Green Mountain-Chapter 701 - 557: Seven Days

In front of Renshou Palace, the cabinet ministers and officials turned to look at Meng Ji, pondering the hidden meaning in his words.

Princess Bai Li, Han Tong?

The officials exchanged furtive glances, trying to see if anyone knew the matter...but looking around, they were all confused. No one knew how these two were linked, nor should they be.

The officials secretly cast their eyes toward Renshou Palace, hoping to see the expression of the person behind the veil.

Does Your Majesty know about this matter? Or does His Majesty know that Meng Ji would ask such a question?

Today's interrogation was clearly a scripted story, a performance with coordinated singing, with the blade aimed at the Cao Yun. When Wu Xiu transmitted His Majesty's decree, he looked exactly like a famous actor coming on stage to receive applause after the performance.

How come there are unexpected turns?

The civil servants enlisted an official to interrupt Meng Ji's interrogation, and since His Majesty's decree was issued, the matter of Han Tong should have ended here. But the interrogation did not cease, instead, Meng Ji desperately used his last strength to ask about Princess Bai Li.

The officials' eyes turned to the deep and dark Renshou Palace, but Emperor Ning was concealed by the veil, his expression completely unclear.

They then looked at Wu Xiu's astonished eyes, and they felt puzzled. Could it be that His Majesty truly didn't know there would be such a twist, and it was the Poison Minister in Jiefan Building who acted on his own?

How dare he?

At this moment, Han Tong was struggling, seemingly unwilling to speak the truth. His eyes rolled back, poised to roll back at any moment.

Bai Long took out a yellow paper talisman from his sleeve, folded into a triangle with a hint of blood, but no one knew whose blood had written it.

He handed the talisman to Meng Ji's mouth: "Open your mouth."

Meng Ji took the talisman under his tongue in one bite, his complexion surging with blood, angrily shouting at Han Tong: "Speak!"

Han Tong rasped: "Zhu Baili is the daughter of myself and Wen Yunmo."

The air in front of Renshou Palace turned to ice.

The cabinet ministers and officials' eyes focused sharply on Han Tong, each gaze carefully weighing his earlier words, as if trying to dig out more substance from between the lines.

Wen Yunmo.

Many couldn't immediately recall who this name belonged to, until someone quietly reminded: "Wen Yunmo, Consort Jing."

Everyone was shocked, Consort Jing having a child with the Cao Gun? It would pierce the heavens.

"Absurd!" A stern shout exploded, Qi Xianzun, the Left Imperial Censor, his mustache and hair bristling, pointed a trembling finger at Han Tong: "Seditious words to deceive the masses, falsely accuse the royal family, tarnish the royal bloodline. Your Majesty, his intent is punishable by death, he should be executed along with nine tribes!"

As he shouted this, it was like a ladle of water falling into boiling oil, suddenly exploding. An official knelt facing Renshou Palace: "Your Majesty, this scoundrel is mad, his words are all nonsense!"

Another official knelt: "Should be executed by a thousand cuts! Should be executed by a thousand cuts, Your Majesty!"

"Inflict the utmost punishment!"

"Behead and display to all!"

Disturbed by the uproar, Meng Ji couldn't resist the backlash from the Official Gateway, spat a mouthful of blood, and fell unconscious.

Bai Long waved to the spies: "Carry him down and take good care of him."

At this time, Han Tong suddenly burst into laughter: "Execute nine tribes? How could I, Han, have nine tribes? I'm just an orphan taken in by the Wen Family, weren't they already exterminated by you?"

His eyes were obscured by the Little Celestial Five Declines, looking with hollow, unfocused eyes towards the deep Renshou Palace: "If it weren't for my Cao Guild's full support back then, how did Prince Jing quell the chaos in the Two Lakes? Without my Cao Guild, how did the court manage to transport grain smoothly? Without my Cao Guild, how did the court intercept the Liu Family's communications? If not for my Cao Guild, where did the money come from to raise your spies and Jiefan Guard in those years? Now that your seat on the dragon chair is stable, you burn the bridge after crossing it, just wanting to cover up those dirty deeds the Cao Guild did for you early on!"

