Chapter 497 Momentum
Mo Dingcang listened to his blatant lies and accusations, and finally understood that this corrupt official not only wanted to kill the King of Northern Frontier, but also wanted to frame him for the crime.
Peace between the two countries and the lives of the people are not within the scope of this corrupt official's consideration. This man is a wolf in sheep's clothing and has great ambitions.
If they're going to frame him, they'll definitely make it a fact, leaving him no chance to explain. Once the King of Northern Frontier dies, he certainly won't live much longer.
Unfortunately, he came specifically for cooperation and brought two guards with him to show his sincerity; otherwise, he wouldn't have been held hostage by this corrupt official.
He carefully considered the thoughts of the two emperors and was full of confidence in this cooperation. However, he never expected that such an audacious prefect would emerge from the Golden Moon Kingdom, causing the trade plan to save the people of both countries to die in the womb before it even began.
Now that he has been taken hostage and the King of the Northern Frontier has been poisoned, Mo Dingcang felt powerless to turn the tide. This old man could not withstand a single blow from the other party even if he tried his best, so he simply straightened his back.
"Kill me or chop me up, do it quickly. But you corrupt officials should get lost. Your filthy appearance is an eyesore to me."
Xie Guanzhi smiled maliciously, but did not get angry.
"If you want to die, you have to follow the order. Our Northern King has to go first before it's your turn. If you find me in your way, please bear with me for a little longer."
Halfway through the banquet, Empress Dowager Dong and Princess Wen Woyu had already left. Now, apart from the guards who had been captured, only Meng Lingge remained by Wen Zhiming's side.
Perhaps because she was a frail woman, no guards detained her.
Seeing the sudden change in the situation, Meng Lingge checked Wen Zhiming's condition, then stepped forward, her posture like a phoenix overlooking an abyss, her voice not loud but undeniable.
"Xie Guanzhi, do you know that the Emperor once issued a special edict: anyone in the Golden Moon Kingdom who disrespects the King and Queen of the Northern Frontier is considered to be plotting a rebellion and can be executed first and reported later? If the Prince suffers any mishap in your residence today, tomorrow 50,000 elite troops will be able to demolish your residence and pierce you with ten thousand arrows."
Born into a noble family, she naturally possessed an edge, and now, having held the position for three years, her presence was even more oppressive.
Her aura, so fierce yet noble, instantly overwhelmed everyone present.
Xie Guanzhi suddenly panicked and his hands trembled again. Yue Jiaoluo stepped forward to support him and sneered at Meng Lingge.
"Didn't the Princess Consort of Northern Frontier hear that? The one who disrespected you and your husband was a prince of Blue Feather Kingdom. The Prefect, in avenging the Prince of Northern Frontier, accidentally stabbed the criminal to death while capturing him. If His Majesty learns of this, he will surely reward the Prefect further."
With Yue Jiaoluo's reminder, Xie Guanzhi quickly calmed down.
The situation is now under his control. Meng Lingge is just bluffing. What is there to fear?
He was too nervous and scared these past two days, which is why he was easily frightened by a woman's words. Once today's matter is over, he will be in charge of the Northern Frontier, and naturally there will be nothing to frighten him anymore.
He pulled Yue Jiaoluo into his arms as if no one else was around, and nodded with a smile, saying, "That's right. Who knows, the Emperor might grant me a title and appoint me as prime minister, considering that I avenged the King of Northern Frontier."
"But..." He changed the subject, feigning difficulty, "The King of Northern Frontier died at the hands of the Prince of Blue Feather Kingdom. What should be done with the Queen Consort of Northern Frontier? I hadn't even considered this before. Should we let the couple go to the underworld together, or spare her life..."
"This is really a difficult situation..."
He arrogantly sized up Meng Lingge, then said to Wen Zhiming, "The Princess Consort of the Northern Frontier is still so young. I would be willing to take good care of her for the Northern Frontier King, but unfortunately, she is already married, and my wife is very jealous. I'm afraid it won't be easy to arrange things. Unless, Northern Frontier King, you beg me..."
Wen Zhiming raised his eyes to glare angrily, but he seemed unable to even lift his head. His disheveled state was a pleasure to Xie Guanzhi.
The feeling of being a superior person and controlling the life and death of others at will is truly wonderful. Xie Guanzhi felt that he had reached the pinnacle of his life at this moment, and his face and demeanor were arrogant.
Yue Jiaoluo covered her mouth and giggled, speaking in a voice that everyone could hear.
"My lord is a kind-hearted man, of course we can't just stand by and watch him die. The Northern Frontier King's mother and daughter are still in the mansion. The Empress Dowager is old and frail, probably tired of living, so we'll send her down with the Northern Frontier King. As for the Northern Frontier King's wife and Princess Le'an, our room just happens to need a foot-washing maid and a night-watching maid. Although one is a bit young and the other is as cold as ice, they'll do and can be used."
Killing them is pointless. Three years ago in the capital, Wen Zhiming and Meng Lingge humiliated her. Now that they're in her hands, she'll make them pay double.
Wen Zhiming is too skilled in martial arts to be kept alive. Without Wen Zhiming's protection, if Meng Lingge is given a different name and kept in the mansion, she will be nothing more than a maid for Wen Zhiming to do as he pleases.
Using Princess Le'an as leverage, Meng Lingge didn't even dare to die, and both mother and daughter could only be at her mercy.
Thinking that the princess and the noblewoman would one day become her maids, Yue Jiaoluo had lost all her resentment towards Xie Guanzhi these past few days, and nestled affectionately in Xie Guanzhi's arms.
The two hugged and caressed each other in front of everyone present, showing their affection in public.
"Good idea." Xie Guanzhi raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Let's do as Madam says."
Such a rebellious and lawless idea actually received Xie Guanzhi's approval. The two are truly birds of a feather.
Instantly, hushed whispers and loud voices of agreement rose and fell.
Enraged, Meng Lingge picked up the wine glass in front of her and smashed it on the ground, the sound of the porcelain hitting the ground shocking everyone present.
Her gaze, sharp as ice, slowly swept over the officials present.
"All of you here are paid by the Emperor and serve the court. You all spoke eloquently before, appearing to be virtuous ministers who would serve the Northern Frontier. Now, treacherous officials are in power, plotting to harm the princes of two countries, yet you stand idly by, watching the show with cold eyes! You are not afraid of villains, but you are afraid that pulling up a radish will bring out the mud, that the treacherous officials will expose all your shady dealings!"
"Now is your only chance to abandon darkness and turn over a new leaf. I don't care whether you did it voluntarily or under duress before. As long as you rescue the prince and kill the treacherous officials, all past transgressions will be forgiven!"
"His Highness fought for the country, and every scar on his body is a testament to his merits! Now he is poisoned, and you officials who brought peace through his battles are still cowardly and afraid because of your past mistakes, still weighing the pros and cons! Such treacherous officials dare to poison even His Highness, how can they be truly loyal to you?"
Meng Lingge paused slightly, then raised her voice a few decibels.
"If the prince survives, peace will be restored between the two countries, and the people will have hope. You will also be able to become officials who are loved by the people and enjoy a prosperous and stable life. But if Xie Guanzhi succeeds today, the two countries will once again be plunged into war, and the people will suffer. As witnesses to this matter, you are in constant danger of being silenced. Even if you survive, you can only become treacherous lackeys of a villain!"
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