Chapter 40

In everyone's eyes, there was astonishment and shock.

Everyone said Yang Jun was greedy for life, afraid of death, lustful for wealth and beauty, a good-for-nothing.

Who would have thought that Yang Jun could actually speak such words aloud in the court!

What a righteous and resolute declaration, what a vow to die for!

And seeing this, what could the ministers do? What could they say?

To blame again would just be slapping oneself in the face—how could that be?

Zhou Tian, hearing this, was also stunned.

He had originally prepared countless ways to counter Yang Jun, to attack him, even hoping to seize the opportunity to have Yang Jun arrested and punished, preferably killed.

But in this situation, he was also left speechless.

Moreover, Zhou Tian showed a very strange expression.

Now, seeing Yang Jun's outstanding qualities and extraordinary performance, he faintly felt in his heart that this was clearly something he himself should be able to do!

But how could all this appear in Yang Jun?

Yun Fengyun was also at a loss for words, his eyes fixed on Yang Jun, carefully observing his demeanor.

What a loyal and steadfast minister, what a resolute man.

Although he had originally been dissatisfied with Yang Jun, here Yun Fengyun found himself unable to say more.

Forget it; for now there's nothing we can do to him, but I believe there will be plenty of opportunities ahead.

What was originally a pre-planned, confrontational court audience ended hastily under these circumstances.

……

The events that took place in the Daxia court spread quickly throughout the imperial palace and the capital after the morning audience ended.

Yun Xiyue also learned of it very early.

She was Yun Fengyun's most beloved princess, so even things like practicing calligraphy were done in the imperial study.

When she heard Yuan Lu beside her vividly recount the entire morning court proceedings, she widened her eyes.

"What? Yang Jun actually did that? And dared to have Father Emperor withdraw his decree?"

Yun Xiyue understood her father emperor's attitude toward Zhou Tian.

But such a thing would actually be stopped by Yang Jun?

One must know that previously Yang Jun was universally known as a spoiled playboy, despised by others, even a pitiful wretch knowing nothing.

But now Yang Jun's performance forced Yun Xiyue to confront it—his current performance is extraordinarily outstanding, even astonishing!

"Sixth Princess, today the Young Master Yang truly shone in court; this old servant never expected the Young Master to be so imposing!"

Yuan Lu spoke in a low voice, but seeing the Sixth Princess's joyful, exuberant reaction to his words, he also felt somewhat carried away.

No way—could it be that defying the emperor's wishes actually made the princess happy?

It seems this Sixth Princess has indeed grown up; she no longer blindly follows the emperor's orders in everything, and already has her own ideas.

Thinking this, Yuan Lu unconsciously lowered his head.

Holding his breath, focusing, eyes on nose, nose on heart, he did not think too much about what was before him.

Imperial family affairs are not something a servant like me should ponder overmuch.

Yun Xiyue, however, was all excitement, very happy.

Yuan Lu's few words had already, in Yun Xiyue's mind, spread and transformed, forming countless images.

The scene of Yang Jun debating the heroes in court, slaying in all directions, even causing his own father emperor to bow his head, was reflected in Yun Xiyue's mind.

Yang Jun, you truly live up to being the prince consort approved by this princess!

Look—who else could, like you, defy the father emperor's orders in court, resist the ministers, and still withdraw completely unscathed?

"Old Eunuch Yuan, you've been by Father Emperor's side for long; you've worked hard."

Yun Xiyue is also a clever one; at this moment she quickly calmed down.

While speaking, she produced a gold ingot and stuffed it into Yuan Lu's hand.

"Thank you for your hard work, Old Eunuch Yuan; from now on, whenever there is anything related to Young Master Yang, please be sure to inform this princess."

Yun Xiyue smiled; Yuan Lu, feeling humbled and frightened, hastily bowed and acknowledged, weighing the ingot in his hand—this weight, indeed, is not light!

……

At the Pingxi Prince's Mansion, after Yang Jun returned, he locked himself in his room to train desperately.

Today's court dispute, on the surface, seemed to have given him the advantage.

But in Yang Jun's view, these matters were exposed too early; his best course was to strive to increase his strength to cope with all this.

No one's possession compares to having it oneself!

As long as one possesses great strength, one can then deal with everything.

The only thing Yang Jun didn't expect was that, after he had resolved to improve himself and raise his strength, someone would instead come to cause trouble and block him.

Yun Fengyue has arrived!

This Elder Princess actually came veiled, just to see him.

"No way—why are you coming to my mansion at a time like this?"

When Yang Jun saw Yun Fengyue, his face showed impatience.

What's wrong with this woman? Does she truly not know what this signifies?

Yun Fengyue, however, did not think so; she simply, in front of Yang Jun, slowly removed the black gauze from her cheeks, revealing her exquisite, unmatched, and surpassingly beautiful visage.

Yang Jun looked up and found that the woman's eyes seemed to hold both resentment and blame; though she had not spoken, they already conveyed boundless charm.

"Cough, speak up!"

Yang Jun gave a light cough, striving to keep himself calm.

Such a Yun Fengyue is far too intimidating.

The flowers are too gorgeous—it's dangerous!

Yang Jun warned himself inwardly and sat up straight.

"Yang Jun, how should I speak of you?"

"You clearly know what Imperial Elder Brother thinks of your Prince Pingxi mansion."

"But you, in front of all the officials, so defy Imperial Elder Brother—are you not afraid he'll fly into a rage and kill you?"

Yun Fengyue opened her red lips; as she spoke, she seemed both annoyed and resentful.

What should have been a tense standoff instead gained a hint of boundless charm.

Yang Jun listened to Yun Fengyue's words, then saw her hand reach out to him and lightly poke his forehead; a warm, smooth sensation washed over him, leaving him slightly dazed.

"【This woman, she's indeed formidable; today's just‑happened events, she actually knows about them?】"

"【Look at her makeup today—on the surface she's come to question me, but who doesn't understand that such exquisite makeup and proper attire aren't the result of careful grooming, what else could it be?】"