Forcing me to become a concubine? Remarrying the Ninth Prince, she'll be pregnant all over the

There is no absolute black and white, and the emperor was well aware of this long ago.

As the emperor, he ruled the country, managed the state, and controlled people's hearts. Even with his virtuous reputation, he still had to turn a blind eye to some things.

After much deliberation, the emperor finally backed down: "This matter is of great importance. Hua Ersan, you must instruct Wei Wujiu to ensure that no word of this leaks out before the truth comes out."

"Here, this servant has saved it."

"In addition, Wei Wujiu has been idle for a few days and should reflect on his actions. He should be reinstated to his original position. The corruption case in Luzhou is still waiting for him."

Hua Ershisan kowtowed again to express his gratitude.

The emperor waved his hand again, signaling Hua Niansan to stand before him, and then ordered Shen Huai'an to be brought in. Hua Niansan was about to accept the order when a young eunuch ran in from outside the hall, knelt down, and bowed: "Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Lin Rucong requests an audience."

The emperor was surprised: "Lin Rucong has arrived?"

It was truly as if the sun had risen in the west. Lin Rucong had been recuperating at home for more than two years due to illness. During that time, no matter how important the matter was, even when the emperor sent people to invite him three or five times, Lin Rucong always declined, citing his illness.

Why did I suddenly enter the palace to meet the Emperor today?

The emperor, filled with doubt and his face grave, immediately waved to the young eunuch and ordered, "Go and summon them quickly!"

A moment later, a middle-aged man dressed in a dark brocade court robe, with a handsome face and outstanding features, entered the hall with an elegant and composed demeanor, showing no signs of his age.

"Your humble servant Lin Rucong greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

Lin Rucong respectfully lifted his robe and bowed.

The emperor had already strolled back to his throne when Lin entered the hall, his expression softening. He waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities, Minister Lin. How many years has it been? I haven't seen you at all. Your health..."

Before he could finish speaking, the emperor noticed the bandages inside Lin Rucong's left sleeve, which were wrapped in layers and extended to his left hand, with traces of blood still visible.

The emperor's expression tightened: "Minister Lin, what caused this to your hand? What happened?"

Lin Rucong lowered his eyes and remained calm, but when he bowed, his left arm was clearly very weak, and he looked pained as he endured the pain: "Your Majesty, please forgive this humble subject for his lack of decorum before the palace. Entering the palace with an injury has offended Your Majesty's ears."

Immediately, Lin Rucong lifted his robe again and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I beg Your Majesty to see the truth and do justice for me!"

The Emperor frowned in confusion, turned his head to gesture to Hua Twenty-Three, and said, "Minister Lin, please rise quickly. Tell me slowly what grievances you have."

Hua Ersan hurriedly went around to Lin Rucong's side, helped him up, and was then given a seat by the emperor.

Lin Rucong did not dare to sit down and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, just last night, for some unknown reason, a group of sixteen people suddenly appeared. They were all brave and strong, and their behavior was secretive. They sneaked into my residence, intending to hide something and try to frame me. Fortunately, my servants were sharp-eyed and noticed them first and fought with them. Although I was unfortunately injured in the process, they managed to subdue and detain all sixteen people."

The emperor was horrified. His face changed instantly, and he abruptly stood up: "Such a thing has happened? Where are the prefects of the capital? Where are the imperial guards! How are those good-for-nothings taking turns on guard duty?!"

"How could the Grand Tutor's mansion, such an important place, be targeted by petty thieves? This is outrageous!"

When the emperor became enraged, everyone knelt down.

Lin Rucong continued, "Your Majesty, of those sixteen people, the leaders refused to confess and even committed suicide by swallowing poison. The remaining seven are all mute and deaf people who cannot speak or write. I could not get any information from them, nor do I know why they broke into my residence. I am puzzled and apprehensive, which is why I have dared to offer this advice, Your Majesty..."

"No need to say more," the Emperor interrupted. "I know Lin Aiqing's character well. Lin Aiqing has been unwell and resting for a long time, and has not been involved in any affairs. This time, he must have been wronged and implicated. Rest assured, I will seek justice for you!"

"Guards! Convey my decree: immediately summon Xiong Li, Commander of the Imperial Guards; Lu Zhao, Prefect of the Capital; Sun Mao, Commander of the Imperial Guards; Wei Wujiu, Director of the Eastern Depot; and Zhang Qian and Li Jinzhi, Commanders of a Thousand Households!"

Once a word is spoken, it can have far-reaching consequences, affecting many people.

Hua Ershisan felt a chill run down his spine and bowed, hurriedly replying, "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will go and deliver the decree immediately."

The emperor kept Lin Rucong in the hall for a few more words, comforting and reassuring him. He also summoned the imperial physician to treat Lin Rucong's injuries, but his words also subtly probed his intentions.

Lin Rucong responded skillfully, his words leaving no room for error. His eloquent speech subtly conveyed his intention to plead his innocence and seek justice. This was also what Wei Wujiu had Zhang Qian secretly inform Lin Rucong of. Rather than waiting for Shen Huai'an to create another false impression and seize an opportunity to frame Lin Rucong, it was better to let Lin Rucong take the initiative.

If Wei Wujiu and Lin Wantang were to discover the stolen luminous pearl at the Grand Tutor's mansion someday, no one would be able to use it as grounds to impeach or criticize Lin Rucong, because Lin Rucong had already informed the Emperor that a group of suspicious people had visited his home and that they did something unknown.

This is like a powerful preventative injection, which can effectively nip problems in the bud and dispel the emperor's doubts, preventing any further complications.

The emperor could certainly see through this deeper meaning, but since things had come to this point, he was at a loss for what to do. After Lin Rucong, who had been comforted, knelt down to take his leave, he looked at Shen Huai'an, who had been summoned in first, and his face darkened once again.

"You wretched creature! How dare you show your face here!"

Shen Huai'an was about to perform the salute when he heard this and was puzzled and surprised. He subconsciously knelt down on both knees and performed a deep salute: "Father, your son is terrified and does not know what is the matter..."

"You still don't know? Every single one of these things, every single one of them, is a good deed you've done!" There were too many sins for the emperor to know where to begin his interrogation.

The emperor was furious. He leaned back against the soft cushions of his dragon throne, looking rather sinister. "I heard you're going to hold a selection of candidates for me? And I also heard you've already chosen them? Who are they? Where did they all come from?"

Shen Huai'an's expression turned slightly unnerving. How could the emperor have found out about what he had done in private so quickly?

He suppressed his doubts and, feigning panic, quickly kowtowed, saying, "Father, I only..."

"Shut up!" The emperor coughed with anger at the thought of him trying to excuse himself. He finally calmed down by drinking the tea served by Hua Ershisan, then roared, "I only ask you, what were you thinking? There are women all over the country, in all the provinces of the Central Plains. Can't you find a single decent one? Is it your place to go to such lengths to choose from those foreign lands?"

"Are you trying to confuse the imperial bloodline, or are you simply trying to secure your position and fear that I have too many princes?"

"Father, please calm your anger! Your son truly did not mean it..."

Before Shen Huai'an could finish his rebuttal, the teacup thrown by the emperor struck him squarely on the forehead.

No blood spilled, but the pain ignited a surge of anger within Shen Huai'an, and his slender fingers clenched into fists—