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

When Ying Yufu and Liao Kong left the Heavenly Prison, the Crown Prince was also coming out of the Hall of Diligent Governance and heading to the Heavenly Prison.

Upon meeting, Ying Yufu recounted the identities and origins of Xiang San Niang and the others.

"They were basically all subordinates of the deposed crown prince of Dongchen Kingdom."

Xiang San Niang herself was the daughter of a military general. Besides her, there were other sons of officials, wealthy merchants, and even meritorious soldiers among them.

"I never imagined that the power struggles within the harems of Dongchen Kingdom could be so brutal."

The Crown Prince's expression was serious. "Now that we have saved them, we must protect their lives. This matter must be reported to the Emperor for his decision."

Ying Yufu nodded. "She came here to report as well."

"However, we can't enter the Hall of Diligent Governance right now." The Crown Prince had a look of anticipation on his face.

"What's wrong?" Ying Yufu asked, then her eyes crinkled into a smile: "Did His Majesty reprimand the Second Prince?"

"That's right, but the crime isn't the treasure itself, but his scheming against Hai Mujin."

Qinzheng Hall.

Cang Mingze knelt on the ground, while Cang Xuandi sat at the head of the table, his expression deep and unfathomable.

"What about that maid? Many people saw your maid knock Hai Mujin into the lake that day, and then you jumped in to save her."

"Cang Mingze, you're plotting against the Hai family."

It's not a question, it's an affirmative statement.

Cold sweat soaked Cang Mingze's back.

He knelt deeply on the ground and said, "Father, I dare not. I did fall in love with Hai Mujin at first sight, but I absolutely did not plot against the Hai family."

That maidservant is from my household, but her going into the water with Mu Jin was definitely not at my behest.

"Hai Mujin fell into the water, and I sincerely wanted to save her. I beg Your Majesty to understand!"

Emperor Cangxuan stared at him intently. "Do you think I believe your sophistry?"

Cang Mingze: "Father..."

"You want to plot against the Hai family and tie them to you. As a prince, you may want to compete, so be it."

But your eating manners were appalling.

Emperor Cangxuan's tone was devoid of any emotion, and his cold words chilled Cang Mingze to the bone.

He dared not look into the all-seeing gaze of Emperor Cangxuan, for in his eyes, all his schemes seemed to be exposed.

"Do you know why I broke off your engagement with Ying Yufu?"

Emperor Cangxuan asked.

Cang Mingze suddenly looked up.

"Because you are too greedy," Emperor Cangxuan said mercilessly. "You want everything, and in the end you will only suffer utter defeat."

Even I cannot have both.

"Father!" Cang Mingze cried out in fear.

Emperor Cangxuan waved his hand dismissively: "Leave. I need to give the Hai family an explanation!"

"Father!" Cang Mingze's face turned pale, and he stared at the emperor with a pleading look in his eyes.

What should Father Emperor do?

How can we explain this to the Hai family?

Then Emperor Cangxuan asked, "Whose idea was it to scheme against Hai Mujin? Yours, or your mother's?"

Cang Mingze's eyes were filled with fear.

Emerging from the Hall of Diligent Governance, Cang Mingze was utterly dejected.

He was slightly startled when he bumped into the Crown Prince and Ying Yufu, and his expression became dazed.

This time he behaved himself; he only glanced at them before walking away unsteadily.

Ying Yufu and the Crown Prince exchanged a glance.

However, Emperor Cangxuan's decree was issued very quickly.

The Empress was confined to her quarters because the Second Prince's erratic behavior led to the drowning of a court official's daughter. The root cause, she said, was the Empress's negligence in disciplining and disciplining him.

From the date of her confinement, the Empress's monthly allowance will be halved, and she may not leave the palace unless personally summoned by the Emperor.

Then came another decree.

Feng Haiqiong was appointed as the Grand Commander of the Thousand Feather Army.

To control the Thousand Feather Army is to control the lifeline of the imperial city and the safety of the emperor.

This shows Emperor Cangxuan's trust in the Hai family.

