Who in the world didn’t know that the Emperor’s will was the imperial decree?

Imperial decree, imperial decree—this character “imperial” referred to the Son of Heaven, referred to His Majesty!

Whatever decision the Emperor made, how many people could change it? Much less when it was the current Son of Heaven, dealing with Marquis Yongyi’s estate!

Xiao Yuan had thought that coming here carrying the Son of Heaven’s command, today he would surely vent the accumulated grievances of past days, making Marquis Yongyi’s estate bow and obey, making the assembled ministers tremble in fear. Who would have expected to encounter someone like Zhang Zhe who knew how to argue?

In verbal sparring, how could a military general compare with a scholar?

His two thick, heavy eyebrows furrowed forcefully, and Xiao Yuan easily felt himself seemingly trapped in an awkward situation. Secretly alarmed, he suddenly steeled himself and stared darkly at Zhang Zhe, actually saying, “My Xiao clan’s loyalty to the emperor is proven—we are willing to serve as His Majesty’s vanguard. This decree was written by His Majesty before this Duke’s own eyes. How can it be delayed because of the words of you, a mere Chief of the Bureau of Personnel? Today this Duke will make an example by killing the chicken to frighten the monkeys. Let’s see whether His Majesty punishes you for obstructing the imperial will and colluding with rebels, or punishes this Duke!”

As his words fell, he actually raised his sword and advanced toward Zhang Zhe!

All the guests in the hall were even more shocked—first, by the enormous accusation Xiao Yuan suddenly pinned on someone; second, by the dangerous intent revealed in his words and actions. Immediately someone shouted loudly, “Is Duke Dingguo about to murder innocents?!”

Jiang Xuening’s blood ran cold throughout her body.

Because she remembered that in her previous life, Shen Lang had clearly issued a decree to raid Marquis Yongyi’s estate and imprison all its people, waiting for the case to be investigated before meting out punishment. Yet when she rushed to the estate that day, she saw blood covering the ground and severed heads tumbling down the steps!

This proved—

Either something had changed during the coming-of-age ceremony in her previous life, or Duke Dingguo Xiao Yuan, responsible for this matter, had deliberately sought excuses to go on a killing spree!

Watching Xiao Yuan approach Zhang Zhe step by step, with the surrounding civil and military officials angrily condemning him and emotions running high, causing the many soldiers surrounding the hall to grip their weapons tightly, looking ready to strike at any moment—Jiang Xuening was so tense she couldn’t breathe.

She could feel that out-of-control danger more than anyone present!

In this critical moment, her gaze swept across the scene and easily caught sight of Young Master Xiao Ye of the Xiao clan, standing among the young guests not far from where the Yangzhi Studio study companions were positioned. The thought that had been circling in her mind suddenly emerged.

Jiang Xuening quickly stepped forward and leaned close to whisper something in Shen Zhiyi’s ear.

Shen Zhiyi had been frowning at the chaotic scene before her. Hearing these words, she looked at Jiang Xuening with surprise. However, after only brief consideration, she showed some delight, then shifted her gaze to look at Xiao Ye as well.

The sword Jiang Xuening had given Yan Lin earlier hadn’t been stored away but was being held by Qingfeng, who stood to the side.

Without a word, Shen Zhiyi stepped forward, opened the sword case, lifted the sword, and headed toward Xiao Ye!

Xiao Ye was roughly the same age as Yan Lin, but since his birth, he had constantly been compared to Yan Lin. How could the legitimate son of the Xiao clan feel pleased about that?

Moreover, he had just had that friction with Yan Lin earlier.

At this moment, standing nearby watching Marquis Yongyi’s estate in such dire straits, his heart was beyond pleased—he was practically about to clap and laugh. His expression, far from matching the panic of others in the hall, was full of smiles, and he hadn’t noticed the unusual behavior from Jiang Xuening and Shen Zhiyi’s direction.

However, that sword was unexpectedly heavy.

