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

Half an hour later.

Eunuch Li led Zhang Xiaomeng to the gate of the Marquis of Yongwu's residence.

Using the remaining memories of the original owner, Zhang Xiaomeng felt utterly disgusted with this marquis's mansion.

The original owner lost his mother at a young age, and his father, Marquis Yongwu, quickly remarried, and soon after, his young son Zhang Ling was born.

It is said that with a stepmother comes a stepfather. The Marquis of Yongwu favored his youngest son and always ignored and indulged the original owner, raising his former eldest son to be eccentric and unruly.

Zhang Ling had been secretly framing and slandering the original owner of the body for years, and repeatedly instigating conflicts between father and son.

Over time, the Marquis of Yongwu developed only disgust for the original owner, and would punish him with family discipline at the slightest displeasure, showing no affection whatsoever for his family.

The servants in the mansion, seeing which way the wind was blowing, all avoided the original owner, leaving him isolated and helpless.

The original owner of this body suffered humiliation for half his life and ultimately met a tragic end.

A cold glint flashed in Zhang Xiaomeng's eyes.

Since death isn't an option for now, let's help the original owner vent their anger.

At this moment, Eunuch Li turned to the side and instructed the accompanying eunuch, "Xiao happy, go forward and knock on the door."

"No need for that, just watch me."

Zhang Xiaomeng stepped forward and kicked him with great style, "Go!"

To his surprise, the mahogany door was thick and sturdy, and it didn't budge. Instead, he lost his balance and fell to the ground in a sorry state.

Damn! I was careless.

Li Gonggong, standing to the side, was speechless, his face darkening.

A moment later, the gate opened from the inside, and a servant leaned out, shouting sternly, "Who dares to make such a ruckus in front of the Marquis's residence?"

This person is Zhang San, who is attached to the Second Young Master. In the past, he often gossiped behind the back and framed the original owner.

Zhang Xiaomeng stood up, raised his hand, and slapped him across the face, cursing, "You dog of a servant, don't you know to open the door when I, the young master, return?"

"Young Master."

Zhang San covered his burning cheek, daring not to speak out in anger.

"Go, tell that old man, Marquis Yongwu." Zhang Xiaomeng raised his head and eyebrows, his tone deliberately arrogant, "This young master has caused trouble, and people from the palace are coming to punish him."

Zhang San was terrified and dared not delay. He hurriedly turned around and ran into the mansion to report the incident.

Seeing this, Eunuch Li frowned slightly and looked at Zhang Xiaomeng with confusion: "Young Master Zhang, what do you mean by this?"

Zhang Xiaomeng gave a playful smile, "Let's take my father-in-law to see a good show."

Having said that, he swaggered into the Marquis's residence.

Eunuch Li shook his head inwardly.

Rumors that Prince Zhang was arrogant, unruly, and acted absurdly were indeed true.

It's a mystery why someone as exceptional as Princess Changning would choose him.

Before long, everyone from the Marquis's residence hurriedly gathered in the main courtyard.

The middle-aged man at the head of the group was burly and imposing; he was none other than Marquis Zhang Dayong, the Valiant Warrior.

Upon seeing Eunuch Li, he immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said, "I was unaware that Eunuch Li would grace my humble abode with my presence. I apologize for not welcoming you properly."

Before Eunuch Li could speak, Zhang Xiaomeng interrupted, "Old Deng, I trespassed into the palace and alarmed the Emperor. What crime do you think our Marquis's mansion should be charged with?"

The moment those words were spoken, the entire room erupted in uproar!

Trespassing into the palace is a capital offense, punishable by death, and may also result in the implication of others.

Marquis Yongwu's expression changed drastically, his eyes widening in anger as he shouted, "You unfilial son! How dare you!"

Zhang Xiaomeng spread his hands and said, "You said I'm a rebellious son, so of course I can't let you down."

"you!"

Marquis Yongwu's face flushed with anger, and he hurriedly turned to look at Eunuch Li, "Eunuch Li, is this true?"

Eunuch Li glanced at Zhang Xiaomeng, who was feigning nonchalance, wondering what he was up to. He nodded in agreement for the time being, "Not bad."

Upon confirmation, the Marquis of Yongwu's legs went weak, and he nearly lost his balance, repeatedly sighing, "What a misfortune for my family! What a misfortune for my family!"

Zhang Xiaomeng said impatiently, "Stop wailing, everyone get ready, let's go to jail."

Upon hearing this, the people of the Marquis's mansion turned pale and were filled with despair.

Just then, a young man stepped forward.

