Chapter 039 The Ambitious Regent 1
The arrogant and all-powerful regent lowered his noble head before the new emperor, and there was even a noticeable sound when his forehead hit the floor. This scene shocked everyone present.
You know, even when the late emperor was alive, he had never treated him with such respect.
The first-rank general paused for a moment as he drew his sword and looked towards the young new emperor.
The hatred in Pei Mingjue's eyes was sealed. He lowered his head and looked at Jian Ziyan who was kneeling at his feet. The light in his eyes flickered and his expression suddenly became unfathomable.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty! I have finally waited for you to return!"
Lord Wu, who had been escorted just now, broke away from the equally stunned soldiers, suddenly rushed to Pei Mingjue and knelt down, his voice hoarse and choked.
Pei Mingjue glanced at Jian Ziyan, who still hadn't raised his head, with an ambiguous expression, and his expression eased a little. He even went to help him up with his own hands: "Master Wu, please get up quickly. You have worked hard during this period."
"It's not hard, it's not hard, Your Majesty." Lord Wu trembled and followed, looking at Pei Mingjue with tears in his eyes and full of relief, "As long as you can return safely, everything this old minister does is worth it. Only the orthodox royal bloodline can lead the country! The other arrogant guys are just jumping clowns."
This sentence was obviously directed at Jian Ziyan, but Jian Ziyan acted as if he didn't hear it and still knelt firmly on the ground. He would not stand up unless Pei Mingjue spoke. Due to the angle, his long and fine eyelashes cast a heavy shadow on his handsome face.
Pei Mingjue smiled meaningfully, and replied, "That's right. I was previously harmed by a traitor, so I had to resort to this desperate measure and flee temporarily. Fortunately, the first-rank general was loyal to the country and spared no effort to help me restore my power. Otherwise, I don't know whose family would have taken over the Pei family's kingdom."
He had obviously revealed the "secret" that everyone knew but dared not say out loud. This was tantamount to tearing off his face and declaring war on the Regent on the spot. The hall was silent for a moment, and people from all parties exchanged horrified glances silently.
The regent has been controlling the government for a long time. Now everyone knows that this little emperor probably has the full support of the first-rank general, so much so that he can challenge the regent.
The sky in the court is about to change.
But no one thought that Jian Ziyan would be executed just like that. He had been running the business for many years and the power in his hands should not be underestimated. So everyone was waiting to see how Jian Ziyan would react and how he would respond to these words of blatant condemnation.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Jian Ziyan's reaction was... no reaction.
He was respectful in his demeanor and was a loyal subject from any angle, without any sign of ulterior motives.
However, even if he didn't say anything, Pei Mingjue would not let him go.
In his eyes, the more respectful Jian Ziyan's attitude was, the more he felt that this man was pretentious and extremely cunning. He must be making some preparations behind the scenes for being so humble now.
Jian Ziyan is able to bend and stretch himself, and he is indeed a serious threat to the country.
"Prince Regent." Pei Mingjue took the initiative to speak, "What do you think of what Lord Wu just said?"
He was provoking him.
He concluded that even if Jian Ziyan was deliberately tolerant, he would not tolerate such obvious ridicule.
After all... the one in front of him now is the ruthless regent, and no longer the young man who was as gentle as jade and whose smile was as warm as the spring breeze.
Pei Mingjue didn't know what he was thinking about, his expression was slightly dazed for a moment, but he quickly returned to a sneering look. Under his calm appearance, the anger in his heart was growing fiercely.
Back then, this man was so charming and graceful. How many people were deceived by his appearance! He and his father were deceived, and his father was even killed by this man himself...
The dark bedroom, the mottled blood, the old emperor's lifeless eyes, and Jian Ziyan holding a dagger and in disheveled clothes...
Memories came roaring back, and Pei Mingjue's breathing became a little unstable. The look in his eyes as he looked at Jian Ziyan was filled with disgust and hatred that penetrated deep into his bones.
