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

Zhao Jinrui secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Huang Cheng, the second prince of Nanzhao, had long ago prepared a foolproof plan.

If the assassination attempt on the wedding is exposed, they will immediately abandon the plan and shift the blame, clearing Nanzhao of all suspicion.

However... based solely on Zhang Ling's one-sided account, and with the Emperor being so suspicious and cautious, he might not necessarily convict him on this basis.

The moment the thought crossed his mind, the atmosphere in the hall changed drastically.

Consort Wu's face turned deathly pale in an instant. She abruptly stood up, her jade-like finger pointing directly at Zhang Ling below the steps, her voice sharp and stern:

"How dare you! I have no grudge against Princess Changning. How could you claim I plotted to harm her? This is utter slander!"

Zhang Ling's eyes were bloodshot, as if she had harbored resentment for a long time, and she angrily retorted:

"Has Your Highness forgotten about the Faye Temple incident?!"

"With the collapse of Faye Temple, the power that the Empress had secretly cultivated was severely weakened, your son lost his life as a result, and you were almost implicated and exposed!"

"You secretly coerced me into ordering me to assassinate Princess Changning during her wedding ceremony to avenge my personal grudge!"

"Nonsense!"

Consort Wu suppressed her inner turmoil and tried her best to maintain her composure, refuting the accusations in public.

"I have been visiting Faye Temple to worship Buddha for many years, solely to pray for Your Majesty's well-being. This matter has already been reported to Your Majesty, and my innocence is beyond question!"

"My son's tragic death was the work of the evil Black Lotus Sect. I am heartbroken, how could I possibly hold Princess Changning accountable?!"

"It's clearly your assassination attempt that failed, your desperate attempt to drag me down with you!"

After saying this, she tearfully and pitifully cried to Zhao Qiandong.

"Your Majesty! I am already overwhelmed with grief at the loss of my beloved son, and today I have been unjustly framed by this traitor! I beg Your Majesty to investigate and seek justice for me!"

Zhao Qiandong frowned, yet remained silent to make a decision.

Zhang Ling, standing below the steps, suddenly raised his head, his voice resounding throughout the hall: "I have concrete evidence!"

Zhao Qiandong demanded in a stern voice, "Where is the evidence?"

"The monk Duming of Faye Temple is a henchman secretly kept by Consort Wu, who handles many shady dealings for her."

Zhang Ling spoke with certainty and conviction, each word ringing out, "After the Faye Temple was investigated, he hid in Consort Wu's palace. The Emperor only needs to send men to search the palace, capture him, and confront him; the truth will be revealed immediately!"

Upon hearing this, Consort Wu's last shred of composure shattered completely, and a barely perceptible hint of panic flashed across her eyes.

Du Ming... that was her most secret trump card, and also Zhang Ling's biological father!

A huge wave of emotions surged within her, leaving her utterly perplexed.

Why did Zhang Ling betray her biological father?

What good would it do him to destroy his own foundation and perish together with others?

She forcefully suppressed her momentary shock and immediately tried to dissuade him:

"Your Majesty! After the Faye Temple was sealed off, I never saw Duming again! This man is full of lies and deliberately trying to frame me!"

"To search my bedchamber without cause would not only damage the imperial dignity but also dishonor my reputation!"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

As soon as he finished speaking, an elderly official in a python robe stepped out steadily from the ranks of civil officials in the main hall.

He was none other than Wu Wanshen, the current prime minister and the biological father of Consort Wu.

He bowed and clasped his hands in greeting, his tone calm yet imposing:

"Your Majesty, my daughter is gentle and kind, strictly abides by palace rules, and serves Your Majesty with utmost respect and devotion. She has absolutely no courage or motive to assassinate the princess."

"This is a treacherous plot by a traitor, intended to sow discord between the royal family and the court officials! I implore Your Majesty not to believe these slanders, and lest the Imperial Concubine be unjustly disgraced!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several court officials stepped forward one after another, bowing in unison to echo his words.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

These are all members of the Wu faction, who have occupied the court for many years, with deep roots and great influence.

Zhao Qiandong's gaze darkened slightly. What he feared was not a mere imperial concubine, but the deeply entrenched power of the Wu family, who held almost half the reins of the court.

He had to be careful about this matter.

Zhao Changning, observing coldly from the sidelines, saw this group of court officials openly banding together to coerce the emperor and protect the guilty, and immediately let out a cold snort:

"I nearly lost my life just now. Now that the evidence against the murderer is irrefutable, regardless of whether it's true or false, it should be thoroughly investigated to reveal the truth to the world!"

"You have repeatedly obstructed us; could it be that you are involved in this matter, or that you have something to hide?"

Wu Wanshen remained unmoved, arguing forcefully and refusing to yield an inch:

"Princess, please calm your anger. It's common for criminals to make wild accusations before their death! How can the words of such a scoundrel be taken as evidence?"

"The princess's momentary indignation is understandable, but she must not be exploited by treacherous individuals, lest she suffer unjust accusations and alienate the court officials!"

Zhao Changning stepped forward, her phoenix eyes gleaming, "I will investigate this thoroughly today!"

Wu Wanshen stood straight, his voice deep and firm.

"This old minister will not allow my daughter to be humiliated in vain! If the princess insists on forcibly searching her, she will first have to get past this old minister!"

The emperor and his ministers faced off, their tension palpable.

