Husband.
All the civil and military officials were present.
The families of court officials were also present.
The number of servants, maids, and pageboys serving outside was countless.
The solemn ceremony of prostrating backs and heads bowing to the ground was interrupted, and Lin Zhenlie's shadow silently enveloped the entire scene.
Alone, with only a horse and a gun, he was rude and disrespectful, ignoring the Crown Prince who was overseeing the country and showing contempt for the imperial palace behind him.
The Grand Secretary addressed him twice as "Father-in-law," but Lin Zhenlie ignored him, remaining unmoved. His horse's hooves pounded, as if ready to break Shen Congyun's spine at any moment.
Disrespecting the emperor, belittling the crown prince, and bullying court officials, Lin Zhenlie terrified all officials and thousands of people. No one dared to speculate on his intentions.
For generations, people only knew that the Lin family had contributed to the rise of the new dynasty and had shown the demeanor of relinquishing the throne at the beginning of the dynasty. The Xiao and Lin families had sworn brotherhood for generations. The Lin family commanded the Yuan Cong Imperial Guards, but in reality, the Imperial Guards were like the Lin family's private army, a deadly weapon beside the emperor's bed. Fortunately, successive emperors listened to them and treated them with courtesy and tolerance, without any suspicion, thus creating a beautiful story that has lasted for centuries.
The Lin family held a superior position, yet for two hundred years, they adhered to the proper etiquette between ruler and subject, being cautious and discreet, following the rules and regulations, appearing when needed and remaining silent when not in office, adopting an increasingly humble posture, to the point that apart from established aristocratic families, few newly noble officials in the court knew their true strength.
The Marshal's Mansion, a century-old institution, has been in harmony with the nation for centuries. The Lin family, a century-old clan, has kept a low profile. Now, the head of the Lin family openly challenges imperial power, treating the Crown Prince and Princess as nothing. The officials are shocked and terrified, yet they instinctively remain silent, with not a single one daring to speak out.
Xiao Zhian stood calmly, unperturbed.
Princess Pingyang scanned the crowd, finally finding Lin Huaiyin's head among the sea of faces, and slowly narrowed her eyes.
Beneath the horse's hooves, Shen Congyun looked up at Lin Zhenlie and respectfully called him "Father-in-law" twice, only to have the horse's breath spray directly onto his face.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, his face covered in the stench of blood, Shen Congyun choked until his face turned blue, his mind racing—he had left Heming Mountain early and on his way back he encountered Lin Shifeng leading cavalry. At that time he was worried that the White Lotus Sect would be attacked from both sides and intended to go back to stop the attack on the mountain, but Du Yu guarded him closely and he had no chance. As expected, a report was sent to the capital, stating that the White Lotus Sect rebels had been completely annihilated and that Lin Cuiyue was seriously injured.
The White Lotus Sect was the foundation that Shen Congyun and Princess Pingyang had painstakingly built over many years. From protecting local corrupt officials and inciting civilians to rebel, to buying and selling off members of the sect at various levels and recruiting them to train in the capital, Shen Congyun had spent countless efforts and invested countless amounts of money to finally cultivate a group of loyal followers. However, he never expected that it would be destroyed overnight.
Even so, Shen Congyun felt only heartache, not fear. This was because Tai Doudou, the leader of the White Lotus Cult, was a lowly stable boy in Princess Pingyang's household, unlikely to attract attention. Shen Congyun's only contact with the White Lotus Cult was during his scheme against Lin Huaiyin last year.
With the White Lotus Rebels wiped out, there was absolutely no way he could be exposed. Moreover, Princess Pingyang had not given any warnings or hints. Lin Huaiyin's gaze towards him was still full of affection, as if she were madly in love.
Shen Congyun firmly believed that he was still safe. After defeating the White Lotus Sect, he could make a comeback. As long as he was still the Grand Secretary, the imperial rhinoceros horn ring was still in his hands, and Lin Huaiyin was still in his grasp, he could regain his strength.
