The seductive princess is no longer being pursued; the aloof prime minister is facing a crematorium.

They then steered the conversation elsewhere.

Jiang Jinshuang slightly curved her lips, lowered her head and rubbed Zhengze's little head, without speaking immediately.

On the ground, Xia Yurong's eyes reddened even more upon hearing this, and she looked at Zhao Yungui with teary eyes: "Grand Preceptor, Yurong knows that you are familiar with His Highness and may have some bias, but what just happened was witnessed not only by the worshippers, but also by Eunuch Sun. Is there any doubt about this?"

As she spoke, Eunuch Sun chimed in, "Your Highness did indeed push Miss Xia into the water several times just now; this old servant witnessed it with my own eyes."

Zhao Yun lowered his gaze and asked in a cool tone, "Is there any bias?"

He was talking to Xia Yurong.

Xia Yurong was stunned for a moment, bit her lip slightly, and stubbornly looked up at him without responding.

Zhao Yun nodded.

"Miss Xia may not be clear about what constitutes favoritism."

As he spoke, Zhao Yungui turned slightly, his gaze finally falling on Jiang Jinshuang once again.

"Your Highness."

“Yes, Grand Preceptor.” Jiang Jinshuang raised her eyebrows and looked at him.

Zhao Yungui spoke slowly: "Did you really push Miss Xia into the water just now?"

Jiang Jinshuang nodded without hesitation: "Yes, it was I who pushed it just now."

Zhao Yun then asked, "How many times did you push it?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jinshuang proudly raised her chin and gestured to Zhao Yungui: "Three times!"

After Zhao Yun returned, Xia Yurong lowered her eyelids, her eyes darted around a few times, and she composed herself.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager also scoffed coldly: "Zhaoming, you show no remorse and still act like this, without any self-reflection!"

Jiang Jinshuang ignored the Empress Dowager's angry rebuke, and simply smiled as she looked at Zhao Yungui.

Zhao Yungui also looked at Jiang Jinshuang.

half an hour.

He lowered his eyes and chuckled softly.

For a moment, Xia Yurong and the Empress Dowager were both stunned, looking at Zhao Yungui's back with some shock.

Zhao Yun straightened his wide sleeves.

“It’s too little,” he said, his tone tinged with indulgence.

Jiang Jinshuang's smile deepened, and she raised an eyebrow: "Does the Grand Preceptor think so too?"

Zhao Yungui nodded: "Your Highness is still too soft-hearted to push him into the water only three times."

Jiang Jinshuang feigned distress: "I originally intended to decline several more times, but unfortunately Eunuch Sun arrived at the wrong time, so I had to give up."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yungui nodded thoughtfully: "So I have spoiled Your Highness's enjoyment."

The two were even somewhat oblivious to their surroundings during their conversation.

Xia Yurong stared wide-eyed at the Imperial Preceptor in front of her, incredulous.

It is said that this Grand Preceptor is aloof and solemn, untouched by worldly affairs.

Legend has it that the current imperial advisor is a man of exceptional talent and integrity, who cherishes every blade of grass and every tree with a compassionate heart.

Regardless of the rumors, in the eyes of the world, this Grand Preceptor is a benevolent and kind person who remains untainted by worldly affairs.

It would never be as simple as saying "it's too little" now.

That's too much leniency.

They've been far too lenient with Princess Zhaoming, whom everyone despises!

For some reason, Xia Yurong recalled the words Zhao Yungui had just said.

"Miss Xia may not be clear about what constitutes favoritism."

—That’s what constitutes favoritism.

Xia Yurong swallowed hard, a sudden sense of foreboding rising in her heart. The Empress Dowager, unable to bear it any longer, interrupted angrily, "Grand Preceptor, your favoritism and corruption are utterly absurd!"

And right in front of her, he seemed completely unaware of the need to avoid her!
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's angry shout, Zhao Yungui finally stopped talking and turned to face her.

The black and gold phoenix robe was incomparably prestigious and extremely luxurious.

Zhao Yun returned in a white robe, his eyes veiled by a cloud-like gauze, showing no fear whatsoever.

