Chapter 208: Your Majesty, you are finally back

In the eyes of the Princess of Zhennan and Ji Lingyu, staying in the Imperial Capital was better than anywhere else; the environment here was familiar, and they could go to serve the Emperor at any time; as long as they served Li Chen well, he would certainly take care of Xu Zifeng.

How good it was for Xu Zifeng to be a Great General in the May Tian Ce Dynasty; why go back to be a rebel.

So they refused to leave the Imperial Capital no matter what and also persuaded Xu Zifeng to stay.

This made Xu Zifeng embarrassed; on one side was his father, on the other side was his mother, and he didn't know what to do.

His current identity was still a hostage; the so-called hostage meant that without the Emperor's permission, he could not leave the Imperial Capital privately.

If he went south, he could run, but his mother and aunt couldn't run.

Moreover, taking his mother and aunt, he might not be able to return to the south quickly.

Now Xu Zifeng was completely embarrassed; as the son of luck, he couldn't find a suitable way for a while.

But the son of luck just had good luck; at this time, someone suddenly came to visit.

The one who came was none other than Liu Hao, who lived nearby.

Liu Hao was also a disciple of a great noble, and this time he had many military merits, and his position was constantly rising.

Even if the Liu family hadn't returned to its peak state, with this momentum, Liu Hao's status in the future would not be low.

Liu Hao had just returned home this time and thought his father and the family would hold a grand banquet to celebrate for him and mark his great achievements on the genealogy.

As a result, he didn't even eat a meal after entering, and was kicked out by his father, telling him to continue going out to work.

This was also the reason why Liu Hao came to Xu Zifeng's mansion.

They didn't have a good relationship, but they were colleagues, so they could talk.

Liu Hao came to visit, and Xu Zifeng naturally welcomed him in person and asked: "Brother Liu, what brings you to me?"

Liu Hao smiled and said: "Brother Xu, don't you know that the May Tian Ce Dynasty has already started a war with the Sassanid Dynasty, and the western war situation has already begun? This is another opportunity for us to make contributions!"

The reason Liu Hao's father kicked him out to work was for this reason.

For a military general, the best way to get promoted is to brush up on military merit; the west of the May Tian Ce Dynasty clearly had a pile of military merit, so Liu Hao certainly wanted to brush up on it.

The reason he looked for Xu Zifeng instead of Li Ling was because this guy Xu Zifeng didn't snatch military merit.

Last time in the northern expedition, Xu Zifeng was the vanguard general, but he went missing as soon as he went up, so Liu Hao, as the deputy vanguard general, was happy and directly served as the vanguard general, constantly capturing cities and seizing strongholds.

If it were other court officials, doing two jobs alone would certainly be very angry, but military generals were different; they wished they had more work, and if they could, they even wanted to help Guo Guo Po Yun command the three armies!

Liu Hao felt that going to the battlefield with Xu Zifeng was a steady profit without loss.

Wasn't this coming to find him to double-row again.

Anyway, you continue to play missing, and I will brush up on military merit; let's not worry about each other.

The reason Liu Hao didn't look for Li Ling was because Li Ling had been snatching military merit, which he could see.

Xu Zifeng heard Liu Hao say this and tactfully expressed his refusal.

He had no thoughts about helping the May Tian Ce Dynasty fight, and only thought about how to take his mother and aunt back to the south and reunite with his father.

Liu Hao expressed regret and also told him to consider it, as they would be setting off in a few days.

He didn't have a good relationship with Xu Zifeng, so he just came to say it and then left the Zhennan Wang Wang Shizi's Mansion.

Xu Zifeng felt that the western battlefield of the May Tian Ce Dynasty certainly had nothing to do with him.

But the problem was, his mother and aunt didn't think so.

The Princess of Zhennan and Ji Lingyu saw that Xu Zifeng wanted to return to the south, so in order to let Xu Zifeng live better in the Imperial Capital, they decided to go to Li Chen tonight and beg Li Chen to give Xu Zifeng a position in the Western Expedition Army.

I'm afraid that in a few days, Xu Zifeng would receive Li Chen's order again.

He never dreamed that it was his own mother and aunt who were backstabbing him.

Actually, Li Chen really felt Xu Zifeng was easy to use; this kid always gave him some unexpected surprises.

Once the Princess of Zhennan and Ji Lingyu came to beg, Li Chen would certainly give Xu Zifeng an opportunity.

You must know, the opportunity given by the Emperor was not something anyone could refuse.

Moreover, this Emperor was Li Chen; when Li Chen said he would give an opportunity, there was no room for discussion; you had to go even if you didn't want to.

Even the Snow Leopard God, in front of Li Chen, didn't have the qualification to choose independently.

Li Chen wasn't discussing with people; he was just telling you what to do.