As for Lin Zhenlie's unusual actions, Shen Congyun felt three parts fear and seven parts schadenfreude—such trampling on the dignity of the Crown Prince and flaunting his power, he feared that even without his intervention, the Imperial Palace and the Eastern Palace would no longer tolerate the Lin family.
Whom Heaven wishes to destroy, it first makes mad.
Shen Congyun didn't understand why Lin Zhenlie was so crazy, but with thousands of people watching, how could he be willing to be bullied and humiliated? Apart from the Crown Prince and the Princess, only the Emperor-bestowed rhinoceros horn thumb ring could command the officials and had the greatest power. It was true that Lin Zhenlie was a first-rank general, but Shen Congyun was no less powerful than him.
"My father-in-law."
Shen Congyun called out again, and at the same time stood up straight. Unexpectedly, a red light swept across his eyes, and the sound of wind suddenly rose in his ears.
With a loud "thud" that pierced his spine, he felt a sharp pain in his back. Before he could even utter a sound, he lunged forward, spitting out a mouthful of bloody, sweet liquid. All four limbs and his chin hit the ground at the same time, sliding forward on the stone pavement of the Imperial Street like a dead toad.
With a single blow, a lunge, and a slide, the entire court, thousands of officials and military personnel, were dumbfounded—at the gates of the imperial city, the Grand Secretary was beaten and slid across the ground on all fours, spitting blood, like a pitiful worm struggling in the dust. What on earth happened?
At this moment, who remembers why they gathered here and knelt here in worship?
The court officials, their families, and servants all straightened up and knelt on the spot, their eyes, like copper bells, gleaming as they gazed at Lin Zhenlie on the horse's head, his broad shoulders and strong waist as immovable as a mountain, and at that long spear as red as blood.
The most shocked person was Lin Huaiyin. She didn't even dare to straighten up. Her forehead was still pressed against the back of her hand, her mouth was breathing in dust, and her eyes were bloodshot from her head drooping to the ground.
Her father had always taught her that the Lin family was deeply rooted and needed to be extremely cautious and careful, and that she must never offend the lord. But now, he had publicly beaten, no, almost publicly killed the prime minister. How could she believe such arrogance?
Lin Huaiyin repeatedly checked, opening and closing her eyes—Shen Congyun remained motionless, as if he were dead, while Lin Zhenlie still held his spear, maintaining the stance he had just taken after the attack.
The facts were undeniable, leaving Lin Huaiyin no choice but to believe them. Her father's sudden attack was undoubtedly to avenge her. Lin Huaiyin was surprised, delighted, and frightened. Forgetting all manners, she got up and ran towards Shen Congyun.
Shen Zaiyuan, who was kneeling beside her, was stunned for a moment, then ran over as well.
On the other side, Lin Shifeng lowered his head, a barely perceptible sneer revealing his thoughts. He had written home in advance, expecting his father to stand up for his third sister, but he hadn't expected his father to use that long spear. Once the spear was drawn, Shen Congyun was doomed.
Lin Shifeng suppressed the urge to beat a drowning dog and remained motionless, to avoid appearing too domineering by mobilizing the entire Lin family. His only regret was that his elder brother, Lin Cuiyue, had pretended to be injured and returned directly to the Lin residence, missing this grand spectacle.
Lin Huaiyin ran towards Shen Congyun, dodging court officials along the way. Her path was crooked and her steps were unsteady. Shen Zaiyuan behind her reached out to help her several times.
The distance was too close, the ideas too audacious, and the behavior too intimate. Xiao Zhian, standing in front of the city gate, lowered his eyelids and pondered how to chop off those dog paws.
If anyone should be helped, it should be him. Xiao Zhian's gaze seemed unfocused, but in reality, he was firmly holding onto Lin Huaiyin, inviting her to come and enjoy this good show up close.
Beside him, Princess Pingyang didn't glance at Shen Congyun. The moment Lin Zhenlie made his move, she was involuntarily drawn to him, her gaze tracing every inch of his body, from the spear upwards, across Lin Zhenlie's hands, arms, and shoulders, to his back. Once she saw him clearly and his phoenix eyes, Princess Pingyang didn't look away until Lin Huaiyin burst in.
