"Xu Su, you claim the Sixth Prince defied my will. I can tell you directly that he was acting on my orders when he went to investigate the situation with you!" Huangfu Haoran said flatly, looking at Xu Su.
Xu Su's expression remained unchanged. He spoke in a clear, resonant voice, "But that is not what the Sixth Prince did. He brought his men and surrounded the National Guardian General's Mansion. His demeanor was aggressive, and he intended to arrest me on the spot..."
As he spoke, Xu Su looked up, met the Emperor's gaze, and continued, "My father has long guarded the Border Region, bleeding for the kingdom and rendering it great service. But yesterday, the Sixth Prince's actions would have led any uninformed observer to believe my Xu Family had committed some heinous act of treason and was about to have our estate seized!"
"Your Majesty, I don't know what the Sixth Prince was trying to do, feigning compliance with Your Majesty's decree while secretly defying it. Furthermore, hidden among the men he brought was an impossibly strong assassin. If my brother Xu Luo and I weren't so fortunate, I fear we would have died at that assassin's hands yesterday."
"I refuse to believe that assassin belonged to the Sixth Prince, but shouldn't Your Majesty order a thorough investigation into this matter, to give me a proper account of what happened?"
"For something like this to happen right here in the Imperial Capital... a Martial Artist of that caliber is a catastrophe for any family. If he could attempt to assassinate my brother and me, he can certainly go after others!"
Xu Su laid out his case in a grand, eloquent speech.
The civil and military officials of the entire court stood in deathly silence.
Everyone present was already aware of what had happened on Vermilion Bird Avenue yesterday. They hadn't given it too much thought before, but now that Xu Su had laid it out, a chill ran down their spines.
'He's right. A Martial Artist that powerful would be an absolute disaster for any family they targeted.'
'If he could go after the Xu brothers, he could just as easily go after anyone else!'
'Who in the world has such a powerful Martial Artist in their service?'
'If he was one of the Emperor's men, that would be one thing, but the chances of that were practically zero!'
At that, many eyes turned toward Wei Feng, who stood at the head of the Civil Servant ranks. He remained perfectly still, his gaze lowered as if in deep contemplation, feigning utter indifference.
'Could it be one of Prime Minister Wei's men?' The thought surfaced in many minds, and the looks they now cast at Wei Feng were filled with dread.
"I have already investigated this matter. It was merely an accident. The man's identity is unknown; he infiltrated the ranks of the Palace Guard..." Huangfu Haoran said, then looked up at Xu Su. "In fact, I was going to ask you a question. Have you two offended someone? Why else would an expert of that caliber attack you?"
Xu Su immediately shook his head. "Aside from the people of enemy kingdoms, my brother and I have offended no one."
Many of the ministers cursed inwardly on the spot: 'What a little fox! The Xu Family and the Wei Family are at each other's throatsâanyone with eyes can see that. For you to claim you have no enemies besides those of the kingdom... isn't that just a roundabout way of saying the Xu Family is devoted solely to serving the nation?'
Even Wei Feng shot Xu Su a surprised glance. He had fully expected the Xu Family's eldest son to turn the flames of accusation on him. He'd even prepared his rebuttal.
But to his surprise, the young man hadn't mentioned him at all.
This allowed Wei Feng to breathe a sigh of relief, but it also put him on high alert.
'Of the two Xu Family brothers, Xu Su is one thing, but that little bastard Xu Luo is just too damn cunning. He's capable of anything.'
'Relying on his immense military honors, he had practically turned the Wei Family upside down. If not for the Wei Family's deep reserves and my own considerable power, any other family would have been utterly ruined by now!'
"I will naturally assign men to investigate this matter, and I will certainly give you and your brother an answer," Huangfu Haoran said, then turned his gaze back to Xu Su. "But many people have accused you of committing a violent assault in the street, with the intent to murder a Royal Family Descendant... What is your explanation for that?"
Xu Su's eyebrow shot up as he sneered, "That's complete and utter nonsense!"
"Xu Su, how dare you try to quibble here in the Golden Hall?" an old man in yellow robes demanded, his beard trembling with rage as he pointed a finger at Xu Su. "Huangfu Haoyue is still lying in bed, practically crippled by you! You assailant, what more is there to say?"
"Don't think you can act with utter impunity just because you are a General's son! You think you can hold sway over the entire Cangqiong Kingdom? You aren't qualified!" a middle-aged man in purple robes snapped.
With a mocking smile, Xu Su looked at the two men, then turned to Huangfu Haoran on the Dragon Throne and declared loudly, "Huangfu Haoyue was harassing a woman in the middle of the street! It doesn't matter that she was a friend of my younger brotherâeven if she were just an ordinary citizen, I would have intervened upon seeing it!"
"A prince who breaks the law should be judged the same as a commoner." Xu Su looked at the Emperor and stated loudly, "I stepped forward to stop him, but Huangfu Haoyue threatened me. He boasted that he was not only a Royal Family Descendant but also a member of a great sect, trying to use his status to intimidate me..."
"I may not have a high station, but I will never bow my head to such tyranny!"
"Enraged by the humiliation, Huangfu Haoyue drew his sword and tried to kill me. I was forced to defend myself..."
"Does his royal blood give him the right to act with such impunity?"
"And now, for these royal nobles and a group of self-serving, blind officials to obscure the facts and deceive Your Majesty right to your face... I find it utterly laughable!"
The entire Golden Hall was so silent you could hear a pin drop, the only sound being Xu Su's impassioned voice echoing through the space.
The old royal noble in the yellow robe was trembling with fury. "Deceitful words! All just deceitful words!" he raged.
