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Gu Zhiyi and Xie Xun looked at each other, both realizing the seriousness of the situation. They immediately stood up and rushed to the back garden with their servants.

Under the swing, the moonlight sprinkled on the ground, casting a patch of mottled light and shadow. Xie Xun and Gu Zhiyi approached cautiously, and saw a figure sitting on the swing, who was the person they saw that night.

"Who are you? Why have you appeared in my Xie Mansion so many times?" Xie Xun asked in a deep voice.

The figure slowly raised his head, and the moonlight illuminated his face. It turned out to be a servant of the Xie Mansion. The servant was trembling with fear and said in a trembling voice: "Sir, I... I didn't do it on purpose. Someone ordered me to do it."

"Who is it?" A sharp look flashed in Xie Xun's eyes.

The servant gritted his teeth and said, "Yes...it's the Second Madam."

Xie Xun and Gu Zhiyi were shocked. They didn't expect that it was the Second Madam who did it. They immediately returned to the hall and brought the servant back for questioning.

The second wife was brought to the hall, her face pale and trembling. Xie Xun asked coldly: "Why do you want to harm my Xie Mansion?"

The Second Madam lowered her head, not daring to look directly at Xie Xun: "Sir, I... I had no choice. Someone threatened me that if I didn't do this, my family would be harmed."

"Who is it?" Xie Xun's voice became colder.

The Second Madam hesitated for a moment and said, "Yes...it's Butler Zhao."

Butler Zhao? Xie Xun and Gu Zhiyi were surprised. They didn't expect it to be him. Butler Zhao was an old man in the Xie Mansion and had always been loyal. They didn't expect that he would betray the Xie Mansion.

"Bring him here!" Xie Xun said coldly.

Butler Zhao was brought to the hall. Facing the questioning of Xie Xun and Gu Zhiyi, he frankly admitted: "Yes, I instructed the Second Madam to do this. I just wanted to test the defense of the mansion, but I didn't expect it to cause such a big misunderstanding."

Xie Xun and Gu Zhiyi were furious. They didn't expect that Butler Zhao would be so bold. They immediately ordered Butler Zhao to be expelled from Xie's house and never employed again.

The truth was finally revealed and the Xie Mansion returned to its former tranquility.

……

The emperor looked at Duke Dunguo coldly and said, "I will settle this account with you later." After that, he waved his hand to signal everyone to leave, leaving Duke Dunguo alone in the imperial study. The atmosphere in the imperial study was solemn, and an invisible pressure enveloped the entire space.

The Duke of Dunguo turned pale. What did the emperor mean by this? He knew that what he did in the court had angered the young emperor. However, he still tried to defend himself: "Your Majesty, I... I am only devoted to the country and have no other intentions."

The emperor frowned slightly, and the coldness in his eyes became even stronger: "Devoted to the country? Then why did you openly contradict my will in the court?"

Duke Dun gritted his teeth and answered stubbornly, "Your Majesty, I think the way you handled that matter was unfair, so..."

"Is this biased?" The emperor sneered, "Have you ever thought that what you have done has destroyed my dignity?"

Sweat beads appeared on the Duke's forehead. It was obvious that if he continued to defend himself, it would only make the emperor more angry. He took a deep breath and bowed his head to plead guilty: "Your Majesty, I am willing to take all the blame."

The emperor was silent for a moment, and the anger in his eyes gradually dissipated. It was obvious that the Duke of Dunguo held a very important position in the court. If he was convicted, it would inevitably cause unrest in the court. So he decided to give the Duke of Dunguo a chance.

"Okay, I'll give you a chance." The emperor said in a slow tone, "From now on, you will be responsible for investigating this case and make sure to find out the truth."

Duke Dun's eyes widened. He had never expected the emperor to give him this opportunity. He quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I will do my best to find out the truth."

The emperor nodded, with a hint of appreciation in his eyes: "Get up, I believe in you."

Duke Dun stood up, secretly rejoicing in his heart. It was obvious that the emperor gave him a chance this time because of his past achievements. He could not disappoint the emperor again, and he had to find out the truth as soon as possible to make up for his mistakes.

On this day, Duke Dunguo came to the imperial study again to report the investigation to the emperor. He looked tired, but his eyes were shining with determination.

"Your Majesty, I have found out the truth." Duke Dunguo said in a firm tone.

The emperor raised his head, his eyes revealing a hint of expectation: "Go ahead."

Duke Dun took a deep breath and recounted the incident in detail. It turned out that there was a huge conspiracy behind this case, involving a mysterious organization in the palace.

After listening to this, the emperor was silent for a moment.

It was late at night, and the candlelight in the palace flickered, illuminating the different expressions of the two people.

Duke Dunguo's face was pale, with beads of sweat oozing from his forehead. He forced himself to remain calm and said, "I obey your command. Your Majesty, please tell me clearly what crime I have committed that has made you so angry?"

The emperor glanced at him and said in a cold tone: "Do you know your crime?"

Duke Dunguo's heart tightened, but he still answered with a stiff upper lip: "I know no crime."

The emperor sneered, "What a shameless person! Do you know that the officials you recommended were corrupt, causing the people's livelihood to decline and the people to suffer?"

Duke Dunguo's forehead was covered with sweat, but he still clenched his teeth and said, "The official I recommended did make mistakes, but I was not aware of it. Your Majesty, please look into it."

The emperor stared at the Duke of Dun with sharp eyes: "You don't know? Then I ask you, why are the officials you recommended able to be promoted all the way, and no one dares to expose their corruption? Aren't you the one manipulating everything behind the scenes?"

Duke Dunguo was panicking. He knew the emperor had evidence, but he still tried to defend himself: "Your Majesty, I did recommend some officials, but I did not participate in their corruption. Please understand."

The emperor slapped the throne angrily and said, "How dare you quibble? Do you know that your every move is under my surveillance? Which of the officials you recommended is not corrupt and exploits the people? Are you testing my bottom line?"

Duke Dunguo finally couldn't argue anymore. He knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face. "Your Majesty, I was wrong. I know I am guilty. Please have mercy on me and forgive me once."

The emperor looked at Duke Dunguo, and a complex look flashed in his eyes.

The Duke of Dunguo had great power in the court, and if he was not handled properly, it might cause turmoil in the court. But he also understood that if he did not severely punish the Duke of Dunguo, it would not be enough to appease the people's resentment, nor would it be able to deter other corrupt officials.

The emperor took a deep breath and said slowly: "Duke Dun, since you have admitted your guilt, I will give you a chance. Are you willing to resign all your official positions and return home to retire?"

Duke Dun was stunned. He did not expect the emperor to make such a condition. He hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded and agreed: "I am willing."

The emperor nodded slightly, and his tone softened a little: "Well, since you are willing to repent and reform, I will spare your life. But you must remember that you must not interfere in state affairs in the future, otherwise don't blame me for being ruthless."

Duke Dunguo was so grateful that he kowtowed immediately and said, "I obey your order and thank your majesty for not killing me."

The emperor looked at him with a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

Even if he was let off this time, a man like Duke Dun might not make the same mistake again. But he also understood that what the palace needed at the moment was stability, not turmoil.

The emperor waved his hand, signaling the Duke of Dun to leave. The Duke of Dun left the palace and disappeared into the night. The emperor sat alone on the dragon throne, his eyes deep.