Chapter 182 Turning the Tables
Mu Xi was stunned by what she saw and heard.
When we were in the southern border, every military report was only good news, never bad.
Every time she met Bai Su, he would downplay his military achievements, which made her mistakenly believe that the pirates were nothing more than petty bandits. She thought that if Zhu Mingjun and Dai Rong hadn't acted so recklessly, things wouldn't have gotten so serious.
Who would have thought it would be so tragic?
The hall was deathly silent.
The clamor of opposition just moments before was now silenced by these wounds, which were more impactful than any words. Many officials, including some military officers who had initially opposed the fight, instinctively averted their gazes, their faces displaying complex and indescribable expressions—shock, emotion, and even… a barely perceptible hint of shame. Those scars were too real, too gruesome, silently recounting the hell a woman had endured on the battlefield and the extraordinary price she had paid! Any accusations of “womanly incompetence” or “disrupting morale” paled in comparison to this blood-and-flesh-forged feat.
After his impassioned speech, Bai Su silently gathered his collar and cuffs, then turned to Mu Xi and said, "Your Highness has shown me a life-saving grace, for the sake of the people of the Southern Border, and also for my own sake. Without Your Highness's discerning judgment, your overruling of public opinion, and your granting of power and trust in me, even with a heart full of passion and martial arts skills, it would have been difficult to turn the tide in a situation surrounded by wolves and beset by internal and external troubles. Your Highness has not looked down on me because I am a woman; I am deeply grateful for this kindness and will never forget it. However, a country has its laws, and a family has its rules. I am here today because I do not wish that Your Highness would be criticized by the public for helping a lowly person like myself. I am willing to accept a public trial."
"What kind of public trial is this?" Did Mu Xi go through all that trouble just to get away with it?
That was to win the greatest honor for Bai Su: "Your Majesty, how can we let down such a loyal and capable minister? That would discourage the soldiers of the world."
King Yu was moved when he saw the knife marks on Bai Su's body, and now hesitated.
King Yu's expression softened, and Zhu Mingjun seized the opportunity, taking two steps forward and kneeling again, wailing, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, please understand! You cannot believe only one side of the story... Although I... I have occasionally indulged in pleasure, my loyalty to Your Majesty is unwavering, as heaven and earth bear witness. The situation in the southern border has been turbulent, but as a feudal lord, I have always cared for my people. The pirates may have temporarily retreated, but even a centipede with a hundred legs will not die easily. I implore Your Majesty to allow me to atone for my crimes and return to the southern border. I will certainly regroup and eradicate the sea threat forever, to repay Your Majesty's grace!"
What kind of talk is that?
Such a serious crime was glossed over so lightly, and he even imagined that nothing had happened, and that he could return to the Southern Territory as a lord?
Isn't that just wishful thinking?
A cold glint flashed in Mu Xi's eyes: "Your Majesty, Zhu Mingjun's crimes are undeniable, yet he uses clever words and flattery to deceive Your Majesty. Your Majesty must investigate. First, he colluded with pirates, letting wolves into the house. His private male favorites secretly colluded with the pirate leaders, the father and son, Guan Zhi and Guan Lan, transferring benefits to them, causing the pirates to repeatedly invade our territory, plunder merchant ships, and slaughter civilians. This is the crime of treason and collusion with the enemy. Second, he neglected his duties. As a feudal lord, he did not think of defending the land and protecting the people, but instead indulged in wine, women, and lust, allowing the pirates to grow stronger. General Dai Rong's addiction to drugs is also partly due to Zhu Mingjun's supply of drugs and inducement. The southern border defense line is practically non-existent, and the people suffer unspeakably. This is the crime of dereliction of duty and loss of territory. Third, he framed loyal officials and deceived the emperor. To avenge personal grudges, he reversed the truth, falsely accusing General Bai Su, a meritorious official who quelled the pirates, of murdering her husband and usurping power. His heart is despicable, and his actions are contemptible. This is the crime of false accusation and framing."
