After Pei Jihuai took the letter, the Prefect of Jingzhao and the Minister of Justice approached and expressed their condolences and sympathy for the death of Wang Daren. Then they hurriedly left.
"Your Highness," one of the envoys asked, "Why did we let them take Wang Daren's letter? Great Jin has gone too far in their arrogance."
"Even if we have it, what can we do?" He Yuanting replied directly, "If the cause of death is related to the Great Jin people, can our Daimao Kingdom really go to war with them?"
The envoys fell silent. The Third Prince was right. Even if the Great Jin people truly mistreated them, they could only swallow their grievances.
"Following this significant event, it is inevitable for the Emperor of Great Jin to summon Your Highness," a composed minister said after a long silence, "Your Highness, I strongly recommend staying indoors for the next two days. Use this time to prepare yourself thoroughly. It is rumored that Emperor Changlong greatly favors the Crown Prince of Great Jin. If Your Highness encounters their Crown Prince in the palace, you must not offend him."
He Yuanting nodded solemnly, his gaze fixed upon his own shoes as bitterness swelled within him. Both of them were Crown Princes, but his Eldest Brother was constantly suspected by their father, while the Crown Prince of Great Jin was greatly cherished by Emperor Changlong.
Perhaps, that was fate.
"Daren," in the darkness, Pei Jihuai handed the letter left by the deceased from Daimao to Zhang Shuo, "I suspect there is something unusual about this matter."
Zhang Shuo received the letter and read it, his expression grave, "Someone intentionally wants to provoke conflict between the two nations."
The two exchanged a glance, keeping the rest of their thoughts to themselves. If this matter escalated, it would be extremely detrimental to the Hua family. It might even make the Emperor believe that the Hua family had become so powerful that foreign envoys were driven to suicide out of fear.
The mastermind behind the scenes didn't care if they discovered it was a conspiracy. He had almost blatantly revealed his intentions because he knew that the rift between Daimao and Great Jin could never be eliminated. Simultaneously, this matter would also raise suspicions in the Emperor's heart against the Hua family; once suspicion took hold, it would be impossible to dispel.
Who was so eager to bring misfortune to the Hua family?
Was it Jinpo?
Or the neighboring small countries that were intimidated by the Hua family?
Or... was it a staged performance by Daimao itself?
"Daren, what should we do now?" Pei Jihuai asked.
Zhang Shuo tucked the letter into his robe, "Of course, we should deliver the letter to the Emperor tonight."
Pei Jihuai furrowed his brow, quietly mounting his horse without uttering a word. Zhang Shuo, as he climbed into the carriage, playfully remarked, "Jihuai, it seems you place great trust in the Hua family. Have you ever contemplated the possibility that they might have orchestrated Wang Daren's murder and cunningly masked it as a suicide?"
"If the two generals want to seek revenge against such meddlesome individuals, why would they resort to assassination?" Pei Jihuai replied calmly, "Furthermore, if they killed the person, why would they leave this letter behind?"
"You make a valid point," Zhang Shuo nodded, "I also believe that the Hua family is unjustly accused."
Unfortunately, by involving themselves in this matter, even if they did nothing, they would still be implicated. Zhang Shuo had recently received news from a Daimao envoy that the Third Prince of the Daimao Kingdom had organized a banquet to offer his apologies to Fushou Junzhu. Seemingly, the individual involved had been overwhelmed by fear to the point of taking his own life. Uninformed people might suspect Fushou Junzhu of having driven that person to his untimely demise.
Not to mention others, he too had a fleeting moment of uncertainty, wondering if it could indeed be real.
But he quickly dispelled those thoughts; Fushou Junzhu was physically weak and timid. Given her character, it would be quite difficult for her to scare a young man to death.
If things really escalated, it was unknown who would end up being frightened.
Before drifting off to sleep, Emperor Changlong reveled in a sense of contentment as the Crown Prince voluntarily engaged in discussions regarding state affairs, finally exhibiting signs of diligence.
In the evening, after the Crown Prince had his meal, the father and son took a stroll together before Emperor Changlong had Zhao Sancai escort the Crown Prince back to the Eastern Palace. Unfortunately, this harmonious atmosphere was shattered in the dead of night.
