A concubine? You're more like a joke. I'd rather send you to your death.

Consort Shu immediately stopped talking, and her tears instantly dried up.

“Your Majesty, please understand that the princess is still young and may have misspoke. I hope Your Majesty will consider her good behavior and understanding over the years and give her a lenient punishment.”

Consort Shu wasn't stupid; after all, she had been in the harem for so many years and understood some of the Emperor's temperament.

She knew the emperor was angry at that moment, and that crying out for justice would only backfire; it was better to retreat in order to advance.

Upon hearing this, the emperor was indeed less angry.

"Get up and talk."

"Yes."

Consort Shu stood up, tidied her appearance, and looked elegant and dignified.

In fact, Consort Shu's eyebrows and eyes looked very much like Consort Yun's, which was one of the reasons why the Emperor favored her.

The Emperor himself knew the truth of the matter best. He frowned and took a deep look at Consort Shu, who had recovered as usual, though her eyes were still slightly red.

He's really ridiculous sometimes, why can't he forget?

He even looked for her shadow in others. He felt it was unfair to Consort Shu and knew it was wrong, but he just wanted to see those eyes and brows.

In fact, how could Consort Shu not know? She had known all these years in the palace.

Looking at the Emperor's expression, Consort Shu understood that the Emperor had begun to miss Consort Yun again.

It doesn't matter who she resembles, as long as the emperor likes her, she will enjoy unparalleled favor. She's just a substitute, and she's willing to stay that way forever.

"Your Majesty, I know I am guilty and dare not ask for your forgiveness. However, the princess is young, and she is my only child. I hope Your Majesty will consider that I have never made a mistake in all these years and will punish me leniently."

Consort Shu spoke softly, her eyes showing a hint of grievance.

Sometimes it's not that Consort Shu resembles Consort Yun, but rather that she deliberately imitates her.

The Emperor was naturally reluctant to let him go, but as Bai Hao had mentioned in his letter, it would be difficult to appease the people if he did not punish them.

"You go back first. I need to consider this matter carefully. The will of the people cannot be ignored. Do you understand?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Shu felt a sense of foreboding, but she knew that if she said anything more at this moment, it might displease the Emperor.

"Your Majesty knows and understands what I mean, but as a blood relative, I cannot bear it."

"Since you understand, you should teach them properly on a regular basis."

"It is my fault for failing in my duty. I should go back and reflect on my actions behind closed doors, and copy the Rules for Women a hundred times."

Consort Shu's words resonated deeply with the Emperor.

"Hmm, go down and reflect on your actions. You should no longer concern yourself with the princess's affairs."

"Yes, the concubine is retiring."

Consort Shu bowed slightly and withdrew.

The Emperor sighed slightly. Consort Shu had always been sensible, never vying for anything, and had only this one daughter.

At this moment, a young eunuch whispered in the ear of the old eunuch.

"Your Majesty, a messenger from the Ministry of Justice is requesting an audience outside the palace."

The eunuch Yuan reported this.

"Xuan."

The Emperor said calmly, "What's meant to happen will happen. Some things can't be ignored."

"I pay my respects to the Emperor."

Liu Qian from the Ministry of Justice knelt on the ground and said.

"My dear minister, rise and reply."

"Yes." Liu Qian stood up, bowed slightly, and continued, "The princess caused a scene in the capital, contradicted the Prince, used foul language, and aroused public anger. She is currently in the Ministry of Justice prison. We are foolish and do not know how to deal with this matter."

After all, she was a princess of the current dynasty, so how could Liu Qian dare to deal with her privately?

"What's wrong with your forehead, my dear minister?"

The emperor looked at the wound on his forehead, which still had a lot of blood on it, and couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.

Who has the audacity to assault the Minister of Justice?

However, this fifth princess was truly unlikable; she shouted and yelled in the Ministry of Justice, and even physically assaulted people.

As a result, Liu Qian's forehead was broken by a teacup, and he did not clean the blood off it, but came to see the emperor like that.

"Your Majesty, I was injured by the Fifth Princess."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's expression visibly darkened.

"Why did the princess hurt my beloved minister?"

“As a princess of noble birth, she naturally dislikes places like the Ministry of Justice. I dare not do anything about it. Many people in the Ministry of Justice have been insulted or even injured by the princess. I had no choice but to come and ask Your Majesty for advice on how to deal with this. If this continues, I'm afraid the princess will tear down the Ministry of Justice.”

As Liu Qian spoke, he observed the emperor's expression. He did not embellish the story; he spoke only the truth.

The Fifth Princess was arrogant and domineering, lacking any dignity befitting a princess. Besides spewing insults and throwing things around, she also called him a beast and a piece of trash. Liu Qian was so angry that he almost fainted.

In all his years in officialdom, no one had ever dared to insult him like this. He never expected to be scolded by a princess. He was so embarrassed and felt really wronged.

"Outrageous!" The Emperor was instantly enraged. "A prince is subject to the same laws as a commoner. How can she be allowed to cause trouble in the Ministry of Justice?"

"Your Majesty, rest your anger."

Liu Qian lowered his eyes, barely daring to breathe.

"The Fifth Princess is morally deficient and is hereby sent to the Imperial Clan Court for three years."

The Emperor never expected that the Fifth Princess would have such a character. She made a scene in the Ministry of Justice and even dared to injure a court official. She was simply lawless, and her usual obedience was all an act.

This punishment was deserved, and the Emperor showed no pity or regret whatsoever.

Such a person, lacking the dignity of a princess, would likely be beaten to death.

"The minister obeys the order."

Liu Qian accepted the order directly.

The emperor picked up a brush and began to write the imperial edict.

Every stroke was powerful and vigorous. Eunuch Yuan served by his side until the imperial edict was finished and the seal was affixed. The Fifth Princess paid the price for her ignorance and foolishness.

Liu Qian accepted the imperial edict, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes.

The Emperor is truly as upright and incorruptible as ever, never bending the law for personal gain. This is a blessing for the Western Ling Kingdom.

"Your Majesty, I will go and read the imperial edict immediately."

"Ah."

The emperor suddenly felt somewhat tired.

On this day, the imperial city of Xiling was in an uproar.

Gu Nian was sent to the Imperial Clan Court and was not allowed to leave for three years.

This punishment left Gu Nian dumbfounded for a moment.

She didn't believe it was real, but when she saw the brightly lit imperial edict, her arrogance vanished instantly.

Do not--

Her father dotes on her so much, he would never treat her like this.

"The imperial decree is here. Guards, escort the Fifth Princess to the Imperial Clan Court."

Liu Qian looked at the arrogant Fifth Princess, who had suddenly become docile, without feeling the slightest pity.

Such a woman is even more arrogant than a shrew in the marketplace, and he dislikes nothing more than someone who bullies others by abusing their power.

The entire Ministry of Justice was overjoyed. They had all been scolded and beaten by the princess for a long time, but dared not speak out. Now they felt even more grateful for the emperor's wisdom and might.

"You lowly commoners, don't touch this princess."

At this moment, Gu Nian was still flaunting her princess status, spewing nonsense without any remorse.

"We are only acting under orders. With the imperial decree here, does the Fifth Princess intend to disobey it?"

Liu Qian waved the imperial edict in front of it.

“It’s all fake. Father would never punish us like that.”

Gu Nian was still deceiving herself, refusing to believe it was true.

"Guards, take him away."

Liu Qian didn't want to say anything more to Gu Nian, after all, he had already had enough of this princess.

"You dare..."

"presumptuous........"

Amidst Gu Nian's repeated shouts, she was led away.

Liu Qian rubbed his forehead and felt much calmer, his mind becoming clearer.