Chapter 427: Breaking In

For a moment, Yangxin Hall fell into dead silence, and everyone stared fixedly at Empress Dowager Ning'an seated in the central seat.

At that moment, Empress Dowager Ning'an felt hatred seeping from her heart, and all her schemes had been effortlessly exploited by others.

But now she had no way at all to turn the situation around.

She clearly knew that Gu Jiu Ling had set fire to the Chongwen Building, yet she could not investigate the matter thoroughly.

After all, the Chongwen Building concealed her own son's dirty affairs, which also implicated the Duan family.

She was also a woman who cared about face; having lived so many years, she did not want to see the Duan family roasted over the Chongwen incident.

Therefore, regarding Gu Jiu Ling, she showed no temper at all.

What a cunning woman, even the poison plot she set was interlinked in such a perfect chain.

This time, Empress Dowager Ning'an could not have imagined that the mastermind behind the chain scheme was Gu Kang, who stood by, exceedingly obedient.

Gu Jiu Ling unwittingly bore the blame for Gu Kang in Empress Dowager Ning'an's mind.

Empress Dowager Ning'an furrowed her brows sharply; Gu Jiu Ling could not erupt, and she had originally intended to send Lin Rujun into the rear courtyard of Rui Wangfu, also to make Gu Jiu Ling suffer.

Suddenly, a rogue from the Princess's residence burst out halfway, demanding to marry Lin Rujun.

She couldn't help but laugh bitterly, realizing that among everyone, she alone played an embarrassing role.

Empress Dowager Ning'an could not offend the princess either, since she still relied on Marquis Cheng's troops in the army.

The Empress Dowager's expression had sunk to the bottom, then she sneered coldly: "Cheng Ming, this child having such thoughts, is indeed sincere."

"But have you thought about it? Now Miss Lin has already been formally betrothed at the gate of Rui Wangfu."

"A good woman should not marry twice; her reputation is already tarnished, and Cheng Ming is the legitimate son of your Princess's household, destined to inherit the title."

"He marries a wife whose reputation has been damaged to this extent; are you truly willing?"

Empress Dowager Ning'an's words sounded somewhat unfair, and Lady Lin's face flushed with anger.

What does it mean for a reputation to be this ruined, when one's own granddaughter is harmed to this degree, and it is not that Empress Dowager Ning'an is arranging a marriage for her son Xiao Yin to celebrate?

Now, without distinguishing right from wrong, she uttered such shameless words, yet Lady Lin dared not argue, for defying the Empress Dowager is a death sentence.

The Lin family members turned pale with anger, and Lin Rujun's eyes were tinged with tears.

Although Cheng Ming was willing to marry her, she had indeed been carried in a bridal sedan to the gate of Rui Wangfu.

Her previous reputation was already ruined; now it was completely destroyed.

If Cheng Ming were the son of an ordinary family, the Lin family could simply pay the Cheng family a large sum of silver as compensation.

But now this is the Princess's residence; the legitimate son of the Princess's household, when looking across Shang Jing for any noble family's daughter, it's a matter of a simple grab.

Why waste time on this reputation‑damaged maiden?

Princess Linghe, a woman extremely concerned with face, upon hearing Empress Dowager Ning'an's words, felt her previously hesitant thoughts surge again, and she chose to remain silent.

Empress Dowager Ning'an sneered, and Lin Rujun slowly closed her eyes, feeling a desolate chill inside.

Enough, why should she further bring disaster upon the Princess's legitimate son?

That is her fault, it shouldn't have happened.

Just as Lin Rujun was about to speak, a rapid footfall sounded again outside Yangxin Hall.

Not even Empress Dowager Ning'an, even Emperor Longqing was incensed, slamming a heavy palm onto the table.

"Who is making noise? Does my Yangxin Hall think it's a market?"

"Come when spoken of, leave when spoken of—what decorum is this?"

Emperor Longqing, furious, ordered the raucous crowd outside to be escorted straight into Yangxin Hall.

