The regent is determined to get the daughter of a minor official.

Duke Ningguo and the princess's husband Ning Xuzhi stayed awake all night.

Early in the morning, the father and son got up early, packed up, and went to the palace to meet the regent with a nervous mood.

The carriage stopped outside the palace. The Duke handed over his badge. The captain guarding the palace gate checked it and saluted respectfully.

"Duke Ningguo, please come in, Prince Consort."

Two guards came over and took them into the palace.

Walking on the long official road, Ning Xuzhi was still thinking about what to say on behalf of Princess Jianning.

Ning Xuzhi didn't know much about his princess wife, and the relationship between husband and wife was like that of a monarch and his subjects.

He would go when the princess summoned him. At other times, Ning Xuzhi stayed in the princess's mansion and was obsessed with painting.

But after all, husband and wife are one, they share the same fate, and Ning Xuzhi is ready to bear the burden together.

The eunuch took them to the Chaoxia Palace, which was the palace where the Regent usually received court officials, also known as the Small Court Hall.

"Please take your seats and wait. The Regent will come over when he arrives."

"Good work!"

After thanking the eunuch, Duke Ningguo and Ning Xuzhi sat down on the armchair on the right.

A palace maid brought them hot tea, and the two felt more at ease after drinking the tea.

After a while, several more court officials came in.

Duke Ningguo and Ning Xuzhi hurriedly stood up to greet the others. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they sat down.

Soon, seven or eight officials were sitting in the Chaoxia Palace. The Regent was nowhere to be seen. Everyone had a solemn look on their faces and the atmosphere in the palace was depressing.

Ning Xuzhi quietly looked at the officials who came in a little later, wondering why they came.

After a while, an official couldn't help but break the silence and spoke in a low voice.

"The Regent summoned us today. Do you know why?"

The others shook their heads and sighed, no one dared to speak rashly.

Just then, footsteps were heard outside the hall. Everyone hurriedly stood up, and the Regent walked into the hall surrounded by his attendants.

"See Prince Regent!"

Everyone saluted in unison.

The Regent raised his hand to signal everyone to excuse themselves, then walked to the main seat and sat down, his eyes sweeping over everyone present.

"You may not yet understand why I have summoned you."

Everyone lowered their heads in silence, waiting for the Regent to continue speaking.

The Regent snapped his fingers, and the eunuchs handed each person a few newly copied files.

It was noted below these events that they were all committed by the secret guards sent by Princess Jianning.

Including the time, place and means used are all noted one by one.

After the officials took the files and read through them carefully, they were all filled with indignation.

A minister was the first to stand up tremblingly and said angrily.

"My son actually had his face cut by Princess Jianning because he didn't attend the flower viewing banquet she invited him to. Princess Jianning is truly arrogant and domineering!"

Another minister's eyes were filled with tears.

"My son-in-law and his family were actually wiped out by Princess Jianning simply because she didn't send jewelry. This evil act is simply outrageous! It must not be tolerated!"

"The princess is always acting recklessly, and I, an old minister, have always been trying to restrain my children and tell them not to offend her.

Unexpectedly, my daughter recited a poem at a poetry gathering, and it bothered her. She sent someone to kidnap her in the middle of the night...!"

Another minister said, beating his chest and stamping his feet.

Everyone spoke one after another, accusing Princess Jianning of crimes.

The Regent remained silent, allowing the aggrieved officials to vent their emotions.

Duke Ningguo looked at the family file in his hand, tears streaming down his face and his lips trembling.

"She actually sent someone to the Ningguo Mansion and strangled my grandson to death..."

Duke Ningguo was so angry that he fainted. Fortunately, Ning Xuzhi was sitting next to him and supported his old father in time.

Everyone helped pinch his Ren Zhong point to make Duke Ningguo wake up.

When he woke up, he dropped to his knees and knelt before the Regent.

"Please, Your Majesty, give this old minister some justice."

Several other officials also knelt down and pleaded in unison.

"Please, Lord Regent, give me justice!"

