jdhmnovel Chapter 352 (87 words added)
Chapter 352 (87 words added)
The Left Prime Minister took the portrait and examined it carefully. At first, he didn't pay much attention to it, thinking it was just an ordinary painting. However, when he saw the figure in the painting, his expression suddenly turned serious. The person in the painting was none other than the current Emperor! The Left Prime Minister was secretly surprised; he couldn't understand why his youngest daughter would have a portrait of the Emperor. He looked at his youngest daughter again, only to see her eyes flickering, as if she was deliberately avoiding his gaze. This unusual behavior made the Left Prime Minister increasingly feel that something was wrong. The Left Prime Minister's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief. He never expected that his youngest daughter was holding a self-portrait of the Regent. The Regent in the painting was lifelike, as if he would step out of the painting at any moment. An ominous premonition welled up in the Left Prime Minister's heart. He knew the Regent's power and methods well; if his youngest daughter had any connection with the Regent, it could bring annihilation to the entire family. He decided to find out the reason behind this; he couldn't let his family fall into danger. The Left Prime Minister took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself down. He decided to have a serious talk with his daughter to understand her true thoughts.
The relationship between the Regent and her father had always been strained. The Left Prime Minister, suppressing his anger and worry, pulled his youngest daughter into a side hall. "Speak," he demanded, his gaze piercing as he stared at her. "Where did this portrait come from? What is your connection to the Regent?" The youngest daughter trembled with fear, but mustered her courage to say, "Father, I saw this painting by chance at the market. I thought it was very well done, so I bought it. There's no other connection." The Left Prime Minister wasn't about to believe her easily. He scoffed, "Don't try to lie to me. The Regent is not someone you can easily approach. If you don't tell the truth, our whole family will suffer." Tears welled in her eyes. "Father, I'm telling the truth!" Just then, Xue Ruanruan entered. Seeing this, she had already made up her mind. "Left Prime Minister, don't make things difficult for my sister. Perhaps it's just a coincidence. The most urgent thing now is to find a way to deal with this portrait and prevent this matter from spreading." The Left Prime Minister listened, pondered for a moment, and felt that Xue Ruanruan's words made sense. He decided to hide the portrait first and then investigate the matter secretly, determined not to let his family fall into utter ruin. She knew this perfectly well. However, despite this, her feelings for the Regent grew even stronger. All of this created a vibrant and prosperous scene, allowing one to feel the boundless charm of nature and the vigorous power of life. This jade pendant's space was a top-grade treasure among diluents. Xue Ruanruan's suggestion calmed the Left Prime Minister down temporarily; he ordered his men to properly hide the portrait. But the Left Prime Minister knew in his heart that this matter would not end so simply. Seeing the Left Prime Minister's furrowed brows, Xue Ruanruan had a bold idea. She leaned closer to the Left Prime Minister and whispered, "Left Prime Minister, why don't I sound out the Regent and see if he really knows about this?" The Left Prime Minister hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded in agreement.
With a touch of trepidation, Xue Ruanruan embarked on her journey to see Regent Murong Xun. Along the way, she constantly pondered how to begin. Upon arriving at the Prince's residence, Murong Xun seemed to have anticipated her arrival, a playful smile playing on his lips. "What, Miss Xue, have you come about the portrait?" Murong Xun asked unhurriedly. Xue Ruanruan's heart tightened, but she still forced a smile and said, "Your Highness, this matter may be a misunderstanding. I hope Your Highness will be lenient." Seeing her nervous expression, Murong Xun suddenly burst into laughter, "Very well, I don't intend to investigate further. Go back and tell the Left Prime Minister to keep a close eye on his daughter." Xue Ruanruan felt a sense of relief, thanked the Prince, and hurriedly left. Meanwhile, in the Left Prime Minister's residence, a new undercurrent was quietly brewing. It not only possessed a mysterious and powerful force, but also represented her master's deep affection for her! Imagine, when she wore this jade pendant, she could almost feel her master's warm blessings and earnest expectations. The power contained within this jade pendant would become a powerful ally on his cultivation path, helping him overcome numerous obstacles and achieve extraordinary success! However, the Left Prime Minister was not complacent. He knew that the struggle for power was endless, and only by remaining vigilant could he remain invincible in this complex officialdom. Murong Xun sat at his desk, his gaze fixed intently on the mountain of documents before him. Each page meticulously recorded the misdeeds committed by the Left Prime Minister over the years, the words revealing heinous crimes. Murong Xun's brows furrowed, his eyes flashing with anger and disappointment. His pen