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

Everyone turned to look and saw a group of Dongchen people, led by General Pei Shiliang, striding towards them.

Dongchen claims to be the leader of the four kingdoms, and in fact, Dongchen is the most powerful of the four kingdoms.

They were always arrogant, conceited, and superior to the other three kingdoms.

Seeing the Duke of Zhenguo and his entourage surrounded by the officials of the Northern Xuan court, Pei Shiliang's eyes flashed with a hint of mockery as he said, "The Duke of Zhenguo is still vigorous despite his old age. This great victory over Xilin is truly a cause for celebration!"

His tone was sarcastic, but the Duke of Zhenguo seemed oblivious to it, instead replying with a beaming smile:

"Hahaha, thank you, General Pei. I am indeed strong and healthy!"

However, guarding the border for my Northern Xuan is my lifelong wish, my duty, my very duty!

Pei Shiliang's face immediately turned ashen, as if he had eaten shit.

That old bastard Shangguan Hu is shameless. Doesn't he know how to write the word "humility"?

He truly came from humble beginnings.

Pei Shiliang's gaze shifted and landed on Ying Yufu, who was standing next to Shangguan Hu.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze fixed on Ying Yufu with a sinister and chilling intensity.

He had extremely fierce eyes, so much so that even his wives, concubines, and children dared not look him in the eye.

He thought that Ying Yufu would also show fear.

Unexpectedly, Ying Yufu stared straight into his eyes, curiously taking a few more glances before casually looking away.

That nonchalant and indifferent attitude suddenly ignited a surge of anger in Pei Shiliang's heart.

This granddaughter of Shangguan Hu is just as annoying as Shangguan Hu.

"So it was you who knocked out my Dongchen's White Tiger Sacred Beast?" Pei Shiliang asked, staring at Ying Yufu in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, Ying Yufu looked at him in surprise: "The White Tiger Sacred Beast? Your Dongchen Kingdom calls that ferocious beast that intended to ambush our Emperor and Crown Prince a sacred beast?"

General Pei, could you explain why your princess released the tiger to harm people? Was it her own decision, or was she acting on your orders?

What are your intentions, Dongchen? Do you want your "sacred beast" to attack our Emperor and frighten our Crown Prince?

General Pei, our Crown Prince has been so frightened by you that he has fallen into a coma. I wonder if Dongchen has figured out how to compensate him?

Furthermore, not only do you, Dongchen, have to compensate us, Beixuan, but you also have to compensate me.

After all, I am the future Crown Princess. You scared my future husband, so you have to give me an explanation, right?

Pei Shiliang's eye twitched violently.

He hadn't expected Ying Yufu to be so eloquent.

He had only asked one question when she started rambling on and on.

Moreover, every word he heard made him furious.

Compensation for Dongchen?

Should we give her compensation?

Dream on!

"You young girl, you have no sense of propriety. How can you spout such nonsense in a diplomatic relationship between our two countries?"

Pei Shiliang rebuked him harshly.

"My granddaughter's words are not nonsense. Our Crown Prince is still unconscious." Shangguan Hu snorted coldly, supporting Ying Yufu.

Behind the Wuji Hall, the Crown Prince, who was unconscious, was happily cracking open a handful of melon seeds.

He kept cracking sunflower seeds and nodding silently, demanding compensation; otherwise, he would remain "unconscious."

But at that moment, a woman's voice rang out.

"Although the Duke of Zhenguo has won a great victory and is a meritorious official of Beixuan, his lack of restraint and his disrespectful behavior towards foreign envoys for the sake of a young girl suggests that he is arrogant and complacent."

The Empress strode in, her face sharp and stern.

Everyone immediately stood up and bowed.

Regardless of what rumors circulate that His Majesty dislikes the Empress, they must still observe the proper etiquette.

Even the Duke of Zhenguo clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Shangguan Hu greets Your Majesty the Empress."

While the other court officials knelt in greeting, Shangguan Hu did not. The Empress raised an eyebrow, a cold glint in her eyes: "Does the Duke of Zhenguo harbor any dissatisfaction with me?"

Shangguan Hu asked, "What does Your Majesty mean by this?"

The Empress said, "Why does the Duke of Zhenguo not kneel before me? Could it be that he holds a grudge against me because of the marriages of our two children?"

The Duke of Zhenguo said calmly, "Has Your Majesty forgotten that the late Emperor and His Majesty both granted me the privilege of not kneeling before the Emperor? Even when I see His Majesty, I do not need to kneel."

What is the Empress's intention in saying this?

Is it dissatisfaction with the late emperor? Or dissatisfaction with Your Majesty? Or simply because you don't like the old ministers?

This old minister would like to kneel, but my old arms and legs are too weak; if I kneel down, I might hurt myself, which would be troublesome.

If this gets hurt... ouch, my back...

Shangguan Hu clutched his lower back.

The Empress's face turned ashen instantly.

She forgot that Shangguan Hu had special privileges.