Caught off guard, Shen Zhiyi had just lifted the sword when its weight pulled her, nearly making her fall to the ground.

This immediately drew surrounding gazes.

Xiao Ye looked over, and she couldn’t help but look at Xiao Ye.

In that instant, a shivering chill climbed up from Xiao Ye’s tailbone. The previous smile vanished from his face instantly. His reaction was even faster than a rabbit’s—he stretched his voice and immediately shouted loudly, “Father, save me!”

Xiao Yuan, about to press his sword against Zhang Zhe’s neck, was immediately stunned.

He turned his head and saw Xiao Ye standing there, breaking into a run toward him.

Shen Zhiyi immediately became anxious.

Jiang Xuening stood somewhat closer to the outside, right in the path Xiao Ye had to pass.

Her eyelid twitched. Thinking silently that plans couldn’t keep up with changes, though her mind told her ten thousand times not to reveal herself at this critical juncture, when Xiao Ye frantically ran past her eyes in that instant, she finally gritted her teeth viciously!

“Bang!”

She directly kicked out, right at Xiao Ye’s knee!

This young master had been fleeing for his life quite well, still thinking how fortunate he was to react quickly, or else he would have become someone else’s leverage tool. He never imagined encountering such a vicious kick midway!

In that split second, who could react?

When he saw Jiang Xuening, he only felt his heart go cold. Intense pain shot through his knee, and involuntarily he fell face-first to the ground. His head struck the hard floor with a “thunk,” even drawing blood!

Only then did Shen Zhiyi get her chance. Reacting, she immediately stepped forward with the sword pressed against Xiao Ye’s neck!

Xiao Yuan was furiously enraged: “What is the meaning of this, Your Highness the Grand Princess!”

Shen Zhiyi had already vaguely known her mother and imperial brother’s attitude toward Marquis Yongyi’s estate. Even today, when her brother wanted to come, mother hadn’t permitted it. If Duke Dingguo Xiao Yuan was just performing official duties, naturally she couldn’t say much. But now, doing things this way was truly going too far!

She was Yan Lin’s playmate and good friend—how could she endure it?

After all, she was a princess of a dynasty, an empire. When Shen Zhiyi’s face darkened, it was also quite frightening. She said coldly, “My imperial brother’s decree told you to arrest them, yet you want to start a massacre! How do we know this isn’t personal revenge? Xiao Yuan, listen well—if you dare move even one person in this hall, this Princess guarantees your worthless coward of a son will have his head roll immediately!”

That sword, which Yan Lin could wield freely, was somewhat difficult for her to handle.

The sword tip pressed against the ground, the blade forming an angle with the floor.

Xiao Ye’s neck was within this angle.

When Shen Zhiyi’s wrist moved even slightly due to the weight, that angle decreased, the blade nearly touching Xiao Ye’s neck, making him immediately howl in terror with his spirit shattered: “Father, she’s going to kill me! Save me quickly!”

This turn of events—not only Xiao Yuan, but even the people of Marquis Yongyi’s estate hadn’t expected it.

The guests inside and outside were once again dumbstruck.

Zhang Zhe’s neck was also pressed by Xiao Yuan’s sword, but at this moment he couldn’t help raising his head to glance: Jiang Xuening stood quietly over there, unassuming and inconspicuous. Not many people had seen that critical kick was delivered by her. In the previous life, she hadn’t come. This life she had finally come—was it to make up for the mistakes of that life, to remedy the regrets of that life?

The Xiao clan currently had only this precious heir, still waiting for him to inherit the family business. Moreover, Xiao Ye had been carefully raised by Xiao Yuan and was rarely close to him. How could he have expected Shen Zhiyi to use him as a threat!

Xiao Yuan said grimly, “Does Your Highness the Grand Princess stand with the Yan clan, intending to defy the imperial decree?”