Facing such a gaze, Jian Ziyan moved his back straight even though he was kneeling on the ground, and a calm and hoarse voice came out.
"Your Majesty, I deeply agree with you."
Pei Mingjue's eyes changed, and the ministers around him couldn't help but whisper to each other.
None of them could figure out what Jian Ziyan was up to.
"It seems that the Regent's memory is not very good. Why don't I help you recall it?"
Pei Mingjue sneered and his voice deepened.
"Back then, the Regent was selected as the top scholar by the late Emperor at the age of fifteen, and was brought up by his side. This is a well-known fact, but there are also things that are unknown to everyone."
Just by hearing this topic, Jian Ziyan knew what he wanted to say.
Even though he had anticipated this scene, when it actually happened, he couldn't help but tremble slightly when he realized that all those ugly secrets and scars would be exposed in public.
He closed his eyes tightly and forced himself to steady himself.
Isn't this what you were looking forward to? In the end, it's nothing more than a death, a life for a life, and you can be considered to have repaid the kindness of the past.
Pei Mingjue looked at Jian Ziyan, who seemed completely unmoved, and sneered in his heart again.
Are you confident that even a scandal like this can't shake your foundation? Then give it a try.
"A favor should be repaid with gratitude, this is a truth that even a three-year-old child understands. However, our most honorable regent of the Great Jing Dynasty chose to repay kindness with enmity!" Pei Mingjue pointed at the kneeling man with his sparkling fingertips, his voice filled with grief and indignation, "The late emperor treated him so well, even going in and out with him. Such an honor, but he...he chose to rely on this appearance to seduce the late emperor!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience was in an uproar.
Although Jian Ziyan had an extraordinary appearance and there were bound to be some strange voices when he quickly rose to power, his extraordinary talent was also witnessed by everyone, so these words were only discussed in private.
Everyone knew that if the Regent himself heard this unfounded rumor, he would have to cut off several tongues.
However, they never imagined that these rumors would come true!
In an instant, countless sharp gazes pierced Jian Ziyan's body like needles.
Jian Ziyan's shoulders trembled slightly.
Pei Mingjue was very happy and continued, "I'm sure you all have not forgotten that the late emperor was always fair and wise, but for a period of time before his death, not only did his mood become erratic, he even lost his ability to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, and almost made a big mistake. With such a big change, who would believe that there was no villain behind the instigation and manipulation?"
"And this villain, who is now kneeling in front of you, is the Regent!"
This secret was so huge that when the dust finally settled, no one in the court dared to speak out for a while. Even a loyal minister like Lord Wu couldn't help but hold his breath and look at Jian Ziyan cautiously.
No one could predict whether he would show any signs of counterattack after such a scandal was exposed in public.
However, Jian Ziyan remained motionless, as if everything Pei Mingjue said had nothing to do with him.
Seeing him so silent, Pei Mingjue thought he had made arrangements in advance, so he was calm and composed. He smiled sarcastically and said, "Prince Regent, do you admit what I just said?"
"minister……"
Under the gaze of everyone, Jian Ziyan finally raised his head slowly. His expression did not change much, as if he was still the regent who was in charge of everything and second only to the emperor.
"Know your guilt."
Oh, guilty conscience.
As expected, how could the Regent plead guilty... What?!
Everyone who heard it looked incredulous and doubted their own ears.
Jian Ziyan, actually pleaded guilty?
Even Pei Mingjue didn't expect that he would recognize him so easily. Suspicious, he narrowed his beautiful eyes and looked at Jian Ziyan quietly for a long time.
Jian Ziyan looked back at him steadily. At that moment, he seemed to feel that the sinister aura between his eyebrows had receded, and he was still the young man as pure and clear as the first snow.↓
The dark black robe covered the man, as if covering his entire body, making people realize that the regent who had all the power in the world was so thin.
Realizing what he was thinking, Pei Mingjue's eyes darkened. The anger in his heart grew, and when he looked at this handsome face again, he felt so disgusted.
