The Slender Waist-Chapter 443 - 322 Conspiracy to Rebel_2

Having said that, he reached out again and touched her protruding belly.

"Let it be the horse that kills the ox or the ox that kills the horse; in these matters, we should not meddle. That way, no matter who wins or loses, we can sit back like the fisherman. Otherwise, a single misstep could lead to the grave crime of implicating nine generations..."

"Is, is it that serious? I had no idea and almost dragged my lord into this..." Luo Yue fell into Wei Zheng’s arms, feeling like she was beyond salvation, becoming more and more affected as she imitated manners, her voice so weak that it made her sick listening to it.

"But when I entered the camp alone, if it weren’t for Feng Twelve taking care of me, how could I have come across such a good marriage... She treated me as close as a sister, and knowing that someone wants to assassinate her husband, to do nothing—at what cost... how could I live with myself afterward?"

Her tears fell like they cost nothing.

Wei Zheng, seeing this, felt pained and quickly embraced her, wiping away her tears, "Don’t cry, don’t cry, you’re pregnant, don’t upset the baby."

Bah! Such nonsense.

Luo Yue cursed the damned man in her heart but kept a face full of sorrow and tragedy.

"Lord husband, think of something... Think of a solution."

Wei Zheng’s face turned fierce, and he said with a stern expression, "What can I do? Li Zongxun is about to assassinate Pei Jue; should I hold a knife to his neck to stop him?"

Luo Yue’s eyes brightened, "That would work."

Wei Zheng inhaled sharply, glaring at her furiously.

"You, woman, I think you’re looking to become a widow. Li Zongxun and Pei Jue, which of them can I afford to provoke?"

Luo Yue carefully tugged at the corner of his clothing, "Then, my lord, think of something, please?"

Wei Zheng sighed heavily, worn down by her incessant pleas.

"I’ve warned them already; what to do, Prince of Yonghuai should have his own plan."

"Ah?" Luo Yue was astonished.

Wei Zheng glared at her, "You think you’re the only one who can write secret letters?"

And he affectionately pinched her nose again.

"You, with your little tricks, are nothing in the eyes of the Imperial Cavalry Division. If I hadn’t been covering for you, your skin would have been peeled off by others a long time ago."

Luo Yue felt a chill run down her spine; she wrapped her arms around Wei Zheng, burying her head in his chest to hide her startled expression.

"In this lifetime, I’ll rely on my lord husband."

-

The dark sky was laden with flying snow.

It was clearly noon, yet it was as if dusk was approaching, with the earth a blanket of dim gray.

Pei Jue rode swiftly alone, preparing to leave the city for the military camp. Just as his horse was about to burst through the city gates, the heavy iron doors suddenly closed.

Bang!

A series of whistling arrows broke the quiet of the street.

"Whoosh—whoosh—"

Arrows fell from the sky, dense and numerous.

Amidst the noise, a sharp cry pierced the air.

"Protect the Prince of Yonghuai."

Then came the sound of hoofbeats; a group of Northern Yong guards charged in from all around, with murderous intent heading straight for the city tower. The few archers yet to react were swiftly overpowered.

Some people were so frightened that they leaped straight from the city wall and died on the spot; others had their throats slit for resisting.

Bodies lay all over, horses and men alike.

Amidst the cold and sharp cries of killing, screams were unceasing.

The assassins meticulously selected to kill Pei Jue were captured by the Imperial Guard Camp within a short quarter of an hour.

Zuo Zhong threw the men down at the feet of Pei Jue.

"Great General, how should they be dealt with?"

Pei Jue: "Tie them up, send them to the Prime Minister Residence."

Zuo Zhong and Jiu You exchanged glances, both somewhat perplexed.

These were the evidence of Li Zongxun’s secret plot to assassinate the Prince of Yonghuai. Sending them back, wasn’t that condoning his actions?

Jiu You said, "At least let the civil and military officials take a good look, see the true face of Prime Minister Li."

Pei Jue looked at him, "Do you think the civil and military officials don’t know?"

The chess game was clear, it was a matter of who was more shameless.

Li Zongxun indeed proved to be more shameless.

That night, Empress Dowager Li once again summoned her ministers to the palace, first to discuss the posthumous title for the Emperor of Xinghe, and secondly to discuss the matter of establishing a new sovereign. Li Zongxun, however, hastily lodged a complaint against Pei Jue, accusing the Prince of Yonghuai of amassing troops for his own power, holding the Prince of Qin hostage, not following the late emperor’s will, and requested that Li Sangruo immediately issue an imperial decree to install the young royal Yuan Shuo as the new emperor.

Li Sangruo, understanding the signal, let out a tired sigh, "Granted."

Pei Jue did not enter the palace and was not present.

The ministers looked at each other, and for a moment, silence prevailed.

A war hero who had not yet enjoyed the Nine Bestowments ceremony, had been falsely charged with numerous major crimes by Li Zongxun and was labeled as a rebel traitor.

Ao Zheng hesitated for a moment, clenched his teeth, and stepped out of the ranks.

"Your Highness the Empress Dowager, I have an objection," he said.

Li Sangruo frowned, "My minister, please speak."

Ao Zheng said, "I was fortunate enough to catch the late emperor’s eye, who appointed me as Censorate Chancellor to supervise the officials and exclusive duty to impeach. I ought to relieve Your Highness’s worries and seek blessings for Dajin. It’s unbearable for me to see such distortion of truth happening right before my eyes."

Li Zongxun let out a heavy humph, "Are you speaking so confidently to get your little brother-in-law off the hook?"

Ao Zheng looked him straight in the eye, "Prime Minister Li, I have never spoken out of turn in the imperial court. Although the Prince of Yonghuai is my brother-in-law, we have never gotten along. Who in the court doesn’t know that? Does the Prime Minister wish to label me as a traitor too?"

Having said that, he turned to bow to the officials present and then turned back to face Li Sangruo, saying:

"I believe that the Prince of Yonghuai has contributed to the state and striking down his achievements upon his victorious return to court, labeling him as a rebel, might damage the hearts of warriors across the land. Moreover—"

He paused, then continued, "With the Emperor just deceased and Northern Rong invading, at this critical juncture, removing a Great General capable of leading troops into battle for the new sovereign, is akin to cutting off one’s own arm."

Li Zongxun sneered, "According to the Censorate Chancellor, those with merits can disobey the late emperor’s orders and conspire to seize the throne?"

Ao Zheng stopped smiling and gave him a disdainful look.

"I dare not fully believe the Prime Minister’s word alone. The grave crime of rebellion must have sufficient reasoning, mustn’t it?"

Some in the assembly of ministers nodded.

Li Zongxun’s face darkened, and he emitted a "mhmm" from his nostrils.

"Pei Jue is a remnant of the Nanqi Xie Family Army, holding the prince hostage and plotting a rebellion. Is this reason enough for you?"