Ji Li was under orders from Jing Yi and had to obstruct them!

He straightened his posture and raised his brow. “Your Highness, this humble official deeply understands the principle that the sovereign is sovereign and the subject is subject. But due to my duty, I cannot yield. Today, if Your Highness wishes to enter the city, you must have the Emperor’s imperial edict. Otherwise, Your Highness would be defying the imperial order. Those who defy and disrespect imperial orders should rightfully be executed.”

His words struck like metal on stone!

Each word rang loud and clear!

Hearing the word “executed,” Lang Bo’s face flushed red with anger. He immediately stepped forward, drawing his sword and pointing it at the insolent Ji Li.

“Outrageous! You, a mere Minister of War, dare to say the word ‘executed’ to His Highness.”

Instantly, both sides held their swords at the ready, just waiting for one command from their leaders!

But Jingrong raised one hand, signaling those behind him not to act rashly.

Outnumbered, they would certainly die!

Seeing this, Ji Li said, “Your Highness is someone who prioritizes the greater good. If you force your way through now, it will only result in mutual destruction. Without the Emperor’s permission, this humble official will not yield a single step.”

Emperor Qi Zhen had issued the oral decree under pressure from the court officials. If he now allowed Jingrong to return to the capital—first, it would be a slap in the face, and second, it would be breaking his word. All the court officials would likely protest. At that time, it would be like twenty years ago when he first ascended the throne. Because the court officials had supported Duke Yuguo, who had yielded the throne at the time, and were dissatisfied with his ascension, they had caused great turmoil, resulting in a complete upheaval in court and a total reshuffling.

So now, if another great turmoil occurred because of this matter, it really wouldn’t be worth it!

Weighing all considerations, Emperor Qi Zhen would naturally not publicly reveal that secret edict summoning Jingrong back to the capital.

Ji Li had precisely calculated this before cooperating with Jing Yi to deploy troops outside the city for interception.

At this moment, Jingrong’s expression was cold and severe, yet also appeared exceptionally calm.

He said, “Minister Ji, on my way here I had imagined that if you withdrew your troops and let us pass, this prince could let bygones be bygones. But the dignified Minister of War, Minister Ji—all the civil and military officials in court say you understand the times, know the vital points, comprehend the stakes and what matters most, and grasp things accurately. Otherwise, you wouldn’t stand unshaken in the position of Minister. But now in this prince’s view, you are an extremely foolish person. Back then, Marquis Dingbei called you a ‘howling wolf,’ eating people without spitting out bones. He truly wasn’t wrong at all.”

Howling wolves are fierce, but also dull-witted. Using this to describe Ji Li couldn’t be more appropriate.

Though Jingrong’s tone was mocking, every word was like a pearl, filled with killing intent.

Ji Li’s face turned from pale to flushed as he tightly gripped the long sword at his side.

Jingrong seemed to intentionally provoke him. His evil lips curved up darkly as he continued, “Minister Ji is a clever man who has never been manipulated by others while serving in court. Even when the Crown Prince was alive, he couldn’t control a single soldier of yours. But now that Prince Yi has married your Ji family’s legitimate daughter, Minister Ji has become like a caged bird that has surrendered its weapons, hanging by Prince Yi’s side, willingly trapped and letting others manipulate you. Such a Minister Ji truly opens this prince’s eyes.”

The more severely he spoke, the more seriously Ji Li’s face turned pale.

It looked quite comical.

Ultimately, Jingrong was giving him one chance out of consideration for Ji Yunshu’s sake. As long as he withdrew his troops immediately, Jingrong would keep his word and certainly not pursue the matter.

But—

How could Jingrong know that Ji Li also didn’t wish to be manipulated by others, much less wish to be led by the nose by Jing Yi? However, his own sister had lost her virtue in the imperial palace. Once exposed, Ji Muqing would certainly die, and the entire Ji family would inevitably be implicated. Jing Yi was using this to threaten him—he was also being forced.

