Volume Two, Chapter 16

"Why is the Prime Minister making such a grand gesture today?"

"Simply because this subject has failed to educate his daughter, and she actually used her own selfish desires to disrupt Your Majesty's judgment on state affairs," Li Xiangfan stated bluntly. "I sincerely beg Your Majesty to punish me."

With a soft smile, he stepped down the stairs, bent over, and carefully helped Li Xiangfan up with both hands. "So it was about this matter. The Prime Minister is overthinking it. Elder Sister Li merely informed Zhen of the true situation. If those poetic verses are truly as Elder Sister Li said, everything will turn out happily and be easily resolved. Does the Prime Minister doubt the innocence of Elder Sister's husband's household?"

Though his hands were supported by Your Majesty, he did not get up. He cupped his hands before his chest and asked in a resounding, forceful voice, "Does Your Majesty think the innocence of the Wu Household or the peace of the realm is lighter, and which is heavier?"

...Zhen believes the truth of the facts is more important.

"If Your Majesty wants the truth, then this subject shall tell Your Majesty the truth. That poem was altered by someone else who instructed my daughter."

...

"What kind of temperament my daughter has, I, as her father, know best. If Chen Jing were here, he certainly would have taught her to alter it, but now that he is gravely ill, I imagine the one who changed the poem is someone else." As Li Xiangfan spoke, he took the poem out from his sleeve, raised both hands, and presented it. "Although this person is somewhat versed in grammar, their intentions are crooked. I earnestly beg Your Majesty to interrogate my daughter to force her out of hiding, have