It's hateful that she was so focused on teaching that old scoundrel a lesson that she forgot about this.

She quickly said, "Duke Zhenguo, please take a seat. That's not what I meant."

"If that's not what Your Majesty meant, then what did you mean?"

"I heard it clearly just now. You wanted the Duke of Zhenguo to kneel before you, and you even said that the Duke of Zhenguo was arrogant and conceited."

Another voice rang out.

Everyone's gaze turned toward the entrance of the main hall.

Then a woman came in full regalia; her crimson-gold palace dress and the four-phoenix gold hairpin on her head proclaimed her noble status.

Princess Minghuang strode in, followed by a group of servants. Her face was covered with a crimson-gold veil, and her hair covered her left eye, leaving only one eye exposed.

Even so, it still gives people a stunning feeling.

She said, "The Duke of Zhenguo fought for the country, and even my father wouldn't treat him like this. Yet the Empress has put such a big label on him."

If even victorious heroes are to be labeled with such a heavy accusation, wouldn't that chill the hearts of my Northern Xuan soldiers?

"Empress, you also act in this way? I cannot condone it!"

The officials of Beixuan nodded repeatedly.

Princess Minghuang is right.

The military generals, in particular, all nodded repeatedly, their goodwill towards Princess Minghuang, who rarely appeared in the public eye, soaring.

The Empress's face turned pale and ashen.

She almost lost her composure. "Minghuang, why aren't you at Changyue Palace on an occasion like today? What brings you out?"

The Empress's eyes darkened slightly.

Minghuang scoffed and said, "What does Your Majesty mean by that? Am I, the eldest daughter of the late Empress, not worthy to attend today's banquet?"

The words "the eldest daughter of the Empress" caused the Empress's expression to change.

That little bitch Minghuang actually dared to mention the Empress!

This is deliberately meant to embarrass her!

Her eyes darkened, but her tone remained kind: "What are you saying, child? How could I have meant that?"

I'm just surprised. Haven't you never attended any banquets all these years?

After all, your face... haven't you been too ashamed to show your face to anyone all these years?

The Empress stared into Minghuang's eyes, her gaze filled with malice.

She knew what Minghuang cared about most, so she deliberately lifted her face, wanting to see her embarrassed and panicked.

But Minghuang just smiled faintly, "What do you mean by that, Your Majesty? My face was burned back then, which was not my wish."

"Your Majesty, you deliberately brought this up. Could it be that you know that the fire back then was caused by Mingluan knocking over the candlestick?"

The Empress's expression suddenly changed; she knew!

How did she know? How much did she know?

"What? That fire back then was caused by Princess Mingluan knocking over a candlestick?"

"Why has no one ever mentioned the truth? Even His Majesty couldn't find out, so how did the Empress know?"

"Could it be that there's something shady going on here...?"

The expressions on the faces of the officials of Beixuan became incredibly interesting.

The Empress had always presented herself as harmless and gentle, but what Princess Minghuang had revealed now shocked them greatly.

An empress who couldn't tolerate the late empress's legitimate daughter, and even tried to burn her alive... that's truly terrifying.

Seeing the shocked and suspicious looks from her ministers, the Empress felt a strong sense of anxiety and unease.

"Minghuang, what nonsense are you spouting? How could the fire back then be related to Mingluan? How can you, as her younger sister Mingluan, face the world if you say such things?"

The empress snorted angrily and turned to leave.

Minghuang gave a mocking laugh. Could Mingluan still be a human being in her current ghostly state?

She spoke calmly, "Your Majesty the Empress has not yet explained why you forced the Duke of Zhenguo to kneel. Is it because you are dissatisfied with meritorious officials, dissatisfied with the late Emperor and Father Emperor, or dissatisfied with Bei Xuan?"

"Enough, Minghuang, is this how you speak to me?"

The empress was furious and embarrassed.

She spoke sharply and sternly, her brows furrowed and eyes wide.

Minghuang's exposed eyes also turned cold.

Shangguan Hu's expression hardened. After all, the Empress was the Empress, and Minghuang was still a junior. At least he shouldn't let Minghuang be criticized.

Those old fogies in the Censorate don't care about reason.

Going head-on against the Empress would be disadvantageous for Minghuang.

Just as he was about to let the matter drop, Ying Yu spoke up: "I also want to know, why is Her Majesty the Empress targeting my maternal grandfather?"

Could it be that Her Majesty the Empress is unwilling to see the great victory in the Southwest?

Good guy!

The ministers' pupils contracted.

This is cruel.

The Empress did not want to see the great victory in Beixuan?

What's the difference between this and treason?

The Duke of Zhenguo raised an eyebrow and looked at his obedient and gentle granddaughter with surprise. Oh no, this was a granddaughter who could knock out a tiger with a single slap.

What she said is well said. Did the Empress say that he was arrogant because of his achievements?

His granddaughter then accused her of not wanting to see the great victory in Beixuan.

Let's ask each other: which is more detrimental – arrogance or betrayal of Beixuan?