Emperor Changlong received a letter and investigation report presented by Zhang Shuo, the Minister of Justice. As he read them, his anger swelled to the extreme, "Someone dares to falsely accuse Zhen's two generals. It is unforgivable."
Zhang Shuo thought the Emperor would ask what the Hua family had done, but unexpectedly, without even asking, the Emperor directly concluded that the Hua family had been framed.
This was different from the rumors that suggested the Emperor was wary of the Hua family's rising power and influence.
If the Emperor truly suspected the Hua family, he wouldn't concern himself with whether the Hua family was innocent or not. Utilizing this moment, he would suppress their influence, tarnishing their standing in the eyes of the people. Subsequently, when the time came to settle the score with the Hua family, it would be deemed more justifiable.
Looking at the Emperor's demeanor, it was clear that he did care about the Hua family's reputation. However, his concern seemed to be in the opposite direction -- it was more like an intolerance for others tarnishing the Hua family's name.
"Investigate it thoroughly, immediately," Emperor Changlong slammed the table with the documents, "Keep an eye on the envoys from Daimao and make sure they keep their mouths shut. Not a single piece of false information should be leaked!"
He knew the character of Wei Mingyue very well. If someone spoke ill of her, she would rather break their bones on the spot than resort to such insidious means.
As for his future daughter-in-law intimidating and slandering the envoys? That was even more ridiculous. That little girl from the Hua family spoke softly and delicately. Were the envoys from Daimao rabbits? Could their courage be so small?
"This subordinate obeys Your Majesty's command," Zhang Shuo acknowledged, grasping the significance of the statement. It became clear to him that the Emperor's intention was to protect the Hua family, unwaveringly and without reservation.
From this day forward, he would no longer believe in such nonsense as "birds have flown, the bow is hidden". The Emperor's treatment of the Hua family was undoubtedly one of immense trust, even blind trust.
As he reached the main gate, he saw a group of people hurrying towards him. When they approached, he recognized them as the Crown Prince and his entourage from the Eastern Palace.
What could prompt the Crown Prince to appear here in the dead of night?
"Minister Zhang," the Crown Prince, who had initially appeared anxious, regained composure upon sighting Zhang Shuo, "Benwang heard the news of an incident involving an envoy at the guest residence. Please enlighten me on the matter."
Zhang Shuo proceeded to elaborate on the situation, recounting the details of the deceased envoy's letter.
"Minister Zhang, you have a formidable task ahead," the Crown Prince lightly tapped his index finger on the dragon-carved armrest of the carriage, "The two generals are esteemed heroes of our Great Jin; we must ensure that their honorable reputation remains untarnished by unfounded accusations. Furthermore, it is imperative to prevent the circulation of rumors that may lead to misunderstandings about their character."
The Crown Prince's statement left little ambiguity—the two generals were evidently not at fault; someone else was to blame.
Zhang Shuo repeatedly agreed, but as he left the palace, he found a thin layer of sweat forming on his forehead. They say the Emperor's mind is unfathomable, but perhaps, in this case, it's the officials who were overthinking.
The results of the autopsy came out quickly. The deceased, Wang Daren, was found to have been tied up with a rope while he was conscious. There were bruises on his body. However, as he had had a dispute with another envoy and they had even physically clashed within the last hour of his life, it was impossible to determine from the body alone whether he willingly put his neck in the noose or if someone forcefully hanged him.
"After the death, guards, servants, and physicians entered the scene, so we cannot confirm whether the crime scene was tampered with," said the examiner from the Ministry of Justice, "Superficially, it appears to be a perfect suicide scene."
However, precisely because it was too perfect, it was riddled with doubts.
"Have we found out the identities of the three Daimao envoys who defamed the women of our Great Jin in the teahouse that day?" Pei Jihuai asked, looking at the marks on the deceased's neck. In some novels and storybooks, the protagonist would often mention signs of struggle on the deceased's body, which proved that it was murder.
In reality, many people who commit suicide might feel regret before their death, causing them to struggle and desperately seek a way out.
But often, their efforts were in vain. They could only perish in a state of self-remorse and despair.
"Daren, the deceased was one of the three individuals. The other two are the Minister of Rites of Daimao, Liu Mingshi, and the Deputy Minister of Rites, Qian Yi."
