Chapter Eleven: Turning the Tide

  On the golden throne, the emperor sat upright on the dragon seat, his face solemn and stern, his eyes gleaming like electricity as he looked down at the person speaking below.

  "Your Majesty, I report that Murong Xi Tian is aware of the law but breaks it, and his subordinates are corrupt. I have solid evidence, please summon Murong Xi Tian's personal attendant Ma Wei Liang to testify in court."

  Grand Preceptor Shen Zhao Yi said sternly.

  "Transmit." Jun Xuan's face remained expressionless, but the cold glint in his eyes intensified.

  "Summon Maiweiliang to the throne." As soon as the voice fell, a man of medium build wearing a soldier's uniform walked into the hall and bowed to the person on the dragon seat.

  Your humble servant, Ma Weiliang, pays his respects to Your Majesty. I am a personal attendant of Murong Xiutian and accompanied him on this trip to deliver disaster relief funds to Chejun Prefecture. As we passed through Fengshan Forest, a thick fog suddenly arose as soon as we entered the forest. General Murong ordered us to rest in place, but no sooner had we stopped than we were ambushed. I was among those who followed closely behind Murong Xiutian and witnessed everything clearly. It turned out that Murong Xiutian had colluded with the mountain bandits! When he saw that things were going awry, he showed no mercy or compassion, joining forces with the bandits to slaughter us in order to silence us. I barely managed to escape with my life, leaving behind the remnants of our party, and have come back to beg for Your Majesty's justice. I implore Your Majesty to avenge us! Ma Weiliang spoke with tears of indignation, his voice filled with righteous anger.

  "We report to Your Majesty, General Murong Xiao Tian has neglected his duties and stolen from the people. As a result, the refugees in Wu County's five counties have not received relief, bandits are rioting, and robbers are rising everywhere. His actions are detestable, his crimes punishable."

  "I implore Your Majesty, General Murong is loyal to the monarch and loves his country, how could he commit such a treacherous act? It must be that some villain has interfered, I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly."

  "Your minister also wishes to report that Murong Xiutian knows the law but breaks it, entrapping Your Majesty in unrighteousness and plunging the people into water and fire. Such great wickedness and unprincipled behavior absolutely cannot be tolerated."

  "Your Majesty, Mu Rong Xiao Tian is guilty of treason and theft, the evidence is conclusive. I request that Your Majesty quickly execute Mu Rong Xiao Tian to comfort the spirits of the dead and uphold the dignity of heaven." Prime Minister Shen Zhao spoke with a stern expression.

  "You old scoundrel, don't spout nonsense! General Murong is the greatest general of our kingdom. Don't fabricate things out of thin air." The Sixth Prince, Jun Ye, said with a fierce glare, his eyes blazing like wildfire as he stared at the Prime Minister.

  King Huan looked down at the crowd of officials who were speaking incessantly, and saw that King Huan was just standing quietly, his expression unchanged. He couldn't help but take another look. "Does King Huan have anything to say?"

  "Nothing to say, Your Majesty." He swept a glance at the crowd with angry faces and said, "I also have someone who wants to see the Emperor." Jun Yuhao spoke calmly, his tall and slender figure exuding an air of nobility.

  "Oh?" Jun Xuan Han heard Jun Xuan Huan say that there was also someone who wanted to see the emperor, and his eyes flickered slightly. "Announce."

  "The Emperor has issued an edict, those outside the Imperial Palace have been granted an audience."

  As the eunuch's voice fell, a figure in flowing white robes walked out from outside the palace.

  。

  The sunlight outside the palace shines on the visitor, refracting a faint halo, as elegant as a plum blossom, refreshing and radiant, as if stepping on clouds. It makes one unable to move their eyes away for a moment.

  "Minfu Murong Yunqing has seen the emperor." Yingying curtsied, her white skirt hem drawing a beautiful arc. Her clear and cold voice was like a gentle breeze that swept across everyone's heart, taking away the heat in the room.

  "Murong Yunqing, wasn't she abandoned by the Third Prince? How can she appear here?"

  "Yes, I heard it was caught in the act back then."

  "But a big green hat was put on Third Master's head. But how did Third Master bring her here today?"

  Yun Qing seemed oblivious to the officials' gossip. "The commoner woman came today to seek justice for General Murong." Her tall and straight posture was neither humble nor arrogant.

