Duke Yingguo then glanced proudly at Old General Mu. He continued attacking, “And then there’s Old General Mu. He is the commander of an army, but he didn’t even notice a spy mixed in the army, which resulted in heavy losses in the army. He should be……”
“Be quiet!” Before Duke Yingguo finished speaking, the Emperor angrily interrupted him. He almost scolded out loud, ‘This old fool! Isn’t he scolding Zhen in disguise for not being able to judge a person’s character? Zhen was the one who recommended Darong Ka as a guide to Mu Junyuan.’
“Yes.” Old General Mu (Shangguan LingRan) pretended to shake his head in shame. “Chen is really to blame. Chen thought that since the guide was recommended by you, Emperor, of course Chen wouldn’t suspect that Darong Ka had ulterior motives. Even if there were doubts, the wise Emperor would see through it. Chen didn’t expect…… Ai……”
At this time, all of the officials bowed their heads, except for the foolish Duke Yingguo.
Think about it. Darong Ka was recommended by the Emperor. The Emperor himself did not notice his true character, so would Old General Mu be able to? What would that mean? Wouldn’t that mean that Old General Mu was smarter than the Emperor?
Besides, if Old General Mu had really dared to suspect Darong Ka, wouldn’t that mean that he didn’t trust the Emperor?
If the Emperor actually punished Old General Mu, then that would be the equivalent of slapping his own face. Everyone there understood this rationale, but Duke Yingguo was confused and angry that his beloved daughter was beaten and maimed, so he jumped out to instigate the Emperor at this time.
The Emperor had a bellyful of anger and no place to vent it. Fine. Since you jumped out, then he would start with Duke Yingguo.
“Somebody, come!” The Emperor shouted and scared all the officials into shivering. “Duke Yingguo is vicious and maligned a loyal official. He is stripped of his Duke’s title and will go back to reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors.”
He lost his title!
“Chen is innocent……” Duke Yingguo was dragged out by guards. His shouts still sounded.
The officials from Taizi’s camp saw that Taizi didn’t say anything, so they didn’t dare to say anything either.
Second Wangzi saw this and immediately looked at his maternal grandfather – Imperial Censor Lu.
Imperial Censor Lu knew it was Zi You’s credit that his grandson could stand up and become a normal person again.
Even him secretly accumulating power was because he listened to Mu Xiaojie’s advice.
Now, Second Wangzi ignored Taizi and the others’s suspicion, and asked him to stand in solidarity with Old General Mu must be because he wanted to repay Mu Xiaojie’s grace.
It was necessary to repay her grace, but the Emperor must not suspect Second Wangzi.
Imperial Censor Lu wasn’t the head of the imperial censors for nothing. He immediately stepped out and said, “Emperor, Chen thinks that Old General Mu, the Mu army, and Commander Mu should be rewarded. First, Old General Mu, his son, and Commander Mu’s loyalty to the country is very touching. They could get out of a desperate situation and overcome their troubles to successfully pacify the rebellion in Nanjiang. This proves that Old General Mu, his son, and Commander Mu are worthy of being the bravest, most intelligent, and most loyal soldiers in Great Yan.”
“Emperor really has good insight and intelligence to send Old General Mu and his son to pacify the rebellion in Nanjiang! That Darong Ka’s conspiracy only proves that Nanjiang citizens are cunning, Emperor and Old General Mu are aboveboard people, and Old General Mu is very loyal to you, Emperor.
“And it is excusable for Commander Mu to recover and didn’t report to you before going for to rescue people in Nanjiang, Emperor. After all, it would take a long time if she returned to the capital and obtained your permission. This delay would dramatically increase our casualties. Commander Mu risked being blamed by you and didn’t return to the capital prove that she is intelligent and very loyal. She should be rewarded.”
“But there is something that Chen doesn’t understand.” Right Imperial Censor Shi was Imperial Censor Lu’s opponent and from the Empress’ camp. He immediately said, “What injuries did Mu Xiaojie receive that she was treated for two years, but she didn’t get better? But she was healed just when Old General Mu was stuck in the swamps?
“Also, Old General Mu did not receive an imperial edict and secretly attacked Nanjiang and even left the army in Nanjiang. This is clearly defying the imperial will. But Imperial Censor Lu doesn’t want to punish him and instead wants to reward him? What does Imperial Censor Lu mean by this? Are you advocating that all the officials should defy imperial edicts?”
