Princess, something terrible has happened! The prince consort has attempted suicide again!

The remaining officers dispersed and took control of all the gamblers in the arena.

They were so frightened that they didn't dare to breathe.

Qian Deming frowned and shouted sternly, "Lin Youwei! I ordered you to arrest Zhang Xiaomeng, why are you arresting my son?"

Lin Youwei remained calm and composed, saying, "Lord Qian, as Young Master Zhang just stated, he was acting on imperial orders. Your son obstructed official business in public, so it is only right for me to arrest him according to the law."

"Nonsense!"

Qian Deming angrily rebuked, "He has long been expelled from the Marquis's mansion and his engagement with the royal family has been dissolved. He is nothing but a fallen pawn. What imperial decree do you have to speak of? I advise you to release him immediately, lest you make a mistake!"

Lin Youwei's expression hardened, and his tone carried a hint of authority: "In matters of official business, only the law applies, not status. If Lord Qian insists on obstructing us, don't blame me for punishing you as well."

"you!"

Qian Deming was furious.

How dare a mere head of the Ministry of Justice speak to me like that?

Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice is under the control of Princess Changning. The princess has already broken off her engagement with Zhang Xiaomeng, so why would Lin Youwei still help him?

Just as Qian Deming was completely puzzled, Zhang Xiaomeng broke the deadlock.

"Minister Qian is so eager to exonerate your son that he probably doesn't know what outrageous things he just said."

Qian Deming snorted coldly, "My son is young and speaks without thinking. Even if he has said something wrong, it is none of our business to comment."

"A slip of the tongue?" Zhang Xiaomeng scoffed, his gaze sweeping over Qian Youkang, who was sprawled on the ground. "He publicly declared that the imperial treasury's funds and provisions were entirely under your control. Such words cannot be dismissed with a simple 'slip of the tongue.'"

"You're lying! I didn't!"

Qian Youkang was shocked and panicked, and struggled desperately to deny it.

"Everyone present heard it clearly, how can you try to deny it?" Wang Dongjian replied.

His subordinates echoed his sentiments and stepped forward to testify.

Qian Deming's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained his official composure and sternly ordered them to stop:

"Shut up, all of you! A bunch of commoners, with nothing but empty words, dare to frame an official of the imperial court? Your testimony is completely worthless!"

"Your Excellency, you have quite the airs of an official," Zhang Xiaomeng said with a hint of sarcasm. "In your eyes, the words of ordinary people have absolutely no credibility?"

"The words of a commoner are not to be trusted." Qian Deming raised his eyebrows arrogantly, not taking the people present seriously at all.

"So, according to you, as long as they have identification, their testimony is credible?"

"So what if it is?"

"I understand, if that's the case..."

Zhang Xiaomeng stood up and raised his voice, "Gentlemen, let's make our appearance!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone simultaneously removed their masks.

Qian Deming initially didn't care, thinking that Zhang Xiaomeng was just bluffing.

But when he saw Wang Dongjian's face clearly, his pupils suddenly contracted and his expression changed drastically.

Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

"Minister Qian, now that my Embroidered Uniform Guard is here to testify, do you still dare to say that this testimony is not credible?" Wang Dongjian took a step forward, his voice booming like a bell, exuding official authority.

A chilling aura surged around Feng Yi as she coldly stated, "The Black Phoenix Guards can also serve as witnesses."

One was a close advisor to the emperor.

One is the sharpest blade under Princess Changning's command.

When the two powerful departments testified simultaneously, Qian Deming felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He unconsciously took half a step back, his mind going completely blank.

Qian Youkang was completely stunned, a chill running from his feet to the top of his head.

No wonder the other party was able to injure Ali with one punch and disdained his recruitment.

But why were they willing to follow Zhang Xiaomeng?

Could it be—

Everything Zhang Xiaomeng said is true!!

Upon thinking of this, Qian Youkang felt a chill run through his body and despair welled up in his heart.

"Minister, why aren't you saying anything?" Zhang Xiaomeng teased with a half-smile.

Qian Deming snapped out of his daze, his voice trembling slightly, "You...you really acted on orders?"

Zhang Xiaomeng spread his hands, "Just consider it me for falsely conveying an imperial edict."

With the Imperial Guards and the Black Phoenix Guards accompanying him, representing the Emperor and Princess Changning respectively, how could Qian Deming dare not believe it?

His mind raced, and he suddenly rushed up to Qian Youkang, grabbed his collar, and roared angrily.

"You unfilial son! Look what you've done!"

"father……"

"Don't call me 'Dad,' I don't have a son as rebellious as you!"

Qian Deming released his grip, exasperated, and said, "How have I taught you? How dare you speak so recklessly about the national treasury and obstruct official business!"

Qian Youkang said with a mournful face, "I was wrong, Dad, I really know I was wrong. Please save me, I don't want to go to jail!"

"Go to jail?"

Zhang Xiaomeng scoffed, "You wish! You'll be beheaded soon."

Qian Youkang's face turned deathly pale in an instant. He immediately crawled in front of Zhang Xiaomeng and begged, "Young Master Zhang, I was wrong. It was all my fault. I was just being mean. I deserve it. Please let me go. I will never do it again."

"You don't just know you're wrong, you know you're finished."

Zhang Xiaomeng remained unmoved, leaned slightly forward, and sneered in a low voice, "This is what happens when you offend me."

Qian Youkang looked desperate and collapsed to the ground helplessly.

Zhang Xiaomeng ignored him, straightened up, and turned to look at Qian Deming. "Minister, are you still going to obstruct my investigation?"

Qian Deming was furious, and his facial muscles twitched slightly, but he still managed to squeeze out a sentence: "It is my fault for failing to educate my son properly. Prince Zhang handled the matter impartially, and I have no objection."

"The Minister is indeed a man of great wisdom and righteousness," Zhang Xiaomeng praised with a forced smile.

He then turned to Qian Youkang and said, "Look, even your father couldn't protect you. You're doomed this time, unless..."

Qian Youkang, who had already given up all resistance, immediately felt a glimmer of hope rekindle upon hearing this, and hurriedly asked, "Unless what?"

Zhang Xiaomeng glanced at Qian Deming, led Qian Youkang to a corner, and asked, "Do you want to live?"

"think!"

Qian Youkang nodded repeatedly without hesitation, "I'll do anything as long as you let me go."

"Alright! Then I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself..." Zhang Xiaomeng leaned close to his ear and whispered, "As long as you expose your father's embezzlement of the national treasury, I'll plead for you before the Emperor and spare your life."

"Let me denounce my father..."

Qian Youkang was stunned.

"You've seen it yourself, your father has given up on you. This is your only chance to live."

Zhang Xiaomeng casually shrugged, "Of course, if you don't want to, just pretend I didn't say anything. Anyway, I'll find out sooner or later."

Qian Youkang fell into a deep silence, his brows furrowed, his heart churning with inner turmoil.

Zhang Xiaomeng first gave him some time to consider, then showed impatience, "Fine, you won't give up now."

After saying that, he made a move to take him away.

"etc!"

Qian Youkang quickly spoke up.

"Have you thought it through?" Zhang Xiaomeng asked.

"Can you really protect me?" Qian Youkang asked, still worried.

"You all thought I had been abandoned, but now you see, this was all a scheme orchestrated by the Emperor. He has long suspected your father of embezzling funds, and this time he is using me to deal with him. The Emperor values ​​me so highly, as long as I speak up, I can guarantee your safety."

Zhang Xiaomeng spoke with such conviction that Qian Youkang was stunned and completely believed him.

Without further hesitation, he nodded emphatically.

"Okay! I promise you!"