My Lord, your wife is spreading rumors about you again.

Chapter 59: The Prince's Olive Branch
If Ming Boyuan really returned to Kyoto, then this case would not have reached Prime Minister Lin's hands. Ming Boyuan was the second prince's disciple, so he would naturally side with him.

Just as Shen Ke and Zhang Zhi were worrying about how to solve this situation, Ming Li, who had not spoken for a long time, suddenly said, "But hasn't His Majesty personally decided that Lord Sui will preside over this case? According to the law, since His Majesty has spoken, Lord Sui should report the case directly to His Majesty without going through the left and right prime ministers."

These words were an epiphany for everyone present.

Shen Heng had received a lot of information before, saying that the second Miss Ming seemed to have been possessed by some unclean thing since she returned home from Heli. He didn't quite believe it before, but now that he saw it, it was not a possession, it was a complete change of mind.

Shen Hengyin smiled and said, "The left and right prime ministers have different responsibilities and functions. Miss Ming, what you said seems to mean that you don't take our prime minister system seriously?"

"Your Highness, you are too kind." Mingli smiled faintly: "What this subject means is that the Prime Minister is still the emperor's ministers after all. Lord Sui is the chief judge appointed by your majesty, and he can judge even the royal family members. Or do you think that Prime Minister Ming is more powerful than your majesty?"

"Ming Li! You are a daughter of the Ming family, you..."

"Second brother!" Seeing that Shen Heng was about to speak, Shen Ke immediately stopped him, "The Ming family has a strict family tradition. What the second Miss Ming said is not unreasonable. The chief judge appointed by His Majesty even has the right to execute first and report later. In other words, even if Lord Sui beheaded the father and son of the Mo family today, no one in the court would dare to say a word of criticism."

Shen Heng raised his eyes: "Then what Your Highness means is that it was only me who was making trouble and being unreasonable just now?"

Shen Ke's expression became serious. "Second brother, you should know that the Mo family father and son not only raped young girls and traded water slaves, they have also destroyed the salt transportation for the people's livelihood. His Majesty has ordered a thorough investigation of the salt tax. Anyone who obstructs will be executed."

Shen Heng was silent for a while. Cheng Wusi was still kneeling on the ground. It was obvious that the Second Prince was at a disadvantage in this round. He had to hide himself quickly to prevent the Second Prince from getting angry and affecting himself.

After a moment, Shen Heng smiled gently, "Okay, the prince is the prince, he really puts the people's livelihood first in everything he does, I admire you! By the way, my father said he would go to my mother's palace for dinner today, and asked me to sit with him, hoping that the family can enjoy the happiness of family life. Look at my brain, I almost delayed the time for some insignificant people, so, I will not accompany my brother the prince, I will take my leave first."

Shen Ke paused, then forced out a proper smile: "Since His Majesty has ordered it, go quickly, second brother."

Shen Heng walked up to Ming Li and looked her up and down several times. A smile appeared on his lips. He said, "I know you, the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Ming, the only bloodline left in the Wen family of the sinful clan."

Mingli slowly raised his eyes and looked at Shen Heng, with a cold look in his eyes.

Her silence contains power, just like the turbulent waves hidden beneath the calm surface of the water.

He continued, "Second Miss Ming, I heard that your husband's family was murdered just two days ago, and you're not wearing mourning clothes?" Then, he glanced at Zhang Zhi and smiled meaningfully, "Oh, it seems that I am superficial. When you meet your beloved again, you should dress up nicely. After all, the Yong'an Marquis's Mansion is far inferior to the Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion."

"Second Prince," Zhang Zhi pulled Mingli behind him, took a step forward, and said with a half-smile, "It is said that it is better to lose the battle than the battle. Don't lose your lifelong grace and integrity just because you lost this round. You are still a prince after all. Even if you want to argue like a child, you don't need to use the innocent reputation of a girl as a sword. It is too low-class."

Zhang Zhi was the nephew of the Queen, and had grown up with Shen Ke and Shen Heng, so conflicts and quarrels were inevitable. However, he always kept his duty as a monarch and his subjects, and even if they occasionally quarreled, he would never say anything so decisively.

Is this today to show courtesy?

"Young Master Zhang has always been a playboy and amorous. How come he is sincere this time?" Shen Heng sneered, "But your sincerity is worthless." After that, Shen Heng looked at Ming Li again, "Second Miss Ming, you will be getting married for the second time soon. You must be careful this time. When your good fortune comes, I will personally select a great gift and send someone to deliver it. Ah! Does Prime Minister Ming know about what happened between you two?"

"Hahahahahaha." Shen Heng laughed and went out. "In just two days, there will be another good show to watch in Kyoto!"

Zhang Zhi hurriedly turned around and explained to Ming Li: "Don't listen to him. I have never had any affair with any prostitute. The rumors were spread deliberately. Also, even if Ming Boyuan returns to Beijing, I will still be able to marry you. Don't think about anything. I will do this. Trust me."

Seeing him like this, Mingli suddenly smiled.

She said: "It's just the barking of a wild dog. I don't care. Why should you take it to heart?"

Zhang Zhi was stunned for a moment, then he laughed out loud.

Mingli's word "wild dog" scared Cheng Wusi half to death. Sui Zhengquan pretended not to hear it and called the guards to come over and take the Mo father and son to the Inspectorate. Zang Bei and Cheng Wusi also left wisely.

Shancha came over and took the five girls back to settle them down. Seeing the prince was there, Xi Mo didn't want to stay any longer, so he said he would talk to him later and left in a hurry. In the hall, only Mingli, Zhang Zhi and Shen Ke were left.

"If you enter the game with your own body, you will win half the battle."

Shen Ke looked at Ming Li with a very passionate gaze, like a long drought finally meeting a rain. He said, "Second Miss Ming, you are a talent, and I happen to cherish talents. A wise man speaks plainly. I am willing to help you break out of the house and enter the government. When the time comes, will you be willing to join me as my disciple, help me ascend the throne, help Da Qi to bring peace and prosperity to the people, and take back the 19 states of Beiliang?"

Hearing this, Mingli was stunned: "Your Highness means that you want me to attend the court? As a woman, can I attend the court to discuss politics?"

Shen Ke smiled and waved his hand nonchalantly: "What if she is a girl? Has Miss Ming ever read a sentence? Although she may not be a man, her heart is stronger than a man. I am willing to believe in my cousin's vision, and I am even more willing to believe in the girl's talent."

Mingli was silent for a moment.

"I know that a forced marriage is not a happy one. If the girl doesn't want to be with me, she can just say no. I will never get angry or humiliated by this."

Shen Ke's eyes were clear and resolute, without any trace of dirt or filth.

He continued, "But what the young lady did today, plus what she said to Shen Heng, must have made him bear a grudge for a long time. Now Ming Boyuan has returned to Beijing early, and the Ming family is definitely not a place for her to stay for long. Marrying my cousin is one solution, but if the young lady is afraid that after the marriage, she will automatically become my disciple. I have another plan that does not require marriage, and can also help the young lady leave Kyoto and no longer be manipulated by the Ming family."

Zhang Zhi widened his eyes: "."

My cousin, I am so lucky to have you!

(End of this chapter)