Chapter 70: Lost Reason

Xu Chengyuan sneered, his eagle eyes like knives: "Prince Su, you are just an inner court official, why are you meddling in military affairs?"

He tapped the desk with his fingertips, his armor clanking: "Do you think the military achievements of the Xu Family Army are something you can comment on?"

The hall fell dead silent; the Hundred Thousand Army of Bei Mo was still in the Xu Family's hands, and a sudden turn of attitude now was far from a good opportunity.

"General Xu has misunderstood." Su Yanci lightly shook his folding fan, his smile unchanged, "I, the humble subject, only think that a young talent like you, if buried by family affairs, would be a pity?"

Su Yanci never said from beginning to end whether the military achievements were fabricated, but his words all questioned the matter.

Xu Chengyuan's complexion darkened as if it would drip water.

His hand instinctively rested at his waist; this is within the palace, but in a camp he would probably have drawn his sword.

"Well said, I no longer wish to hear such words!"

Now, the Emperor and Empress, along with the consorts, are seated. Xu Chengyuan is too lazy to even pretend, calling himself "old man" and no longer holds the Emperor in his eyes.

"Father, not like this." Xu Yanchuan was quite frightened, still thinking of the Xu Family, whispered: "The Emperor is still present; this manner is overly flamboyant."

"Snap." Another crisp slap sounded; Xu Chengyuan's gaze at Xu Yanchuan was full of disgust.

Xu Chengyuan, being a martial practitioner, was split at the corner of his mouth by the slap, blood staining it.

【So heartbreaking, such a beautiful face, now all flushed.】

【Old fool, daring to strike my idol, I will kill you.】

【Wan Tang, stay calm! Do not act impulsively.】

Calm?

How else could Wan Tang stay calm?

She knows the palace banquet today is unusual, and also knows a pair of eyes are watching her from behind.

Wan Tang slowly turned her head, looking at the woman seated above, the Empress, is that her?

Is watching her brother being tormented and losing control what she wants?

Or is this… Wang Jingyi's scheme?

Wan Tang turned her head again to Wang Jingyi, her eyes showing unmasked hatred.

"Hehe, General Xu is so imposing, could it be that you…"

Before Wan Tang could finish speaking, Xu Yanchuan was already on one knee: "I, the subject, wish to dance with my sword for entertainment."

A cold light suddenly rose!

Xu Yanchuan drew his sword with a reverse hand, the sound of the blade cutting through the air like a dragon's roar.

His figure was as swift as lightning, yet his sword technique was steady as Mount Tai.

The sword tip lightly touched the candle flame, yet the flame did not waver a hair.

The sword aura pierced straight through the hall pillar, stopping three inches into the wood.

The armor made no sound, but the sword wind swept the floating dust across the hall.

Is this entertainment? Clearly it's a battlefield killing move!

"A tiger does not father a dog!" Minister of the Ministry of Rites was the first to applaud, "Eldest son Xu's battle in Bei Mo, slaying ten generals, and now the Second Young Master is likewise outstanding."

"It's a pity his nature is weak; his flamboyant moves are impressive, but on the battlefield he's far inferior to his brother."

"Nonsense!"

Wan Tang abruptly stood, her golden hairpin trembling wildly: "Xu Mingde can't even keep his horse steady, how could he slay ten generals?"

She pointed her fingertip directly at Xu Chengyuan, "Those battle achievements, whose are they really?!"

Wan Tang's voice cut through the splendid banquet like a sharp blade.

"Xu Mingde can't even keep his horse steady, how could he slay ten enemy generals?"

This sentence should have been a secret known to everyone in the Bei Mo army, yet no one dared to speak.

Now, publicly shattered by her, the faces of the hall's generals changed abruptly, yet none dared to look up.

Xu Mingde's legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the ground, dark stains seeping from his trousers.

Many court officials clenched their wine cups, their veins bulging.

They had long known the Xu Family was falsely claiming military achievements, but because the border troops were all under the Xu Family's control, no one dared to testify.

"I, the subject, also have doubts!"

The traveling salt inspector Lin Zehai suddenly stepped forward and knelt, his voice resonant: "The Bei Mo battle report says Eldest son Xu led light cavalry to break the enemy, yet that day's vanguard camp roster did not show his name."

