When Ye Yuan hurriedly arrived, it was precisely at the scene where two groups were in a standoff.

He quickly stepped forward, bowed with his hands held in front, and said to the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to the Crown Prince. May I know what mistake my daughter has made to anger you so?"

Li Changnian spoke with righteous indignation, his eyes sharp and scrutinizing as he stared at the First Grade minister before him, not regarding him in the slightest, his tone rigid: "Your daughter defied me in the street and held the royal authority in contempt, utterly disregarding the law and order. I must discipline her properly today."

Before her father could speak, Ye Zhi feigned great grievance and panic, tearfully saying: "Father, I did not. He indiscriminately wanted to arrest Huanhuan and me, and Huanhuan is three months pregnant. If anything were to happen, how could I face my mentor, thus my actions."

With that, she picked up the Furong Cloth and gently wiped her tears.

However, inside, she was secretly jubilant, scoring herself a ten out of ten for her acting. Very good.

Pretending to be aggrieved, who couldn’t do it?

Indeed, a daughter is her father’s little coat. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Anger surged in Ye Yuan’s heart, and with his head held high and chest out, he asked stiffly: "Crown Prince, is what my daughter says true?"

"Your daughter was mischievous first, and every word I spoke is true." Li Changnian was not to be outdone, squinting his eyes as he glared at the apricot-cheeked and peach-faced woman.

Ye Yuan asked again: "Then how does the Crown Prince plan to handle it now? Do you still intend to imprison Ah Zhi in the Ministry of Justice?"

Even if he were foolish, he understood that the Crown Prince was exploiting the situation; continuous concessions would only ensnare his daughter further.

The political climate in the court was treacherous, with the Prince’s Faction rising rapidly and suppressing the Crown Prince Faction. His son-in-law, a person of ruthless methods, had many in the court plotting against him, with Li Changnian likely at the forefront.

Now, if his little daughter truly fell into his hands and was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, she would probably emerge, if at all, battered.

Today, come what may, he had to protect Ah Zhi.

The back of the First Grade Chief of Staff straightened even more!

Li Changnian refused to yield, his face violent and cold: "She scorned the royal authority. It will be difficult for this to end well today. She must be taken to the Ministry of Justice, and if the Watchmen dare to defy orders, I will not be polite; I’ll arrest them all."

As soon as he spoke, the Watchmen in front exuded a chilling aura, their hands resting on the Yanyue Blades, ready for battle at any moment.

The scene was filled with tension.

Ye Yuan stepped back, shielding his little daughter, advising: "Crown Prince, you understand the cause of this matter better than anyone. One should leave room for maneuver. I harbor no intention of opposing you in the court and hope you won’t push too hard. My daughter is innocent."

The other party laughed heartily upon hearing this: "Ye Yuan, oh Ye Yuan, have you ever heard the phrase ’If the ruler wants the subject dead, the subject must die’? I’m determined for her to die; I shall see who can stop me today."

Then, Li Changnian gathered his expression, looking serious, and said in a deep voice: "Arrest the criminal Ye Zhi now, and whoever dares to interfere shall be executed without mercy."

This...

The Hidden Guard and Imperial Guard looked at each other, conflicted, as the person in front of them was a high-ranking minister, accompanied by numerous Watchmen, who were not their match.

To step forward would be to meet death.

Especially the Watchmen, gripping the Yanyue Blade, emanated a chilling aura as if in the prelude to leaving the opponent no recourse. Most Watchmen were remnants from Six Gates, having risen countless times from piles of dead bodies. The ones who joined later were personally selected by Prime Minister Shen, so nobody doubted they bore numerous lives on their hands.

Xiao Yong, leading the way, stepped forward to advise: