Transmigrating into a book to save her best friend, her sickly husband vies for her affections every

Ding Xiayu looked up at Xie Chunhe.

Both Xie sisters are aggressive, but one of them is just a crazy, eccentric woman who doesn't care about the family matters, leaving outsiders to watch the spectacle.

This one is much smarter; he knows how to use children and status to oppress people.

Ding Xiayu said slowly and deliberately, "I have never plotted against the Crown Prince's wife."

Xie Chunhe stared at her, seeing the ruthlessness in her eyes. "Truly a merchant's daughter, utterly lacking in manners. I am an Imperial Noble Consort. To speak to me like this, you will be punished for disrespect. Do you know what the consequences will be?"

Ding Xiayu knew that no matter whether she showed weakness or argued back, since Xie Chunhe had already decided to teach her a lesson, nothing she said or did would be of any use.

"Is it the rule that the Empress bullies others by abusing her power?"

Xie Chunhe chuckled softly, "I'm just bullying people because of my power. What are you going to do about it? What do you dare to do?"

She paced back and forth for a moment, "Weren't you clamoring to go back? Now I'll help you, do you want it or not? I'm asking you a question!"

Wei Yu felt this was inappropriate and spoke up to stop them: "If the Marquis's mansion finds out—"

"Shut up, whose family are you anyway?" Xie Chunhe said coldly. She didn't want to drag Wei Yu into this. "Go outside, this is none of your business."

As the words fell, a voice outside shouted that His Majesty had arrived.

Yu immediately knelt down and, along with the people inside the room, greeted Zhu Chongsheng as he entered.

She lay prostrate on the ground, her head hitting the back of her hand, her gaze falling on the shoes that had come in.

There are Zhang Zhengming's boots.

She slightly raised her head and looked up at Zhang Zhengming.

Xie Chunhe's displeased voice rang out, "Zhang Zhengming, you actually went to ask His Majesty to protect this merchant girl!"

Zhu Chongsheng stepped forward and said, "What's all the commotion? You're pregnant now, you can't get agitated. It wasn't Zhengming who invited me, I was the one who was planning to come see you anyway. Your third brother is coming soon too. What, did your third brother invite me here as well?"

Xie Chunhe: "Then Your Majesty, please excuse yourself for a moment while I deal with this vile woman."

Zhu Chongsheng: ...

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger." Zhang Zhengming bowed.

"Is this what you meant when you said you only care about my second sister?" Xie Chunhe pointed at Ding Xiayu. "His Majesty is currently conducting a large-scale search for Ning family members. Has he found out if Ding Xiayu is from the North, or if the Ding family's business in the North is actually affiliated with the Ning family?"

Zhang Zhengming: "Your Majesty, Xia Yu is no ordinary person. Xia Yu's family also contributed money to the military during the war!"

"There are quite a few businesses in the ten prefectures of the north that have donated money to the military camps!" Xie Chunhe said.

Zhang Zhengming: "Xia Yu saved me, and he also saved your older brother!"

Xie Chunhe: "You must protect her!"

Zhang Zhengming: "Yes, I'm going to protect her!"

Xie Chunhe: "Zhang Zhengming, how could you do this to my sister?!"

Yu noticed that Zhu Chongsheng had already sat down to the side, letting the two argue without showing any anger. He seemed calm and collected, but if he really wasn't angry, he should have made everyone kneeling in the room get up.

She knelt in the wind, and it was rather cold.

However, His Majesty's visit at this time is probably not just to visit Xie Chunhe.

Zhang Zhengming: "Xia Yu is now a member of my Marquis's household, and it is not up to Your Highness to make decisions!"

“I know Xia Yu’s identity, and she cooperated with the interrogation. Is Your Highness determined to involve her in the Ning family case?”

Xie Chunhe smiled and said, "Then are you willing to vouch for Ding Xiayu with the entire Marquis's mansion? You think she'll be completely without any problems?"

