The princess was ordained by Heaven.

The following morning, after the court session ended, Emperor Li Xiaojun did not announce the end of the session. Instead, the emperor moved to a side hall and summoned the ministers one by one.

The court officials, unsure of the emperor's true intentions, were understandably uneasy.

The ministers who had entered the side hall first were immediately surrounded by others as soon as they came out.

"Lord Chang Le, does His Majesty have any orders?"

Marquis Chang Le smiled but remained silent: "You'll find out when the time comes."

"Lord Wang, what did the Emperor say?"

Lord Wang didn't really understand what the emperor was up to, but he pretended, stroking his beard mysteriously: "Naturally, I didn't say anything."

Various probing questions, some subtle and some direct, kept coming, and Fengqin Hall instantly transformed into a bustling marketplace.

Although there were many ministers, their time in the side hall was very short, so the entire session did not last long.

The emperor looked at the written list with a deep expression.

The people above them held different official positions and had different stances; there was absolutely nothing in common between them.

But that's alright, he'll take his time and figure out what's so special about these people.

He summoned his secret guards and handed the list to their leader: "Keep a close eye on the people on this list."

The leader of the secret guards withdrew after receiving the order. At this moment, Duan Yunfeng requested an audience and presented his investigation results.

Although Duan Yunfeng is not likable, he is really easy to get things done. He sorted out the case in just one day.

Although Chen Zhi was an imperial censor and had many enemies, he was also very tactful and never offended anyone to death. Therefore, he had a high presence in the court, but few political achievements.

Although he seemed somewhat incompetent, he had the fewest mortal enemies among all the censors. There was only one censor, Jiang, who was still having a meeting with his colleagues when the case broke out, preparing to seize on Chen Zhi's weaknesses.

"Spineless," the emperor commented expressionlessly, taking out the booklet handed to him by his bodyguard.

The role of the secret guards is not only to protect, but also to act as eyes and ears.

Unless there are special circumstances, the bodyguards will submit a record every day detailing all of the target's words and actions.

This booklet was handed to me by Zheng Jiu.

The time of Zheng Xun's disappearance recorded in the booklet completely coincides with the time of Chen Zhi's death as deduced by the coroner.

The emperor rubbed his temples: "Since the person is dead, let's leave it at that and close the case as a vendetta between江湖 (jianghu, martial arts world) members."

"Yes." Duan Yunfeng's lips twitched slightly.

The martial arts world is like a brick; it can be moved wherever it's needed. However, very few martial arts practitioners actually take action against officials appointed by the imperial court. Most of them are simply scapegoated for various reasons.

The stolen money seized from Chen Zhi's residence had been sent to the national treasury. Upon seeing the neatly arranged pile of gold, the emperor almost laughed out of anger.

He thought Chen Zhi was straightforward, outspoken, and simple-minded, unlike other censors who would use their stubbornness to criticize him.

As it turned out, you can know a person's face but not their heart; when it comes to being greedy, they really dare to be greedy!

At this moment, Eunuch Li entered.

"Your Majesty, the Empress requests your presence."

The emperor's heart skipped a beat: "Let's go!"

At that very moment, Zheng Xun also entered the palace.

She came to see Zheng Jin, but she didn't have a token to enter or leave the palace. It was only after Jianyang left the palace that he saw her and sent her in.

However, the original owner of this body didn't like going out, and Zheng Xun got lost unsurprisingly after walking for a while.

"Three princesses?"

Zheng Xun put her hands behind her back and turned to look at the people who had called her. It was the Emperor and Li Xiaojun.

"Father," she bowed, "where are we going?"

The emperor raised an eyebrow: "So you know you're back?"

Zheng Xun lowered his head and smiled shyly: "How could a girl living in the palace not go home?"

I didn't want to come back, but something came up.

"I wonder what you've been up to outside. I thought you were having such a good time that you didn't want to leave," the emperor sneered. "What brings you back?"

【Did anyone say that?】

【You still don't know what I've been up to outside... You don't know what I've been up to? You don't know if I've been up to anything? Didn't Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi tattle on you?】

While her mind was racing, Zheng Xun maintained a polite and well-behaved demeanor, like a little girl: "I've come back to see my second sister."

"Looking for Ah Jin? Ah Jin doesn't live around here."

Zheng Xun explained slowly, "Our daughter just can't find her way."

The emperor was speechless and stepped past her: "Follow me."

Zheng Xun hurriedly chased after him: "Father, I have a favor to ask."

"Tell me."

"My daughter wants a token to leave the palace."

"Do you really want it?" the emperor asked, glancing sideways.

Zheng Xun nodded repeatedly: "I really want to."

"Oh, then think about it carefully."

Zheng Xun was speechless. He hadn't expected him to be this kind of emperor.

The three arrived at Fengyi Palace, where the Empress was talking to her two daughters.

The Empress stood up: "His Majesty has arrived."

Zheng Jiao and Zheng Jin: "Father."

"Xun'er is back," the Empress smiled wearily at her. "Are you settling in well outside the palace?"

After bowing, Zheng Xun replied, "It's much more comfortable outside the palace, with fewer rules. My aunt treats me very well, so Mother can rest assured."

"Is it convenient that you didn't bring any servants with you?"

Zheng Xun smiled and said respectfully, "Thank you for your trouble, Mother. However, there are many servants at Aunt's place. It's more comfortable outside the palace. I'm quite content living here."

My palace maids are very perfunctory; their hearts aren't with me, their hopeless mistress. Taking them out is worse than not taking them at all.

The Empress frowned slightly: "I will personally select a few of your personal attendants to send back."

As the empress, it was her duty to take care of the harem and the imperial heirs. Unfortunately, her health failed her, causing a princess to live such a miserable life. She had betrayed the emperor's trust.

The emperor helped the empress sit down: "Don't worry about her. The imperial physician said that your health is not good if you think too much."

[His health is so poor? No wonder he didn't last ten years. But it's better to die early than to die on the day the country falls. If the country falls, even the last vestige of dignity will be lost.]

The emperor glared at her.

The country is doomed! ...

Why is all she can think about is the fall of her country?!

He had a dream in the middle of the night last night, in which Zheng Xun chased after him shouting "The country is doomed." He finally woke up with a start, and when he looked up, Zheng Xun was standing by his bedside, muttering "The country is doomed" in a low voice.

Fortunately, it was just a dream.

The Empress patted the Emperor's hand and looked at Zheng Xun: "I only learned yesterday from Jianyang's message that you have only studied literature for two years and have not even learned about martial arts."

She became somewhat agitated, and her throat felt itchy.

"Cough cough..."

The emperor was stunned.

He looked at Zheng Xun in silence, and suddenly realized that he was not even very familiar with her appearance, let alone her likes and dislikes.

No one ever mentioned this daughter to him, and he never bothered to show any concern for her.

And what about Zheng Jiao?

Although they were both his daughters, Zheng Jiao was pampered from a young age, enjoying even more love and care than he did. He always wished he could pluck the moon from the sky and give it to her.

The emperor had no time to teach and accompany her, so he chose the most virtuous and capable teacher for her.

Zheng Jiao's outstanding development is undoubtedly due to his and the Empress's guidance, but he has never spared any of his attention for Zheng Xun.