"Hmm," Pei Jihuai snorted disdainfully, walked out of the autopsy room, and took off his gloves, "As a tutor to the Crown Prince, he dares to meddle in the customs of other countries. What's the point of reading so many books to become a scholar?"
"I heard that, in Daimao, if a woman speaks to a man not from her family, she is considered impure."
"A bunch of filthy old men, thinking they're so clean," Pei Jihuai scoffed at this, "They bully women, and on top of that, they can't stand to see women from other countries living a comfortable life. Isn't that sick?"
The Daimao envoys' predictions were correct. On the second afternoon after the incident, Emperor Changlong, who had been avoiding them, finally granted an audience to He Yuanting.
Upon receiving the news, the envoys did not dare to be careless and prepared early to escort He Yuanting into the palace.
As soon as he entered the imperial palace, He Yuanting immediately sensed the differences between Great Jin and Daimao. If he had to describe it, the Daimao's Imperial Palace seemed to have a stronger scent of cosmetics compared to the Great Jin's Imperial Palace.
A eunuch led He Yuanting to the outside of the main hall of the Chenyang Palace and said, "Third Prince, His Majesty is currently receiving other ministers. Please wait a moment."
He Yuanting quickly expressed his understanding. Not long after, a middle-aged man wearing a brocade robe came out. The man had a handsome appearance and an extraordinary demeanor. A purple-clad eunuch accompanied him to the door.
"General, take your leave," Zhao Sancai escorted Hua Yingting down the steps, then turned to He Yuanting with a smile, waving the feather duster in his hand, "You must be the Third Prince from Daimao. Apologies for keeping you waiting. Please follow this humble servant."
"Thank you, Chief Eunuch."
"No need to be so polite, Your Highness."
As he stepped inside, He Yuanting slightly lowered his head and hurriedly followed the purple-clad eunuch into the hall.
Vaguely, he saw a figure sitting on the dragon throne, dressed in a black robe embroidered with a golden dragon pattern. He quickly bowed deeply and said, "I am He Yuanting, the Third Prince of Daimao Kingdom. I pay my respects to Your Majesty, the esteemed Emperor of the Great Jin."
"No need for excessive courtesy, Third Prince. Please take a seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," After expressing his gratitude and taking his seat, He Yuanting noticed that there was another person in the room. When he raised his head and saw the person's appearance, he couldn't help but be stunned for a while.
"The Third Prince seems surprised to see Benwang?" the Crown Prince sighed, "A few days ago, Benwang accompanied my cousin's close friend to attend Your Highness's banquet. In the evening, rumors spread that my cousin's close friend had forced a noble envoy of your country to death. After careful consideration, it could be discerned that my cousin's close friend didn't say anything that day, so how could she have forced a grown man to his death?"
He Yuanting's heart skipped a beat. He never expected that the handsome man who had accompanied Fushou Junzhu that day would turn out to be the Crown Prince of Great Jin.
He had thought that person was Fushou Junzhu's... special guest.
"Fortunately, Benwang was present that day. Otherwise, my cousin's close friend would have a hard time clearing her name," the Crown Prince raised an eyebrow, looking at He Yuanting with a seemingly amused smile, "Third Prince, don't you agree?"
He Yuanting hurriedly responded, "These are all baseless speculations. Your country's Fushou Junzhu is pure, kind, and gentle. How could she possibly scare someone to their death?"
The Crown Prince lazily picked up his teacup, chuckled lightly, and said, "As long as the Third Prince understands it in his heart."
"Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness," a eunuch entered to report, "Marquis Chang'an, accompanied by Fushou Junzhu, requests an audience."
The Crown Prince, who had been sitting lazily, instantly straightened his posture and put the teacup aside.
Emperor Changlong glanced at his son, who was grooming himself, and waited until he smoothed out the wrinkles on his robe before speaking, "Announce them."
Hua Luli entered the hall and immediately noticed the elegant posture of the Crown Prince. Before she could even bow to Emperor Changlong, the Crown Prince met her gaze and showed her a gentle smile. She couldn't help but pause her steps and return the smile.
"Greetings Your Majesty. Greetings Your Royal Highness," Wei Mingyue hadn't finished her salutation when the Crown Prince returned the gesture, "General, there's no need for excessive courtesy."
