You raised your eyes and looked over. Amid the ladies dressed in splendor like clouds of brocade, one woman stood out from the rest.
Someone tried to tug lightly at her, but she resolutely pushed them away.
She walked over slowly, finally stopping behind the Princess Consort of Han.
Only then did you see her clearly.
Her figure was light and graceful, like wisps of cloud drifting from a mountain ravine. Between her brows lay both the gentle tenderness of a Jiangnan woman and the spiritual brilliance of one blessed by nature.
Merely standing there, she had already won.
She made the painted beauties of the six palaces pale into nothingness.
A flash of amazement also passed through your eyes.
She repeated herself, speaking each word distinctly.
Her voice was not loud, yet everyone could hear it.
"Great Qing should not negotiate for peace. The Junior Guardian should have marched straight upon Huanglong Prefecture."
Zhou Jinyu's gaze fell upon your face, and she especially caught that flicker of admiration in your eyes.
Only then did she turn back to the woman, her expression darkening several shades further.
Displeasure also appeared on the Empress's face.
Behind the embroidered curtains, among the young masters of great clans, imperial relatives, and gathered ladies—
Su Yue's face was filled with worry!
Her cousin had actually clashed with the Princess Consort of Han in such a solemn setting, undoubtedly offending the lofty Empress.
Though her uncle held great power and high office, her cousin likely would not escape punishment.
Her cousin had always been learned and sensible, gentle in temperament, and steady in handling affairs. What she had done today was truly incomprehensible.
Su Yue was utterly confused, unable to understand why.
Was Lu Chen as he was now worth it?
Zhou Jinyu's gaze blazed like torches as she looked down at the woman, her voice indifferent. "Who are you, to dare recklessly discuss state affairs here?"
Hearing this, the woman respectfully saluted. Her voice was clear as an oriole's song. "This subject's daughter is Xie Lingxuan. Greetings, Junior Guardian and Your Highness, Princess Consort."
You came back to your senses and said, "The title of Junior Guardian has long become a thing of the past. There is no need to mention it again."
The Xie Clan's young lady, Xie Lingxuan.
You recalled that the Xie Clan's young lady mentioned in your mother's letter bore this very name, and that she had once been betrothed to you.
She truly was exceptionally beautiful, her appearance most pleasing.
The moment Xie Lingxuan's name was spoken—
A flash of realization crossed Zhou Jinyu's eyes. She knew Kyoto's powerful and noble households inside out, so she naturally knew Xie Lingxuan's background.
Her father was an exceedingly formidable figure. In recent years, he had enjoyed abundant imperial favor; even the Second Prince treated him with courtesy.
As for Xie Lingxuan herself, she was a woman renowned throughout Kyoto, outstanding in talent and peerless in beauty.
She simply kept deeply secluded and rarely went out. This was Zhou Jinyu's first time seeing her, and the rumors had indeed not been exaggerated.
As Xie Lingxuan's name echoed in everyone's ears, even the Empress, who had been seated upright in the place of honor all along, could not help casting a more scrutinizing gaze upon her.
If Zhou Jinyu encountered such matters on ordinary days, she would let them pass lightly for the sake of Xie Lingxuan's father.
But today!
She had seen that trace of amazement on Lu Chen's face at Xie Lingxuan's beauty.
This had never happened before.
Even when facing her, Lu Chen had never shown such an expression.
A blaze rose in her heart.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Zhou Jinyu's gaze locked tightly onto Xie Lingxuan.
Someone behind her had already tried to smooth things over for the woman.
The Prime Minister's son stepped forward and bowed slightly, speaking with sincerity. "Your Highness, please forgive her. Lingxuan has long remained at home and does not tread the halls of court. She spoke carelessly in a moment of ignorance."
"Yes, Your Highness. Lingxuan spoke without restraint."
Even the current imperial uncle, who was close to the Xie Clan, spoke gently at this moment. "Lingxuan, why do you not quickly apologize to Her Highness?"