In the Empress's palace, the Empress was struck as if by a bolt from the blue.

Not only was he confined to his quarters, but His Majesty actually handed over the Thousand Feather Army to Hai Qiongying.

They had offended the Hai family, and the Hai family's control of the Thousand Feather Army was extremely disadvantageous to them.

The Empress stood there blankly for a while, and only when a palace maid called her did she slump back onto the couch, exhausted.

"His Majesty is giving an explanation to the Hai family."

"Not only is the Empress confined to her quarters, but the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Thousand Feather Army has also been given to Hai Qiongying."

Your Majesty, is he merely using this opportunity to make amends for his return home, or had he planned this all along?

Cang Mingze stood to the side, also remaining silent.

This time, their scheme against the Hai family's daughter failed, and they suffered a major setback instead.

The Second Prince's Mansion.

After returning to his residence, Cang Mingze stormed into the Linlang Pavilion.

Ying Hengzhi already knows from 008 that something went wrong with the treasure.

Seeing Cang Mingze's furious outburst, Ying Hengzhi had no time to react before her throat was gripped tightly.

"Ying Hengzhi, are you deliberately trying to harm me? Didn't you say the treasure was hidden in that blacksmith shop?"

Why did I bring back a pile of unlucky floor tiles?

Ying Hengzhi was unable to speak as her neck was being squeezed, and could only plead for mercy with her helpless eyes.

Cang Mingze looked at her with a cold smile, "Ying Hengzhi, you are my concubine. If I am unlucky, you will be ruined along with me, you know that?"

"No matter how you found out about that blacksmith shop, from now on, I will not listen to or believe a single word you say."

After saying that, he threw Ying Hengzhi away and strode out.

Cang Mingze left the Linlang Pavilion and went to the Yuhuan Pavilion with a gloomy expression.

Yu Huan Pavilion is the courtyard where Duan Linglong lives.

When he arrived, Duan Linglong was sitting on the swing.

Cang Mingze's mood, which had just calmed down a bit, instantly turned terrible again.

"Who's sitting on the swing? What if you fall off?"

He shouted sharply.

Duan Linglong, who was in a daze, was startled and almost fell.

Fortunately, Xuan'er helped her, and Duan Linglong was able to steady herself.

Cang Mingze walked over with a terrifying expression, grabbed her chin, and said, "Why are you sitting on the swing? What if you fall and hurt the baby? This is my first child, and there can be no mistakes, understand?"

Duan Linglong looked at him with a gloomy gaze, her face pale and expressionless.

Cang Mingze didn't care at all, and only said coldly, "Take good care of yourself during pregnancy. In another month, when your pregnancy is stable, I will go to the palace to report the good news to my father. He will definitely reward you handsomely."

At that time, the Emperor might be so pleased that he would lift the Empress Dowager's confinement.

He scolded Duan Linglong a few more times before turning and leaving.

Duan Linglong stared at his back, a strange smile slowly curving her lips.

At the same time, the Hai family.

Although Lady Duan was confined to her quarters, she still heard the news of the Empress's punishment.

In an instant, her expression changed drastically, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"For the sake of Hai Mujin, His Majesty actually treated my daughter like this... Hua Xiang and Hai Qiongzhang, that wretched mother and daughter, are still restless even after they're dead, and they still want to make our mother and daughter suffer."

Wang Mama said, "His Majesty not only punished the Empress, but also gave the position of Commander of the Thousand Feather Army to Hai Qiongying."

Old Madam Duan's eyes flashed with malice. After a moment, she said softly, "If Hai Chaoyun dies, who will be the most powerful person in this mansion?"

Granny Wang said, "Of course it's you, Madam. Filial piety is paramount. Even if you are not their biological mother and they don't have the master's support, they will still respectfully call you Mother and kowtow to you to pay their respects."

Moreover, if the master dies, not only will Hai Qiongying be temporarily unable to become the commander of the Thousand Feather Army, but Hai Mujin's marriage will also be postponed for three years.

Three years—too many things can change in that time.

"So, Hai Chaoyun should die!" Old Duan said with a smile.