The Emperor's heart is won, she sits on the Phoenix Throne! The Divine Physician's Eldest

"Xuan!"

After Emperor Changlong finished speaking, he looked at *** and said, "You may leave."

*** was incredibly arrogant; without even saying goodbye, he turned and left.

Emperor Changlong frowned as he watched ***'s departing figure, his expression one of great displeasure.

Just as Song Siyao stepped into the Imperial Study, *** came out.

The two met at the doorway, their eyes locked, and in an instant, it was as if two armies were facing each other, swords drawn and bows ready.

War is about to break out.

Song Siyao's lips curled into a slight smile, his eyes full of provocation.

*** Gritting her teeth and glaring coldly, she wanted to teach Song Siyao a lesson, but recalling Emperor Changlong's warning, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

She was the first to compromise, turning her gaze away and stepping out of the imperial study.

Song Siyao suppressed her icy aura and continued walking inside.

Upon seeing Emperor Changlong, everyone bowed, and then Song Siyao reported to Emperor Changlong.

"Your Majesty, the investigation into the academy's examination case has been completed and it has been determined that it was done by Lord Dong. The evidence is conclusive, and all personnel related to this case have been brought in."

Emperor Changlong looked at Dong Sheng without any surprise, "Dong Sheng, do you know your crime?"

"Your Majesty, I know my crime. I deserve to die ten thousand times." Dong Sheng knelt on the ground and made no further explanation.

He could tell from Emperor Changlong's expression that Emperor Changlong had known all along that he was the mastermind.

His defense would only anger Emperor Changlong; he might as well plead guilty and accept punishment, in which case Emperor Changlong might give him a lighter sentence.

"As the Minister of Justice, you knowingly violated the law, and your crime is doubled. Effective immediately, you are dismissed from your post as Minister of Justice, demoted to the seventh rank, and sent to Lianghuang County as magistrate," Emperor Changlong said.

Upon hearing this, Dong Sheng froze instantly, unable to believe what he was hearing.

Seeing this, Emperor Changlong asked again, "Are you dissatisfied?"

Dong Sheng snapped out of his daze and immediately prostrated himself on the ground to express his gratitude, saying, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

His head hit the ground hard, and his whole body went limp.

He knew he would be punished, but he didn't expect the punishment to be so severe.

He was demoted from a high-ranking official, the Minister of Justice, to a county magistrate, a position that was originally a second-rank official.

Lianghuang County is the poorest county in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

It is said that the local people are like bandits, unreasonable and prone to fighting and killing at the slightest disagreement.

Several county magistrates died mysteriously in the past.

Sending him to Lianghuang County as magistrate is tantamount to taking his life.

This is tantamount to exiling him to a harsh and cold place.

However, it was just an entrance exam for an academy; even if he deliberately destroyed the exam paper, he didn't deserve such a severe punishment.

The reason Emperor Changlong punished him so severely was probably because he was using this as an excuse; he had wanted to punish him for a long time, and this incident provided just such a reason.

Dong Sheng now understood why Song Siyao was so arrogant. She was the sword in Emperor Changlong's hand. The more arrogant and sharper she was, the more she could eliminate those with disloyal intentions for Emperor Changlong.

He miscalculated!

He underestimated Song Siyao, and even more so, he underestimated Jun Xin.

However, it is too late to regret.

Next, Emperor Changlong punished other people involved in the case.

After those guilty people were taken away, only Song Siyao, Shen Pei, and Emperor Changlong remained in the hall.

Emperor Changlong was overjoyed. "Miss Song, you have made a great contribution this time. I want to celebrate your achievement. I will hold a celebration banquet for you in the palace in three days."

He knew that Dong Sheng was Su Taifu's man, and since he couldn't touch Su Taifu now, he would break his arm first.

But he has not been able to find a suitable reason.

Song Siyao really helped him a lot.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Song Siyao felt that Emperor Changlong was too high-profile, but it was good that way. With Emperor Changlong elevating her status, it would be easier for her to act.

The three of them talked for a while longer before Song Siyao and Shen Pei left the palace.

At this moment, outside the palace.

News of Song Siyao proving her innocence has spread throughout the capital.

General Meng's Mansion.

When Editor Meng returned to the manor, Second Madam Meng couldn't wait to ask, "Master, what was the result? Was Song Siyao kneeling on the ground, weeping bitterly? Did she regret being so arrogant back then?"

Seeing the mocking and smug look on Madam Meng's face, Editor Meng sighed, sat down, took a big gulp of tea, and looked displeased.

"Master, please tell me quickly, is it true? Song Siyao is being ridiculed by everyone to the point of not wanting to live anymore, isn't she?" Second Madam Meng urged.

When Editor Meng saw Madam Meng, he said, "Song Siyao did not submit a blank paper; she ranked first in this assessment."

"What?" Madam Meng's face changed, her expression filled with disbelief. "Impossible! Grandpa, are you sure you're not mistaken? How could someone as stupid as her possibly get first place?"

Editor Meng told Madam Meng the details of what had happened. Madam Meng sat heavily in her chair, her face pale and distraught.

how can that be possible?

Song Siyao is just an abandoned woman from the general's mansion, how can she be so powerful?

What kind of person did their general's mansion lose?

Editor Meng added, "Judging from this, the Emperor must value Song Siyao very much. From now on, Song Siyao will be a favorite of the Emperor."

His words were like a knife stabbing into Madam Meng's body. Unable to bear it, Madam Meng immediately fainted.

"lady!"

"mother!"

Just then, Meng Zhanting returned from outside and asked Editor Meng, "Dad, what happened to Mom?"

He did not hear what Editor Meng had just said.

Editor Meng repeated, "Song Siyao did not submit a blank paper. She got first place. From now on, she will be a favorite of the Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Meng Zhanting's mind went blank, and his whole body froze. He loosened his grip, and the Second Madam Meng fell heavily to the ground again.

"Ting'er, what are you doing?!" Editor Meng shouted.

Meng Zhanting realized what was happening and quickly went to help the Second Madam Meng.

But his eyes were vacant, his face blank, and he seemed to have lost his soul, like a walking corpse.

The person he once despised turned out to be so talented and radiant.

If he hadn't abandoned Song Siyao, hadn't betrayed her, then he would still be Song Siyao's husband.

He is the husband of the student who ranked first in this academy's assessment.

He was the husband of a favorite of Emperor Changlong.

He only had to think about such wonderful things for a moment to feel like the happiest man in the world.

How many people will envy him?

He realized that he had abandoned not just Song Siyao, but his promising future.

He regretted it!