Volume One, Chapter 20: Do You Intend to Rebel?

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Zhao Gengcang took a deep breath, his expression cold and unyielding as he stared at Shen Yi. “I demand an explanation! Otherwise, I shall report to His Majesty the facts as they are, charging you with contempt for imperial authority! When that time comes, even the Prince of Zhenmu will not be exempt from responsibility!”

At these words, Lin Fengxuan and Nanyang both revealed expressions of vindictive satisfaction.

With Zhao Gengcang’s testimony, combined with the influence of our own backing forces, this matter could be exaggerated to portray Shen Yi as utterly disregarding imperial majesty, nearly killing the princess and the heir to the Pingqing prince!

This is outright disrespect toward His Majesty!

Is it because the Prince of Zhenmu’s merits overshadow the sovereign’s that he thinks he can place himself above the emperor?

Lin Fengxuan grew increasingly excited. With this, the most powerful border lord of a different clan would be my father, the Pingqing Prince!

The entire court would have to curry favor with me!

Even His Majesty would have to show me some respect from now on!

Ha ha!

“Ah! That hurts!” Shen Yi lowered his bow and arrow, his voice calm as he said, “General Zhao, may I ask where we are?”

Zhao Gengcang frowned, momentarily taken aback. “The residence of the Prince Consort of Changyang. What do you mean by that?”

Shen Yi smiled faintly. “Yes, this is my home—His Majesty’s bestowed residence for the Prince Consort, the very chamber of the princess under imperial protection!

Princess Nanyang and Lin Fengxuan barged in heedlessly, insulting the current Prince Consort and Princess Changyang!

This is a clear act of disrespect not only to imperial authority but to His Majesty himself!”

Having said this, Shen Yi bowed respectfully toward the palace.

Lin Fengxuan and Nanyang exchanged contemptuous and mocking looks.

Is that all?

At worst, we were just caught up in emotion and spoke impulsively—harmless words.

But you, you are suspected of having murderous intent toward the princess!

In polite terms, you threaten the royal family!

In harsher terms, if you dare kill the princess today, what’s to say you won’t dare kill His Majesty tomorrow?

That would be the crime of regicide, punishable by extermination of the entire family!

Yet, in Changyang’s heart, these words struck a chord.

He truly acted because Nanyang insulted me.

She opened her mouth to plead once more.

But Shen Yi continued calmly, “I merely asked them to leave.

Yet they ignored my counsel and continued to swagger arrogantly in the residence granted by His Majesty.

This is not only trespassing on imperial property but trampling on His Majesty’s decree!

That is one offense. The second is trampling on the laws of the Great Cheng Dynasty and contempt for imperial majesty!”

At these words, the pupils of Nanyang and Lin Fengxuan shrank slightly.

This worthless fellow remained composed in a crisis and even turned their accusations back on them!

Zhao Gengcang, however, was inwardly shocked. He had not expected this youth to have prepared such a complete defense.

Brave and cunning, eloquent and persuasive—truly rare!

“Nonsense!” Nanyang shouted angrily, “You shot me with an arrow! There were so many witnesses! How dare you deny it!”

Lin Fengxuan remained composed. Though they were indeed at fault first, this single charge could damn him utterly.

“Sorry! My hand slipped!” Shen Yi smiled lightly.

The others sneered—who would believe that?

“But!” Shen Yi’s expression suddenly turned icy cold. “Captain Yang, as the commander of the imperial guards assigned by His Majesty to the Prince Consort’s residence of Changyang, did not act without order from Princess Changyang.

Yet, as Princess Nanyang, you crossed boundaries to command His Majesty’s imperial guards to attack this Prince Consort?

And they dared not disobey?”

A gasp rippled through the hall.

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Even Yang Lintan and the imperial guards were stunned.

Lin Fengxuan recalled his own words and gestures just moments before and suddenly his eyes widened in alarm.

Nanyang, confused, opened her mouth to argue.

Shen Yi’s voice rang with solemn authority as he rebuked, “And Lin, the Prince Consort! You are a first-rank, idle official of the Ministry of Rites. By what merit or ability do you dare command His Majesty’s imperial guards?

Could it be that you rely on the Pingqing Prince’s military achievements, the extensive influence of your Lin clan throughout the Great Cheng, and the marital alliance with the Wang family,

To wield power over the court and act lawlessly within Princess Changyang’s residence?

This is contempt for the princess and disdain for His Majesty!

I ask, Princess Nanyang and Prince Consort Lin, is the imperial guard truly His Majesty’s forces, or are they a private army that obeys your Wang and Lin clans’ orders?”

Are you—

Planning rebellion?!

With those words, the entire hall shook.

The imperial guards’ eyes were filled with fear.

They did fear and sought to curry favor with the Lin and Wang clans, but that did not mean they truly dared to defy imperial commands.

Yet recalling what had just happened—

Though they were supposed to be Princess Changyang’s guards, they disobeyed her and Captain Yang’s orders, instead obeying Nanyang and Lin Fengxuan.

In the past, such behavior would have been forgiven, even rewarded, as their families could leverage it to gain favor with the Wang and Lin clans.

But today, with His Majesty’s confidant, the incorruptible and upright General Zhao present—

Lin Fengxuan began to panic.

This was the most sensitive moment!