The room fell silent for a moment. Just as Wei Yu was about to speak, Xin Tian's voice suddenly rang out, "Your Majesty, didn't you say you wanted Miss Ding to come and discuss the matter of the Heir Apparent's wife's birthday next month?"

The women in the inner palace are not allowed to discuss politics.

Don't take your favor for granted and become arrogant!

Zhu Chongsheng blew on the tea to warm it up, saying, "Your Highness, please have some tea first. This is a matter between your subjects, so it's best if we don't interfere."

Xie Chunhe didn't say anything; he was getting a little angry.

"Now that I've arrived, it's no longer just a matter between me and my family, but between the Xie and Zhang families. Your Majesty is Chunhe's husband, so it wouldn't be an exaggeration for you to call me family with such a shameless expression."

Xie Yugui strode in, clearly having rushed over, his forehead covered in sweat.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live long and be well. I am aware of what happened today. My sister wanted to see this Concubine Ding. I was going to bring her along, but I was held up by something."

With Xie Yugui's arrival, Xie Chunhe seemed to have found her confidence. Seeing Zhang Zhengming trying to help Ding Xiayu up, she immediately scolded, "I didn't tell her to get up!"

"You think you can kneel to death?" Xie Yugui retorted without any politeness. "Is the young master going to disregard the dignity of an imperial concubine for the sake of a mere concubine? How precious can a concubine's child be?"

He helped Xie Chunhe to sit down next to Zhu Chongsheng, saying, "You're pregnant now—"

"Isn't the Imperial Noble Consort also His Majesty's concubine? Just as Young Master Xie said, how precious can a concubine's child be? Aren't you referring to the child in your sister's womb?"

Ding Xiayu's voice rang out.

"Insolence!" Zhu Chongsheng uttered two words.

Zhang Zhengming immediately knelt down, "Your Majesty, she doesn't know the rules, please calm down."

Zhu Chongsheng said "Oh," and added, "Is this a lack of manners? This concubine of the young master Zhang is quite bold."

"Isn't that so?" Ding Xiayu knelt upright. "Your Majesty summoned me to the palace today to get rid of me for the sake of the Crown Prince's wife. You've even come up with a charge against me, saying that my Ding family's business has dealings with the remnants of the Ning family, is that it? Killing me alone is not enough; you want to kill my whole family!"

"The Ding Family Trading Company?" Zhu Chongsheng's voice rang out. "Your surname is Ding, and you're from the north. How old are you?"

Ding Xiayu flinched.

Zhang Zhengming bowed again, "Your Majesty, Xia Yu is absolutely right—"

“Young Master Zhang, you should be careful with your words!” Zhu Chongsheng interrupted Zhang Zhengming. “You have rendered meritorious service in the northern expedition, but don’t think that just because you have done something wrong, I can’t punish you! Your wife is the legitimate daughter of the Duke’s mansion. Do you want to implicate the Xie family as well?”

Zhang Zhengming's shoulders twitched. Zhu Chongsheng looked at Ding Xiayu and said, "Can't you hear what I'm saying?"

My daughter is twenty-one this year.

"Twenty-one..." Zhu Chongsheng rubbed his fingertips together. "The orphan of the Ning family is still alive, the same age as you. What do you think of my handling of the Ning family case?"

Ding Xiayu froze, a chill running down her spine.

Zhu Chongsheng raised his voice, "Was I not clear enough? How does your Ding family business view the Ning family case? Tell me, I am very curious about what the people of the North think of me."

After a moment of silence, Zhang Zhengming spoke again: "Back then, Xia Yu was still young and couldn't possibly know much. I am willing to offer the Marquis's mansion to Xia Yu—"

“Young Master Zhang, let her speak for herself,” Zhu Chongsheng interrupted Zhang Zhengming, his brows furrowing slightly, showing his impatience.

Ding Xiayu spoke up.

"The Ning family case is incomplete and has caused a lot of discussion in the north. The Ding family business has also received favors from the Ning family, so we don't believe that the Ning family would collude with the enemy and betray the country."

