Chapter 7: The Prince is a Woman 7

The people waiting outside were summoned. Among them were the maids and servants of the Marquis’s estate—all of whom were, of course, under temporary contracts—as well as the physician who had treated Ning Yumei.

When Jiang Changtong saw those familiar faces, he nearly jumped up to curse them.

Ungrateful wretches!

The servants who stepped forward to testify were indeed intimidated by Jiang Changtong’s predatory glare, but since they had already arrived and received their benefits, there was no room for them to back down. One by one, they stepped forward respectfully and recounted what they had seen and heard at the Marquis’s estate, without adding a single word of exaggeration.

The Marquis shouldn't blame them; the Heir of Ning gave too much!

Not only did he give them plenty, but he also resolved their worries by making proper arrangements for their families. Water flows downward, and people strive for higher ground; anyone would know how to make that choice.

Besides, if not for the pressures of life, they wouldn't have wanted to work at the Marquis’s estate. It was no place for a human to stay; being beaten and scolded was a daily occurrence.

Since they were selling their lives anyway, why not choose a master who treated servants better? Regardless of what the Heir of Ning was like as a person, at least he paid enough.

With so much evidence and so many witnesses appearing, Jiang Changtong was left completely speechless.

He felt bitter and deeply regretful; had he known, he never would have come to the palace to seek help. Originally, he had only wanted to use the Emperor’s hand to bite a piece of meat off the Prince of Ning’s estate, as he had long coveted those assets. Another reason was to use this opportunity to signal that his relationship with the Prince of Ning’s estate was merely a distant, unimportant marriage tie, and that whatever happened over there had nothing to do with him.

He hadn't truly boarded the Prince of Ning’s ship; he had simply been hedging his bets.

"Marquis Angui, it seems your estate is in the wrong," Ye Ji’s voice rang out.

Just as Jiang Changtong was about to speak, A-Zhen spoke first: "Marquis Angui, you just committed the crime of deceiving the Emperor. How bold of you to dare lie in front of His Majesty."

She had told him that lying would bring misfortune, yet he hadn't believed her.

*Thump—*

Jiang Changtong shuddered in terror, his face turning deathly pale. In his heart, he hated the Ning brat beside him to death.

The Emperor hadn't even spoken yet, so why was this young pup running his mouth?

Was he trying to end his old life today?

Ye Ji couldn't help but glance at A-Zhen below. Her obedient and serious expression made it seem as if she were truly offering a well-intentioned reminder.

How could someone be so well-behaved yet so wicked?

"This subject deserves death; Your Majesty, please forgive me." Sensing the silence, Jiang Changtong was truly scared out of his wits. He slammed his forehead against the floor, *bang, bang, bang*, terrified that if he didn't knock hard enough, the person above wouldn't hear him.

He regretted it so much his guts were turning green. Had he known, he wouldn't have been so greedy for the Prince of Ning’s assets.

The fact that the Ning brat could take control of the Prince of Ning’s estate so quickly meant he was no simple character. Why had he been so foolish as to crash into him?

The hall was deathly quiet. Ye Ji remained silent, and Jiang Changtong dared not speak again.

His act of deceiving the Emperor today could be considered minor or major; it all depended on how the young Emperor above wanted to handle it.

"Heir of Ning, you are in the right in this matter. How do you wish to end it?" Ye Ji’s tone was devoid of fluctuation, as if he were merely discussing a trivial affair. Glancing at the trembling Jiang Changtong from the corner of his eye, he let out a cold laugh in his heart.

Since he hadn't managed to take down the Prince of Ning, taking down this Marquis Angui would serve to soothe his frustration from having stayed up all night for nothing last time. One had to have some compensation for the time lost that night.

In any case, they were both old dogs he found displeasing and who caused him trouble. Taking down either one served the purpose of killing the chicken to warn the monkey. As for the family members of those who had helped his father conquer the empire, he was willing to treat them well as long as they behaved, lived out their retirement, and didn't harbor improper thoughts.