Just as the situation reached a stalemate, a powerful and cold shout suddenly rang out!

"You old scoundrel Wu, you dare try stopping one of them?!"

The Prince of Zhenbei stepped forward, his iron will and murderous aura suddenly unleashed.

An overwhelming aura of military might swept across the entire hall, causing Wu Wanshen's beard and hair to tremble, his body to retreat repeatedly, and his chest to heave violently.

The Prince of Zhenbei swept his gaze across the assembled officials, his eyes sharp and filled with murderous intent. "I am here to oversee this matter. Anyone who dares to obstruct the investigation or harbor traitors will face my ruthlessness!"

All the officials and civil servants fell silent, and no one dared to meet his gaze.

Throughout the Eastern Tombs, everyone knows this.

The Prince of Zhenbei is the sharpest blade in the royal family, and also the one they should not provoke.

With his strong support in breaking the deadlock, Zhao Qiandong's hesitation completely disappeared, and he immediately gave the order in a deep voice:

"Imperial Uncle, I trouble you to personally lead the Imperial Guards to thoroughly investigate Consort Wu's palace and apprehend witnesses!"

"Your subject obeys the decree!"

The Prince of Zhenbei bowed and accepted the order, then led his guards away in large strides.

The people in the hall waited quietly.

Huang Cheng, the second prince of Nanzhao, sat upright with his eyes lowered, a faint smile hidden at the corner of his lips.

He was secretly pleased.

Even if we can't kill Princess Changning this time, we will still disrupt the Eastern Mausoleum court!

The more chaotic the Eastern Tombs became, the more advantageous it was for the Nanzhao Kingdom.

He has already secured the victory in this game.

A moment later, the sound of footsteps echoed back into the palace.

The Prince of Zhenbei dragged a man under his feet and tossed him aside as if he were discarding filth.

"Thump—"

The man crashed heavily to the ground, blood gushing from his mouth, his face deathly pale, his body covered in severe injuries; it was none other than Zen Master Duming.

The Prince of Zhenbei looked up at Consort Wu and gave a mocking sneer.

"Your Highness, I have captured this man alive in your palace. He is caught red-handed. What do you have to say for yourself?"

At this moment, Consort Wu's blood and qi were almost frozen, her whole body felt cold, and she could no longer maintain her composure.

"You bitch!"

Zhao Qiandong was furious and shouted angrily.

"I have treated you well, yet you harbored treacherous intentions and, for your own selfish grudges, dared to assassinate the reigning princess during your grand wedding! Your wolfish ambitions are unforgivable!"

Consort Wu's legs went weak, and she collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her face, frantically trying to explain:

"Your Majesty! I am innocent! I truly knew nothing!"

"Someone must have orchestrated this beforehand, hiding Du Ming in my palace to deliberately frame me! I beg Your Majesty to investigate!"

Zhang Ling spoke up at the opportune moment, sealing the matter.

"The palace is heavily guarded. If it weren't for Consort Wu's instructions, how could Du Ming have safely hidden in your palace?"

Du Ming lay on the ground, barely breathing. He looked up at his biological son, Zhang Ling, his eyes filled with disbelief, sorrow, and confusion.

He couldn't figure it out.

Why would a son betray his own father, ruining his future and disgracing himself?!

Was he forced into it? Was he enduring it? Or... was there another motive?

Unfortunately, he was so badly injured that he lost his speech and was unable to utter even a question.

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhao Qiandong issued the decree in a stern voice.

"Guards! Throw Zhang Ling and Du Ming into the imperial prison and subject them to severe torture for a thorough investigation!"

"Consort Wu harbors treacherous intentions, harbors evil intentions, and plots to harm the princess. Her crimes are heinous! She is hereby stripped of her title as Imperial Concubine, demoted to commoner status, and imprisoned in the Cold Palace, never to be released again!"

Wu Wanshen's face turned deathly pale, and his fists were clenched tightly.

With the evidence seemingly irrefutable and the Prince of Zhenbei providing support, even if he wanted to save his daughter, he was powerless to refute it.

Only by finding out the real mastermind behind the scenes can we find a glimmer of hope for our daughter to overturn the verdict.

Zhao Jinrui, standing to the side, observed the entire scene with a cold eye.

Huang Cheng's cunning and ruthless planning are terrifying.

Whether the assassination succeeds or fails, it will be advantageous to him.

If defeated, then use this opportunity to disrupt the political situation in Dongling and severely damage the power of the court.

If successful, Princess Changning will be eliminated, severing the Dongling's support.

Winning both ways, achieving success in every aspect.

If this person were to ascend the throne of Nanzhao in the future, he would surely become a major threat to Dongling.

With the situation settled, Huang Cheng stood up at the opportune moment, his posture composed and elegant, and gave Zhao Qiandong a slight bow.

"Your Majesty, the wedding banquet today has been marred by a series of unexpected events and chaos. Our Nanzhao delegation would be honored to take our leave now."

At this moment, the Dongling royal family had lost face and the court was in chaos. Zhao Qiandong was exhausted and had no intention of trying to keep them, so he coldly acquiesced.

Huang Cheng's eyes held a confident smile, and he was filled with pride.

He finished the game perfectly and escaped unscathed.

But just as he turned around, about to leave gracefully with the Nanzhao delegation,

A clear and resolute female voice suddenly resounded throughout the solemn hall!

"Wait a minute!"

"I have something to say!"