"Break off the engagement?"

The moment Song Qingqing uttered those words, the entire Duke Dingguo Manor was thrown into chaos.

Gao Feng's face instantly darkened.

"The marriage between the Song and Gao families was arranged when you were both children, and now that the wedding is near, how can you just call it off?" Gao Feng's expression was icy as he looked at Song Qingqing. "Where does this leave the Duke Dingguo Manor?"

Gao Yang was equally stunned; he hadn't expected that just after his transmigration, his fiancée would come to break off the engagement.

This plot twist was solid!

But on the other hand, for the prestigious Duke Dingguo Manor to be the one getting dumped, it was a humiliation that tore all pretense apart, a feud that could only end in death!

Song Qingqing spoke, "This is indeed the fault of the Song family, but it's a decision made by the entire clan, and I, Qingqing, cannot stop it. My father specifically asked me to convey to the Duke that if the Duke Dingguo Manor ever faces trouble, the Song family will surely lend its full support."

Gao Feng was furious. "Get out!"

"Tell that old man Song Li that even if the engagement is to be broken, it should be the Duke Dingguo Manor doing it. Who does the Song family think they are?"

Song Qingqing remained unperturbed in the face of Gao Feng's anger.

Water flows to lower places, people climb to higher ones; this is an eternal truth. The Duke Dingguo Manor was once high and mighty, but now, with the Empress ascending the throne, Chang'an is destined for a power shift.

As long as Gao Tianlong, the Duke, is alive, the world will naturally respect him. But how many more years can he live?

Gao Yang's reckless tearing of the Talent-Seeking Edict is destined to lead the Gao family downhill!

Her future husband is destined to be a dragon among men, holding a high position, not a mediocre person like Gao Yang!

"Then the Song family will await the Duke's grand arrival!"

After saying this, Song Qingqing left with her attendants.

Gao Feng's face was livid, his fists clenched tightly.

This was a great humiliation.

Yet Gao Yang laughed.

"You wretch, being publicly dumped and you can still laugh?" Gao Feng turned to Gao Yang, his face filled with rage.

Gao Yang smiled and said, "Father, what's so bad about breaking off an engagement with such a vain woman?"

"In her eyes, with the new emperor's ascension and the power shift, the younger generation of the Gao family is incapable of taking on great responsibilities and is destined to decline. Otherwise, she wouldn't have rushed to break off the engagement right after I tore down the Talent-Seeking Edict, simply fearing the Song family would be implicated!"

Gao Feng's gaze at Gao Yang changed.

Gao Yang saw things more clearly than he did.

But something was off; wasn't this wretch insistent on marrying Song Qingqing?

Something was very wrong, a hundred percent wrong!

But he sighed, "Don't dwell on the broken engagement. The Duke Dingguo Manor won't let this go easily. The immediate priority is the Empress's assessment in the Jinluan Hall."

"I will take you to the palace to see Her Majesty immediately. Once in the Jinluan Hall, it will truly depend on your abilities. Don't expect the Empress to be amazed, just don't make any mistakes!"

"Otherwise, not just you, but the entire Duke Dingguo Manor will be implicated!"

"..."

Gao Yang followed Gao Feng into the imposing Great Qian Imperial Palace, passing through several vermilion gates, heading straight for the Taiji Hall.

"Your Majesty, the son of the Vice Minister of Revenue, Gao Yang, who tore down the Imperial Notice, has arrived outside the hall!"

"Enter!"

A noble voice rang out.

Gao Yang was then pulled into the Taiji Hall by Gao Feng.

At this moment, civil and military officials stood on either side, and as they entered the hall, curious gazes fell upon them.

After paying respects, Gao Yang finally lifted his head and looked straight ahead.

On the dragon throne, Wu Zhao wore a golden dragon robe, her face stunningly beautiful, her phoenix eyes filled with majesty.

Her presence exuded an aura of nobility, making it hard for anyone to look directly at her.

Gao Yang's mind began to race.

The Empress had just ascended the throne and was eager to make her mark. If he could latch onto the Empress's favor, the Duke Dingguo Manor would surely regain its glory.

His good days would also last longer.

To access the premium content, go to [ pawread.com ].

Wu Zhao's phoenix eyes fell on Gao Yang, a hint of disappointment in her gaze.

She had expected that someone daring enough to tear down the Talent-Seeking Edict would be an extraordinary talent.

But when Gao Yang's information was laid before her, the Empress, rarely silent, was left speechless.

However, rules are rules, and since Wu Zhao had decreed that those who tore down the Imperial Notice should enter the palace for an audience, she would issue an edict.

Yet, the Gao family was a military family loyal to Great Qian.

She only hoped that in front of the officials, Gao Yang wouldn't be too outrageous, making things difficult for her.

Wu Zhao spoke calmly, "My first question: if you were a newly appointed County Magistrate in a remote area, plagued by bandits, and one day, while patrolling the county, a butcher publicly insults you. This butcher has some connections locally and in the court. What would you do?"

Wu Zhao's voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority.

Gao Yang was taken aback.

The Empress's assessment question was indeed unique.

The officials also fell into contemplation upon hearing the question.

Wu Zhao's fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest of the dragon throne, her gaze fixed on Gao Yang.

This question seemed easy to answer but held hidden depths.

The Great Qian court was corrupt, with severe factionalism, regional warlords, and aristocratic families standing tall.

To deal with such villains and create a peaceful world for the people, it takes a villain to deal with a villain!

Wu Zhao didn't lack talents well-versed in classics, but she needed a villain.

