Lu Xueqing's words caused both Long Zaitian and the assembled officials to frown deeply.
Was she truly unaware, or merely feigning ignorance? Such an obvious matter, yet she still attempted to turn the tables and pin the blame on Chu Xuan.
However, because Lu Xueqing had just achieved military merit and was also the prospective daughter-in-law of Wushuang Kuangye, even if she knew everything—even if the entire affair had been instigated by her—the officials would still stand by her side.
Even Long Zaitian, the ruler of the state, chimed in to help: "Lord Lu, do not be upset. I will certainly secure justice for you in this matter."
As soon as these words were spoken, it was Chu Xuan who furrowed his brows.
The Imperial Capital was right beneath the sovereign's feet. Whatever happened within the Imperial Capital, great or small, how could Long Zaitian, as the ruler, possibly be unaware of it?
Furthermore, the incident had caused such a massive uproar that no amount of power or means could easily suppress it.
Yet Long Zaitian still insisted on securing justice for Lu Xueqing; wasn't this a blatant display of partiality toward her?
Originally, given that Long Zaitian had looked after him over the past five years, Chu Xuan had been willing to afford him the utmost respect, which was why he had immediately entered the palace the moment the imperial edict arrived.
Now, it seemed he had merely been indulging in wishful thinking.
That five-year display of care was likely nothing more than a show put on for the world to see, a way to avoid bearing the reputation of treating the descendant of a meritorious official poorly.
"Chu Xuan, I have also heard a bit about this matter. However, you claim that Lord Lu humiliated your Langya Prince's Estate—do you have any proof?"
Long Zaitian's words laid his bias completely bare.
That being the case, it was futile whether he had evidence or not.
Seeing that Chu Xuan remained silent, the man who had shouted angrily just moments before immediately stepped forward and bowed to Long Zaitian."Your Majesty, not only has Chu Xuan falsely accused the Nation-Toppling Grand General, but he has also forged an imperial edict, conferred the title of Nation-Guarding Prince of Langya upon himself, and burned down the General's Estate. According to the laws of our Dayuan State, his crimes are unforgivable even through death a myriad of times!"
This man was named Zhu Wen, and he served as the Minister of Revenue.
Although Long Zaitian favored Lu Xueqing, he could not afford to tarnish his benevolent image of looking after the descendants of meritorious officials over the years, so he said, "Chu Xuan, regarding this matter, you have truly disappointed Me! Originally, for the sake of your father and brother sacrificing their lives for the country, even if you were unable to cultivate the Martial Dao, I could still have ensured you a lifetime of peace, wealth, and prosperity. But with what you have done today, how am I supposed to protect you?"
After merely these two remarks, Chu Xuan saw right through Long Zaitian's true nature.
While favoring Lu Xueqing, he simultaneously played the role of the benevolent ruler protecting a meritorious descendant.
This was the classic behavior of a foolish ruler who yearned to be remembered as a wise sovereign.
It was a pity that Long Zaitian had underestimated him.
If he were truly someone so easily manipulated by people like them, today's events would never have transpired.
"This Prince did indeed burn down the General's Estate and kill quite a few people within it. But Minister Zhu, allow me to ask: with which eye did you see this Prince forge an imperial edict and confer the title of Nation-Guarding Prince of Langya upon himself?"
Chu Xuan was not foolish enough to talk back to Long Zaitian; after all, he was the ruler of the country. If he truly went toe-to-toe with him, even without a forged edict, it would still be a capital offense.
As for the others, Chu Xuan had no intention of pandering to them.
"You still dare to quibble? Do you take His Majesty and all the civil and military officials here to be deaf? You began referring to yourself as the 'Nation-Guarding Prince of Langya' the moment you arrived, and now you keep addressing yourself as 'This Prince.' Is this still not proof enough that you forged the imperial edict?"
Facing the gloating gazes of the court officials, Chu Xuan felt a true chill in his heart for the very first time.