When the person arrived, Lin Huaiyin was panting and suddenly faced a dilemma:
Her father, Lin Zhenlie, on horseback, beat up the Grand Secretary for her sake, thus offending the emperor's authority.
The scoundrel Shen Congyun was on the ground. She was overjoyed to see him die, but she couldn't just ignore it. Their marriage was under imperial decree, and even if the Lin family wanted a divorce, they couldn't publicly humiliate and disrespect the emperor like this.
Lin Huaiyin was grateful to her father, but she was also afraid that he would get into trouble because of her and be suspected. For a moment, she didn't know who to worry about first.
Hesitating for a moment, she inexplicably looked at Xiao Zhian.
Xiao Zhian seemed completely unaware, only the faint light under his eyelids trembled almost imperceptibly.
Xiao Zhian remained unmoved, which greatly surprised Lin Huaiyin. Her father did not dismount to pay his respects and beat the chief minister in front of her, which was actually a contempt for imperial power and disrespect for the crown prince. How could Xiao Zhian just stand by and watch without seeing it?
Lin Huaiyin was puzzled, and the civil and military officials were also shocked when they realized what was happening—the Crown Prince, who was overseeing the country, was actually suppressed by the Supreme General's power, allowing him to act recklessly, and they didn't even dare to reprimand him? How could the royal family's reputation and the emperor's important ministers be trampled on like this?
For no reason at all, could it be that Prime Minister Shen was simply ordered to fight by the General for no reason?
Such a system, where rulers and subjects are not treated as subjects, and where superiors and inferiors are not distinguished, is utterly disgraceful.
Shen Congyun was the one who got beaten, while Xiao Zhian was the one who did nothing. After being shocked, the civil and military officials all brought Shen Congyun to see how this matter would be resolved.
At the same time, Shen Zaiyuan squatted down next to Shen Congyun and found that Shen Congyun had been knocked unconscious by the attack.
"Brother, brother, wake up! Brother!" Shen Zaiyuan became increasingly panicked, shaking the body vigorously and shouting loudly.
Shen Congyun's mind, which was buzzing and flashing white light, slowly regained a sliver of clarity. Along with the clarity came intense back pain, as if his spine had been shattered. Blood clots surged up his throat. Shen Congyun gritted his teeth, propped himself up on his arms, and struggled to stand up.
"Pass!"
Lin Zhenlie wielded the gun with ease, its red light flashing like fire. Shen Congyun fell to his knees again—crackling sounds of bones breaking sent chills down the spines of Lin Huaiyin and Shen Zaiyuan.
This time, Lin Zhenlie only hit his leg. Shen Congyun's kneecap was shattered, and blood gushed from the corner of his mouth. Shen Zaiyuan couldn't even wipe it away in time. He collapsed into Shen Zaiyuan's arms like a lump of mud.
Lin Huaiyin felt that Shen Congyun was really going to be beaten to death. She felt a sense of pleasure, so much so that she wanted to scream, but she also knew that she couldn't cause a death. Otherwise, she would have a hard time explaining to the Emperor. All the civil and military officials were watching. Her father's actions might bring him temporary pleasure, but they would have endless consequences.
She couldn't stand with Lin Zhenlie, but she had to leave room for maneuver. Lin Huaiyin gritted her teeth and walked towards Shen Congyun. As she took a step and called out "Husband," a long spear descended from the sky, blocking her path.
"He is not your husband." Lin Zhenlie sneered coldly, uttering his first words upon appearing behind him: "Today, your father will divorce this wicked child on your behalf!"
"Die?" Lin Huaiyin thought she was delirious and dreaming, staring at Lin Zhenlie in disbelief: "Father, what are you saying? My marriage is an imperial decree—"
"The Emperor has decreed this marriage, and I, as your father, cannot accept it!" Lin Zhenlie said dismissively.