“Imperial Censor Shi is quoting out of context.” Imperial Cenor Lu immediately retorted, “Old General Mu was in Nanjiang. Do you or I know about the situation there? It takes two or three months to exchange one letter. The situation on the battlefield is constantly changing. Will it be enough time if he had to wait for the Emperor’s orders?
“As for Commander Mu’s injuries, serious injuries take a hundred days to recover from, not to mention all the meridians in her body were broken. Your requirements are too high, right?”
Zi You smiled coldly and didn’t answer Imperial Censor Shi’s questions. Instead, she looked at the Emperor. She was secretly thinking, ‘What are you? I have to answer no matter what you ask?’
The Emperor deliberately smiled and said, “Zhen saw that Old General Mu came back and was so happy that Zhen forgot to ask. Are you injuries healed, You’er?”
Zi You then calmly replied, “You should be able to imagine how much power a big flash flood rushing over is, right, Emperor? All of Chennu’s tendons and meridians were broken. Although Shifu connected them for Chennu, but Chennu is a martial artist. In order to restore Chennu’s martial arts, how can it be done in a mere year?
“Chenu’s martial arts are still not fully recovered. So, Chennu didn’t immediately rush back to the capital. If Shifu didn’t divine that grandfather was in trouble, how could Shifu leave the mountains and go with Chennu to Nanjiang? Shifu originally practiced ascetism and never interfered in mundane things. But, Shifu repeatedly left the mountains for Chennu. Chennu is really ashamed!”
This “Shifu” originally didn’t exist. But if Zi You didn’t explain it this way, what would she do if Xuanwu Emperor wanted to meet her Shifu? She had to block his mouth first.
But the Empress’ people apparently didn’t want to let Zi You off. Imperial Censor Shi immediately asked, “Since he’s an aloof expert who doesn’t interfere in the mundane world, then why did he make an exception for Mu Xiaojie?”
Zi You still didn’t reply and looked at the Emperor instead. It’s your official who is overstepping his bounds once again. I want to see if you will react.
Sure enough, the Emperor glared in displeasure at Imperial Censor Shi. Then he smiled and said to Zi You, “That’s right. Zhen is also curious. How did you get washed away by a flash flood on Mount Yunmeng that day? And how did your Shifu find out?”
Zi You pretended to shake her head in chagrin. “On Mount Yunmeng that day, Chennu was treating wounded soldiers. Chennu saw the flash flood surging and pushed the soldiers aside, but it was too late to avoid the flash flood, so Chennu was washed away.
“Shifu calculated that Chennu would be in trouble, so Shifu came to the rescue. Later, Chennu asked Shifu how she found out that Chennu was in trouble. But Shifu’s answer was that ‘the mysteries of heaven must not be revealed.’ Shifu only told Chennu that she saved me because Chennu could save a lot of people in the future.
“So, Chennu guessed that Shifu saved Chennu because of the medical skills that could save people in the future. That’s why Shifu accepted Chennu as a disciple, treated, and taught Chennu medicine.”
Xuanwu Emperor didn’t have any doubts. After all, Zi You had saved a lot of people. It wasn’t just this time. Zi You had saved a lot of patients the last time at the free medical clinic. The citizens went to the free medical clinic for treatment, but also to inquire about Zi You and the female medical team.
The Emperor started to speak, but “Old General Mu” started coughing uncontrollably. He coughed until his face turned purple. He put his hand over his mouth and couldn’t sit still.
The Emperor instantly shouted, “Why aren’t you summoning Imperial Doctor Xuan? What are you standing there for?”
Zi You expressed her thanks before sighing. “It’s useless, Emperor. Grandfather originally had a cold. Then he was trapped in the swamps and lacked water and medicine. His illness was dragged on for too long. Plus, he didn’t eat anything and Darong Ka gave him a gu. It will be difficult for him to recover. Chennu wants to ask Emperor for a favor. Can you let grandfather rest? Chennu and uncle will answer Emperor’s questions instead.”
“Fuwang.” Second Wangzi looked at how Zi You looked worried about Old General Mu and immediately bowed in his wheelchair. “Fuwang, Old General Mu the Mu army, and Commander Mu must be very tired. Why not let them take a rest and ask them questions during the banquet?”
This Second Wangzi! Zi You frowned. He had repeatedly helped her today and it really wasn’t worth it for something that she could completely take care of on her own. If the Emperor and the others found out that they were allies, it would be very diffcult for Second Wangzi to do certain things in the future.