But that was also Li Chen a few days later; the current Li Chen and his aunt Li Xueying had just returned to the Imperial Palace.

Li Xueying missed this place very much; she really hadn't been back for many years.

No matter where she looked, she felt very intimate.

This was estimated to be the same as Li Sining; as long as Li Chen was there, it was certainly intimate; if Li Chen wasn't the Emperor, they probably wouldn't feel the Imperial Palace was that good either.

Just as they arrived at the door, Li Xueying was preparing to tell stories from the past.

At this time, Eunuch Cui ran over in a hurry, his face terrified and extremely nervous.

Li Chen had lived in the Imperial Palace for so many years, and this was the first time he saw the Chief Eunuch Cui so panicked.

Li Chen frowned and said: "Did something happen in the palace?"

Eunuch Cui said urgently: "Your Majesty, you are finally back. The Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an has been kneeling at the door of the Imperial Study for three days and three nights, not eating a bite of food or drinking a drop of water; anyway, you should go and see."

This made Li Chen even more unable to understand; what happened to the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an?

Li Xueying on the side was also confused; the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an was one of her own brothers.

She continued to ask Eunuch Cui: "Why is the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an kneeling at the door of the Imperial Study?"

At this time, Eunuch Cui saw Li Xueying.

As an old eunuch in the palace, he naturally had seen this Princess, so he replied: "Returning to the Eldest Princess, the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an's son, Li Yang, colluded with the remnants of the previous dynasty to harm the Crown Wang Wang Shizi and has already been investigated by the Minister of Justice."

For Eunuch Cui to say this, it was naturally conclusive evidence.

Otherwise, Pang Jin wouldn't dare to mention it.

Harming the Crown Wang Wang Shizi was a capital crime, and others would be directly exterminated to the nine generations.

But Li Yang was a member of the Imperial Clan and the son of the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an, which could be considered a matter between the Imperial Clan, so it was naturally waiting for Li Chen, the Emperor, to deal with it.

Even if the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an was Li Chen's uncle, if Li Chen wanted to deal with him, he really could.

Speaking of this, Li Chen also remembered that Pang Jin had said at the time that there were members of the Imperial Clan involved.

Just didn't expect that this member of the Imperial Clan was the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an's son.

Li Chen and Li Yang had met.

"Where is Li Yang now?" Li Chen's tone changed.

The people around also began to be afraid, and even his aunt Li Xueying felt that Li Chen was now showing his imperial deterrence.

"He has already fled the Imperial Capital, and the Ministry of Justice is currently investigating." Eunuch Cui also answered honestly.

This was probably the reason why the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an had been kneeling in front of the Imperial Study.

Li Xueying also didn't expect that she would encounter this just after returning.

Since things had come to this, Li Chen went to the Imperial Study in person to see, and Li Xueying followed behind him.

The two walked through the long corridor of the palace, and the palace lanterns on both sides of the corridor reflected their tightly locked brows.

When they arrived at the door of the Imperial Study, the scene before them made their hearts tighten.

The Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an, this old member of the Imperial Clan who was once majestic and powerful, was now like a candle in the wind, kneeling on the ground, his figure hunched, his face haggard.

His eyes were sunken, and his gaze revealed endless fatigue and despair, as if he had aged dozens of years overnight.

A complex emotion surged in Li Chen's heart.

He still remembered that some time ago, the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an had invited him to attend a birthday banquet.

At the birthday banquet, the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an was also radiant and laughed heartily, inviting him to drink fine wine together; the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an at that time was so robust.

But now, for the monstrous crime committed by his son, he was kneeling here, praying for the Emperor's forgiveness.

It could be seen that the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an's clothes were already somewhat wrinkled, and the fabric at his knees was even worn shiny; clearly, he had been kneeling here for a long time.

His hair was messy, and his face was full of dust and tear stains, looking very pitiful.

Li Xueying stood beside Li Chen, her gaze revealing concern and unbearable feelings; the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an was her own brother and Li Chen's uncle.

She looked at the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an's trembling body and wanted to step forward to support him several times, but held back.

She knew deeply that this was the Imperial Palace, and everything had to follow the Emperor's will; she could not cross this boundary.

The Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an saw Li Chen appear, and a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes.

He kowtowed tremblingly and said in a hoarse voice: "The sinful subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

His tone was very weak, feeling like he could die at any time.

Li Chen looked at the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an's appearance, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings.

He knew that the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an was performing a bitter meat scheme while being afraid.

But no matter what, the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an was his uncle after all; he couldn't let him kneel to death here.

So, he said in a deep voice: "You get up first, eat something and then talk."

Li Chen waved his hand, and Eunuch Cui immediately went to prepare some food.

Actually, this food was nearby; it was just that the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an wouldn't eat it.

