The Cui family head calmly lowered his head and picked up the letter. He brushed off the dust, but showed no intention of opening it. Seeing this, the woman's lips curled coldly. "Why don't you open it and have a look, Minister Cui?"
"This letter is correspondence between me and a friend from the Zhao family. It bears my signature seal, so there's no need to open it." The Cui family head spoke with the same placid tone as always, just like his gentle, utterly unthreatening features. By contrast, everyone else seemed aggressive and unreasonable. He met the woman's gaze with clear eyes. "I'm simply curious how this letter came into Your Majesty's hands."
Even the Sovereign had no right to interfere in her subjects' private relationships.
Let alone a subject who held only an honorary title.
Wasn't this excessive suspicion?
The general sneered. "Shouldn't Duke Cui explain what's in it? What were you trying to get Zhao to do? Zhao openly defied Your Majesty. Isn't that proof you were secretly directing him?"
The Cui family head showed no sign of panic. Instead, he gave a soft laugh and said helplessly, "General, that accusation is rather far-fetched. Zhao and I have been friends since we were children. We've exchanged private letters at least fifty times a year, and our families have never once missed sending greetings for the seasonal festivals. How does one private letter venting his frustrations amount to incitement? And as for the claim that I opposed Your Majesty, where does that come from? I've heard that the general is widely learned. Why not point it out so I can die knowing what I did?"
As he spoke, he raised the letter in his hand and gave it a little shake.
The general's face turned livid with fury.