At this moment, Empress Zhou’s voice came from outside the door, “I Beg Your Majesty to punish the Zhou family’s traitors impartially.” Lu Chen turned to look at Empress Zhou, “Mother?” Empress Zhou knelt on the ground and said, “I have failed to discipline the martial Duke’s public house and allowed my family to commit such a mistake. I am willing to be punished.” The Hui Lin Emperor walked down from the Dragon Throne and helped Empress Zhou Up. He said, “This matter has nothing to do with you. Crown Prince, everyone in the Zhou family deserves to be punished for their treason. I will not let them off lightly!” “After Qin Shu was sent to the border, he still did not repent. His crime deserves to be punished by a thousand cuts!” “The Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue has been removed from his position and investigated. His family has been confiscated and investigated……” The Hui Lin Emperor had convicted one by one of the parties that had conspired against King Huai. Many of the officials were more or less implicated. For a time, everyone in Chang ‘an was in danger. Those who had been too close to King Huai and Chengen Bo Mansion had all sought out the an yuan marquis mansion. After the funeral of the empress dowager of Luoyang, the Emperor had ordered the removal of the state filial piety. The Empress Dowager’s death could be observed for three years or one year, or it could be replaced by 7749 days. However, it was also considered the 7749 days after the funeral. The removal of the state funeral right after the funeral. Although the Censorate felt that it was inappropriate, they did not dare to stand out at this time. After all, because of Tong Lei, there were many imperial censor who secretly had dealings with the king of Huai. After Qiao Jinniang returned to Chang ‘an from Luoyang, before she could enter the palace, she saw the women of the Zhou family being rushed to the teaching workshop. She sighed. When she passed by the prison, she saw Lu Chen’s carriage, so she had people stop the carriage and enter the prison. In the prison, in a dark and damp prison. Zhou Siming was squatting in a corner of the prison with his hair disheveled. Inside, Lu Chen and Lin Mo were sitting in front of Zhou Siming with food and wine. Lu Chen said, “Cousin, tomorrow is the day of execution. Today, Lin Mo and I will perform the punishment for you.” Zhou Siming looked at Lu Chen and said, “I know what I have done wrong, and there is no way for me to survive. I just hope that you can spare Sisi for the sake of being brothers, okay?” Lu Chen said, “Impossible!” “In the end, she didn’t do anything wrong. She just loves you very much. For that woman, Qiao Jinniang, do you really not care about the slightest bit of affection that you have ever had since you were young? What’s so good about her?” Zhou Siming stood up and asked. Lu Chen looked at Zhou siming and said, “She is my wife. If I didn’t do it for her, who else would I do it for? Don’t you understand until now? The Jin family has never been in the wrong. It is your fault for thinking highly of the Martial Duke’s public house and that you can not be separated from the martial Duke’s public house.” Zhou siming said, “Back then, the Martial Duke’s public house handed over the military power to make the empress become the Empress and make you the crown prince. Now, you have come to repay us with enmity!” Lu Chen sighed helplessly and said, “Zhou Siming, do you think that if the Martial Duke’s public house did not have an empress back then, how long would his majesty tolerate the Martial Duke’s public house’s arrogance after concubine Zhou passed away? “Back then, my grandmother asked the Martial Duke’s public house to hand over the military power, not for my mother’s sake, but to protect the Zhou family. “However, I didn’t expect that after more than 20 years, the Martial Duke’s public house would still be so arrogant even after losing the military power. The Zhou family can only blame the Zhou family for belittling the imperial power!” Zhou siming saw a bright yellow skirt outside the prison and said, “Today’s Zhou family is tomorrow’s Qiao Family!” Lu Chen said, “The ancestors of the Qiao family fought together with the founding emperor to conquer the country. They have always been loyal and righteous. If your martial arts public house wants to be on par with the Qiao family, you are not qualified!” “Different paths lead to different strategies. I