The daughter of the emperor is beautiful and holds the power over the world

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, the originally deserted gate of Situ Mansion suddenly became lively.

Carriages and horses came and went continuously. Even the officials of Daxuan who did not come in person sent people from their homes to deliver gifts.

Those who had close relations with the Situ Mansion and those who were determined to switch to the Prince Yong's camp even sent people in person.

Si Zhengxuan received these people one by one, and sent the old housekeeper Hongbo to report the situation to Si Yan.

"Miss, those who have come to the Situ Mansion to pay New Year's greetings these past few days include Prince Yong, Prince An, Lord Jia, the Minister of Works, people from Duke Pei's Mansion, and more than a dozen other court officials. They have all come to pay New Year's greetings..."

"Okay, I understand." Si Yan nodded and continued to deal with the things at hand.

On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, early in the morning, Si Yan had just finished training with everyone in the yard when Hong Bo hurried over.

"Miss, the Minister of Justice, Zhen Zhinian, has come in person and said he wants to see you. The master asked me to come and ask if you want to see him?"

Si Yan responded: "See you."

Zhen Zhinian is a typical figure of the Imperial Noble Consort and Prime Minister's faction. If he turns to Prince Yong, the Prime Minister's power will collapse by half.

Hongbo saw that his young lady didn't even think about it, as if she had already expected Zhen Zhinian to come.

In the main hall of the Si family, Zhen Zhinian, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and his son Zhen Jun were waiting for Si Yan.

As soon as Si Yan appeared in the main hall, Zhen Zhinian quickly stood up and greeted him: "Your humble servant greets Lord Si Yan. I apologize for disturbing you so hastily today."

Si Zhengxuan quietly watched the once-impressive Zhen Zhinian bow respectfully to his daughter. This scene was eerie no matter how he looked at it...

But he was no longer surprised. The emperor looked up to this girl, let alone others?

Si Zhengxuan cares more about his daughter's behavior. This girl is a first-time official and doesn't know the intricacies of officialdom, so he has to keep a close eye on her.

"Master Zhen, don't mind." Si Yan was very direct. "I wonder why you came here?"

Zhen Zhinian saw that Si Yan spoke directly and saved a lot of small talk.

"I have come here for two main reasons. The first is to apologize for Zhen Jun's offense against Lord Si Yan. I should have brought this unfilial son here to apologize a long time ago, but I was injured and unable to move, so I put it off until today. I hope Lord Si Yan will not mind."

Si Yan didn't say anything and sat down gently next to his father.

Zhen Zhinian turned around to look at his stunned son and said sternly, "Jun'er, why don't you apologize to Lord Si Yan right away?"

Zhen Jun slowly stood up from behind his father, lowered his eyebrows and eyes, and said, "I was blind that day and offended Master Si Yan. I beg Master Si Yan to forgive me."

Si Yan still didn't say anything, Zhen Jun just bent over like that. Si Yan didn't say that he forgave him, nor did he say that he didn't.

Zhen Zhinian kicked his son in the leg. Zhen Jun bent his legs and knelt down in front of Si Yan.

"If you dare to cause trouble again in the future, I will break your legs." Zhen Jinian shouted angrily.

Zhen Jun's eyes were red, and his heart was full of grievances: "Yes, father."

After Zhen Zhinian finished training his son, he looked at Si Yan respectfully and said, "Sir Si Yan, I have been busy with official duties over the years and have neglected to discipline this child, which is why he has developed his current temper. I will discipline him strictly when I return."

Si Yan looked at the rebellious look on the back of Zhen Jun's head. This kid is not easy to manage.

Si Yan said calmly, "What happened in the past is in the past. Master Zhen has received the corresponding punishment. I will not pursue this matter any further."

The implication is that other matters will not be ignored.

Zhen Jinian was a smart man and understood what Si Yan said as soon as he heard it.

Zhen Zhinian bowed to Si Yan and said, "Lord Si Yan, I have served as an official for many years and have tried my best to be impartial. However, the environment in the Daxuan court does not allow people to maintain their integrity. Over the years, I have done many good and bad things..."

At this point, Zhen Zhinian choked up, "But as long as Prime Minister Xin Rui doesn't interfere, I will never pervert the law. My biggest mistake was interrogating Prince Yong and implicating the Grand Tutor and other elders. Although I had no choice, I did it."

Si Yan looked at Zhen Zhinian calmly: "So, what does Master Zhen want to say?"

Zhen Zhinian pulled out a booklet from his bosom. "This is a record of all the unjust, false, and wrong cases I've recorded over the years. They were all instigated by Prime Minister Xin Rui. If Lord Si Yan is satisfied with this, I will expose Xin Rui in front of Your Majesty. I will not hesitate to die, even if it means…"

"What do you want?" Si Yan asked.

"I only ask Lord Si Yan to let the Zhen family go and give my wife and son a chance to live."

Zhen Jinian really didn't want the Zhen family bloodline to be destroyed in his hands.

Zhen Zhinian could see that Si Yan would definitely clean up the Ministry of Justice next. Pei Wangjie interrogated Fu Rentao overnight, and the truth was about to come out.

He knew that he could not escape the blame, and now this was the only bargaining chip he could use to save the Zhen family.

Si Yan didn't expect Zhen Jinian to be so determined, nor did he expect him to go to such lengths for his wife and children.

If he exposed Xin Rui, he would be implicated.

To put it bluntly, he is now trading his own life for the lives of his wife and children.

"My words don't count. The person Lord Zhen was interrogating back then was Prince Yong. Whether Lord Zhen can be released depends on the attitude of His Highness Prince Yong."

"I met with His Royal Highness Prince Yong yesterday. He stated that if I could report Prime Minister Xin Rui, His Royal Highness would be willing to give Jun'er and his mother a chance to live."

Zhen Zhinian took a deep breath, tears welling up in his eyes.

He has been walking on thin ice these years and has been controlled by Prime Minister Xin Rui. Now that he can get rid of Xin Rui, even if he dies, he will be free.

Zhen Jun looked at his father in disbelief. Is his father crazy?

My father wants to report the Prime Minister?

Si Yan looked calm: "Since Prince Yong has agreed, I naturally have no objection. The fate of the Zhen family depends on Master Zhen's performance."

"Thank you, Lord Si Yan." Zhen Zhinian looked at Si Yan with gratitude, then turned to look at Si Zhengxuan, "Thank you, Lord Situ."

Si Yan raised his eyes to glance at Zhen Jun, who was frowning. Although he tried his best to restrain himself, he still looked unconvinced, and it was obvious that he did not understand his father's good intentions at all.

"Master Zhen, I think Young Master Zhen is unruly and seems a bit impetuous. My Daxuan is currently recruiting soldiers. Why not let Young Master Zhen join the army and gain a few years of experience? Perhaps his temperament will change."

Zhen Jinian didn't expect Si Yan to suddenly mention this matter, but now he absolutely didn't dare to refuse Si Yan.

He also knew that his son was difficult to discipline. The last time he tied up the kid, he let him escape.

Fortunately, someone informed him and he caught the boy at the gate of Prince Chen's mansion.

Zhen Zhinian smiled and said, "Master Si Yan's words make sense. I will send this unfilial son to the army as soon as I get back."

Zhen Jun: ...

Si Yan reminded: "Master Zhen, don't send it to the wrong person. Make sure to send it to the new recruits."

Although Zhen Zhinian didn't understand why, he still agreed.