The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

"Speaking of the Concubine Shu, whose real name was Lü Ruorong, she was truly a legend in Kyoto back then."

Chai Zhen seemed to have remembered something, and a smile appeared unconsciously on the corner of his mouth. His eyes became distant, as if he saw the bright and charming figure of the past through the palace walls.

"I still remember that spring, when the peach blossoms were in full bloom in the Imperial Garden, my father took us princes and princesses to enjoy the flowers. Unexpectedly, deep in the peach forest, we met a woman in white."

Chai Zhen paused, as if organizing his words to describe the stunning glimpse in his memory more vividly.

"The woman was dressed in white, her long black hair cascading down like a waterfall, lightly tied up with a plain ribbon. A few strands of hair hung playfully on her cheeks, making her skin look white as snow and her eyebrows and features look like paintings."

Chai Zhen's tone was filled with nostalgia. "She stood quietly under the peach tree, a gentle breeze blew the petals, which drifted down onto her shoulders and hair. The scene was so beautiful, like a painting, that one couldn't bear to look away."

He sighed softly, "I was still young at the time, hiding behind my father, secretly watching her. I just wondered how such a beautiful woman could exist in this world. She was like the mysterious woman from the clouds who had descended to the mortal world."

A glint flashed in Chai Zhen's eyes. "My father was also stunned at the time. He just stared at her infatuatedly. It wasn't until the woman noticed our gaze, bowed gracefully, and turned away that my father finally woke up from his dream."

He paused, then continued, "My father couldn't stop thinking about that woman. He sent people to inquire everywhere and finally learned that she was an actress from a theatre troupe named Lü Ruorong."

Chai Zhen's tone was filled with emotion, "The emperor fell in love with her at first sight and immediately sent someone to bring her into the palace. Soon, she was taken into the harem."

He shook his head, his tone filled with helplessness, "But, Lu Ruorong already has someone in her heart, and has already secretly pledged her life to her childhood sweetheart. But unfortunately, the emperor's order cannot be disobeyed!"

Chai Zhen's tone suddenly grew heavy as he spoke. "When the Emperor learned of this, he didn't get angry. Instead, he ignored the opposition of everyone, the Empress Dowager, and the entire court, and forcibly brought Lü Ruorong into the palace, naming her Consort Shu. He also doted on her even more."

He sighed, "After Lu Ruorong entered the palace, she became depressed and cried all day long. My father almost gave everything to please her. As the saying goes, time reveals a person's true character. Under my father's sincere affection, the ice in Lu Ruorong's heart gradually melted."

Chai Zhen's tone became somewhat complicated as he spoke of this. "Later, Lü Ruorong received a letter from an unknown source. After reading it, she soon fell seriously ill. She became depressed and completely lost hope in life."

He paused, a hint of regret in his tone, "Perhaps out of disillusionment, or perhaps because she had seen through the mundane world, Lu Ruorong no longer resisted my father's advances. Instead, she began to play the role of a concubine with all her heart. She was gentle, considerate, and empathetic, and soon won my father's favor, becoming the most favored concubine in the harem."

Chai Zhen's tone became a little subtle when he said this. "I think the Queen Mother must have hated her to the core back then."

"Your Majesty, I believe that this matter must be thoroughly investigated!" Chen Zigui's voice was low and powerful, with a barely perceptible chill in his tone. His eyes were firm and sharp, as if he could see through all the conspiracies and tricks.

Chai Zhen nodded slightly in agreement. "Your Excellency, your words are quite reasonable. This matter is of grave importance and must not be tolerated!" He paused for a moment, his tone becoming more resolute. "Pass on my order to thoroughly investigate the case of Concubine Shu and bring the perpetrators behind this to justice!"

"I obey your command!" Chen Zigui bowed and accepted the order, with determination flashing in his eyes. He had secretly made up his mind to get to the bottom of this matter.

"Your Majesty, there's one thing I'm unclear on." Cen Jiexiao paused for a moment before speaking slowly, a hint of doubt in her tone. "Since these coded ledgers record the amounts traded with the Liaodan Kingdom, why is Consort Shu involved?"

He paused and continued, "What good will this do to her or the Liaodan Kingdom? Perhaps only Li Yusheng knows what's going on."

Chai Zhen frowned slightly and fell into deep thought. He didn't understand why Concubine Shu was involved in this case of treason. Was it just because those coded account books appeared in her bedroom?

"I'm afraid the answer to this question can only be found by finding the mastermind behind the scenes or hearing it from Li Yusheng." Chen Zigui pondered for a moment and said slowly, with a bit of helplessness in his tone. After all, Li Yusheng had committed suicide out of fear of crime, and it was impossible to get the truth from him.

"However," Chen Zigui changed the subject, his tone becoming somewhat meaningful, "I can make a bold guess."

"Oh? Please speak, Senior Brother." Cen Jiexiao and Chai Zhen looked at Chen Zigui curiously. They both wanted to know what kind of guess Chen Zigui would make.

"I believe the person behind this is probably using Concubine Shu's identity to cover up something." Chen Zigui paused, his eyes sweeping over Cen Jiexiao and Chai Zhen, and continued, "For example, they might be using Concubine Shu's name to secretly transfer the wealth of the Great Zhou to the Liaodan Kingdom!"

"What?!" Cen Jiexiao and Chai Zhen were both shocked when they heard this. They never thought that Chen Zigui would make such a bold guess.

If Chen Zigui's guess is true, then the intentions of the people behind this are too vicious! They want to empty the treasury of the Great Zhou and weaken the strength of the Great Zhou so that the Liaodan Kingdom can take advantage of the opportunity! When Cen Jiexiao thought of this, she felt a chill.

"Big Brother, it seems that the Liaodan Kingdom is still determined to destroy our Great Zhou!" Cen Jiexiao clenched her fists and said with gritted teeth, her tone full of anger and worry.

"Yes," Chen Zigui took a deep breath and nodded solemnly. "The Liaodan Kingdom and our Great Zhou have long harbored grudges. Although they have appeared to be at peace on the surface over the years, they have been secretly accumulating strength and looking for an opportunity to annex our Great Zhou. Now they have actually extended their hands into the imperial palace. This is simply audacious and unforgivable!"

"Now this isn't just a possibility, it's a certainty." Chen Zigui's tone was firm and resolute, his eyes flashing with a cold light. "This matter is of no small importance. We must find evidence as soon as possible and eradicate this force completely, otherwise there will be endless trouble!"

"But we don't have any clues now. Where should we start?" Cen Jiexiao asked in confusion. Although he also wanted to get to the bottom of this matter as soon as possible, he had no clue at all, which made him feel very powerless.

"Don't worry, we have found a breakthrough." Chen Zigui suddenly revealed a mysterious smile and looked at Cen Jiexiao with burning eyes, as if he had already made up his mind.

"Oh? What breakthrough?" Upon hearing this, Cen Jiexiao immediately became excited and asked quickly.