed his eyes on Elder Ling and asked, "Lord Ling, do you have anything to say?"

Whenever the issue of smuggling salt was mentioned, the emperor would become angry.

Due to the resistance against foreign enemies in previous years and the struggle for succession, the Yong Dynasty was constantly at war and the people were living in misery.

Although I have been recuperating for more than ten years, there are still many places where I need to spend money.

The national treasury was not well-off to begin with and was entirely supported by taxes.

Although it is better now than before, he gradually discovered that the official salt, which has the highest tax rate, has been infested with pests in recent years.

What is this doing?

This is shaking the foundation of his country.

And he still doesn't have an adult son, so it's self-evident what these people want to do.

He had to defend.

Elder Ling stepped out of the line and said, "Your Majesty, my daughter is a very gentle person and would never do anything that would harm others or herself. Please understand."

Lu Jinan insisted on bringing up the matter of smuggled salt, as the emperor now hated the trafficking of smuggled salt.

He couldn't let this matter fester any further.

"Do you have any evidence for what you said, Mr. Zeng?" Emperor Zhaoding asked again.

"In reply to the emperor, the evidence is here." Lord Zeng handed it over with a bow.

Wang Fuquan hurriedly walked to his side, held up the petition in both hands, and walked towards Emperor Zhaoding.

After a moment, Emperor Zhaoding put the petition back on the tray and said, "Show it to Elder Ling."

Wang Fuquan walked over to Lord Ling again, carrying a tray.

Elder Ling read the petition at a glance, and immediately knelt down after reading it...