The Eldest Daughter Returns: Imperial Uncle, I'm Pregnant!

Fu Ming hesitated for a moment before stepping forward to take the evidence handed over by Ning Chengze and carefully presenting it to him.

"Your Majesty, on that day, I encountered Prime Minister Gu and others with Lord Meng, but we did not have much contact. Prime Minister Gu was staying next to me. After hearing something amiss, I rushed to the scene immediately. By then, Prime Minister Gu had already passed away. Fortunately, Lord Meng was there to uphold justice and invited a coroner to determine that Prime Minister Gu did not die from the dagger with the Ning family's insignia left at the scene, but from poison."

Chen Dianqing raised his head, his lips pale, but he knew this was his only chance to save himself. As long as he had a chance to live, the Second Prince would choose to protect him for his own sake.

"Young Master Ning, the murder weapon left at the scene is the most direct and compelling evidence that you murdered Prime Minister Gu. You said that Prime Minister Gu was poisoned, but little do you know that you may have been the one who poisoned him. You want to evade responsibility, but you should know that the only family among those present who had a grudge against Prime Minister Gu is the Ning family, and you happen to be from the Ning family!"

"Hehe, has Lord Chen been handling cases all these years by relying on guesses and maybes? If that's the case, then who knows how many wrongful convictions have been made under your care? I wonder if you've ever seen those resentful and unwilling souls in your midnight dreams?"

"Stop talking nonsense!" Chen Dianqing shouted.

"Lord Chen has been presumptuous," Xiao Jingchen reminded him at the opportune moment.

The Emperor's expression changed repeatedly, sometimes good, sometimes bad, until finally he looked at Chen Dianqing as if he were looking at a dead man.

Ning Chengze knew that the Ning family's exoneration was a foregone conclusion this time, but judging from the King of Chu's intentions today, it seemed that the position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review should be replaced.

"Whether Lord Chen believes it or not, we have found those two so-called spies, and their testimonies are here. It is not impossible for Lord Chen to confront them in court."

Xiao Yuhuai's back stiffened.

Although he didn't personally arrange for those two people, they were indeed two death row inmates found by Chen Dianqing, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and they were also extremely vicious people.

After it was done, they should have immediately found someone to kill him. At that time, they could have announced that a fugitive had been found and executed on the spot for resisting arrest. How could he have been found so easily? What kind of person is Lu Yan? He's a complete waste of his life!

Chen Dianqing finally couldn't hold back any longer and knelt down, kowtowing and shouting, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! It has nothing to do with me. I have been diligently investigating the Ning family's affairs and have not dared to slack off in the slightest."

The Emperor spoke up: "So all your diligent work has resulted in no results at all?"

"No, no, no, how could there be no result? There is a result, there is a result..."

"What's the result?"

"What's the result? Yes, yes, yes..." Chen Dianqing was at a loss for words. He blurted out, "The Ning family did indeed collude with the enemy and betray the country. The letter and the fact that the Second Young Master Ning committed murder are all there, Your Majesty. Although we don't believe it either, we have been trying to find evidence to overturn this for so many days. This matter has nothing to do with the Duke of Ning, but, but, but..."

Chen Dianqing no longer knew how to explain himself to exonerate himself. Now, his eyes kept glancing at the Second Prince, but the Second Prince had his back to him, his back so cold.

Xiao Yuheng glanced at the two of them.

He only recently learned that the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review had always been Xiao Yuhuai's man. This man had even flattered him and wanted to pledge his allegiance to him. It turned out that this man had been hiding his true intentions so well.

But now is a great opportunity. If he can use Chu Huangshu to bring down Chen Dianqing, then his man, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, will have a chance to become the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. This would be killing two birds with one stone and also removing Xiao Yuhuai's henchmen.

“Father, this Chen Dianqing is too despicable. This is some evidence that I have collected regarding Chen’s corruption and bribery. Chen has manipulated some cases behind the scenes, turning black into white for the sake of power and money, and has made many wrongful convictions.”

"Not only that, Lord Chen's wife is also a loan shark, and she has even killed someone for loan sharking. However, Lord Chen exonerated his wife with an unknown crime. Furthermore, Lord Chen's son got into a fight with someone in a brothel over a woman and killed the person directly... His crimes are too numerous to list. Now, my uncle has found evidence that the Duke of Ningguo was framed. I hope that Father Emperor will investigate thoroughly."

The Third Prince's faction closely followed his lead and relentlessly suppressed Chen Dianqing. For a time, no one in the court was able to plead for Chen Dianqing.

The Emperor's face darkened as he asked, "Chen Dianqing! Do you know your crime?"

Chen Dianqing's clothes were soaked with sweat. He looked at the Second Prince kneeling in front of him and thought that he might as well make one last desperate attempt. He didn't ask for anything else, he just wanted to save his life.

Xiao Yuhuai suddenly said, "Father, I never thought Chen Dianqing was such a person. He is two-faced, misleading me and causing me to have a bad relationship with the Chu Prince's Mansion. He is malicious and almost made me harm loyal and good people."

Chen Dianqing looked ashen-faced. Was the Second Prince going to abandon him? If that were the case, then the Second Prince was heartless, and he shouldn't be blamed for being unjust!

"However, I believe that Lord Chen was a diligent and good minister in his earlier years. Perhaps he has been blinded by power in recent years. I hope that Your Majesty will contact his family. Chen Dianqing deserves to die, but his family is innocent."

Chen Dianqing fell silent. Yes, he was doomed, but he still had family. Now, only the Second Prince could protect his family.

"Madam Chen has killed someone while lending money," the Prefect of Jingzhao said indifferently.

The emperor's face darkened; he was unwilling to waste any more time in court on such a person.

"Chen Dianqing's cruelty to loyal officials almost caused a major disaster. He made a wrong judgment and a false case. His private life was not well managed, so he was imprisoned. Considering his past merits, although his nine generations of relatives were not punished, all the men in his household were exiled, and the women were forced into prostitution. His collateral relatives were not allowed to enter the officialdom for five years."

Chen Dianqing looked utterly defeated. He regretted it; he shouldn't have listened to Lu Yan's sweet talk and sided with the Second Prince. Now, he had brought this whole predicament upon himself.

With the Ning family's affairs settled, Ning Chengze was released and allowed to return home.

The second prince was stripped of all his posts and forbidden from entering or leaving the court; he could only wander around outside.

At the palace gate, the King of Chu remained as unapproachable as ever, and few of the civil and military officials dared to approach him.

Ning Chengze, being fearless, rushed to the King of Chu in a few strides.