frequently made annotations on the documents, as if pouring his rage into the tip of the pen. As he read deeper, Murong Xun's mood grew increasingly heavy. He had initially thought the Left Prime Minister was merely overly power-hungry, but he hadn't expected his actions to be so heinous, severely damaging the interests of the nation and its people. The evidence on the case file was irrefutable, and Murong Xun felt an even heavier burden on his shoulders. He had to seek justice for the country and the people. However, punishing the Left Chancellor was no easy task; he had deep roots and immense power in the court. Murong Xun knew this would be a difficult struggle, but he did not back down. He secretly vowed that no matter how great the difficulties and obstacles, he would bring the Left Chancellor to justice and restore peace and order to the people. Wang Jingjing stood silently in the courtyard, her brows slightly furrowed, her heart filled with doubt. She didn't understand why her father's attitude towards the Regent was so cold, even dislikeful. Her father was an upright and kind man, always generous to others, but when the Regent was mentioned, his eyes always revealed a hint of dissatisfaction and wariness. Wang Jingjing had tried to ask her father why, but he always avoided the question, only instructing her to keep her distance from the Regent. Thinking of the Regent's imposing face and unfathomable eyes, a sense of awe welled up within her. The Regent held immense power and ruthless methods, enjoying immense prestige in the court and among the people. But why did her father dislike such a person so much? Wang Jingjing secretly resolved to find out why her father disliked the Regent. She began to silently observe the Regent's words and actions, trying to find some clues. As time passed, Wang Jingjing gradually discovered some subtle signs. She found that the Regent's methods in handling state affairs were too decisive and ruthless, sometimes even disregarding the feelings of others. This contradicted her father's benevolent governance philosophy, perhaps that was why her father disliked him. However, Wang Jingjing also understood that the Regent's position and power were not to be underestimated; she had to carefully manage her relationship with him. In this complex court, she had to learn to protect herself while also safeguarding the interests of her father and family. The Left Prime Minister's face was flushed red, his eyes wide and bulging, as if he were about to spit fire. His hands were clenched into fists, trembling slightly, revealing his inner rage. His lips were tightly pressed together, the corners of his mouth twitching occasionally, as if struggling to suppress a roar that was about to escape. His breathing became rapid, his chest heaving violently, as if there was a pent-up anger that he couldn't release. Veins bulged on his forehead, and the muscles in his face were contorted with rage. One could imagine that if he hadn't been so restrained, he would have erupted in fury. The Left Prime Minister frowned, a sense of unease creeping into his heart. He stood quietly by the window, gazing into the distance, as if he could see the future through the hazy mist. The situation was unpredictable and volatile, and he felt as if he were a lone boat adrift in a raging storm, ready to be swallowed at any moment. Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, scattering across the earth and draping the world in a blanket of white. Xue Ruanruan wore a light blue cloak that clung tightly to her body, revealing only her fair and beautiful face. She rode a tall and majestic white horse, galloping across the snow. The horse's hooves clattered through the snow, making a crisp, melodious sound, as if dancing with the snowflakes. Xue Ruanruan's eyes were clear and bright, like two dazzling gems set in their sockets. She squinted slightly, her gaze focused intently ahead, as if searching for something. Her long hair fluttered in the wind, like strands of black ribbons dancing in the air. The white horse's gait was steady and powerful, each step carrying determination and confidence. Its coat was as white as snow, blending seamlessly with the surrounding snowscape, making it stand out. Xue Ruanruan and the white horse trusted each other, working in perfect harmony, traversing the boundless snowfield together. Xue Ruanruan held the reins, and with a gentle tug, the white horse obediently changed direction. She rode the horse, sometimes galloping, sometimes slowing down, enjoying this moment of freedom and tranquility. Snowflakes fell on her body and face, bringing a cool sensation, but she didn't mind, simply continuing onward.
In this snow-covered world, only Xue Ruanruan and her white horse existed. Like spirits in this icy realm, they moved freely, leaving behind a trail of hoofprints, some deep, some shallow. Xue Ruanruan felt the beauty of nature, finding a moment of peace for her soul. Murong Xun returned to the Regent's Palace with a gloomy expression, his heart filled with anger and dissatisfaction. He had intended to give Chu Li a hard time, but he hadn't expected her to be so stubborn and even dare to challenge his authority. This infuriated Murong Xun, and he decided to teach this arrogant woman a lesson. "The grain and medicine provided by the divine physician last time were extremely precious, but my master didn't use them to make money."
