Chapter 304 The Determination to Leave
After the battle in Kyoto, the generals went to the palace to report.
When they took off their armor and weapons, everyone's armor was covered with thick blood scabs, which fell off.
Yun Chen, Huo Gannian and others were all injured to varying degrees. After being slightly bandaged, they entered the East Palace to pay their respects.
Nan Lijun trotted down from his high seat and helped several people up one by one.
She held Yun Chen's hand, and exclaimed in a tearful voice:
"She is worthy of being the first female general of our Nan Nation. She is the bravest among the entire army! She is truly a role model for women all over the world!"
Looking around at the wounds on the bodies of several people, and the glorious military achievements made by this man who stood before the eyes of the entire court, Nan Lijun said:
"I want to reward several generals handsomely!"
Zhi Luo walked up from the side, without even glancing at Yun Chen as before, and officially read out the Eastern Palace decree for promotions and rewards for several people.
Nan Lijun turned around and walked towards the high seat, and the touch of emotion on his face instantly faded.
In a place where Yun Chen and the others could not see, Nan Lijun took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood stains that had just been stained when she shook hands with Yun Chen, with a trace of barely perceptible disgust between her brows.
Nan Lijun turned around and sat down, his face immediately changing to an approving smile.
She went on to offer a long speech of bland praise.
Yun Chen had been fighting all night without sleep, and now he was tired and exhausted. He couldn't help but be distracted, and his eyes wandered towards the hall.
As she was floating around, she suddenly noticed a figure at the side door of the hall.
As if sensing her gaze, the figure quickly dodged into the room, leaving Yun Chen only able to see a glimpse of the edge of a white robe.
Yun Chen was very surprised. Nan Lijun's bedroom was behind this side door. Who was so bold as to eavesdrop in the East Palace's bedroom?
She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't notice that Nan Lijun had finished speaking. Everyone was bowing their heads in gratitude, but she was the only one still standing there awkwardly. Huo Gannian was pulling her trouser leg to remind her.
After realizing his own misconduct, Yun Chen quickly knelt down to apologize, but Nan Lijun didn't seem to care. He just smiled and said to her:
"General Yun has now been promoted to earl, so he should be more stable. But it doesn't matter. As long as Lord Huo thinks it's okay, that's fine."
The news that Huo Gannian was going to marry Yun Chen had spread throughout Kyoto, and Cao Fang and the others had naturally heard about it as well.
Now that Nan Lijun's words were ambiguous, they undoubtedly confirmed the news. Everyone couldn't help but feel happy for Yun Chen and Huo Gannian.
Soon, the reward ceremony was over, and Nan Lijun asked everyone to leave, only asking Huo Gannian to stay and discuss matters.
She placed the three things that Huo Gannian had returned to her, the highest token of the Huo Gang, the military token of the Lion Army, and the marquis' crown, on the table one by one.
"I will return these three items to you."
Huo Gannian glanced at the things on the table calmly and said, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I have made up my mind to resign. I only wish to be an ordinary wealthy couple with Yun Chen. I have already planned to move back to Yancheng and seek a quiet and comfortable life."
Nan Lijun frowned. "Now Luojiang has annexed the northern tribes and established the vast and powerful Luojiang Khanate. The vanguard dared to cross the snow-capped mountains and launch a surprise attack at the foot of Kyoto. To the north lies Luojiang, insurgents in the middle, and the Black Scale Cavalry in the southeast are eyeing us covetously. Your resignation at this time truly chills my heart."
There was no expression on Huo Gannian's face, but Nan Lijun could feel his strong disdain and coldness.
"Huo Gannian, I know what you're thinking. You think I won't listen to you and that continuing to serve me is a waste, right? Uncle Yan Chuo passed away, and East Yan is in turmoil. West Yan has taken advantage of the situation and invaded East Yan.
This is indeed as you expected. But when I pretended to send reinforcements from the capital, Xi Yan did not come to attack, and Yan Shijiu did not have the slightest intention of rebellion. Huo Gannian, you guessed wrong.
It could only be that Yan Shijiu sensed something was wrong with you, or learned of the secret letter you sent to Dongyan to investigate the prince, and changed his original plan. That's what happened on Mount Li Road, wasn't it? They joined forces with Zhiluo to eliminate me, and to dispel all your concerns and gain your trust.
Huo Gannian no longer wanted to say these words. He felt there was no need to say them anymore.
"Perhaps." He spoke in a calm tone. "Ni Kun is dead, the Beijing army hasn't rebelled, and the court hasn't been in chaos. Your Highness, do you still think Ni Kun is a treacherous minister who wants to seize power?"
Nan Lijun's face was solemn:
"nature!"
Huo Gannian gave a bitter smile and said, "Then I have nothing more to say. Your Highness, please allow me to leave."
"You..." Nan Lijun frowned unhappily, picked up a thick secret letter from the table, and read it to Huo Gan:
"When Ni Kun gave me the Imperial Seal, he placed this letter underneath it. He said that after his death, I should open the letter and read it in person."
Huo Gannian glanced at the unopened seal on the letter and said, "Your Highness should take a look at it."
"Really?" Nan Lijun brought the secret letter to the candlestick. The candlelight quickly bit the envelope, tearing black cracks and soon devouring the entire letter into ashes.
The secret letter was burning. Huo Gannian stared at the dazzling flames and sighed with regret in his heart.
He felt sorry for Ni Kun and sad for himself, which made him more determined to leave.
But Nanli Jun said nonchalantly:
"No matter what is written in this letter, whether it is honest advice or criticism, I am not interested, and I cannot influence any decision. Because I am the crown prince of Nan Kingdom and the only heir to Nan Kingdom. Everyone in this world can be wrong, but I will never be wrong."
After a pause, she raised her chin and said word by word:
"Because I am the king, I am the law."
These words were spoken with great vigor, but after they fell, there was only silence and awkwardness all around, without a single applause or cheer.
There were only Nan Lijun and Huo Gannian in the hall.
Huo Gannian looked at her calmly, seemingly indifferent to everything about her, which made these powerful words seem a little ridiculous.
No one will ever know what heartfelt words were written in that letter.
Huo Gan thought that Nan Lijun might have already noticed something.
But she could not accept it, let alone admit that she had wrongly killed Ni Kun, so she would rather turn a blind eye and burn the secret letter.
The atmosphere had gotten to this point, so Nan Lijun simply stopped beating around the bush.
She took out a bright yellow imperial edict and placed it on the table:
"This is the imperial decree granting you and Yun Chen a marriage. It will be the first decree I issue after ascending the throne."
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