With each statement Mu Xi made, her voice grew louder and her demeanor more forceful.
Since Zhu Mingjun wanted to take revenge on Bai Su, she decided to let Zhu Mingjun go. Finally, she pointed at Zhu Mingjun's forehead and said, "Zhu Mingjun's crimes are too numerous to count. We are both from the Mu clan, and I am not ashamed to share the same surname with you. If such a person who brings disaster to the country and the people and betrays the country for pleasure is not severely punished, it will not be enough to appease public anger or comfort the countless soldiers and civilians who died unjustly in the southern border."
Finally, he bowed deeply to the throne, his tone resolute: "Your Majesty, I implore you to severely punish Zhu Mingjun Xi Cong, strip him of his title and fiefdom, and punish him according to the law, so as to serve as a warning to others."
Zhu Mingjun was berated, and his face turned pale, but he was not afraid. Instead, he felt resentful and glared at Mu Xi with hatred.
Mu Xi pretended not to see it and only asked King Yu to make a decision.
King Yu Muji remained silent for a long time.
On the contrary, it was Grand Minister of Works Tao Jin, who seemed to know the King of Yu by heart, who suddenly interjected: "The Crown Prince's statement about Zhu Mingjun's crimes is for His Majesty to decide; there is no need to be so forceful."
Immediately following, a civil official stepped forward to smooth things over: "Indeed, indeed... Zhu Mingjun is guilty and should be punished, and Bai Su's overstepping of his bounds is also unforgivable. If this precedent is set, there will be endless troubles in the future. Please, Your Majesty, deal with both of them to set an example."
Mu Xi ignored him and insisted that Zhu Mingjun die first: "Please let Your Majesty decide."
However, Yu Wang Muji's perpetually icy face remained unmoved. He only tapped his thigh absently with his fingers, and finally narrowed his eyes to stare at Zhu Mingjun.
The air in Tianjun Hall seemed to freeze.
Yu Wang Mu Ji's gaze lingered on Zhu Mingjun's deathly pale face for only a moment, his expression unfathomable, carrying an indescribable air of scrutiny...
Zhu Mingjun grasped at the last straw: "Your Majesty... I beg Your Majesty to consider family ties, and even more so, to remember the 'loyalty' shown to the emperor back then'..."
What is the sentiment of following the dragon?
That's a brilliant use of words.
Mu Xi's heart sank sharply.
The King of Yu's unusually ambiguous attitude probably confirmed her earlier suspicions.
Mu Ji must have colluded with Zhu Mingjun back then, or even joined the pirates through Zhu Mingjun. And Zhu Mingjun must have evidence of Yu Wang's collusion with the pirates.
If that's the case...
Not only was Mu Xi unwilling to accept this, she wanted something even bigger: "When the great empire was on the verge of collapse, Bai Su stepped forward and, with her own flesh and blood, turned the tide. It was this woman who supported her husband's family in times of crisis and protected the people from suffering. It was this woman who bore countless battle wounds, each one a testament to her patriotism. She was both wise and brave, a master strategist who won the hearts and minds of the entire army. She drove out the pirates, recovered lost territory, and rescued criminals like Zhu Mingjun. Everything she did was for the country and the people, risking her life without hesitation. Such a heroine, with outstanding achievements, unparalleled loyalty and courage, and deeply respected by the army and the people..."
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to lavish all praise on Bai Su.
Bai Su then countered with another attack: "Your Majesty, if we grant Zhu Mingjun's request, wouldn't that be tantamount to tacitly allowing such a traitor, who has betrayed the country, colluded with the enemy, neglected his duties, lost territory, and framed loyal officials, to not only escape unscathed but also return safely to his fiefdom to continue being the high and mighty Zhu Mingjun? If such a person can be allowed to do so, then why can't General Bai, though a woman, be a female general? She should not only be appointed as the first female general of our Great Yu, but also be the true 'General Who Guards the South,' and be granted the authority to command troops and guard the southern border."
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