Shen Zaiyuan was completely confused, but he felt sorry for his brother and couldn't bear to part with his sister-in-law. He blurted out, "General, you are being disrespectful! His Majesty has decreed this marriage. How can you insult my brother and forcibly take my sister-in-law? I will definitely take this matter to the Emperor and ask him to give my Shen family justice!"
Shen Zaiyuan shouted excitedly, and the courtiers, feeling a sense of shared fate, were heartbroken. They found Lin Zhenlie's outlandish idea of "defying the imperial decree to divorce" utterly incomprehensible.
Now that things had come to this, Shen Congyun, who was leaning against Shen Zaiyuan's chest, had already realized that things had been exposed—Lin Zhenlie was so violent that he must know the truth about his plot to murder Lin Huaiyin.
But what good is knowing? Can they produce evidence to argue with the emperor? Can the confessions of a few White Lotus traitors really bring him down?
Shen Congyun was not afraid of trouble at all. A smile appeared on his scarlet lips: Pingyang would protect him, and Consort Hui in the palace would also protect him. So what if the Lin family saw through him? The imperial decree had decreed the marriage. Even if Lin Zhenlie beat him to death, Lin Huaiyin would still be his woman. The more brutal Lin Zhenlie was, the more it showed that he had no right in front of the emperor. That's why he used this public humiliation to try to force him to submit.
"Give in? No way." Shen Congyun's eyes were bloodshot. He didn't look at Princess Pingyang, not wanting her to see his current pathetic state. He grinned maliciously and glared at Lin Huaiyin, wanting her to remember the suffering he was going through. When they returned to the manor, he would skin her alive, inch by inch.
Lin Huaiyin caught the chilling gaze squarely. The situation had developed beyond her expectations. The vicious scheming in Shen Congyun's eyes sent shivers down her spine. She knew that she had no power to strangle Shen Congyun right now and still needed the evidence that Mu Zhanjuan brought back. If she brought this up before the Emperor now, the Lin family would definitely be in the wrong.
What should we do? How did things turn out like this? Why did Father act so impulsively?
Lin Huaiyin struggled with her grief, and then, as if possessed, went to see Xiao Zhian again.
This time, Xiao Zhian did not avoid the question. He met Lin Huaiyin's confused gaze, slowly closed his eyes, and nodded almost imperceptibly.
Lin Zhenlie nodded, receiving the message accurately. His spear swept past Lin Huaiyin and went straight to Shen Zaiyuan. Shen Congyun was still glaring at Lin Huaiyin, trying to put pressure on her. The spear then slipped from Shen Congyun's belt and began to thrust and stab.
Shen Zaiyuan tried to stop him, but Lin Zhenlie sneered, thrusting his spear forward, drawing blood from his shoulder, and groaning as he collapsed to the side.
The spearhead spun back and struck Shen Congyun, thrusting forward with incredible speed, so fast that it was impossible to see clearly; only flashes of silver light could be seen. Finally, it stopped, and Shen Congyun's official robe, adorned with the symbol of the prime minister—the crane emblem—was pierced through the air by Lin Zhenlie's spear and fell to the ground with a "thud."
In late April, with light clothing and having removed his official robes, Shen Congyun was now only wearing his undergarments, practically naked.
For the father to strip the Grand Secretary's robes in public was tantamount to slapping the court and the emperor in the face!
Having reached this point, Lin Huaiyin knew there was no turning back. Under Xiao Zhian's watchful gaze, she resolutely moved to Lin Zhenlie's horse. She wanted to be with her father, no matter how things developed or how the Emperor punished her afterwards.
At this moment, beneath the tall horse, Lin Huaiyin, slender and frail, stood resolutely.
At the Danfeng Gate of the Imperial City, in front of thousands of people, Grand Secretary Shen Congyun was forcibly stripped of his court robes, leaving him barely clothed. Such a humiliating disgrace terrified the court officials present.
