This son-in-law is wicked in a good way!

Zhang Xuanling's lips twitched. He wanted to sit down, but how could he dare?

"Before Your Majesty, I may simply stand!"

Zhang Xuanling's tone carried a hint of resentment.

After all, anyone would be dissatisfied if they were subjected to such treatment twice.

Moreover, Zhang Xuanling was a high-ranking official of the third rank.

Even when facing an empress.

Chu Lingyu gave a cold laugh: "I sensed a hint of dissatisfaction in Lord Zhang's tone. Does Lord Zhang harbor resentment towards me?"

Zhang Xuanling hesitated for a moment, then decided to get straight to the point with the Empress, otherwise, if he went through this trouble twice more, he would lose his life.

"Your subject dares not!"

"But I truly do not know where I went wrong. I beg Your Majesty to enlighten me, so that I may die knowing the truth!"

Upon hearing that Zhang Xuanling was going to reveal his true intentions, the Empress stopped pretending and grabbed the inkstone on the table, smashing it away.

boom!

The inkstone struck Zhang Xuanling on the forehead, causing blood to gush out immediately.

"Lord Zhang, I'll make sure you die knowing the truth right now!"

"Last time I asked you to give Zhang Ping'an some compensation on my behalf, is this how you compensated him?"

"He dares to steal even the silver notes I gave him, what else wouldn't you, Zhang Xuanling, dare to do?"

These words immediately sent a chill down Zhang Xuanling's spine.

Those silver notes were actually given by His Majesty!

I stole the imperial gift...

Ignoring his bleeding head, Zhang Xuanling knelt down with a thud and began kowtowing repeatedly.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was blind and misled by my eldest son's slander. I didn't know that the silver note was a gift from the Emperor!"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me! I will immediately repent and return the silver notes to the Fourth Prince!"

Zhang Xuanling kowtowed so hard that his scalp was broken in no time.

We have to be ruthless, this is a capital offense!

The Empress scoffed, "I think you're not blind, you're blind in the heart!"

"You know perfectly well that HSBC is controlled by the royal family, yet you still dare to lie through your teeth and falsely accuse Zhang Ping'an of theft. Do you really think I wouldn't be willing to kill you?"

At this moment, the Empress was absolutely domineering and unparalleled, displaying to the fullest extent the power of an emperor's wrath that could cause millions to die.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty. Please give me a chance to make amends!"

Zhang Xuanling was so frightened that his legs were trembling. He could tell that His Majesty was truly angry.

Damn it, that damned fourth prince must have met His Majesty.

But how exactly did the fourth prince get to see His Majesty? It makes no sense at all.

Moreover, even if he meets His Majesty, what gives him the right to make decisions for him?

There are countless injustices in the world, yet His Majesty doesn't seem to address them all.

What method did the fourth prince use to win His Majesty's favor?

Zhang Xuanling quickly analyzed the reason, demonstrating his exceptional abilities.

The Empress had indeed considered killing him, but she was also well aware that Zhang Xuanling's crimes did not warrant death.

Every parent has a child they want to favor, and the Empress understands that.

However, when Mo Yu brought the news that the Night Watchers had uncovered, the Empress was instantly enraged.

Even if there is favoritism, there should be a limit, right?

Zhang Xuanling was no longer showing favoritism; he was clearly trying to drive Zhang Ping'an to his doom.

And then there's Zhang Qi. Zhang Ping'an took the blame for him and went to prison for three years. As soon as he got out, he was beaten up by Zhang Qi and falsely accused of theft.

Just how wicked must this person be to be so vicious?

Although the Great Wu Dynasty was open-minded, it still valued loyalty, filial piety, and integrity.

At least on the surface, everyone has to keep up appearances. People like Zhang Qi, who are ungrateful, will be despised by everyone.

"Lord Zhang, you hold a high position, and your every word and action represents the face of the court. If such a thing is discovered again in the future, you will no longer be able to wear this official hat."

Zhang Xuanling secretly breathed a sigh of relief; he knew he had weathered the storm.

