Taiji Hall
When the Emperor called his name, Lin Zhengbei quickly bowed deeply toward the dragon throne.
“Your Majesty, I have not returned to the capital to celebrate the New Year for five years.”
“You have worked hard, Duke Yong.”
The Emperor sounded full of emotion.
“The peace and prosperity of Dayong cannot exist without loyal civil and military officials like you. I have always remembered your service.”
“Your Majesty, we are willing to give everything for Dayong.”
All the officials knelt again to show their loyalty.
This was the usual ceremony performed every year at the first grand court meeting on the ninth day of the first lunar month.
Everything still looked peaceful today…
But today, an unexpected disturbance was destined to happen.
“Your Majesty, someone outside the hall is kneeling and asking to report an important matter.”
A palace eunuch guarding outside hurried in and knelt to report.
This was very unusual and clearly against the rules.
Anyone who was not an official on duty was not allowed to enter Taiji Hall.
Even if someone wanted to come in, the guards outside would stop and remove them.
When had an ordinary gate eunuch ever dared to run into the hall and report something directly?
“Eunuch Yin, are these the people you trained?”
Before the Emperor could speak, the Crown Prince frowned and questioned the chief eunuch standing behind the Emperor.
Even he could not ignore such a serious breach of protocol.
“Please calm your anger, Your Highness.”
Eunuch Yin was also shocked.
He hurried forward and stood in front of the kneeling eunuch.
“You foolish thing! Is this a place where you can enter?”
He lowered his voice and scolded him through clenched teeth.
If so many people had not been watching, he would have kicked him.
Eunuch Yin was the Emperor’s personal chief eunuch and the head of all the palace eunuchs.
Now that one of his men had broken the rules, even the Crown Prince had blamed him.
He felt deeply embarrassed.
“B-but… the man outside is the young master of the Duke of Chen’s family. He said someone is trying to overthrow the court and rebel. He came here to report it.”
The frightened eunuch could hardly speak clearly.
The Duke of Chen, who had been standing calmly and watching, suddenly broke into a cold sweat despite the winter weather.
“You said… the young master of the Duke of Chen’s family?”
Even Eunuch Yin hesitated.
The matter involved the safety of the empire and the Duke of Chen’s family. He did not know what to say.
“Your Majesty…”
The Emperor became interested after hearing the report.
“A young master from the Duke of Chen’s family? He claims someone is plotting rebellion and has come to report it?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. That is exactly what he said. The matter is too serious. I dared not hide it.”
The eunuch kept banging his head on the floor, afraid the Emperor would punish him.
“You mean someone from our family? Which young master is it?”
If Lin Zhengbei had not supported him, the Duke of Chen would have collapsed.
“My Lord, he said his name is Chen Yuanqing, and he serves in the Imperial Guards.”
The eunuch answered clearly.
“Your Majesty, Chen Yuanqing is a deputy commander in the First Battalion of the Imperial Guards.”
Shi Yue, the commander of the Imperial Guards, stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, Yuanqing…”
The Duke of Chen wanted to beg the Emperor to ignore his son.
He thought his youngest son must have gone mad.
Otherwise, how could he do something so insane?
But…
When he looked up at the Emperor, the cold look in the Emperor’s eyes frightened him.
In that instant, countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
“Summon him.”
The Emperor spoke in a deep voice.
“Summon Chen Yuanqing into the hall!”
The ceremonial eunuch shouted loudly.
Chen Yuanqing walked in through the main entrance.
Without looking at anyone, he walked straight toward the Emperor and stopped a short distance away.
“Yuanqing…”
The Duke of Chen tightly grabbed Lin Zhengbei’s arm, looking at his son with pleading eyes.
“Your servant, Chen Yuanqing, greets Your Majesty.”
Chen Yuanqing did not turn around or acknowledge his father.
He knelt respectfully and bowed.
“You said someone is trying to overthrow my empire?”
the Emperor asked.
“Your Majesty…”
Chen Yuanqing seemed to struggle with his words.
Then he appeared to make up his mind.
“I accuse Duke Yong of secretly working with an enemy nation and hiding an enemy princess inside the Duke’s residence.”
His accusation was so shocking that the entire court fell silent.
“You… you unfilial son!”
The Duke of Chen rolled his eyes and almost fainted.
Lin Zhengbei reacted quickly and caught him.
“Chen Yuanqing, are you accusing me?”
After signaling others to support the Duke of Chen, Lin Zhengbei finally stepped forward.
He angrily confronted Chen Yuanqing.
“Father-in-law, this concerns the safety of Dayong. I can only choose justice over family.”
Chen Yuanqing stood straight and spoke righteously.
“What a fine excuse—choosing justice over family.”
Lin Zhengbei suddenly kicked him hard, sending Chen Yuanqing crashing to the floor.
“You ungrateful wretch! You are making false accusations! My family treated you so well!”
Only then did the court officials realize…
Chen Yuanqing was Duke Yong’s son-in-law.
A son-in-law accusing his own father-in-law in court?
What was he trying to do?
“Duke Yong, mind your behavior.”
Seeing Lin Zhengbei about to kick Chen Yuanqing again, the Emperor finally spoke to stop him.
“Your Majesty, this boy has no conscience! He falsely accuses me of working with the enemy! I have always been loyal to Your Majesty and have never had any disloyal thoughts!”
Lin Zhengbei was so angry that he could barely speak.
“Whether it is a false accusation or not, let him finish.”
Although someone had been accused of threatening his empire, the Emperor did not appear especially angry.
“Your Majesty, I am not making false accusations.”
Suppressing the rage in his heart, Chen Yuanqing struggled back to his feet and bowed again.
Lin Zhengbei was a veteran general who had fought on countless battlefields.
His kick had been extremely powerful and well aimed.
It struck Chen Yuanqing so hard that he coughed up blood.
When the Crown Prince and the Second Prince saw Chen Yuanqing spit blood, their expressions became difficult to read.
“Chen Yuanqing, Duke Yong is the God of War of Dayong. Without his many years guarding the northern border, how could we enjoy today’s peace?”
Although the Crown Prince was only seventeen years old, he had already attended court for two years.
His words carried great weight.
“Duke Yong has rendered great service to the nation. Chen Yuanqing, could you be making these accusations without evidence?”
When the Emperor said the words ‘great service to the nation,’ he deliberately paused.
The experienced officials all noticed this small detail.
The military officials who had been ready to speak in Lin Zhengbei’s defense immediately kept silent.
The situation was still unclear.
The Emperor’s attitude was impossible to read.
They decided to wait and see how events unfolded before choosing a side.
“Your Majesty, I have solid evidence proving that Duke Yong secretly worked with the enemy.”
Chen Yuanqing spoke firmly once again.