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

If Su Qingshuang's confession was insignificant to Grand Tutor Su, then Song Siyao's question was a direct slap in the face to him.

Grand Tutor Su knew that Song Siyao must have said something to Su Qingshuang, but it was definitely a punishment more severe than insulting a martyr, which was why Su Qingshuang was willing to confess. He couldn't understand what kind of leverage Song Siyao had over Su Qingshuang.

"Miss Song has some clever methods, but the Marquis of Zhenbei was once an upright and honest man. His good character is now gone, and there is no one to carry on his legacy." Grand Tutor Su indirectly cursed Song Siyao for being treacherous and cunning, a villain. At the same time, he implied that everyone in the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion was dead.

Song Siyao's eyes were icy cold, and her voice was chilling. "Grand Tutor, you are very fortunate. Your excellent virtues have been inherited by Miss Su. I believe that with Miss Su around, they will be passed down from generation to generation and carried forward."

The usually calm and collected Grand Tutor Su finally lost his temper, but it vanished in an instant.

"Good, good! Miss Song's eloquence is superb, I concede defeat." Grand Tutor Su put on a kind smile again and looked at Emperor Changlong. "No wonder His Majesty admires Miss Song so much. She is intelligent, courageous, and eloquent. She is a promising talent."

His words made it sound as if his earlier confrontation with Song Siyao was just a joke.

Moreover, it shows that he is magnanimous and can accept all things; even though Song Siyao humiliated him so much, he still praised her.

"Sir, you have a discerning eye. I think so too." Emperor Changlong smiled insincerely, knowing that Grand Tutor Su was about to start dodging the issue and try to get away with it.

Moreover, he knew that Grand Tutor Su wanted him to speak up and tell Song Siyao to stop there and not affect today's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.

Grand Tutor Su watched as Emperor Changlong's facial muscles stiffened with laughter. In the past, Emperor Changlong would usually follow through on what Su suggested, but today Emperor Changlong remained silent.

At this moment, Song Siyao spoke up, "Grand Tutor, you are well-read and learned, you should know what punishment you will receive for insulting martyrs. Now that Miss Su has confessed her crime, please, Grand Tutor, give justice to the hero who sacrificed himself to protect the Great Zhou."

“Miss Song, you are right. Justice must be served. However, Su Qingshuang is my own granddaughter. No matter how severe my punishment is, some people will say that I am biased towards her and that the punishment is too lenient.” Su Taifu looked at Emperor Changlong with a serious face. “Your Majesty, it is my fault for not teaching Qingshuang well. I feel deeply remorseful and heartbroken for Qingshuang’s mistake today. I beg Your Majesty to punish me.”

After he finished speaking, he knelt down with a thud, the sound of his knees hitting the bluestone sending shivers down the spines of those around him.

He knelt down, and Su Yizhou, who was standing behind him, also knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, please punish me. If a son is not taught properly, it is the father's fault. I have failed to teach Qingshuang well."

Grand Tutor Su knelt down, Su Yizhou knelt down, and the other four ministers of the six ministries followed suit.

Consort Xian also knelt down, "Your Majesty, my father is old. The injury he suffered on his back when he was young still hurts terribly whenever it rains. I am worried that he will not be able to bear it, so I am willing to take the punishment in his place."

Most importantly, Su Taifu's injury was caused while protecting Emperor Changlong; his bones were broken at the time.

Consort Xian never mentioned the word "gratitude" in her words, but every word reminded Emperor Changlong of the kindness he had shown her in the past.

Song Siyao stood below, gazing at the scene on the stage. She looked at Emperor Changlong's calm and composed face, a calmness and composure that came from being used to such scenes. The pressure from her mentor, the threats from the important ministers, and the warning from her childhood sweetheart—at this moment, she could feel the emperor's predicament, anger, heartbreak, and helplessness.

Therefore, Emperor Changlong chose her.

Perfect timing, she also needs to move up.

What were the real stories behind the Battle of Fengshadu? Why did she survive the battle alone, with her father and brothers all dead? Why did her parents conceal her identity? Was she really the daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei...?

All the mysteries are still waiting for her to uncover.

While Song Siyao was pondering, Emperor Changlong personally helped Su Taifu up. "Sir, I am your student. How can I punish you? Besides, you still have old injuries from when you saved me. Please take your seat and rest well. I have my own plan for this matter."

When Emperor Changlong reached out his hand, Grand Tutor Su used the momentum to stand up and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."

After thanking him, he turned and walked directly to his seat, not forgetting to glance at Song Siyao. His face still wore a kind smile, but that was a true smile hiding a knife, a victor's boast.

"You all get up."

As Emperor Changlong finished speaking, Consort Xian and Su Yizhou stood up. He continued, "According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Su Qingshuang should have been imprisoned for a year. However, considering that you are a first-time offender, young and ignorant, and that the Grand Tutor pleaded for you, I will temporarily pardon you this time. You will be punished with ten strokes of the cane as a warning."

When he finished speaking, everyone thought they had misheard.

Grand Tutor Su had just sat down, thinking victory was assured, and was leisurely drinking from his wine cup when he heard this. His hand trembled, and the wine cup fell to the ground with a loud crash, spilling wine all over the floor.

Consort Xian stared at Emperor Changlong in disbelief. She couldn't believe that Emperor Changlong would dare to slap her father in public. Of course, she also lost face.

Song Siyao smiled slightly, having won the first battle.

Grand Tutor Su thought he had won with that kneeling, but it was precisely that kneeling that forced Emperor Changlong to make up his mind, and Consort Xian's words added fuel to the fire.

Looking at Grand Tutor Su's grim face, Emperor Changlong asked apologetically, "Sir, have I punished him too severely?"

When asked this question, Grand Tutor Su's anger choked him, making it hard for him to breathe. "Your Majesty, I thank you for your mercy," he said.

Even the emperor has learned to play dirty tricks!

"Thank you for not blaming me, sir." Emperor Changlong immediately ordered, "Guards, take Su Qingshuang away and carry it out immediately!"

When the guards came to take Su Qingshuang away, she felt as if she were dreaming and couldn't believe that it was all real.

Her grandfather clearly said that as long as one is strong enough, one can decide the outcome of things. Why did things turn out this way? She had just seen the light of victory.

"Miss Song, justice has been served. Please have a seat," Emperor Changlong said to Song Siyao.

Song Siyao replied respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty."

The moment their eyes met, they understood each other perfectly.

Emperor Changlong glanced at Wang Fu, who then loudly announced, "The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet is now officially beginning."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the storm had passed, but little did they know that the real storm was just beginning.

According to later historical records, the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in the twentieth year of the Changlong era marked the beginning of Song Siyao's entry into politics. From then on, she would crush injustice and eradicate evil...

However, that's a story for another time, so let's leave it at that for now.

Now, let's talk about the present...