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

Driven to madness by the smugness in Cheng Zhier's eyes, Liu's resentment and curses turned into painful screams as the board fell.

Several ministers who came to watch clicked their tongues in amazement, their eyes revealing undisguised schadenfreude.

The fact that they came to the Cheng family today to watch the spectacle shows that they are not afraid of offending Cheng Xu'an.

Now that they were watching the spectacle, they showed no mercy. With a hundred strokes of the cane, Liu fell completely into a pool of blood.

Cheng Yunjing didn't say a word from beginning to end, only occasionally glancing at Cheng Zhier with a complicated look in his eyes.

Cheng Zhier looked at Liu Shi, who was beaten to the point of being unconscious, without a trace of emotion in her eyes.

Instead, she looked at Cheng Xu'an and asked, "Father, have you found out why the fire started in my courtyard?"

Cheng Xu'an looked at Cheng Zhi'er, his cloudy eyes filled with a complex and scrutinizing gaze.

Cheng Zhier smiled slightly and said, "Father, I am the Second Prince's fiancée. Although the Second Prince is currently injured, a prince is still a prince, and I am the royal daughter-in-law."

Cheng Xu'an's hands trembled slightly.

He really underestimated his daughter.

Cheng Zhier was not afraid of falling out with Cheng Xu'an at all, and said, "Father, if the future Second Prince's wife's courtyard suddenly catches fire, it will be difficult for you to explain if it reaches His Majesty's ears."

"Zhi'er, that's enough. The fire in your courtyard was just caused by a servant accidentally knocking over a candlestick. Just punish the servant who made the mistake."

Your current willful behavior will make you a laughingstock among the adults.

Cheng Yunjing spoke.

"My elder brother is right to reprimand me, and I dare not say anything more. However, for my future safety, I have no choice but to show Father and my elder brother some letters and account books."

After saying that, she took out a stack of letters and several account books from her sleeve.

Cheng Yunjing's pupils contracted, and he grabbed the book and began to examine it. The more he looked at it, the uglier his expression became.

Cheng Xu'an also looked through it, and his face turned pale.

He looked at Cheng Zhier in disbelief. This daughter of his had silently controlled so many of his life-threatening things.

If any one of these things gets out, it will bring him utter destruction.

He no longer cared about questioning Cheng Zhier about how she got these things. Several colleagues craned their necks to look, and Cheng Xu'an hurriedly hid the things in his sleeves.

Cheng Zhier covered her mouth and chuckled: "Father, you'd better hide it well, it wouldn't be good if outsiders saw it."

However, Zhier had many such things, which she kept in places her father and elder brother would never expect.

If another fire breaks out in Zhi'er's courtyard, or if another accident occurs to Zhi'er, these things will immediately appear on His Majesty's desk, and then Father and Elder Brother will be filled with regret.

Oh dear, Father, why do you look so unwell?

And the eldest brother...

"Oh, right, big brother, Zhi'er also has a few things here that you're interested in."

As she spoke, Cheng Zhier took out a letter and handed it to Cheng Yunjing.

Cheng Yunjing's expression changed, and he snatched it away.

With just a glance at the envelopes of those letters, Cheng Yunjing knew what was inside.

His face was ashen as he looked at Cheng Zhier and said, "Zhier, you are truly my good sister."

Cheng Zhier said, "Yes, my brother has always doted on me since I was little. I just hope that he will continue to dote on me as always."

"Haha, hahaha!"

Zhou, who had been forgotten by everyone, suddenly burst into laughter.

She had had enough of this farce and was now disheartened; her gaze towards Cheng Yunjing was devoid of any affection.

She was from Yunzhou. The Cheng family was demoted to Yunzhou for eight years. Without the support of her Zhou family, how could the Cheng family have gained a foothold so easily?

She has been pampered since childhood, when has she ever suffered such injustice!

She thought she had met her soulmate, but little did she know that he was a despicable man with a sordid affair with her stepmother.

