As the echo faded, the hall fell into a deathly silence.
All the ministers' scrutinizing gazes fell on Lin Jiaoyun.
Grand Tutor Cheng looked up at Lin Jiaoyun. He thought, Zhou Cheng has been so good to Lin Jiaoyun all these years, it's outrageous. Even if Lin Jiaoyun is a scoundrel, she wouldn't harm Zhou Cheng, would she?
"Huh?" Lin Jiaoyun looked up in confusion.
She looked at the Crown Prince.
Startled, she replied, "His Majesty summoned me to the palace to ask about this?"
"But...but I don't know..."
"Miss Lin, you should think carefully before you speak! Think carefully, think about whether Zhou Cheng has revealed any secrets to you over the years. Your testimony is related to the Zhou family's innocence." The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes and glanced at Lin Jiaoyun with a threatening and warning look.
That one glance,
This completely woke Lin Jiaoyun up.
She finally realized the intricacies of the situation.
These days, rumors have been circulating that General Zhou has betrayed the country, and all the aristocratic families in the capital are severing ties with the Zhou family...
But His Majesty has remained silent, only saying that he trusts General Zhou.
But does Your Majesty truly believe it?
The Crown Prince's gaze just now was clearly sharp and cold, not like he was seeking the truth, but rather seeking the truth he wanted to see.
“Miss Lin.” Lord Wang suddenly stepped forward and reminded Lin Jiaoyun, “A secret message just arrived from the border. Zhou Zhenguang has led more than 130,000 men to occupy Jiangling City and has declared himself king.”
"But His Majesty is benevolent. Even with these conclusive evidences in the secret letters, he still refuses to believe them, fearing that the letters might be fake and would tarnish Zhou Zhenguang's character."
"So Your Majesty would like to ask those who are on good terms with the Zhou family: Has the Zhou family made any strange moves recently? Is there... a real sign of an impending rebellion? Is there something else going on, or is this the truth?"
"You're so close to Zhou Cheng, have you heard anything about it?"
Having been warned so much, even the most naive Lin Jiaoyun would understand!
The Zhou family is finished.
It's completely over.
Bringing her to the Golden Phoenix Palace for questioning was simply a formality.
What kind of process is it?
Emperor Yan firmly believed in loyal generals and did not want to disappoint loyal ministers, but under various confirmations, he was forced to detain the Zhou family members.
Lin Jiaoyun's lips trembled slightly as images of Zhou Cheng's kindness towards her flashed through her mind... A struggle and unease of conscience flickered in her eyes.
But in the end, it all came down to words: "Your Majesty, I have remembered something."
I'm so sorry, Zhou Cheng.
You are so good to me, you love me so much.
You'll understand me, right?
It was His Majesty who wanted to hear this answer, not me. I was just stating the answer, so please don't blame me.
Although the Zhou family will face great calamity, and you will die, but... but you will only die, yet my conscience will never be at peace! Consider this my debt to you!
"When I visited the Zhou residence before, I saw a letter in General Zhou's study."
"The writing on the letter was strange and I couldn't understand it. I didn't pay attention at the time, but now that I think about it, it looks a lot like the script of the Xiongnu..."
Lin Jiaoyun lowered her head, apologizing to Zhou Cheng in her heart while speaking slyly, "Also, I heard Zhou Cheng mutter something several times... that military generals have never had a good end."
"If you have that kind of power, wouldn't it be great if you overthrew the dynasty and became emperor yourself?"
"Loyalty to the emperor, loyalty to the emperor, in the end they all suffer the fate of having their entire families executed. They are heroes in battle, but in peacetime they are discarded like used millstones... Yes, that's about it..."
“............”
These words brought the entire audience to a standstill.
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