Chapter 89 Absurdity

Zhong Min knew it was difficult to come up with absolute evidence for such a matter. It was like a family feud, with each side claiming to be right. It wasn't easy to establish a clear and convincing conclusion quickly. Furthermore, no matter how Xiao Mingzheng handled the situation, unless Xie Feng was executed immediately, it would be a pretext for him to be seen as favoritism.

For a moment, she was naturally worried about Xie Feng, and of course, she couldn't help but worry about Xiao Mingzheng. It was clear that Ning Zhiyuan wouldn't give in easily, and if they dragged on dealing with this matter for too long, it would definitely affect the rest of their schedule. If the schedule was disrupted, the entire defense plan would be affected, and someone might take advantage of the opportunity, which would put them in a very passive position.

Just as Zhong Min was trying to think of a solution, he saw Xiao Mingzheng remaining calm, as if he hadn't taken the matter to heart at all. He didn't specifically respond to Ning Zhiyuan's words, but instead said to Xie Feng and Zheng Jiayi, "I'm asking you, since you each insist on your own story, do you have any witnesses or evidence to prove your claims?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Feng shook his head and said frankly, "Your Highness, there was no third person present at the time, so there can be no witnesses, and there is no evidence to speak of. This woman clearly wanted to frame me, so she naturally wouldn't have anyone else present. Moreover, given the circumstances at the time, even if someone happened to be passing by, they could easily be misled by this woman's deliberate actions. I know I have a clear conscience, so please make a fair judgment, Your Highness!"

After hearing what Xie Feng said, Xiao Mingzheng did not respond on the spot, but looked directly at Chen Jiaxin, indicating that she could say whatever she wanted now.

Seeing this, Chen Jiaxin naturally understood what Xiao Mingzheng meant. She just shook her head helplessly, but did not say anything. It was indeed difficult to have any evidence for such a thing. As for witnesses, even if someone really saw it at the time, most of the people here were from Prince Mu's Mansion. Who would come out to testify for her?

"Since you both have no evidence to prove what you said, the longer this matter goes on, the harder it will be to find out the truth. Therefore, I have decided to personally make the decision for Commander Xie and Miss Chen and let them get married. This way, there will be no need to worry about who is right or wrong." Xiao Mingzheng said calmly, as if he was announcing that he was going to eat something.

Everyone was shocked when they heard this. They had never expected that the prince, who was always wise and intelligent, would make such an absurd decision. Xie Feng and Chen Jiaxin could not help but object at the same time. It was obvious that no one wanted to do this.

"Your Highness, I don't want to marry such a shameless woman, I..." Xie Feng was extremely anxious. If he were to marry such a sinister woman, he would never have peace in his life.

"As for your marriage, I have the right to decide for you." Xiao Mingzheng didn't care whether Xie Feng was willing or not. He interrupted Xie Feng with an attitude that no room for negotiation. "In the future, you must treat Miss Chen well. Don't bully her because she is alone and helpless, otherwise I will not forgive her easily."

"Your Majesty, I won't marry. How could I possibly marry someone like that..." Chen Jiaxin was also getting anxious. She naturally didn't want her future to be decided by Xiao Mingzheng's words. But before she could finish her words, she was also immediately interrupted by Xiao Mingzheng.

"There's no need to discuss this further. I will personally officiate your wedding and ensure a grand and glorious wedding." Xiao Mingzheng said bluntly, "Miss Chen, things have come to this. No matter what, this arrangement is the best for your reputation. Besides, it's not disgraceful for me to have such a powerful general as your partner. And since I'm personally officiating, what else are you dissatisfied with?"

His tone was lightly majestic, giving people a sense of irrefutability. In fact, although Xiao Mingzheng's arrangement was somewhat forced, in such a society, a prince did have enough power to decide the marriage of an ordinary person, and it was also an unparalleled honor.

Zhong Min obviously disagreed with such coercive tactics, but at this moment, she completely agreed with Xiao Mingzheng's approach. Knowing Xiao Mingzheng, she knew he must have his reasons for doing this, and he definitely didn't really want Xie Feng to marry Chen Jiaxin. She was afraid he had other tricks up his sleeve.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but laugh. At this moment, she suddenly saw Xiao Mingzheng winking at her while no one was paying attention, and she understood everything in her heart.

She nodded secretly, and then repeatedly said to Xie Feng, who was standing aside with a reluctant look on his face: "Congratulations, Brother Xie, congratulations, Brother Xie. Last time, you were asking when you would be able to drink in your wedding wine, but I didn't expect that this time the wedding would happen so soon. It's really a cause for celebration."

