General Zhang was whipped thirty times by Jing Xunchè in full view of everyone. When he was carried back, the look in his eyes as he stared at Jing Xunchè was murderous. Jing Xunchè! One day he would tear him to pieces!
"Your Highness, after today's incident, General Zhang will probably hold a grudge against us," Mu Nan said, standing beside Jing Xunchè.
"Even without this incident, he would still hold a grudge. Don't worry about him. Just find someone to keep a close eye on him. As long as he behaves himself, I'll spare his life." If he didn't, he'd just be killed.
Mu Nan understood the implication in Jing Xunchè's words, but he didn't object. He knew such a person would never be obedient. He'd just find more people to watch him carefully.
Jing Xunchè's actions soon spread to the palace, and the entire court was abuzz with discussions.
"Your Majesty, Jing Xunchè is clearly not putting you in his eyes. General Zhang was sent by you, yet he whipped him at will. He's so arrogant!" Soon, some officials who were dissatisfied stood up. They were all royalists, caring about nothing else.
Yuan Yǔhán burst into laughter upon hearing this. "I can't help but laugh at what this official means. As the chief general of the soldiers, doesn't Jing Xunchè even have the power to punish a mere general, especially an old general who knowingly violated the rules? If it were me, he wouldn't be so lucky."
"Regent, I know you're on good terms with Jing Xunchè, but you can't excuse his disrespect for his elders!" The official who had just spoken tried to use the status of elders to pressure Yuan Yǔhán, but Yuan Yǔhán didn't buy it.
"No wonder I often hear the common people in the capital saying that the Qin Dynasty is doomed to perish soon. It's because of you scoundrels! Elders? You talk about elders on the battlefield? When the enemy invaded our Qin Dynasty, why didn't you see if you were older or an elder to them? You all enjoy the glory and wealth here, talking about ethics all day long. Why don't you go to the battlefield and talk to the enemy about ethics? What kind of hero are you pretending to be here!?"
Yuan Yǔhán stared sharply at the official, showing no mercy. His words also made all the military generals in the court excited.
That's right. There's no room for so many ethics on the battlefield. There's only military discipline. If General Zhang made a mistake, he should be punished. What's wrong with that? What do these civil officials know about war? They've been talking non - stop all day, looking down on everyone. The military generals had long been fed up with them.
"Your Majesty, I think the Marquis's actions are completely correct," a neutral military general stood up.
For a moment, the court was divided into two factions. One supported the civil official, while the other supported Jing Xunchè. Yuan Yǔchuān watched the people below arguing, showing no intention of stopping them.
"Your Majesty, what's your opinion on this matter?" Yuan Yǔhán looked at Yuan Yǔchuān's leisurely expression and threw the question to him.
Yuan Yǔchuān was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Yuan Yǔhán to ask him. But he quickly adjusted his state and looked at the people below. "I think Jing Xunchè's actions were a bit excessive. Although General Zhang violated military discipline, he didn't do anything traitorous. Jing Xunchè's punishment was too harsh."
As he said this, Yuan Yǔchuān peeked at the expressions of the people below. They had all kinds of expressions, but he didn't care. He continued, "Issue an imperial edict. After General Zhang recovers from his injuries, he will jointly manage the army with Marquis Zhongning."
Yuan Yǔhán's face immediately darkened. Yuan Yǔchuān was trying to deprive Jing Xunchè of his power.
After hearing the news brought by Yuan Yǔhán, Mù Fēngqié frowned tightly. "What on earth is Yuan Yǔchuān thinking? Is he blind? Can't he see that General Zhang is just a good - for - nothing who does nothing but eat and wait to die?"
"Your Highness, what should we do about the Marquis?" Zhū Fēi was also very surprised. Yuan Yǔchuān was so unjust and reckless.
"Don't worry for the time being. I believe he can handle it." Her man would never fail because of this. She was still waiting for Jing Xunchè to come back and take her out of the palace.
"Your Highness, a palace maid is here. She says she's from the Grand Empress Dowager and that the Grand Empress Dowager wants to see you."
"Hmm? The Grand Empress Dowager?" Mù Fēngqié was a bit surprised. Didn't the Grand Empress Dowager stop interfering in affairs long ago? Why did she suddenly want to see her?
"Otherwise, I'll go and dismiss her," Zhū Fēi always felt that the Grand Empress Dowager had ill intentions.
"No need. Since she's already sent someone, I'll go and meet her. Come to think of it, I do have a history with the Grand Empress Dowager." Indeed, she had entered the palace when she was pregnant and Jing Xunchè went to war. At that time, the Grand Empress Dowager almost killed her. Fortunately, she was smart enough to dodge it.
Mù Fēngqié followed the palace maid on the path, looking at the surrounding scenery. The memories of the past were gradually restored. After all these years, this place hadn't changed at all.
"Princess, the Grand Empress Dowager is inside," the palace maid stood still outside the door, looking at Mù Fēngqié, indicating that Mù Fēngqié should go in by herself. Mù Fēngqié didn't mind. She told Zhū Fēi to wait outside and went in alone.
"Mù Fēngqié pays respects to the Grand Empress Dowager. May the Grand Empress Dowager enjoy eternal good fortune and peace," Mù Fēngqié said as soon as she entered and saw the Grand Empress Dowager sitting on the high seat. But after not seeing her for many years, the Grand Empress Dowager had aged a lot. Her eyes were no longer as sharp as before. Now they were just cloudy.
"Get up. It's been many years since we last saw each other. I didn't expect you to have so many identities," the Grand Empress Dowager sighed.
"The Grand Empress Dowager is joking," Mù Fēngqié said, sitting on the chair and looking at the Grand Empress Dowager.
"Back then, I tried to stop you from getting involved with the late emperor and the current emperor. Now it seems that I'm old," the Grand Empress Dowager looked at Mù Fēngqié with an indescribable emotion in her eyes.
Mù Fēngqié frowned as she looked at the Grand Empress Dowager. What was the Grand Empress Dowager trying to say? Was she just trying to chat? Why did her words sound so strange?
"Are you really in love with that Jing Xunchè?" the Grand Empress Dowager asked sharply, looking into Mù Fēngqié's eyes.
"Of course. I'll never wrong myself. If I like someone, I like them. If I don't, I don't," Mù Fēngqié said confidently.