Those waiting outside were summoned in, among them were the maids and servants from the Marquis Mansion, naturally all on permanent contracts, and also doctors who had treated Ning Yumei.
Jiang Changtong almost jumped up and cursed when he saw those familiar faces.
Ingrates!
The servants and maids who stepped forward to testify were indeed somewhat frightened by Jiang Changtong's devouring gaze, but they had already come here and received benefits, so there was no room for regret. They respectfully came forward one by one and recounted what they had seen and heard in the Marquis Mansion, without exaggeration.
The Marquis shouldn't blame them, Prince Ning offered too much!
Not only did he offer a lot, but he also solved their worries, arranging for their families properly. Water flows downward, man seeks higher ground, anyone knows how to choose.
Moreover, if it weren't for the pressure of life, they wouldn't want to work in the Marquis Mansion. It wasn't fit for humans, getting beaten and scolded was common.
If they were going to risk their lives anyway, why not choose a master who treats his servants a bit better? Never mind what kind of person Prince Ning was, at least he paid well enough.
With so much evidence and so many witnesses, Jiang Changtong was entirely speechless.
His heart was full of hatred and he very much regretted it, wishing he hadn't come to the palace for help. Originally, he only wanted to use the Emperor's hand to take a bite out of the Prince Ning Mansion's wealth, having coveted those properties for a long time. There was also the reason of wanting to demonstrate that his relationship with the Prince Ning Mansion was merely distant kinship, with nothing to do with whatever they had going on.
He was never fully on Prince Ning's side, just simply putting more eggs in different baskets.
"Marquis An, it seems your Marquis Mansion is at fault." Ye Ji's voice arose.
Just as Jiang Changtong was about to say something, Ah Chen spoke first, "Marquis An, you just committed a crime of deceiving the Emperor, how bold of you to dare lie in front of His Majesty."
They said lying brings misfortune, yet he didn't believe her.
Thump—
Jiang Changtong shivered with fright, his face turned pale, and he inwardly cursed the youngest of the Ning Family beside him.
The Emperor hadn't even spoken, yet this brat was saying anything?
Did he want his old life today?
Ye Ji couldn't help but glance at Ah Chen below, that well-behaved and serious look, as if truly well-intentioned in the reminder.
How could there be someone so well-behaved yet so wicked!
"I deserve death, Your Majesty, forgive me." Jiang Changtong realized there was no sound, truly fearful to death, his forehead knocking on the ground repeatedly, afraid that if he knocked too lightly the above wouldn't hear.
His intestines were turning green with regret, knowing he shouldn't have coveted the assets of Prince Ning Mansion.
The youngest of the Ning Family could take control of Prince Ning Mansion so quickly, it means he's not simple, how could he still foolishly bump into it.
The hall was terrifyingly quiet, Ye Ji didn't speak, Jiang Changtong dared not to speak further.
Today, his act of deceiving the Emperor could be big or small, it all depended on how the young Emperor above chose to deal with it.
"Prince Ning, you're justified in this matter, how do you wish to conclude it?" Ye Ji's tone had no fluctuation, as if merely talking about an ordinary matter. With a side glance at the trembling Jiang Changtong, he chuckled inwardly.
Unable to bring down Prince Ning, taking down this Marquis An could count as appeasement for his restless night last time, a compensation must always be had for such loss.
Anyway, both were eyesores, pests causing him trouble, taking down either could serve as a warning to others. For those family members of people who fought alongside his father to build the empire, if they quietly retire without nurturing unwanted thoughts, he'd still treat them well.
As for standing up for Ning Zhen in this matter, it was because the other party was justified, he certainly wasn't biased.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for taking charge. The Third Young Master of the Marquis Mansion has long been beating his wife, being an immoral husband. Before entering the palace, I had discussed with my second sister that such a husband is not one she can keep, she wants a divorce."
As for a mutual agreement to separate?
Who would want a mutual agreement to separate with an abusive scumbag, such unrecyclable garbage only deserves to be divorced!
How could Ning Yumei, a woman who was educated from a young age to follow the three obediences and four virtues, agree? Frequently beaten after marriage, how could she not agree? With the insurmountable mountain of Ning Guangjun gone mad, unable to deal with matters, and now having backing, capable of kicking this garbage husband away, why would she not?
Jiang Changtong glared furiously, about to oppose.
Ah Chen looked down at him, "Don't speak rashly, His Majesty still has scores to settle with you, a worthless son is nothing, don't be so irrational."
"Marquis An, you must learn to grasp the main point." She kindly added another sentence.
Jiang Changtong was so enraged his face turned red, his chest seemed about to explode.
Aside from the word "worthless," each word on its own was fine, but together they were so infuriating.
Ye Ji felt some amusement in his heart, but his expression remained unchanged, even involuntarily coordinating with a darkened face, which terrified Jiang Changtong to the point his body went limp.
"Your Majesty, it seems Marquis An also agrees with this handling." Ah Chen spoke boldly, "After all, what kind of mess his son is, he knows very well himself."
Jiang Changtong was glad his health was decent, not causing him to spit blood from anger.
Although he wanted to retaliate with many words, he dared not.
Prince Ning's words were unpleasant to hear, but the fact was the greatest danger to the Marquis Mansion now came from the young Emperor at the top.
"Earlier, I was confused, I deceived Your Majesty out of doting on my son, I recognize my mistake."
Despite Ye Ji's face looking dark, actually, he was in a rather cheerful mood as he said, "Granted."
"Prince Ning, your request, I grant it." He added again, fearing the other party didn't understand.
Ah Chen bowed with a clasped fist, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
As sincere as one could be sincere, being watched with such bright and clear eyes, Ye Ji clutched the armrest tightly.
It was extremely exasperating!
He pressed his lips together, moving his gaze towards Jiang Changtong there. Staring any longer at Ning Zhen, he feared he would trap the person in the palace forever today, not allowing them to leave.
"Jiang Changtong, considering your father's merits, I'll spare your entire Marquis Mansion today. The title of Marquis An upon you diminishes the prestige of the old Marquis An, let it be stripped away."
His son was divorced, his title revoked, Jiang Changtong had to grit his teeth and endure, unwillingly. He also realized stripping his title was the young Emperor's warning, all his secret machinations likely under the other's watchful eye.
Just about to withdraw, Ah Chen spoke up, "Mr. Jiang, I won't be visiting the Jiang Family later, please take this divorce letter back to the Third Young Master Jiang then."
She handed over the divorce letter.
Jiang Changtong accepted it with trembling hand, feeling extremely embarrassed, covering his face as he left, not daring to utter another harsh word, knowing the Capital City would mock the Jiang Family for quite some time to come.
"Your Majesty, I take my leave now." Ah Chen said to the person above.
A sense of being used and then discarded, Ye Ji was slightly angry.
Used and then leaving, why so easy.
"Stop."
Ah Chen met his eyes, she was standing, hadn't moved.
Ye Ji, seeing that expression, realized some loss of composure, immediately changing the subject, "Lunchtime is almost here, I've heard you make a delicious mushroom soup, I'd like to taste it."
He's the Emperor, whatever request he made should be reasonable, right?
Off to the side, Hou Rongfa was shocked, Your Majesty, have you forgotten there was a case of mind loss from eating the mushroom soup?
Your Majesty, not everything can be tried, don't be so curious.
Ye Ji recalled this matter, face showing no emotion, but some temper surged, he was determined to try that mushroom soup, so what?
Ah Chen's eyes curved in a smile, "Okay, Your Majesty."
"Cooking mushroom soup is what I do best."