With a warehouse full of supplies, I stood alone as king in this chaotic world, gun in hand.

Liu Zhizhen knelt there, trembling.

The Duke of Wei's ancestors were founding heroes, and even Emperor Mingde did not show them any mercy, so he was even less likely to keep his position as Minister of War.

"Father, although Zhou Shaorong and Liu Yue'er did something wrong, Nangong Wu is fine, isn't she? Moreover, they are willing to accept Runing's illegitimate child to make amends. Your punishment of Duke Jiang of Wei is a bit too harsh."

Nangong Xun knelt down on one knee to plead for Zhou Zheng: "The Duke of Wei is the descendant of a founding hero and an important minister of the state. Zhou Shaorong was just bewitched by Liu Yue'er and did something foolish."

Fortunately, Runing is unharmed and no major mistake was made. The Crown Prince of Zhou is also willing to make amends and earnestly requests his father to give the Duke of Wei a chance.

The Duke of Wei's mansion is his greatest support; it cannot be allowed to fall like this.

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong! Please have mercy!" Zhou Zheng pleaded. "I beg Your Majesty to give me another chance. I will definitely make amends and treat Runing well."

If Nangong Wu can forgive them this time, they will definitely treat her like an ancestor.

"Prince Rui, are you questioning my decision?" Emperor Mingde picked up an account book and threw it at Nangong Xun, his eyes filled with disappointment for his son.

"If it weren't for Ru Ning's good fortune, she would have died at the hands of those two bastards long ago. Do you think that just because Ru Ning is alright, you can erase the evil deeds they committed?"

"Ru Ning has been humiliated because of them; can you imagine how much criticism she and her child will face from the world in the future? If it weren't for the old Duke's achievements, I should have sentenced him and his son!"

Seeing that he was angry, Nangong Xun lowered his head and dared not speak again.

He cursed the Zhou family in his heart, calling them all idiots.

"As for Liu Zhizhen," Emperor Mingde said, his gaze falling on Liu Zhizhen, "he can't even discipline his own children and allows them to commit crimes. He is not fit to be a public official."

From this day forward, you are stripped of your post as Minister of War, demoted to commoner status, and will never be employed by the court again.

The son, Liu Xiu, was lawless, bullied men and women, and murdered for money. All his academic achievements were revoked, and he was imprisoned and executed in the autumn.

Liu Yue'er was vicious and cruel, and she harmed the princess of the court. Her crime was unforgivable, so she was imprisoned in the Yeting Prison and never got out until her death.

The Liu family's property was seized; aside from the silver returned to the trading company, all other assets were confiscated and deposited into the national treasury.

Nangong Wu was also surprised when she heard about the emperor's treatment of these people.

But the emperor's heart was as deep as the sea; perhaps he had long harbored resentment towards these two families and was merely using this incident to dismiss them.

Liu Zhizhen's face was ashen. It was all over, everything was over!

She cursed inwardly: It's all because of that little bitch Nangong Wu. It's all because Yue'er was too soft-hearted and didn't kill her sooner.

She looked at Nangong Xun with pleading eyes, but was met with a fierce glare from him.

As soon as Emperor Mingde finished speaking, two imperial guards came in, took off Liu Zhizhen's official hat and stripped him of his official robes, and then dragged him out like a dead dog.

Before the Imperial Guards could make a move, Zhou Zheng took off the hat belonging to a Duke and his outer robe.

"Guards, take all the witnesses away. The three judicial departments will conduct a joint trial," Emperor Mingde said again.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

Seeing that the emperor had indeed punished the Zhou and Liu families, the witnesses felt a glimmer of hope.

After the witnesses left, the hall returned to silence.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty. I have failed to properly discipline my children and grandchildren. Please punish me." Marquis Wu'an did not plead for mercy, but instead begged for forgiveness.

Nangong Wu has evidence of their crimes, and once the three judicial departments jointly try them, they will be able to keep their actions completely hidden.

He gambled on his daughter's position in Emperor Mingde's heart, believing that the Marquis of Wu'an's family would not be severely punished.