The area inside and outside Renshou Palace fell silent.

Everyone knew that His Majesty could eliminate the Liu Family with the Cao Guild's contribution in following the dragon. It was an old, rotten account, but now no one knew how to settle it.

Wu Xiu shouted harshly: "Shut Han Tong's mouth!"

At the next moment, the sound of the Three Mountains Bell rang, Wu Xiu hurriedly turned back, bowed, and saluted: "Your Majesty?"

Emperor Ning finally stood up from the imperial seat, pushed aside the layers of veils, and carried the Three Mountains Bell to the front of the hall door.

The morning light fell on Emperor Ning's black Daoist robe, on that face always rumored to be sinister, now showed a calm tranquility: "It wasn't your Cao Guild that helped me stabilize this dragon throne. It was the legal system passed down by the Grand Ancestor Emperor, it is the weight of the society entrusted by the common people."

Han Tong sneered: "Pompous!"

Emperor Ning did not argue with Han Tong, only calmly said: "Issue an imperial decree, detain Han Tong in the inner prison, wait for the Ministry of Personnel to investigate the crime together with the Three Judicial Departments, and then immediately execute."

Han Tong did not care about his impending death, only absent-mindedly yelled: "Chen Ji? Where is Chen Ji?"

Chen Ji replied from not far away: "I am here."

Han Tong derided: "Chen Ji, is this what you want, to trade your conscience for fame and wealth? To become a hawk and dog of the court and the Eunuch Party?"

Chen Ji remained silent.

Bai Long waved his hand, and Jin Zhu and Heavenly Horse immediately dragged Han Tong away.

As Han Tong was dragged along the ground, he shouted loudly: "The whole court is filled with beasts in clothes, one day the people of this world will know, your blood is also red!"

The voice gradually faded away, and Wu Xiu looked towards Emperor Ning: "Your Majesty, Zhu Baili..."

Emperor Ning tossed the Three Mountains Bell in his hand to the ground: "Issue an edict to strip Zhu Baili of her surname, assign her to the Imperial Music Bureau to be sold as a slave, and the silver coin from the sale will go to the Inner Treasury."

Chen Ji stood outside the hall, looking down at the Three Mountains Bell rolling to the Filial Piety and Brotherly Love Stele, still making a tinkling noise.

Previously, he could not understand how the Prime Minister would give Bai Li her freedom back. Princess Bai Li was implicated in a rebellion case, and according to the Daning Law, to restore Bai Li's freedom, first Prince Jing must be exonerated, which was almost impossible.

He thought for a long time and couldn't figure out a way to solve this in seven days. And now, the Prime Minister had provided the answer.

Bai Li is no longer of royal bloodline, naturally cannot be used for marriage alliances.

Being assigned to the Imperial Music Bureau for sale also means she can completely leave the palace restrictions.

In the midst of his thoughts, the Minister of Rites, Mr. Qi Xun, suddenly asked: "Your Majesty, if this girl is assigned to the Imperial Music Bureau, what will become of the marriage alliance with Annan? It would be better to hide this matter and agree to Annan's proposal for marriage."

Chen Ji immediately stepped forward: "This is not appropriate. Mr. Qi, paper cannot wrap fire, Annan will eventually know this matter, by then how will our court face the questioning from the barbarians?"

Mr. Qi seemed not to have expected Chen Ji to contradict him, he glanced sideways slightly: "What Annan seeks is merely a title, send them more craftsmen and medical officers, and they will learn to keep their mouths shut."

Chen Ji's voice raised a bit: Chen Ji's voice raised a bit: "Mr. Qi, as the Minister of Rites, you should know that a nation cannot stand without integrity. Today, to save one matter, you deceive the barbarians; tomorrow, to save another, can we also deceive the people of the world? By then, orders will not be obeyed, laws will not be implemented, how will the nation stand as a nation?"