The Empress was greatly alarmed, and her lips trembled with anger.

She stared intently at Ying Yufu, a strong murderous intent rising in her heart. After tonight, she would make Ying Yufu wish she were dead.

Cang Mingze stared blankly at Ying Yufu, who had actually treated his mother this way.

In the past, she was so obedient and docile in front of her mother.

Just then, a mocking sneer rang out: "This is truly an eye-opener for me. You are juniors and subjects, yet you dare to defy your Empress and show her no respect whatsoever."

Your Northern Xuan rules have truly broadened my horizons. In my opinion, you are the ones who have no respect for the emperor and no filial piety.

"If this were in my Dongchen, people like you who dare to disrespect the Empress would be dragged out and flogged a hundred times."

As Su Jinxiang spoke, she stared at Ying Yufu with a venomous look in her eyes.

The officials of Dongchen nodded in agreement; Princess Jinxiang's words made perfect sense.

A ruler is a ruler, and a subject is a subject. The empress is the mother of the nation, and neither Minghuang nor Yingyufu should contradict her.

Xilin and the Southern Barbarians remained silent, watching the conflict unfold without making any statements.

Upon hearing this, Ying Yufu and Minghuang turned their heads almost simultaneously, their sharp eyes locking onto Su Jinxiang.

Su Jinxiang felt a chill run down her spine and instinctively hid behind Su Jinyu.

Ying Yufu retorted sarcastically, "One hundred strokes of the cane? I think you're the one who should be given one hundred strokes!"

What right do you, a princess from another country, have to question the actions of Bei Xuan?

Could it be that you are trying to sow discord between the ruler and his subjects in Bei Xuan?

"Oh, during the day you even let tigers attack our Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince, and now you want to sow discord between the ruler and his subjects in Beixuan? What exactly does Dongchen want?"

"You—" Su Jinxiang's expression changed, and she pointed at Ying Yufu.

Minghuang also shouted sharply, her whole body exuding majesty: "How dare you! In my Beixuan, to be disrespectful to my future Crown Princess and to me, I see you as the one who has no regard for the law and disregards the established order."

Su Jinxiang's eyes widened, her eyes red with anger. Since coming to Beixuan, she had suffered repeated setbacks.

When she was in Dongchen, she had never suffered such grievances.

Minghuang said in a dignified tone: "I don't care how you Dongchen act, but in my Beixuan, we have always respected generals who fight and bleed for the country."

The Duke of Zhenguo was loyal to the country and guarded the border for many years, making great contributions.

Even an empress, despite her high status, cannot target or humiliate meritorious officials.

This is the code of conduct of the Northern Xuan royal family, which is different from that of your Eastern Chen.

Su Jinxiang's face turned green.

Not only her, but all the officials from Dongchen Kingdom instantly realized something and their faces stiffened.

They thought of the Nangong family, whose entire Dongchen clan had been executed.

The Nangong family had guarded the border for generations, serving the country loyally, but in the end, they all met a tragic end.

Even Pei Shiliang's expression changed.

He was about to retort when a loud, energetic voice rang out: "Well said!"

Everyone turned to look and saw Emperor Cangxuan striding towards them.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Greetings, Your Majesty Beixuan!"

Everyone bowed in greeting.

"Your Majesty Beixuan, what did you mean by what you just said? Princess Minghuang is clearly provoking Dongchen."

Pei Shiliang spoke, his face grim.

Emperor Cangxuan glanced at him and said indifferently, "I think Minghuang is right. The Duke of Zhenguo has fought for the country and guarded the border for many years. He has made great contributions and this time he has returned in triumph. He deserves to be rewarded."

"What wrong has my Northern Xuan done in treating meritorious soldiers well?"

The Duke of Zhenguo knelt and bowed, saying, "On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers on the border, I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Emperor Cangxuan immediately stepped forward and helped the man up: "Duke Zhenguo, please rise quickly. You do not need to kneel before me."

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shangguan Hu stood up and staged a scene of deep affection between the emperor and his subject.

The empress's face turned ugly, and her nails dug deep into her palms. The emperor really didn't give her any face at all.

Ying Yufu added, "His Majesty actually exempted my maternal grandfather from kneeling, but the Empress just now blamed my maternal grandfather for not kneeling before her, and said that my maternal grandfather was arrogant and conceited."

"Your Majesty, my maternal grandfather was not arrogant or conceited. Why did the Empress say that?"

The envoys from various countries were immediately surprised. This Princess Anguo was so bold as to complain in public.

Isn't she afraid of displeasing Emperor Cangxuan?

Emperor Cangxuan immediately looked at the Empress, his face filled with anger.

The Empress, seeing the Emperor's cold gaze, knelt down with a thud and said, "Your Majesty, it's all a misunderstanding."

Her heart was filled with hatred, almost to the point of bleeding: "Your Majesty, I will now apologize to the Duke of Zhenguo. I hope you will not blame me for my slip of the tongue."