The Grand Secretary has no heir? His concubine gives birth to triplets.

Jiang Guo'er remained silent for a long time.

She took deep breaths repeatedly, closed her eyes and opened them again, rubbed her red eyes, her lips were still trembling, but her voice had already calmed down.

"Your Excellency, you cannot be the one to impeach me in this matter."

Lu Yunzheng was taken aback.

"Why not? Gou Liuzhi's confession, Liu Quan's statement, and the old case files are enough to get that old scoundrel Lu Bingde's head cut off."

Jiang Guo'er tapped the secret report with her fingertip and slowly shook her head.

"The Lu family is a powerful and influential clan with extensive connections and relatives throughout the capital."

"The national mourning period is not yet over, and the Eighth Prince is about to ascend the throne. If the Prime Minister takes the lead in impeaching the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War at this time, others may not look at the case first, but will only guess that the Prime Minister is using the new emperor's ascension to the throne to purge his dissidents."

Lu Yunzheng frowned.

This is the truth.

Pei Yan was already the head of all officials, second only to the emperor, and his power was too great.

Even if he has solid evidence, as long as someone stirs up trouble by saying "the prime minister is acting arbitrarily," someone will seize the opportunity to make a fuss.

Jiang Guo'er raised her eyes and looked at Pei Yan solemnly.

"Let's stick to what you decided before and deliver Gou Liuzhi, Liu Quan, and the evidence from the old case to the Eighth Prince."

"Have the Eighth Prince ascend the throne and order a thorough investigation."

Lu Yunzheng blinked.

"Shunshun, what's wrong with you...?"

"The new emperor has ascended the throne, and we must find a way to establish his authority."

Jiang Guo'er spoke at a steady pace, yet each word was forceful and clear.

"My father has guarded the northern frontier for many years and enjoys extremely high prestige in the army. The new emperor's personal exoneration of the Marquis of Dingyuan's family can not only appease the soldiers in the northern frontier, but also let all the civil and military officials know that he is not a young emperor to be underestimated."

She paused.

"We award him this credit for his exoneration."

"He can't possibly not take it in order to consolidate his throne. If he does, he'll owe the Prime Minister and me a favor."

"If I want to restore my identity in the future, I cannot stand idly by if anyone in the court tries to stop me."

Lu Yunzheng was stunned.

After a long pause, he nodded emphatically.

"That makes sense, and you've thought it through quite thoroughly!"

He patted the corner of the table, a hint of satisfaction finally appearing in his eyes.

"If this matter is handed over to the new emperor, the Lu family will not be able to conceal it or delay it. It's perfect that the new emperor's first act upon ascending the throne should target this traitor!"

Jiang Guo'er twitched the corner of her mouth.

The exoneration of my father and brother is of utmost importance.

But she can't just look at today.

She had barely managed to save her life, so she was determined to plan every step she would take from now on carefully, for herself, for Pei Yan, and for her unborn child.

Pei Yan remained silent.

Only after Lu Yunzheng left in high spirits did he walk up to Jiang Guo'er and gently pull her into his arms.

He placed his palm on the back of her neck.

It was incredibly thin, as if it would break if he exerted any force.

Yet this fragile girl had just meticulously calculated everything regarding the new emperor, the court, and her future.

"You've suffered so much," Pei Yan's voice was low and hoarse, his warm breath falling on her ear.

"Even the reputation for filial piety and righteousness gained from exonerating his father and brothers must be handed over to others?"

Jiang Guo'er was a little unsteady on her feet from his embrace, and leaned her head against his hard chest.

She reached out and, through the fine fabric, gently pinched his firm, toned abs.

After finishing, she smiled with relief.

"The fact that my father and brother were exonerated in less than two years has far exceeded my expectations."

"If the new emperor takes the lead in overturning the verdict, when I regain my identity, no matter who raises objections, the new emperor will definitely find a way to protect me to repay the favor. How much trouble will that save us?"

Pei Yan was impressed by her insightful understanding.

His heart was pounding with passion; this was the woman he loved.

