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

"The Crown Prince will not have any children, and he has no way to stand on this point."

“Even without the Crown Prince, there’s still Xiao Yuheng. It’s clear that Duke Wen has already sided with Xiao Yuheng.” Xiao Yuhuai looked utterly helpless, which almost made Zheng Yang want to poison him.

"Young master, don't be discouraged. The reason why the Third Prince is a threat is only because of Consort Yu and Duke Wen. But what if Consort Yu falls and Duke Wen falls?"

"What is Consort Yu? She's just pretty. But you mentioned Duke Wen? Duke Wen is the Empress Dowager's maternal family. The Emperor and Prince Chu have tried time and again to weaken Duke Wen's military power, but so far they've failed. It's really not easy to bring Duke Wen down. Do you have any ideas?"

"To be honest, young master, according to our investigation, Duke Wen is very likely the biological father of Consort Yu."

"What!" Xiao Yuhuai sat up straight, his previous nonchalant demeanor completely gone. He asked again, somewhat incredulously, "What did you say? How does Consort Yu have any connection with Duke Wen?"

"You heard me right. Consort Yu is indeed the daughter of Duke Wen. Back then, when she was pregnant, she took advantage of the drunken and unaware head of the Yu family. When Duke Wen found out, he not only did not blame her, but also found a way to get in touch with the Yu family and sent the Yu family's daughter to become a consort."

"The Duke of Wen is quite cunning. Both the Emperor and the Prince of Chu have tried every means to prevent women from the Wen family from entering the palace or their residences, because they do not want another princess from the Wen family or an imperial heir with Wen family blood. They want to eliminate their idea of ​​interfering in politics with their maternal relatives. I did not expect that the Duke of Wen would have such a way."

"If this matter comes to light, then Consort Yu will be seen as a lowly child of unknown origin, and the Third Prince's bloodline will be questioned. As for Duke Wen, I suspect he will act desperately, and then you, young master, can reap the benefits."

"But there is still the King of Chu, who is still in the capital."

“With the lady here, the King of Chu is nothing to fear.”

Faced with Zheng Yang's confidence, Xiao Yuhuai was clearly disdainful. She was just a woman with a disability, yet they treated her with such respect. It was truly absurd. He would have to deal with these people properly in time, otherwise they would really forget who their master was.

"Alright, alright, since you've made up your plans, then go ahead and do it. Let me see just how capable your girl really is."

Zheng Yang cursed the idiot in his heart and then took his leave.

After the Lunar New Year, the weather gradually warmed up, but a major event occurred in the capital.

The incident began when Yu Linglong, the young master of the Yu family, went to the Prefect of Jingzhao to accuse the Third Prince and Consort Yu of attempted murder. She also pleaded that Consort Yu's birth mother had deceived the head of the Yu family and switched the baby with the baby, causing the death of the Yu family's eldest daughter.

The capital was instantly in an uproar. At first, everyone doubted the authenticity of the matter, but when Yu Linglong brought the concubine of the Yu family who had been declared dead to the main hall, along with all the relevant witnesses and physical evidence, everyone was in an uproar.

Looking at Yu Linglong, who had struck the alarm drum so early in the morning, Zhao Youguang, the Prefect of Jingzhao, thought to himself... "That's really interesting."

A large crowd gathered to watch, including Young Master Chen. Upon closer inspection, one could also see Shao Yuanqing, the painter who had rushed over and was panting heavily.

“Yu Linglong, do you know that suing a member of the imperial family means you will be punished with twenty strokes of the cane, regardless of your life or death?”

"Your Excellency, I am aware of your words and have made all the necessary preparations. Please proceed with the execution!"

Shao Yuanqing pushed his way forward, saying, "My lord, Miss Yu is a woman, how can she be subjected to such punishment? I will take the blame for her!"

"Oh, to take the blame on his behalf?" Zhao Youliang didn't even lift his eyelids. He knew Shao Yuanqing and knew that this was the person the Crown Prince wanted to recruit, but he just couldn't stand this stubborn person. He didn't know what the Crown Prince saw in him.

"Who are you to Yu Linglong? Have you brought this upon yourself? Furthermore, haven't you read the imperial laws? Whoever files the complaint should be punished."

Yu Linglong sneered, "Yes, young master, may I ask who you are to me, that you've come here to suffer in my place?"

"you!"

Yu Linglong ignored Shao Yuanqing, lay down on the execution bench, bit a piece of clothing in her mouth, and endured the full twenty blows without uttering a sound.

Of course, Zhao Youguang wouldn't actually let anyone kill Yu Linglong. Everyone present was discerning and knew that Zhao Youguang was showing mercy. But Shao Yuanqing's face was very ugly. He stared intently at Yu Linglong's back and finally stormed off in anger.

Zhao Youguang almost burst out laughing. He said seriously, "Since you have endured the punishment, then this prefecture will accept your complaint. Alright, you may now present your case."

By the end of the morning, a huge crowd had gathered in front of the Jingzhao Prefecture, almost completely surrounding the main gate. Some even climbed onto the walls to watch the spectacle.

Yu Linglong wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and said solemnly, "My lord, back then, Song Yue'e was clearly pregnant, but she tricked my grandfather into entering the Yu family. What's worse, she conspired with the steward to harm the eldest daughter of the Yu family. Please, my lord, see the truth!"

"Yes, this is indeed a serious crime. In ordinary households, if a concubine murders the legitimate wife or daughter, she would be executed. But where is this concubine?"

Li Ming, the second steward of the Yu family, was kneeling on the ground, trembling. He hadn't expected that the young lady wouldn't give him a chance to argue. He hadn't even had time to make arrangements for his wife and children before he was captured.

"I'm asking you, Steward Li, where is Song Yue'e?"

"No, no, no, I didn't know. Miss, you've really wronged me. I've always been diligent and hardworking. Even if I haven't made any great contributions, I've certainly put in the effort. You can't just push me out and arbitrarily convict me because you've suppressed the Second Master! Besides, the Yu family only had one daughter in that generation, and she became a Noble Consort in the palace. Could it be that you're referring to Noble Consort Yu, not the Yu family's daughter?"

Zhao Youguang slammed his gavel down and shouted with piercing eyes, "Stop talking nonsense!"

Young Master Chen muttered in the crowd, "Oh, Lord Zhao, why won't you let people tell the truth? Could it be that Lord Zhao is afraid of the imperial concubine in the palace?"

"Young Master Chen, I am currently handling a case. His Majesty is a wise ruler, having entrusted me with such a task. How could I possibly bend the law for personal gain because of who the other party is!"

"Yes, yes, Lord Zhao is a good official. It was Lord Zhao who investigated the bombing case in the west of the city not long ago. It was Lord Zhao who, together with the Prince of Chu and the Crown Prince, arranged a new home for us."

"Yes, yes, Lord Zhao is a good official."

"I heard that Lord Zhao is going to be promoted to Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Such a good official should be promoted to this position."