However, the Empress's patience had clearly run out. If she made the same mistake again, even if she could save her life, she would not be able to keep her official robes.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty! I will certainly remember your teachings!"

"Get out!" The Empress waved her hand impatiently.

As she watched Zhang Xuanling back out of the hall, the Empress rested her hand on her forehead and muttered to herself, "Should we call the Left Prime Minister over and give him a good talking-to too?"

"Forget it, that old fox is very cunning. Doing this will only alert him before we've caught him with any serious dirt on him."

"Moreover, it would make it seem like I care too much about that kid."

"Give him a position first, so he has more power to protect himself."

The Empress spoke, "Guards, summon Sanbao to see me!"

"Here you go!"

The young eunuch waiting at the door immediately left with small, quick steps.

Zhang Mansion.

As soon as Zhang Xuanling arrived home, his wife, Shen Qiuyue, rushed forward to help him take off his robe and asked with concern, "Master, what happened to you?"

"His Majesty has summoned me twice; is he entrusting me with an important task?"

Zhang Xuanling's lips twitched, and he touched the white cloth on his head, immediately gasping in pain.

Thinking back on these two experiences, I was immediately filled with anger.

"Where's the boss? Tell him to come see me."

After hanging the official robe on the wooden rack to the side, Madam Shen brought over a cup of tea.

"Master, why are you looking for Qi'er? He recently partnered with someone to open a restaurant, he should be out right now."

Upon hearing that a restaurant was to be opened, Zhang Xuanling immediately remembered the silver notes bestowed upon him by the Empress and flew into a rage: "Send someone to find that scoundrel immediately! And be quick!"

"Yes, sir!"

The butler immediately strode out.

Madam Shen frowned, asking in confusion, "Master, has something happened?"

Zhang Xuanling said, "Hmph, that bastard of a boss almost ruined our family!"

"What exactly happened?" Madam Shen was extremely anxious, but since it concerned the Empress, Zhang Xuanling dared not reveal it. Moreover, how could he let his wife know about such a shameful matter?

"Don't ask anymore. Tell the eldest and third brothers to behave themselves from now on and not cause trouble."

"Only the second son is somewhat worry-free." Zhang Xuanling was very distressed. How could he, with his lifelong reputation, have given birth to so many children?

Xiangfu.

After being scolded by Lu Qingyin, Zhang Ping'an returned to his room, washed up, and changed into a clean long robe.

He was ready to go to the academy immediately to learn the methods of self-cultivation.

In ancient times, without firearms, military force was a major asset for survival.

Especially when dealing with the Zhang family, one must have the ability to protect oneself.

Just as Zhang Ping'an was about to leave, a furious tenor voice rang out in the courtyard.

"Zhang Ping'an, you thief, get out of the Prime Minister's residence right now!"

"Our Prime Minister's residence is not a place where filth and corruption are tolerated."

A handsome, fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy dressed in a pale white scholar's robe stood outside Zhang Ping'an's door and started cursing.

Zhang Ping'an opened the door and came out, his face dark as he looked at the young man in front of him.

Judging from his tone, this young man is probably still studying. He seems to be the son of a high-ranking official.

He's probably Lu Qingyin's younger brother.

Soon, Lanxiang, who had heard the sound, ran over quickly.

"Third Young Master, what brings you back from the academy?"

An academy? This kid is studying at an academy?

Zhang Ping'an frowned, a look of doubt on his face.

The Left Prime Minister was the leading figure among the scholars of the Imperial Academy, and was an enemy of the academy, yet he sent his son to the academy.

What's going on? Are they playing Infernal Affairs?

Lu Wenhao glanced at Lanxiang and snorted coldly: "Isn't it all because I heard about his deeds that I specially rushed back from the academy to clean up the mess in my Prime Minister's residence?"

Damn, does ancient gossip spread this fast? How did everyone at the academy know about Zhang Qi framing me?!

It must be that bastard Zhang Qi who deliberately spread this everywhere to tarnish my reputation.