They also have a son.

Then what about her beloved son?

She finally understood why Cheng Yunjing treated their son better than his younger brother.

What younger brother? That was his first son.

Seeing Zhou Shi laughing maniacally, Cheng Yunjing's expression grew even more unpleasant. If Zhou Shi were to become estranged from him, chaos would surely ensue in Yunzhou.

The Zhou family still needs to be appeased.

Cheng Yunjing stepped forward to help Zhou Shi up, saying, "Madam, there's a misunderstanding here. Please go back and I'll explain it to you in detail."

Zhou Shi disgustedly avoided Cheng Yunjing's outstretched hand, causing Cheng Yunjing's eyes to darken.

At this moment, Ying Yufu and the Crown Prince, who were hiding on the roof, had their eyes shining.

"Your Highness, this Cheng Zhier is truly remarkable. She has both skill and cunning; I'm starting to admire her."

Ying Yufu exclaimed in admiration.

Anyone who offends her will face severe retaliation from her.

Didn't Ying Chengting, who came before, end up with a bad ending?

The Crown Prince nodded: "This Cheng Zhier is a talented person, it's just a pity..."

It's a pity this woman can't be kept; her hands are not clean.

Just as the two were whispering to each other, a figure suddenly emerged from behind a rockery in the Cheng residence.

It was none other than Emperor Cangxuan.

"Hai Qiongying, seize them and search their bodies," Emperor Cangxuan said coldly.

Immediately, Hai Qiongying led the Thousand Feather Army out and was subdued by Cheng Xu'an.

Then, they found many letters and account books on Cheng Xu'an, Cheng Yunjing, and Cheng Zhi'er.

"His Majesty!"

Cheng Xu'an was shocked and asked, "What does Your Majesty mean by this?"

Emperor Cangxuan glanced at him with a gloomy expression, took the letters and account books from Hai Qiongying, and looked through them one by one.

When he saw some of the letters, Emperor Cangxuan couldn't help but sneer.

"Cheng Yunjing, Cheng Yunjing, you actually colluded with the Southern Barbarians. I really underestimated you."

After speaking, Emperor Cangxuan shouted, "Imprison Cheng Xu'an and his entire family in the Heavenly Prison and seal off the Cheng family."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Hai Qiongying responded loudly.

On the rooftop, Ying Yufu and the Crown Prince stared in disbelief.

"Why is Father Emperor here too?" The Crown Prince was shocked.

Ying Yufu scratched her head: "His Majesty wouldn't be here just to watch the show, would he?"

Watching this spectacle, yet another high-ranking official has fallen from grace.

The officials who came to watch the spectacle were all terrified, their faces turning ashen, and they knelt on the ground, trembling.

Emperor Cangxuan looked at the group indifferently and said, "You may rise."

After saying that, Emperor Cangxuan turned and left.

The officials who remained on the spot repeatedly expressed their gratitude, wiping the cold sweat from their brows.

One of them whispered, "His Majesty has finally made his move on Yunzhou."

For years, Yunzhou has been controlled by the Cheng family, especially the eldest son, Cheng Yunjing. Now, His Majesty will surely kill him.

But who among them knew that Emperor Cangxuan had only come to watch the excitement at first?

"Cheng Xu'an has been arrested, and the Emperor of Beixuan is about to take action against Yunzhou."

Inside the post station, the envoys from the Southern Barbarians gathered together to discuss the matter.

The speaker was a woman dressed in a black and purple dress. Her name was Lan Yan, and she was the high priestess of the Southern Barbarians.

She was in her early thirties, with fair skin, long, narrow eyes, and a bright, intelligent look.

Sitting next to her was another elderly man in white.

A hint of solemnity flashed in the old man's eyes: "The Duke of Beixuan has just won a great victory in the southwest, and the morale of Beixuan is soaring. Yunzhou must not be allowed to return to the control of the Emperor of Beixuan."

