Chapter 662: The Promise of a Royal Marriage
Chapter 662: The Promise of a Royal Marriage
September 25, 2017
Luoyang, Southern Palace, Hall of the Mysterious Chamber.
The atmosphere among the court officials was tense as Emperor Ling of Han's words, "Do you know your crime?" hung in the air.
Although no one dared to whisper in this situation, their gazes towards Lu HaiKong were filled with mockery and schadenfreude, as if they were about to burst out laughing.
He Jin and Yang Zui's faces turned crimson, their eyes wide as they anticipated Lu HaiKong's downfall.
However, Lu HaiKong remained surprisingly calm, "I am Your Majesty's subject. If you say I am guilty, then I am guilty."
Some people were indeed born with good looks but lacked a conscience. These words, which should have been flattering, carried no trace of sycophancy from Lu HaiKong. Instead, they were filled with a sense of loyalty and righteousness.
Emperor Ling's expression tightened upon hearing Lu HaiKong's words. He smiled and said, "You little rascal, even at the brink of death, you still dare to play tricks with me?"
The court officials in the Hall of the Mysterious Chamber sensed something amiss when Emperor Ling spoke. His smile and tone didn't seem to bode well for Lu HaiKong.
Indeed, Emperor Ling continued, his voice laced with mockery, "First, tell me why you've been loitering outside Princess Taiping's palace these past few days?"
Upon hearing this, Lu HaiKong's stoic expression faltered, and a hint of nervousness crept onto his face. He stood there, at a loss for words for a long moment.
This was the first time the court officials had seen such an expression on the face of this iron-blooded general. However, no one was in the mood to marvel at it; everyone was focused on processing the information they could gather at this moment. After all, Emperor Ling's words, coupled with Lu HaiKong's expression, conveyed a significant message.
Yang Zui, witnessing this situation, felt a sense of foreboding. The scene before him was entirely different from what he had anticipated.
The old official couldn't contain himself any longer and stepped forward, "Your Majesty, the entire Luoyang City is abuzz with rumors about Lu HaiKong's..."
Before Yang Zui could finish his sentence, an inkstone from Emperor Ling's desk flew towards the old official's face, knocking him to the ground, his head covered in blood.
"Did I give you permission to speak?" Emperor Ling abruptly stood up, his gaze cold as he looked down at the injured Yang Zui. There was not a hint of compassion in his eyes.
Dazed from the blow, Yang Zui struggled to react for a while. Finally, he managed to kneel, his words labored, "This old subject is unaware of any offense towards Your Majesty. I beg you to consider my advanced age and confusion, and spare me your wrath!"
"Unaware of any offense? Confused? Zhang Lang, bring him here!" Emperor Ling's cold command echoed through the hall.
The doors of the Hall of the Mysterious Chamber swung open, and a group of guards dragged in over a dozen people, their bodies battered beyond recognition.
The court officials were shocked by this scene, for among these victims were many of Yang Zui's family members and associates. The sudden capture of these individuals seemed to herald a significant turn of events.
"These people are the masterminds behind the rumors spreading outside Luoyang City recently. Yang Zui, you know them, don't you?"
Yang Zui turned to look, but his vision was blurred by the blood covering his eyes. He wiped the blood away and finally recognized the faces of the captured individuals. The sight left him drenched in cold sweat, and he fell to the ground, unable to stand.
"Your Majesty, there must be a misunderstanding here. These people from my family are innocent."
"Misunderstanding? Take a look at this first!" Emperor Ling's cold laughter filled the hall as he nodded to Zhang Lang. A young eunuch stepped forward and threw a stack of confession documents at Yang Zui's feet.
Upon seeing the confessions, Yang Zui was stunned.
Not only Yang Zui but almost all the court officials present were dumbfounded. They had come to witness Lu HaiKong's downfall, but instead, they saw Yang Zui, who had prepared to bring Lu HaiKong down, being slapped to the ground.
Everyone knew that Yang Zui was finished, and his entire family might face a calamity this time.
Yang Zui stared at the confessions, and after a long moment, he finally snapped back to his senses, realizing the implications of these documents. They could lead to the annihilation of his entire clan, and the thought terrified him. He pushed the confessions away, muttering, "This is impossible, it can't be true!"
"The evidence is overwhelming; you dare to argue? I have always respected your age, but I never imagined you capable of such actions. Guards, take this old man away and strip him of his title as Grand Marshal. Send him to the Heavenly Prison! As for the thirteen individuals who spread these rumors, defiling the royal family's reputation, execute them all!" Emperor Ling slammed his hand on the table, his command filled with authority.
