Chapter 2236: A Facade of Fairness
Chapter 2236: A Facade of Fairness
“I don’t know what's going on," Zu An said with a serious expression.
This King Wu really is courting death.
Zheng Dan and Sang Qien were about to head over to help when Zu An shook his head. “The monsters are watching us right now. It’s best if you stay here to watch over Sisi.”
The two women thought that made sense as well. If the Sang manor ended up being invaded by the monsters because they left, it would be an absolute tragedy.
Zu An quickly left the Sang manor and rushed toward the Jiang manor.
...
Meanwhile, at the Jiang manor, swords were drawn and bows were bent. A huge group of heavily-armored soldiers surrounded the place. Comparatively, the Jiang manor’s guards and servants were much weaker in both numbers and prestige. Many of them trembled with fear after being surrounded by so many murderous-looking elites.
Jiang Boyang was standing in the midst of the group. His gaze was as fierce as a thunderstorm as he asked, “King Wu, why are you surrounding this official’s manor with troops without any reason at all?!”
He had always been an upright and outspoken person. Even in this dangerous situation, there was no fear visible on his face, and he only stared angrily at the leader on the other side. When they heard his tone, everyone from the Jiang manor immediately felt their spirits rise.
There was a handsome and confident prince standing in the midst of the other side. Everyone in the capital, whether they were friend or foe, had to admit that King Wu was the most handsome among Zhao Han’s sons. It was no wonder that when King Wu and Madam Wu entered the capital, all of the clans had praised them as a beautiful, perfect pair.
King Wu was dressed in silver armor, sitting astride a white steed. Under the sunlight, he looked even more showy and suave.
He was feeling really content with his achievements so far. Just a few months before, none of these top clans and authorities had treated a vassal state's king like him with much respect, and yet who dared to look down on him now? Since then, countless clans in the capital had been eradicated by his hand. Many proud and arrogant individuals had been reduced to wagging their tails and begging for pity. Such a difference in treatment brought him a feeling of ecstasy like no other. There were quite a few who had considered themselves unequaled like Jiang Boyang, but in the end, didn’t they all beg for mercy?
He said with a cold snort, “Mister Jiang, the court and the empress have treated you quite well, and yet you didn’t understand gratitude and plotted rebellion instead. This is an unpardonable sin!”
“Rebellion?” The expressions of the Jiang clan’s guards changed. They worked for Jiang Boyang, but they were still court members.
The Jiang clan treated them very well normally, so if it were for any other reason, they would be willing to endure any difficulties together with the Jiang clan. But the current situation involved a charge of rebellion! That was a crime big enough to eradicate an entire clan! Who dared to still remain with the Jiang clan?
When he saw the Jiang clan’s morale plummet, King Wu grinned. He had already seen similar things play out several times. This sensation of toying with another’s emotions really was captivating!
Jiang Boyang was completely stunned. When had he rebelled?
The other side had sent someone to arrest him. He realized that now and protested, “This is absolute nonsense! Who in the court doesn’t know that I am a faithful patriot? Even though I may not be very good at other things, I at least have some reputation and virtue. How could I possibly rebel?”
Everyone in the Jiang manor nodded.
That’s right! Everyone understands Sir Jiang’s character. Even if the entire capital rebelled, there's no way he would join them!
King Wu snorted coldly. “Is that so? You’ve been rushing around a lot on your own. The Eight Dukes, the Qin clan, the Murong clan, the academy, and the people in charge of the army... You’ve been trying to establish ties with all of them. What else can it be but a rebellion?”
Jiang Boyang’s expression changed. He had indeed been visiting the clans of many important ministers. After all, the events of that night had just been too bloody. The court had practically been under the thumb of the Liu clan, and yet after that night, the entire clan was completely pulled up by the roots. One could very well imagine how many people had died.
What was even more ridiculous was that the people had said the empress dowager disappeared! He naturally didn’t believe that. Things probably hadn’t ended well for her at all.
That was what he was the most unsatisfied about. The empress dowager was, strictly speaking, a member of the imperial family. She didn’t have much to do with the Liu clan. Even if those people had acted against the Liu clan, how could they possibly go against even the empress dowager? The empress dowager represented the dignity of the court, and to a certain extent even represented the imperial court itself. And yet they had actually killed even the empress dowager!
The events of that night had happened too quickly. The people of the capital’s various clans hadn’t even been able to react in time. After the initial chaos, however, they'd begun to realize something was wrong. They had thus started to privately discuss what had happened.
Jiang Boyang had always carried the highest prestige, and he was now a high official, the Chief Grand Secretary. That was why they'd all wanted to have a talk with him. He had a lot of criticisms of the event himself, which was why he'd frequently exchanged his own thoughts and opinions with the various clans. Still, he definitely had thoughts of complaint and dissatisfactions, but any thoughts of rebellion absolutely did not exist.
After he thought through all of those things, he said loudly, “That is complete nonsense. This official is now the Chief Grand Secretary, so it is proper and to be expected for me to visit the court’s subjects. Why would I plan a rebellion?”
