Chapter 119

Jiashan was stunned and asked in disbelief, "Commander Fu Xiao?"

"Yes." Ma sighed secretly.

Jiashan was stunned involuntarily. She stared at Ma and asked in a low voice, "What happened to Lieutenant General Fu?"

"Some time ago, Yeli Khan was still determined to attack the border again. Lieutenant General Fu led his troops to fight, but was defeated. He and a group of remnants disappeared on the front line." Ma's voice became deeper, with a hint of worry in it.

Jiashan almost thought there was something wrong with his ears, and kept saying, "This... How is it possible!"

Fu Xiao disappeared on the front line after his defeat, and the rumor was that he might have fled with his troops. This was more unbearable for Jiashan than Fu Xiao's death on the battlefield.

Ma understood Jiashan's feelings, but she had to bite the bullet and said, "Your Highness, it's true."

"When Marquis Anding sent someone to report this military intelligence to the capital city in an emergency, my prince was on duty in the palace. He came back this morning and told me the story in person. I heard that the prince consort entered the palace in the middle of the night last night. It is likely that His Majesty summoned him urgently because of this matter."

Ma couldn't bear to look at Jiashan's expression, and said, "The princess must be prepared in her heart."

Fu Xiao won the first battle and regained face for the Fu family. Now it has only been a few years since that time. Is the god of war who became famous in one battle going to fall like this?

What does it mean that the emperor summoned Zhan Yue to the palace? What is the current situation on the border?

Jiashan's heart was in turmoil, and it was only after a long time that he remembered to say "thank you" to Ma.

Ma smiled and said, "Our prince and his wife were selected into the Jinwu Guard in the same year, and they have a friendship of sharing weal and woe. Moreover, the ancestors of the Lu family and the Fu family were both granted the title of marquis, one named Yongning and the other named Yongding. Although the Yongding Marquisate no longer exists, the friendship between the two families will last forever."

Ma's straightforward approach to speaking saved him from a lot of politeness.

Jiashan was not in the mood to chat with her at this time, so he just smiled. Ma knew Jiashan's mood, and since she had already told her the news, she did not stay any longer and politely said goodbye to her.

After Ma left, Jiashan's face quickly turned ugly. There is no such thing as an invincible general in this world. It is possible that Fu Xiao was defeated, but if he was told that he escaped or surrendered to the enemy, Jiashan would never believe it!

But the military situation was of great importance, and Marquis Anding would never falsify it.

It must be true that Fu Xiao disappeared on the front line!

Why has it come to this? What has happened on the border these days?

Jiashan rubbed his brows in annoyance, and his suspicion and worry grew.

Back in the palace, the situation in Zhan Yue was even more serious than that in Jiashan.

The Yongding Marquis family had been stripped of their titles long ago, and very few of their relatives and children had served as officials in the court in recent years. Even if there were any, they were side branches of the Fu family and had little to do with Fu Xiao.

The only thing that gives people a headache is Zhan Yue.

Logically, his last name was Zhan, so he should be from the Anguogong Mansion, but his relationship with Fu Xiao was still within the fifth degree of mourning. It was true that the two were nephews and uncles.

Fu Xiao is having trouble with military affairs right now, and it would be inappropriate for Zhan Yue to serve as the commander-in-chief of the Nine Gates, right?

Precisely because many people thought of this, today's grand court meeting was very lively.

Regarding whether or not to replace the Nine Gates Admiral.

Minister of War Dong Lie was the first to step forward and said, "Fu Xiao was defeated in the battle, and now he is fleeing with his troops. Where will this move put the tens of thousands of soldiers buried on the battlefield? Marquis Anding is still defending the border, which is frustrating for the soldiers. I ask Your Majesty to find this man. If the prefectures and counties find him, they will punish him on the spot."

Zhan Yue's expression was solemn, while Emperor Zhang He, who was sitting on the steps, showed no sign of joy or anger.

The Minister of Justice An Yang glanced at the Minister of War and said, "Fu Xiao is a defeated general, so it is right to arrest him. But the battlefield incident has not been clarified yet, so why should Lord Dong rush to deal with him on the spot?"

"I think Fu Xiao has only one son. If he really escaped, he would definitely come back to look after his family. If we send people to strictly guard the Fu Mansion, we will get something." An Yang said, "As for the wanted order, it can still be issued to the prefectures and counties. If there is any clue about Fu Xiao, we will immediately escort him to the capital."

Dong Lie said with a bad face: "I have always heard that Lord An is decisive and proficient in torture. I didn't expect him to be so gentle in the matter of Fu Xiao."

Dong Lie looked at Zhan Yue calmly, then said in a sinister tone, "Master An, have you ever thought about what would happen if Fu Xiao did not escape but surrendered to the enemy?"

An Yang said in a cold tone: "If we surrender to the enemy, no one from the Fu family should be left alive."

Dong Lie was silent, and the Dali Temple Minister continued, "When the previous emperor was in power, Yongding Hou Fu Yan was suspected of colluding with the Turks. Your Majesty is broad-minded and considerate. You did not care about the mistakes of the Fu family in the past and reused Fu Xiao. I didn't expect Fu Xiao to repeat Fu Yan's mistakes. I think Your Majesty should take precautions before it happens."

The phrase "preventing trouble before it happens" sounded inexplicable, but anyone with eyes could see that the Chief Justice's eyes were fixed on Zhan Yue.

Zhan Yue remained calm.

Nanping Bo quickly retorted, "Even when the late emperor was alive, he never personally said that Fu Yan colluded with the enemy. How come it came out of Lord Meng's mouth that it seemed as if the evidence of Fu Yan's collusion with the enemy was solid and set in stone."