Taking a deep breath, Ji Li tried not to let himself be affected by Jingrong’s words just now and said, “Your Highness need not say so much. Even without Prince Yi, this humble official would still obstruct you here today. The Emperor’s oral decree came first—those who defy it shall be killed without exception.”

Those who defy it shall be killed without exception.

Jingrong had given him a chance!

But he didn’t take it!

He had no one to blame!

“What fine words—’those who defy it shall be killed without exception.’ Then should even the late emperor be executed together?” Jingrong questioned, his tone rising.

Everyone was in an uproar!

The late emperor? The late emperor had long since died—how could there be any talk of execution?

Ji Li was puzzled, his eyes staring directly at him.

Then Jingrong slowly pulled out a brownish-yellow imperial edict from his wide sleeve, raised it in his hand, and lifted it lightly upward. His gaze was piercing as he swept over everyone before him one by one.

“This is the late emperor’s imperial edict! Who dares to obstruct it!”

Ugh!

Those military officers were greatly astonished. They looked at each other, the long swords in their hands trembling faintly, and they even retreated several steps backward.

Only Ji Li remained completely still.

He looked at that imperial edict, his heart filled with doubt.

“The late emperor’s imperial edict? Impossible!”

He flatly denied it and refused to acknowledge it.

“Minister Ji, the imperial edict in this prince’s hand does not allow for your suspicion and doubt. Those who see the imperial edict see the late emperor himself. If you dare to overstep, you are showing contempt for the late emperor. According to the Great Lin law, you should be executed without mercy.”

Ji Li was rendered speechless, his eyes slightly widened. “If the late emperor truly had an imperial edict, it couldn’t possibly be in Your Highness’s hands. Whether the edict is real or fake is unknown.”

“The late emperor has passed away. How could this prince use a fake to pass for the real thing? Whether the edict is real or fake is not for you, Minister Ji, to question.”

“…”

“Stand aside!” Jingrong roared in a low voice.

Those military officers indeed planned to make way, but in the next moment, Ji Li suddenly gave an order: “Do not let them pass.”

And so—

Those military officers could only stand in place without moving, neither advancing nor retreating.

Ji Li’s face was overcast. “Whether the imperial edict in Your Highness’s hand is real or fake, this humble official cannot determine. If it’s real, I will naturally order the troops to stand aside. But if it’s fake, then I can only beg Your Highness’s pardon—duty compels me to block Your Highness from entering the capital.”

“You mean you want to see this imperial edict?”

“Correct.”

“You’re not qualified to see the late emperor’s posthumous decree. If you want to know if it’s real or fake, quickly take your people and get out of the way. Once the edict is delivered before the Emperor, the truth will naturally be determined. If you, Minister Ji, continue to be obstinate, this prince guarantees that you and all the military officers under your command will perish here.” Jingrong threatened, extremely serious. His bottomless eyes were like an abyssal glacier, making people shudder.

Ji Li hesitated, his heart wavering.

Should he let them pass?

Or not?

He couldn’t decide.

After contemplating in his heart for a long while—

He finally said, “Very well. If that’s the case, then please wait here, Your Highness. This humble official will send someone to report to the Emperor and await His Majesty’s decree.”

Jingrong said nothing!

So Ji Li called over a military officer and whispered a few words in his ear. The officer nodded, glanced at Jingrong, and then left.

To report!

Before receiving the Emperor’s decree, both sides were now in a stalemate.

Neither dared to act rashly.

Jingrong retreated to beside the carriage and called over Lang Bo.

“Secretly send someone to notify the city guards outside the capital gates and have them immediately enter the palace to report to the Emperor.”

Hm?

Lang Bo was puzzled. “Your Highness, didn’t Minister Ji already send someone to report?”

“The person he sent isn’t going to report to the Emperor, but to Prince Yi’s estate.”

Oh!

“This Minister Ji is truly full of cunning schemes.”