I insist

Chapter 557: Punishment

Just as Lord Shen was about to say something, Lord Yu quickly stopped him.

Although these ministers were affiliated with two families, their hearts were not necessarily with them; they only relied on them because their families were powerful.

If they offend these ministers, neither of their families will gain anything.

"Alright, now is not the time for us to argue, but rather to figure out how to resolve our current predicament. His Majesty has more or less guessed our plan."

What we need to do now is to divert the Emperor's attention while also accomplishing what we were supposed to do before.

Lord Yu narrowed his eyes, thought seriously for a moment, and then suddenly smiled.

Yu Huailin returned to the palace expressionlessly. At this time, Song Miqiu was reading a book. Seeing him like this, she smiled and asked, "What happened at the morning court?"

I'm still angry.

"I think I've been too good to them, so they've become reckless and dare to do anything. All these ministers are utterly useless."

I don't know what's the point of keeping them around; they don't do anything productive."

Yu Huailin sat next to Song Miqiu, his face full of anger and his expression extremely unpleasant.

Song Miqiu put down her book, walked behind him, and began to massage his temples. She didn't ask what had happened; she just stayed with him.

Seeing his furrowed brows relax, Song Miqiu finally spoke: "Actually, that's how it is to be an emperor; you can't please all your ministers."

You think you're doing the right thing, but they might not see it that way.

"Today's events concern the Night King," Yu Huailin began.

This was something Song Miqiu hadn't expected. She thought Yu Huailin had done something that the officials disagreed with, but she never imagined that the reason he was angry was the Seventh Prince.

Yu Huailin told Song Miqiu about what happened at the morning court session and also expressed his suspicions.

"It seems to me that the Shen and Yu families' goal isn't the Night King. Of course, this is just my feeling," Song Miqiu said, frowning slightly.

Upon hearing her say this, Yu Huailin suddenly remembered something: "The Shen family and the Yu family have a history of over a hundred years. Every generation of both families sends their daughters to the palace."

They probably had the same idea this time, but I only want you, so they're not satisfied.

"Even if they're dissatisfied, they should be targeting me, not..."

Song Miqiu paused here, chuckled, and said, "So they plan to use the Night King and me to deal with me."

This is really troublesome; they've had experience doing these things before.

Yu Huailin sneered: "Looking for trouble."

Although Yu Huailin and Song Miqiu had guessed the plans of the Shen and Yu families, they did not expect them to act so quickly.

Soon, rumors began circulating about Night King and Song Miqiu, claiming that the two had been having an affair for a long time, implying that Yu Huailin had been cuckolded.

The next morning at court, Yu Huailin sat on the dragon throne, listening to the officials below him recount the matter.

"Your Majesty, there are rumors circulating outside that are damaging to Your Majesty's reputation."

"This matter is not good for the Empress's reputation either, and it has already spread to very unpleasant rumors, with detailed accounts. Now, people outside are starting to talk about the Emperor."

The Seventh Prince stood aside, surprised that things had progressed so quickly. He focused his attention on the Shen and Yu families.

If he still doesn't know what's going on at this point, then he's wasted all those years as a prince.

Yu Huailin's face was extremely gloomy. He stood up and angrily said, "Dismiss the court."

Seeing him like this, the Shen and Yu families thought their plan had succeeded, and left the palace with smiles on their faces.

Yu Huailin inexplicably became angry and went to the palace, driving all the palace servants out.

They had heard some rumors about Song Miqiu and the Seventh Prince, and seeing Yu Huailin like this, they couldn't help but worry.

Although everyone knew nothing would happen between them, Yu Huailin must have felt uneasy about the matter escalating so much.

"Tell me, what exactly is your relationship with the Night King? There's so much gossip going on outside. There's no smoke without fire. Do you really have something going on with him?"

Yu Huailin deliberately lashed out at Song Miqiu, loudly questioning her.

Song Miqiu's expression didn't change at all. She glanced at him indifferently, without saying a word, and just looked at him calmly.

The palace servants stood guard outside, listening to Yu Huailin's loud questioning, and couldn't help but worry about Song Miqiu, but they dared not rush in.

"I'm asking you, you have to give me an explanation for this," Yu Huailin demanded loudly.

Song Miqiu said coldly, "I'm not interested in children. If you think what they're saying is true, then I have nothing to say."

When Yu Huailin saw Song Miqiu like this, he immediately cowered. He suddenly laughed, then walked up to her and picked her up.

Then he picked up Song Miqiu and sat her on the stool, letting her sit on his lap.

"They did make a move after all. It seems we were right. They're targeting you, and they're planning to kill two birds with one stone," Yu Huailin said, touching her face.

Song Miqiu said, "The reason why the Shen family and the Yu family initially targeted the Night King was clearly to draw your attention to him, and then, when the matter between me and him occurred..."

The Night King is a prince of the previous dynasty, and he has an imperial decree, which should make you wary. Now, with the matter of my relationship with him, this double anger...

Neither I nor the Night King can escape this. Although you won't divorce me, you might do other things out of anger, such as taking concubines.

This way, their daughter will have a chance, and both families can regain their former glory. What a brilliant plan!

Yu Huailin sneered: "It is indeed a good plan, but unfortunately, I trust you, and I have confidence in myself. If you really don't like me..."

They will definitely reject me; they won't be my queen. They underestimate the feelings between us.

Song Miqiu chuckled: "Yes, you underestimated the bond between us. What do you plan to do next?"

"What should we do? Of course, we should thwart their plans! They want to sow discord between us, right? Then we'll show them how perfectly we're happy together!"

"Let them get really angry, that'll make them behave."

Yu Huailin held Song Miqiu tightly, very dissatisfied with how the Shen and Yu families treated her.

Song Miqiu raised an eyebrow: "Alright, I'd like to see how you manage to be all lovey-dovey."

Yu Huailin looked at her with a half-smile, and before she could react, he kissed her hard.

Then, he carried Song Miqiu directly into the inner room, threw her onto the bed, and climbed on top of her.