After saying this, Li Chen walked directly into the Imperial Study; having left the Imperial Capital for many days, there were still many things to deal with, so he didn't have time to waste here. Li Xueying took the opportunity to go up and support the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an.

The Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an slowly stood up, his movements difficult and slow, as if every step carried a heavy burden.

"Xueying, you returning here should have been a happy thing, but it made you see this scene; Imperial Brother is ashamed."

The Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an also hadn't seen Li Xueying for many years, just didn't expect to meet again in this way.

"It's okay, I believe His Majesty will deal with it at his discretion."

Li Xueying comforted the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an well; she also roughly knew about the Crown Wang Wang Shizi's murder and the late Emperor's passing when she came, just didn't expect the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an to be involved.

The Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an had just stood up and was preparing to go into the Imperial Study.

But Li Xueying told him to eat something first; in his current state, if he went in and was incoherent, it might be even more annoying.

The Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an nodded, and while eating, asked about the situation in the north, and Li Xueying answered truthfully.

"Sister, you have worked hard for so many years, but brother still has one request."

!

"Don't worry, if it really wasn't your doing, I will say a few good words to His Majesty."

Li Xueying knew what the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an wanted to express, so she just said it directly.

If it was just the work of the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an's son, Li Yang, then for the sake of brotherly love, Li Xueying would also plead for mercy.

But if the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an himself was also involved, then no matter how bold Li Xueying was, she wouldn't dare to plead for mercy.

Because Li Chen was the Emperor and had a supreme status among the Imperial Clan; Li Xueying didn't dare to put on the airs of an aunt.

And at this time, a eunuch had already gone to summon the Minister of Justice, Pang Jin.

Li Chen only roughly knew some things; as for the specific situation, wait until Pang Jin comes.

Not long after, Pang Jin hurried over and also saw the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an.

At this moment, the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an put down the food and followed Pang Jin inside.

Still the same old way, as soon as the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an entered, he knelt down without saying a word.

Pang Jin also saluted, and at Li Chen's signal, began to report the situation of the case in detail.

According to Pang Jin, some remnants of the previous dynasty confessed that the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an's son, Li Yang, had a private affair with the princess of the previous dynasty's remnants.

Then, using his status in the Crown Wang Wang Shizi's faction, he borrowed the Crown Wang Wang Shizi's name to transfer the Crown Wang Wang Shizi's guards, and the Crown Wang Wang Shizi was attacked and died miserably.

Pang Jin also handed over some lists, which not only had officials from various departments but also some officials from the Ministry of Justice; these were all people who helped the remnants of the previous dynasty.

When the Crown Wang Wang Shizi died, there were no traces in the autopsy; it was because someone in the Ministry of Justice helped.

How heavy was Li Yang's crime? Let's put it this way: if he hadn't helped, the Crown Wang Wang Shizi would never have died, at least not died so unclearly.

The Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an, kneeling on the side, was sweating, and even Li Xueying on the side was frowning.

This crime was really not small; not only colluding with the remnants of the previous dynasty but also harming the Crown Wang Wang Shizi.

These monstrous crimes could indeed be counted on Li Yang.

The Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an also didn't know why his own trash son could connect with the princess of the previous dynasty's remnants.

Pang Jin said it clearly and without any omissions.

Without direct evidence, he wouldn't dare to talk nonsense about the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an's son.

"Was the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an involved?" Li Chen said in a deep voice.

Whether others were afraid of this sentence, it was hard to say, but the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an was very afraid and was already trembling.

"Returning to Your Majesty, there is currently no evidence to show that the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an was involved." Pang Jin could only answer.

At this time, the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an cried: "Your Majesty, your sinful subject really did not participate in this matter; if your sinful subject had participated in this matter, what face would I have to see the ancestors."

Originally, the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an still planned to plead for his son, but now, he felt his own life was almost not guaranteed.

Unless the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an wanted to be Emperor, otherwise he would attack the Crown Wang Wang Shizi, which completely didn't make sense.

After thinking for a moment, Li Chen felt that he still had to punish; if he didn't punish, any prince's son would dare to rebel, anyway the family wouldn't have anything happen.

"You failed to teach your son, first go to the Ministry of Justice prison to reflect for a year, and after coming out, be grounded for ten years, and be stripped of all privileges. If it weren't for Li Ling making great contributions on the northern battlefield, I wouldn't have let it go so easily. Get out of here."

As for the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an's Mansion, all people related to Li Yang were to be directly executed.

Daring to touch even the Crown Wang Wang Shizi, Li Chen certainly had to give them a bloody lesson.

This punishment for the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an was not light nor very heavy, just sounded very scary.

Actually, he was just detained and reflected for a year; no matter what, he was an elder of the Imperial Clan.

Stripping him of his privileges meant his descendants couldn't inherit the throne.

Li Chen didn't punish Li Ling; as long as Li Ling still had status, it was equivalent to leaving a way out for the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an.