Zi You secretly told Second Wangzi, “Be low-key from now on. Act like how you used to act.”
Second Wangzi felt stifled. He lowered his head and didn’t speak anymore. But he was actually very anxious. He had been completely cured since half a year ago. Not only could he walk like a normal person, but even that masculine aspect had recovered too.
Moreover, his martial arts were much higher than before. Even his maternal grandfather had listened to his orders and made certain plans in the government.
He wanted to stand up and stand by her side to deal with their enemies together. He also wanted to tell her that Old General Mu being trapped in the swamps was Taizi and the Empress’ plot because that Darong Ka was Taizi’s subordinate.
But he found out too late and didn’t have time to inform Old General Mu about Darong Ka before news came from Nanjiang that Old General Mu and Young General Mu were trapped in the swamps. Disease had taken root in Old General Mu and he was ill now.
Second Wangzi was anxious, but he was also feeling guilty. He couldn’t wait to immediately see Zi You alone and tell her everything.
The Emperor was now feeling suspicious about Second Wangzi. His behavior today was so vehement and active in helping Mu Zi You. Did he also like her? Really…… He’s almost disabled. But he dares to covet the woman Zhen likes? Huh!
The Emperor looked mockingly at Second Wangzi before smiling hypocritically. “In that case, Old General Mu, Young General, and You’er can go rest for a while. Zhen will organize a banquet to welcome you back and to celebrate your victory.”
“Thank you, Emperor.” Zi You bowed and pretended to say yearningly, “Can Chennu first go back to the fu? Chennu has been away from home for more than two years and want to go back to see the family.”
A layer of mist covered her pair of large and bright obsidian eyes, which made it more beautiful and moving.
Behind her, Rong Qiyan and another female medical team member Qin Yuyao didn’t dare to treat Zi You and the Commander who was ruthless and decisive in Nanjiang as the same person.
After Zi You spoke, all the officials there thought of the rumors that had spread in the capital’s high society circles and couldn’t help but doubt their credibility.
What was “Wang Yiping, as Zi You’s stepmother, lives a life of suffering in the General’s Manor. If Mu Zi You didn’t force her, Wang Yiping’s nanny wouldn’t have wanted to harm Mu Zi You and delivered a letter to Shangguan Lingluo. As a result, Old General Mu clearly knew that it wasn’t his daughter-in-law’s fault, but still listened to Mu Zi You’s instigation and coldly broke Wang Yiping’s legs”?
The rumors also said, “Mu Zi You is disobedient and unfilial. She pretended to be a ghost so she could hit her father. She’s simply vicious!”
If the rumors were really true, then would Mu Zi You be so anxious to return home to see her “family?” And her expression didn’t seem like she was pretending. She looked homesick and couldn’t wait to go back to see her family after being away for so long.
In reality, Zi You was indeed missing her family, but she wasn’t missing Wang Yiping and Mu YingRui. She was missing Nee Liu and her two cousins.
Although the wives of Great Yan’s soldiers adhered to feminine virtues and rarely appear in public to welcome their husbands back, Nee Liu had always taken her two sons to the hillside above the city gate to wait for her loved ones’ return.
But today, Zi You had specifically looked at the hillside and didn’t see them.
Even if her aunt and uncle were quarreling, Zi You had not come back for more than two years now. Her aunt should have come to welcome her, unless Nee Liu was ill or something serious had happened.
Her grandfather and uncle had left the fu for nearly half a year. News had spread that they had perished in the swamps. Wang Yiping was also from the Empress’ camp. Zi You wouldn’t believe that this undead cockroach could honestly not cause any trouble even if Zi You was beaten to death.
So, Zi You had her heart set on returning home. She had to go back and take a look at what the General’s Manor was like now. She couldn’t let Wang Yiping and that scum Mu YingRui’s schemes succeed.
She didn’t even hate Shangguan Lingluo and Darong Ka as much as she hated Wang Yiping and Mu YingRui. After all, she had never trusted Shangguan Lingluo and Darong Ka and treated them like loved ones.
But Wang Yiping, Mu YingRui, Zhao HongXiang, Yu Lanxuan, and Nee Chen were different. Zi You had once treated them sincerely and treated them as her closest relatives. So, when they betrayed and deceived her, her pain and hatred were bone deep……
She hated them to the point…… where it would be too cheap for them if they died too easily.
