The princess regretted it.

Lord Wang came back in a disheveled state. Everyone in the Dali Temple was shocked to see this. They all looked surprised, not knowing what had happened.

Everyone looked at each other, but no one dared to step forward to ask. Lord Wang's face was gloomy, and he walked straight to his study without saying a word.

Entering the study, Lord Wang sank into a chair and sighed deeply. Recalling his experiences in the palace, he felt a surge of helplessness and worry. The emperor's rebuke and decree had left him feeling an unprecedented pressure.

At this time, Junior Secretary Cheng Zhijing cautiously walked into the study and asked softly, "Sir, what's wrong with you? Is the Emperor angry with you because of that incident? Why are you in such a state of disgrace?"

Lord Wang raised his eyes slightly, thinking about what he had said before entering the palace. He didn't want to say anything more. So he shook his head and said, "Nothing. The case is progressing too slowly, and His Majesty is unhappy and reprimanded me. You should leave first."

Cheng Zhijing was furious when he saw that he was unwilling to speak. He thought for a moment and said, "Sir, after you entered the palace today, Minister Lin came to the gate of the Dali Temple and made a scene. I'm afraid this matter will not be let go. So what should we do?"

Wang Zhengxing frowned upon hearing this, remaining silent. He thought to himself, "It seems Minister Lin must have heard the rumors." However, knowing this old fox, he, known for his cautious demeanor, shouldn't be making a scene now. Could there be a deeper meaning? I need to think this over carefully.

Wang Zhengxing looked up at Cheng Zhijing and said calmly, "I understand. I'll think about it. You can go out and do your work first!"

Cheng Zhijing couldn't say anything else, so he just bowed and left. Just as he was about to leave, Wang Zhengxing's deep voice came from behind him: "Cheng Shaoqing, you should withdraw from the investigation of this matter. We will investigate the rumors about the flower viewing banquet next, and according to regulations, you should recuse yourself."

Cheng Zhijing turned around immediately and just opened his mouth to call out, "Sir..." Wang Zhengxing stopped him with a wave of his hand and said sternly, "You and I both belong to the Dali Temple and have worked together for many years. Let me remind you, this matter is not as simple as you think, and it is difficult to explain it all at once. We, the Dali Temple, are caught in the middle of it. If we are not careful, we will fall into an irretrievable situation. You should think carefully."

Cheng Zhijing's face changed, and he didn't say anything else. He just bowed and said, "As you command." He turned around and walked out.

Wang Zhengxing knew from the look on his face that he was not convinced and had not taken his words to heart. He shook his head helplessly, slowly closed his eyes, and felt a flood of worry in his heart.

At this moment, a trusted confidant walked in. Lord Wang, hearing the noise, opened his eyes, glanced at him, and beckoned him closer. After a moment's contemplation, he said, "Take someone to investigate who Minister Lin had contact with before coming to the Dali Temple. Also, send someone to monitor Cheng Shaoqing's movements and wait and see what happens. Report any developments promptly to me. Act with extreme caution and do not act rashly."

The subordinate took his orders and left, and Lord Wang fell into deep thought again. He had a feeling that this storm had just begun.

As Lord Wang fell into deep thought, his thoughts drifted far away. Three hundred miles from the capital, along an official road, in a forest, a seemingly exquisite carriage lay overturned. The horses pulling it were nowhere to be found, and the carriage itself had fallen apart. The carriage was empty, but bloodstains were visible around it. The trail extended into the woods. Following the bloodstains, he could see several women dressed as maids and guards in guard uniforms lying on the ground, lifeless.

Deep in the woods, a middle-aged woman in a deep blue slanting-collared nanny's dress was tightly guarding a young woman in a light green double-breasted skirt as they ran desperately. Both of them had disheveled hair and makeup, and their clothes were torn and dirty, obviously the result of multiple falls.

Behind them, several uniformed guards engaged in a fierce battle with a group of men in black. The guards wore the same clothing as those who had fallen on the road, clearly part of the same group. Their clothing was nearly all ripped by swords and knives, and each one was wounded, their clothes soaked with blood. It was clear that the men in black far outmatched the guards, and the slaughter was completely one-sided. In that instant, two more guards fell. It was clear that the men in black were pursuing the guards and the two women.

The nanny dragged the young woman along as they ran aimlessly, both exhausted, but they didn't dare stop or look back. Suddenly, the young woman fell heavily to the ground again, not only because she stepped on the hem of her skirt but also because she was tripped by vines on the ground. The nanny hurried forward to help the young woman up, shouting in panic, "Miss, get up quickly!" The young woman looked up. Wasn't this Cheng Xiao, the daughter of Cheng Zhijing, the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple?

But at this moment, Cheng Xiao's cute baby face was already covered in water, and it was unclear whether it was sweat or tears, and her makeup was completely smudged. Strands of hair stuck to her face. She was breathing heavily and said to the nanny who was pulling her, "Mammy, I really don't have the strength anymore."

Mammy's chest was also heaving, her mouth gasping for air, her face soaked with water, her complexion a pale blue from severe hypoxia. She gritted her teeth and pulled Cheng Xiao to her feet, saying, "Miss, we can't stop! If we don't run, we'll die! This old slave will support you." Cheng Xiao wiped her face with her sleeve, propped herself up with trembling hands, and stumbled back into the depths of the woods with Mammy.

The sounds of fighting behind him grew weaker and weaker, until they gradually disappeared.

.......