In the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an's view, Li Chen's action could be considered rewarding and punishing clearly; if Li Ling also had an accident, then the entire Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an's Mansion would be finished.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace."

The Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an had no room to bargain and could only leave with Pang Jin in person.

When leaving, he kept calling Pang Jin "Lord Pang," which left Pang Jin not knowing what to say.

After they all left, Li Xueying massaged Li Chen's shoulders to help him vent his anger.

"Your Imperial Uncle is stupid and has no ability or courage; I believe he wouldn't do anything unfavorable to the Royal Family, it's just that Li Yang really doesn't understand the rules."

She had promised to say a few good words for the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an, and she was indeed saying them.

When Li Chen was pronouncing the sentence just now, Li Xueying certainly couldn't say it; how could she dare to directly collide with Li Chen? That would be looking for excitement.

Only at this time, when others had retreated, did she say these words from the side.

Li Chen wasn't actually angry; he was just maintaining the majesty of the Royal Family.

There was one point Li Chen was puzzled about: was Li Yang crazy? Could it be that he really wanted to be Emperor? Or was he caught by the remnants of the previous dynasty?

But no matter what, the princess of the previous dynasty wasn't caught, and Li Yang ran away.

This was the work of the Ministry of Justice next.

What was Li Chen's work? Naturally, the two small mountain-like memorials in front of him.

Having not come for a few days, there were so many again.

Isn't this taking my life?

It is estimated that tomorrow's morning court will be very lively again.

In Li Chen's view, fighting Tuoba Zhen was simpler.

In the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an's Mansion, Li Ling returned victorious, but the home had changed.

In the mansion, the father had entered the Ministry of Justice prison, the eldest brother had fled the Imperial Capital, and other blood relatives had been dragged out and beheaded.

She also didn't expect that she had just returned from a victory and hadn't had time to celebrate when her own brother stabbed her in the back.

In the past, Li Ling felt that her eldest brother was just a trash son, and she felt somewhat helpless, thinking it would be good if her eldest brother had some ability.

But now, she would rather her eldest brother be a trash than see him do such a rebellious thing.

"What was my brother thinking, harming the Crown Wang Wang Shizi because of the princess of the previous dynasty's remnants?" Li Ling had mixed feelings in this empty Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an's Mansion.

In the past, the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an was powerful, and this place was crowded, but now not a single person dared to come.

Fearing being involved in the Crown Wang Wang Shizi's murder case.

It is said that during the three days and three nights the Wang Wang Shizi of Jing'an knelt at the door of the Imperial Study, only the Commander of the Imperial Guard, Li Sixing, who was also of the Imperial Clan, came to see him; others didn't dare to see him, including the Prime Minister Zhao Wenyuan; he was such a big official and didn't dare to be involved in this matter.

Li Ling felt that it was fortunate she went to the north to fight and made many military contributions, otherwise she would have been in prison at the very least.

Chen Xuannan on the side also felt that Li Ling had really escaped a disaster; if Li Ling hadn't had this experience, she would have been guilty by association 100%.

"I think we should make more military contributions and strive to get the Wang Wang Shizi out early."

Chen Xuannan said this, but his original intention was: I think you should hurry up and make some more military contributions, otherwise when your brother is caught and the Emperor punishes him a second time, it might involve you too.

Chen Xuannan was a person who valued feelings and righteousness; since Li Ling saved his life when he was dying years ago, Chen Xuannan would also try his best to repay her.

When he came just now, Chen Xuannan went to the Ministry of War and met Liu Hao.

After Liu Hao left, he inquired in many ways and learned some intelligence about the western war zone and southern war zone of the May Tian Ce Dynasty.

Fighting the Princess of Zhennan didn't need others to help, but fighting the Sassanid Dynasty could.

Chen Xuannan told Li Ling about this and told her to get ready quickly; Liu Hao and these people had just returned and were preparing to go to the western battlefield.

You must know, Liu Hao's injuries hadn't fully healed, and he couldn't wait to participate in the Western Expedition.

Li Ling heard Chen Xuannan's analysis, cheered up, and prepared to seek an audience with Li Chen.

But this scared Chen Xuannan into stopping her quickly, saying: "Are you crazy? It's good enough that Li Chen isn't dealing with you now; you still dare to shake in front of him?"

Li Ling frowned: "Then if we don't look for Li Chen, who do we look for?"

Chen Xuannan hinted: "Your performance in the northern expedition was good, and you were praised by General Guo many times, and General Guo and the Wang Wang Shizi are old friends; if you beg him, he might help you."

Li Ling nodded and walked toward Guo Guo Po Yun's mansion.

She knew there was no time to lose; if she didn't go again, she might not have a chance.

But at this time, Guo Guo Po Yun was not in the mansion, but in the Ministry of Justice prison.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 209 =====