"You're wrong, Lord Lin. Among the noble families, there are also those who are loyal to the emperor and patriotic, asking for nothing in return. Take the Murong family for example.
So, the so - called fortune and misfortune brought by the noble families you mentioned are just the manifestations of the selfishness of your Lin family and the Yin family.
Since Lord Lin has analyzed it so clearly, you should have thought that since the Lin family took the lead in supporting the emperor and enjoyed honor, it should bear the emperor's anger. Isn't this also the fortune and misfortune the emperor brings to the noble families?"
"Junyi!" Li Xinyue shifted her gaze from Yin Hong to Chu Junyi who had rushed over upon hearing the news. Seeing his bright eyes and impassioned speech, his imposing manner made her love and admire him all the more.
"Your Highness!" Chu Junyi turned his head, bent down to lift Li Xinyue onto the horse, and laid his head on her shoulder. Only by smelling her fragrance could he find a bit of familiarity and intimacy in this chaotic day, and finally feel that his wandering heart had a sense of coming home.
Li Xinyue felt the same way, especially when she knew that he was going to bring down the Lin and Yin families. Her heart was always in suspense.
She looked up at him and gently stroked his head.
Lin Wei was dissatisfied. He glared angrily at Chu Junyi, then looked at the Crown Prince with disappointment, "This brat will also become a new noble family in the future. The so - called promotion of the commoners by you father and son will ultimately rely on the noble families! So, what's the difference!"
"Moreover, the Yin family still has 100,000 troops on the border. The connections left by the Grand Tutor Yin are spread far and wide. The Yin family is deeply rooted. Do you think it's all over just because you've captured Yin Hong? Little do you know that you've stirred up a big mess!"
"Then, do you think the emperor is just a figurehead?" Chu Junyi raised his head and asked Lin Wei.
Lin Wei was at a loss for words. His angry, wide - open eyes suddenly froze, then rolled around, and he had nothing more to say.
By this time, the matter had come out into the open. Both the royal family and the noble families had completely fallen out.
That night, after Chu Junyi's confidants returned from the Yin family's estate, they joined forces with the Crown Prince and the guards and confidants of the Princess Mansion to surround Lin Wei, Yin Hong and others.
Lin Wei dispatched the mansion soldiers to help, but soon the emperor sent the imperial guards to suppress them.
Thus, the two sides, the good and the evil, fought fiercely.
The residents in the nearby streets and shops didn't even dare to open their windows. Some timid families huddled together in fear, their faces and eyes full of terror.
Suddenly, several people were sent flying and fell on the roofs and windows. Their bloody figures scared a family into screaming. Afraid of offending the officials outside, they all covered each other's mouths.
Inside the encirclement, Lin Wei tried to take the Crown Prince hostage to turn the tables. But the Crown Prince noticed it and dodged just in time.
Lin Wei was furious. He attacked the Crown Prince again and scolded the Crown Prince as an unfilial descendant!
Chu Junyi leaped and directly jumped behind Lin Wei to launch a surprise attack.
Yin Hong targeted the isolated Li Xinyue, also trying to turn the situation around. But just as he was about to act, Hongxiu threatened him by holding his son's life, and then he completely wilted.
After a clash of swords, Lin Wei, Yin Hong and others were all captured.
The follow - up matters, including the interrogation and the pursuit, were temporarily handed over to the Crown Prince.
Chu Junyi mounted his horse and took Li Xinyue straight to the Princess Mansion.
Although they had only been apart for one day, it seemed like they hadn't seen each other for a long time. At this moment, he just wanted to be more intimate with Yue'er and make up for the lost time.
"Prin…" Lian'er was just about to step forward to pay respects when she saw the bay horse galloping past. The two people on the horse were locked in a passionate kiss, reluctant to part.
Lian'er was stunned.
When Chu Junyi saw that they had reached the Mingyue Courtyard, he finally raised his head, picked her up, leaped into the second - floor bedroom, and kicked the door shut.
Hearing the loud sound of the door closing, Li Xinyue thought of what was going to happen next. Her heart tightened, and a shy blush crept onto her face. She subconsciously avoided his gaze.
But he pinched her chin and forced her to look up. Then his lips covered hers again.
"Yue'er, I missed you so much." Chu Junyi bent down and gently nibbled at her lips. The hand pinching her chin slowly moved down and wrapped around her waist.
"I missed you too." Li Xinyue wrapped her hands around his neck, and her lips and tongue chased his, showing him with her actions how much she had missed him.
Chu Junyi smiled contentedly. He circled her soft waist with both hands and gently pulled her back. The two of them fell onto the bed.
"After this matter is settled, let's go to the south of the Yangtze River. Your Highness promised to support me. You can't go back on your word."
"Okay." Li Xinyue closed her eyes and let him lean over.
After Lin Wei and Yin Hong were arrested, the border troops originally under the control of the two families began to march north in the name of purging the emperor's side, shouting that they would eliminate the treacherous official Chu Junyi for the emperor.
But just as Chu Junyi had said, the current emperor was not a figurehead.
Many years ago, Emperor Mingde had secretly organized several armies. By now, their number and scale were enough to rival the border troops.
The Crown Prince and Chu Junyi were ordered by the emperor to lead the troops to suppress the border troops.
At this time, Lin Wei's family had disappeared without a trace.
The Surveillance Institute was ordered to pursue the Lin family, but it was hard to find them.
Fortunately, Li Xinyue still had a network of connections left by the Wei family. With this network, they quickly found the Lin family and brought them all back.
The chaotic war came and went quickly. Everything seemed like a dream.
But people could really feel the rise and fall, prosperity and decline of the noble families.
The relatives of the Lin and Yin families were beheaded outside the Meridian Gate. More than 100,000 rebel troops were all hanged. Instead, the emperor's personal army took charge of the border. From then on, the imperial power was consolidated, and the noble families and the commoners shared equal status.
...
The cold of early winter mingled with the yellowing fallen leaves, floating over the palace.
The queen was lying on the imperial couch, staring blankly at the sky.
Although the situation had changed, she was still the queen, and the Crown Prince was still the Crown Prince. Everything seemed to remain the same, yet seemed to have changed.
She didn't know whether she should be sad for her dead natal family or happy for her husband to regain full power. Although she was over fifty years old and seemed to have more life experiences, in fact, she had spent most of her life in this small palace, never going out and never experiencing the hardships of the outside world.
Therefore, this sudden change was really hard for her to bear.
"Your Majesty, Miss Lin is here to bid farewell."
The queen was stunned.
Nanny Zhou quickly explained, "The former Crown Princess." After the Lin family was exterminated, the Crown Prince had written a letter of divorce. Now she could only be called Miss Lin.
The queen remembered the last relative of her natal family. She summoned up her spirit and asked Nanny Zhou to invite her in.
"Aunt." Miss Lin bowed formally to the queen, chatted a few words about daily life, and then said that she wanted to go out and see the world.
The queen tried to persuade her to stay, saying that since she couldn't be the Crown Prince's wife, she might as well stay as her adopted daughter. She was worried about such a delicate girl wandering alone outside.
Miss Lin shook her head. She thought it was better to go out and gain some experience. She hadn't seen the beautiful scenery of the Great Yan Dynasty yet, and now she had the chance.
Moreover, she didn't want to face the Crown Prince every day anymore. They had quarreled for three years. If she stayed any longer, even the last bit of family affection might be quarreled away. It would be better to go out for a walk. Maybe when they met again, they could still chat politely as cousins.
Hearing this, the queen shed tears and sent her out of the palace gate.