"Zhao Sancai," the Crown Prince turned to Zhao Sancai, "Add a cushion to the seats for the General and Junzhu."
"Thank you, Your Royal Highness," Wei Mingyue didn't expect the Crown Prince to be so attentive, so she smiled at him.
"It's only natural," the Crown Prince nodded slightly to Hua Luli, then turned to Emperor Changlong and said, "Father Emperor, since General Wei and Fushou Junzhu are here today, why don't we clarify the case?"
He Yuanting: "..."
At this point, there was nothing more to say. It was clear that they were at fault.
"Third Prince, I deeply regret and am saddened by the incident involving your country's envoy," Hua Luli met He Yuanting's gaze, "Our two countries have had many years of interaction, we shouldn't let misunderstandings affect our relationship. So it's better to clarify the matter, don't you think?"
He Yuanting stared blankly into Hua Luli's beautiful eyes, "Junzhu is right."
The Crown Prince furrowed his brow. What was going on with this Third Prince of the Daimao Kingdom? Why was he constantly staring at my family's Junzhu?
"Summon Zhang Shuo, the Minister of Justice, Pei Jihuai, the Deputy Minister of Justice, and Liu Mingshi, the Minister of Rites of the Daimao Kingdom, to the court."
As soon as Liu Mingshi entered the main hall of the Chanyang Palace, he heard a woman say, "I also want to see which honorable person has misunderstood a woman so deeply."
The voice was pleasant to the ears, but Liu Mingshi felt that every word was filled with killing intent.
Pity that he couldn't lift his shoulders or raise his hands, he was actually feeling nervous in front of a woman.
"Are you Liu Mingshi, who bears ill feelings towards the General of our humble country?" Emperor Changlong looked at Liu Mingshi, who was bowing and kneeling with no expression on his face, "The General is a female general personally appointed by Zhen. Do you have any objections to what you have said?"
"If so, let your country's Emperor personally write a letter to Zhen. Zhen is willing to discuss it slowly."
Krish728
Author's Note:
Emperor Changlong: Who dares to bully my future daughter-in-law?
The Crown Prince: This is my family's Junzhu, you understand, she's mine!
After Pei Jihuai took the letter, the Prefect of Jingzhao and the Minister of Justice approached and expressed their condolences and sympathy for the death of Wang Daren. Then they hurriedly left.
"Your Highness," one of the envoys asked, "Why did we let them take Wang Daren's letter? Great Jin has gone too far in their arrogance."
"Even if we have it, what can we do?" He Yuanting replied directly, "If the cause of death is related to the Great Jin people, can our Daimao Kingdom really go to war with them?"
The envoys fell silent. The Third Prince was right. Even if the Great Jin people truly mistreated them, they could only swallow their grievances.
"Following this significant event, it is inevitable for the Emperor of Great Jin to summon Your Highness," a composed minister said after a long silence, "Your Highness, I strongly recommend staying indoors for the next two days. Use this time to prepare yourself thoroughly. It is rumored that Emperor Changlong greatly favors the Crown Prince of Great Jin. If Your Highness encounters their Crown Prince in the palace, you must not offend him."
He Yuanting nodded solemnly, his gaze fixed upon his own shoes as bitterness swelled within him. Both of them were Crown Princes, but his Eldest Brother was constantly suspected by their father, while the Crown Prince of Great Jin was greatly cherished by Emperor Changlong.
Perhaps, that was fate.
"Daren," in the darkness, Pei Jihuai handed the letter left by the deceased from Daimao to Zhang Shuo, "I suspect there is something unusual about this matter."
Zhang Shuo received the letter and read it, his expression grave, "Someone intentionally wants to provoke conflict between the two nations."
The two exchanged a glance, keeping the rest of their thoughts to themselves. If this matter escalated, it would be extremely detrimental to the Hua family. It might even make the Emperor believe that the Hua family had become so powerful that foreign envoys were driven to suicide out of fear.
The mastermind behind the scenes didn't care if they discovered it was a conspiracy. He had almost blatantly revealed his intentions because he knew that the rift between Daimao and Great Jin could never be eliminated. Simultaneously, this matter would also raise suspicions in the Emperor's heart against the Hua family; once suspicion took hold, it would be impossible to dispel.
Who was so eager to bring misfortune to the Hua family?