Zhu Chongsheng stared at Ding Xiayu and suddenly laughed, "It seems that there are quite a few people in the North who think I am guilty."

Zhang Zhengming knelt down and kowtowed, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Chapter 117

Zhu Chongsheng stared at Zhang Zhengming: "You have been in the North for many years. Just tell me how the Ning family is perceived by the people there, and I will not blame you."

But that would blame the people of the North.

Xie Yugui stared at Zhang Zhengming, signaling him to be careful what he said.

Zhang Zhengming: "Your Majesty—"

"Think carefully before you answer. I want to hear the truth. I also sent people to ask. If what you say is different from what my people found, then who should I punish for deceiving the emperor?"

"Will it be you who dies, or the person I sent to scout?"

This is a warning; if it's a lie, you'll surely die.

Zhang Zhengming was stunned for a moment, then cupped his hands and his eyes darted around. "Your Majesty, the people of the North do indeed often talk about the Ning family, but it's just talk, and there are many different opinions. Their words are all outrageous and cannot be believed."

How could I dare say that?

The people in the north who had benefited from the Ning family hated Zhu Chongsheng with a passion that seethed in their teeth.

"What is it?" Zhu Chongsheng asked again.

Zhang Zhengming dared not speak, and could only kowtow on the ground, too afraid to get up.

"Then tell me about it, Gui. You also often go to the North."

Xie Yugui knelt with his hands clasped, "Since Your Majesty has already sent people to inquire, you must know a great deal. I believe—"

"What do you think? Now none of you dare to tell me the truth. Do you think I'm so narrow-minded that I'd kill all the people just because I hear something I don't like?"

Zhu Chongsheng stood up. "What's wrong? Why are you all kneeling?"

"One is the general I personally appointed to lead the expedition to the north, and the other is someone who went to the north to transport military supplies. Neither of them would tell me whether I was assassinated or not. They would never have known that there is another force in the north that has been secretly trying to kill me!"

"Yes, and now you're saying I'm going to kill people, that I'm going to kill all those from the North who are around the same age as the Ning family's orphans. Well then, I'll kill them all for you to see. Ding Xiayu, is that right? Drag him out and kill him right now!"

Zhang Zhengming: "Your Majesty, you're wrong. Xia Yu is innocent."

Zhu Chongsheng: "Then tell me, what are people in the north saying about me?"

"And what are they saying about me in the capital now!"

Xie Yugui: "Your Majesty, I have failed to find the source of the rumor. Please forgive me!"

"Yu Gui, do you also think I'm indiscriminately killing innocent people? I've been investigating the Ning family for so long, and you still can't stop the rumors circulating outside. What use are you to me?"

"Your Xie and Zhang families have been in the north for many years, and neither of you will say anything. I'm afraid you've long been involved with the remnants of the Ning family, haven't you?"

Xie Yugui looked at Zhu Chongsheng and said, "Your Majesty, let me escort you back to the palace to rest."

The Ning family case has recently been causing Zhu Chongsheng to lose sleep and appetite. Every morning at court, military officers would jump out and plead with Zhu Chongsheng to show leniency and let the matter go.

So who will let this emperor off the hook?

Zhu Chongsheng was extremely indifferent, "I'm not going to die, I don't need to keep resting."

Xie Yugui bowed and dared not speak further. He shook his head at Xie Chunhe, who was about to get up, and told her to sit down.

"If you don't speak today, then I will treat you as Ning family henchmen!"

Xie Yugui and Zhang Zhengming's eyes met, and both gritted their teeth.

If you don't tell, at most you'll die; if you do, your whole family will die.

Shut up, shut your mouth tightly.

"They're all dead. Drag Ding Xiayu to the Meridian Gate and behead him!"

“If Your Majesty wants to hear the truth, this servant can speak.”

Zhu Chongsheng turned to the side and looked at the person kneeling in the corner. "Are you Xie Tinglan's servant?"

