Taiji Hall
The Emperor was clearly interested when Chen Yuanqing claimed he had solid evidence.
“Oh? Tell me.”
“Your Majesty, this matter began yesterday when my wife returned from Duke Yong’s residence.”
Chen Yuanqing hated the kick Lin Zhengbei had given him.
Even breathing hurt now. It was all because of that reckless soldier.
So when he spoke, his voice was filled with determination, as if he had nothing left to lose.
“After my wife came back from the Duke’s residence yesterday, she kept crying in secret. No matter how much I asked, she only shook her head and refused to say anything.”
“Finally, late at night, after I questioned her again and again, she told me the truth.”
Chen Yuanqing looked directly at Lin Zhengbei.
“My wife went to my father-in-law’s study to look for a few copybooks for our child. By chance, she found a letter hidden inside a book.”
“What letter?”
The Emperor and Lin Zhengbei asked almost at the same time.
“It was a letter from Hu Meng, the Grand Marshal of Great Jin, addressed to Duke Yong.”
Chen Yuanqing answered firmly.
The tension on Lin Zhengbei’s face immediately eased.
“Chen Yuanqing, if you want to frame me, you should at least make up a better story.”
He looked at Chen Yuanqing with obvious contempt.
“Everyone knows Hu Meng and I are sworn enemies. Even if we really exchanged letters, would I keep one after reading it instead of burning it? Why would I leave it for someone else to find and bring trouble upon myself?”
After saying that, he added sarcastically,
“Or do you think I’m an idiot who would deliberately leave evidence for you?”
What he said made perfect sense.
Everyone present thought the same.
“Perhaps Duke Yong believes… that because of his great achievements, he no longer needs to fear Your Majesty.”
Chen Yuanqing raised his voice.
Those words—”his achievements overshadow the ruler”—were especially vicious.
Not only the Emperor…
Even the officials present nearly stopped breathing when they heard them.
Achievements that overshadow the ruler.
Was that really something a son-in-law should say about his own father-in-law?
Everyone silently wondered just how poor Duke Yong’s judgment had been to choose such a venomous snake as his son-in-law.
Looking at Chen Yuanqing’s determination…
It seemed as though he would not stop until he tore a piece of flesh from Duke Yong.
“Chen Yuanqing… you… unfilial son…”
The Duke of Chen finally fainted from anger.
“Call the imperial physicians! Hurry!”
The Crown Prince shouted.
Some officials suggested laying the Duke flat on the ground.
Others called his name loudly, hoping to wake him.
Someone even pinched the pressure point beneath his nose.
For a moment, the entire court fell into chaos.
When Lin Zhengbei saw his old friend lying unconscious while Chen Yuanqing acted as though nothing had happened…
His anger exploded.
“You beast! That is your father, yet you won’t even look at him!”
As he shouted, he raised his leg and kicked Chen Yuanqing again with all his strength.
This kick made Chen Yuanqing cough up several more mouthfuls of blood.
“Lin Zhengbei! How dare you!”
The Emperor stood up from the dragon throne.
“Could it be that Chen Yuanqing is telling the truth? Are you trying to silence him by killing him?”
The moment the Emperor spoke, the entire court became silent.
No one paid attention to the unconscious Duke of Chen anymore.
Everyone stared in shock.
Judging from the Emperor’s attitude…
Had he really believed Chen Yuanqing and decided to move against Duke Yong?
“Your Majesty, even if Chen Yuanqing slanders me, I would not be this angry, because I know every word he says is false.”
Lin Zhengbei also raised his head stubbornly.
“I am angry because this beast refuses even to look at his own father after he collapsed.”
He meant that his kick was to vent the Duke of Chen’s anger.
It was not an attempt to silence Chen Yuanqing.
“Father, I also believe Chen Yuanqing’s accusations cannot stand.”
The Crown Prince bowed respectfully.
“Leaving aside the fact that Duke Yong denies having such a letter in his study, even if there were one, how could Chen Yuanqing’s wife know for certain that it was written by the Grand Marshal of Great Jin?”
Chen Yuanqing slowly pushed himself back up onto his knees.
His nose suddenly itched.
He wiped it with his sleeve, only to stain the sleeve with blood.
His chest hurt terribly.
That only made him hate Lin Zhengbei even more.
“My wife saw it clearly. The envelope was signed, ‘Respectfully presented by Grand Marshal Hu Meng.'”
“Nonsense! Xiner is my daughter. She would never falsely accuse her own father. Your Majesty, this beast clearly has evil intentions.”
Of course, Lin Zhengbei refused to admit anything.
“Father, I also think this whole story sounds ridiculous.”
The Crown Prince continued to defend Lin Zhengbei.
As for the Second Prince, he remained silent from beginning to end.
From his expression, however, it seemed he believed Chen Yuanqing’s accusations, just like the Emperor.
But anyone with common sense knew the accusation made little sense.
Lin Zhengbei was not a fool.
Why would he casually leave a letter that could cost him his life in a place where anyone could find it?
Who would believe such a story?
Cough… cough…
“I still have more evidence.”
Chen Yuanqing’s voice had become hoarse.
“You have more evidence? Why didn’t you say everything at once?”
Lin Zhengbei had a quick temper.
He looked ready to kick him again.
Chen Yuanqing clutched his chest.
Did he not want to finish?
It was Lin Zhengbei who kept kicking him before he could speak.
He was obviously trying to beat him to death.
His father-in-law had once seemed like an honorable man.
Now Chen Yuanqing believed he was truly vicious.
“My wife also found someone living in a courtyard inside Duke Yong’s residence. That person’s appearance was clearly different from the people of Dayong. She claimed to be a princess of Great Jin who had returned from the northern border with Duke Yong.”
“A princess of Great Jin?”
The Emperor repeated.
“Yes. Her name is Yelü Zheng.”
Chen Yuanqing looked at Lin Zhengbei with hatred in his eyes.
“Duke Yong, you secretly communicate with the Grand Marshal of Great Jin and openly bring an enemy princess back to the capital. What exactly are your intentions?”
“What utter nonsense.”
Lin Zhengbei showed no fear at all.
“Your Majesty is wise. My Duke Yong family has served the empire with loyalty for generations. How could a beast like him slander us so easily?”
After speaking, he respectfully bowed to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, Chen Yuanqing is not only unfilial but also falsely accuses a loyal minister. A person who is both disloyal and unfilial has no place in this court.”
“Your Majesty, every word I have spoken is true. If you do not believe me, send people to search Duke Yong’s residence.”
Chen Yuanqing shouted loudly.
“I know reporting my own father-in-law is wrong. Last night I lay awake, thinking about it over and over.”
His face showed an expression of righteous sacrifice.
“For the sake of Your Majesty and the Dayong Dynasty, I chose justice over family. I hope all the ministers will understand.”
The Emperor slowly sat back down on the dragon throne.
“Duke Yong, what do you have to say?”
It was clear he already believed Chen Yuanqing and had begun to challenge Lin Zhengbei.
“I have always acted honestly and with a clear conscience.”
Lin Zhengbei showed not the slightest fear despite the Emperor’s pressure.
“What a fine ‘clear conscience.'”
Anger was obvious on the Emperor’s face.
“So, Duke Yong, are you asking me to search your residence to prove your innocence?”
“Father, you must not.”
“Your Majesty, you must not.”
The Crown Prince and Chancellor Li spoke at the same time.
“Father, if you order a search of Duke Yong’s residence based only on one man’s accusation, it will discourage the soldiers who defend our borders.”
The Crown Prince’s words echoed what many officials were thinking.