Was it Jinpo?
Or the neighboring small countries that were intimidated by the Hua family?
Or... was it a staged performance by Daimao itself?
"Daren, what should we do now?" Pei Jihuai asked.
Zhang Shuo tucked the letter into his robe, "Of course, we should deliver the letter to the Emperor tonight."
Pei Jihuai furrowed his brow, quietly mounting his horse without uttering a word. Zhang Shuo, as he climbed into the carriage, playfully remarked, "Jihuai, it seems you place great trust in the Hua family. Have you ever contemplated the possibility that they might have orchestrated Wang Daren's murder and cunningly masked it as a suicide?"
"If the two generals want to seek revenge against such meddlesome individuals, why would they resort to assassination?" Pei Jihuai replied calmly, "Furthermore, if they killed the person, why would they leave this letter behind?"
"You make a valid point," Zhang Shuo nodded, "I also believe that the Hua family is unjustly accused."
Unfortunately, by involving themselves in this matter, even if they did nothing, they would still be implicated. Zhang Shuo had recently received news from a Daimao envoy that the Third Prince of the Daimao Kingdom had organized a banquet to offer his apologies to Fushou Junzhu. Seemingly, the individual involved had been overwhelmed by fear to the point of taking his own life. Uninformed people might suspect Fushou Junzhu of having driven that person to his untimely demise.
Not to mention others, he too had a fleeting moment of uncertainty, wondering if it could indeed be real.
But he quickly dispelled those thoughts; Fushou Junzhu was physically weak and timid. Given her character, it would be quite difficult for her to scare a young man to death.
If things really escalated, it was unknown who would end up being frightened.
Before drifting off to sleep, Emperor Changlong reveled in a sense of contentment as the Crown Prince voluntarily engaged in discussions regarding state affairs, finally exhibiting signs of diligence.
In the evening, after the Crown Prince had his meal, the father and son took a stroll together before Emperor Changlong had Zhao Sancai escort the Crown Prince back to the Eastern Palace. Unfortunately, this harmonious atmosphere was shattered in the dead of night.
Emperor Changlong received a letter and investigation report presented by Zhang Shuo, the Minister of Justice. As he read them, his anger swelled to the extreme, "Someone dares to falsely accuse Zhen's two generals. It is unforgivable."
Zhang Shuo thought the Emperor would ask what the Hua family had done, but unexpectedly, without even asking, the Emperor directly concluded that the Hua family had been framed.
This was different from the rumors that suggested the Emperor was wary of the Hua family's rising power and influence.
If the Emperor truly suspected the Hua family, he wouldn't concern himself with whether the Hua family was innocent or not. Utilizing this moment, he would suppress their influence, tarnishing their standing in the eyes of the people. Subsequently, when the time came to settle the score with the Hua family, it would be deemed more justifiable.
Looking at the Emperor's demeanor, it was clear that he did care about the Hua family's reputation. However, his concern seemed to be in the opposite direction -- it was more like an intolerance for others tarnishing the Hua family's name.
"Investigate it thoroughly, immediately," Emperor Changlong slammed the table with the documents, "Keep an eye on the envoys from Daimao and make sure they keep their mouths shut. Not a single piece of false information should be leaked!"
He knew the character of Wei Mingyue very well. If someone spoke ill of her, she would rather break their bones on the spot than resort to such insidious means.
As for his future daughter-in-law intimidating and slandering the envoys? That was even more ridiculous. That little girl from the Hua family spoke softly and delicately. Were the envoys from Daimao rabbits? Could their courage be so small?
"This subordinate obeys Your Majesty's command," Zhang Shuo acknowledged, grasping the significance of the statement. It became clear to him that the Emperor's intention was to protect the Hua family, unwaveringly and without reservation.
From this day forward, he would no longer believe in such nonsense as "birds have flown, the bow is hidden". The Emperor's treatment of the Hua family was undoubtedly one of immense trust, even blind trust.
As he reached the main gate, he saw a group of people hurrying towards him. When they approached, he recognized them as the Crown Prince and his entourage from the Eastern Palace.
What could prompt the Crown Prince to appear here in the dead of night?
