Su Yi had just escorted Mu Jin back to the princess's residence and hadn't even had time to change his clothes before rushing to the palace.
As he expected, Lin Zhengyong attempted to force his way into the Dragon Saliva Hall to confirm whether Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Dynasty was truly injured as he claimed.
"His Majesty has explicitly forbidden all ministers from entering, yet you insist on forcing your way in. Do you intend to rebel?" Su Yi questioned loudly.
Lin Zhengyong glared at Su Yi, his eyes wide with fury, and roared, "Rebellion? Could it be that you secretly colluded with Yuanlu, imprisoned the Emperor, and plotted a coup?"
Su Yi raised the corners of his mouth slightly and asked in return, "So, you're determined to break into the Dragon Saliva Palace?"
Lin Zhengyong replied arrogantly, "This general only wanted to confirm whether His Majesty was lying safely in the Dragon Saliva Palace, and did not do anything disrespectful to His Majesty."
"Once I go in and confirm that His Majesty is well, I will leave the Dragon Saliva Palace. I wonder if Your Highness would be so kind as to grant me this favor?"
Su Yi stared coldly at Lin Zhengyong, his voice as icy as frost: "If I forbid it, what will you do?"
"Then don't blame this general for being ruthless!" Lin Zhengyong said, then shouted and struck Su Yi with a palm.
Su Yi moved nimbly, dodging Lin Zhengyong's attack. With a swift turn, he delivered a powerful punch to Lin Zhengyong's back. Lin Zhengyong flinched, but quickly regained his balance and drew his sword from a guard in front of the palace, swinging it at Su Yi in retaliation.
Su Yi, being of special status, was allowed to carry a sword while traveling through the palace. When he saw Lin Zhengyong draw his sword, he quickly drew his own sword and went to meet him.
Both men were extremely skilled in swordsmanship, and their swords made a crisp metallic clanging sound when their sword tips met.
They struck rapidly beside the assembled ministers, their swords flashing like dragons and snakes, creating a breathtaking scene.
The air inside the palace seemed to tremble with the aura of their swords, and every clash was terrifying.
Throughout this fierce confrontation, Su Yi remained in the sleeping quarters of the Dragon Saliva Palace, preventing Lin Zhengyong from having any chance to rush in.
His swordsmanship was both fierce and delicate; each attack was perfectly timed to repel Lin Zhengyong, preventing him from taking even half a step forward.
Although Lin Zhengyong was fierce, he could never gain the upper hand against Su Yi.
"Young Prince, General Lin, stop fighting! His Majesty is recovering from his injuries inside. Let's talk things out." A minister standing nearby anxiously urged the two to stop fighting.
At this point in the fight, Lin Zhengyong's breathing began to become rapid, like a broken bellows making a whooshing sound.
Although he was a general of the Southern Shu Kingdom, the kingdom had been at peace for many years, and no one had faced him directly for a long time. At this moment, under Su Yi's rapid and fierce attacks, his steps gradually became unsteady.
Su Yi did not intend to fight Lin Zhengyong for too long. When Lin Zhengyong's breathing became unstable, Su Yi seized the opportunity and stabbed Lin Zhengyong in the shoulder with his sword.
Lin Zhengyong screamed in agony as the longsword flew from his hand. He clutched his wound, looking at Su Yi with resentment.
At that moment, Lin Jingtian rushed forward and helped Lin Zhengyong up. He then knelt down and kowtowed to Su Yi to apologize, saying, "Please calm down, Your Highness, and forgive my father."
“My father was also extremely anxious and worried about His Majesty’s health, which caused him to lose his composure. He had no intention of disobeying His Majesty or disrespecting the young prince.”
Su Yi's lips curled up slightly, revealing a cold smile.
"Whether you are truly worried about the Emperor is something only you know in your hearts. What you have done today is enough to warrant the extermination of your entire clan."
Upon hearing this, Lin Jingtian was struck dumb, his back stiffening. Lin Zhengyong, however, wore a contemptuous expression and was about to retort when Lin Jingtian swiftly grabbed him.
Several ministers who were on good terms with the Lin family were also terrified and knelt down, begging Su Yi to calm down.
Your Highness, please calm your anger. This matter was indeed General Lin's fault. However, he had no intention of disrespecting His Majesty or you. He was simply anxious upon hearing that His Majesty was unwell, fearing that something might happen to him. This was a manifestation of General Lin's loyalty to the emperor and his patriotism. It was in his anxiety that he inadvertently offended you.
"I hope that Your Highness will forgive General Lin's recklessness this time, considering the Lin family's and General Lin's unwavering loyalty to the Southern Shu Kingdom and the Emperor over the years."
"Is this the will of the ministers, or the will of General Lin?" Su Yi coldly looked at the person kneeling before him, pleading for Lin Zhengyong.
Lu Changwei smiled obsequiously at Su Yi and said, "General Lin naturally shares the same sentiment." Then he tugged at Lin Zhengyong's sleeve, signaling Lin Zhengyong to beg Su Yi for mercy.
Lin Zhengyong, a proud and arrogant man, would never have taken Su Yi seriously. However, today's events were sudden, and he entered the palace without consulting his advisors. Now, reflecting on his impulsive actions, he couldn't have been without Su Yi's provocation.
Thinking of this, Lin Zhengyong clenched his fists, veins bulging, but gritted his teeth and kowtowed to Su Yi unwillingly, saying, "Please forgive me, Your Highness. I was indeed reckless just now because I was worried about the Emperor. I apologize again. You may punish me as you see fit."
Su Yi coldly looked at Lin Zhengyong, who was filled with resentment, took a few steps forward, and walked up to Lin Zhengyong.
He lowered his head and stared at Lin Zhengyong with cold eyes for a long time before sneering, "Fine, I will let it go this time because I think you are concerned about the Emperor and that's why you acted so rashly. But if there is a next time, don't blame me for turning my back on you."
Several people knelt on the ground and repeatedly agreed.
"You may all leave. Once the Emperor awakens, I will send someone to inform all the ministers."
The ministers looked at each other, still unmoved. At this moment, Lu Changwei walked up to Su Yi with a smile on his face.
"Your Highness, it's not that we want to disobey you, but we are truly worried about His Majesty. We haven't been able to see him, and we are feeling uneasy. Would you allow us to go in and catch a glimpse of His Majesty from afar?"
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