Throughout this, no one dared to speak up for Yang Zui. Everyone knew that Emperor Ling had already decided on his punishment. The fact that Emperor Ling didn't mention exterminating Yang Zui's entire clan was already considered a mercy. Anyone who dared to plead for Yang Zui would not find Emperor Ling's heart softening.
So, the officials could only watch as one of the Three Excellencies was taken down by Han Lingdi.
Don't underestimate Han Lingdi's authority; even in history, he had the power to deal with Yang Zui. During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Yang Zui offended Han Lingdi, who seized the opportunity to remove him. If Han Lingdi could do it then, he could certainly do it in this world.
As the Emperor, let's not discuss the entire realm for now, but within Luoyang City, Han Lingdi's authority was absolute. His power didn't solely stem from his imperial status; it was also rooted in the imperial family's heritage and, to some extent, protected by certain factions.
The Xuan Shi Dian suddenly fell silent after Yang Zui was removed.
The eyes that had been mocking Lu Haikong now dared not even look at him. It was clear that Han Lingdi's favor towards Lu Haikong hadn't diminished in the slightest due to the rumors.
Han Lingdi's sudden outburst was obviously to defend Lu Haikong.
At this moment, many people couldn't help but feel a surge of jealousy towards Lu Haikong. Wasn't he just a mountain bandit? How could he be so blessed to receive Han Lingdi's favor?
To protect Lu Haikong, Han Lingdi even removed one of the Three Excellencies. This showed how highly Han Lingdi valued Lu Haikong.
In the 1691st chapter, it's clear!
After a moment of silence in the Xuan Shi Dian, Han Lingdi calmed down and knocked on the table in front of him. "Yang Zui's issue is resolved. Lu Haikong, your issue is still not settled. You haven't answered me. What's the meaning of you constantly going to Princess Taiping's side these days?"
Hearing Han Lingdi suddenly shift the topic back to Lu Haikong, the officials in the Xuan Shi Dian were puzzled. Was there more to come? Was Han Lingdi here just to confront Yang Zui?
These officials didn't know that Han Lingdi's confrontation with Yang Zui was a preparation for what was to come. Otherwise, he would have dealt with Yang Zui the night before. Why would he wait until today to make things complicated?
He deliberately kept Yang Zui alive to set an example, like killing a chicken to scare the monkey. With Yang Zui, a Grand Marshal, removed, no one dared to challenge him now.
It was clear that Han Lingdi had orchestrated this entire situation.
The rumors, however, didn't originate from him, nor did they come from Yang Zui. It seemed like an unknown force wanted to cause trouble for Lu Haikong.
Han Lingdi seized the opportunity and pinned the blame on Yang Zui, all for this moment.
Under Han Lingdi's interrogation, Lu Haikong had already guessed his intentions. At this point, Lu Haikong's handsome face showed a hint of emotion, whether genuine or feigned: "Your Majesty, I have no other intentions. I just want to meet Princess San."
"How dare you! Do you think you can just see my daughter whenever you want?" Han Lingdi slammed the table, but his face couldn't hide his smile.
Seeing this, the officials below, who were quick on the uptake, had a good idea of what was about to happen. Their eyes, fixed on Lu Haikong, almost seemed to be spitting fire.
At this moment, Lu Haikong took a bold step. After the recent signs, it was clear that Princess San was the reincarnation of Zhao Yue'er. And Han Lingdi was obviously going to bestow her upon him. Lu Haikong no longer hesitated. If he did, Han Lingdi might change his mind and give Yue'er to someone else.
So, Lu Haikong stepped forward and bowed, "Your Majesty, I am deeply moved by Princess San. I dare to ask you to bestow her hand in marriage to me."
Upon hearing this, the entire court was in an uproar, but Han Lingdi's face couldn't contain his joy. It wasn't easy for this foolish boy to finally say these words, and it wasn't in vain that he had removed a Grand Marshal.
However, Han Lingdi's expression, despite his inner joy, was stern: "Lu Haikong, you have quite the audacity to ask for my precious daughter."
Lu Haikong bowed again, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask you to fulfill this wish."
It was clear that Han Lingdi was just putting on a show. How could he be angry with that smile? Soon, he knocked on the table and said, "Fine, considering your dedication, I'll give you a chance. The Wu Xian Allied Army invaded our Han borders, didn't they? If you can capture the leaders of the Bingzhou Xianbei and Wu Xian tribes before Princess Taiping's coming-of-age ceremony, I'll agree to marry her to you!"
As Han Lingdi spoke, many officials in the Xuan Shi Dian had fire in their eyes.
It seemed like the rise of this mountain bandit was unstoppable!
(End of Chapter)
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