In their view, Prime Minister Shen had done nothing wrong, and even if he had, he should not have been so humiliated. The court officials felt the same way and stood up in unison, instinctively disgusted with Lin Zhenlie.
Shen Congyun's colleagues in the Secretariat were most united in their indignation. They strode up to Lin Zhenlie with stern expressions: "General, you have no respect for the emperor and your father, disregard the law, act violently in the street, and bully people too much. Please come with me to the emperor's presence and let's clarify right and wrong!"
"Exactly!" The courtier looked up at Lin Zhenlie, his eyes bloodshot: "His Majesty has decreed this marriage, how dare you speak of divorcing him so easily? Does the General even have His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince in his eyes?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Huaiyin took a step forward, opening her arms as if to recount Shen Congyun's crimes, when a splash of crimson blood drifted over.
The red silk suddenly fell, and all the ministers leaned back and raised their arms to shield their eyes. Lin Huaiyin suddenly turned around—and saw that after the red silk was removed, a beam of light suddenly burst out of Lin Zhenlie's hand—a silver spearhead, a golden spear shaft, and a five-clawed dragon pattern seemed to be moving in Lin Zhenlie's palm!
"This is—" The ministers dared not look directly at it, their hearts filled with fear, instinctively feeling that this thing was no ordinary matter!
At the same time, Xiao Zhian straightened his clothes and knelt and kowtowed three times and nine times towards the golden spear from afar. His voice was clear and resounding throughout Danfeng Gate: "Your humble servant respectfully pays homage to the sacred object of Emperor Taizu! I humbly acknowledge Emperor Taizu, who opened up the world and bestowed grace upon all people. Your humble servant reveres him day and night and dares not forget him. Now, gazing upon this sacred object, it is as if I have personally seen the face of the Emperor. I will surely abide by the ancestral teachings, continue the great lineage, strive to govern diligently, glorify the nation, and carry on the great cause established by Emperor Taizu, so as to ensure the eternal stability of the country."
As Xiao Zhian's voice resounded, Lin Zhenlie held up the golden spear with both hands, indicating that the sacred object in his hands was bestowed by the Great Ancestor Emperor Gaozu—at this moment, he was personally present on behalf of the Great Ancestor Emperor Gaozu!
Xiao Zhian knelt in devout worship, while the assembled officials were utterly captivated.
Even the Crown Prince, the Regent, knelt. The sacred artifact of the founding emperor was indeed real, and the Lin family's foundation was terrifyingly powerful. The court officials were overwhelmed with fear, their expressions turning solemn as they retreated like a receding tide, instantly transforming into a surging wave as they knelt and cried out in unison.
"Your humble servants respectfully pay homage to the sacred artifacts of the Great Ancestor Emperor Gaozu! May His Majesty the Great Ancestor Emperor Gaozu enjoy long life and eternal prosperity!"
"Your humble servants respectfully pay homage to the sacred artifacts of the Great Ancestor Emperor Gaozu! May His Majesty the Great Ancestor Emperor Gaozu enjoy long life and eternal prosperity!"
"Your humble servants respectfully pay homage to the sacred artifacts of the Great Ancestor Emperor Gaozu! May His Majesty the Great Ancestor Emperor Gaozu enjoy long life and eternal prosperity!"
After the cheers and shouts at Danfeng Gate, the assembled officials were terrified and fell silent.
Princess Pingyang and Lin Huaiyin also knelt down in response.
The former was deathly pale.
The latter's heart pounded wildly, her mind raced, and she felt like jumping up and down, running wildly around the arena while screaming madly—"The Great Ancestor's Golden Spear! When did the Lin family acquire such a thing? Why did Father only reveal it now, making her worry for nothing! And Xiao Zhi'an is actually kneeling in her direction, kneeling so gracefully, she really wants to ride on his back!!!"
"In the battle of Crane Cry Mountain, 1,323 traitors were captured alive." Lin Zhenlie looked at Shen Congyun, watching his face turn pale, and announced the charges word by word.
The thousands of court officials, their families, and servants present listened attentively.
