Isolated town in northern border region

Just then, a young historian from the Du family stepped out from the ranks.

He held a blank bamboo scroll and a pen in his hand. His voice was not loud, but it was clear enough for everyone in the hall to hear.

"As a historian, I must record the whole story of the Peng Xuan case truthfully."

He picked up his pen and began to write, reading aloud as he wrote.

"Peng Xuan, the former commander of the Right Guard of the Imperial Guard, was timid and extremely weak-willed... He lost his mind after being struck by the spear by the King of the Northern Frontier..."

Peng Xuan's eyes widened suddenly at that moment.

He was a dignified military general and a prominent figure from a distinguished family, and he was driven insane by fear.

It should be recorded in the history books!

These texts will be included in the national historical archives and placed on the bookshelves of the Hanlin Academy for future generations to read!

Centuries later, when people open that bamboo scroll, they will see this eternally laughable story!

"No! Absolutely not!"

"I would rather die than suffer such a humiliating disgrace!"

Peng Xuan cried out in his heart, "I can't pretend anymore!"

"shut up!"

Peng Xuan's voice changed tone. He suddenly stood up, and the iron chain clattered against the jade steps.

"Shut up! You're the coward! You're the crazy one! I'm not crazy!"

"I was acting under orders! His Majesty sent me to kill Xiao Lie!"

"It's His Majesty's secret decree!"

His voice echoed throughout the hall, like a stone thrown into a frozen lake.

The entire hall fell silent, and the Chu Emperor's face turned completely pale at that moment.

Peng Xuan was still yelling.

"You lot, you were calling me brothers just a while ago, but today you're all pretending to be deaf and dumb!"

"You think you can escape?"

"You can kill me today, but you'll be the ones dying tomorrow!"

His voice grew increasingly shrill, and his nerves snapped completely.

The young censor from the Wang family stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I dare not presume to judge whether Peng Xuan's words are true or not."

"But he confessed in court that he had intended to murder the King of Northern Frontier..."

"If this is true, then the charge that he framed the King of Northern Frontier is confirmed."

"Framed a prince, plotted an assassination... and slandered the emperor, sowing discord within the royal family..."

According to the Chu law, their entire clan should be exterminated.

Another official chimed in.

"I second that opinion."

The third, the fourth, the fifth.

Those officials who were previously observing have finally made their choice.

The Chu Emperor sat on the dragon throne, his hands gripping the armrests, his knuckles turning white.

He suddenly realized that the court assembly had already spiraled out of control.

He could no longer control anyone in the hall.

Especially Peng Xuan!

So what if I'm infamous for eternity? So what if I'm a laughingstock for all time?

Can't you just put up with it?

Although you have been vilified, I am much better off!

The Chu Emperor looked at the Peng family members.

They kept their heads down, and no one stood up to say a word for Peng Xuan.

He looked at the aristocratic officials who had once stood by his side.

They also joined in chanting "exterminate the three clans."

The Chu emperor felt that all was lost and even thought that he was just a lucky charm sitting on the dragon throne.

"Peng Xuan has sown discord among the royal family and slandered the emperor, which is extremely disrespectful!"

The Chu Emperor's voice was very soft, as if he had used up the last bit of his strength.

"According to the Chu Law, his three clans shall be exterminated."

"Furthermore, Peng Xuan's execution has been changed from immediate beheading to slow slicing."

He didn't look at anyone when he finished speaking; he didn't have the strength left.

When Peng Xuan was dragged out of the main hall, his eyes were fixed on the direction of the dragon throne, and the resentment in his eyes had already solidified into a tangible form.

The Chu Emperor did not look at him; he simply sat there, staring at the empty palace gates, as if he had lost the ability to hear any sound.

In the two weeks following the Peng Xuan case, the news permeated every corner of the Great Chu like water.

Those who had once served the Chu Emperor began packing their belongings. Some sent letters toward the northern frontier, while others burned things that shouldn't exist to ashes in the dead of night.

The storyteller in the teahouse turned the Peng Xuan case into a joke, and when he got to the part about being executed by slow slicing, he lowered his voice and added a sentence.

"This is what happens when you serve His Majesty."

When Xiao Lie received the message, he had already arrived in Jing Kingdom, and was only twenty miles away from the capital of Jing Kingdom, Wenshu City.

"That clumsy Peng Xuan!"

