Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Su Jing'an acted as if he hadn't seen it, remaining calm and composed, not taking it to heart at all.

“Lord Li is a veteran of three reigns. Although he has made mistakes, he has also made contributions. Now that he is getting old, why don’t you resign?” Mu Jinchen said.

Li Chuping stared at him in shock, never expecting that he would ask her to resign, and thus remained speechless for a long time.

The others were also taken aback, so they were all stunned.

For a moment, the hall was completely silent.

After a moment, Prince Qing realized what was happening and said, "This is inappropriate. Lord Li has not made any mistake. Why is he asking to resign?"

Upon hearing him speak, Prince Qing's faction rushed out to plead for him.

“What Prince Qing said is true. Lord Li has done nothing wrong, yet the Regent asked him to resign, which is truly disheartening.”

"Lord Li was asked by the students to investigate the cheating case in the imperial examination. What wrong has he done? If he were to resign because of this, what would the students think?"

“Indeed, if there is cheating again in the future, who will the students turn to for justice? Will they still trust the court? Therefore, I urge the Regent to think it over carefully.”

"Please reconsider, Your Majesty."

"Does Lord Li have anything to say?" Mu Jinchen asked.

“I have served in the court for forty years and have served four monarchs. Even if I have not made any great contributions, I have certainly worked hard. But now, the Regent is asking me to resign and go home without any reason. I am not satisfied.”

"For no reason, even now, Lord Li still thinks he is not wrong."

"I was only investigating the imperial examination fraud case at the request of the students. I don't know what wrong I have done."

"What a fine request from a scholar! I was going to spare you some face because you are a senior official in the court. But since you refuse, don't blame me for being ruthless, Prince Ying."

"Your humble servant is here."

"Inform the ministers of the results of your investigation."

"Yes, this so-called imperial examination cheating case was orchestrated by Lord Li. He first had people spread rumors in the city, and then he found students and asked them to report the case to the Ministry of Justice. He pretended to accept the students' demands and investigate the matter, but in reality, he was plotting against Lord Song. Therefore, during the investigation, Lord Li not only had people imitate Lord Song's handwriting to forge letters, but also arranged for fake witnesses."

“Nonsense. Does the Crown Prince have any evidence to support his claim?”

"Lord Li must be wondering too, since he clearly had the letter hidden, but he can't find it anywhere," he said, taking out a letter and then saying smugly, "I'm sorry, Lord Li, I've taken this letter."

Only then did Li Chuping begin to feel afraid, his heart filled with apprehension and unease.

"And the witnesses you arranged are now in my hands. Lord Li, would you like to see them?"

"You...this is slander. I urge Your Majesty and the Regent to investigate thoroughly."

"Lord Li, please don't be impatient, this is not over yet... Your Majesty, Your Highness, this is evidence of Lord Li's years of accepting bribes, embezzling public funds, and engaging in corruption. Please take a look."

"Bring it here," Mu Zexuan said.

Little Li quickly went downstairs and handed him the folded document.

Mu Zexuan glanced at it and said, "Lord Li is truly despicable. He has deceived the emperor and broken the law. He deserves to die." After saying that, he handed the memorial to Mu Jinchen and said, "Uncle, please take a look as well."

Mu Jinchen took it and looked at it, then said angrily, "Guards, throw Li Chuping into the imperial prison and execute him in the autumn."

Li Chuping was so frightened that he immediately knelt down. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, this old minister is innocent! Please, Your Majesty and Your Highness, investigate thoroughly."

"Is it too hasty for the Regent to make such a decision based solely on the Crown Prince's word?"

Before Mu Jinchen could speak, Mu Jingfeng said, "Prince Qing, you are mistaken. The evidence is now conclusive, so how can you say it was hasty?"

"It is common knowledge that Prince Ying and Lord Li are at odds. Who knows if he is deliberately framing him?"

“What Prince Qing said is absolutely right. Lord Li is a veteran of three reigns, and we should investigate this matter thoroughly to avoid disappointing this old minister.”

"Your Majesty, I second your opinion and humbly request that you consider this matter carefully."

"Your Majesty, I second your opinion and beseech you to consider this matter carefully."

"In that case, let's detain him for now. Also, let Vice Minister Min Huaizhi of the Ministry of Justice investigate this matter, and then take further action after the investigation is completed."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey."

"Now that the cheating case has been investigated and Lord Song's innocence has been proven, the palace examination will proceed as scheduled tomorrow."

"Yes".

"If there is nothing else, then let's adjourn the court," Mu Zexuan said, rising to leave.

Mu Jinchen followed behind him at a leisurely pace.

"The court session has ended."

"Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty, respectfully seeing off the Regent."

Prince Qing stared at Mu Jinchen's retreating figure with a fierce look in his eyes. He had originally intended to use this opportunity to bring down Song Mingxian and then push his own people up, but instead, he lost out and was outmaneuvered. How could he not hate him?

imperial study room

Mu Jinchen and Mu Xinchen were discussing matters, while Mu Zexuan was practicing calligraphy on the side.

Mu Jinchen asked, "How is the investigation into the embezzlement of military funds going? Is there any progress?"

"The witnesses have been found, but the physical evidence is still missing. If it weren't for that old scoundrel Li Chuping, we wouldn't have been able to find anything after so long. But now that he's down, it shouldn't be long before we get the physical evidence."

"Although Li Chuping has fallen, this has made Prince Qing more vigilant, and he will definitely remind Li Qiming to be more cautious."

“That brute Li Qiming is extremely arrogant; I’m afraid he won’t take Prince Qing’s words to heart.”

That's true, so Mu Jinchen didn't say anything more.

Mu Xinchen then said, "Now, of the six ministries, except for the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works, the other four are all under our control. What are your plans next? Do you intend to start with the Ministry of Rites or the Ministry of Works?"

"This matter is not urgent. Let's focus on the imperial examinations and military examinations first."

"Fine, I'll do whatever you say."

"Ok".

"Oh, right, this is for you."

"What's this".

"The invitation was sent by Princess Ping Le, and she asked me to give it to you."

Upon hearing that it was given to him by Su Qianrou, Mu Jinchen accepted it and casually opened it.

"I never imagined that the restaurant that was built with such fanfare and grand scale was actually Princess Ping Le's property."

"Pinshixuan," Mu Jinchen murmured, thinking to himself, "This name is quite her style."

"What about mine? Didn't Sister Su give it to me?" Mu Zexuan asked.

Mu Xinchen shook his head, indicating no.

Mu Zexuan couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. "Has Sister Su forgotten about me?"

Mu Xinchen comforted her, "Perhaps she felt it was inconvenient for you to leave the palace, which is why she didn't give it to you."

"real".

"Yes, that must be it."

Mu Zexuan looked at Mu Jinchen and asked expectantly, "Uncle, can you take me with you that day?"

"No," Mu Jinchen refused without hesitation.

"Uncle, I haven't seen Sister Su for a long time. Please take me with you."

"Have you forgotten that you left the palace without permission last time?"

"But this time you're here."

Mu Jinchen remained silent.

Mu Zexuan thought he wouldn't agree, so he sat down dejectedly.

"Finish writing the words," Mu Jinchen said.

So Mu Zexuan stood up again, but he was a little sullen.

Mu Jinchen glanced at him but said nothing.

Mu Xinchen didn't say much.