What was he still missing? The young man who had inspired him was already dead! He had died of his desire for power. It was this man who had killed the young man himself.
Since the young man he missed was dead and the one left in the world now was the Regent, he didn't have to worry about anything.
"Since the Regent has pleaded guilty, I will deal with him according to the laws of Dajing. I hope you have no objection, my ministers." Pei Mingjue said coldly.
Some of the civil and military officials looked hesitant, some looked overjoyed, and the ministers headed by Lord Wu even knelt down on the spot and shouted "Long live the wise ruler!"
Pei Mingjue deliberately asked: "Does the Regent have any objection?"
Jian Ziyan looked at him quietly: "I have no objection."
"That's great." Pei Mingjue waved his hand, "Come here, take the guilty minister Jian Ziyan to the great..."
Before he even said the word "prison", a minister knelt down in front of Pei Mingjue and shouted, "Your Majesty! Even if the Regent is a suspect, the situation is still unclear and we need to investigate carefully!"
This sudden accident stunned everyone, including Jian Ziyan himself.
He looked carefully and found that it was the Minister of Revenue Shangguan Lin. When he saw that this man was talented, he promoted him. Later, he never tried to win him over, and he was not even considered a member of his faction. Unexpectedly, now that he was in trouble, he would be the first person to stand up and speak for him.
There was a flash of displeasure in Pei Mingjue's eyes, but he also knew Shangguan Lin. This man also came from a poor family, had no party roots in the court, and held an important position, so he was considered a breath of fresh air.
He couldn't just ignore someone like this, so he asked, "What do you think, Lord Shangguan?"
Shangguan Lin was obviously also very scared. He quickly raised his head to glance at Jian Ziyan, then knelt down again. Although his voice was nervous, his pronunciation was clear: "Your Majesty, this case involves a lot of people. I'm sure it's not just the Regent who is involved. I think the Regent has served the country and the people for many years, and the people have seen everything he has done. If you rashly throw him into the Heavenly Prison, it will probably cause dissatisfaction among the people! I hope Your Majesty will think about it carefully!"
Pei Mingjue was silent for a moment.
Shangguan Lin was right. Even though all the civil and military officials in the court knew what Jian Ziyan was thinking, from the perspective of the common people, they had to say that Jian Ziyan had never done anything to harm them. His iron fist and cruelty were more directed at the officials in the court, as well as... him and his father.
Pei Mingjue felt a little pain in his heart, but he forced it down.
He didn't speak, so naturally no one dared to speak. Everyone felt the emperor's wrath and lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at him. Therefore, no one saw that Jian Ziyan took advantage of this gap to raise his head and look straight at Pei Mingjue, with deep relief and pity in his eyes.
The child who was as delicate and beautiful as a girl but always timid has finally grown up.
He became patient, powerful, mature and handsome, but also... cruel.
Even though this cruelty was directed at him, Jian Ziyan still felt extremely relieved. Before Pei Mingjue looked at him, he lowered his long eyelashes again to hide the fleeting tears in the corners of his eyes.
He thought no one noticed his actions, but he didn't know that his actions were all seen by Consultant Shan who was standing behind Pei Mingjue.
Advisor Shan looked at the pale and sinister Regent, a thoughtful look flashing across his face.
At this moment, Pei Mingjue glanced at Jian Ziyan, not disguising his disgust: "Shangguan Lord, what you said makes sense. In this case, before the case is investigated, send the Regent back to the palace first, and he cannot step out of the palace unless summoned. Do you have any objections to this?"
Anyone could hear his displeasure, even Shangguan Lin did not dare to say anything more, he immediately kowtowed and knelt down to thank the emperor for his grace.
Before being taken away, Jian Ziyan passed by Pei Mingjue and heard his very soft but extremely hateful voice.
"I'll just let you live a few more days."
Not only was Jian Ziyan not angry, but he raised the corners of his lips and smiled without emotion.
"I'll take my leave," he said.