King Wu sneered and said impatiently, “If you have anything to say, you can bring it up with the three justices. Hm? It seems you used to be a member of the Commandant of Justice. I’m sure that’ll be quite the interesting sight.”
Then, he waved his hand, ordering his subordinates to arrest Jiang Boyang.
Jiang Boyang forcibly endured his rage and replied, “King Wu, you keep saying that I am rebelling. Who gave you this order? Do you have an imperial edict?”
He really couldn't understand why the sharp and intelligent empress in the Imperial Palace would do something this unwise. Could it be that King Wu was acting on his own? After all, he had just presented a memorial stating that he felt that King Wu’s personality was too fierce and ambitious, and suggested that he be ordered to return to his own fiefdom as soon as possible. King Wu had probably learned of that, and thus decided to come for revenge. As long as he held on here, the court would realize what was happening, and the danger would naturally resolve itself.
“An imperial edict?” King Wu sneered, looking as if he had expected this to happen. “Open your eyes and take a look!”
He raised his hand, revealing a golden scroll. What else could it be but an imperial edict?
“What?!” A huge explosion went off in Jiang Boyang’s head. He felt as if all strength had suddenly leaked out of his body. He'd thought that it was just King Wu’s rebellion, but the latter was actually acting on an imperial edict!
It seems the Bi clan wants to get rid of me...
No matter how wise and unwavering the empress was, she was still a member of the Bi clan. The Liu clan’s experience had already made it so they couldn't coexist. It seemed his actions had already poked her in her sore spot.
When he saw Jiang Boyang hang his head dispiritedly, King Wu laughed coldly. With a wave of his hand, his subordinates immediately rushed over to shackle Jiang Boyang.
Just then, however, a pencil flew over and knocked the chains away. King Wu’s eyes narrowed, and everyone in the court quickly turned their heads.
Just then, the clear sound of high heels hitting stone filled the air. Every single strike seemed to tap against the onlookers' very hearts. They clearly didn’t see her yet, but nonetheless, a pair of long and beautiful legs ending in high-heeled stilettos appeared in their minds.
When they saw who it was, the noisy courtyard immediately quieted down. From time to time, sounds of heavy breathing filled the air.
That person was beautiful, with her hair worn high up above her head and held in place by a jade hairpin that resembled a pencil. Her long and slender neck made her seem even more cold and noble. However, the onlookers' gazes couldn't help but shift downward.
What gorgeous legs!
When had these soldiers ever seen legs wrapped in black silk stockings like this? The black lace decoration that wrapped around her thighs created even greater sexual appeal. It was almost as if the lace didn’t wrap around those thighs, but rather their hearts.
Even King Wu, who had already seen his fair share of beauty, couldn't help but swallow with difficulty. It was often said that the Jiang clan had a daughter with stunning legs. It seemed that was a fully justified reputation!
But the Jiang clan has already fallen into my hands...
When he thought of that, he stuck out his chest and tried to speak in a cold and proud voice. “I am here on imperial orders to arrest a criminal. Does Miss Jiang intend to go against the decree?”
Jiang Luofu’s chest rose and fell heavily. She had rushed over from the academy as soon as she learned that something had happened in the clan. Her internal energies were still a bit worked up. She gave King Wu a cold look and replied, “An imperial order? Open it up and let us take a look first.”
She had been wondering why the court would act against the Jiang clan on the way here. After thinking about it, she'd felt that the entire matter was really fishy, but she didn’t have time to do anything else. She could only come back to stop her father from being arrested first.
When he heard what she said, King Wu’s face darkened. “Shameful. Are you implying that this king is falsifying an imperial decree?!”
Jiang Luofu walked over to her father’s side and forced the soldiers to back off. She then said seriously, “The capital is experiencing troubled times, and my father is also a Chief Grand Secretary. It is to be expected for us to act a bit more cautious, to prevent crafty individuals from getting their way.”
King Wu’s eyes narrowed. “As expected of someone from the academy, you are quite good at speaking. Unfortunately, this isn’t the academy, and this king doesn’t feel like bickering with you. If you have anything to say, you can say it to the three justices. Arrest him!”
As soon as he gave the order, the surrounding soldiers raised their shackles and walked toward Jiang Boyang again.
Jiang Luofu’s gaze turned cold. “Who dares?!”
As she spoke, several pencils appeared in front of her, ready to strike like flying swords. At the same time, a small teacher’s pointer-like rod appeared in her hands. Being hit by this object definitely didn’t seem as if it would be a good experience.
Jiang Luofu had always held great prestige. She had many admirers in the clan too. With her taking the lead, many hot-blooded disciples and guards of the Jiang clan clenched their weapons and prepared to fight.
“Sir Jiang, is your Jiang clan planning to start a rebellion?” King Wu looked coldly at Jiang Boyang.
Jiang Boyang frowned slightly. He was also hesitating and struggling inside.
King Wu spoke again. “I always heard that Sir Jiang was upright and plain-spoken when he was the Commandant of Justice, that you were the incarnation of the empire's laws. No one has ever been falsely charged under your hand, and you believe firmly in the fairness of the law; these are things that have been said again and again. What, could it be that when it’s your turn, you're willing to go against the law?”