The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 433 Disposal

Wenjin was the title the emperor had prepared for Zheng Jin. Saying it now was equivalent to making a promise.

They promised that as long as she handled the matter well, the title would be firmly established.

The emperor paused for a moment, but still couldn't help but instruct, "I'm assigning you a squad of Azure Dragon Guards. Remember, don't be soft-hearted."

"My son, I obey!"

Zheng Jin received the assignment and the imperial edict and immediately withdrew.

A young eunuch's eyes darted around, thinking he had found an opportunity: "Princess, the Emperor treats you very well! Even the Crown Princess isn't this lenient."

Upon hearing the young eunuch's flattery, Zheng Jin's expression suddenly turned cold.

"Yan Hong, take him away and give him ten strokes of the cane and twenty slaps to the face. Let him know what he should and shouldn't say."

Yan Hong respectfully replied, "Yes!"

Zheng Jin thought of something and turned to look at the little eunuch whose mouth had been quickly covered: "You are despicable for trying to sow discord between the Crown Princess and me, and you really deserve to die."

The eunuch's face quickly turned ashen.

Zheng Jin chuckled: "You should have died, but I will spare your life. I hope you will show off your bruised face to others, so that some ignorant people will stop coming to me and saying nonsensical things."

What do these people know?

The Emperor valued Yuanjia because of her contributions to the Yongzheng Emperor and her abilities.

Yuanjia was the successor favored by his father, the emperor.

To this end, he broke the established rules and even ignored doubts about blood ties.

As long as the Emperor's regard for Dayong remains unchanged, his regard for Yuanjia will also remain unchanged.

Her father's leniency towards her was simply because his expectations of her were different.

Zheng Jin turned and glanced back at the magnificent palace.

To be honest, having come this far, how could she not have any other thoughts on her mind?

However, she wasn't stupid; she knew she couldn't win against Yuan Jia.

Therefore, her budding ambitions had to be suppressed, and she had to settle for second best.

It's laughable how these fools, who only know how to spread rumors, think they can please Yuan Jia by speaking ill of her.

Little did they know that she would never reveal these thoughts, and therefore she would be even more demanding of herself in her words and actions.

Now that this person has appeared, it's a perfect opportunity for her to show her loyalty.

Seeing that she had no further instructions, Yan Hong quickly ordered the eunuch to be taken away.

Other palace servants who witnessed this scene couldn't help but sigh, the eldest princess had been learning from the emperor for some time, and now her aura was becoming more and more imposing.

They could only sigh to themselves, completely unaware that Zheng Jin's departure from the palace this time was accompanied by the fall of a high-ranking official in the court.

Once Zheng Jin left the palace walls, he took the token and summoned a detachment of the Azure Dragon Guard.

The main force went outside the palace, while she led about ten Azure Dragon Guards towards the Hezheng Hall.

Outside the Hezheng Hall, palace servants came and went, some carrying documents, others arguing in small groups, and still others whispering among themselves...

The moment the Azure Dragon Guards appeared, everyone fell silent in fear.

Everyone knows that the Azure Dragon Guard represents the Emperor.

Especially in the years since Her Highness the Crown Princess entered the court, the appearance of the Azure Dragon Guard has often been accompanied by things like confiscating property and exterminating clans, which are chilling.

What good could come from the Azure Dragon Guards appearing here?

The crowd parted to make way for a wide path.

Their attitude of avoiding it at all costs was particularly obvious.

Zheng Jin had no time to pay attention to them.

She didn't disturb the adults who were doing their business.

Outside the Hezheng Hall, Zheng Jin stopped and looked around for a moment.

Then, her gaze fell on a minor official in the Ministry of Personnel: "Sir, would you please ask your Minister of Personnel to come out here?"

Her tone was relatively kind, but the person she called out felt a chill run down their spine.

Zheng Jin raised an eyebrow: "Is there a problem?"

"No, no! I'll go right away!"

The man instantly lost his curiosity, bowed, and hurriedly walked into the Hezheng Hall.

Not long after, Qi Wenhe appeared outside the Hezheng Hall.

Upon seeing Zheng Jin and the Azure Dragon Guards behind her, he was stunned for a moment before slowly backing away.

But two Azure Dragon Guards walked up to him and blocked his retreat.

Zheng Jin took two steps closer: "Lord Qi, there's no use in running away. It's better for both of us to be dignified."

Qi Wenhe swallowed hard, forcing a smile, and said, "Let's go."

Since he was sensible, Zheng Jin did not brandish any weapons.

He was led to the prison in silence until Qi Wenhe finally couldn't help but ask, "My family..."

"Lord Qi, you didn't consider your family when you made that grave mistake. Isn't it hypocritical to bring it up now?"

"I want to see the Emperor."

"Your father will not see you."

Qi Wenhe's shoulders slumped: "That's true."

Zheng Jin still remembers how he argued vehemently in the imperial court.

These are not spies bought off by the Brown Nation, but compatriots who stand with them through thick and thin.

They once shared the same goal.

That's precisely why it's so heartbreaking.

"Lord Qi, since ancient times, the Minister of Personnel has been responsible for evaluating people's character, assessing their abilities, investigating their family background, determining their rank and position... You have done a very good job, but can you tell me why?"

Zheng Jin knew her question was pointless, but she just couldn't figure it out.

How can a person change so easily?

Because of Yuan Jia's existence, she never doubted the former Qi Wenhe.

But he changed too quickly and too easily.

"I'm just... short of money."

"The stipends of the Great Yong Dynasty were the most generous in all the dynasties."

"Not enough!"

Qi Wenhe paused.

He wanted to have more sons, build more courtyards, and save more gold and silver...

He used to think of himself as a good person who was wholeheartedly devoted to the country and its people.

Until he saw the boxes of gold and silver jewelry confiscated from Lü Youzu's house.

The gold and silver ingots were neatly arranged in the box.

Just looking at it made him happy.

At that moment, greed flashed through his mind.

With such a formidable figure as the Crown Princess around, he neither dared to ponder the matter deeply.

Or rather, he knew perfectly well that as long as Her Highness the Crown Princess was around, his thoughts would forever remain hidden from the light of day.

At that time, he was willing to follow the crowd and be a good official.

Later, Her Highness the Crown Princess left the capital.

His pent-up evil thoughts then sprouted and began to emerge.

He hesitated, but sometimes, a single thought can lead to two completely different extremes.

At that moment, he even felt a slight sense of blame towards the Crown Princess.

If only Her Highness the Crown Princess had never left the capital.

In that way, he will never have the courage to entertain delusional thoughts.

Zheng Jin scoffed: "Human greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant."

There was something she hadn't said aloud.

If the water is clear, there will be no fish.

The Yongzheng Emperor did not tolerate corrupt officials, but Emperor Yuanjia and his father left room for minor corruption from the beginning.

They even hope that officials will be corrupt.

As long as it doesn't affect the common people, and as long as they serve the Great Yong well, then within their capabilities, using a few small tricks to improve their own lives is not unacceptable.

Although the salaries of the officials in the Dayong Dynasty were already generous enough to ensure they had enough to eat and wear.

This was to ensure that the officials had no worries about the future.

However, both the emperor and Yuanjia needed a way to control the officials.