Nangong Wu also wanted to see if the emperor would punish the Ming family.

According to the investigation by the Flying Feather Guard, the death of the Crown Prince was closely related to the Imperial Noble Consort, but the matter was eventually dropped, which shows the position of the Imperial Noble Consort in Emperor Mingde's heart.

Emperor Mingde looked at his father-in-law with a complicated expression.

Having not heard Emperor Mingde's words for a long time, Marquis Wu'an made up his mind and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister knows that his sins are grave, and is willing to exchange a decree for Tianheng's life."

As for the mistakes he made, the Ming family is willing to do its best to make amends, only asking that His Majesty forgive the Ming family this time.

Eunuch Hu was adept at reading people's expressions. Seeing that Emperor Mingde had a sullen face and did not say anything, he walked down the steps, took the imperial edict, and gave it to Emperor Mingde.

Nangong Wu also understood that Emperor Mingde's revocation of the imperial edict was also out of fear of the Ming family, but this meant that he would also let Tian Heng go.

The Ming family used a special imperial edict to save Tian Heng's life, thus silencing the public's criticism.

Seeing that Emperor Mingde still remained silent, Eunuch Hu immediately shouted, "If you have something to say, speak up; if not, dismiss the court!"

The civil and military officials breathed a sigh of relief, shouted "Long live the Emperor!" three times, and then rose and withdrew.

In the main hall, only Nangong Xun and Marquis Wu'an and his son remained.

"Uncle Emperor, Runing will also take her leave now." Nangong Wu bowed and followed the officials out.

Nangong Xun stayed behind with the father and son, presumably to have something to say to Emperor Mingde in private.

Eunuch Hu handed her the already written imperial decree of divorce.

"Ru Ning, go back and wait. I will bestow names upon the three children and record them in the imperial genealogy," Emperor Mingde said.

Nangong Wu was surprised and quickly thanked him again: "Ru Ning thanks Your Majesty."

This time, I am truly grateful to him.

The three children were recorded in the imperial genealogy, making them members of the royal family, and no one would dare to criticize them in the future.

Although Emperor Mingde had some selfish motives, he treated her fairly well.

Although this is mostly due to the money she donated, what's wrong with spending a little money if it can be done with money?

My father used to donate every year.

With the emperor as a protective umbrella, the Huo family, with its numerous businesses, was able to make a fortune in a mutually beneficial relationship with the court.

She walked out of the Zichen Hall, looked at the imperial edict of divorce in her hand, and felt much better. She also felt that the sky above her head was bluer.

Upon leaving the palace, she found Li Feng and Li Cheng waiting for her.

She instructed, "Li Feng, go back to the Prince's Mansion and call someone to go to the Duke of Wei's Mansion to move the dowry—no, it should be called the Marquis of Wei's Mansion now."

"Yes," Li Feng replied, then mounted a horse and rode off.

"Li Cheng, let's go to the Marquis of Wei's residence," Nangong Wu instructed again before boarding the carriage.

"Princess, I have investigated. When Zhou Chuchu got married half a year ago, Madam Zhou gave her 128 loads of dowry. Fifty loads of it were made up of your dowry," Li Shuang said.

"They really dare to do that." Nangong Wu sneered. Most of the original owner's dowry were imperial gifts, engraved with marks. The Ming family actually dared to use them as dowry for their daughter. They were really bold.

"There's nothing they wouldn't dare to do," Li Shuang said, finding it normal. "If Prince Rui seizes the throne, he definitely won't tolerate the Zhenyuan Prince's Mansion."

When they arrived at the Duke of Wei's mansion, they found the gates tightly shut, with no guards in sight, and the original plaque above the gate had been removed.

Before Nangong Wu could speak, Li Shuang went up and knocked on the door.

Nangong Wu's eyes turned cold. "If no one comes to open the door, then smash it up for me."

Zhou Zhengming knew she would come to collect her dowry, but he closed the door, thinking she wouldn't dare to bang on it?