"Speaking of favoritism and corruption, I suddenly recall an incident from the past."

Ignoring the Empress Dowager's anger, Zhao Yungui calmly said, "I remember last year, His Highness the Crown Prince was reprimanded and placed under house arrest by His Majesty for frequenting brothels, and was even threatened with the removal of his position as Crown Prince."

After a pause, Zhao Yungui, seemingly oblivious to the Empress Dowager's sudden change in expression, said slowly, "Empress Dowager, the brothel frequented by the Crown Prince inexplicably caught fire, and overnight, no one in the brothel survived."

"Those who saw His Highness the Crown Prince appear at the flower shop have also disappeared without a trace, as if they vanished from the capital."

Zhao Yungui's gaze was fixed, and he calmly confronted the Empress Dowager: "Your Majesty, do you have any clues?"

"Utterly absurd!" the Empress Dowager roared. "How could I, who has lived in Chang Le Palace for so long, know anything about this?"

Zhao Yungui nodded: "Shortly afterward, because there were no witnesses or physical evidence, His Highness the Crown Prince was released and spared punishment."

At this point, Zhao Yungui said calmly, "If we're really talking about favoritism, Your Majesty, who do you think went too far?"

A blatant threat and warning.

Jiang Jinshuang raised her eyebrows, not expecting Zhao Yungui to reveal the Empress Dowager's scandal for her sake.

—It can hardly be considered a "scandal".

The Empress Dowager claimed to be a devout Buddhist, and a huge Buddha statue was built in the main hall of Chang Le Palace. She knelt and worshipped it every day with utmost piety.

How do you say that?

The less a person has, the more they need to believe in something.

To help the Crown Prince eliminate threats and pave the way, these "minor matters" were actually nothing to the Empress Dowager.

It's not really a "secret," just a "secret" that everyone knows.

But now, with this blatant display placed before the Empress Dowager, she was left in an awkward position.

To be honest, since Zhao Yun was not in the court, he didn't really care about offending the Empress Dowager or the Emperor.

The Imperial Observatory served the royal family, yet it remained independent of the court.

—His esteem was even comparable to that of the Crown Prince in some respects.

The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly, her pupils contracting a few times.

Zhao Yungui took a few steps back and glanced at the hem of his robe: "I believe that Xia Yurong, the daughter of the Xia family, has no respect for the royal family and indirectly caused Lord Pei's injury. She should be punished by kneeling in the Buddhist hall for three months as a warning to others. What does Your Majesty think?"

He then took a very measured step back, saving face for the Empress Dowager, but then pressed Xia Yurong.

The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes, her tone cold and deep: "And what about Zhaoming?"

“Your Highness,” Zhao Yungui said calmly, “Your Highness has fallen into the water unexpectedly and is in a daze, still feeling lingering fear. To show her love and care, the Empress Dowager should send Your Highness some tonics.”

The favoritism is obvious.

"Zhao Yungui, you—"

“Your Majesty,” Zhao Yungui said coldly, “I really don’t have Lord Pei’s patience. Lord Pei is willing to unravel the mystery and confront Your Majesty, but he has always been a subject, a gentleman, and such is his self-cultivation.”

"But I lack patience. Your Majesty would be better off reconsidering this matter carefully."

The Empress Dowager's face turned ashen with anger. She pointed at Jiang Jinshuang behind Zhao Yungui and said, "Look at her! Where is there even a trace of mental confusion or lingering fear in her eyes?!"

Following the Empress Dowager's hand, Zhao Yungui looked behind him.

Jiang Jinshuang reacted quickly, clutching her head and leaning against Xiao Zhengze: "Ouch~ Zhengze, my head hurts so much, am I going to die~"

Zhao Yungui concealed the smile on his lips, but only said to Zhengze, who was supporting Jiang Jinshuang, "Help Your Highness to rest. There's nothing more for Your Highness to do here."

Zheng Ze, suppressing a laugh, gloated and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhao Yungui: "Yes, this disciple will take his leave now!" (End of Chapter)