Shen Zhiyi had just heard everything and didn’t put Duke Dingguo in her eyes at all: “First, the decree’s transmission violates regulations. Chief Zhang from the Ministry of Justice is right—you should return to affix the great seal. Second, this Princess doesn’t care what matters you have in court. Even criminals executed after autumn are given a good meal. Today is Yan Lin’s coming-of-age ceremony, which has not yet concluded. I won’t tolerate your tyranny! Either you withdraw now, or I kill your son!”

At this moment, that decisiveness and severity on her face was something Jiang Xuening had never seen before.

That fragility of weeping while holding her in Mingfeng Palace that night was now covered by hard armor.

Truly phoenixlike brilliance and severity!

From the moment Zhang Zhe spoke, Yan Lin had been stunned. When Jiang Xuening and Shen Zhiyi made their move, he stood frozen in place watching.

The civil and military officials who had come for the ceremony were already dissatisfied with Xiao Yuan wielding an unsealed decree as if it were an imperial mandate. With Shen Zhiyi standing up to speak, finally those who truly couldn’t stand it also came forward to echo: “A man’s coming-of-age ceremony, from youth to adulthood, occurs only once in a lifetime. Why must Duke Dingguo do things so absolutely?”

“Indeed, this is going too far!”

…

Gradually, the voices of agreement in the hall grew more numerous and louder.

If this group assembled in court, they would also be a considerable force.

Hearing this, Xiao Yuan’s expression gradually darkened.

However, Yan Lin raised his head slightly. A surge of scalding hot blood rushed from his leaping heart through his chest, burning him until he trembled slightly, even his eyes reddening somewhat. That surging, turbulent feeling was like a ball of fire, burning away the heavy, oppressive gloom and solid ice until they dispersed and dissolved.

Though the world was harsh and dangerous, human sentiment could be cold at times, but also warm!

The young man’s fingers hanging at his side slowly clenched. He wanted to engrave this scene before his eyes, deeply imprint it in his memory…

Xie Wei stood tall in the hall, his snow-white plain robes unstained by dust. He merely observed Xiao Yuan’s changing expression, then glanced at Shen Zhiyi holding the sword against Xiao Ye in confrontation with Xiao Yuan, and finally spoke: “Duke Dingguo should take a step back first.”

Xiao Yuan had noticed early on that he was present today.

It was just that the entire civil and military court knew Xie Wei was an imperial confidant, and he felt His Majesty heeded this person’s every word. Therefore, while others dared to offend him, he had always acted as if Xie Wei didn’t exist, fearing he might provoke some disaster.

But he hadn’t expected Xie Wei to say this to him.

Xiao Yuan stared at him: “Is Shaoshi also standing with the Yan clan?”

Xie Wei waved his hand lightly, gesturing for the stunned praiser beside him to step down. He appeared composed and unhurried, even smiling slightly as he said, “The task was assigned by His Majesty. The target is Marquis Yongyi’s estate. Duke is merely the intermediary. Caution in all matters is best. With so many soldiers present, it’s only the effort of making one more trip. A win-win situation—why not? Moreover, since this request was raised by the assembled colleagues at today’s crowning ceremony, if His Majesty asks, Duke can report truthfully. Though His Majesty will be angry, presumably he won’t redirect his anger…”

Everyone hearing these words practically gasped in shock!

The gazes looking toward Xie Wei were filled with astonishment, and those who thought more shallowly even felt somewhat angry.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan was also stunned, then immediately had a revelation and understood: Xie Wei’s words seemed to plead for Marquis Yongyi’s estate, but actually stated the consequences of this group standing with the estate. If the decree arrived immediately, the estate would simply be raided. But if people dared to pick at the decree’s flaws and stand with the estate, speaking for it—if His Majesty learned of this, he would surely be furiously enraged! When that happened, since this matter had no fault on his part, wouldn’t this account ultimately be settled on Marquis Yongyi’s estate?

Returning to the palace to affix the great seal—it seemed impossible, but was actually quite feasible!