Lan Yan said, "High Priest Xuanfeng is right. Yunzhou must be under our control. But we don't need to worry too much. Even if the Cheng family is gone, we still have the Zhou family."

Moreover, I heard that Shangguan Jian, the son of the Duke of Zhenguo, clearly lost an arm, but later it was said that his severed leg regenerated. I wonder if this is true or not?

"Whether it's true or not, we'll know once we see it for ourselves," Xuanfeng said calmly.

Lan Yan nodded, paused, and then said, "However, there is another matter that we must strive for."

She looked at the old man in white: "Xuanfeng, I heard that Xuanling still has bloodlines in Beixuan. Back then, Xuanling's whole family was killed, and only you were lucky enough to escape."

Xuanling's bloodline is also your Xuan family's bloodline; you must rescue her.

I heard that the child was not only humiliated and made a concubine by the Second Prince of Beixuan, but is now imprisoned in the private dungeon of the Eastern Palace.

Xuanfeng nodded solemnly and said, "It will probably not be easy to rescue that child."

Lan Yan said, "We must rescue her at all costs. With her bloodline and status, she is fully qualified to be selected as a candidate for Holy Maiden of our Southern Barbarians."

"I know, let me think, how can we rescue that child..."

"It's just a transaction. As long as we show enough sincerity, the Emperor of Beixuan will release them."

……

Two days later, the Duke of Zhenguo returned in triumph.

The army marched in great numbers and set up camp outside the rear city.

Emperor Cangxuan led his civil and military officials in a grand procession out of the city to welcome him.

The ministers were deeply shocked.

Although His Majesty had previously valued the Duke of Zhenguo, it was never with the same grandeur as it is now.

Despite the major incident and scandal that occurred in the southwest, which nearly brought disaster to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, His Majesty not only did not despise the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, but also valued it even more.

The ministers who knew that Ying Yufu possessed a divine artifact were not surprised at all.

The status of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is now even greater than before.

When the Duke of Zhenguo saw Emperor Cangxuan's imperial carriage and a group of civil and military officials, his eyes widened in surprise.

He was tall and robust, and having spent many years in the southwest, his skin was tanned a dark red. Although his hair was gray, he was full of energy and exceptionally strong.

The soldiers of the southwestern border army were all dressed in crimson and gold armor. The Duke of Zhenguo strode forward and knelt on one knee to pay his respects.

"Your subject, Shangguan Hu, pays respects to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

His voice was booming and full of energy, and he was also extremely respectful.

Behind him, Shangguan Jian's family, Yu Li, and General Wu Xiaotian, the General of the Western Garrison, all bowed down.

Emperor Cangxuan quickly dismounted from the dragon carriage, strode forward, and personally helped Shangguan Hu up.

"Duke Zhenguo, please rise, no need for formalities."

Shangguan Hu stood up with the help of Emperor Cangxuan. He bowed his head, clasped his hands, and said with a ashamed expression, "Your Majesty, this old minister almost failed Your Majesty's important trust this time. Fortunately, Yu Li and General Zhenxi arrived in time to save this old minister."

Otherwise, the southwestern border will inevitably fall into the hands of the Chrysanthemum Hall's spies, and the consequences will be unimaginable.

"Duke Zhenguo need not blame himself. You risked your life for Beixuan, what wrong have you done?"

The fault lies with that damned spy!

Emperor Cangxuan then looked at the others, "Generals, please rise. You have traveled a long way and must be tired. Your families are waiting at the city gate. Choose to go back and reunite with your families."

Tomorrow evening, I will host a welcome dinner for you all.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!"

The soldiers expressed their gratitude.

Emperor Cangxuan glanced at Yu Li and Wu Xiaotian, "You two have made great contributions this time, and I am very pleased."

Wu Xiaotian was originally the leader of the Fist Army, but now he has been completely subdued by Emperor Cangxuan.