Zhang Ling's brows were furrowed with sorrow, her eyes glistening with tears, her expression a mixture of grievance and restraint, her voice trembling with just the right amount of sob:

"Brother, I know you have grievances in your heart, but I really never intended to argue with you. If you want to vent your anger, just take it out on me, and I will have no complaints. But you shouldn't have acted impulsively and caused such a disaster. Your recklessness really makes me heartbroken."

The strong smell of green tea hit Zhang Xiaomeng so hard he almost threw up.

Without saying a word, he slapped him hard across the face.

The crisp sound of a slap echoed through the courtyard.

"You unfilial son! How dare you!"

Upon seeing his prized possession struck, Marquis Yongwu instantly flew into a rage.

Zhang Ling covered her face, her eyes red-rimmed, looking pitiful with her head bowed, as if she had suffered a great injustice but dared not argue.

"He said he would let me vent as I pleased, so what's wrong with me satisfying him?" Zhang Xiaomeng retorted.

"You've committed a capital offense and show no remorse! Ling'er kindly tried to advise you, and you even attacked her!" Marquis Yongwu trembled with rage and deep regret. "How could I have given birth to such a disobedient, unfilial, and wicked son who has brought ruin to our family and clan!"

"Father, please don't blame my elder brother." Zhang Ling immediately stepped forward to help the Marquis of Yongwu up. "It's all my fault. I failed to comfort my elder brother, which led him astray and caused him to make a terrible mistake."

Having said that, he turned and bowed deeply to Eunuch Li, his expression earnest: "Eunuch Li, as you have seen, it's not that my father doesn't want to discipline his son, but that he is powerless to do so. I beg you, Eunuch Li, to investigate this matter thoroughly and report it to the Emperor, so that the entire Marquis's mansion will not be implicated because of my brother alone."

Zhang Xiaomeng sneered inwardly.

After wandering around for so long, it turns out we were waiting here.

Having lived deep within the palace for a long time and witnessed countless power struggles and scheming within the household, Eunuch Li saw through Zhang Ling's little scheme at a glance. He spoke calmly, "You want the Marquis of Yongwu's mansion to completely sever ties with the Heir Apparent Zhang?"

Zhang Ling looked pained and feigned helplessness, saying, "My brother and I are very close, how could I bear to do this? But he has made a grave mistake, and for the sake of the greater good, I have no choice but to make this painful sacrifice."

Eunuch Li then looked at Marquis Yongwu: "Does Your Excellency share this view?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Marquis Yongwu coldly and resolutely declared, "This unfilial son is lawless and cannot be controlled by me. His life or death is none of my concern."

The people around him echoed his sentiments, their gazes toward Zhang Xiaomeng filled with disdain, disgust, and alienation.

Eunuch Li took it all in and finally understood.

No wonder the once well-behaved eldest son was raised to be so eccentric. Living in such a cold and indifferent family, he suffered all kinds of mistreatment and exclusion. It is truly pitiful and lamentable.

He said no more, raised his hand and took out the bright yellow imperial edict, and said in a deep voice: "I already know, Marquis Yongwu, please accept the edict first."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the Marquis's residence knelt down and bowed their heads.

Only Zhang Xiaomeng remained standing.

Eunuch Li was too lazy to investigate and simply pretended not to have seen it.

Below, Zhang Ling lowered his head, a smug smirk creeping onto his lips.

Zhang Xiaomeng, that idiot, is finally finished. I can now rightfully inherit the position of heir.

Eunuch Li opened the imperial edict and read it aloud.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Zhang Xiaomeng, the heir apparent of the Marquis of Yongwu, is of pure and virtuous character, upright in conduct, and possesses exceptional integrity. My Princess Changning is gentle, intelligent, brave, and virtuous, with extraordinary talent. I hereby bestow upon the two a marriage, and hereby appoint Zhang Xiaomeng as Imperial Son-in-Law. An auspicious day shall be chosen for the marriage to take place according to the six rites. The Marquis of Yongwu's household shall respectfully prepare in accordance with the rites. This is the imperial decree!"

Everyone was stunned after hearing the imperial edict.

Didn't they say that Zhang Xiaomeng had committed a grave offense and was to be punished by the Emperor?

How did he become a prince consort?

He was the husband of the most favored Princess Changning, a meteoric rise indeed.

Looking at the stunned and bewildered crowd in the courtyard, Zhang Xiaomeng slowly walked up to Marquis Yongwu, leaned down, and grinned, "Old Deng, are you surprised? Unexpected?"