Understanding this connection, Xiao Yuan nearly couldn’t help laughing aloud. Looking at Xie Wei again, he felt he truly resembled an immortal from the nine heavens, a sage atop a high platform—exquisitely ingenious. So he cheerfully sheathed his sword and actually said, “Since Master Xie has spoken, this face must be given. This Duke will first return to the palace to report this matter to His Majesty, and return later!”

Xie Wei lowered his eyelids without speaking.

However, Jiang Xuening could feel some whispering arising around her. Everyone’s gazes seemed to drift toward Xie Wei, as if some felt his action was quite censurable.

But those who thought a bit deeper couldn’t help but want to prostrate themselves in admiration before Xie Wei.

Reversing heaven and earth with one sentence—nothing more than this.

One could imagine that those who would come to Marquis Yongyi’s estate to serve as honored guest for Yan Lin’s crowning ceremony wouldn’t be sinister villains. Yet by speaking these words, he could smoothly satisfy both sides, easily resolve the deadlock, even clarifying the advantages and disadvantages involved.

What emperors feared most was military generals whose achievements overshadowed their lord. Marquis Yongyi’s estate’s recent merits weren’t quite at that level, but matters involving collusion with rebel factions were ultimately sensitive.

If the entire civil and military court stood with the estate, how could it not harm the estate?

Their behavior just now had already gone too far.

If they could fortunately survive this calamity today, they should be cautious with words and actions, not instead bring harm to the estate.

Xiao Yuan had already drafted his complaint in his mind, ready to return to the palace and viciously accuse Marquis Yongyi’s estate. He ordered the surrounding soldiers: “Surround this entire residence. Don’t let a single person enter or leave!”

Having spoken, he looked toward Shen Zhiyi.

The anger on his face surged up again as he said in a deep voice, “Your Highness the Princess should release him now, yes?”

Shen Zhiyi said nothing and withdrew the sword.

But Xiao Ye, having knocked his head on the ground and nearly knocked himself senseless, with his knee also hurting, couldn’t get up by himself.

It was Xiao Shu who looked deeply at Jiang Xuening before waving her hand, having those attending come forward to help him up.

Heavy troops surrounding the estate tightly guarded every corner of the residence.

The servants in the estate were all pale as paper.

But Xiao Yuan had ultimately returned to the palace with the decree.

The hall was extremely quiet.

Yan Mu gazed at Xie Wei for a long time, unable to speak. After a good while, he finally rallied his spirit, gritted his teeth, and declared loudly, “Since the crowning is complete, please, Master Xie, bestow a courtesy name upon my son!”

The praiser, having never witnessed such a scene, had gone weak and couldn’t move.

It was the old steward who reacted quickly, immediately presenting the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone prepared early, bowing before Xie Wei: “Please, Master, bestow a courtesy name upon the Young Master.”

Yan Lin also looked toward Xie Wei.

Jiang Xuening’s five fingers quietly clenched tightly within her sleeves. She barely felt even that thin thread of pain on her wrist, involuntarily holding her breath, watching unblinkingly.

Writing paper was spread flat in the lacquered tray, held high by the steward.

Everyone’s gaze fell upon Xie Wei.

He gathered his wide sleeve with one hand, lifted the brush, and when about to write, he paused for a long time. He wrote one character, then paused again. Finally, he actually set down the brush, saying, “The world is unpredictable. Originally two characters were planned, but now just this one character is not bad at all.”

Everyone looked at the paper—

The characters were like dragons and serpents, all hidden within the strokes. At first glance there was no particular sharpness, but upon closer examination the force was powerful and profound.

Yet there was only one character, which read: Hui!

Yan Lin, single character Hui.

“The great roc rises with one day’s wind, soaring upward ninety thousand miles. Yet the firmament is not a place to dwell; the vast sea is where the heart returns. After enduring tribulation, do not change your original intentions! This character is ‘Hui’—Return.”