In the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, at the feet of the emperor, a shocking incident occurred in the city where the officers and soldiers of Jingzhao Yin were assassinated in the street. Before the morning court session, the news had already reached the palace.
Chen Jin walked into the inner hall with steady steps, holding a teacup in his hand.
At this time, Princess Xianning and Jingzhao Yin Li Zhengxuan had been summoned into the palace. One stood in front of the emperor, and the other knelt on the ground, listening respectfully to the questions of His Majesty Li Longze.
"Although Princess Xianning was inappropriate, it was simply a family matter between her and Zhang Xianzhi. Of course, your original intention was good. Regardless of the reason, the princess left the city late at night, and you promptly arrived to protect her. This can be considered as a balance between merit and demerit. Let's end this matter here."
Li Longze picked up the teacup and wanted to end the topic.
However, Li Zhengxuan did not back down. Instead, he bowed and said bluntly, "Your Majesty, I naturally have no right to interfere in the princess's family affairs. However, Zhang Xianzhi is not only a princess, but also one of the five appointed officials of the court. I cannot humiliate him at will. The princess must also consider the face of the court."
"My royal brother hasn't blamed me, and you, a mere Jingzhao Yin, actually want to punish me?" Li Yunting raised her head arrogantly, feeling very dissatisfied.
"Your Majesty, even if you dismiss me from my post, I will still speak frankly. Among the princess's guards today, there is a man with tattoos on his face. The princess is harboring a fugitive, and she must not be let off lightly!" Li Zhengxuan said righteously.
"I have already explained to my royal brother that I was deceived and thought they were just recruited servants and guards." The princess tried to defend herself.
"If they were deceived, why would the bad guys rush out and kill them? Isn't this just silencing the witnesses without any evidence?" Li Zhengxuan pressed on.
"It's obviously your fault for not protecting me well! You should be thankful that group of people didn't hurt me!" The princess retorted.
Li Zhengxuan was furious after hearing this. He stood up abruptly, swung the hem of his official robe, and shouted angrily, "You can't even write two Li characters with one stroke. I'm also a descendant of the Bohai King, the descendant of Taizu. According to seniority, you should call me uncle. Why are you so arrogant?"
"Cough cough." At this time, Chen Jin flicked the whisk in his hand lightly and coughed twice as a reminder.
Li Zhengxuan's expression darkened, and he quickly bowed his head and saluted Emperor Li Longze: "I have spoken carelessly, Your Majesty, and I beg your forgiveness."
Li Longze felt a headache early in the morning. He rubbed his temples and waved his hands: "I will ask the Queen Mother to discipline Princess Xianning. You can leave first."
Li Zhengxuan did not expect that His Majesty would be so obviously partial to Princess Xianning. When he stood up and left, his steps were slightly hesitant in the inner hall.
Seeing that he looked a little lost, Chen Jin turned to Li Longze and said softly, "I will go and see Lord Li off." After that, she hurried to follow.
Li Zhengxuan walked out of the hall and stopped on the steps. He felt bored and stroked his official hat unconsciously.
"Master Li, please stay."
Hearing the voice, he turned around and saw that it was Chen Jin. He immediately asked, "Your Majesty, do you have any other instructions?"
Chen Jin shook his head slightly and said with a smile, "Your Majesty has always trusted Lord Li in his work. Your Majesty has his own plans for today's matter, so Lord Li doesn't need to be too anxious."
As soon as the word "anxious" was mentioned, Li Zhengxuan immediately understood what was meant and quickly bowed his hands to apologize: "This humble official lost his composure in front of the palace today. I hope that Eunuch Chen can say a few good words for this humble official."
Chen Jin nodded in agreement, "Lord Li is deeply trusted by His Majesty, so there's no need to worry about such trivial matters. However, the Spring Examination results will be announced in three days, and the security of the capital will be a heavy responsibility that will require your attention."
"Only when this matter is completed successfully can His Majesty be truly pleased."
Li Zhengxuan immediately promised solemnly: "Of course, I will do my best. Please stay, sir. There is no need to see me off."
Seeing him walking out of the palace, Chen Jin turned around and prepared to return to the palace to serve Li Longze in court.
Unexpectedly, Xianning Princess Li Yunting had quietly stood at the door of the hall at some point, with a gloomy face and a meaningful smile on her lips, looking straight at him.
"Eunuch Chen really understands the emperor's feelings and came out specially to comfort the Jingzhao Yin." There was a hint of sarcasm in Li Yunting's tone.
Chen Jin responded calmly: "I have no other strengths, as long as I can help the emperor solve his problems, it will be a blessing earned through several lifetimes."
"Oh? So what you mean is that I will only cause trouble for my royal brother?" Li Yunting's tone revealed dissatisfaction.
Chen Jin's expression remained unchanged as she spoke in a deep voice, "Forgive me for speaking frankly. Your Highness is the daughter of Prince An. Although she holds the title of Princess, it is more appropriate to address the Emperor as 'Your Majesty'."
Upon hearing this, Li Yunting sneered: "You are good at distinguishing the close and distant for me, but then again, I have more than one royal brother." She thought of Li Longjing, the Prince of Linjiang, with whom she had a closer relationship, and there was a hint of pride in her words.
Chen Jin frowned slightly and said sternly, "Your Highness, please be careful with your words! Many tribute students in the capital have already signed a petition accusing you of bullying civil officials, causing dissatisfaction among the scholars in the capital. I hope Your Highness can restrain himself a little to prevent the situation from escalating."
After hearing this, Li Yunting curled her lips in disdain: "Mind your own business. This is the Qianqing Palace, and I don't want to argue with you." After saying that, she twisted her waist and left the hall with an arrogant look.
Li Longze looked at Chen Jin who had returned to the hall and gave this confidant a teasing smile. "Well? Even you are helpless this time, right?"
Chen Jin chuckled self-deprecatingly and replied, "After all, she is a daughter of the royal family. It is understandable that she has such a temperament."
After saying this, he followed Li Longze and went to the main hall to attend court.
As they walked, Li Longze slowly spoke, "I still have some affection for this imperial sister. Back then, my uncle died young saving my father. When Yunting first entered the palace, her pitiful appearance truly moved my heart."
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