Watching his back gradually disappearing in the Golden Throne Hall, the ministers looked at each other in bewilderment, unable to believe that such an earth-shaking sudden change had just passed like that.
No, maybe it's not over yet. Looking at the gloomy face of the new emperor, these ministers who have become masters of human beings thought tremblingly.
The real thunder may just begin from this moment.
…
It was said that he was escorted back to the palace, but in fact he was placed under house arrest. All the servants in the Regent's Palace were withdrawn and replaced by the emperor's trusted royal guards. Every few steps in the palace were guarded by elite soldiers. Not to mention that the Regent was a scholar who had no martial arts skills, even if he had wings, he probably wouldn't be able to fly out of this cage.
Jian Ziyan turned a blind eye to all this, and put those curious or inquiring gazes behind him. After returning, he went straight into the room.
He seemed to strictly abide by the emperor's order. Even if no one restricted him from leaving the room, he never took a step out. He didn't care about the food whose standard had suddenly dropped several levels. He ate whatever others sent him. The rest of the time he read quietly in the room, as quiet as a dead person.
His every move was reported to Pei Mingjue.
That night, in the imperial study, Pei Mingjue finished reading the secret letter that was presented to him, and a trace of gloom flashed across his brows.
Advisor Shan asked, "Your Majesty, is there any news from Jian Ziyan?"
"Not dead yet." There was a hint of impatience in Pei Mingjue's voice. When he said this word, his eyes suddenly moved and he looked at Zishishan thoughtfully.
Advisor Shan also had an idea: "What does the emperor want?"
"As long as he's still alive, he's a huge hidden danger." Pei Mingjue said, "Even Shangguan Lin dares to stand up and speak for him. His power may be even greater than what we investigated before. If we don't chop off the head of this insect immediately, it will come back to life sooner or later. When it comes back to life, it will be a thousand times more difficult to deal with than before."
Consultant Shan looked at Pei Mingjue seriously. The other person's facial features were flickering with unknown shadows at the edge of the light. With just one glance, he could feel the extremely oppressive aura.
"Your Majesty wants to kill him directly." Advisor Shan said, "You can't wait for the Dali Temple to find out the final results of the investigation."
"Yes, I want to kill him. Over the years, I have woken up from my dreams countless times at midnight, and the most wonderful dream I have ever had is to kill him with my own hands." Pei Mingjue said these sinister words, but his face did not fluctuate. Only his fists behind his back revealed that he was not as calm as he appeared. "I saw him walk into my father's bedroom with my own eyes, and I also saw him kill my father with my own eyes. Could this be false? No matter what the results of the Dali Temple's investigation are, I believe in my own eyes."
Advisor Shan groaned: "Since the emperor is so convinced, why not wait a little longer until the charges are confirmed before putting him to death..."
“I can’t wait!”
The sudden roar made Consultant Shan swallow his words. Pei Mingjue's face changed. He was silent for a moment before he said, "Wenshan, I have waited for this day for too long. Ever since I saw him kill my father, ever since he turned his kindness against his will and fed me that poison, I have been fantasizing about killing him all the time. You know how it feels to see your loved ones being killed. Now my enemy is right where I can kill him at will. I can't wait any longer."
Advisor Shan said solemnly, "Of course I know. My family was massacred overnight. If it weren't for that mysterious man who saved me, the one talking to the emperor now would be a wandering ghost."
Although Pei Mingjue was still young at the time, he had heard about this matter.
The family of the loyal and brave general was massacred overnight, and in the end only Shi Zishan was lucky enough to survive and was rescued by someone. This incident was very famous at the time, and even his father was alarmed. He not only gave many rewards to the only survivor Shi Zishan, but also ordered a thorough investigation of the murderer.
However, what is strange is that after committing such an incredible crime under the feet of the emperor, the criminals hid without any news, and even the mysterious man who rescued Consultant Mountain had no news at all.
Thinking of this, Pei Mingjue also sighed and patted Consultant Shan on the shoulder.