Now the nobles barely had time to report, almost forced by a mob to roll into Yangxin Hall, kneeling on the ground trembling.

He did not expect that Cheng Ming from the Princess's residence was almost like a madman, battling the Imperial Secret Guard from the Eastern Sima Gate.

Because of his excellent lightness skill and his father's prestige in the army, the guards dared not kill him outright, but beat him until he was covered in wounds.

He actually broke into Yangxin Hall, kneeling and prostrating himself before Emperor Longqing.

Her body already scarred, Lin Rujun rose and threw herself onto the blood‑soaked Cheng Ming.

Cheng Ming slowly lifted his head; handsome and fair, his crown‑jade‑like face was smeared with blood.

Outside Yangxin Hall a large contingent of guards had gathered; Emperor Longqing glanced at the blood‑covered Cheng Ming and felt a slight chill—truly a tiger father with no dog son.

Back then, Cheng Kun, Cheng Ming's father, wielded a crescent‑blade at the foot of a frontier lone fortress, halting one hundred thousand Bei Di cavalry at the gate.

At that time he was a prince, overseeing battles on the frontier, and felt a faint chill at Cheng Kun's heart.

The term "Killing God" truly exists in this world, and now his son is just as such.

Even sharper than his father by a few degrees.

"What audacity! To dare storm the palace unbidden—guards! Drag him out…"

Before Emperor Longqing could finish his sentence, Princess Linghe's complexion instantly drained of color.

She knelt before Emperor Longqing and hammered her forehead against the ground several times.

"Your Imperial Highness, calm your anger! This child was just given medicine by me, took the wrong medicine, fell into madness; I beg you to spare his life."

"In the name of his father's honor, spare him this time; he too has lost his mind and wishes to take Miss Lin home."

"This time, regardless of Miss Lin's background or past, even if she has been married two, three, or several times, it matters not."

"Our Princess's household favors Miss Lin; we ask the Empress Dowager to approve, and Your Imperial Highness to approve!"

"When Cheng Ming returns, I will strictly discipline him; fifty military canes will be unavoidable."

"Please, Your Imperial Highness, preserve a bloodline for the Cheng family; back then Cheng Kun blocked a hundred thousand army's advance on the frontier, taking a sword wound for the sake of the prince."

"The injury was too severe; he could not rise from bed for three months. Later, at the Battle of Chaqing Pass, the old wound flared, and he fought to his death."

"Your Imperial Highness, considering this favor, grant the child a chance at life, I beg you."

Princess Linghe, just as she finished speaking, the words "Chaqing Pass" sharply pricked Emperor Longqing's nerves.

He recalled how Cheng Kun had fought ten thousand troops to save his prince's life, and later the emperor scolded him, saying he almost caused Southern Qi to lose a guardian deity.

Emperor Longqing's heart stirred slightly; he turned his face away, looking with difficulty at Empress Dowager Ning'an.

Empress Dowager Ning'an secretly sighed; this son of hers is really too weak.

The advantage is that she can easily control this child; the disadvantage is that she has basically raised this son into a complete good‑for‑nothing.

No matter what matter is being handled, one must look at her expression; Empress Dowager Ning'an, though immensely unwilling in her heart, also knows that the great battle at Tea‑Azure Pass has far‑reaching influence.

During that time many shameful secrets were also hidden; if they really killed Cheng Ming, then the enemies facing this mother‑son pair would only increase.

Once Cheng Jia and Xiao Yin unite, no one in the entire army will be able to withstand them.

Empress Dowager Ning'an thought it over, her expression softened a little, and she gazed at the ill‑fated lovebirds in the center.

At this moment Lin RuJun clung tightly to Cheng Ming's arm.

Cheng Ming turned his face and gave her a smile, but the look in his eyes held contempt: "I never imagined Miss Lin's crying face could be so ugly."

Lin RuJun stared, wishing she could sew his mouth shut.