The Left Prime Minister, his gaze sharp, looked at the official opposite him and declared righteously, "Those supplies were all used for the disaster-stricken people. My master is wholeheartedly devoted to the well-being of the people and is by no means a greedy person." The official sneered, "Hmph, who can prove it? It's just empty talk." The Left Prime Minister was about to retort when a servant rushed in to report, "My lord, the Divine Physician requests an audience." Everyone was taken aback. Xue Ruanruan stepped into the hall, gracefully bowed, and said, "My lords, the whereabouts of those supplies are all recorded in the ledgers. I have brought detailed records this time, hoping to clear the names of the Left Prime Minister and the Prince." As she spoke, she presented the ledgers. A hint of surprise and gratitude flashed in the Left Prime Minister's eyes. Murong Xun also sat up slightly, his gaze falling on the ledgers. The official's expression changed slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm and said, "These account books might be forged by you." Xue Ruanruan calmly produced some thank-you letters from the people, "If Your Excellency doesn't believe me, these people's testimonies will speak for themselves." For a moment, the official was speechless, and the atmosphere in the hall subtly changed. She looked at the official opposite her, "On the contrary, you've given quite a lot to the disaster victims." The official sneered, "Hmph, who knows if it's true or not? Maybe it's just to gain fame." The Left Prime Minister slammed his fist on the table in anger, "Don't make false accusations!" Just as the Left Prime Minister was about to slam his fist on the table in anger, Murong Xun slowly stood up, his eyes cold and sharp, scanning the crowd, "Enough, if you continue to question without cause, don't blame me for being impolite." The official trembled in fear and dared not speak again. Xue Ruanruan seized the opportunity to say, "Your Highness, these are all things that everyone has witnessed. I hope Your Highness will uphold justice for the Left Prime Minister and those who have truly sacrificed for the people." Murong Xun nodded. "I will investigate this matter thoroughly." At this moment, another official stepped forward and said sarcastically, "Your Highness, why are you so protective of the Left Chancellor? Could it be that you have some personal relationship with him?" The atmosphere in the hall instantly froze. Murong Xun sneered, "I only look at evidence. If you have evidence to prove the Left Chancellor is guilty, then produce it. Don't spout nonsense here. If you cannot produce evidence, you are slandering a court official. You know what the punishment should be." The official's face turned pale, his legs went weak, and he almost knelt down, hurriedly saying, "Your Highness, please calm down. I misspoke."
The Left Prime Minister cast a grateful glance at Murong Xun, then said, "Your Highness, the most urgent task now is to solve the problems of the disaster-stricken people. Don't let these unfounded doubts delay important matters." Murong Xun nodded, "The Left Prime Minister is absolutely right. Miss Xue, you know a lot about the disaster, do you have any good ideas?" Xue Ruanruan pondered for a moment and said, "Your Highness, we can set up soup kitchens in the disaster-stricken areas, distribute clothing and medicine, and at the same time organize manpower to repair houses and restore production." Upon hearing this, Murong Xun immediately ordered the arrangements to be made. Seeing this, everyone expressed their full cooperation. A storm had temporarily subsided, but undercurrents were still surging in the court, and the struggle between various forces was far from over. Before Murong Xun could speak, Xue Ruanruan loudly retorted, "Sir, don't be so unreasonable. His Highness has always been fair and impartial, and naturally has seen the truth." The official was speechless, his face turning red. Murong Xun looked at Xue Ruanruan, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. He then announced, "Let's leave it at that for now. Once I have investigated the truth, I will deliver a fair verdict." The crowd withdrew, and the storm subsided temporarily, but the power struggle between the various factions seemed to have only just begun. "The evidence is irrefutable; how can you allow such slander!" In the court, after the court session ended, the Left Prime Minister walked to Xue Ruanruan's side and said softly, "Thanks to you today, otherwise I really wouldn't know how to deal with such slanderous words." Xue Ruanruan smiled gracefully, "Your Excellency, you are devoted to the people and should not suffer such injustice." At this moment, Murong Xun also walked over. He looked at Xue Ruanruan and then said to the Left Prime Minister, "I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly and clear your names." The Left Prime Minister cupped his hands and said, "With Your Highness upholding justice, I am relieved."