Chapter 186 Loyalty to the Emperor

"Good! Good! Zhenting, you're finally back!"

Lin Zhu's voice was tinged with excitement. He patted Xie Zhenting's strong arm with his wrinkled hand, looked his grandson-in-law, whom he hadn't seen for ten years, up and down, his eyes full of relief. "It's good that you're back! It's good that you're back!"

Lin Zhijie's eyes reddened slightly: "These years... you've suffered so much!"

After exchanging pleasantries, the Lin family members escorted Xie Zhenting and his son into the inner hall.

Tea and snacks were served in a continuous stream, creating a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

Lin's aunts and cousins ​​surrounded Xie Sangyu, asking him all sorts of interesting stories from the border region and marveling at his experiences.

Xie Sangyu also put aside her usual laziness and patiently dealt with the situation, which brought laughter and chatter to the hall.

Xie Zhenting sat with Zhu and Lin Zhijie in the main seat and talked.

The conversation mostly revolved around the border battles, the changes in the capital, and... Xie Sangning.

When Xie Zhenting mentioned his daughter, the lines on his face softened considerably.

However, this harmonious atmosphere did not last long.

Finding an opportunity, Lin Zhijie winked at Xie Zhenting and then respectfully said to Lin Zhijie, "Father, Zhenting must be tired from his journey. Why don't you let me accompany him to the study for a while so he can rest?"

Lin, the Grand Secretary, stroked his long beard, his gaze lingering on Xie Zhenting's face for a moment before nodding: "Very well. Zhijie, take good care of your son-in-law."

The study in the Lin family mansion.

"Sit down, Zhenting."

Lin Zhijie pointed to the armchair next to him and sat down in the main seat.

He pondered for a moment, then looked at Xie Zhenting and said, "I've heard about the palace banquet."

"You've gone too far! The Empress Dowager arranged your marriage, and you publicly refused. You've really offended the Empress Dowager!"

He grew increasingly anxious as he spoke, "Since this has come up, I still can't help but tell you, Ruyue... if she knew you were guarding this place, she would surely be heartbroken. You're only thirty-seven; everyone can understand if you remarry. Don't offend the Empress Dowager because of Ruyue!"

"Furthermore, your refusal has not only angered the Empress Dowager but also made the Emperor more wary. You are no longer the lowly fifth-rank general you once were; you are a powerful general who commands a large army and holds a high position in the court! Your achievements are so great that they threaten the emperor's authority! Don't you understand the weight of those four words? His Majesty is already increasingly wary of you. If you refuse to budge an inch, aren't you just giving him a handle to use against you and putting yourself in danger?"

Xie Zhenting looked at Lin Zhijie and said in a low voice, "Does my father-in-law mean that I should discard my deceased wife's last wishes for the sake of His Majesty's peace of mind?"

"I, Xie Zhenting, act only to have a clear conscience!"

"As a husband, I cannot betray my deceased wife! As a father, I cannot allow anyone to humiliate my children! As for Your Majesty..."

"Thunder and rain, all are the Emperor's grace. I have guarded the border for ten years, protecting the Great Qing Empire and its people, not for the sake of any one person's whim! If Your Majesty is wary of this and wishes to punish me, then I, Xie... have no choice but to accept it!"

"You...you're confused!"

Lin Zhijie slammed his fist on the table and stood up, pointing at Xie Zhenting, "You're being stubborn! You're risking your life for a moment!"

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and his tone became heavy, "Zhenting, listen to my advice. Now that you've returned to the capital, achieved great merit, and His Majesty is about to bestow rewards upon you. Now is the time to seek a stable and wealthy life!"

"Military power... should be handed over! Voluntarily relinquish it, and in return, you'll enjoy a peaceful old age, and your descendants will live in peace and prosperity. This is the only truly secure path!"

Suddenly, the study door was kicked open!

Bang—!

"fart!"

A loud bang shook the dust off the door frame.

Lin Zhijie trembled with fright, nearly jumping off his chair, and stared in astonishment at the doorway: "Father?!"

Lin Zhu's face was ashen; he had clearly been standing outside listening for a while, and his chest was heaving violently, indicating he was extremely angry.

Xie Zhenting was also taken aback by this sudden turn of events.

Lin Zhijie hurriedly stood up, offering his seat of honor, his voice filled with panic and confusion: "Father, please calm down! You... didn't you say before that Zhenting's most important task right now is to play it safe, to protect himself and Sang Ning and Sang Yu? Military power... military power..."

"Idiot! Shut up!"

Lin Zhu shouted angrily, interrupting Lin Zhijie.

He looked at Xie Zhenting, whose figure was as upright as a pine tree.

Lin Zhu, leaning on his cane, walked step by step to the head seat, but did not sit down immediately.

"Xie Zhenting!" he called out by name. "Let me ask you, what is your interpretation of the words 'loyalty to the emperor'?"

Xie Zhenting straightened his back and spoke in a strong voice:

"To be loyal to the monarch, to protect the nation, to defend the territory, and to safeguard the people! This is the duty of a subject! The monarch is the guide for the subject; this is the natural order and moral principle! Since the subject has received the monarch's favor and eats the monarch's food, he should naturally share the monarch's worries and remain loyal until death!"

His answer was resounding, a reflection of the education he received from childhood and the unwavering principles he upheld throughout his life.

Lin Zhu showed no surprise on his face, as if he had already expected such an answer.

"Very well! Then answer me again! If you discover that the ruler you are loyal to is unworthy of his position, treats the common people like dirt, and regards the loyal and virtuous as enemies, and even... his ascension to the throne is not legitimate, not by the will of Heaven, and not a legitimate successor, then what will you do?"

Lin Zhijie, standing to the side, was already pale with fright, his lips trembling: "Father! Be careful what you say! Be careful what you say! How...how could you say such a thing..."

He almost fainted, feeling dizzy and disoriented.

Xie Zhenting's breathing became heavy; his grandfather wouldn't say anything meaningless.

He forced himself to calm down, forcing his chaotic thoughts to come together:

“If the ruler’s virtue is unworthy of his position, and he is muddle-headed and has lost his way…” Xie Zhenting began with difficulty, “this would be… a misfortune for the court, a catastrophe for the people! I should remonstrate with my life to repay the ruler’s kindness! If the ruler remains obstinate…”

He paused, a hint of struggle flashing in his eyes, but he still managed to finish the sentence: "...This is the will of Heaven! It is beyond my power to change! I can only fulfill my duty, do my best to protect my soldiers and the people, and be loyal to the end!"

Lin Zhu listened with some disappointment on his face. Xie Zhenting was a good person, but he had been taught from childhood to be a rigid believer in loyalty to the emperor. It could be said that he had been brainwashed.

But he did not interrupt Xie Zhenting.

Xie Zhenting took a deep breath:

"but--!"

He suddenly raised his head!

"If this ruler's position is not legitimate, not by the will of Heaven, and not a legitimate successor!"

Xie Zhenting said, enunciating each word clearly, "Then this person is not the ruler I am loyal to! He is nothing but a traitor who has stolen the country! A tyrant who has disrupted the order! What loyalty or righteousness is there in him?! If I encounter such a scoundrel, I, Xie, will use the sword in my hand to cleanse the world and restore order! Even if I die and my soul is destroyed, I will have no shame before heaven and earth and my ancestors!"