Ye Feng was baffled for a moment. Where did all this come from? When had he ever done such a thing? However, he had no intention of explaining. He just wanted to see what other tricks they had up their sleeves.
As expected, the moment the words fell, Zhang Rang lightly clapped his hands, and several corpses were brought in. Emperor Ling was stunned. Upon closer inspection, he recognized them as two of his attending eunuchs.
So that's how it is. Ye Feng understood instantly. They thought they could frame him using these two, but they had the wrong idea!
"How did they die? This King believes the inner attendants know better than I do," Ye Feng snorted coldly. "Must I spell it out for you clearly!"
In a flash, Zhang Rang was about to kneel again, but Ye Feng glared at him fiercely. Zhang Rang's eyes darted around, and he trembled as he knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, how dare the Prince of Chu be so presumptuous in front of you! Do you know how arrogant and tyrannical he usually is!"
"Nonsense!" Emperor Ling slammed the table and cursed. In his heart, anyone who could help him restore the Han Dynasty was a loyal minister of the highest caliber. As for others, they were not indispensable!
Zhang Rang was startled and immediately understood. He quickly knelt and kowtowed. "I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness, spare this servant!"
Before long, his forehead was already bleeding profusely. Emperor Ling felt a pang of sympathy and glanced at Ye Feng. Ye Feng knew that Emperor Ling intended to spare Zhang Rang, but it would appear more reasonable if it came from Ye Feng's mouth.
"Your Majesty is the lord of all under heaven, and all is decided by Your Majesty. This humble minister dares not utter another word!" Ye Feng bowed slightly, subtly kicking the ball back.
"Prince of Chu, you should understand my intentions. Do you truly intend to fall out with me?" Emperor Ling said leisurely.
This was both a reminder and a warning. What Emperor Ling could give to Zhang Rang, he could also take away in an instant.
Ye Feng's expression remained unchanged. He straightened up, his figure in the cloak appearing even more handsome. His lips parted slightly. "Of course, Your Majesty must also remember that Liangzhou truly belongs to Your Majesty, and there are countless powerful aristocratic families outside who wish Your Majesty dead!"
It was a naked threat, but Emperor Ling could only glare at Ye Feng through gritted teeth, unable to utter a word.
"Your Majesty, this servant is willing to die to exchange for the Prince of Chu's forgiveness, but Your Majesty must never forget who put Your Majesty in this predicament!" Zhang Rang sneered, and stood up, intending to ram into a pillar in the hall!
"Wait," Sun Jian, who had been silent, said slowly. "I beg Your Majesty to reconsider. If Zhang Rang is killed, the world will only think that Your Majesty is cruel and ungrateful, unable to spare even a childhood companion. How then will Your Majesty command respect."
This statement made Emperor Ling even more torn. On one side was the Prince of Chu whom he had enfeoffed, and on the other was the great clan of Jiangdong. Offending either would be difficult for him.
"Grand Eunuch, is this true? Speak truthfully, and the Prince of Chu and I will certainly not blame you!" Emperor Ling looked into Ye Feng's eyes and said cautiously.
"Your Majesty has promised this. This King has promised nothing!" Ye Feng quickly added. As for Emperor Ling, he did not fear him. After all, in this small territory of Liangzhou, he still had some influence!
With a promise as good as gold, Emperor Ling gritted his teeth in hatred, but for the sake of his imperial dignity, he could only force a smile and say, "Grand Eunuch, speak. I will naturally uphold justice for you."
Ye Feng slowly shook his head. It was clear that Emperor Ling had chosen Sun Jian over him. Since that was the case, he saw no need to leave Emperor Ling much face.
"Your Majesty, whether this matter is true or not is a minor issue, but how Your Majesty chooses is a major one!" Ye Feng's fingers continuously swirled within his wide sleeves. "Of course, this King has no intention of forcing Your Majesty to make a decision."
No intention yet? Ye Feng wished he could step on Emperor Ling's nose. But at present, the aristocratic alliance wanted to make a move, and they could only rely on Ye Feng.
Ye Feng had no intention of acting against Emperor Ling, otherwise, these people would be nothing in his eyes!
"Your Majesty, this servant, this servant..." Zhang Rang replayed the scenes of his childhood with Emperor Ling in his mind countless times. He suddenly made up his mind, gritted his teeth tightly, and said, "Your Majesty, please be clear. The words I just spoke were to frame the Prince of Chu. They are purely baseless!"
Emperor Ling understood everything in his heart. However, at this moment, he could only close his eyes and say slowly, "Since that is the case, I will certainly not spare you!"
"I beg Your Majesty to reconsider!" The ministers in the imperial court hastily pleaded for Zhang Rang. Ye Feng looked at them with a little more respect, but that was all.
"Since there is nothing else, can today's court session proceed to normal discussion? This King has something to say!" Ye Feng completely avoided the matter of Zhang Rang, intending to force Emperor Ling to make his own decision by bringing up other matters.
Emperor Ling's expression changed countless times before he finally spoke with feigned grief. "Since Zhang Rang falsely accused the Prince of Chu and has committed a grave offense by disrespecting his superiors, I will certainly..."
Each word fell heavily on Zhang Rang's heart. He quietly awaited the verdict from Emperor Ling, his former playmate.
