Chuzheng waited for Zhu Dongfeng and Xu Jiaowei to cause a ruckus, living her days in leisure.

Zhu Dongfeng and Xu Jiaowei’s dispute caused a city-wide stir, but in the end, they somehow reached a reconciliation, and Miss Xiu Zhu moved into the Zhu Residence, which Xu Jiaowei surprisingly accepted.

In this era, even a domineering noblewoman like Xu Jiaowei dared not easily mention divorce.

The word ’divorce’ was like a knife, severing a woman’s latter half of life once it fell.

Though Xiu Zhu entered the Zhu Residence, Chuzheng heard that the residence was still in chaos every day, very lively indeed.

This liveliness lasted for quite some time, and when Chuzheng felt the time was ripe, she instructed Jin Zhi to begin her work.

The next day, a minister reported Lord Zhu for selling official titles.

Such acts weren’t particularly significant; many powerful ministers had done it.

But now that Lord Zhu was publicly accused on the spot, the nature of it changed.

Doing it in secret was one thing, but bringing it to light was a death wish.

Yin Shen, on behalf of Your Majesty, decided to thoroughly investigate this matter.

This wasn’t an unfounded accusation, and Lord Zhu was quite infuriated but had no choice and had to accept the investigation by Yin Shen’s men and try to minimize the impact.

However, this was only the beginning, as after the selling of official titles came the embezzlement of military provisions.

One incident after another left Lord Zhu caught off guard.

Ministers within the court understood that Lord Zhu was definitely targeted.

Many people suspected Yin Shen was behind it.

Yin Shen: "..."

Fine, he’ll take the blame.

These issues weren’t enough to bring Lord Zhu down, but soon another explosive matter came to light.

Miss Xiu Zhu in the Zhu Residence was a remnant orphan of the previous dynasty.

The term ’remnant orphan of the previous dynasty’ was shocking enough.

The Zhu Residence colluding with a remnant orphan of the past dynasty with illicit intentions was even more surprising.

Any emperor would be particularly sensitive to the words ’remnant orphan of the previous dynasty.’

This matter had already alerted the Secluded Emperor, and he personally ordered the arrest.

Xiu Zhu was nowhere to be found, yet a lot of stuff related to the previous dynasty was found in the Zhu Residence, each item seemingly proving the guilt of the Zhu Residence.

"Impossible!" Zhu Dongfeng couldn’t believe it: "How is this possible!"

It was impossible for Xiu Zhu to be a remnant orphan of the previous dynasty.

He refused to believe it.

It was impossible for Xiu Zhu to be a remnant orphan of the previous dynasty.

"We’ve never even seen these things!" Zhu Dongfeng roared: "Someone’s framing us!"

"Whether it’s a frame-up will soon be known after the investigation, Young Lord Zhu, please come with us."

With a decree personally given by the Emperor, resisting it would be a crime punishable by death.

-

Xu Jiaowei, backed by the Prince Jinan Mansion, was not jailed.

Lord Zhu and Zhu Dongfeng were both imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, while others were held separately elsewhere.

"Father, what is going on?"

Zhu Dongfeng and Lord Zhu were not housed together but were adjacent.

Lord Zhu hadn’t slept well for days, now wearing a prisoner’s uniform, looking much older.

Lord Zhu had no idea what was happening; some matters he had been involved in, others were completely fabricated.

For instance, the most serious matter now—the remnant orphan of the previous dynasty.

He had no knowledge of any remnant orphan or that Xiu Zhu...

"What exactly is going on with that Xiu Zhu?"

How did she become a remnant orphan of the previous dynasty? It’s strange that she disappeared immediately after the incident.

"I... I don’t know."

"How did you connect with her in the first place?"

The first time Zhu Dongfeng met Xiu Zhu was when he was taken by those cronies of his.

Lord Zhu wanted him to get close to Princess Changhuan and Xu Jiaowei, but these two women were superior to him in status, always looking down on him, and he hated that feeling.

So when he met Xiu Zhu, someone so gentle and dependent, Zhu Dongfeng soon fell for her.

Xiu Zhu was not only beautiful but also excelled at making him happy, so Zhu Dongfeng naturally grew more fond of her.

Who could have thought it would end like this...

Even if Zhu Dongfeng refused to believe it, he had to admit that this matter was inextricably linked to Xiu Zhu.

"Who else but her could have planted those pieces of evidence in the house?" Lord Zhu was furious, deeply disappointed in Zhu Dongfeng.

Zhu Dongfeng dared not retort under Lord Zhu’s wrath.

After Lord Zhu finished venting his anger, Zhu Dongfeng hesitated to speak.

"Father, don’t you think this matter..."

Lord Zhu: "What?"

Zhu Dongfeng: "Remember the Ji Family back then..."

The Ji Family...

The Ji Family was brought down similarly back then...

Lord Zhu’s expression changed drastically.

There was still someone from the Ji Family outside.

The Emperor pardoned her, and she was staying with Yin Shen, making their previous attempts to act impossible.

Now, the situation, aside from the charges, was almost identical to that time.

How long had she been planning this series of events to achieve the current situation?

Both shivered at the thought.

- 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Yin Shen also suspected that this matter was related to Chuzheng; it was blatantly obvious, and anyone aware of the situation could easily link it together.

Yin Shen curiously asked her, "Didn’t you say you weren’t going to overturn the Ji Family’s case?"

Chuzheng replied confidently, "I didn’t overturn the case."

"..."

Yin Shen thought about it carefully; it seemed reasonable.

After all, even though the Zhu Family members were imprisoned, it had no relation to the Ji Family’s case. As long as they didn’t confess, the Ji Family couldn’t have their case overturned.

She indeed meant it when she said she wouldn’t overturn the case.

"Now, Your Majesty is very angry. As long as the Zhu Family cannot provide evidence to prove their innocence, there’s no chance for a comeback," Yin Shen said. "Are you all set for what’s to come?"

"Mm."

If such a trivial matter couldn’t be handled, how could one become a big boss?

Yin Shen asked for more detailed information.

Chuzheng didn’t explain in detail but shared what she knew with Yin Shen.

The feeling of being unconditionally trusted warmed Yin Shen entirely.

"Leave the rest to me."

-

This matter didn’t require Yin Shen to abuse his power. As long as he pinpointed some critical aspects, the Zhu Family’s hopes would be snuffed out in the cradle.

Faced with the evidence, the Emperor’s fury led to a swift judgment.

Every step in the process was eerily reminiscent of the events when the Ji Family faced ruin.

Now, the Zhu Family likely felt the same despair the Ji Family had when they were framed.

"I want to see the Commandery Princess."

Zhu Dongfeng grasped the prison bars, shouting outside.

But no one paid him any attention.

He didn’t want to die here.

"Let me see the Commandery Princess."

Xu Jiaowei was detained at the Prince Jinan Mansion. Without their name, she would’ve already been jailed herself, not daring to heed Zhu Dongfeng.

Of course, Xu Jiaowei also didn’t want to pay attention.

If Zhu Dongfeng hadn’t done those things, perhaps Xu Jiaowei might have thought of some way.

Now...

Xu Jiaowei wished for nothing more than Zhu Dongfeng’s demise.