He avoids impulsiveness and acting rashly, and while seeking revenge, he also considers the people around him, trying his best not to harm the innocent.

A strong throbbing sensation surged from his lower abdomen, and Pei Yan's breathing immediately became somewhat heavy.

He tried his best to control his physical reaction and suppress that burning desire.

Pei Yan lowered his head and gently pecked her fair earlobe with restraint, causing Jiang Guo'er's cheeks to flush instantly.

"Alright, I'll do whatever you say." Pei Yan's voice was hoarse, but a flash of fierceness quickly appeared in his eyes.

He left the official accounts to the new emperor to settle, but the blood debt of the 108 members of the Murong family should at least incur some interest!

……

After the second watch, the drums of the capital city sounded softly.

Inside Qingyi Garden, Jiang Guo'er had already fallen asleep.

Pei Yan tucked her in with the thin blanket and put the silk doll that had fallen to her shoulder back on her pillow.

The doll's clothes were wrinkled from her touching.

He raised his hand to straighten the doll's clothes, paused for a moment, and then silently left the inner room.

In a dark alley in the west of the city, a blue cloth carriage sat quietly in the shadows.

The carriage curtain was half-lifted.

Pei Yan changed into a black, narrow-sleeved casual outfit and sat inside the car.

Lu Yunzheng, with half his face covered, leaned against the other side, twirling a short blade in his hand.

"Has everyone arrived?" Pei Yan asked.

Lu Yunzheng lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked towards the Lu residence.

"My trusted men will be responsible for making a commotion in the front yard, while your elite guards will enter through the back wall."

"The guards at the Lu residence are going to be busy tonight."

As he spoke, a sinister smile appeared in his eyes, and his voice trembled uncontrollably.

"That scoundrel Lu Bingde, I really wish I could sever his tendons and cut him into eight pieces to avenge Asheng!"

Pei Yan understood his feelings.

"Injuries and broken bones are acceptable, but life cannot be lost."

"His crimes must be known to the whole world, and he must be brought to trial by the imperial court."

Lu Yunzheng gave a cold snort.

"Don't worry, I have my men."

Not long after, flames suddenly burst into flames in the front yard of the Lu residence.

The man in black, carrying a torch, rushed toward the gate, deliberately making shouts of killing.

The sound of gongs echoed throughout the entire mansion.

"There's an assassin!"

The guards of the Lu family rushed to the front yard, lanterns swaying wildly, footsteps clattering.

At the same time, several dark figures flashed across the backyard wall.

Lu Bingde was fast asleep in the inner room.

His concubine, who was in his arms, was awakened by the commotion outside. Just as she was about to push him away, the door was kicked open.

A night breeze blew in, and the lights suddenly went out.

Lu Bingde was so startled that he sat up abruptly.

"Who goes there—"

Before he could finish speaking, a burlap sack was placed over his head.

He struggled to call for help, but a rag was stuffed into his mouth first.

Two masked guards held down the sack.

Another person picked up a thick wooden stick and smashed it down without any mercy.

"Snap!"

The sound of bones breaking muffled inside the sack was particularly eerie.

Lu Bingde was in so much pain that his whole body convulsed, and he could only utter incoherent screams.

One stick.

Two sticks.

Three sticks.

The disaster relief grain he swallowed, the bones of the people he trampled, the sewage he poured on the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence... these debts cannot be ignored!

Inside the carriage in the dark alley, Lu Yunzheng listened to the faint screams coming from afar, and the force with which he rubbed the short blade increased.

"I only regret that I can't do it myself."

Pei Yan looked out the window.

That's enough.

Before long, a dark figure darted out from behind the Lu residence.

Several guards carried the unconscious Lu Bingde through the back alley and arrived at a slop bucket that reeked of rancid water.

With a "bang".

Lu Bingde, along with the sack, was thrown inside.

Sewage splashed everywhere.

Before leaving, one of the guards lowered his voice and left a message.

"Those who commit many unrighteous acts will surely be punished."

The blue cloth carriage quickly drove away from the dark alley.