"How to prevent disasters before they happen? Why don't you explain it in more detail, Lord Meng?" Nanping Bo asked with narrowed eyes.

The Dali Temple Minister said, "Since Master Bo has said so, I will speak out boldly."

His eyes were sharp. "Although Zhan Yanqing and Fu Xiao are not from the same clan, they are actually uncle and nephew. I dare not question the loyalty of Mr. Zhan, but the Nine Gates Commander is the position of guarding the nine gates of the capital. It is so important that even the slightest mistake cannot be tolerated."

"I request Your Majesty to transfer Zhan Yanqing to another position." After the Dali Temple Minister said this, he was the first to step out and kneel down.

With this person taking the lead, more and more people knelt down and shouted, "I second the motion."

Nanping Bo and his men saw that the situation was not good and were about to speak, but Emperor Zhang He gently raised his hand, turned his gaze to Zhan Yue, and said in a deep voice: "What do you say?"

Zhan Yue was standing quietly in the hall. His skin was snow-white and he was wearing the official uniform of the second rank, which made his skeleton look extremely slender and strong.

Under the gaze of the crowd, he calmly lifted his robe, knelt down and said: "I have done things that are worthy of heaven and earth, and worthy of my king and father."

"Yes." Emperor Zhanghe nodded and said, "I promised the eldest princess to you because I trust you."

The Dali Temple officials were stunned, but soon they realized that His Majesty was warning them!

Although Zhan Yanqing and Fu Xiao are uncle and nephew, he is first and foremost the Grand Consort, my son-in-law! What is your intention in trying to sow discord between me and the Grand Consort, and between me and the princess?

The Dali Temple official immediately broke out in a cold sweat, and Emperor Zhanghe said decisively: "Regarding Fu Xiao's matter, we will do as Anyang said. Then order the Datong general to immediately support the Marquis of Anding."

The Minister of War was about to open his mouth, but Emperor Zhanghe's face darkened and he said, "I don't like to convict people of crimes that are 'unfounded'. My fellow ministers, do you want me to be a tyrant who doesn't know how to reward or punish?"

After the emperor said this, who else dared to speak out? They all apologized and said, "I dare not."

After the grand court meeting was over, the Minister of War and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and others walked out of the palace together. Zhao Youcheng also walked with his father-in-law, the Marquis of Pingyang.

Nanping Bo originally wanted to catch up with Zhan Yue and have a good talk with him, but Zhan Yue walked too fast, so he had to give up.

However, when Zhan Yue Zhao Youcheng passed by, Zhao Youcheng said indifferently: "Brother-in-law is really favored by the emperor. I am really jealous of him."

Zhan Yue glanced at him and said calmly, "Your Majesty simply likes people with ability and virtue, and hates those with ulterior motives who abuse their power for personal gain. As your Majesty's biological son, doesn't Prince Lu understand your Majesty's thoughts better than I do?"

Zhao Youcheng didn't seem to understand Zhan Yue's insinuation. He twitched his lips slightly and said in a low voice, "When the news of Fu Xiao's whereabouts is reported back to Beijing in the future, I hope my brother-in-law can still talk and laugh with me like this."

After saying this, Zhao Youcheng was looking forward to seeing Zhan Yue's pale face, but he didn't even frown.

After slightly moving the suede wrist guard at the base of his thumb, Zhan Yue left very calmly.

In the princess's mansion, Jiashan did not have as much patience as Zhan Yue.

Zhan Yue had just entered the inner room and had not yet taken off his official uniform when Jiashan walked towards him.

Zhan Yue took off his outer clothes and saw that Xuan'er was not in the inner room. He realized that Jiashan probably knew about Fu Xiao's affairs.

He immediately held her hand tightly. Jiashan raised her head, looked at him intently, and asked softly, "How is it?"

"The military intelligence is true." The two of them had already reached a tacit understanding, and Zhan Yue quickly answered her question.

Jiashan's heart sank, and he asked, "What did the emperor say?"

"My father has sent guards from the Shenjiying outside the Fu Mansion. My aunt's imperial edict and my uncle's rank of Zhonglangjiang have been taken away." After a pause, Zhan Yue continued, "But no one has ordered them to be treated harshly."

If Fu Xiao were to be in such a situation, it would certainly affect his wife, children and family. Losing the battle was a minor matter, but being missing was a major one. It was a great honor for Song and Ting'er to be able to keep their lives at this moment.

This shows that the emperor has not lost his mind.

Jiashan slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhan Yue grabbed Jia Shan's wrist, stared at her with a resolute gaze and said, "The Fu family will not send deserters."

"I believe it." Jiashan's eyes were equally firm. She leaned on his shoulder, squinting her eyes and said, "No need to say more, I believe it all."

"My uncle probably fell into someone else's trap," Jiashan lowered his eyes, "or maybe it was because of Yuankang and you and me."

Her hands were soft and gently wrapped around his waist. Zhan Yue closed his eyes and said in a deep voice: "It is a trap, but the reason needs to be carefully investigated."

"If possible, would you please go and see your aunt tomorrow?" Zhan Yue turned his head and asked her opinion softly.

Jiashan was a princess, and the people in the Shenjiying didn't dare to be presumptuous to her. Moreover, Emperor Zhanghe didn't forbid others to visit the Fu family, but inviting Jiashan to the Fu family at this juncture meant that she was also involved.

He really didn't want her to get involved in all this.

Zhan Yue lowered his eyes and slowly stroked her soft palm.

Jiashan did not hesitate and nodded sincerely, "Okay, I'll go tomorrow."