"The traitor confessed that the case of abducting my daughter on the Shangsi Festival last year was entirely orchestrated by Grand Chancellor Shen Congyun. Shen Congyun colluded with the White Lotus Sect to abduct a noblewoman, betraying His Majesty's trust and disgracing the descendants of loyal officials. He is to be immediately imprisoned and thoroughly investigated. His marriage to my daughter is hereby annulled!"
Upon hearing this, the assembled officials were shaken and broke out in a cold sweat.
Shen Zaiyuan's face was deathly pale. He clutched his shoulder injury, hissing and gasping for breath, and dared not approach Shen Congyun again.
The thoughts of thousands of people reverberated before Danfeng Gate—who could have imagined that the current Grand Secretary would collude with the White Lotus Rebels!
Who would have thought that the reason why Shen Xiang saved Miss Lin last year was actually because he was the one who plotted against her!
The court officials looked at each other, and suddenly realized that Prime Minister Shen, a civil official, was able to find Miss Lin, whom even the Imperial Guards could not find. This matter was originally just strange, and no one mentioned it after the two got married. Now, thinking about it carefully, it was really strange. The only explanation was, as the General said, that it was all orchestrated by Prime Minister Shen!
With the truth laid bare, the court officials continued to ponder deeply, and in an instant they understood why Lin Huaiyin wanted to kill Zhao Changji—Zhao Changji was supplying weapons to the White Lotus Sect, and Miss Lin must have seen through his collusion with Prime Minister Shen, so she took action to cut off the military supplies to the traitors.
Upon closer examination, Miss Lin was not a ruthless killer, but rather eliminating traitors for the country. Otherwise, if the White Lotus Sect had seized the Ministry of War's weapons, they would have been even more powerful, and they would likely have all perished at Crane Cry Mountain, dying at the hands of the rebels!
Miss Lin killed Zhao Changji, but in reality, she severed the foundation of the White Lotus Sect, protected the officials and their families of Heming Mountain, and saved thousands of lives!
All of them were able to witness Lin Zhenlie's attack in front of Danfeng Gate, all thanks to Miss Lin the Third!
Once they understood the situation, thousands of eyes turned to Shen Congyun, and they realized that Shen Congyun had committed numerous evils and was deeply sinful, deserving to die. Lin Zhenlie's furious outburst and the use of the golden spear bestowed by the founding emperor were not out of arrogance, but to eliminate traitors for the country and avenge his daughter!
Miss Lin was tricked by Shen Congyun, which was both tragic and courageous. She is truly a heroine. Fortunately, she was protected by the General today. Otherwise, if she had entered the Shen family again, she would have been like a lamb entering a tiger's den, suffering in vain.
After thinking it all through, thousands of people regretted their earlier hatred of Lin Zhenlie, their gazes like knives piercing Shen Congyun, tearing him apart piece by piece.
Despite being subjected to the agonizing gazes of the crowd, Shen Congyun felt no humiliation. He felt that even in this predicament, he was not yet at his wit's end. He looked at Lin Zhenlie and sneered sinisterly, "Father-in-law, my third sister is carrying the flesh and blood of the Shen family."
Upon hearing this, Lin Huaiyin propped herself up on her arms and jumped up, intending to curse, but Lin Zhenlie thrust his spear forward—"Ugh," Shen Congyun groaned and fell to the ground.
The silver spearhead pierced Shen Congyun's body, stained with blood, and used to write two large, blood-red characters on Shen Congyun's inner garment—"Letter of Divorce".
Thus, witnessed by the entire court, Lin Zhenlie used the Emperor Taizu's golden spear as a pen, Shen Congyun's blood as ink, and Shen Congyun's undergarment as paper to write on Shen Congyun's body. When the ink ran out, he would prick the flesh to draw blood and write a letter of divorce on Shen Congyun's blood-soaked, dead-dog body.
Once a letter of divorce was completed.
Lin Zhenlie gave Xiao Zhian a look, bent down to pick up Lin Huaiyin, and rode away.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
