Before Ge Hong could respond, Chu Xuan raised his voice: "Eunuch Ge, it is public knowledge that the Lu Family has insulted the Langya Prince's Estate. Everyone here can testify to that on my behalf. Since His Majesty has summoned me, I must trouble you to bind the Lu Family and accompany me to the Imperial Palace for an audience."
What!
Bind the entire Lu Family?
Ge Hong’s brain struggled to keep up with Chu Xuan’s pace.This man had clearly forged an imperial decree, committed the crime of deceiving the sovereign, burned down the General's Estate, slaughtered people there, and incited the commoners to frame the Guo-Overturn Nation Grand General.Yet now, he was turning the tables and demanding that *he* bind the family of the Guo-Nation-Overturning Grand General? Was he here to arrest Chu Xuan, or was he here to arrest the General's family?
"What, are you unwilling? Or do you not acknowledge the contributions of the Langya Prince's Estate, and would rather sit idly by while the Lu Family insults us?"
Chu Xuan laid this heavy accusation upon him; even as the Chief of the Inner Court and a favored aide to the monarch, Ge Hong could not possibly shoulder such a charge.
In fact, throughout the entire Dayuan State, anyone who dared to disparage the merits of the Langya Prince's Estate would be condemned by all.
"Chu Xuan, stop spouting nonsense. When has this old servant ever failed to acknowledge the contributions of your Langya Prince's Estate? It is just that I am here today under the orders of His Majesty..."
"His Majesty did not order you to watch idly while my Langya Prince's Estate is humiliated, did he?"
"This..."
"It seems this is His Majesty's intention. Perhaps the Emperor has forgotten the sacrifices and contributions of my Langya Prince's Estate. Very well, all land under heaven belongs to the King; who would dare defy the Emperor's will!"
Chu Xuan’s words sent a jolt through Ge Hong.
He had come because Chu Xuan forged a decree and proclaimed himself the Nation-Guarding Prince of Langya.
If he ended up mired in this mess himself, it would not be worth it.
"Chu Xuan, His Majesty has always respected those who have served the state. How could it be as you say?"
"Really? If His Majesty respects his heroes, then now that a hero is being humiliated, shouldn't you, as someone by his side, do something for him?"
Ge Hong scanned the crowd of commoners who had yet to rise. Seeing them all staring at him, he felt caught in a dilemma.
He deeply regretted coming to deliver the decree. If he had stayed away, he wouldn't be caught in this wretched predicament.
But he had to do something now—if not for himself, then for his master. He could not allow his master to gain a reputation for "discarding the hunting dog once the rabbit is caught."
"General Lu, Lord Lu, my apologies!" Ge Hong said, turning to the Lu Family.
"Eunuch Ge, don't be intimidated by Chu Xuan! He is nothing but a base and shameless villain, he—"
"General Lu, once we enter the Imperial Palace, His Majesty will deliver his verdict. For now, please do not make things difficult for me!"
Lu Xueqing glared at Chu Xuan, wishing she could tear him to pieces right there.
But she knew that if she did, she would be stepping directly into the trap he had laid.
She had no choice but to endure this for the moment, and wait until they reached the palace to make sure Chu Xuan met a miserable end.
...
In the Golden Throne Hall of the Imperial Palace, the officials who had originally gathered for Lu Xueqing’s celebration feast were all assembled.
The civil and military officials whispered among themselves, while only Long Zaitian, the Dayuan State monarch on the dragon throne, and Wushuang Kuangye, the head of the officials, remained indifferent, eyes closed in repose.
"The Heir to the Nation-Guarding Prince of Langya, Chu Xuan, arrives by imperial decree for an audience."
With that shrill, nasal announcement echoing from afar into the Golden Throne Hall, the discussions ceased.
Simultaneously, Long Zaitian and Wushuang Kuangye slowly opened their eyes.
But when the officials saw Chu Xuan slowly walking into the hall, followed by the three members of the Lu family bound by ropes, their faces shifted in shock.
"Chu Xuan, you are bold! How dare you enter the palace wearing a five-clawed python robe? What is your crime?"
Chu Xuan had only made it halfway to the audience position when a roar thundered through the hall.
Although the officials had heard that Chu Xuan had forged the decree and titled himself the Nation-Guarding Prince of Langya, hearing about it was far less shocking than seeing it with their own eyes.
Chu Xuan ignored the man who shouted, not even breaking his stride as he walked to the designated position, placing himself on the same parallel line as Wushuang Kuangye.
"Your subject, the Nation-Guarding Prince of Langya, pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Chu Xuan did not kneel. He merely cupped his hands, emphasizing the title "Nation-Guarding Prince" and letting the words resonate through the hall.
The officials were further incensed, looking at him in disbelief.
They all knew Chu Xuan was a wastrel, unable to practice martial arts from birth.
For the past five years, he had lived in constant fear, never daring to offend anyone, rarely even stepping outside the estate.
Yet today, he seemed like a different person. Not only did he feel no guilt for forging the decree, he dared to declare himself the Nation-Guarding Prince to the Emperor's face.
Had he been driven insane by Lu Xueqing breaking off their engagement?
But that didn't make sense—if he were provoked by her, why was the Lu Family brought in bound?
With Lu Xueqing’s Mid-Fifth Grade cultivation, Chu Xuan, a mere wastrel, could never have achieved that.
Before the officials could ponder further, Long Zaitian spoke from the throne.
"Lord Lu, what is the meaning of this?"
Long Zaitian was around sixty, with a robust frame and a face full of majesty, though a trace of natural gloom lingered beneath his dignity.
Lu Xueqing had held her peace for the entire journey; now, prompted by Long Zaitian, she stepped forward to accuse him: "I ask Your Majesty to decide for me. This Chu Xuan—"
Before she could finish, Chu Xuan interjected: "Your Majesty, the Lu Family insulted my Langya Prince's Estate and refused to return the betrothal gifts I gave them years ago. That is why I asked Eunuch Ge to bring them bound to the palace. I ask Your Majesty to uphold justice for my estate and restore our reputation."
The news of the Lu Family insulting the Langya Prince's Estate had reached the palace before Chu Xuan arrived, and it had been confirmed as true.
Neither Long Zaitian nor his officials had any counter to this.
They could only blame Lu Xueqing for her bad luck in having such foolish parents.
But no one expected Chu Xuan to lead with this issue the moment he arrived—was he trying to focus on this to escape the charge of forging the decree?
Lu Xueqing was determined to hold her ground; she could not admit to it, even if it meant death.
"Your Majesty, Chu Xuan is framing us. My family has always respected the Prince of Langya. I have even taken him as my role model; how could we possibly insult his estate? This is clearly a scheme by Chu Xuan to force me to change my mind and agree to marry him, even at the cost of destroying the reputation of his own house. He is a shameless villain who would even exploit his own deceased parents and brother to get what he wants. I will never yield to him. I beg Your Majesty to rule in our favor and clear our family's name."