Marquis Jing'an returned to court.
This battle proved that he had not deliberately passed information to the enemy kingdom, clearing him of the charge of treason.
The emperor had arranged a special banquet and summoned every civil and military official. It was a grand affair, seemingly intended for more than merely welcoming Marquis Jing'an back to court.
Marquis Jing'an was a middle-aged man with a square face, thick brows, and a deep vertical crease between them. One look at his face was enough to tell that he had violent tendencies.
On top of that, he was a seasoned warrior skilled in martial arts. A man like him was best left unprovoked whenever possible.
As soon as he entered the hall, he swept his gaze around, a trace of anger rising as he demanded,
"Why hasn't anyone from my household come?"
Beside him, Lord Qian, the Minister of War, replied dryly, "What household? Does anyone from your Xie family still have the nerve to enter the palace?"
The other officials laughed as well.
"What do you mean?"
Marquis Jing'an was displeased. A rough man, he turned and challenged the Minister of War outright.
"Does the Marquis not know? Your precious son favored his concubine and mistreated his wife, and the scandal has spread like wildfire. To save his daughter's life, Minister Liu smashed his head against a pillar to repay his debt to you with his life. And you still have the nerve to ask where your family is?"
The Minister of War gave a cold snort. His good colleague, Minister Liu, was still at home, his survival uncertain.
For all they knew, he had damaged his brain.
The debt of gratitude had long since been repaid, yet that damned Xie family had favored a concubine over a wife and still