He said, "Your Majesty, guarding the border is very suitable for me, and I am willing to guard the border forever."

Emperor Cangxuan's lips twitched, and he agreed, "Alright, as you wish."

Wu Xiaotian is shrewd despite his rough exterior; he is indeed a formidable general.

The Duke of Zhenguo was eager to return home.

Having received Emperor Cangxuan's permission, he took his son and family and followed Emperor Cangxuan's dragon carriage home.

What he is most curious about right now is his granddaughter, Ying Yufu.

The medicines he had sent to the border were practically miracle drugs.

He was already critically injured and on the verge of death, but after drinking the green liquid, his injuries were instantly healed.

Even his old injuries from many years ago have healed.

The most astonishing thing was the pill. The eldest son, Shangguan Jian, had lost an arm, but after eating the pill, his arm actually regenerated.

He knew what had happened to his granddaughter. He rarely received letters from the capital while he was on the border, and he had only received one letter in all this time.

His wife then told him about a series of recent events.

First, the daughter divorced, and then the grandson severed ties with the Marquis of Weiyuan's family.

Then His Majesty took it upon himself to break off Fu'er's engagement with the Second Prince and instead bestowed her a marriage with the Crown Prince.

Shangguan Hu was happy to see it happen.

He had never thought much of Cang Mingze, and of course, he thought even less of Ying Nanyao.

It's better now that they've all retired.

Outside the city gates of the imperial city, Ying Yufu and the Crown Prince were waiting.

Upon seeing the group from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Ying Yufu's eyes immediately reddened.

The Duke of Zhenguo was dressed in a full set of crimson-gold armor, looking majestic and imposing, exuding a fierce aura, yet giving people a sense of great reassurance.

My grandfather is still the same as before, he hasn't changed.

If we're talking about transformation, then he's become even more imposing.

"Little Dian, did you see that? My grandfather is back! He's back alive!"

No one could understand Ying Yufu's feelings at that moment.

The visions she had in her dreams had become an inescapable shadow in her heart, but now that she was seeing her maternal grandfather and her eldest uncle's family return safely, she was overjoyed.

[Congratulations, host!] Xiao Dian was genuinely happy for Ying Yufu.

It also gives me a great sense of accomplishment.

Shangguan Hu saw Ying Yufu from afar. Seeing her standing with the Crown Prince, their posture intimate and unreserved, he knew that his granddaughter was satisfied with the marriage.

Unlike when she was with Cang Mingze, her granddaughter always indulged her and was constantly suppressed.

"This old minister pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

The Duke of Zhenguo and his entourage stepped forward to pay their respects to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince immediately stepped forward to help Shangguan Hu up. "Duke Zhenguo, there's no need for such formalities. Fu'er has been talking about you for a long time. Why don't you go home with her first?"

With tears welling up in her eyes, Ying Yufu said, "Grandfather, I missed you so much!"

Ying Yufu stepped forward, staring straight at Shangguan Hu, then looked at his maternal uncle, aunt, cousin Shangguan Fei, and cousin Shangguan Zheng behind him.

She greeted everyone, and her eldest uncle and aunt responded with loving smiles, while her eldest cousin, Shangguan Fei, frowned and looked disgusted.

"Fu'er, you little rascal, why are you still so prone to crying?"

She reached out and pinched Ying Yufu's soft cheek, gently wiping away the tear stains on her face.

Even so, Ying Yufu's fair and delicate face was still rubbed red.

The Crown Prince's brows twitched as he watched; this Shangguan Fei, didn't she know to be gentle?

Ying Yufu, however, thoroughly enjoyed it. She playfully complained, "Big cousin, it's been more than half a year since I last saw you. How come your strength has increased again?"

Shangguan Fei said smugly, "That's right, my older cousin has military merits this time."

Ying Yufu's eyes lit up immediately. Thinking of her cousin's tragic death in her dream, and then looking at her cousin now, so vibrant and radiant, she couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.