Taking her into his tent, he incurred the wrath of a powerful and mad minister, from which he could

Wasn't the plan to kill an insignificant concubine? How did the target become Zong Xian? What is Murong Shu up to?!

Under the man's intensely oppressive gaze, Murong Zhi broke out in a cold sweat: "This... there must be a misunderstanding! A-Shu had no reason to kill you, sir!"

Zong Xian's expression was grim: "But that assassin was definitely after me; countless eyes in the Zong family saw it!"

The matter was of utmost importance, and Murong Zhi dared not admit it. He hurriedly bowed and explained, "I swear to heaven, the General's Mansion has absolutely no ill intentions towards the Prime Minister! The Princess is still at home awaiting marriage, and will soon be betrothed to the main family. How could the General's Mansion possibly harm its in-laws?"

"This makes no sense at all; please investigate this matter thoroughly, Your Excellency!"

Mingyi, who was behind the Thousand Birds Screen, almost burst out laughing when she heard this sophistry.

Before Princess Jianing even entered the gates, the Murong family had already brazenly extended their reach into the clan's residence, killing whomever they pleased. This was far too arrogant and disrespectful.

Given Zong Xian's personality, he would never swallow his anger like this.

I just don't know how far he'll go.

Mingyi quietly observed.

Zong Xian sat back down in his armchair, his imposing presence radiating authority: "I don't want to doubt the General's Mansion's intentions either. If that assassin wasn't one of yours, this matter naturally wouldn't involve the General's Mansion."

Murong Zhi's Adam's apple bobbed, his heart pounding with anxiety: "Then... is that assassin still alive?"

Zong Xian's lips curled into a cold, sharp smile: "Of course he's still alive. Bring him here!"

Murong Zhi felt extremely uneasy.

Not long after, Murong Shu, who was shackled and had a disguise on his face, was dragged in by the guards, who were bound hand and foot.

His clothes were torn and he was covered in blood; he looked extremely disheveled.

Murong Zhi recognized him at a glance as his second younger brother, Murong Shu.

The night before he went to the Zong residence, Murong Shu showed off his fake face in front of him, boasting that he could easily get rid of a weak woman.

At that time, he advised Murong Shu not to go. The Zong family mansion was heavily guarded and not an ordinary family. It was just a matter of dealing with a weak woman. Why should he risk his life?

But Murong Shu always did things his own way, and once he made up his mind, even his elder brother couldn't stop him.

Now that he has been exposed and captured, it is entirely his own fault!

When Murong Zhi saw that he was still alive, his initial worry turned into anger, and he didn't want to look at him even once.

Murong Shu had never suffered like this before; his whole body ached terribly. He looked at Murong Zhi and cried out pitifully, "Brother... Brother, save me!"

"Who's your older brother!" Murong Zhi glared at him and shouted angrily.

Murong Shu was stunned for a moment, not yet realizing why his elder brother didn't acknowledge him.

"Big brother...it's me, Ashu!"

Murong Shu complained to his elders like a bullied child, "They hurt me so badly, I'm in so much pain! Big brother, you have to stand up for me!"

What an idiot!

Murong Zhi wished he could take off his boots and shut him up.

Zong Xian slammed his hand on the table: "Well done! Your General's Mansion ostensibly formed a marriage alliance with me, but secretly sent people to kill me. How splendid!"

"No!" Murong Zhi panicked and looked up to meet Zong Xian's ambiguous smile.

Only now did Murong Zhi finally realize the truth.

He clearly recognized Murong Shu's identity from the beginning, and all his actions just now were merely waiting for him to jump in on his own!

Murong Zhi gritted his teeth and had to admit, "A-Shu is young and impulsive, and his actions have always been unruly. This time, his unauthorized trespassing into your residence was definitely not at the behest of the General's Mansion, and my father was completely unaware of it!"

Murong Shu was promptly silenced by his servants and unable to offer any explanation.

"You think you can fob me off with such words?" Zong Xian looked at Murong Zhi and said coldly, "If you don't give me an explanation today, I will hand him over to the Emperor for judgment!"

Murong Zhi hurriedly said, "No! Prime Minister, you absolutely must not submit this to the Emperor!"

Once the matter is handed over to His Majesty for trial, it will be impossible to cover it up any longer.

Murong Shu's infiltration of the Zong family mansion to commit murder is irrefutable evidence. His Majesty has always been wary of the General of the North, who holds a large army and entrenched himself in the northern border. He was just looking for a pretext to take action against the Murong family.

If this matter is reported, the general will be stripped of his power, which would be the least of his worries; the entire Murong family will be dragged into the vortex!

Murong Zhi's voice trembled as he bowed deeply, his back bent low: "I am willing to represent the General's Mansion to offer compensation to the Prime Minister. I will accept any conditions the Prime Minister may set, but I only ask that this matter be settled privately and not involve the court!"

The two Murong brothers, along with Mingyi behind the screen, were all looking at Zongxian on the grand master's chair.

The man tapped the table lightly with his long fingers, and after a moment, he parted his thin lips slightly: "Since you have initiated the annulment of the engagement, I will not pursue the matter further."

Murong Zhi's expression changed.

Mingyi was also stunned.

He actually wants to break off the engagement?

For such a trivial matter, Zong Xian actually wants to break off the engagement with the General's Mansion?!

Murong Zhi's face darkened: "Prime Minister, did I hear that right?"

Zong Xian said calmly, "You have three days. You can annul the engagement and take Murong Shu away when you've done so. Otherwise, you'll be before the Emperor!"

Murong Zhi wanted to say something more, but Zong Xian had already lost patience.

"Chang Yu, see the guests out!"

Chang Yu stepped forward: "Young Master Murong, please return!"

Before leaving, Murong Zhi, still unwilling to give up, turned back to stare at Zong Xian and said, "I hope you won't regret this!"

...

Murong Zhi, his face ashen, turned and left, while Murong Shu was taken away and imprisoned again.

Zong Xian turned to look at the person sitting quietly behind the screen, raising an eyebrow: "Did you fall asleep?"

Mingyi then got up and walked around, looking at him with confusion: "Why does Your Excellency want to annul the engagement?"

Zong Xian held out his hand to her, "Come here first."

Without thinking much, Mingyi naturally placed her hand on his and was pulled into his arms.

Zong Xian lightly flicked her round, delicate nose with his finger. "You little ingrate, I broke off the engagement for you."

He explained, "Princess Jianing cannot tolerate you. Even if you reluctantly make concessions today, she will surely try every means to harm you after you marry into the imperial family."

"Since she is so vicious and jealous, I will find a more peaceful and docile mistress for my darling."

This is indeed his true thought.

Mingyi, however, said, "Sir, it's not entirely for the sake of the concubine."

Her expression was calm and insightful as she softly analyzed, "Murong Shu's trespassing and violent act at the clan's residence this time was heinous and has already offended Your Excellency. No one can accept having such an in-law who doesn't know his place. It would be better to back out."

Zong Xian chuckled softly, "That makes sense, but ultimately, it's mostly for your sake."

Most women would be moved and proud upon hearing such protective words.

But her face remained calm and composed, as if it had nothing to do with her.

Mingyi sighed softly, "What a wonderful marriage! It would be so beneficial for you to consolidate your power. If you cancel it now, you'll probably regret it later."

I never regret the things I do.

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand, pinched her chin, and lifted her face slightly, questioning her in a deep voice, "But you, shouldn't you be happy that I'm breaking off the engagement? Are you really happy to see me marry another woman?"