Consultant Shan risked his life to protect his comeback and return to the court to take back everything that belonged to him. They were no longer like ordinary monarchs and subjects, but more like brothers who were friends for life and death.
Advisor Shan quickly calmed down and said with emotion: "The emperor thinks this way, which makes me very happy."
He still remembered how miserable Pei Mingjue was when he had just escaped from the palace. However, he was still weak-hearted and kept saying that he didn't believe Jian Ziyan could be so cruel as to do this.
The young emperor finally grew up.
"I am no longer the same person I was back then." Pei Mingjue smiled slightly, with a bit of Jian Ziyan's sinister and ruthless demeanor, "Jian Ziyan must die."
Consultant Shan was silent for a long time, but still sighed implicitly.
Although he knew he shouldn't, he couldn't help but think of the expression of the young man he had accidentally glimpsed that day.
That look was definitely not like looking at an enemy, but like looking at a child who had just grown up. Although it was only a flash, after a few days, I began to doubt whether I had seen it wrong.
But now Pei Mingjue is the emperor. Whoever he decides to kill must die. This kind of trivial matter is not worth mentioning, which will only increase disgust.
"I wonder what kind of death the emperor wants to give him?" Advisor Shan said, "He probably won't just behead him."
"Of course we can't let him get away with it so easily." A dark look flashed across Pei Mingjue's eyes, and his nails almost dug into his palms before he could barely suppress the huge malice.
"I will choose the method that will cause him the most pain and make him die by his own means."
…
No one came to bring food to Jian Ziyan that night. Instead, he received an imperial edict, ordering Jian Ziyan to enter the palace immediately and be interrogated by the emperor himself.
Jian Ziyan did not show any surprise. He received the order and prepared to go.
Before stepping out of the door, he turned around and took a last look at the house where he had lived in his strict teacher for many years.
Maybe after tonight, he will never have a chance to come back.
There was no fear in Jian Ziyan's heart, only relief and calmness of impending liberation. He locked the door carefully and was then escorted into the palace.
He was taken to the throne room.
The huge Golden Throne Hall was empty and desolate at this moment, with only the candlelight flickering in the dim light. Stepping in was like entering a huge tomb.
Jian Ziyan was ready to die, but he didn't expect that after he came in, he would see a banquet table placed in the center of the Golden Throne Hall. There were already wine and food on the table, and a sweet aroma was emitting.
Jian Ziyan stopped and looked at the table of food and wine with complicated expression.
"Why? I specially ordered someone to cook your favorite dish to treat you. Are you not satisfied?"
A young and intimidating voice came from above. Pei Mingjue was wearing a dragon robe. The bright yellow color made his dragon-like and phoenix-like appearance stand out even more. He was tall and extraordinary, and he was obviously a wise and powerful young monarch.
Jian Ziyan looked at him for a long time, then knelt down slowly: "Greetings to the Emperor."
Looking at his respectful actions, a sneer flashed across Pei Mingjue's lips, but quickly disappeared.
"sit."
The king has given an order and the minister has to obey. Jian Ziyan sat in front of the table in silence, looking at the tempting dishes on the table.
Pei Mingjue sat on the dragon throne and looked down at him: "Why don't you move your chopsticks?"
Jian Ziyan said: "I dare not do this without the order from the Emperor."
Pei Mingjue clasped his hands on the armrests of the dragon throne, so tightly that white lines appeared on the edges of his nails: "Now you have learned the way to be loyal to the emperor. At this point, do you think your disguise still has meaning?"
Jian Ziyan's face was already pale, and now it seemed as if there was no trace of blood. A bitter smile passed across his lips, and he reached out to fill a glass of wine for himself.
The movement is extremely smooth.
"Your Majesty, I know you hate me, and I have been waiting for this day." He said, "If you want me to die, I have to die. I will win or lose. I accept it."
Then, under Pei Mingjue's half-smiley gaze, he raised his head and drank the glass of wine in one gulp!
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