Just as he was feeling uneasy, he suddenly heard Jian Hong point his head at him.
"Your Majesty, the Prince of Dingbian has shown no respect for the Emperor and has offended the Emperor's authority. He must not be let off lightly!"
The King of Dingbian was stunned, and then anger welled up in his heart.
But he didn't dare to lash out on the spot.
Although Jian Hong is young, he has a distinguished military record that is no less than that of the veteran.
Without absolute certainty, he dared not confront them head-on.
Fortunately, the emperor stepped in to smooth things over.
"Please don't take this seriously, Minister Jian. The Prince of Dingbian was just exchanging a few words with my eunuchs."
It would have been better if he hadn't said anything; once he did, the Prince of Dingbian almost wanted to vomit blood.
How could a prince of a different surname lower himself to spar with a eunuch?
But there was no better way out at the moment, so he gritted his teeth, cupped his hands to the emperor, and said, "I have matters to attend to at my residence, so I will not disturb you and General Jian's reunion any longer."
The emperor naturally agreed.
After the Prince of Dingbian left, the Emperor solemnly said, "Minister Jian, you have had a hard journey."
Jian Hong's expression was serious. "It is my duty to share the Emperor's burdens."
The emperor curled his lips into a smile. "I understand. I'm only doing this because of Prime Minister Jian and the Empress."
Having been away from home for ten years, Jian Hong naturally missed his family dearly. After inquiring about Jian Xiude's situation, he then asked about Jian Yang's safety.
The emperor smiled broadly, “The empress has helped me so much along the way. Without her, I would have been in a terrible mess every day.”
Seeing that his expression didn't seem fake, Jian Hong finally felt relieved.
"But now that the Prince of Dingbian is in control of the government, my foundation is unstable, and it is difficult to protect myself. I am truly ashamed before the Empress and the General."
Jian Hong hurriedly said he dared not, and stated that upon returning to the capital, he would certainly fight against the Prince of Dingbian to the very end.
Inside Weiyang Palace.
Lianxia ran into the main hall, panting, and exclaimed excitedly, "Your Majesty, the General has returned safely!"
Jian Yang nodded upon hearing this and continued to bury herself in her storybook.
She didn't really have any impression or feelings for this older brother. If it weren't for Eunuch Zhang reminding her, she wouldn't have remembered that she could ask him for help.
But at this moment, she felt joy.
When I wrote the letter for help, I didn't have much hope. I didn't expect my original body's older brother to be so kind.
In this way, she and her adoptive father had a powerful backer.
"Your Highness, let me help you change your clothes." Lianxia said with a beaming smile. "I'm sure the General will come to see you later."
Jian Yang remained unmoved, but Xi Qiu, who was peeling pine nuts, started talking.
"Are you stupid? The general goes to see the empress as soon as he returns to court. If someone with ulterior motives uses this to make a fuss and says that the empress and the general are forming a clique, then the empress and the general will be unable to clear their names even if they jump into the Yellow River."
Lianxia then realized the seriousness of the situation and quickly raised her hand to slap her mouth a few times.
Although Jian Yang was certain that her older brother would not see her today to avoid suspicion, she couldn't just remain silent.
After all, he came all the way back for her.
So she rolled up her sleeves and said to the two maids, "Let's go to the small kitchen. I want to make two boxes of pastries for my brother myself."
Morning next day.
The Dingbian King's faction, who learned of Jian Hong's return to the court last night, are ready to cause trouble in the court today.
Unexpectedly, Jian Hong took the initiative and recounted in front of all the civil and military officials the various hardships and merits he had endured in protecting the country over the years!
Many officials wept upon hearing this in the imperial court.
All the officials present, whether civil or military, regardless of their political stance, were filled with a patriotic heart.
They were unable to realize their dream of going into battle simply because of their lack of ability or bad luck.
But Jian Hong truly realized their dream of becoming heroes, how could everyone not be moved?
Of course, the emperor's influence played a role in this.
With this disruption, the King of Dingbian's plan could no longer be implemented.
Enraged, he immediately ordered the emperor to punish Jian Xiude.
Such an untimely voice naturally drew criticism from the officials.
The emperor first appeased the Prince of Dingbian with obsequious words, and then was "forced" to lift the confinement order on Prime Minister Jian and reinstate him to his original position.
"I'm so angry! I'm so angry!"
Upon returning to his residence, the Prince of Dingbian immediately engaged in a hundred rounds of fighting with his subordinates before he could vent his anger.
In all these years, he has never felt so frustrated as he does today.
Seeing this, the strategist Tian Shu handed a handkerchief to the Prince of Dingbian and said with a smile, "Your Highness, please calm down. I have a plan that can ease your anger."
The Prince of Dingbian glanced at him sideways and said, “Let me make this clear first: if this plan fails, I will not let you off lightly.”
Tian Shu was confident. "Your Highness, rest assured. Since ancient times, emperors have been the most suspicious. Once this plan is implemented, Jian Hong will have no chance of turning the tide."
Three days later, at the morning court session, the Prince of Dingbian suddenly presented a letter to the emperor.
"Your Majesty, these are letters exchanged between General Jian Hong, the General Who Guards the North, and the enemy, for treason. Please take a look!"
These words caused an uproar in the room.
Even Jian Hong hadn't expected the King of Dingbian to pull such a move.
That's truly the most vicious thing imaginable.
Treason is a serious crime that can implicate nine generations of one's family.
The emperor quickly had Eunuch Zhang take the letter and read it carefully.
"Your Majesty, I am innocent!"
Jian Hong pleaded for his innocence, and many court officials also pleaded for him, expressing their absolute belief in his character.
The King of Dingbian's supporters seized the opportunity to muddy the waters, insisting that Jian Hong must have made a shady deal with the enemy country, which was why the enemy country was not going to war.
The student on duty's logic was so absurd that even the emperor couldn't stand it anymore and asked loudly, "Prince Dingbian, what evidence do you have to prove that this letter was written by General Jian?"
The Prince of Dingbian said, "Your Majesty may examine the handwriting."
Some ministers disagreed, arguing: "Handwriting can be imitated. To punish a meritorious official based solely on a letter is far too frivolous!"
The Prince of Dingbian glared fiercely at the minister.
The emperor was exasperated by the arguing ministers. "Immediately hand this letter over to the Hanlin Academy and have the scholars compare it. Without my decree, Jian Hong shall not leave the capital. Court is adjourned!"
After saying that, he left the Hall of Mental Cultivation without looking back.
The King of Dingbian gave Jian Hong a provocative look.
He had this letter specially forged, and he was confident that even the scholars in the Hanlin Academy wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
Jian Hong ignored him, lifted his leg and walked out the door, disappearing without a trace.
Half an hour later, in the Imperial Study.
“Jian Aiqing, I feel really bad that you have suffered this undeserved calamity again.”
The emperor, feeling quite guilty, expressed his apologies to Jian Hong.
Jian Hong didn't care. "Your Majesty, there's no need to blame yourself. I was prepared, but I haven't figured out a solution yet."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a young eunuch came to announce that the Empress Dowager had arrived.
The Empress Dowager, who has always been indifferent to worldly affairs, would actually take the initiative to come to the Imperial Study?
The emperor was very surprised and quickly got up to greet him.
After Jian Hong finished bowing, he was about to take his leave, but before he could leave, he heard the Empress Dowager say slowly, "General Jian, please wait. I have come to help you!"
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