"I also heard that the day before the princess left for the expedition, His Royal Highness Prince Ding and the princess parted on bad terms, and then he resolutely left Dali alone..."
"So the people are talking about it, saying that Her Royal Highness is acting out of selfish motives, arbitrarily mobilizing troops and disregarding the lives of the soldiers and officers! I want to see the imperial edict for the princess's own good. Only the true edict can quell the people's discussion!"
"How dare you! I narrowly escaped death outside, and this group of unruly people are talking about me behind my back!" Zhao Ying slammed the table in anger.
The head of the Xiao family saw that Zhao Ying was actually a weak person with a guilty conscience.
He snorted coldly and said to Hong Tao, "That's right! How could you doubt the princess? The princess is the emperor's daughter, the supreme dragon girl. How could she forge an imperial decree and mobilize troops privately!"
Patriarch Bai was surprised. "How could the people think so? Falsifying the imperial decree and privately mobilizing troops is a capital crime. Even Her Royal Highness the Princess is not immune from punishment. By being so suspicious of the Princess, aren't you trying to wrongly accuse her of this?"
Wen Ruhai repeatedly assured, "The princess will definitely not forge an imperial decree. You can rest assured!"
Just as Zhao Ying breathed a sigh of relief, she heard Liu Yi ask Wen Ruhai, "Master Wen's tone is so firm. Has he seen the imperial edict?"
Wen Ruhai was stunned for a moment, timidly glanced at Zhao Ying at the top of the table, and shook his head after a while, "Although I didn't see it with my own eyes, I can guarantee that Your Highness would never forge an imperial decree!"
Hong Taoai said sternly, "Since you haven't seen it, how can those gentlemen guarantee it? In my humble opinion, the best way is to take out the imperial edict and see it. That will be enough to dispel all rumors!"
"This..." The four clan leaders looked at Zhao Ying.
Wen Ruhai's voice turned cold, "How dare you, Hong Tao, disobey the princess in public! Drag him out and give him thirty lashes!"
Everyone was shocked, and other clans came forward to plead for mercy.
"Your Highness, please forgive me! Patriarch Hong is also concerned about your reputation. I hope Your Highness will show mercy!"
"Your Highness is unwilling to show the imperial edict to others. Could it be true as the rumors say..."
"Nonsense! How could I forge an imperial decree?"
"Since it is the true imperial edict, why should I be afraid of showing it to others?" Hong Taoai said fearlessly.
Zhao Ying angrily threw the wine cup downstairs and said, "Take him away, take him away!"
“Your Highness!!!”
Everyone knelt in a mass, as if to put pressure on Zhao Ying. Hong Taoai became more and more arrogant and sneered, "Your Highness can silence me, but you can't silence the people of Dali!"
"A prince who breaks the law is guilty just as much as a commoner. Your Highness, falsely conveying the imperial edict, has caused the tragic deaths of tens of thousands of Yunnan soldiers. Your Highness should apologize to the people and the Emperor!"
Zhao Ying also sneered, "Who says I can't stop the gossip? Liang Su! Pass the order! Anyone in Dali who dares to criticize me for falsely transmitting the imperial edict will be killed!"
However... Liang Su sat there, not moving for a long time.
Zhao Ying looked at Liang Su in surprise. Liang Su slowly stood up and bowed, "I and tens of thousands of soldiers share this suspicion. I hope Your Highness will produce the imperial edict to dispel our doubts and comfort the souls of the fallen soldiers."
"You!" Zhao Ying fell into the chair, his face pale.
"You betrayed me..."
At this moment, Zhao Ying was like a skinny lamb, surrounded by malicious and cruel wolves.
Liu Bai, Xiao Chen and Wen Ruhai were all very worried.
Zhao Ying seemed to have calmed down a bit and looked at Liu Yi, "Liu Yi, this southern expedition of mine has benefited you all. Don't you want to say something?"
Liu Yi stiffened his neck, looking righteous, "I appreciate your kindness, Your Highness, but I did not force you to do this..."
Patriarch Chen seemed to be fair and said, "For the time being, Your Highness should produce the imperial edict!"
Zhao Ying's defenses were broken, and she roared, "You are the ones who helped me with the food and supplies. Do you think you will stay out of it if I am punished?"
Patriarch Bai chuckled and waved his folding fan. "Your Highness, you are wrong. First, ignorance is not a crime. We were not aware of your actions beforehand. Second,..." Patriarch Bai looked at Zhao Ying, a cold gleam in his eyes. "I have heard of an unwritten rule in the Central Plains: the law does not punish the masses."
"Master Wen, is this true?"
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