The Regent stood up, his eyes sharp.

"My Lords, please stand up. Since I have exposed this matter, I will certainly not let you suffer this injustice.

Princess Jianning's crimes are beyond the reach of justice. This prince will handle the matter impartially and bring justice to everyone!"

Upon hearing this, the officials burst into tears of gratitude.

At this moment, the Empress Dowager, who had been standing outside the door and listening for a while, trembled and tightly grasped Rong Mama's hand.

"Madam Rong, please help me go back! Jianning has done so many evil things, and I can't protect her anymore."

The Empress Dowager had a sad face, and her voice was filled with deep helplessness and pain.

Aunt Rong hurriedly supported the Empress Dowager and comforted her softly.

"Master, please don't be too sad. It's important to take care of your body."

The Empress Dowager sighed deeply.

"I've experienced countless ups and downs in my life, but I never thought I'd spoil such an unfilial daughter. She has brought disgrace upon the royal family."

The two of them left slowly, their backs looking particularly lonely on the long palace road.

Chu Musheng glanced outside and turned back to continue.

"The evidence of Princess Jianning's actions is irrefutable. This prince will handle the relevant matters as soon as possible and give you a satisfactory explanation."

"Your Majesty is wise, and we are grateful to you."

Led by the Duke, everyone knelt down again.

"Everyone, get up! You have suffered greatly, and I will compensate you on behalf of the royal family.

Prince Consort Ning will divorce Princess Jianning from this day forward and be canonized as the Prince of the Ningguo Mansion. He can serve the court, marry, and have children, continuing the Ningguo Mansion's lineage."

Upon hearing this, Ning Xuzhi hurriedly knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. I will dedicate myself to the service of the court."

Chu Musheng nodded slightly, then looked at everyone with a sharp gaze.

"This matter is settled now. If there is any further disturbance, I will not show any mercy."

Everyone responded in unison: "We will follow the prince's orders."

Chu Musheng shook his sleeves and said, "Everyone, leave."

Everyone slowly left the hall.

Ning Xuzhi walked out of the palace, breathed a long sigh, and breathed in the fresh air. The haze that had shrouded Princess Jianning for several years finally dissipated.

In the past, I didn’t dare to think about it, didn’t dare to do it, and even couldn’t make mistakes in my words. Now I can finally get what I wanted.

It’s a pity that the person I once loved has already married someone else.

Time makes people mature gradually, but it is a pity that time cannot be turned back. Looking back on the past, everything has changed.

The other officials also dispersed, and suddenly a soft cry was heard from behind.

"Prince Ning, wait for me."

Ning Xuzhi paused and turned around, only to see Doctor Wang running towards him breathlessly, carrying a medicine box on his back.

A few days later, at the morning court, the ministers impeached Princess Jianning, listing a series of charges with solid evidence.

Chu Musheng sat on a high seat, listening to the impeachment of the ministers with an expressionless face.

After everyone finished speaking, he slammed the armrest, startling the little emperor next to him.

"Princess Jianning has committed numerous crimes that are unforgivable. From this day forward, all her titles and salaries will be stripped away, and she will be banished to the cold palace, where she will never be allowed to leave!"

There was silence in the court. After a moment, the ministers shouted:

"The Regent is wise and powerful!"

After the court session, Chu Musheng returned to the imperial study and rubbed his brows tiredly.

At this time, the commander of the Imperial Guard, Sheng Liu, came in to report.

"Your Majesty, when I took Princess Jianning to the cold palace, she cried and cried, and kept asking to see you."

Chu Musheng snorted coldly.

Listen to what she said?

That she was jealous of Miss Xu? That Miss Xu was a spy for the enemy country? That she didn't want Miss Xu to have a higher status than her in the future?

Who wants to listen to her nonsense?

"Don't worry about it. Let her reflect on her sins."

"Yes."

Sheng Liu clasped his fists and lowered his head before retreating.

Chu Musheng sighed. In order not to make his mother too sad, he did not take Princess Jianning's life after all.