Mr. Qi's eye corner twitched slightly, he didn't look at Chen Ji, but slightly bowed in the direction of Emperor Ning: "Your Majesty, in my foolish view. Annan is but a tiny country, seeking nothing more than the Celestial Dynasty's dignity and some practical benefits. Craftsmen and medical officers, plus a three percent increase in annual tribute this year, will be enough to appease them. In comparison, if the matter of the royal bloodline confusion spreads, it will damage the dignity of our Ning Dynasty and shake the people's hearts. Which is more important, I hope Your Majesty will judge wisely."

Several other officials echoed in low voices: "Mr. Qi's words are very true, the bigger picture should be prioritized."

"Since the commandery princess is no longer of heavenly family bloodline, sending her for a marriage alliance would also fulfill Your Majesty's benevolence and give her a way out."

Chen Ji pressed all the echoes with his voice: "No!"

Emperor Ning looked at him calmly: "Marquis Wu Xiang, what is your view on how this matter can be satisfactorily resolved?"

Chen Ji took a deep breath and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I believe there is no perfect solution to this matter. It is not related to Bai Li's bloodline, but that our court cannot have a marriage alliance with Annan."

Mr. Qi frowned slightly: "No marriage alliance? Annan has already submitted the letter of proposal, how can this be treated as a child's play?"

Chen Ji's speech accelerated: "Your Majesty, Siam is in chaos internally, and Jiaozhi has been weak for many years, there is no one in the south to check Annan. If Annan uses the power of our Celestial Dynasty to establish a foothold in the south, driving out Jiaozhi, swallowing Siam, today's Annan may become our future imminent threat. Your Majesty, if they are not of our kin, their hearts must be different; Annan can be strengthened, but cannot grow too strong!"

With these words, Mr. Qi fell silent.

The officials turned their gaze to Emperor Ning, and after a long while, Emperor Ning slowly said: "Mr. Qi, reject Annan's letter and grant another reward."

Mr. Qi bowed and said: "I follow the decree."

Emperor Ning continued: "Draft an edict, promoting Yang Xun, Governor of Jiaozhi, for his meritorious service in quelling the rebellion, to the position of Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War and Right Assistant Minister of the Imperial Supervision Office, overseeing military affairs in Yun Gu, Guangdong and Guangxi, and Jiaozhi. Bestow the title of Pingnan Bo, with the right of hereditary succession. Grant the Python Robe and Jade Belt, and confer the title of Doctor of Political Affairs."

The officials exchanged glances, there are six merits in the Ning Dynasty: founding, quelling the rebellion, capturing rebels, pacifying barbarians, resisting enemies, and conquering.

But this reward to Yang Xun is a promotion disguised as a demotion; while Yang Xun is granted special honors, he is called back to the Imperial Capital to be stripped of actual military power, to prevent any future uncontrollable situation.

Yet Yang Xun cannot refuse. This recall to the Imperial Capital gives him the possibility of entering the cabinet. Only by entering the cabinet can the Yang family have the chance to escape the control of the Xu family.

Amidst the crowd, Yang Xun showed a thrilled expression, prostrated on the ground: "Thank Your Majesty for the holy grace."

Emperor Ning spoke again: "Issue the decree, Qi Xianshu is transferred to the position of Governor of Jiaozhi, concurrently serving as Governor of Annan."

Qi Xianshu looked towards his father, Mr. Qi, in astonishment, and Mr. Qi nodded slightly, whereupon he prostrated on the ground: "I follow the decree."

Emperor Ning wearily waved his hand and turned to walk into the deep palace: "Dismissed."

Wu Xiu stood in front of Renshou Palace and said loudly: "Today's matters are finished, if there are further issues, please present them in a memorial. If not, please return to your respective government offices."

The officials left Renshou Palace, and as Official Chen passed by Chen Ji, he did not look at him, walking leisurely away.

When the area in front of Renshou Palace was empty, Bai Long came to Chen Ji, sizing up his bright red official uniform: "The Prime Minister has fulfilled his promise to you, regardless of the process, this is the only way now to free Bai Li from her predicament. I'm giving you seven days to raise the silver coin, seven days later at the Danbi Grand Music Hall of the Imperial Music Bureau, whether you can take her away, is your own concern."

"Understood."

Chen Ji turned and left in big strides.