Though his words carried reproach, they contained still more tolerance and concern for Xie Lingxuan.
"Her Highness is broad-minded and naturally will not blame you."
For a time, countless words rose in her defense.
The gaze of Zhou Jinyu, the eldest princess of North Wind, did not shift. She quietly waited for Xie Lingxuan's response.
Yet to everyone's surprise, Xie Lingxuan did not lower her head and apologize.
As more and more voices spoke, her gaze instead passed over the crowd and finally landed on you, filled with complex emotions beyond description.
As you stared into her eyes, you strangely found them filled with indignation and resentment at injustice.
Xie Lingxuan sighed softly and thought to herself.
For ten years, day after day, you fought upon the battlefield and recovered lost lands. In the end, you chose to retire into the mountains and forests, yet now you suffer mockery. Not one person stands by your side; most merely look on coldly or kick a man when he is down.
And she, a woman, has won the support of so many people, all speaking in her defense.
This stark contrast made Xie Lingxuan's heart ache.
At last, you saw her eyes clearly.
Her eyes were grieving for you, indignant on your behalf.
Xie Lingxuan stood there, her gaze resolute. "Back then, the Junior Guardian fought all the way to Huanglong Prefecture. He was only one step away from trampling North Wind flat. Our country should not have negotiated for peace!"
The moment those words fell, the entire gathering erupted in uproar.
Someone behind her could no longer restrain themselves from rebuking her. "Lingxuan, how can you spout such nonsense!"
"This concerns matters of state. How can a woman casually meddle in them?"
"Come back at once!"
The Empress also rose to her feet and looked at Xie Lingxuan.
Su Yue's face had already gone pale. If her cousin continued speaking, the consequences would be too dreadful to imagine.
Zhou Jinyu gave a soft laugh. "Could it be that Miss Xie doubts His Majesty's decision from years ago, or believes His Majesty lacked wisdom?"
Her words sounded light and airy, yet they were like blades and swords!
The Prime Minister's son hurriedly said, "Your Highness, please spare Lingxuan."
"Your Highness..."
Voices pleading for mercy rose again.
Xie Lingxuan's voice had already taken on a note of grief. "The nation and its homes have fallen. The Emperor suffered humiliation and capture. How many people died in the Northern Region? During that year of great chaos in Guanzhong, people ate one another—how many more died? How many were displaced? How many families were shattered and ruined? Can twenty-six years of humiliation be soothed by a single peace negotiation?"
"Of the hundred thousand soldiers of the Lu Family Army, how many died? Whose sons were they? Whose husbands?"
"The common people suffer, the ministers seethe with hatred. When will it end?"
"When the Junior Guardian retired into seclusion back then, was that still not enough?"
Xie Lingxuan, this gentle woman, bit her lip and said:
"Now, you still want to force him!"
The moment those words were spoken, the hall fell into dead silence.
The Empress's phoenix eyes had widened, a sharp gleam flashing in her pupils. Her face was so dark it was terrifying.
Those words were undoubtedly an open challenge to His Majesty's decision, and an accusation against many court officials.
No one dared speak up for her again.
Listening from the side, Su Yue was terrified out of her wits. She had covered her mouth, so nervous she nearly fainted, while repeatedly chanting in her heart, What should be done now? What should be done...
Yet amid that oppressive atmosphere—
Zhou Jinyu, the Princess Consort of Han, clapped her hands and laughed. "Good, good, good."
"What a Miss Xie."
"So you possess such lofty insight. Then let me ask you again: what exactly are your intentions?"
Her tone gradually became solemn. "Every sentence you utter concerns the Junior Guardian. Could it be that you wished the Junior Guardian to defy orders back then?"
The moment those words were spoken, some people in the hall clenched their fists, their faces turning ugly.
Those words touched upon the current Emperor's reverse scale—something no one could touch.
The dragon's reverse scale: touch it, and you die.
Before you continue