"Minister Zhang," the Crown Prince, who had initially appeared anxious, regained composure upon sighting Zhang Shuo, "Benwang heard the news of an incident involving an envoy at the guest residence. Please enlighten me on the matter."
Zhang Shuo proceeded to elaborate on the situation, recounting the details of the deceased envoy's letter.
"Minister Zhang, you have a formidable task ahead," the Crown Prince lightly tapped his index finger on the dragon-carved armrest of the carriage, "The two generals are esteemed heroes of our Great Jin; we must ensure that their honorable reputation remains untarnished by unfounded accusations. Furthermore, it is imperative to prevent the circulation of rumors that may lead to misunderstandings about their character."
The Crown Prince's statement left little ambiguity—the two generals were evidently not at fault; someone else was to blame.
Zhang Shuo repeatedly agreed, but as he left the palace, he found a thin layer of sweat forming on his forehead. They say the Emperor's mind is unfathomable, but perhaps, in this case, it's the officials who were overthinking.
The results of the autopsy came out quickly. The deceased, Wang Daren, was found to have been tied up with a rope while he was conscious. There were bruises on his body. However, as he had had a dispute with another envoy and they had even physically clashed within the last hour of his life, it was impossible to determine from the body alone whether he willingly put his neck in the noose or if someone forcefully hanged him.
"After the death, guards, servants, and physicians entered the scene, so we cannot confirm whether the crime scene was tampered with," said the examiner from the Ministry of Justice, "Superficially, it appears to be a perfect suicide scene."
However, precisely because it was too perfect, it was riddled with doubts.
"Have we found out the identities of the three Daimao envoys who defamed the women of our Great Jin in the teahouse that day?" Pei Jihuai asked, looking at the marks on the deceased's neck. In some novels and storybooks, the protagonist would often mention signs of struggle on the deceased's body, which proved that it was murder.
In reality, many people who commit suicide might feel regret before their death, causing them to struggle and desperately seek a way out.
But often, their efforts were in vain. They could only perish in a state of self-remorse and despair.
"Daren, the deceased was one of the three individuals. The other two are the Minister of Rites of Daimao, Liu Mingshi, and the Deputy Minister of Rites, Qian Yi."
"Hmm," Pei Jihuai snorted disdainfully, walked out of the autopsy room, and took off his gloves, "As a tutor to the Crown Prince, he dares to meddle in the customs of other countries. What's the point of reading so many books to become a scholar?"
"I heard that, in Daimao, if a woman speaks to a man not from her family, she is considered impure."
"A bunch of filthy old men, thinking they're so clean," Pei Jihuai scoffed at this, "They bully women, and on top of that, they can't stand to see women from other countries living a comfortable life. Isn't that sick?"
The Daimao envoys' predictions were correct. On the second afternoon after the incident, Emperor Changlong, who had been avoiding them, finally granted an audience to He Yuanting.
Upon receiving the news, the envoys did not dare to be careless and prepared early to escort He Yuanting into the palace.
As soon as he entered the imperial palace, He Yuanting immediately sensed the differences between Great Jin and Daimao. If he had to describe it, the Daimao's Imperial Palace seemed to have a stronger scent of cosmetics compared to the Great Jin's Imperial Palace.
A eunuch led He Yuanting to the outside of the main hall of the Chenyang Palace and said, "Third Prince, His Majesty is currently receiving other ministers. Please wait a moment."
He Yuanting quickly expressed his understanding. Not long after, a middle-aged man wearing a brocade robe came out. The man had a handsome appearance and an extraordinary demeanor. A purple-clad eunuch accompanied him to the door.
"General, take your leave," Zhao Sancai escorted Hua Yingting down the steps, then turned to He Yuanting with a smile, waving the feather duster in his hand, "You must be the Third Prince from Daimao. Apologies for keeping you waiting. Please follow this humble servant."
"Thank you, Chief Eunuch."
"No need to be so polite, Your Highness."
As he stepped inside, He Yuanting slightly lowered his head and hurriedly followed the purple-clad eunuch into the hall.
Vaguely, he saw a figure sitting on the dragon throne, dressed in a black robe embroidered with a golden dragon pattern. He quickly bowed deeply and said, "I am He Yuanting, the Third Prince of Daimao Kingdom. I pay my respects to Your Majesty, the esteemed Emperor of the Great Jin."