Zhong Min took a step forward as he spoke, his expression filled with joy. He patted Xie Feng, who was about to argue, and took the opportunity to secretly pinch his shoulder. He then said nonchalantly, "Well, it's getting late. Brother Xie, you may be happy, but you still have to put your duties first. Go gather the brothers and prepare to set off. As for a good date, the prince will naturally pick one for you as soon as you return and prepare for your wedding."

Seeing this, Xie Feng didn't fully understand what was going on, but he naturally got the hint from Zhong Min. Recalling her usual behavior, he knew she wouldn't harm him. Furthermore, Zhong Min had always disliked Chen Jiaxin, believing her to be problematic. She must have other motives for saying this now. He immediately understood, and with an expression of extreme reluctance but resignation, he hummed, and without further ado, turned and stormed off.

Suddenly, the empty woods were filled with the sounds of a rapid assembly and preparations for departure. Seeing Xiao Mingzheng, indeed, not making a fuss about what had just happened, and getting up to return to his carriage to set off again, Chen Jiaxin was so anxious that tears welled up in her eyes. But Xiao Mingzheng had been so unyielding, she didn't dare argue with him anymore. Instead, she grabbed Ning Zhiyuan, who was standing beside her, as if he were her lifeline.

"My Lord, my Lord, you must help me, I..." Before she finished her words, Zhong Min, who had his back to her, suddenly turned around and interrupted her in a bad tone.

"Chen Jiaxin, what do you mean?" Zhong Min said dissatisfiedly, "Are you still not satisfied with the prince's arrangements just now? The prince personally presided over the wedding, what a great gift, how many people can't even dream of it. And now you turn around and ask the prime minister for help. Do you think the prince is bullying you by doing this? What else do you want the prime minister to do for you?"

"I..." Chen Jiaxin was speechless, unsure how to respond. Zhong Min's words were obvious; he was accusing her of being ungrateful and ignorant of the current situation. But the prince hadn't even asked her, the victim, what she thought. This was too overbearing and unreasonable.

"What do you mean by 'I'?" Zhong Min interrupted again, "What you've been saying just now is that Commander Xie was being disrespectful to you and damaging your reputation. Whether that's true or not, by marrying you, he's taking on the responsibility to protect your reputation. No one will dare to bring up what happened today again. If you're still not satisfied, do you really want the prince or the prime minister to marry you before you'll stop?"

"I, I didn't mean that." Chen Jiaxin was a little dizzy after being rebutted by Zhong Min. It was obviously not a very reasonable thing, but Zhong Min said it so confidently, which made her very angry but she didn't dare to refute it casually. She really hated him.

"Since that's not what you meant, then what else is there to say? You're Commander Xie's fiancée now, so stop having those inappropriate thoughts all the time. Also, be more mindful of your words and actions. Don't hold a man's hand so tightly. The Prime Minister is kind-hearted and can't say anything. I'm a straightforward person, and Commander Xie is my sworn brother. I can't stand seeing my future sister-in-law being so open!"

Zhong Min ignored Chen Jiaxin's humiliation and directed his instructions to the guards beside him, "Go clear a spot on the carriage at the back for Miss Chen to sit on. Tell the brothers to be careful and not get too close to your future sister-in-law, or else she'll get into some awkward situation with someone. If several men end up marrying the same woman, it'll be a real joke!"

"Yes!" The guard immediately took the order and without saying anything else, asked someone to do as Zhong Min instructed.

Chen Jiaxin was already so angry that her face turned blue. She had never met anyone like Zhong Min who could find ways to curse others without using dirty words. She didn't want to do as Zhong Min said, but when she saw that Xiao Mingzheng and Ning Zhiyuan didn't object, she could only sob softly and followed the guard who led the way to the carriage.

"It's true that a strong general has no weak soldiers. Look, Your Highness, Min'er was so imposing just now that even I couldn't say a word." After Chen Jiaxin left, Ning Zhiyuan smiled and said to Xiao Mingzheng, "It was Zhiyuan who was meddling in what happened just now. Zhiyuan didn't mean any harm, but seeing that Miss Chen was really pitiful, I felt pity for her. This is a very interesting ending now. Please don't misunderstand that Zhiyuan had other thoughts."

"Minister Ning, you are worrying too much. These are just trivial matters that we don't need to take to heart. It's getting late, and the important thing is to get going." Xiao Mingzheng responded briefly, then turned around and walked straight towards the carriage he was riding in.

Looking at the backs of Dang Mingzheng and Zhong Min walking away, Ning Zhiyuan revealed a meaningful smile after a moment, then nodded to the servant beside him, and without lingering any longer, turned and walked towards his carriage.

"Ask someone to keep an eye on Xie Feng. I think there will be another big show soon." He threw these words to the servant beside him without turning his head, but Zhong Min's arrogant and imposing look just now appeared in his mind again, and the smile on his face became more and more intense.