"As a respected elder among the royal nobles, you should be standing on the side of justice! Instead, you act like a doting guardian, unable to tell right from wrong, black from white, and trying to crush others with your authority!" Xu Su retorted, looking at the old man with cold contempt.
"You... you'll be the death of me!" The old man swayed on his feet, so enraged by Xu Su that he nearly coughed up blood.
"Enough!" From the Dragon Throne, Huangfu Haoran finally spoke. He watched Xu Su with narrowed eyes, his mind reeling in shock.
'I never expected the Xu Family's eldest son to be so eloquent... He was called a Wise General in the army, but I always thought that just meant he was skilled at warfare. Now I see this young master of the Xu Family is much more than that...'
Just as he was about to speak, an announcement rang out from outside the hall.
Huangfu Haoran swallowed the words he was about to say. He glanced at the eunuch beside him and said coolly, "Send him in."
A young officer in his thirties, clad in armor, strode hastily into the hall. He was covered in dust from a long journey and his face was etched with fatigue, but his eyes were bright and full of spirit.
Upon reaching the center of the great hall, the young officer bowed deeply to the Emperor. "This humble general, Su Tong, greets Your Majesty! I am in full armor and cannot perform a full kowtow. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"
"Su Tong..."
In the Golden Hall, the faces of many present changed instantly at the name.
The name was not unfamiliar. Su Tong was one of the Personal Guards who served the Grand General of National Guardian, Xu Ji!
Why was Su Tong here, covered in the dust of a long journey?
If he was here, then... where was Xu Ji?
A chill went through the hearts of many present.
Xu Ji was stationed at the Border Region almost year-round and rarely returned to the Imperial Capital, so many people often subconsciously forgot he even existed.
Half the Civil Servants in court were currently aiming their spears at the two young Xu brothers. Weren't they only daring to attack them because Xu Ji wasn't around?
If Xu Ji had been here, far fewer people would have dared to target the Xu Family so brazenly!
Even the lofty royal nobles only spoke of Xu Ji dismissively. Faced with the man himself, they would never dare utter such words.
Huangfu Haoran was also taken aback. He had received no news of Xu Ji returning to the Imperial Capital. The sudden appearance of his Personal Guard was quite unexpected.
Despite his thoughts, Huangfu Haoran's expression remained calm. "At ease," he said coolly. "You are not at the National Guardian General's side. Why have you returned to the Imperial Capital?"
A joyous expression lit up Su Tong's face as he announced loudly, "This humble general has come to report joyous news to Your Majesty!"
"Joyous news?" Huangfu Haoran asked, surprised.
The civil and military officials in the great hall held their breath, all eyes on the young commander.
"That is correct. This general has come to report joyous news! Days ago, the General led a force of thirty thousand in a surprise attack on the Wu Kingdom! The army drove straight to the Wu Kingdom Capital City, captured the King of Wu, and forced the Wu Kingdom's army to surrender..."
Su Tong's words were like a stone tossed into a hornet's nestâthe entire Golden Hall instantly erupted in chaos.
For a moment, nearly everyone stood frozen, too shocked to even think. Then, expressions of immense excitement spread across their faces!
But then, the officials who had been targeting the Xu Family quickly wiped the excitement from their faces, their mouths twitching. They knew all too well that now, the Xu Family was truly unstoppable.
Wei Feng, after a moment of shock, was the first to react. He dropped to his knees and cried out, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! A joyous occasion for Your Majesty! May Your Majesty's wise and martial rule last for ten thousand years and unify the Central Plains!"
The others quickly followed suit, including the royal nobles. With faces full of excitement, they all knelt and shouted, "May Your Majesty's wise and martial rule last for ten thousand years and unify the Central Plains!"
Su Tong, standing in the center of the hall, shot Wei Feng a disdainful look and muttered to himself, 'What a bootlicker.'
Huangfu Haoran was so stunned by the news that he couldn't process it for a moment. He only snapped out of it when Wei Feng fell to his knees and began his sycophantic praise. A look of pure ecstasy broke through his formerly impassive mask.
But he was a monarch, a wise Emperor, and he did not let the news overwhelm him. He calmed himself, looked at Su Tong, and asked, "Is this true?"
Though he forced himself to remain composed, an excited tremor still laced Huangfu Haoran's voice.
Su Tong bowed. "How would this humble general dare to lie? The General and his men are escorting the King of Wu back to the Imperial Capital as we speak. I was sent ahead to deliver the glad tidings!"
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
On the Dragon Throne, Huangfu Haoran could no longer contain himself and burst into roaring laughter. He stood, descended from the dais himself, and walked up to Su Tong. He clapped the young man firmly on the shoulder and boomed, "Xu Ji... He truly is my lucky star! Excellent! Excellent! Wonderful!"
Wei Feng remained kneeling, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. His vision swam, and a bitter taste filled his mouth.
'I never imagined that at this critical juncture, Xu Ji... would actually conquer the Wu Kingdom. Just like that, all my schemes against the Xu Family, all the attacks I had yet to unleash, had become a complete joke!'
'Who would dare to provoke a hero who had just expanded the kingdom's borders?'
Su Tong smiled and shot a wink at Xu su, who was standing off to the side.
Huangfu Haoran returned to his Dragon Throne. With a grand wave of his hand, he declared, "Cease all other matters! Prepare to welcome the Grand General of National Guardian, Xu Ji!"
He then gave Xu Su a deep look and said, "Xu Su, as for this business between you and Haoyue, let's not get any more tangled up in it. It was a conflict born of misunderstandings. We'll leave it at that. I will speak to Haoyue and forbid him from ever mentioning this again... The matter is closed. As for the assassin... I will have men investigate, and when the time comes, I will of course give you an answer!"
Xu Su smiled faintly, bowed, and said, "As Your Majesty commands!"