Mu Shizhen lay on the ground in agony, glaring at the culprit Xie Jingqi and said, "Does the seventh prince of Yulin intend to kill me? Otherwise, our Tuyur has been retreating step by step, why must you continue to press forward!"
If this had been said to anyone else, they might have been cornered.
Once it was admitted that there was malicious intent towards the young Tuyur general, Tuyur would have a reason to continue attacking Yulin.
And Yulin, as the provocateur, would not only receive no support from allied nations but might even be resented by its own people.
Mu Shizhen spoke this way, fully expecting that the unlearned Xie Jingqi would nod and admit it.
However, as Mu Shizhen's eyes filled with anticipation, Xie Jingqi turned directly and sat aside.
He didn't even spare him a glance.
Mu Shizhen's face turned purple with anger, "Seventh Prince of Yulin, you..."
Ji Zizhao looked at Mu Shizhen with a calm expression, "The young general of Tuyur injured my sister first, and now you say Yulin is pressing forward step by step. The young general of Tuyur is truly adept at distorting right and wrong."
Mu Shizhen narrowed his eyes and looked at Ji Zizhao, "You're spouting nonsense!"
Ji Zizhao, however, gave a cold laugh, walked to Ji Zixiu's side, and helped her sit on a stool, "My sister was fine just now. She started bleeding profusely after being touched by the young general of Tuyur. With such clear facts before us, how can I be spouting nonsense?"
Mu Shizhen almost died of anger upon hearing this, "Princess Ronghe, stop slandering and framing me. Your sister's injury was because..."
"Wretch! Get up and apologize to Princess Ronghe of Yulin!" This time, it was General Mu Man who interrupted.
Mu Shizhen looked at his father in disbelief, "Abu..."
General Mu Man's expression remained unchanged, and he said in a deep voice, "This is an order!"
Mu Shizhen's eyes widened, feeling that his burning face hurt more than his chest, "Yulin was presumptuous first. If anyone should apologize, it should be Yulin lowering its head. Why should I apologize?"
"Everyone saw you injure the sister of Princess Ronghe. What more do you have to argue? Hurry up and apologize!" General Mu Man averted his gaze, his heart aching too much to look at his son.
But what good was aching?
It was true that the sister of Princess Ronghe was injured, but it was a hidden injury.
If this matter had not been exposed, he could have continued to rub salt in the wound.
Now, Princess Ronghe had instigated his son to act, and the hidden injury had become an obvious one.
Even though he knew Ji Zizhao was framing them, he had to drag his son along and accept it begrudgingly.
If Mu Shizhen continued to speak, and Ji Zizhao then accused them of framing, the crime would be even greater.
General Mu Man looked coldly at Ji Zizhao, desperately suppressing the hateful rage. Otherwise, he feared he might lose control and personally kill that hateful and cunning woman to quell the hatred in his heart.
Ji Zizhao completely accepted General Mu Man's hatred and looked at Mu Shizhen again, "Does the young general of Tuyur intend to apologize while lying on the ground?"
With the situation escalating to this point, Mu Shizhen gradually realized he had been set up.
Clutching his chest, which ached like drills, Mu Shizhen struggled to get up and stared intently at Ji Zixiu, who was sitting beside Ji Zizhao, "I was reckless. I hope Sister Princess Ronghe does not blame me."
Ji Zixiu, however, sneered, "Who doesn't know that you Tuyur people are habitually reckless? Otherwise, you wouldn't commit the disgusting act of seizing other people's cities and injuring the people of neighboring countries."
Mu Shizhen: "..."
Why were all the Ji family women so detestable!
But Mu Shizhen, who knew perfectly well he had fallen into a trap, could only stand there with a face as dark as charcoal.
He was truly experiencing the humiliation of being so boastful just moments ago.
"Since everything has been clarified, it's good. My son has always been spoiled by me. When I return to Tuyur, I will definitely discipline him well," General Mu Man said with a smile, pulling Mu Shizhen to sit aside, though his heart was still churning.
He had to admit that after several encounters, both Ji Zizhao's shrewdness and methods had left an indelible shadow on General Mu Man.
Even though he had guessed that Ji Zizhao had deliberately turned a hidden injury into an obvious one, he absolutely did not believe that Ji Zizhao's goal was merely this.
But what the true purpose was, General Mu Man could not figure out for the moment.
There was nothing he could do; being stimulated too deeply always left scars.
In the hall, a semblance of false harmony was restored.
Han Jingyu took the opportunity to walk to the seventh prince's side and whispered, "Your Highness, I am truly impressed by your actions this time." Sudanese Novel Network
If it were the seventh prince of the past, he would likely have thrown a punch at the slightest disrespect from Tuyur.
Now, he had been able to wait until the right moment to act. This was indeed progress.
Xie Jingqi said smugly, "Of course. How could this young master let a woman outdo him? If she doesn't act, I won't. If she acts, I will make more noise than her."
Han Jingyu was stunned, "Were you holding a grudge against Princess Ronghe all along?"
Xie Jingqi raised his eyebrows, "Otherwise?"
Han Jingyu: "..."
Alright, forget what this humble minister said just now.
A Tuyur maid slowly walked in, first kneeling to General Mu Man, then walked to Ji Zizhao, "This is from our princess for Princess Ronghe of Yulin."
Ji Zizhao lowered her eyes slightly. It was a common yellow wooden box.
She took it and opened it. Inside the box, there was clear text written in a secret code.
If you want to save your dog's life, flee the city quickly, otherwise none of you present will survive.
Ji Zizhao's eyes darkened, and she looked at General Mu Man.
None of you will survive...
What a lofty claim.
General Mu Man's heart skipped a beat. He finally understood the second point.
Ji Zizhao had long seen Princess Ashiya's admiration for Mu Shizhen. She had taken the opportunity to trouble Mu Shizhen. First, it was to turn her sister's hidden injury into an obvious one. But second, it was to provoke Princess Ashiya.
Princess Ashiya was still young and accustomed to being spoiled and arrogant. She would surely warn Ji Zizhao.
And Ji Zizhao could then, through Princess Ashiya's warning, guess what Tuyur was plotting.
This meticulous calculation...
It was truly impossible to guard against!
General Mu Man would not sit idly by any longer. He immediately pulled his son up and said, "Since the time is almost up, we should be on our way. Yulin guests, please stay here."
Han Jingyu watched as General Mu Man, escorted by Tuyur soldiers, walked towards the inn entrance. He frowned and looked at Ji Zizhao beside him. Were they really leaving just like that?
Ji Zizhao shook her head expressionlessly.
How could that be.
Suddenly, a soldier in Yulin armor rushed in.
He looked hurried and knelt before everyone in the hall, "Reporting to the masters, a large number of soldiers have suddenly attacked the city's civilians. One hundred civilians have already been seriously injured!"
Han Jingyu was the first to stand up, "Impossible!"
The soldier knelt on the ground and said again, "This matter is absolutely true. I implore the masters to go with me and uphold justice for the civilians in Luoyi City!"
Han Jingyu, fearing a trap, turned to the other masters and said, "Please, Your Highnesses and Princess, remain here. Let me go personally to investigate..."
As Han Jingyu was speaking, the soldier who had been kneeling on the ground suddenly roared.
His originally clear eyes instantly turned cloudy, and like a wild beast, he lunged at Han Jingyu.