He looked up directly at the emperor: "Who exactly led the troops?"

Su Yanci flicked his fingertip, a single melon seed struck Wan Tang's sleeve.

He shook his head slightly, his eyes giving a clear warning: it's not the time yet, stop now.

Su Yanci is the Emperor's subject, but Wan Tang at this moment has the Emperor out of her mind, thinking only of that suffering younger brother.

Wang Jingyi repeatedly threatened her; she truly cannot imagine what they might do.

Wan Tang crushed the silk handkerchief in her hand, ignoring Su Yanci's warning.

She knelt heavily: "I beg the Emperor to thoroughly investigate the Bei Mo military achievements!"

In everyone's eyes, she appeared resolute.

"Emperor!" Wan Tang knelt on the ground, her fingertips gripping the gap of a gold brick tightly, "Every wound on Xu Yanchuan is testimony of the Bei Mo iron cavalry! If the battle achievements are true, why does Xu Mingde have not a single scar?"

She lifted her gaze, tears in her eyes, yet each word was like a knife: "I, the subject, earnestly request the Emperor to thoroughly examine the military rolls and summon the vanguard troops to confront them face to face!"

Seeing Wan Tang's desperate effort, Li Pin frowned tightly.

Staring at Wan Tang's belly, Li Pin, whose hatred toward the Xu Family runs deep, sees no need to help Xu Chengyuan's son.

Could it be that this matter was ordered by the Emperor?

Li Pin and Lin Zehai exchanged a glance; the father and daughter clearly thought of the same thing.

Now, the Lin family will pin all of this onto the Prince.

Lin Zehai also bowed repeatedly: "Subject offers his own head as guarantee; the military merit register must contain some irregularities!"

General Xu Chengyuan sneered, and, unhurriedly, looked at Xu Yanchuan: "If that's the case, Yanchuan, you speak for yourself."

He fixed a hawk‑like gaze, laced with threat: "Answer before the Emperor only after you have thought it through."

Chu Yunzheng's eyes darkened, and he finally spoke: "Xu Yanchuan, I grant you candor."

He lightly tapped the dragon desk with his fingertip, his tone profound: "If there is any injustice, I—will act on your behalf."

The final four words were clearly addressed to General Xu Chengyuan.

The young man slowly raised his head, a bloodstain from Wang Jingyi's slap still at the corner of his mouth.

He looked at Wan Tang, a hint of bewilderment flashing in his eyes.

But in the end he lowered his head, his voice hoarse: "Returning to the Emperor, my elder brother's battle merits… every sentence is factual."

"Subject… am merely a burden."

"Bang!"

Chu Yunzheng struck the tea cup on the desk, shattering it, his eyes a mix of fury and disappointment: "Xu Yanchuan! I grant you another chance!"

Wan Tang trembled all over, tears streaming from her eyes.

His brother, astonishingly, verbally accepted this humiliating lie!

He still defended the murderer of his mother, the mastermind of the hatred that tore the siblings apart!

"Emperor, discern clearly!" General Xu Chengyuan suddenly knelt, his face full of grief and anger, "Subject's family is loyal to the core, yet today we are framed by Imperial Concubines and officials!"

He abruptly pointed at Wan Tang and Lin Zehai: "These two have slandered meritorious officials, shaken military morale; by law they must be executed!"

Lin Zehai broke out in cold sweat; the back of his official robe was soaked through.

He hurriedly lifted his head, his gaze fixed on Wan Tang, eyes full of pleading.

Wan Tang pressed her fingertips into her palm, forcing herself to keep her back straight.

Though she bears no dragon heir, at this moment she must gamble her very life!

"General Xu Chengyuan!" Chu Yunzheng rose abruptly, his dragon robe rippling like an angry tide, "Do you intend, before me, to plot against the Imperial Heir?!"

He cracked his knuckles, a murderous intent in his eyes nearly solidifying.

The palace guards instantly advanced, swords drawn, the clank of armor sending chills.

