Ji Jinmo raised his eyes slightly, his eyelids pressing down on his dark pupils, sharp and wicked. He unhurriedly adjusted his sleeves, his voice neither rushed nor slow, but his words truly made hearts shatter and spirits crumble: "So Your Majesty means that within Linyuan, aside from this King's Demon Hunting Army, all other troops are mere showpieces, useless? If that is truly the case, then Your Majesty's dragon throne would be better moved to this King's manor!"
These words were a direct declaration that Ji Hong was unfit to be Emperor!
The civil officials trembled three more times. They were terrified but stealthily glanced up to gauge His Majesty's reaction. If His Majesty could tolerate such words, then they would have to seriously consider whether His Majesty had truly been biding his time to such an extent, or if he had long lost the courage to resist under Ji Jinmo's years of deterrence.
Ji Hong, seated on his high throne, saw the ministers' furtive movements clearly. He couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Of all the esteemed officials in the court, not a single one dared to confront his Imperial Uncle, yet when it came to finding fault with him, they were all more insidious than the last.
"Presumptuous!"
Ji Hong slammed the table and stood up, leaning forward slightly. He was like a beast awakened, glaring at his prey with bloodshot eyes: "Imperial Uncle, do not be too presumptuous. Do you truly think朕 dares not have your head severed?"
Killing intent emanated from Ji Hong, layering upon itself. The factor of his rage swept through every inch of air in the Golden Hall. Everyone felt as if their collars were being tightly grasped by a hand, the collars constricting their throats, preventing thin air from entering their lungs. They struggled like fish out of water, slowly losing oxygen, gradually approaching death.
The Imperial Guards guarding the Golden Hall had already gripped the weapons at their waists, adjusting their bodies to the optimal offensive stance. As soon as His Majesty gave the order, they would charge into the hall. The clanging of weapons against their dark armor created a sound of metal colliding, a sound that struck the ear, giving a sense of impending storm and tension that pressed down like a city under siege. Ji Jinmo remained unperturbed, unaffected by the atmosphere. He simply looked at Ji Hong, a low chuckle escaping his thin lips: "Heh heh, does Your Majesty truly dare?"
The atmosphere had reached a point of extreme tension. The generals kneeling behind Ji Jinmo slowly raised their heads, concentrating their strength on their right thighs and arms, their bodies tilting slightly to the left.
To the left was the clearly demarcated aisle between civil and military officials. At the end of the aisle was the grand gate of the Golden Hall, and outside the gate, the poised Imperial Guards.
If the Imperial Guards obeyed Ji Hong's command and charged into the hall, the generals would immediately spring into action, seize weapons, control the Imperial Guards, and thus control the entire Golden Hall.
"Good, Imperial Uncle is indeed confident. Since Imperial Uncle is so certain, then I..."
"I beg Your Majesty to reconsider!"
Before Ji Hong could finish his words, he was interrupted by the synchronized shouts of the civil officials. These officials, who loudly proclaimed their loyalty and patriotism, and who despised Ji Jinmo for his disruption of court order, were the first to step forward and implore Ji Hong to retract his command.
They wished for Ji Jinmo's death, no doubt, but they were even more unwilling to see Linyuan descend into internal strife on such a day when a great enemy was at hand. Ji Jinmo could die at any time, but not now.
"You, you all!"
Ji Hong trembled with rage and fell back onto the dragon throne.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
The court officials shouted in unison again.
Ji Hong's expression changed repeatedly. After enduring it, he managed to prevent his anger from overwhelming his reason and from dragging these officials who only urged him to calm down out for execution.
"Good, good..."
Ji Hong's chest heaved rapidly, like a giant bellows. He laughed in his fury, yet had to suppress his anger. If not for his young age, he might have been so angered that he spat blood.
Ji Jinmo's lips curved upwards. All the officials in court knelt, while he stood alone, hands behind his back, in the hall.
Ji Hong looked at Ji Jinmo. Even though he wasn't truly enraged at this moment, seeing his Imperial Uncle's demeanor, he couldn't help but touch his back molars.
"Qin Qiancheng, heed my command!"
Ji Hong suddenly spoke: "I order you to lead ten thousand Ji Yang troops to set out immediately for the border."
"Your subject accepts the decree!"
Qin Qiancheng accepted the decree without any hesitation.
...
Yunlan Street.
The area outside the Yunlan Street rouge and powder shop was completely surrounded by people. The common folk gathered to watch the spectacle. Such excitement was rarely seen on ordinary days. A noble lady of the court was publicly doused with rotten vegetables, with mushy cabbage leaves on her head, and egg mixture dripping down her hair. Nan Yuan'er's pretty face was now smeared into a mess. The person who was once like a fairy, aloof and high, was now worse than the rotten vegetables on the ground.
Such entertainment was a sight rarely seen in a century.
Not to mention the woman's heart-wrenching questions, which were like a cuckoo's blood-red cry. Her words stirred the hearts of the onlookers, making them wish they could join the ranks of those denouncing the nobility and questioning the court.
It was just that the woman's eyesight was not good. Her original intention was to embarrass the Princess of Dali, but instead, it all landed on Nan Yuan'er.
"Enough!"
Seeing the woman pick up another rotten vegetable, Nan Yuan'er finally could not stand it and shouted. However, she did not curse vulgarly. Instead, her words were sharp and reasoned: "Dali and our Linyuan are joined in marriage due to past events. For the people, Dali and Linyuan being on friendly terms can spare border residents from war and the constant fear of Dali's invasion; for the nation, Dali and Linyuan being on friendly terms can promote diplomatic relations between the two countries and open trade routes, benefiting merchants and the people. For such matters that benefit the country and its people, you, solely due to past grievances, wantonly criticize, distort the imperial will, and disregard the dignity of our great Linyuan. You publicly humiliate the Princess of Dali and question His Majesty. Do you know that for your actions, even exterminating your nine generations of relatives would not be too much!"
Nan Yuan'er's voice was sharp, and her anger made it even more deafening. Even Liu Lan, who avoided her like a plague and was utterly disgusted by her, had to admit that Nan Yuan'er's status as the foremost noble lady of Linyuan and her title as the number one talented woman were due to her own extraordinary talent.
Hui An glanced sideways at Nan Yuan'er. She had expected to be flustered by such humiliation and utter foolish words, but instead, at such a critical moment, her mind was even clearer. Not only did she not fall into the trap, but she also spoke words that were truly striking.
"Madam, I know you are heartbroken by the death of your son, which is why you speak such thoughtless words. But as a citizen of Linyuan, you should know the meaning of prioritizing the nation before family. Your son died a hero for the country; we will never forget them, nor will we forget who protected us and allowed us to enjoy this peaceful era..."
Nan Yuan'er suddenly turned her gaze to the crowd: "Therefore, I hope everyone will not pursue this matter further or discuss it carelessly today."
With that, she turned and bowed deeply to Hui An: "Your Highness Princess, I hope you will be magnanimous and forgive her disrespect!"