The voice was a bit low, almost negligible; no one heard it, so no one paid any attention.
Marquis Zhongyong was taken away. After reporting so interrogation details, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice went back to sleep.
Hua Pin arrived late with Jun Yu after everything was resolved.
Jun Yu had a stomach upset today, so the mother and son got the Emperor’s summons but arrived only after the matter was over.
Hua Pin didn’t get a chance to personally declare that she gave birth to Jun Ning and raised her, but the truth was already evident, whether she said it or not.
The princess is a legitimate princess, and her lineage is beyond question.
Regarding the disaster star matter, those used by the Astronomical Bureau and Marquis Zhongyong felt deeply ashad.
From their hearts, they wanted the best for Dongchu Kingdom and the Emperor, but they were unwittingly used for evil ends, colluding with certain people to murder the Emperor’s most beloved daughter.
They are guilty!
Courtiers knelt and confessed, requesting punishnt from the Emperor.
Emperor Yongning was not polite and punished these fools by deducting half a year’s salary and gave each ten strikes as a warning to others.
Xiao Lizi asked, "Are you satisfied, esteed ministers?"
The ministers replied, "We are content."
For the mont, the matter was considered settled.
No one doubted Jun Ning’s identity anymore. As long as the court ministers ceased their discussions, the common folk wouldn’t speak recklessly, risking life-threatening consequences.
Ten days later, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice clarified the cris of the Empress and Marquis Zhongyong. Unable to dispute the nurous charges, they confessed and signed admissions of guilt.
The Minister of the Ministry of Justice sent a morial listing the charges to Emperor Yongning.
After reviewing it, Emperor Yongning set aside their minor offenses and focused on the grave matter of trading with Bei Qi and capturing Dongchu Kingdom’s children to profit from dicine-making, akin to treason.
These were serious cris, warranting the execution of nine generations.
Emperor Yongning was furious and sentenced the father and daughter to execution in the autumn.
The execution of a high-ranking minister and the Empress would have significant repercussions, and any potential negative impacts had to be preemptively stopped.
Emperor Yongning, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and the Crown Prince were busy dealing with this matter.
With her father too busy to pay attention to her, Jun Ning found herself with nothing to do, spending her days wandering around the Empress Dowager’s palace or visiting the Cold Palace to check on the vegetables she and her mother had planted before.
Today, when she went to the Empress Dowager’s palace, it was particularly lively.
The Crown Princess Consort had brought the young Commandery Princess Jing Shu to pay respects.
Liu Pin also ca with Princess Yao Yao for the sa purpose.
This Princess Yao Yao had been overlooked by the Minister of the Ministry of Justice and thus was not investigated. While Marquis Zhongyong and the Empress were about to be executed, her low presence rendered her an overlooked catch.
The Empress Dowager politely entertained everyone. Seeing Jun Ning arrive, she got up to welco the little girl and held her in her arms, just as the Crown Princess Consort and Liu Pin did with their daughters.
"My dear, have so mung bean cake prepared by your great-grandmother," the Empress Dowager offered a piece of cake to Jun Ning’s mouth.
Ever since finding out that Jun Ning was the legitimate little princess of Dongchu Kingdom, the Empress Dowager seed years younger, radiating energy and vigor every day.
Her greatest joy now was playing with the little princess and personally making food and clothes for her.
Princess Yao Yao, seeing the Empress Dowager offering the cake to Jun Ning, looked at her pitifully and softly said, "Great-grandmother, Yao Yao also wants so mung bean cake." She wanted the Empress Dowager to feed her just like she fed Jun Ning.
The Empress Dowager glanced at Nanny Zhang beside her, who then pushed the plate of mung bean cake towards Liu Pin and Yao Yao, saying stiffly, "If you want to eat, eat on your own, no need to speak to the Empress Dowager."
Nanny Zhang left unsaid: You make it seem as if the Empress Dowager is stingy, not willing to share.
Nanny Zhang always wore a stern face; her words, even when not angry, were cold and intimidating to others.
At this mont, her slight irritation frightened Liu Pin; she froze while holding Yao Yao.
Yao Yao bit her lip but didn’t reach for the cake; she ignored Nanny Zhang’s displeasure and directly looked at the Empress Dowager, saying, "Great-grandmother, Yao Yao wants you to feed."
The Empress Dowager: "......"
Jun Ning: "..."
Nanny Zhang: "......"
This little girl is quite sothing, knowing how to vie for attention at such a young age?
Jing Shu in the Crown Princess Consort’s arms huffed, not at all demure, reaching for a cake, munching it as she said, "... Don’t you have hands? Why need soone to feed you?"
Taught diligently by the Crown Princess Consort, Jing Shu was usually well-mannered and never said or did anything inappropriate. Her sudden comnt surprised both the Crown Princess Consort and the Empress Dowager.
Fearing the Empress Dowager might dislike such behavior from Jing Shu, the Crown Princess Consort quickly explained, "Empress Dowager, it’s just child’s talk, please don’t take it to heart."
The Empress Dowager hadn’t particularly liked the overly proper Jing Shu before, but today, her comnt endeared her to the little girl.
She glanced at the Crown Princess Consort, "Jing Shu speaks the truth. Why would I mind?" She released a hand holding Jun Ning, beckoning Jing Shu, "Jing Shu, co to your great ancestor."
Jing Shu glanced at the Crown Prince, jumped down from the Crown Princess Consort’s arms, and waddled over to the Empress Dowager, calling out sweetly, "Great Ancestor."
The Empress Dowager glanced at Jun Ning in her arms and asked Jing Shu, "And she is to you what?"
"... She is... is..." Jing Shu reluctantly stamred before finally admitting, "She is my younger aunt!"
Aaaaah, how could Jun Ning be about her age, yet she had to call her aunt?
Although Jing Shu’s face showed nothing, a thousand galloping horses were charging through her mind; she was so angry, truly, truly angry.
She didn’t want an aunt nearly her sa age.
After calling Jun Ning "aunt," Jing Shu stared at her for so ti before suddenly bursting into tears.
Jun Ning: "......"
The Crown Princess Consort: "......"
The Crown Princess Consort’s purpose in bringing Jing Shu was to foster a relationship with the Eighteenth Princess.
The Crown Prince had suggested that Jing Shu spend more ti with the Eighteenth Princess, believing the two children could play together.
But their first eting seed more like a discord!
"Why are you crying?" Jun Ning disliked crybabies, especially when they cried at the sight of her, making it seem she looked frightening. She bluntly said, "Shut up."
Frightened by Jun Ning’s command, Jing Shu scurried back to the Crown Princess Consort’s arms, complaining she wanted to go ho. Unable to comfort her, the Crown Princess Consort bid farewell to the Empress Dowager and took Jing Shu ho.
Just as they stepped out of Cining Palace, Liu Pin erged with Yao Yao.
Yao Yao wriggled free from Liu Pin’s arms, ran to the Crown Princess Consort, and offered a piece of candy to Jing Shu in friendship, "Jing Shu, want so candy?"
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