"Your Majesty, you absolutely must not..." Zhang Rang saw that Emperor Ling was unwilling to speak and was overjoyed, but he still hastily interjected, "Please do not offend the Prince of Chu because of a slight sentiment with this servant. I beg Your Majesty to punish this slave!"
Emperor Ling was about to pass judgment when a voice echoed from afar. "Your Majesty, Lu Zhi requests an audience!"
Emperor Ling's heart rejoiced. Lu Zhi was not a major figure, but behind him were tens of thousands of soldiers, enough to contend with Ye Feng. At the very least, he could regain some face, and perhaps even save Zhang Rang's life.
"Lord Lu has arrived at a good time. I wish to ask you, sir, why you were so late. What happened on the way? I will see justice done for you!" Emperor Ling said with a smile. "If Lord Lu encountered any wicked people, I can also seek justice for you!"
Everyone present was intelligent. How could Lu Zhi not understand? This meant Emperor Ling was in trouble. Looking at the scene, he immediately understood. It was Ye Feng being aggressive, wanting to control everything. Realizing this, he chuckled lightly. "I wonder what the Prince of Chu is asking His Majesty to do. I am unaware that the Great Han is now under the Prince of Chu's command?"
Although Ye Feng and Lu Zhi had different stances, he still cupped his hands and said slowly, "Lord Lu, why do you speak with veiled barbs? If you have something to say, why not say it directly!"
"I think the Prince of Chu would do well to withdraw early today. His Majesty is already exhausted and cannot endure such torment!" Lu Zhi said with a smile.
"It is ironic that the Great Han is not under my command, but under Lord Lu's," Ye Feng said with a sneer.
Lu Zhi, who considered himself the most loyal person in the Great Han, could not tolerate Ye Feng's words. Instantly, his face darkened, and he stared intently at Ye Feng. "What exactly does the Prince of Chu want."
"This humble servant originally thought the Prince of Chu was also a loyal and upright gentleman, but I did not expect him to attempt to force the Emperor's hand. Truly, one can never tell what's in a person's heart. It is fortunate that Lord Lu arrived in time, otherwise, who knows what might have happened!" Zhang Rang sighed heavily.
Lu Zhi lightly sighed and slapped Zhang Rang across the face. "Even if the Prince of Chu has many faults, it is not your place to speak."
Zhang Rang covered his reddened and swollen face and instinctively took a few steps back. "Since that is the case, this servant shall take my leave!"
Power is held through military might and wealth. Lu Zhi's imposing presence made Emperor Ling look at him twice. Upon hearing a sharp intake of breath, he came back to his senses. "Retire!"
Zhang Rang cautiously retreated, only to hear Ye Feng's cold voice, "Come here!"
"Slap!" Instantly, Zhang Rang's other cheek was struck again, making it appear quite symmetrical. The court officials were stunned. This was in front of Emperor Ling, a favored figure of Emperor Ling!
At this moment, Zhang Rang no longer cared about throwing out any threats like "how dare you touch me" and hurried to leave, lest he lose his life here.
"Hmph! Well said, Prince of Chu. You occupy the moral high ground publicly, yet behave so disgracefully in private. Do you really think everyone in the world is a fool!"
"If that is the case, His Majesty would rather not be in Liangzhou than be manipulated by others!"
Lu Zhi spoke righteously, disregarding Emperor Ling's desire to stay in Liangzhou.
"I did not expect Lord Lu to be so concerned about the realm. But speaking so confidently, are you able to make decisions for His Majesty? Are you now His Majesty's adoptive father, or does His Majesty have to listen to Lord Lu in all matters?" Ye Feng taunted sarcastically.
Lu Zhi hurriedly knelt down and was about to present the military tally provided by the aristocratic alliance. Emperor Ling looked at the exquisite tally and was so moved to tears, "Lord Lu is truly a loyal and upright gentleman!"
"I dare to entrust everything to Your Majesty. I wonder if the Prince of Chu dares to do the same? Or is your loyalty to Your Majesty just empty words?"
"Well said, Lu Zhi!" Ye Feng exclaimed, and bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, this humble minister has an important matter to report today. I beg Your Majesty to grant it!"
"Audacious!" Lu Zhi cursed angrily. Instantly, Ye Feng felt Lu Zhi's bowed back straighten considerably. "You dare to coerce His Majesty like this! I will not tolerate you! Fellow colleagues, follow me and kill this person!"
Lu Zhi shouted a few times, but no one moved. At this moment, Lu Zhi remembered the troops provided to him by the aristocratic alliance.
The aristocratic alliance provided Lu Zhi with troops for their own purposes. Firstly, it would cause Ye Feng and Emperor Ling to fall out. No matter how they dealt with Emperor Ling afterwards, he would be isolated and helpless.
Secondly, that hot-headed fool Lu Zhi might even shatter the Great Han Dynasty. As expected, Lu Zhi's first shot was aimed at Ye Feng.
"Does Lord Lu not wish to hear what this King has to say?" Ye Feng said with a false smile. "Perhaps it is a matter beneficial to the nation and the people, and one that Lord Lu would also agree with!"
"How can we collude with a rebellious minister like you? Retreat quickly, and you might still save your life. Otherwise, I will not spare you!" Lu Zhi rebuked. "Hurry and leave!"
"If this King wishes to return the land to the people, what do you think, Lord Lu?" Ye Feng said slowly. "Do you think this King is speaking nonsense? Or is Lord Lu's reputation more important than the common people of the Great Han?"