Started out getting scumbags, but then invested in the invincible Empress.

Chapter 194 Conferring the Title of Princess, Emperor Jing's Counterattack

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Jing's face contorted with rage, and he abruptly flicked his sleeve, sweeping his arm across the ground.

"Click——"

The memorials, writing brushes, ink, teacups, and other items on the emperor's desk fell to the ground with a dull thud, scattering shards of porcelain and memorials in all directions, leaving a scene of utter chaos.

The ministers all paled, knelt on the ground, their bodies trembling slightly, and none dared to raise their heads.

"This old minister has failed in his duties and begs Your Majesty for punishment."

Only Shen Huaimin, though slightly hunched over, stood calmly before the assembled officials, expressionless, quietly watching the Emperor of Dayu.

"You, you............."

Seeing the old man's appearance, Li Jing was immediately enraged and questioned, "I have always treated you well, so why do you openly defy my imperial decree and disregard my dignity?!"

“Your Majesty, it is true that I was wrong to disobey the imperial decree, but it was for the safety of these 100,000 soldiers. That young man is extremely strong, even I am no match for him. If we really fight, the soldiers will suffer heavy casualties.”

Shen Huaimin remained neither humble nor arrogant, but inwardly he sneered.

He was treated well?

Secretly, they've probably already been trying every possible way to get rid of him and the Shen family.

You think he can lead his troops to fight Li Wudao to the death while you, Li Jing, sit back and reap the benefits? Dream on!

"Nonsense!"

Li Jing roared angrily, sneering, "A mere brat, even if he has some strength, how could he possibly be a match for you, the God of War of Great Yu? Let alone facing 100,000 well-trained Imperial Guards alone..."

"I can see that you are clearly deceiving the emperor and plotting a rebellion!"

The hall fell into a deathly silence; you could hear a pin drop.

Li Jing and Shen Huaimin, one a ruler and the other a subject, looked at each other with different expressions.

The former had murderous intent in his eyes and a ferocious expression; the latter was unreadable, and it was impossible to know what he was thinking.

The atmosphere remained tense for several breaths.

Shen Huaimin slowly spoke, saying, "If Your Majesty does not believe me, you can ask the 100,000 soldiers, or the bystanders present. They will then know whether this old minister is lying or not."

Li Jing's expression froze, and he glanced sideways at the old eunuch beside him.

The old eunuch understood immediately and quickly stepped forward, whispering in your ear, "Your Majesty, the news from the secret guards is indeed true. Even the Marquis of Zhennan was killed by that young man with a single sword strike, without any chance to fight back..."

"What...? That little bastard didn't have any talent for cultivation, how did he suddenly possess such strength?!"

Li Jing's expression changed repeatedly, feeling incredulous.

Marquis Zhennan was one of the strongest figures in the Great Yu Dynasty, with excellent civil and military achievements and a reputation that extended throughout the court and the country.

Unexpectedly, the man he had placed high hopes on, the one who was expected to replace Shen Huaimin's right-hand man, would die at the hands of an unknown "useless youth," which is truly unbelievable.

"This old servant is also puzzled. The children born to Li Jing's lineage either die young or lack the aptitude for cultivation. For decades, he was the only one with some talent, but after marriage, he became just an ordinary person, and his cultivation has stagnated for so many years."

“I saw his son a few times when he was young, and I am absolutely certain that he is just an ordinary person. Even if he can cultivate, he will not be able to break through to the Blood Transformation Realm... Strange, really strange!”

The old eunuch sounded surprised and doubtful.

"I don't want to know how he became a genius, I just want him... dead!"

Li Jing's last shred of rationality was overwhelmed by his intense hatred and murderous intent.

He strode down from the dragon throne, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Shen Huaimin, who was standing close at hand, and said in a deep voice:

"Shen Huaimin, I will give you another chance to make amends."

"I'll give you all 300,000 Imperial Guards of the capital. Spare no expense and bring back that little bastard's head!"

His voice was sharp and authoritative.

Human strength has its limits. The crushing force of 300,000 troops can even shatter mountains and rivers. How could a boy with only flesh and blood survive?

The atmosphere fell silent again.

Seeing Li Jing's aggressive stance.

Shen Huaimin sighed, a hint of pity in his eyes, and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive my bluntness, but that Young Master Li is not someone you can touch."

Li Jing's pupils contracted, and his brows furrowed deeply: "What do you mean by that?"

Shen Huaimin shook his head without saying a word, gave the Emperor of Dayu a deep look, and then, under the astonished gazes of the assembled officials, turned and left without looking back.

"This may be the last time this old minister calls you Your Majesty..."

Reaching the doorway, Shen Huaimin stopped, closed his eyes, and said wistfully:

"I advise Your Majesty to put aside your hatred as soon as possible, go and apologize to Young Master Li, and perhaps you can still sit on the throne for a while longer."

Having said that, he quickly disappeared from the sight of the assembled officials, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

After he left, all the ministers looked on in astonishment, exchanging bewildered glances.

What did Duke Shen mean by those words?

Could it be that the young man surnamed Li has an extraordinary background, one that even the Great Yu Dynasty cannot afford to offend?!

"Mysterious!"

Seeing that Shen Huaimin dared to abandon the project and leave, a shadow crossed Li Jing's brow, and he sneered:

"He beheaded my prince, killed my trusted minister, and humiliated me, yet he expects me to set aside my hatred and submit to that little bastard? It's utterly laughable!"

"Could it be that because of him alone, my empire is not secure? How absurd!"

In the end, he couldn't help but laugh in his anger.

In his view, Shen Huaimin was merely using this as an excuse to secretly accumulate power in order to seize the throne.

Li Jing's expression was uncertain as he frantically searched for a solution.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, he turned to his ministers with his hands behind his back, a cold smile playing on his lips, and said, "Didn't the Crown Prince of Great Liang want to marry a royal princess? I grant his request!"

Below, the ministers whispered among themselves, their faces filled with suspicion.

"But Your Majesty... there are no princesses in the royal family."

Someone said, forcing themselves to speak.

"The Crown Prince of Liang only wants a princess from the royal family; he didn't say it had to be one of my own bloodlines."

But Li Jing narrowed his eyes slightly, revealing a calculating look, and said, "Isn't my good-for-nothing fourth brother blessed with a beautiful daughter who is known as the 'Pearl of the Great Yu'?"

“That child Nan Zhi is intelligent and kind-hearted, and she has won my heart. Today I bestow upon her the title of ‘Princess Yu Ning’, which I believe will not disgrace the status of the Crown Prince of Liang.”

"I remember that the Duke of Shen has a granddaughter, who is of marriageable age and exceptionally beautiful..."

At this point, Li Jing paused slightly, feigning contemplation, and said, "Why don't they all marry into the family together? This would not only demonstrate my sincerity but also allow the sisters to look after each other, so they won't... be homesick!"

As he finished speaking, a cold smile crept across his face.

Since neither of them is benevolent, then don't blame them for being unjust. Make them suffer, and neither of them should expect to have an easy time!

Without waiting for the ministers to react, he turned to the old eunuch and ordered, "What are you all standing there for? Draft the decree!"

"this........."

The ministers' expressions shifted rapidly, each one feeling a chill run down their spine.

The heavens of Dayu are truly about to change.

One can imagine the upheaval that would ensue after the emperor issued this edict...