After failing the imperial examination, he began to wield immense power after entering the palace!

The Chu Emperor suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with suppressed rage.

"He actually did so many bad things behind your back, behind my back!"

"They forcibly seized fertile land! They drove people to their deaths! They oppressed the people!"

"He has completely trampled on the dignity of the royal family!"

He slammed the stack of files onto the ground, the papers scattering like white butterflies.

"Look at this! Show it to me properly!"

"These blood-written letters, these testimonies, these coroner's reports..."

"Which one is false? Which one is slander?"

"His crimes are so heinous that even the extermination of his entire family wouldn't be excessive!"

The Chu Emperor's voice rose to its highest point, and the entire hall trembled with his rage.

Princess Jincheng trembled with fear at the sudden outburst of thunderous rage.

She stared blankly at the files scattered on the ground, her mind a complete blank.

This was the first time she had ever seen her brother, the emperor, so angry.

From childhood to adulthood, her elder brother had always been kind and gentle to her.

He received constant rewards and favors, was always indulged in and protected in every way.

She thought that no matter what mistakes she made, her brother would protect her.

But today...

"Brother, there might be some misunderstanding..."

"Misunderstand?"

The Chu Emperor gave a cold laugh, his voice unusually indifferent.

"The evidence is right in front of you, what are you still calling a misunderstanding?"

"It's because of your unwavering favoritism and indulgence that that beast committed such a grave mistake!"

"You think protecting him is for his own good?"

"You're ruining him! You're ruining the entire royal family!"

Princess Jincheng's face was as white as a sheet of paper.

She knelt on the ground, trembling all over, and tears finally welled up in her phoenix eyes.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I know I was wrong..."

Li Fan watched this scene without feeling the slightest ripple in his heart.

He simply didn't believe that someone as powerful as the Chu Emperor would be unaware of these matters.

At this moment, the emperor is merely putting on an act.

"You admit you're wrong? You know you're wrong now?"

The Chu Emperor's voice was filled with disappointment and anger.

"Do you know what kind of lives those people whose land was forcibly taken from them are living?"

"Do you know how desperate the families of those driven to suicide are?"

"They're not cursing the prince consort, they're cursing me! They're cursing the entire royal family!"

"Do you even know?!"

Princess Jincheng lay on the ground, unable to utter a single word.

She just cried.

She cried so hard her whole body trembled, and she sobbed uncontrollably.

The Chu Emperor closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and forced himself to calm down.

Then he opened his eyes, his voice icy cold:

"Gao Jin, you did a good job this time."

Li Fan kowtowed: "This servant dares not take credit."

The Chu emperor ignored his polite formalities and issued a decree directly:

"The case of the imperial son-in-law will continue to be handled by the Eastern Depot."

"Investigate thoroughly, thoroughly, and don't let a single crime go unpunished."

"Once the truth is revealed, he will be beheaded and his head displayed to appease the people."

Li Fan kowtowed deeply: "This servant obeys the decree!"

Princess Jincheng was stunned when she heard the words "beheading and public display".

She suddenly raised her head, her phoenix eyes filled with disbelief and fear.

"Your Majesty! You mustn't kill the prince consort!"

"My sister only has him as her man! Your Majesty, you cannot kill him!"

"Your humble servant begs you! Your humble servant kowtows to you."

She banged her head repeatedly, and blood quickly seeped from her forehead.

The Emperor of Chu looked at her insane appearance, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by coldness.

"Jincheng, you have not disciplined your children properly. You are not allowed to leave the Princess's residence for three months."

"Retreat behind closed doors and reflect on your actions."

Princess Jincheng was stunned.

Three months of staying indoors?

Her elder brother had never punished her like this before.

"Brother..."

"He's just a man."

The Emperor of Chu waved his hand.

"So what if you're dead? I'll find you a new husband."

"Guards, escort Princess Jincheng back to her residence."

Two imperial guards immediately stepped forward and grabbed Princess Jincheng's arms, one on each side.

"Brother! Brother, you can't do this! Brother..."

Princess Jincheng struggled frantically, but how could a woman like her possibly break free from two well-trained guards?

She was dragged toward the palace gate, still shouting.

"Your Majesty! I beg you! You mustn't kill the prince consort! Your Majesty!"

The shrill voice echoed in the empty hall, lingering for a long time.

The sound was completely shut out only when the palace doors slammed shut with a bang.

The hall fell silent.

Only Princess Jincheng's cries could be faintly heard coming from outside the door.

Princess Anle's peach blossom eyes widened, her mouth slightly open, her face full of disbelief.

Father Emperor, are you in a rage?

From childhood to adulthood, her father always doted on her aunt.

But today, instead of protecting my aunt, my father punished her by forbidding her from leaving the house for three months and even said he would execute her husband.

This...this is unbelievable.

"Whoosh!"

Princess Anle secretly glanced at Li Fan.

The lackey knelt in the center of the hall, his face calm, showing no sign of panic from beginning to end.

It seems he... knew all along that this would be the outcome.

Princess Anle felt a strange mix of emotions.

She suddenly remembered what Li Fan had said to her in the Eastern Depot prison...

"Our family doesn't need your help; we can get through this on our own."

She didn't believe it at the time.

Now she believes it.

This lackey is not bragging.

He really does have that ability.

On the other side...

Feng Bao knelt on the ground, completely stunned.

He never expected things to turn out this way.

His Majesty not only severely punished Princess Jincheng, but also ordered Li Fan to continue investigating the case.

They even want to execute the prince consort?!

Everything was completely contrary to his expectations.

not good!

He is now the one who instructed Li Fan to investigate the case of the imperial son-in-law.

Although His Majesty did not pursue the matter, what will Princess Jincheng think of him?

They would think that he stabbed Princess Jincheng in the back.

He's taken the blame for this whole mess, and he can't shake it off no matter what he tries.

"What should we do?"

Emperor Chu rubbed his aching temples and leaned back on his dragon throne.

His anger came quickly and went quickly.

At this moment, his face returned to its sickly expression, as if the thunderous rage just now had exhausted all his energy.

"Gao Jin, you've done a great job investigating this case. You're welcome to be rewarded."

"Guards, bestow upon Gao Jin, the chief eunuch of the Eastern Depot, one hundred taels of gold and ten bolts of brocade as a reward."

Without hesitation, Li Fan kowtowed to express his gratitude: "This servant thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!"

The Chu Emperor glanced at Feng Bao again, his expression meaningful.

"Feng Bao, you also deserve credit, after all, you were the one who arranged the case."

"He was granted fifty taels of gold and five bolts of brocade."

Feng Bao opened his mouth, as if to say something, but his throat felt like it was blocked by something.

How could he dare refuse the gold and brocade bestowed upon him by His Majesty?

But if he takes it, it would be tantamount to admitting that he is involved in the case.

This effectively confirmed his guilt of stabbing Princess Jincheng in the back. But he had no choice.

"This servant...kowtows to express gratitude for Your Majesty's great kindness."