"No need for excessive courtesy, Third Prince. Please take a seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," After expressing his gratitude and taking his seat, He Yuanting noticed that there was another person in the room. When he raised his head and saw the person's appearance, he couldn't help but be stunned for a while.
"The Third Prince seems surprised to see Benwang?" the Crown Prince sighed, "A few days ago, Benwang accompanied my cousin's close friend to attend Your Highness's banquet. In the evening, rumors spread that my cousin's close friend had forced a noble envoy of your country to death. After careful consideration, it could be discerned that my cousin's close friend didn't say anything that day, so how could she have forced a grown man to his death?"
He Yuanting's heart skipped a beat. He never expected that the handsome man who had accompanied Fushou Junzhu that day would turn out to be the Crown Prince of Great Jin.
He had thought that person was Fushou Junzhu's... special guest.
"Fortunately, Benwang was present that day. Otherwise, my cousin's close friend would have a hard time clearing her name," the Crown Prince raised an eyebrow, looking at He Yuanting with a seemingly amused smile, "Third Prince, don't you agree?"
He Yuanting hurriedly responded, "These are all baseless speculations. Your country's Fushou Junzhu is pure, kind, and gentle. How could she possibly scare someone to their death?"
The Crown Prince lazily picked up his teacup, chuckled lightly, and said, "As long as the Third Prince understands it in his heart."
"Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness," a eunuch entered to report, "Marquis Chang'an, accompanied by Fushou Junzhu, requests an audience."
The Crown Prince, who had been sitting lazily, instantly straightened his posture and put the teacup aside.
Emperor Changlong glanced at his son, who was grooming himself, and waited until he smoothed out the wrinkles on his robe before speaking, "Announce them."
Hua Luli entered the hall and immediately noticed the elegant posture of the Crown Prince. Before she could even bow to Emperor Changlong, the Crown Prince met her gaze and showed her a gentle smile. She couldn't help but pause her steps and return the smile.
"Greetings Your Majesty. Greetings Your Royal Highness," Wei Mingyue hadn't finished her salutation when the Crown Prince returned the gesture, "General, there's no need for excessive courtesy."
"Zhao Sancai," the Crown Prince turned to Zhao Sancai, "Add a cushion to the seats for the General and Junzhu."
"Thank you, Your Royal Highness," Wei Mingyue didn't expect the Crown Prince to be so attentive, so she smiled at him.
"It's only natural," the Crown Prince nodded slightly to Hua Luli, then turned to Emperor Changlong and said, "Father Emperor, since General Wei and Fushou Junzhu are here today, why don't we clarify the case?"
He Yuanting: "..."
At this point, there was nothing more to say. It was clear that they were at fault.
"Third Prince, I deeply regret and am saddened by the incident involving your country's envoy," Hua Luli met He Yuanting's gaze, "Our two countries have had many years of interaction, we shouldn't let misunderstandings affect our relationship. So it's better to clarify the matter, don't you think?"
He Yuanting stared blankly into Hua Luli's beautiful eyes, "Junzhu is right."
The Crown Prince furrowed his brow. What was going on with this Third Prince of the Daimao Kingdom? Why was he constantly staring at my family's Junzhu?
"Summon Zhang Shuo, the Minister of Justice, Pei Jihuai, the Deputy Minister of Justice, and Liu Mingshi, the Minister of Rites of the Daimao Kingdom, to the court."
As soon as Liu Mingshi entered the main hall of the Chanyang Palace, he heard a woman say, "I also want to see which honorable person has misunderstood a woman so deeply."
The voice was pleasant to the ears, but Liu Mingshi felt that every word was filled with killing intent.
Pity that he couldn't lift his shoulders or raise his hands, he was actually feeling nervous in front of a woman.
"Are you Liu Mingshi, who bears ill feelings towards the General of our humble country?" Emperor Changlong looked at Liu Mingshi, who was bowing and kneeling with no expression on his face, "The General is a female general personally appointed by Zhen. Do you have any objections to what you have said?"
"If so, let your country's Emperor personally write a letter to Zhen. Zhen is willing to discuss it slowly."
Krish728
Author's Note:
Emperor Changlong: Who dares to bully my future daughter-in-law?
The Crown Prince: This is my family's Junzhu, you understand, she's mine!
