The carriage slowly moved through the morning streets, the sound of hooves reverberating.
"I can't say whether it's a good thing or a bad thing," Ning Yunzhao said, "If he can retreat bravely, it would be a good thing for the Duke of Chengguo at present. But I'm afraid retreating step by step would instead push him to a dead end."
This was the first sentence he spoke after meeting.
No pleasantries, no greetings, he got straight to the point with this sentence.
Miss Jun looked at him from the window with the curtain lifted.
"But if he doesn't retreat, it's also a dead end," she said.
Surely he can't resist the emperor, I'm afraid the emperor is waiting for him to do so, which would give more reason to accuse him.
He knew what worried her, and she wouldn't hide anything from him either. Their conversation was so relaxed and casual, without needing too many words.
Ning Yunzhao smiled.
"Indeed," he said, leaning slightly closer, "His Majesty has become increasingly candid and decisive recently."
Candid.
That word was used perfectly.
This hypocritical emperor is finally being candid; as his throne becomes more secure and dissenting ministers are cleared away, he has nothing to worry about and no need to feign kindness and benevolence.
Miss Jun sneered with a laugh.
"But I'm not worried about the Duke of Chengguo," Ning Yunzhao continued, "Since he made such a decision, he must have considered both the good and the bad."
Miss Jun nodded.
Although the Duke of Chengguo hasn't said anything, and it seems like he really is going back to the countryside to retire and enjoy leisure, he surely knows that right now is not truly a time to enjoy idleness.
As for what plans he has, everyone has things they don't want to tell others about; him not saying anything is no matter.
"What's the protocol for an audience?" Ning Yunzhao suddenly asked.
"Listen more and speak less," Miss Jun said with a smile.
Ning Yunzhao also smiled, sat upright, and looked ahead, not saying another word all the way until reaching the palace gate, watching Miss Jun get off the carriage and follow the eunuch welcoming her towards the harem, and then he walked towards the gradually arriving court officials.
The appearance of a woman at the palace gate had long drawn attention, and Miss Jun was well known by all, as was her relationship with Ning Yunzhao.
"Lord Ning and this Miss Jun seem to be as usual," Huang Cheng suddenly said.
It's known that Ning Yunzhao and Miss Jun were going to be married.
Ning Yunzhao smiled lightly.
"That is only natural," he said, "You must know that my marriage engagement with Miss Jun came from the life-saving grace of the Jun Family to the Ning Family; even if the engagement is gone, the life-saving grace is unforgettable."
Either way, it's unforgettable, but why it is unforgettable, he said without thinking.
Huang Cheng smiled, anyway, as long as you speak for Miss Jun, it's out of personal feelings rather than justice.
This time, the emperor did not arrive late, coming to Qingzheng Hall together with the court officials, looking more spirited than before, with eyes bright and sweeping away his usual calm and somewhat timid demeanor.
The Duke of Chengguo relinquishing military power seems to have truly relieved the emperor's concern.
Ning Yunzhao thought, just as he settled, he saw Huang Cheng step forward.
"Your Majesty," he bowed and said, "I request the punishment of Duke of Chengguo Zhu Shan for the crime of avoiding battle and serving in vain."
Hmm, indeed retreat step by step brings step by step pressing, Ning Yunzhao held his Wood Plate with a calm expression.
"Lord Huang, the Duke of Chengguo has already relinquished his position, let bygones be bygones," the emperor said warmly, "Considering his ten years of guarding the border for the country, let his merits offset his faults."
Huang Cheng raised his head.
"Your Majesty is benevolent, but it depends on what kind of faults," he said, "Some faults can be offset, others cannot."
The emperor murmured.
"Such as?" he asked.
"Treason," Huang Cheng said.
As soon as this word was spoken, even the well-prepared Ning Yunzhao was taken aback.
Treason? That's a harsh accusation.
The emperor's eyes shone.
"Lord Huang," he exclaimed, "you mustn't speak recklessly!"
Huang Cheng took a step forward.
"I dare not speak recklessly," he said in a steady voice, "Since Duke of Chengguo left the northern lands, the government soldiers no longer face his pressure, many have come forward to accuse him of misdeeds."
