May this scumbag husband, who favored his concubine over his wife, rest in peace.

Princess Anping took a deep breath to calm herself and said, "Your Majesty, these items do indeed belong to my household. It was because I was ignorant before that I thought the insignia on them were exquisite and wanted to collect and admire them, so—"

Before she could finish speaking, the emperor interrupted her, saying, "Anping, I really can't believe your excuse."

Are the royal guards' belongings just lying around outside, readily available?

Moreover, these are weapons, not hairpins or jewelry. How could Princess Anping possibly say such a thing?

"Still being stubborn!" The emperor's voice suddenly rose a notch. "You know perfectly well what you've done! Just tell me already, so others won't find out and make you look bad!"

Princess Anping immediately knelt on the ground, her complexion, which had just begun to recover, turning pale again: "Royal brother, I—"

"I want to hear the truth!" The emperor's patience was running out. "I only want to hear the truth!"

The emperor exuded his full aura, pressing directly towards Princess Anping.

Lu Chengyuan, who was standing with Princess Anping, remained calm and unaffected by the oppressive aura.

Princess Anping's face turned pale, and her heart turned to ice.

Meeting the Emperor's sharp gaze, Princess Anping closed her eyes and finally had no choice but to tell the whole story: "It was...it was a gift from Father when I left the capital."

Princess Anping's answer was actually within the expectations of the Emperor and Lu Chengyuan.

The emperor remained silent for a long time, then sighed, his tone full of disappointment: "Anping, you know, I have always regarded you as my own sister."

Princess Anping trembled.

"But you've kept such a big thing from me all this time; it really chills my heart."

Princess Anping was no fool; upon hearing this, how could she not understand the emperor's meaning?

She took a deep breath and kowtowed deeply: "Your Majesty, I have failed your trust, please forgive me!"

The emperor sighed heavily.

But there was little sadness in his eyes.

The emperor remained silent, seemingly pondering how to deal with her.

Princess Anping did not get up and remained in the bowing posture.

Lu Chengyuan remained silent.

From the moment Princess Anping revealed the origins of the secret guards, her fate was already sealed.

Lu Chengyuan had already achieved his goal, so there was no need for him to say anything now, lest he cause himself further trouble.

The emperor remained silent for a long time before finally sighing, "Anping, we are like brother and sister. It is truly not easy for you to be alone with Jieyou now."

"Pack your things and take Jieyou back to your fiefdom. Don't come to the capital again."

To put it nicely, it was about Princess Anping taking Princess Jieyou back to her fiefdom; but to put it bluntly, it was about expelling her from the capital.

And he shall never return to the capital...

This punishment is extremely severe.

Princess Anping pursed her lips and finally muttered, "Yes."

To save face for Princess Anping, the emperor did not issue an imperial edict, but instead ordered her to leave on her own with Princess Jieyou.

After Princess Anping kowtowed to the emperor in gratitude, she left the palace dejectedly.

After Princess Anping left, the Emperor glanced at Lu Chengyuan and asked, "Minister Lu, is there any progress on the assassination of Huyan Chanyu?"

Lu Chengyuan shook his head: "The person who made the move is meticulous, and I have not yet found any clues."

The emperor nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Lu Chengyuan knew he had something to say, so he stood quietly to the side.

After a long pause, the emperor said, "Minister Lu, I'm afraid this matter cannot be delayed any longer."

Yesterday, Grand Secretary Qin entered the palace and gave him a reminder.

If they hadn't promised to give an explanation, that would have been fine. But now that they've promised, and yet they're delaying giving an explanation, I'm afraid that if this goes on for too long, Huyan Zhuo will look down on Da Zhao.

If Hu Yanzhuo develops inappropriate thoughts at that time, it will still cause trouble.

Lu Chengyuan's eyebrows twitched slightly: "Your subject understands."

"Well, you go."

The emperor had complete confidence in Lu Chengyuan, and without giving him any further instructions, he waved his hand to dismiss him.