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"My fellow villagers, have you ever thought about why the Duke would take this risk when he wanted to give up the honor of inheriting the title for generations? Doesn't he know the price of rebellion? You should know that once the charge of treason is proven, the Duke's parents and children will be implicated, and even the entire clan may be implicated. For a Duke who has a deep sense of family and country, how could he do such a thing?"

Gu Zhiyi paused, looked at everyone, and seeing them nodding, he continued, "Let's talk about this old soldier. He claims to be a confidant of Duke Ning, but as far as I know, he was a deserter, returned to the capital without permission, and stole the Duke's tomb. Don't you think this behavior is suspicious?"

Everyone started talking about it, and began to doubt the old soldier's identity and motives. Seeing this, Gu Zhiyi took the opportunity to continue, "Let me tell you a story. This story happened on the border of our country. There was an old soldier who was promoted to a general because of his outstanding military exploits. But he coveted power, betrayed the Western Wei Dynasty, and defected to the enemy. Later, he was abandoned by the enemy and became a dog without a home. What is the difference between the old soldier in this story and the one in front of you?"

Everyone suddenly realized that Gu Zhiyi was hinting that the old soldier might have been bribed by the enemy to slander the Duke. They all looked at the old soldier, their eyes full of confusion and anger.

Seeing that the time had come, Gu Zhiyi began to guide the people: "Everyone, we must open our eyes and not be deceived by superficial phenomena. The Duke's family has served the Western Wei for generations, and his loyalty is beyond doubt. As for this old soldier, his identity is suspicious and his motives are unclear. We cannot easily believe his words. We should trust our own judgment and believe in the innocence of the Duke's Mansion."

The crowd was bustling and talking. Gu Zhiyi stood in front of the mansion gate with a firm gaze. She was wearing a light blue dress and her brows showed an unquestionable confidence. She had just exposed the old soldier's false accusation, which gradually quieted the originally noisy crowd.

Gu Zhiyi took a deep breath, glanced at everyone present, and then slowly spoke: "Dear fellow villagers, I believe you all have your own opinions about the Duke's treason. Today, I want to clear the Ningguo Mansion of the grievances and let everyone know the truth."

She walked into the mansion, and everyone followed. Inside the mansion, in the main hall, Gu Zhiyi stood in front of the portrait of the Duke, pointed at the figure in the painting and said: "The Duke has been loyal all his life and has devoted countless efforts to the Western Wei. How could he betray the Western Wei? Please think carefully, the Duke gave up the hereditary title and instead rebelled. What good would it do him?"

Gu Zhiyi paused and continued, "Moreover, the Duke's parents and children will also be implicated. They are all innocent, how can we let them bear such a crime?"

At this time, someone in the crowd whispered: "Mrs. Gu is right. The Duke's family is indeed innocent."

Gu Zhiyi smiled slightly and pointed at the old soldier standing beside him: "This old soldier's identity is suspicious. He is a deserter who returned to the capital without permission and stole the Duke's cenotaph. With such a character, how can you believe his words?"

The old soldier's face turned pale and his legs trembled, but he still argued: "What I said is true. The Duke did commit treason!"

Gu Zhiyi sneered and said, "Since what you said is the truth, why don't you dare to disclose the evidence? Are you just making it up to frame the Duke's family?"

After being guided by Gu Zhiyi, the people began to discuss the matter. They felt that what Gu Zhiyi said made sense, and the old soldier's behavior was indeed suspicious. So, they expressed their support for the Duke's Mansion and demanded a thorough investigation of the matter to clear the Duke's name.

Seeing that the people's emotions had been aroused, Gu Zhiyi took the opportunity to say, "Everyone, we can't let such rumors spread any further. We need to seek justice for the Ningguo Mansion. I suggest that we all go to the government office together and demand a thorough investigation of this case to clear the Duke's name."

The people expressed their agreement and flocked to the government, demanding a thorough investigation of the old soldier's false accusation. Seeing this, the government did not dare to neglect it and immediately launched an investigation.

Gu Zhiyi's eyes were firm and deep. She stood outside the Ningguo Mansion, bowed deeply to the onlookers, and said in a sonorous and powerful voice: "My fellow villagers, today's matter is of great importance. It not only concerns the reputation of the Ningguo Mansion, but also the safety of our country. I, Gu Zhiyi, am willing to use my own strength to expose the truth of Ningguo Duke's treason and clear the world's name."

When the people heard this, they began to talk about it. They were surprised, but full of expectation. Gu Zhiyi turned around, looked at the gate of Ningguo Mansion, took a deep breath, and then said loudly: "Now, I will take this old soldier into the Heavenly Hall and confront him. I hope that all the villagers can be witnesses to witness the justice of this moment."

The people expressed their willingness to testify, with determination gleaming in their eyes.

Gu Zhiyi nodded with satisfaction, then turned to the children of the Ningguo Mansion and said, "Children, are you willing to follow me into the palace to witness the truth of this moment?"

The children's eyes were full of determination and courage, and they answered in unison: "We do!"

Gu Zhiyi and her entourage walked steadily towards the magnificent palace. Along the way, she was thoughtful and careful to monitor the experienced veteran. She knew the importance of this mission, so she did not dare to slack off and made sure to ensure that the veteran was safe and sound to prevent him from biting his tongue to commit suicide.

Gu Zhiyi knew in her heart that only from the mouth of this old soldier could she slowly uncover the truth and find out who the mastermind lurking in the dark was.

In this battle of wits and courage, she will go all out to get to the bottom of it.

Deng Chengpan's face was as cold as frost in winter. The teacup in his hand was shaking unconsciously, and he seemed not to notice that tea had spilled on his robe.

The news that Gu Zhiyi made public was like a bolt from the blue, exploding in his ears and destroying his originally calm state of mind.

"General, what should we do?" the guard asked cautiously, with a bit of panic in his eyes.

Deng Chengpan took a deep breath, trying to calm the panic in his heart, but he couldn't get rid of the feeling of uneasiness.

Once Gu Zhiyi takes Shen Zhengming to the palace and reveals the truth about the frame-up of the Ningguo Mansion, all his careful planning will come to naught.

"Prepare the horses, I want to go to the palace immediately!" Deng Chengpan's voice was cold and firm. He decided to go find the third prince. This was his only way out.

Deng Chengpan rode on his horse and galloped all the way, as if to put all the panic and anxiety in his heart behind him. He knew very well that the third prince was his only lifeline in the palace at this moment.

Deep inside the palace, in the study of the Third Prince, he was discussing state affairs with several ministers. Seeing Deng Chengpan suddenly barge in, the Third Prince frowned slightly, then smiled calmly.