"I am aware of the numerous impeachments against Duke of Chengguo," the emperor waved his hand and said.
"No, Your Majesty, the past impeachments came from the Censor Platform or cultured bureaucrats of the prefecture offices in the northern lands," Huang Cheng said, "But this time, those accusing are all government soldiers from the northern lands."
He walked steadily forward another step.
"Previously, as a seasoned official, I did not speak out, firstly because I did not believe Duke of Chengguo could be so arrogant, and secondly, because Your Majesty greatly rewarded Duke of Chengguo. Therefore, I secretly investigated, and found more and more, Duke of Chengguo's conduct increasingly presumptuous, almost inciting a dispute between two countries. Thus, I dare not conceal anymore."
Murmurs of discussion filled the hall.
"I understand Duke of Chengguo's presumption, he arrogantly takes credit and oppresses government soldiers, I can understand this," the emperor sighed and said, "But this treason...."
He shook his head.
"Duke of Chengguo, trusted by the first emperor, esteemed and respected, I do not believe such a thing."
Huang Cheng remained calm, his expression as steady as his voice.
"I know words alone are unconvincing," he said, "I have human and material evidence."
Human and material evidence?
The emperor sat up straight.
"Summon them," he said.
The eunuchs obeyed and proclaimed, and the court officials turned to look, seeing two men walking in from outside the hall.
They wore general's robes, their stature burly, but like all officials facing their first audience, they were nervous and bowed, not waiting to get closer before kneeling.
"Raise your heads," the emperor said.
The two generals looked up, and the attending officials all showed surprised expressions, Ning Yunzhao's face also darkened.
"I presume everyone recognizes them," Huang Cheng said, "These two are Duke of Chengguo's most trusted two deputy generals, Wang Chong and Zhang Gui. How many years have you two served Duke of Chengguo?"
The two generals stooped.
"We have served Duke of Chengguo for already twenty-three years," they answered in unison.
Without Huang Cheng asked, the officials present knew, knowing Duke of Chengguo, naturally knowing Duke of Chengguo had two trusted generals who followed him before he rose to prominence, and this time coming to the capital, he was at ease because he left these two stationed in the northern lands.
Other generals' testimony is unreliable, but these two's words are extraordinary.
This is too incredible, can there really be treason? Otherwise, who could persuade these two to accuse Duke of Chengguo?
Ning Yunzhao's gaze swept over Huang Cheng, shaking his head inwardly.
Now is not the time to ask that, it seems this time not only is Duke of Chengguo's military power to be seized but also his life.
Indeed he's being pushed to a dead end.
This is too fast, thought it would take some time before this occurred.
The thought flashed, his heart sank subconsciously, what about the palace's Miss Jun... is she alright?
.....
.....
Miss Jun is now in Qiujing Palace.
She does not yet know what happened in the court, nor has she been put in any difficult situation.
She paused to look around.
It's not far from the Empress Dowager's palace, and she came here because the Empress Dowager asked her to treat one of the concubines.
The concubine's illness was not severe, and she was not put into a difficult situation, only when the palace maid accompanying her abruptly said she had something to attend to.
"Miss Jun, you can leave the palace yourself," she said briefly, abandoning her halfway along and left.
Exiting the palace on her own was not difficult, but the incident was somewhat peculiar.
Was the palace maid deliberately instructed to make things difficult for her?
The intention?
So that she does not know the palace paths and get lost, then blame her for offending some noble?
If that's the plan, then they will be disappointed.
This is the place where she grew up, even if there are no palace maids or eunuchs guiding her, she can walk out with her eyes closed.
Her thoughts swirled, her steps unceasing, traversing corridor after corridor surrounding palace halls, soon the palace gate could be seen in the distance, just exiting this corridor.
She quickened her pace towards the gate, skillfully raising her foot, instead of stepping over it, she gently landed, ascending a step before descending again.
"Chu Jiuling."
A voice suddenly sounded then.
Miss Jun instinctively responded, then her scalp tingled and she broke out in a cold sweat.
She knew what the intention was!
A sound of footsteps came steadily from behind, accompanied by a man's deep voice.
"You're back."