After getting married, she spent every night alone in her room; when she asked for a divorce, he kne

Liu Nianxi was speechless, her pretty face flushing red and then turning pale, then red again. "I, I didn't," she said sheepishly, looking at Liu Yunze. "I only heard it from my second brother."

Liu Yunze was so shocked his eyes almost popped out of their sockets. "When did I tell you any of this?"

Liu Nianxi remained silent, her neck stiff. Seeing this, Xiao Jinghan asked, "So you are Prime Minister Liu's adopted daughter, the fourth young lady of the Liu family?"

"Yes," Liu Nianxi said shyly. "Three years ago, at the Hanguang Pavilion polo field, I even played polo with the young master."

"I don't remember," Xiao Jinghan said. "However, I wouldn't mind using my position to help Miss Fourth find her biological parents and reunite your family."

Upon hearing this, Liu Nianxi's eyes immediately reddened, glistening with tears, as if she had suffered a great injustice. Su Tinglan felt extremely distressed and quickly stepped forward to comfort her, "Alright, Nianxi, the young master was just joking with you, don't take it seriously."

"Nianxi, get back to your room right now! Stop yelling and making a scene, you have no manners at all!" Liu Jingyuan reprimanded Liu Nianxi with a stern face. "You'd better reflect on your actions. Without my permission, you are not allowed to leave your room!"

"Is Father going to imprison me? But what did I do wrong?" Liu Nianxi retorted indignantly, "The one in the wrong is clearly Liu Yuansheng!"

"How dare you say that!" Liu Jingyuan slammed his hand on the table. "Get out of here!"

Liu Nianxi pouted, glanced at Xiao Jinghan with reluctance, and then left with Su Tinglan. Liu Yunze, who had long been unable to stay any longer, also left Qingfeng Hall under some pretext.

Only Liu Jingyuan, Xiao Jinghan, and Liu Yuansheng remained in the hall. Liu Jingyuan relaxed his muscles and softened his expression, saying, "I've spoiled this child. My dear son-in-law, there's no need to hold it against her."

"How could that be?" Xiao Jinghan said, "Father-in-law, you flatter me."

The address of "father-in-law" made Liu Jingyuan feel refreshed. After all, his influence in the court was declining, while Xiao Jinghan had a bright future. With such a promising son-in-law to rely on, he could stand taller.

Even though Xiao Jinghan is now just a minor Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate.

Three years ago, the emperor intended to appoint him as a second-rank Protector of the Nation General. In addition, given his illustrious family background and impressive lineage, there was no reason for him not to rise to prominence one day.

Liu Jingyuan became increasingly smug, extremely glad that he hadn't rejected the marriage proposal because of the gossip surrounding Xiao Jinghan, after all, Liu Yuansheng's reputation wasn't exactly spotless either.

"My dear son-in-law, today is the auspicious day for you to accompany Yuansheng on her homecoming. Let's have a good drink together later. We, father-in-law and son-in-law, will not part until we're both drunk."

Xiao Jinghan: "Everything will be done according to my father-in-law's arrangements."

"Alright!" Liu Jingyuan smiled and stood up, then added, "I've heard you're a great lover of calligraphy and painting. I have a few of Weng Shiming's last paintings in my room; why don't you come and take a look?"

"Father-in-law's invitation is too kind of me to refuse." Xiao Jinghan also stood up. "However, father-in-law will have to part with a few of your treasures and give them to me."

"It's alright, you can take whatever you like." Liu Jingyuan laughed heartily, and after laughing, he noticed that Liu Yuansheng was still sitting quietly in the armchair.

She remained silent, her face expressionless, her pensive gaze strikingly resembling that of her mother—Bai Yinzhu, the female physician of the Imperial Hospital who captivated the capital with her beauty and won hearts with her medical skills.

Recalling the past, Liu Jingyuan's expression darkened, and his tone turned cold and hard. "Yuan Sheng, what are you doing?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yuansheng slowly raised her head and looked at Liu Jingyuan.

Liu Jingyuan felt uneasy under her calm yet captivating eyes. He glanced at her and said, "Your husband and I have something to discuss. You should go back to your room."

"I have something to say. I'll leave after I get a reply," Liu Yuansheng said.

Her voice was gentle and soft, yet it carried an undeniable power.

Being contradicted by his daughter in front of his son-in-law, Liu Jingyuan was somewhat displeased, but having witnessed Liu Yuansheng's stubbornness, he didn't say anything at the moment, and patiently asked, "What do you want to say?"

Liu Yuansheng didn't say anything, but took out an old money pouch from her sleeve, placed it in her palm, and showed it to Liu Jingyuan.

Liu Jingyuan stared at the money pouch in surprise.

Xiao Jinghan was also taken aback.

His gaze moved from Liu Yuansheng's face to the money pouch, and then back to her face, vaguely sensing a chill in the air of Qingfeng Hall.

"Give me an answer and I'll leave," Liu Yuansheng said.

