Having transmigrated into a book, who would still want to be a secondary wife?

Just then, an imperial edict arrived.

"Consort Zhong has been demoted to a commoner and banished to the Cold Palace!"

These few words were tantamount to sentencing Consort Zhong to death.

Consort Zhong slumped to the ground, her whole being seemingly drained of energy, her face deathly pale.

It’s over.

She had been to the Cold Palace, that terrible place, once before. Almost all the concubines who were banished to the Cold Palace went mad.

She had ridiculed those concubines and mocked their foolishness, but now... she had actually walked a dead end!

"The Ling family! Why did the Ling family want to harm me?!"

Seeing Consort Zhong's frenzied state, the Empress waved her hand and said, "Drag her away."

"Yes, Queen."

After Consort Zhong was dragged away, the room returned to silence.

The Empress was still shaken, recalling that she had previously thought the Ling family was a good match and wanted Jun Ting to marry her.

The emperor was furious at the time, but she didn't understand why. Now, thinking back on it carefully, she broke out in a cold sweat. It was truly fortunate!

Song Ruozhen quietly watched the commotion from the sidelines, when she suddenly noticed that the Empress's gaze towards her was unusually gentle. She couldn't help but wonder what was going on.

The concubines inside the room sighed in dismay. The emperor had many children, but none of them had ever made such a grave mistake.

Today's events should serve as a wake-up call for them, so that they will never follow in their footsteps again.

By the time Chu Junting came to pick up Song Ruozhen after court, it was already noon.

"It's getting late, why don't you all have your meal here?" the Queen said with a smile.

Seeing that his wife had no objections, Chu Junting agreed.

"Why did the court session end so late today?" The Empress was a little puzzled. The imperial edict had been issued long ago, but the court session had not ended for a long time, which was strange.

"Mother must already know what Chu Tianche and the Ling family have done. The entire Ling family was executed, but over the years, he has many followers."

The whole affair wasn't just the Ling family's doing; many other officials were involved as well. The Emperor ordered a thorough investigation, intending to leave no one unpunished, so naturally it will take more time.

Chu Junting recalled the fearful demeanor of all the officials in the court today, clearly indicating that they were all involved with the Ling family.

It is likely that many people will be dismissed from their posts this time.

"Execution of the entire family?" The Empress had not heard of the Ling family's punishment before, but it was not hard to guess.

Thinking back to the Ling family's former glory and their current predicament, one can't help but sigh.

"They have too many lives on their hands. Grand Tutor Ling and other key figures should be executed by slow slicing!"

When Chu Junting said this, he glanced at Song Ruozhen. Far from being frightened by the punishment, the latter smiled.

"My father has finally avenged the soldiers."

Chu Junting nodded, "My father-in-law made an appointment with several other generals after court to go together to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers."

The Empress was unaware of these matters beforehand, and upon hearing them, her expression changed.

"The Ling family did something like this?"

Chu Junting smiled faintly, "Mother should now know why Father was so angry back then, right? Over the years, the Ling family has done many shady things, relying on their location far away in Pingyang City."

Yesterday, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review only conducted a cursory investigation and discovered that over a thousand people had died at their hands, not to mention that the previous floods were very likely their doing.

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. Thinking of the people who died in the flood and so many others who were displaced, how innocent they were!

When Song Ruozhen was about to leave after lunch, she looked at the large pile of items in front of her and her eyes were filled with astonishment.

"Mother, what's wrong...?"

The Empress smiled broadly. "Zhen'er, these are all specially selected for you by your mother. You can use the hairpins and jewelry, and these are also newly arrived tributes, all of which are fine silks and satins that young girls like."

Take this back and have some clothes made that you like. Now is the prime of a young woman's life; she should dress up nicely!

"But isn't this too much?" Song Ruozhen couldn't help but ask.

"A lot of what?" The Empress didn't think so at all. "When I was young, I was famous for having a lot of clothes and jewelry!"

Chu Junting's eyes were filled with a smile as he said, "Since it was given by the Empress Dowager, you should keep it safe."

"Thank you, Mother." Song Ruozhen replied.

The Empress's gaze swept between the two of them, and she said with a smile, "Now that you are married, I wonder when I will hold my grandson?"

Song Ruozhen was slightly taken aback and couldn't help but look at Chu Junting. Since ancient times, marriage has been accompanied by pressure to have children, but she was not good at answering this kind of question.

Looking at Song Ruozhen's flushed cheeks and then at his mother's expectant face, Chu Junting pondered for a moment and said, "Your subject will do his best."

Song Ruozhen: "!!!"

The Empress smiled and said, "Very good!"

……

Sitting in the carriage on the way back to the mansion, Chu Junting said, "The Ling family matter involves a wide range of issues. Father Emperor is determined to investigate it thoroughly, and I'm afraid the capital is in turmoil recently."

All the officials involved will inevitably be punished. My father has instructed me and Prince Xiao to help the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review investigate everything.

"So you'll probably be busy from now on?"

Song Ruozhen understood that the Ling family had a deeply entrenched position in the court over the years, and even though they had been in Pingyang City for many years, they had maintained contact with many officials in the capital.

Therefore, they were able to receive news about what was happening in the imperial court.

A thorough investigation would be a massive undertaking.

Chu Junting nodded, "I'll be quite busy, but Dali Temple isn't far, so I'll still come back every day."

"Then I'll cook you some more delicious food to nourish your body, so you don't overwork yourself."

Song Ruozhen smiled slightly. This time she had survived a disaster. She originally wanted to send Jun Ting good news, but that's just how the world is: with great power comes great responsibility.

As a prince, he had many things to do, but she felt at ease.

Chu Junting raised an eyebrow, then pulled Song Ruozhen onto his lap. He lowered his head and kissed her lips, his voice deep and suggestive:

"How about after tonight, Madam, you see if I need some nourishment?"

Song Ruozhen's eyes widened as she recalled how energetic and restless the man was at night, and suddenly felt that he didn't seem to need any supplements.

"How does Madam plan to properly nourish me?"

Chu Junting kissed her lips, his voice flowing from between his teeth, his gaze growing ever more profound.

He now fully understands why men want to get married.

I like her.

I want to completely meld her into my very bones.

Her delicate and soft appearance is intoxicating, and her sweet and cloying fragrance is simply irresistible.

"No..." Song Ruozhen blushed and whispered, "We're still in the carriage."

"Then shall we go back later?"

Chu Junting stopped what he was doing, his deep, dark eyes fixed on the woman before him, a deep desire surging within them.

"I miss you."

Song Ruozhen wrapped her arms around the man's neck, buried her head in his chest, calmed her rapid breathing, and softly responded.