have been in Lin ‘an for more than three years. I should have known that we are no longer the same as before. After drinking the practice wine, I hope we will never meet again in the next life!” Zhou siming continued, “Lin Mo, Qin Miaomiao is innocent. In order to not be in cahoots with us, she almost committed suicide. She should not have been implicated by the Qin family and become an official prostitute. You are still engaged to her. I beg you to spare her life.” Lin Mo said slowly, “If Qin Miaomiao had not been in cahoots with us, I would have naturally protected her.” Zhou siming cupped his hands and said, “Thank you.” …… In the East Palace, Qiao Jinniang watched as the palace staff cleaned up and then lay down on the imperial consort’s couch to rest with her eyes closed. Hearing the announcement outside, she got up and Lu Chen strode over to her and said, “Did I wake you up?” Qiao Jinniang shook her head and hugged Lu Chen. “You’ve already done your best in the matter of the Zhou family. If you’re really sad, just cry. I Won’t laugh at you.” Lu Chen gently scratched Qiao Jinniang’s nose. “What are you saying? Zhou siming only deserves his punishment. I’m just worried about my grandmother. She’s already so old, and the Zhou family is about to collapse. Won’t she be upset?” Qiao jinniang said, “I’m even more curious about mother. I didn’t expect that not only did she not plead on behalf of the Zhou family, she actually allowed his majesty to punish her impartially when you pleaded for mercy. I don’t understand.” Empress Zhou did not seem to be someone who would disregard her family for the sake of her virtuous reputation. Empress Zhou was very straightforward in doing things many times. Without Empress Zhou’s acquiescence, it would be impossible for her to be the only person in the Eastern Palace. Lu Chen said, “Perhaps her heart has been broken by the Zhou family.” “Crown prince consort, Princess Fu Lu requests an audience outside.” Although they had already left the country for the funeral, Fu Lu was still wearing a light traditional dress, she walked to Qiao Jinniang’s side and said, “Jinniang, can you save Qin Miaomiao? She has nothing to do with the Qin family’s rebellion. She is also an innocent person.” Qiao Jinniang looked at Lu Chen and said, “Yes, many women were innocent during the family’s extermination. The wife of the Minister of Revenue’s Assistant Minister was in Luoyang guarding the empress dowager’s filial piety. Her husband rebelled, but she was forced into a lowly background to be a slave……” Lu Chen replied, “There’s no way she would be implicated by her husband. She received benefits when her husband was in glory. As for Qin Miaomiao, she is engaged to Lin Mo and can be considered a married daughter. If the Lin family is willing to protect her, she can also be exempted from punishment.” Princess Fu Lu said, “That’s good. Without Qin Miaomiao quarreling with me, my life would be meaningless!” Jin Niang smiled. “You will be the wife of Marquis an Yuan in the future. Is this how you pursue your life?” “Mother-in-law is still young,”Princess Fu Lu said. “Moreover, grandmother is still around! Marquis an Yuan doesn’t need me to be the main pillar. This is the benefit of finding a young mother-in-law.” Fu Lu said, “Qiao Lui has been in the northwest for so long and hasn’t returned. I’m so worried about him!” Lu Chen said, “The Qiao family’s army will return to court in a few days. Qiao lui is fine, but Marquis an Yuan is indeed injured.” Qiao jinniang asked, “Is it serious?” “I heard from the imperial physician that it’s not too serious, but father-in-law told the imperial physician to tell the public that it has to be more serious……” Qiao Jinniang understood now. Zheng Xiaoke had not completely forgiven marquis an yuan. This was a ploy by Marquis an yuan. The Qiao family’s army had contributed greatly to the attack on Xiliang and the northern desert. When the two armies returned to court, the Huilin emperor led hundreds of officials to the city gates to welcome them. The commoners also lined up to watch the army return to court, however, there were also people who said, “As the empress, the Zhou family fell just like that. The Qiao family’s victory in Xiliang is already a great achievement. After today’s glory, I’m afraid it will only decline.” “Yes, yes. The Qiao family’s power is too great. It’s not like the emperor will not fear the power of the Qiao family and the Crown Prince.”