He looked familiar; I'd seen him a few times.

Wei Yu raised her head and said, "This servant is a maid of the Xie family."

"Alright, you tell me." Zhu Chongsheng put his hands on his hips. "Just speak, and I will spare your life."

"His Majesty cannot produce the case files for the Ning family case, so rumors are naturally spreading. There must have been innocent people involved in the fire that burned down the Ning family back then, and it is not wrong for them to want revenge."

"Wei Yu!" Xie Yugui exclaimed, kneeling down beside Wei Yu. "The maid's words cannot be trusted."

Zhu Chongsheng raised his voice: "Let her speak!"

Wei Yu said, “Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven and does not need a reason to do things. Since you are certain that you have done nothing wrong, you should let the truth speak for itself.”

"Does Your Majesty distrust the Xie family's loyalty? If not, you should immediately send someone to replace Xie Shuang. Otherwise, wouldn't the Xie and Ning families be able to start a rebellion in the north?"

"Isn't it only natural for the Ding family business to be on good terms with the Ning family? In the ten prefectures of the north, who among the merchants who haven't risen to prominence in the last fifteen years hasn't benefited from the Ning family's kindness?"

"Your Majesty is currently conducting a large-scale investigation of people from the northern regions in the capital, causing widespread panic. If you are truly searching for the orphan of the Ning family, wouldn't that be telling the whole world that you are guilty and afraid?"

Why, even after fifteen years and so many deaths, does the royal family still want to exterminate the Ning family and even implicate innocent people in the north?

"For Yu!" Xie Yugui said sternly, seeing Zhu Chongsheng's face turn dark. "Your Majesty, this little maid is ignorant—"

"If you interrupt again, I'll punish you with a beating!" Zhu Chongsheng stared at Weiyu. "And what about you? Do you think I did something wrong?"

Wei Yu said, "This servant did not experience that night at the Ning family. Only those who survived can answer Your Majesty's questions. Your Majesty should not ask this servant."

"Whether someone is using the Ning family's name to do things, or whether there are actually surviving members of the Ning family causing trouble, these two things are different in nature!"

"The northern lands have just been driven out of the foreign invaders. Does Your Majesty intend to cause all ten counties in the north to rebel because of the Ning family?!"

"Fifteen years have passed since the Ning family case. Now that the remnants of the Ning family have suddenly made their move, it must be organized and planned."

Wei Yu seemed to have finished speaking, and kowtowed on the ground, her whole body trembling, "This servant dares to ask Your Majesty to punish this servant and not implicate the Duke's mansion."

Xie Yugui pleaded urgently, "Your Majesty, please forgive this maid!"

Why did Yu suddenly dare to speak in front of the Emperor?

And they even said some nonsensical things!

Zhu Chongsheng went out and said, "Return home."

Xie Yugui glanced at Wei Yu, then hurriedly got up and followed.

Zhu Chongsheng looked up at the sky and said, "The maid's words have reminded me that the remnants of the Ning family have been preparing for this for fifteen years. I'm afraid a small assassination is not enough to satisfy them."

"Go, set off for the North tomorrow and tell Xie Shuang that I have given him a month to replace all the officials in the ten prefectures of the North. I guarantee that no one from your Xie family will be promoted."

"Whichever official road leads directly to the north, send some of your men along the way."

Xie Yugui said, "Your Majesty, it would be best to arrange for someone else to handle this matter. I should avoid any appearance of impropriety."

"Avoid suspicion?" Zhu Chongsheng looked at Xie Yugui. "The more you want your Duke's Mansion to have nothing to do with the Ning family, the braver you should be. I trust you because you are different from your parents. I am very much looking forward to the child in Chunhe's womb. You should do your job well for me."

Xie hesitated to return.

"What other difficulties are there?"

"I'm afraid I can't handle Xie Shuang's situation," Xie Yugui said.

Zhu Chongsheng: ...