"If he hadn't lost his mind and exposed his shortcomings in public, the Imperial Uncle would probably have given him a quick death."

Since realizing that Emperor Chu might not be the culprit behind his father's poisoning, Xiao Lie's malice towards Emperor Chu has diminished considerably.

While not exactly kind, they were at most like the wicked relatives in the family.

Jiang Min poured Xiao Lie a cup of tea.

"Your Highness, with Peng Xuan dead, the Chu Emperor may be left without anyone to command."

"Although you have not yet ascended to the throne, you are almost there."

"Are you really going to get involved in this mess for the sake of a fallen princess like me who has lost power?"

Xiao Lie picked up the teacup and smelled it.

"Mmm! The tea served by Princess Minyue herself is so fragrant!"

"With just this cup of tea, I must test the mettle of this new ruler of Jing Kingdom."

Jiang Min sniffed and raised her chin.

"This time, fulfilling the marriage agreement and rescuing my elder brother will probably not be so simple."

Xiao Lie handed the cup to Jiang Min.

"Have a sip of tea to calm your mind."

"You Jing people have really studied yourselves to the point of brain death!"

"If we can reason with each other, then we'll reason with each other. If we can't reason with each other, can't we just take it?"

"I am but a mere warrior! Yet I control eight provinces of the Great Chu, with a strong and well-equipped army!"

"If I have to endure such humiliation after building such a large fortune, what's the point of me striving?"

Jiang Min chuckled as she looked at Xiao Lie's nonchalant expression.

"Hmph! You dare to criticize General Luo? You yourself aren't much better; you're a complete bandit leader!"

"Alright, get some rest. We'll enter the city tomorrow morning and present our credentials."

Jiang Min nodded, and just as she stood up, she remembered something else.

"A letter of state? How can it be called a letter of state without the seal of the Chu Emperor?"

Xiao Lie rolled his eyes helplessly.

"I told you, people from Jing Kingdom have too many rules!"

"If your new ruler of Jing Kingdom were of sound mind, even a spit from me would be considered a formal declaration of state!"

…………

The next day, Jiang Min returned to the palace alone to see the new emperor.

Xiao Lie entered Wenshu City dressed in dark casual clothes, with his Taiping sword hanging at his waist.

Bisu followed behind him, carrying a small bundle in her hand.

Xiao Lie did not bring any guards this time, only Bi Su accompanied him.

Tie Muyun said he wanted to go with them, but Xiao Lie stopped him and left him in Bingzhou to continue searching for the Panlong Guard.

Xiao Lie went directly to the Court of State Ceremonies and handed the official letter to the Vice Minister.

"Please forward this to the Emperor of Jing."

The reply came faster than I expected.

The next morning, a young man dressed in the official robes of the Jing Kingdom knocked on Xiao Lie's door. He was polite but distant, and handed back the official letter exactly as it was.

"His Majesty said that the marriage agreement between the princess and the King of the Northern Frontier was neither arranged by a matchmaker nor decided by their parents, and should be regarded as a joke and not taken seriously."

Xiao Lie took the letter of state but did not open it; he simply looked at the young man.

"Are you sure these are His Majesty's exact words?"

The young man bowed.

"I haven't changed a single word."

Xiao Lie nodded.

"understood."

He closed the door, placed the official letter on the table, and Bisu stood beside him, whispering.

"Your Highness, what are they doing...?"

Xiao Lie placed the official letter on the table.

"I never imagined that the new ruler of Jing Kingdom would actually be out of his mind!"

"How dare he show me no respect, a king of the Northern Frontier as I am!"

Bisu gently massaged Xiao Lie's shoulders.

"Your Highness, what should we do now?"

"Let's wait and see if any news comes out about Jiang Min."

The next day, Jiang Min made no move, but the young official came again.

This time, they came to deliver invitations.

The Jing Kingdom's royal palace held a banquet to hold a marriage contest for Princess Minyue.

The invitation was written very politely.

"The King of the Northern Frontier has come from afar; please do me the honor of attending."

Xiao Lie looked at the invitation twice, flipping through it, while Bi Su leaned over to take a look.

"Your Highness, isn't this...?"

Xiao Lie finished speaking for her.

"Find a husband for Jiang Min right in front of me?"

He put the invitation down.

"Do you really think I'm a scholar?!"