His trembling hand hastily saluted toward the palace, shouting, “His Majesty reigns! The Lin clan is loyal to the country; how could we harbor rebellious hearts?”

Yet within, a storm raged.

In these chaotic times, how many military lords with great power have not dreamed of becoming emperor?

Moreover, their Lin clan had many wealthy and influential family connections.

The dynasty may flow like water, but powerful merchant families are ironclad!

If His Majesty had not been resolute in curbing the power of the Guanzhong and Great Cheng noble families, and if rebel forces were not growing and foreign invasions not increasing,

Perhaps they would not dare to overstep their bounds.

Previously, they could fabricate lies and unite to accuse Shen Yi of disrespect.

But General Zhao is known for his integrity and is from a prestigious Guanzhong family.

When he speaks, many officials heed his words.

More importantly, he is a savior of the nation.

And the suspicious emperor would surely investigate quietly...

But—

“No?” Shen Yi’s lips curled in a cold smile. “As a hostage and Prince Consort of the Pingqing Prince, you not only do not avoid conflicts of interest in court affairs but also build factions.

The court is filled with civil and military officials kowtowing to your Lin clan.

Lin Fengxuan, you are bold indeed—a hostage who brazenly forms cliques and even commands the imperial guards?

Have you already colluded with numerous generals and meritorious officials?

Planning to, when the national army battles rebels, rise up with the Pingqing Prince and court officials to rebel?”

A hush fell over the hall.

Those at the Prince Consort’s residence looked at Shen Yi in disbelief.

Is this still their heir? Their Prince Consort?

So eloquent, so cunning!

Lin Fengxuan was chilled to the bone, his thoughts aligning more and more with Shen Yi’s accusations.

Compared to Shen Yi’s weakness and the officials’ ostracism, his own reputation, the officials who fawned over him, and the clan’s influence—

Damn!

In desperation, he shouted, “Shen Yi! You’re talking nonsense!”

Even Nanyang sensed something was amiss, both shocked and angry. “You slander me! I’ll tell Father the truth—you are the one with rebellious intent!”

Zhao Gengcang’s heart was a tempest, his face grave.

He had not expected such a minor incident to escalate into talk of rebellion.

Everything Shen Yi said was clearly well-planned and artfully spoken.

This youth was something of a prodigy.

Knowing His Majesty well, he would surely sow discord between the Wang and Lin clans.

In future official appointments, His Majesty might use today’s incident to reject or bargain over appointments.

After all, the imperial guards—

They are His Majesty’s security guarantee!

Even if no rebellion occurred, this would enrage the emperor!

Thus, Shen Yi’s actions just now become somewhat understandable.

Yet he greatly disliked this kind of deliberately framed verbal battle.

“Prince Consort Shen,” Zhao Gengcang shook his head in disappointment.

“I will report this matter honestly, but rebellion—I find it baseless.

Princess Nanyang, Prince Consort Lin, you need not worry excessively.

His Majesty will make a judgment.

Please return for now.”

Zhao Gengcang lamented that such a fierce general would resort to petty quibbles out of momentary anger.

His Majesty also disliked generals who overthought matters.

Upon hearing this, Lin Fengxuan sighed with relief, though he knew this was likely meant to placate the Lin clan.

After all, with border wars raging, only the Pingqing Prince’s stronghold kept order.

But in the future, they would likely face the emperor’s suspicion.

And that scoundrel Shen Yi, who humiliated us and even shot me, would walk away unscathed!

What a humiliating defeat!

Truly losing both man and arms!

I will not accept this!

Shen Yi, just wait!

Lin Fengxuan gratefully said, “Thank you, General Zhao!”

At last, Changyang exhaled deeply.

According to General Zhao, Shen Yi’s actions would likely be regarded as a misjudgment.

Even if there were issues, Father would not act immediately.

But the fact that the imperial guards obeyed Nanyang and Lin Fengxuan instead of Princess Changyang and Captain Yang could be made a big deal.

If the entire imperial guard feared the Wang and Lin clans so much that a single order could endanger the emperor’s life—

His Majesty would surely be deeply troubled and reorganize the imperial guard.

Those without power who offended the Pingqing Prince’s faction would face even greater difficulties and malicious obstruction.

Ah, such is fate.

Nanyang said no more, but her eyes burned with malice, eager to return and explain everything to her father.

Then—

I will make the two of you, this worthless couple, wish you were dead!

“As for you undisciplined guards who disobey orders,” Zhao Gengcang said with a dark expression, “just wait for His Majesty’s punishment!”

“General Zhao, we acknowledge our faults! Please spare us this once!”

“My ancestors served under General Zhao—please have mercy!”

A chorus of pleas followed.

Shen Yi, however, knew that if Yun Cang were not present, though he could annihilate them, he would be burdened with all manner of false charges.

So he showed no mercy.

Now, not only had he conveyed his message to the emperor, but he felt quite satisfied.

Heh, think you can fight me?

I nearly went undercover to become the leader of a drug cartel!

He looked coldly at the two resentful figures.

“Please leave. This is no place for traitors.

I, Shen Yi, though powerless and lowly, serve my sovereign faithfully.

If anyone dares harm His Majesty, whether through fire or sword, even if scorned by all officials, even if backed by powerful forces,

I will fear no tyranny and devote myself entirely.

I vow to eliminate rebels for His Majesty, no matter how slight my contribution!”

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