Father, who is both a heir and a descendant, is still biased; the bound system has gone berserk.

"Master, it's not what you think. It's that child, Mu Jin, was outside..."

"Jin'er is perfectly fine!" Grand Tutor Hai coldly interrupted her: "On the contrary, there are some people who are full of scheming, treacherous and despicable, plotting against this and that."

"It's one thing to scheme against others, but if you want to scheme against my granddaughter, you'll have to ask me for permission first."

Old Duan didn't expect him to say such harsh things, and immediately lost control of her emotions.

"Yes, I'm full of schemes and scheming, so what? I haven't wronged your Hai family, have I? I gave birth to an Empress for you!"

"Our Hai family already has an empress. Even without your child, I, Qiongzhang, am still an empress, and Qiongzhang's son is the crown prince!"

Hai Taifu retorted sharply.

When Hai Qiongyan and Jiang arrived, they heard their father arguing with Duan again.

Duan was originally gentle and considerate, but after Hai Lingyao became empress, Duan stopped pretending.

"In your heart, is there only your deceased first wife? I, Duan Wanhong, am now your legal wife, and Lingyao is your daughter. How can you be so biased?"

"Don't you know how Lingyao came to be? Have you forgotten how you became the legal wife?"

I told you before, if you want to be the legal wife, then be. But you don't need to worry about my children and grandchildren.

Otherwise, don't blame me for going to His Majesty to divorce you.

"Divorce? You actually said you wanted to divorce me? Yes, even if I made mistakes in the past, that's all in the past. Over the years, I've tried my best to please you and warm your heart, but you've never been kind to me."

"Sea Tide Cloud, do you even have a heart?"

"Of course I have feelings. My heart belongs only to my deceased wife, not to a woman who drugged me, schemed against me, and was full of cunning."

"Duan, you shouldn't have set your sights on my granddaughter again!"

A ruthless glint flashed in Hai Taifu's eyes.

Madam Duan was startled: "Who said I schemed against her? It was clearly her own indiscretion that led her to seduce the Second Prince. The Second Prince didn't mind and was willing to marry her as his principal wife. What's wrong with that?"

Mr. Duan's appearance is fierce but his heart is soft.

"Isn't this a scheme against my granddaughter? Not only did you scheme against her, but you also slandered her reputation, Duan! Explain yourself clearly today, or I won't divorce you! I'm going to divorce you!"

The elderly Grand Tutor Hai began to roll up his sleeves.

Seeing that he was truly angry, a hint of fear flashed in Old Madam Duan's eyes.

This old scoundrel's fiery temper, both internally and externally, is utterly unworthy of his reputation as a first-rank Grand Tutor.

He wanted to fight her, and she really couldn't handle it.

"I...I didn't frame her..."

"I know my granddaughter's character better than anyone. Old Duan, give up your thoughts. Hai Lingyao wants to drag the Hai family down with her? No way! My granddaughter will never marry the Second Prince."

He glared at Old Duan with a warning look, "You'd better behave yourself, or no one's face will matter!"

Even the Empress, as the highest-ranking woman in the palace, wouldn't want a father who has severed ties with her.

Old Duan stood there, stunned.

He actually threatened to sever ties with her.

"Lingyao is also your daughter!" Old Madam Duan's eyes reddened.

"It's best if Hua Xiang's death and Qiong Zhang's death have nothing to do with you and your daughter. From today onwards, you will stay in Shouxi Pavilion and not go anywhere else," Hai Chaoyun said coldly.

Hua Xiang was the name of his first wife.

"Jin'er, let's go. From now on, you don't need to pay any attention to what she says." Grand Tutor Hai led Hai Mujin out.

Hai Qiongyan, who had just arrived, and Jiang Shi also left together.

After the servants left, Old Madam Duan slumped into her seat, muttering, "He actually confined me to my quarters! How dare he! My daughter is the Empress!"

A hint of worry flashed in Wang Mama's eyes. "Madam, what did the master mean by what he just said? Does he suspect something?"

Old Duan waved his hand: "Don't scare yourself. Even if he suspects something, what can he do? Does he have any evidence?"

If he had evidence, given his temperament, he would have acted long ago.

Granny Wang's expression relaxed slightly. "That's true. After all, we did it very cleanly back then, leaving no evidence."

"Grandpa, you were amazing!"

Hai Mujin smiled with admiration and gave a thumbs up.

Hai Taifu proudly twitched his mustache. "To deal with someone as scheming as Duan, trying to outwit her is exactly what she wants. But I, your grandfather, just go straight for her with my fists. Under my fists, no matter how much scheming she has, it won't be of any use."

"Grandfather is wise!" Hai Mujin praised.

Hai Qiongyan and Jiang exchanged a glance, their eyes both full of smiles.

"Grandfather already knows about what happened at the Mu residence today. Jin'er, what do you think of Prince Yuheng?"

Hai Mujin wasn't embarrassed this time. "Grandfather, Prince Yuheng is the best choice."

Grand Tutor Hai sighed, "Child, you don't need to worry about anything else. Do whatever you want. The Hai family can still protect a young girl's marriage."

Hai Mujin's eyes reddened. "Grandfather, I'm not worried about anything else. Prince Yuheng is really a good person, and I... also have a good impression of him."

She expressed her feelings directly.

Hai Taifu finally smiled slightly, "Alright, if you think it's good, then it's fine."

Jiang and Hai Qiongyan also had smiles on their faces.

Although Father used the Empress as a threat just now, in reality, the Empress is still the Empress. If the Hai family wants to touch her, it will be a painful blow. It's not that easy.

Besides, the Hai family is, after all, the Empress's maternal family. If they were to be used by someone with ulterior motives, it would be detrimental to the Hai family.

"Father, the Hai family is not so easily bullied. Even if the Second Prince is a prince, we cannot tolerate him bullying Mu Jin. I will go to the palace now and demand an explanation from His Majesty."

"Go, go now! What are you waiting for!"

Hai Taifu waved his hand repeatedly to shoo people away.

Jiang smiled with her head down, and Hai Qiongyan immediately turned and left.

Hai Mujin watched her father's departing figure, feeling a surge of warmth in her heart. She took Hai Tai's arm and said, "Grandfather, please take your time. It's getting late. Let me help you to rest."

"Well, I'm getting old, my body isn't what it used to be... cough cough!"

Inside the palace.

As soon as Hai Qiongyan entered the palace, he saw Cheng Xu'an standing guard outside the Hall of Diligent Governance. The two met face to face, and Cheng Xu'an bowed and greeted Minister Hai.

Hai Qiongyan is the current Minister of Justice, whose official rank is higher than Cheng Xu'an's.

Hai Qiongyan nodded. "Lord Cheng, you're too kind. Does Lord Cheng have important business to discuss with His Majesty at this hour?"

Cheng Xu'an sighed and said, "It's all because of my daughter."

"What a coincidence, I'm doing this for my daughter too."

The expressions on their faces were both meaningful.

As they were talking, He Bi stepped out, glanced at the two men, and said, "My lords, His Majesty invites you in!"

Hai Qiongyan and Cheng Xu'an cupped their hands in greeting and followed He Bihuan into the Hall of Diligent Governance.

The emperor sat behind his desk, and the crown prince sat to one side.

"Your subject, Hai Qiongyan, pays respects to Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Your subject, Cheng Xu'an, pays respects to Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"My two esteemed ministers, there's no need for such formalities. Please rise."