If they were not in the same camp, she would have spat in his face and cursed him - shameless.
However, seeing the thunder-struck expression on the emperor's face, Lin Jinghan suddenly felt that being shameless was good, and Sikong Zhan could be even more shameless, even better if he could make the emperor jump up and down...
The emperor was indeed very angry with Sikong Zhan. Just as he was about to get angry, a middle-aged man dressed in the court robes of a first-rank official saw this and stood up. He pointed at Sikong Zhan and accused him bluntly:
"Prince Jingnan, you still dare to ask for a reward? You dispatched troops without an imperial decree right at the foot of the capital. According to the law, you should be executed!"
This person was none other than the Grand Marshal Ji Fang, who was about 50 years old. At first glance, he was a man of integrity and a staunch supporter of the emperor. He had also made considerable contributions to the successful ascension of the new emperor to the throne.
It is not yet time for the emperor to come forward himself. Letting this minister come out first to test the bottom line of Prince Jingnan is indeed a good move.
"Could it be that Prince Jingnan thinks that this capital city is your Jingnan and you can do whatever you want with it?" Another minister, General Qi Guang, echoed.
All the ministers in the Imperial Study today were powerful figures in the court and the emperor's confidants. Naturally, they all directed their spearheads at Sikong Zhan. For a time, all kinds of remarks unfavorable to Sikong Zhan came out.
Arrogance, arrogance, and undermining the government were the least of his accusations. Gradually, his remarks became about being lawless, disrespectful to the monarch, and having ill intentions, and they almost directly accused him of treason.
No matter how many ministers talked until their mouths were dry, Sikong Zhan remained calm and composed. He even leaned on the wheelchair, supporting his head with one hand, looking drowsy and unmoved.
The ministers' fists hit the cotton, and they exchanged glances with each other, stopping their verbal attacks on Sikong Zhan. General Ji was the first to stand up and said to Sikong Zhan:
"Prince Jingnan, what else do you have to say?"
Sikong Zhan finally raised his eyelids and smiled softly, "Why, you're incapable of suppressing the bandits, allowing the bandits from Jile Village to wreak havoc on the towns near the capital, and you won't let others eliminate this harm to the people?"
Sikong Zhan's words offended all the generals in the capital who had sent troops to suppress the bandits. Unfortunately, General Qi Guang had also gone to Bugui Mountain to suppress the bandits and had not succeeded. Naturally, he was not happy to be mocked in front of him.
"Even if we want to suppress the bandits, we need the emperor's consent!"
"General Qi, since you are a general, you should understand that the opportunity to fight cannot be missed." Sikong Zhan said.
Qi Guang did not ask what the fighter plane Sikong Zhan was talking about. Firstly, it was meaningless; secondly, since Sikong Zhan dared to say it, he must have prepared an excuse. A good sword should be used on the blade.
"Even if you didn't report this to the court in advance for the sake of war opportunities, then why didn't you report this matter afterwards? How do you explain it?"
"As everyone knows, I was poisoned. It's not that I don't want to take revenge, but my body won't allow it..."
This was the main reason why Sikong Zhan had made his poisoning known to the public and pretended to be dying. Marrying Lin Jinghan was just a side job...
Sikong Zhan coughed twice to remind everyone that he was a patient. In order to stop the ministers from talking, he added:
"The last time I went to the palace to rescue my princess, I had to force myself to leave. Later, I went to the palace to see the emperor, intending to report to him, but the poison suddenly took effect... Afterwards, the poison worsened, and I could barely speak. If it weren't for the princess's careful care, I probably wouldn't be able to get up until now... Yesterday, I felt a little better, and I submitted a memorial to the emperor explaining this matter. I wonder if the emperor has received the memorial?"
A memorial? The emperor frowned and gave the chief eunuch a look. The chief eunuch understood and quietly retreated.
Lin Jinghan cooperated very well, her eyes reddened. She looked at Sikong Zhan lovingly and said, "My Lord, you have suffered in order to save Jinghan..."
Sikong Zhan patted her hand, a rare gentleness on his face, "Princess, you have been tired these days."
The two of them displayed their affection in public, completely ignoring others. Those who didn't know the truth thought their love was truly touching. However, only the parties involved knew that they were just putting on an act...
"I heard that Prince Mu Wenyao, the son of Prince Mu, took over the Jingnan Army and stationed it in Bugui Mountain. Prince Jingnan was poisoned and could not report it to the court. Mu Wenyao, the deputy general, should have reported the matter as soon as possible. However, he delayed reporting it. This is deceiving the emperor!" Ji Fang looked at Sikong Zhan coldly.
He wanted to see whether Prince Jingnan, who was always known for protecting his own people, would take on all the responsibilities this time in order to save his deputy general.
If he didn't take the blame, then Mu Wenyao's miserable end would surely chill the heart of King Mu, and it was not impossible that the two would become enemies; if he took the blame, then today, he, Sikong Zhan, would be charged with the crime of deceiving the emperor, and he would never be able to leave the palace!
This is a trap. No matter what choice Prince Jingnan makes, he will pay the price!
The gentleness on Sikong Zhan's face disappeared, replaced by his usual coldness. He glanced at Ji Fang and said coldly:
"Mu Wenyao was appointed deputy general of the Jingnan Army only after I was poisoned. He was not aware of this matter."
"Prince Jingnan, are you treating us as fools?" Ji Fang pressed on.
"Who in the capital doesn't know that Bugui Mountain is occupied by bandits from Jile Village? Since Deputy General Mu led the Jingnan Army to Bugui Mountain, how could he not know about the destruction of Jile Village?"
"Your Excellency is wrong! The prince only knows that there are no bandits in Bugui Mountain, but he doesn't know why the bandits are gone. How can he report this to the emperor?" After hearing this, Lin Jinghan couldn't bear it anymore - these people couldn't defeat Sikong Zhan, so they turned around to deal with the people around him. If they couldn't deal with Mu Wenyao, would they turn to deal with her, the Princess of Jingnan, next?
"Yes, Wen Yao's mission is only to temporarily command the Jingnan Army. I did not let him interfere in other matters, so the Jingnan Army will naturally not tell him." Sikong Zhan gently grabbed Lin Jinghan's hand. When the two looked into each other's eyes, he shook his head almost imperceptibly, signaling her not to interfere.
You know, Lin Jinghan's remarks could almost be considered as interference in state affairs. Lin Jinghan didn't care much about the imperial power, so naturally she wouldn't think too much about it, but Sikong Zhan had to think more about it - he had to find a way to protect her.
"Even if Mu Wenyao doesn't know about it, what about the other people in the Jingnan Army? They should know! But no one reported the matter to the emperor. You are deliberately deceiving the emperor!" Sikong Zhan made many excuses, and now even a country girl like Lin Jinghan dared to challenge him. Ji Fang's eyes were about to spit fire.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
