Kick out the general as soon as you are reborn

Hall of Qinzheng

Emperor Hongda stared at the kneeling secret guard with a gloomy face, and fiercely put down the imperial pen in his hand. "Tell me about the situation of the eldest princess. Why was she poisoned in the princess's mansion? Was this assassination arranged by the prince consort? What is the purpose of the prince consort? Aren't they a loving couple? How could they turn against each other? How come you didn't know anything about it?"

The secret guard knocked his head heavily on the ground, not daring to look up, his forehead was covered with sweat. "Your Majesty, please spare me. The princess has been closed to visitors since last year, and I didn't know that the princess was poisoned. It was my negligence. I beg Your Majesty to punish me. The Ministry of Justice has not yet investigated the assassination of the princess, but we found the princess's palace badge on the assassin. The prince consort is the most likely and most suspicious person."

Emperor Hongda was so angry that veins popped out. He gritted his teeth and endured it, "I closed the door to visitors. You don't even know how to go and take a look. What do you think? Go on."

The secret guard wiped the sweat off his forehead and said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, Lord Liu led his men to surround the princess's mansion, caught a fugitive and sent him to the Ministry of Justice. They also castrated the fugitive and said that they would send him to the palace to serve as a mercy and spare his life."

Emperor Hongda said in dissatisfaction, "Why, you want to throw all the dirty and smelly things into the palace? This Duke Liu is really something. I asked him to help the Ministry of Justice investigate the case, but he just messes around and shirks his responsibilities every day."

The secret guard thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, the runaway slave has uneven skin color on his face and neck and delicate fingers. I'm afraid he is not an ordinary runaway slave. It looks like he has never worked. I wonder if he is the one from the princess's mansion."

Emperor Hongda looked thoughtful with gloomy eyes, he looked at the secret guard and said, "What Duke Liu caught is either a runaway slave or something else. Just hand over a runaway slave to Duke Liu for disposal. After all, his daughter is still unconscious because of the eldest princess. I can't be too stingy, right? Let him vent his anger. You step back and keep a close eye on him." If he is not a runaway slave, then he must die. He actually dared to poison Fan Hua. He really doesn't take me seriously.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will go and keep an eye on it right away." After saying this, he knelt down and took a few steps back, not daring to stand up.

His Majesty then said, "Step back and don't make any more mistakes."

The secret guard then stood up and jumped onto the beam.

Emperor Hongda watched the secret guard disappear, glanced at the eunuch Li next to him, and secretly complained, "This Duke Liu is smart. It's not easy to kill the hostage of the neighboring country, but isn't it easy to kill a runaway slave? But how can we change the consort without being discovered?"

"And what are the people in the princess's mansion for? How come they didn't even notice the princess being poisoned, such a serious matter, and didn't pass on any information? Or do they know about it but blatantly turn a blind eye and do nothing?"

"Once we have investigated thoroughly, there is no need to keep the people in the princess' mansion. We should just replace them all. They are all stupid and treacherous. We should kill them all and put an end to it."

Eunuch Li stood aside, not daring to breathe, for fear of angering the emperor. He tremblingly poured tea for His Majesty, "I am useless and don't understand these. Please drink some tea and calm down."

Emperor Hongda looked at Eunuch Li's dull appearance and picked up the teacup helplessly. "You really don't understand anything." After saying that, he took a sip of tea and lowered his head to think carefully.

"Send the guards to take the princess back to the palace. It's not a good idea to keep her in the Duke's Mansion. The Duke's Mansion is not as safe as the palace. Besides, Lord Liu hasn't woken up yet. How can Duke Liu take good care of the princess?"

Eunuch Li nodded and said, "Duke Liu has prepared a separate courtyard for the princess, and it is very well maintained. Your Majesty, if you are worried that the princess will be wronged, I will arrange for someone to bring her back now."

Emperor Hongda nodded and said, "Okay, go and bring her back. I haven't seen Princess Fan Hua for a long time. Fan Hua has also been wronged. How come there is no news at all?"

Eunuch Li comforted him, "Your Majesty, don't worry. The Duke's Mansion has already detoxified the princess. I will go and take the princess back to the palace. Don't worry."

Emperor Hongda was extremely worried. "I feel uneasy without seeing her."

Eunuch Li bowed and said, "I'll go right away." After saying that, he flicked his whisk and left.

Duke's Mansion

Butler Liu hurried forward and flattered, "Eunuch Li, why are you here? Come in, come in."

Eunuch Li walked in with the guards. "I'm here to see the princess. His Majesty is worried about the princess's condition and asked me to escort her back to the palace."

Steward Liu bowed and said, "I will lead the way for you. The princess has been cured of the poison and is recuperating in the courtyard."

"Well, the poison has been resolved. How is your little Master Liu doing now? Has he woken up?"

Butler Liu said with a flattering look on his face, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Our young lady is in much better condition now, but she has not yet woken up. With your Majesty's concern, the young lady will surely get better soon."

Eunuch Li raised his lips slightly and said, "Lead the way. I will go to pay my respects to the princess. I will come to pay my respects to Master Liu when I have time."

"You're welcome. I'll lead the way for you. This way, this way. Please be careful with your steps."

Eunuch Li chuckled, "You're welcome. I've been to this Duke's Mansion a few times before. You don't need to be so careful."

Butler Liu wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "You are joking, eunuch. I respect you and cannot show any disrespect to you."

Arriving at the gate of the courtyard where the princess lived, two guards were guarding the gate with knives, "Butler Liu, who is this?"

Steward Liu blinked his eyes and said, "Don't bow yet. This is Steward Li, a favorite of His Majesty. He is here to take the princess back to the palace."

The two guards then bowed and saluted, "Greetings to Eunuch Li."

Eunuch Li waved his hand and said, "No need to be polite. I'll go in and see the princess."

I walked through the corridor, passed the rockery, and came to the door and knocked.

I heard the weak voice of the eldest princess, "Who is it? Come in!"

Eunuch Li opened the door and bowed, "I am sorry that I am late and have wronged the princess. The emperor asked me to take you back to the palace."

The eldest princess saw Eunuch Li whom she had not seen for a long time, and tears welled up in her eyes, "Father finally remembered me, I missed him so much."

Eunuch Li sighed, "Then why didn't the princess send a message to the palace? You are in the capital, can His Majesty not save you?"

The eldest princess said with tears in her eyes, "At first I thought that my husband was devoted to me and I had no defense against him. When I realized what was happening, I found that everyone around me had been replaced. At this time, I didn't know who I could trust, and I didn't dare to act rashly. If Yanyan hadn't saved me this time, I don't know how I would have left the princess's mansion."

Eunuch Li held back his tears and looked distressed. "Princess, don't cry. I will take you back to the palace right away. Once you are back in the palace, no one will dare to bully you."

The eldest princess then stood up and let Yuzhen support her as she walked out.

Yuzhen accompanied the princess to the carriage and then knelt down to see her off.