"Aiya, everyone—"

Su Yanci swayed his gilded folding fan as he paced out, still with that world‑cynical demeanor, yet every word…

"Lord Lin, your salt patrol merits are commendable, and Imperial Concubine Wan is bearing the Emperor's first son…" He lightly tapped General Xu Chengyuan's chest with the tip of his fan, "General Xu, your shouting and killing—those who know say you have a violent temper; those who don't may think…"

In the deliberately elongated trailing tone, there lies a deadly insinuation.

"General Xu Chengyuan!" Chu Yunzheng flicked his dragon‑sleeved robe, sweeping the golden goblets and jade cups off the imperial desk, "Today, do you intend, before me, to execute my Imperial Concubines and plot against my Imperial Heir?"

His voice thundered, shaking the candles in the hall, causing all officials and generals to turn pale.

"Subject does not dare!" General Xu Chengyuan knelt on one knee, his armor clanking, yet he still held his head high…

"Imperial Concubine Wan and Lin Zehai publicly slandered meritorious officials, shaking military morale. By law, they must be executed!"

"Execute?" Chu Yunzheng sneered, "I see you intend to execute my heart!"

Xu Family partisan: "Your Majesty, discern clearly! The Xu Family has been loyal for generations; how can others defame?"

"Imperial Concubine, a mere woman, dares to…"

Xiao Family faction: "How audacious! General Xu Chengyuan, are you attempting a palace coup?"

"Threatening the Imperial Heir publicly, the crime warrants extermination of the nine families!"

Wall grass:

"Your Majesty, calm down! This matter still requires careful deliberation…"

"General Xu's loyalty is steadfast, there will never be any disloyalty…"

Wan Tang knelt in the center of the hall, her complexion as pale as paper, yet she kept her back straight.

She lifted her gaze toward Xu Yanchuan; the young general bowed his head low, his body under the armor trembling slightly, yet he never stood up.

Her brother, in the end, still chose silence…

Choosing to protect the very family of his enemy.

"Emperor…" her voice trembled lightly, yet each word was clear, "What I say today is entirely true. If any word is false, I am willing to be punished!"

"But the Xu Family usurped military merits, deceived the ruler; this is a grave disrespect!"

"\"What a 'grave disrespect'! \" General Xu Chengyuan laughed bitterly, \"Imperial Concubine, you, a mere concubine, dare to comment on state affairs?"

He suddenly pointed at Chu Yunzheng: "Your Majesty! This female demon spreads false words, intends to sow discord between ruler and minister; her heart can be executed! If not severely punished, how can the court be corrected?!"

With those words, the hall erupted in clamor.

"General Xu Chengyuan!" Xiao Mingshu slammed the table and rose, "Are you teaching Your Majesty how to act?!"

"Everyone, listen to me for a moment."

Su Yanci swayed his folding fan, stepping forward slowly, still with that world‑cynical look, yet his eyes concealed a sharp edge.

"General Xu's loyalty is unwavering, so there is no disloyalty." He smiled at General Xu, "However, …"

"Imperial Concubine Wan's pregnancy may not be the Emperor's first son; if today she is punished for her words…"

He deliberately elongated the trailing tone: "If it spreads, people will say the Xu Family's achievements have shaken the ruler, even the Imperial Heir is not regarded."

"If Imperial Concubine Wan truly bears a dragon heir," General Xu Chengyuan slowly rose, his armor clanking, "Subject, I am willing to accept death!"

His hawk‑like eyes pierced Wan Tang: "But if anyone deceives the ruler, feigns pregnancy to vie for favor, the minister will never stand idle."

The hall fell into a sudden, dead silence; even the sound of breathing was clearly audible.

The most feared outcome still occurred.

Wan Tang's whole body chilled, yet she forced herself to lift her head, tears streaming: "Emperor, Subject is wronged…"

Her voice choked with sobs, yet she did not know how much longer this act... could go on.

The hand behind it all — who was it?

"Falsely accused?"

Xu Chengyuan let out a cold laugh.

He glared arrogantly at everyone: "This old man is not like those long-tongued women who only know how to spout nonsense and sow discord."

"Relying on favor to throw the court into chaos."

Xu Chengyuan took a Secret Letter from his robes and presented it with both hands: "Subject recently received a letter concerning the Imperial Heir and the foundation of the state. I beg Your Majesty to review it."