Although he had long known the attitude of this court toward the Langya Prince's Estate, witnessing it with his own eyes made the realization all the more striking.
After all, quite a few people present had once received favors from the Langya Prince's Estate.
Back when his father was alive, he had promoted many individuals.
Especially among the military generals, half had been elevated by his father in those years.
Among those who had ever set foot on a battlefield, who had not been saved by his father at some point?
Yet now, they completely cast aside his father's kindness in promoting and saving them, desiring only to drive him and the Langya Prince's Estate to a dead end simply to avoid offending a certain person.
Lu Xueqing, whose bonds had already been untied, wore an expression of utter triumph as she declared, "Chu Xuan, the evidence that you forged an imperial edict and proclaimed yourself the Nation-Guarding Prince of Langya is ironclad. It is a capital offense."
Before Long Zaitian, the ruler of the state, Lu Xueqing naturally knew which crime had to be brought up first; those petty matters concerning the Lu Family were not suitable to be discussed alongside the crime of forging an imperial edict.
Regardless, as long as Chu Xuan was sentenced to death, this grievance in her heart would be considered vented.
"Forged an imperial edict? Conferred the title of Nation-Guarding Prince of Langya upon myself?"
Having taken in the disgraceful conduct of the entire court, Chu Xuan's expression turned completely cold as he began to retort: "My position as the Nation-Guarding Prince of Langya was personally bestowed by His Majesty. Where is the forgery you speak of?"
Zhu Wen burst out laughing. "Ha, ha, ha! Chu Xuan, should I call you audacious, or should I say there is something wrong with your brain? How dare you utter such words right in front of His Majesty?"
Not only did Zhu Wen laugh, but all the civil and military officials broke into laughter as well.
Even Long Zaitian's expression darkened completely.
Only Wushuang Kuangye, the head of all hundred officials, remained unperturbed, as though everything happening in the court had nothing to do with him.
Before anyone else could speak, Chu Xuan produced the imperial edict—the very one Heiyun had written previously.
"His Majesty's imperial edict is right here. Whether it is forged or not, Your Excellencies will know at a glance."
With that, without the slightest hesitation, Chu Xuan tossed the imperial edict directly to Zhu Wen.
Since he was the first to jump out, he would be the first to receive a slap to the face.
Zhu Wen instinctively caught the edict and looked closely; the material of this scroll was indeed identical to a genuine imperial edict.
However, the reality was already right before their eyes. If Long Zaitian had truly issued such an edict, how could he himself not know, and how could the entire court be unaware?
Therefore, Zhu Wen held back no reservations. Unfolding the edict, he sneered, "Good, good, good! You really must have something wrong in your head to actually bring out your own evidence of guilt. Today, this life of yours..."
Before Zhu Wen could finish his sentence, the edict was fully unfurled.
When Zhu Wen saw the contents inscribed upon it, he froze entirely. His eyes bulged, his eyeballs nearly popping straight out of his sockets.
"Th-this... how can this be?!"
Zhu Wen's trembling utterance, though soft, reached the ears of everyone present.
"Minister Zhu, what is the matter?"
Zhu Wen violently rubbed his eyes with his hand and stared once more, meticulously examining the contents of the edict—more precisely, the imperial seal stamped upon it. His complexion grew paler by the second.
"Th-this edict... it bears His Majesty's imperial seal!"
What?!
His Majesty's imperial seal?
As soon as Zhu Wen uttered those words, an uproar swept through the entire court.
No one among the civil and military officials was ignorant of what the imperial seal represented.
Anything stamped with the imperial seal, whether an imperial edict or any other written document, represented the will of Long Zaitian. Across the entire Dayuan State, who would dare to question it?
Yet the problem was that Chu Xuan's edict was supposedly fake, a forgery! Long Zaitian, the sovereign himself, could testify to that—how could it possibly bear the imperial seal?
Chu Xuan said coldly, "Well? Is this edict of Mine genuine or not? Was My position as the Nation-Guarding Prince of Langya bestowed by His Majesty, or was it not?"