As for presiding over this matter for Ning Zhen, since the other party was in the right, he was definitely not showing favoritism.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for presiding. The Third Young Master of the Marquis’s estate has long abused his wife; he is a husband of corrupt character. Before entering the palace, I discussed this with my second sister. She can no longer afford such a husband; she wishes to divorce him."

As for a mutual separation?

Who would want a mutual separation from a domestic-abusing, toxic husband? Such non-recyclable trash only deserves to be divorced!

How could Ning Yumei, a woman raised on the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, agree? After being beaten often since their marriage, why wouldn't she agree? The mountain that had been pressing down on her, Ning Guangjun, had gone insane and could no longer manage affairs. Now that she had support, she could kick her trash of a husband away—how could she not be willing?

Jiang Changtong’s eyes widened in fury, and he was about to object.

A-Zhen lowered her eyes to look at him: "Don't speak nonsense. His Majesty still has accounts to settle with you. What is one useless son? Don't be so narrow-minded."

"Marquis Angui, you must learn to grasp the main point," she added kindly.

Jiang Changtong was so angry his face turned crimson, his chest feeling as if it were about to explode.

Aside from the word "useless," each word on its own was fine, but put together, they were infuriating.

Ye Ji felt a bit amused, though he didn't show it on his face. He even involuntarily played along by darkening his expression, which scared Jiang Changtong until his body went limp.

"Your Majesty, the Marquis seems to accept this arrangement," A-Zhen said, telling a bald-faced lie. "After all, he knows what kind of trash his son is."

Jiang Changtong was thankful his health was decent, or he would have vomited blood from anger.

Even though he had many things he wanted to spit out, he didn't dare.

The Ning brat’s words were unpleasant, but the fact was that the greatest danger to the Marquis’s estate at this moment came from the young Emperor above.

"It was my confusion earlier. I deceived Your Majesty out of doting on my son. I know I was wrong."

Don't let Ye Ji’s dark expression fool you; he was actually in a very good mood. He said, "Granted."

"Heir of Ning, your request is granted," he added, fearing the other party hadn't understood.

A-Zhen bowed with cupped hands: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

It was as sincere as could be. Being looked at by such bright, clear eyes, Ye Ji gripped the armrests tightly.

It was absolutely lethal!

He pursed his lips and shifted his gaze to Jiang Changtong. If he kept staring at Ning Zhen, he feared he would keep the person in the palace forever and never allow them to leave.

"Jiang Changtong, in consideration of your father’s merits, I will spare the lives of your entire household today. However, the title of Marquis Angui is tarnished by your possession of it. It shall be revoked."

His son had been divorced, and his title had been revoked. Even if Jiang Changtong was unwilling, he had to grit his teeth and accept it. He also knew that the revocation of his title was a warning from the young Emperor; his private maneuvers had likely been under the other party’s nose the entire time.

As Jiang Changtong was about to take his leave, A-Zhen spoke up: "Master Jiang, I won't be going to your Jiang estate later. You might as well take this letter of divorce back and give it to the Third Young Master Jiang."

She handed over the divorce letter.

Jiang Changtong took the letter with trembling hands. Feeling utterly humiliated, he covered his face and left, not daring to utter another harsh word. It went without saying that the capital would be laughing at his Jiang family for quite some time.

"Your Majesty, this subject takes his leave," A-Zhen said to the person above.

A feeling of being discarded after use washed over Ye Ji, and he felt a bit angry.

Leaving as soon as he was done? It wouldn't be that easy.

"Stop."

A-Zhen met his eyes. She was standing still; she hadn't moved at all.

Ye Ji, being watched by that expression, realized he had lost his composure and immediately changed the subject: "Lunchtime is almost here. I hear you make a delicious mushroom soup. I would like to taste it."

He was the Emperor; any request he made was reasonable, right?

Hou Rongfa, standing to the side, was horrified. *Your Majesty, have you forgotten that someone went insane after eating that mushroom soup?*

*Your Majesty, not everything can be tasted. Please, don't be so curious.*

Ye Ji remembered that matter. His face remained emotionless, but his temper flared slightly. So what if he wanted to taste that mushroom soup?

A-Zhen’s eyes curved into crescents: "Very well, Your Majesty."

"Cooking mushroom soup is what this subject does best."