Xiao Jinghan then looked at Liu Jingyuan, only to see Liu Jingyuan with a dark face. He let out a soft breath, put his hands behind his back, and chuckled, "I thought it was something important, but it turns out it's just this. Don't worry, things have been very peaceful at home these past few days."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yuansheng slowly lowered her hand.

"Alright, son-in-law, let's go."

Liu Jingyuan was eager to take Xiao Jinghan away, but then Liu Yuansheng asked again, "Where is she?"

Liu Jingyuan paused. If Xiao Jinghan hadn't been right beside him, staring at him with curious eyes, he would have wanted to have Liu Yuansheng locked in the woodshed. "She should be where she belongs!"

Liu Yuansheng was skeptical. "Really?"

"Why would I lie to you?" Liu Jingyuan said angrily. "Don't push your luck, you little brat!"

Liu Yuansheng then gave up, put the money pouch into his sleeve, stood up, and left without looking back.

Suppressing his anger, Liu Jingyuan led Xiao Jinghan into his study.

Weng Shiming's painting was hanging in the most conspicuous place in the study, but Xiao Jinghan was in no hurry to admire it. He casually sat on the daybed and said, "Father-in-law's study is really nice. It's quiet and secluded, perfect for sitting down and having a quiet talk."

Upon hearing this, Liu Jingyuan immediately shifted his gaze from Weng Shiming's painting and stared intently at Xiao Jinghan, saying, "It seems that my son-in-law has something to say to me."

He sat down opposite Xiao Jinghan. "What do you want to say?"

"It's nothing," Xiao Jinghan said. "I recently accompanied Lord Zhao in investigating the Yutong Academy case and discovered that before the main culprit, Guan Ning, fled to avoid punishment, he made a special trip to the Prime Minister's residence to deliver several banned books from the previous dynasty to my father-in-law. Afterwards, Guan Ning admitted that he wanted to mislead the public, and my father-in-law handed those banned books over to the Ministry of Justice. But I still want to ask, with so many powerful officials in the capital, why did Guan Ning target my father-in-law?"

Liu Jingyuan narrowed his eyes slightly. "So that's why you accompanied Yuan Sheng on her homecoming."

"It's killing two birds with one stone, isn't it?" Xiao Jinghan said. "Besides, I was just curious and asking casually, Father-in-law, there's no need to be nervous."

Liu Jingyuan frowned.

Xiao Jinghan told him not to be nervous, but how could he not be nervous?

Speaking of the Yutong Academy case, we must mention the Chiling Army rebellion case nine years ago. At that time, Emperor Qingyuan ruled the world, and the former Crown Prince Li Zhaolin was at the height of his power, commanding 300,000 Chiling Army soldiers. He was invincible and was the God of War Crown Prince in the hearts of the people.

Logically speaking, as long as Li Zhaolin was alive, the throne could not possibly belong to anyone else. However, he launched a coup, attempting to seize power, but was ultimately surrounded and killed by the Prince of Jin's army at Baiying Pass.

Afterwards, Prince Jin ascended the throne and purged the court. Nothing related to the former Crown Prince Li Zhaolin was allowed to appear throughout the country. However, Li Zhaolin had many former subordinates who secretly gathered strength, intending to avenge Li Zhaolin. This Yutong Academy was a stronghold set up in the capital by the traitors that the court had just discovered.

This originally had nothing to do with him, but unfortunately, the main culprit sent several banned books from the previous dynasty to his residence for some unknown reason, which landed him in jail.

Although he was exonerated in time, the emperor has always been suspicious and is probably becoming increasingly dissatisfied with him.

"I know what you suspect, but I am truly innocent." After a long period of contemplation, Liu Jingyuan said calmly, "As you probably know, because I spoke a few kind words for the late Crown Prince back then, I have long lost the Emperor's favor. His Majesty is only keeping me in office because of my grandfather, who played a crucial role in the rise of the new emperor. My Prime Minister's residence may seem glamorous, but it is actually in a precarious state. I am already in dire need of my own safety, so why should I invite more trouble?"

Xiao Jinghan listened to Liu Jingyuan's words seemingly casually, then smiled faintly, "Father-in-law is right. If you ask me, Father-in-law is in the prime of his life and is deeply trusted by the Emperor. You should not underestimate yourself and let a trivial matter from back then cause you to fall out of favor with His Majesty."

After hearing this, Liu Jingyuan fell into deep thought once again.

He had to seriously consider Xiao Jinghan's words and try to figure out the deeper meaning behind them.

After all, Xiao Jinghan himself represents a certain stance. You must know that his older sister, Xiao Ruowei, is the most favored concubine in the palace, and the sixth prince she gave birth to is deeply loved by the emperor and is one of the candidates for crown prince.

Xiao Jinghan came to tell him all this today, could it be that he wants him to surrender?

As Liu Jingyuan was deep in thought, a servant suddenly rushed in, kneeling down in a panic, "Master, something terrible has happened! The Third Miss and the Fourth Miss are fighting!"