Gao Yang pondered for a few seconds, then looked at Wu Zhao and said, "This humble subject would smile and thank him for pointing out my shortcomings."

As soon as he said this.

Wu Zhao's face showed disappointment, her interest waning.

She was about to wave her hand.

But then Gao Yang's voice rang out again.

"Then, I would return to the county office, order a fanfare to deliver ten taels of gold to him, and tell everyone it was a reward for the butcher!"

"By then, the whole city would know the butcher received ten taels of gold, and with so many bandits around, the butcher would surely die. I would then arrange for constables to secretly monitor, and once the butcher is dead, arrest the culprits!"

With these words.

The officials were all moved.

Wu Zhao's eyes suddenly brightened!

This Gao Yang was quite interesting!

A cunning plan that kills four birds with one stone!

Not only would the gold return to the magistrate's hands, but he would also gain a reputation for repaying evil with good, use bandits to kill the butcher, and then capture the bandits!

Though the plan had flaws, it was indeed ingenious!

"And if you personally killed your enemy's entire family, and while feeling immensely satisfied seeing the corpses, you discovered a child left alive, what would you do?"

Wu Zhao's phoenix eyes fell on Gao Yang, this question of exterminating a family was even more challenging than the butcher question!

Gao Yang pondered for a few seconds, then looked at Wu Zhao and said, "I would tell him to remember my face, and that next time we meet, I won't hold back."

As soon as he said this.

Wu Zhao shook her head inwardly, deeply disappointed.

The enemy's child, having witnessed the massacre, if not eradicated, would he not seek revenge in ten or twenty years?

For the sake of righteousness, for the sake of inner compassion, would he put his entire family in danger? In Wu Zhao's eyes, this was too foolish!

But the next second, Gao Yang's voice rang out again.

"After saying this, I would turn to leave, then suddenly turn back with a loud laugh."

"Ha ha, kid, we meet again."

With these words.

The civil and military officials all turned to look at Gao Yang, their mouths twitching slightly.

Wu Zhao's hand paused in its tapping on the dragon throne, her phoenix eyes suddenly brightening.

Gao Feng had initially breathed a sigh of relief.

The answer of not holding back next time was standard, in line with Great Qian's ethos of benevolence.

But then this wretch added that he would turn and leave, then suddenly turn back.

So, this time he wouldn't hold back?

He closed his eyes, then gritted his teeth and stepped forward, "This wretch is talentless, offending Her Majesty, it's my failure in upbringing, all the fault lies with me, I beg Your Majesty's punishment."

"Why should I punish?" Wu Zhao's lips curled into a faint smile.

For a moment, Gao Feng was stunned.

Great Qian ruled by law, benevolence was the norm, harming an unarmed child was against morality.

Did Wu Zhao favor this answer?

With Wu Zhao's words, the officials' gazes were also filled with surprise.

Then, a voice rang out.

"Your Majesty, killing is just a matter of a head hitting the ground, the corpses are enough for past grudges, the child is unarmed, if slaughtered, the means are too brutal!"

"Such a cold-blooded person, once in office, would surely bring disaster!"

Gao Yang looked over to see a young man in official robes, speaking calmly.

As he spoke, a white-haired general in armor echoed, "Cui Top Scholar speaks rightly, the men of Great Qian should wield their swords on the battlefield, not against unarmed old and young!"

"To slaughter such a child is simply brutal!"

Gao Yang squinted, the white-haired general speaking was the Barbarian-Quelling General of Great Qian, Wang Zhong.

This person was a sworn enemy of his grandfather, Gao Tianlong.

With Wang Zhong's words, a group of ministers chimed in.

This made Gao Feng's face look grim, his fists clenched tightly.

The Gao family had been dormant for too long, now in this court, anyone dared to kick them when they were down.

Wu Zhao's phoenix eyes looked at Gao Yang, remaining silent.

She wanted to see how Gao Yang would respond.

Whether it was Wang Zhong or the newly appointed top scholar Cui Xinghe, they were both formidable opponents.

Even she found them troublesome.

Gao Yang smiled, first looking at Wang Zhong, "General Wang's words are indeed reasonable, I certainly wouldn't use a big knife on the old and young, but I do have a small knife."

Wang Zhong: "???"

The entire court: "???"

Cui Xinghe's mouth twitched, coldly saying, "Your glib tongue can't hide your brutal nature!"

Gao Yang looked at Cui Xinghe, continuing, "Top Scholar Cui's noble character is admirable, I am in awe."

"But I am just an ordinary person, unable to let him go and have my family live in fear for the next ten years."

Cui Xinghe looked at Gao Yang, "How do you know he will seek revenge for the massacre in ten years?"

Gao Yang laughed, "According to Her Majesty's hypothetical, if the boy's father had understood the principle of eradicating the roots, would there be today's massacre?"

"Conversely, if the roots are not eradicated now, in ten or twenty years, another massacre could befall me."

"I can live with guilt for a lifetime, but I cannot live in fear for a lifetime."

"Eradicating the roots, that's the lesson his father taught!"

With these words, Cui Xinghe's pupils contracted.

Wu Zhao's phoenix eyes were filled with a hint of brilliance.

Gao Yang continued eloquently, "Of course, the previous turning and laughing was just a joke."

"If faced with such a situation, I would give him a few pieces of silver, then say as General Wang suggested, that my big knife doesn't cut the old and young, and let him go."

"In reality, I would secretly monitor where he goes, who takes him in, and eliminate them all!"

"When taking action, a normal person's heart is usually on the left, but some have it on the right, so it's best to stab both sides, and maybe one in the butt too!"