  Jun Yuehao looked at the figure who was still calm in the face of public criticism, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He really wanted to know how she would clear Mu Rong Xiao Tian's name in this situation.

  She gazed at the woman below, dressed in white, with a serene and elegant demeanor, as pure as a plum blossom, as refined as a lotus flower. Every corner of her eyes and eyebrows exuded an unparalleled confidence, yet she was supposed to be Murong Yunqing, who had been expelled from the Wang Manor by Third Brother? Why did she seem different from what he had heard? "Murong Xiao Tian, guilty of embezzlement, evidence is conclusive."

  "Dare to ask Your Majesty, where is the evidence?" Cloud's clear and bright eyes sparkled with a hint of starlight, and her mouth curved into a faint smile. "The commoner wants to ask Lord Shen," her clear eyes slowly swept over the kneeling person, "where is the so-called evidence? Can you determine the guilt of a general of the state based on the one-sided words of a minor character? It's simply laughable!"

  "Murong Yunqing, this is the imperial court, you cannot be so presumptuous here. Murong Xiao Tian, the criminal has deceived the emperor, with both human and material evidence complete, how can you still try to quibble?" Prime Minister Shen Zhao said sternly.

  "Is it complete?" Yun Qing's eyes coldly stared at Ma Wei Liang, just now outside, she had heard everything in the hall, didn't expect there was another "witness", the situation was indeed unfavorable. However, this Ma Wei Liang, Yun Qing's mouth corner hooked a cold smile.

  "Yun Qingxiang asked, 'How long have you been following Father?'"

  "Three months."

  "Are your words entirely true?" Yun Qing's eyes grew even colder, the corners of his mouth curling up in a sneer.

  Facing the icy gaze of Yun Qing, Ma Wei Liang's body involuntarily trembled slightly, his eyes flickering, but he still spoke out loud, "The humble one's words are all true, without a single falsehood."

  Every sentence was crisp and clear, an unsuspecting person would have believed it to be true. However, he was facing Yun Qing, who didn't miss the fleeting glint in her eyes.

  "Hum! You're a thorough little scoundrel!" Yun Qing sprang into action in an instant, leaping forward like a cat. In just that one moment, those slender small hands had grasped Ma Weilian's throat.

  Ma Weilian was already aware of Yun Qing's attack, and he wanted to counterattack but it was too late. He could only stare at Yun Qing with a pair of eyes full of terror, the force in her hand made him realize that she would really kill him.

  。

  Jun Ye Xie was stunned when Yun Qing appeared, he recognized her as his third aunt, but today's third aunt was very different, there was something about her that attracted him. Yun Qing's movements made him stare in amazement, could it be that Third Aunt wanted to destroy the evidence? But it seemed like even if she did get destroyed, it wouldn't be bad, Third Aunt was really too cool, he had been looking down on that little brat for a long time. But when did Third Aunt learn martial arts? Seeing the Imperial Guards surround Yun Qing, Jun Ye Xie's heart skipped a beat, no way, can't let Third Aunt suffer, so he immediately wanted to rush up.

  When Yun Qing had made a move, Jun Yuehao sensed it, but he believed that she wouldn't be so reckless now. Since she did this, she must have thought it through and had a plan. After a moment of quick thinking, he understood Yun Qing's intention. His thin lips curled up slightly as he stopped speaking, and he was also looking forward to her next move. It had to be said that during their brief time together, Jun Yuehao's impression of Yun Qing had undergone an unspeakable change. He reached out to grab Jun Yexie's arm, who was about to rush out, and calmly said: "She can handle it."

  Jun Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and the emperor's aura dissipated in an instant.

  "How dare you, to disturb the imperial carriage in the court! Come on, take down Murong Yunqing quickly!" Shen Zhao shouted loudly, but a hint of cleverness flashed in his eyes. Murong Yunqing was at her wit's end, enraged and wanting to kill someone on the spot to silence them, but unfortunately, it was too late. This would only accelerate Murong Xiao Tian's death sentence. If she really killed Ma Wei Liang, that would be even better - no evidence, no proof, and Murong Xiao Tian would be silenced forever. But being able to get rid of Murong Yunqing at the same time wasn't bad either.

  Unfortunately, Yun Qing's next move was completely beyond his expectations. He dropped a bead of sweat.

  Ignoring the guards surrounding her, Yun Qing slowly opened her mouth and said, "The truth has already been revealed, please give my father justice, Your Majesty."