810 Part of the World but Not Part of the Matter (2/2)
Ning Que raised his wine cup and said, ”But I will not explain to you all because I do not have to. The laws of the Tang Empire have to be upheld and rules have to be obeyed. We will talk about this again when the Tang Army can leave the Verdant Canyon and regain control of the Qinghe River, or when they enter the Wilderness and burn the Golden Palace.”
A minister said, ”Then why have you asked us to come today?”
Ning Que said, ”I need you all to shut up.”
The minister could not hide his anger, and he said, ”Who are you to ask us to shut up?”
Ning Que said, ”If there's no evidence, but there are rumors spreading everywhere, then that constitutes as slander. Furthermore, doing such a thing at a time like this would be the same as betraying one's country. You should know how important this is. What do you all want to do if you don't shut up?”
”We want to meet Her Highness.”
”No.” Ning Que said. ”Her Highness is a criminal and nobody can meet her. If you all insist on doing so, then we will put her on trial for changing the Emperor's last edict tomorrow.”
”Then let's hold the trial.”
The silent Minister of Rites finally spoke. His voice was somewhat exhausted and solemn. He said, ”I can't watch Her Highness die silently like General Hua.”
Ning Que looked at the wine cup in his hands silently. Then, he said, ”Meet her then.”
With that, the bead curtain behind him moved, causing a pleasant chime. Li Yu, who was wearing her court clothes, walked into the hall accompanied by two handmaidens.
The crashing of dishes knocking into each other suddenly sounded. The ministers all stood up, looking at Li Yu in surprise. They only emerged from their stupor after a long time, and then, they saluted her.
This was the first time Li Yu had left her mansion since the incident, and it was also the first time these people in the court had seen her since. While she looked slightly more haggard, her spirits were still up, so the ministers finally felt much more relieved.
Li Yu looked at the ministers and was touched that they were still loyal to her despite their situation. She thanked them sincerely.
The ministers said as one, ”We wouldn't dare.”
Ning Que raised his cup and looked at it as if he was not involved in the matter.
Then, he looked up at the ministers and said, ”If you all cannot calm down even with this, then I can guarantee that Her Highness will not die silently like Hua Shanyue. I will kill her before all of you and let everyone in the world witness her death.”
The ministers were still reveling in the joy of meeting the Princess. When they heard Ning Que's words, it was as if they had been stabbed by an icy cold knife, and they felt the cold piercing through their organs.
A young general sitting in the corner bellowed, ”Who would dare to touch Her Highness!”
Ning Que drank the wine in his cup and walked out of the hall, heading upstairs.
He did not answer the young general and neither did any of the ministers in the hall. It was silent in the building; only the sounds of the frantic breathing could be heard.
Because they were angry, anxious and afraid.
They finally recalled that Ning Que had even dared to kill the emperor.
In a room on the top floor of the House of Red Sleeves, there was a table covered with a cloth embroidered with flowers, and a celadon bowl was filled with snow fungus soup. The bottom of the bowl was pressed against the gorgeous peony flower.
Ning Que drank the snow fungus soup and wiped his mouth, saying, ”I only drank a cup of wine, I don't need any sobering up.”
Mistress Jian replied, ”But you didn't even eat the snacks on the table.”
Ning Que only knew then that she had been watching what happened downstairs. He said, ”I am not really in the mood to eat these days.”
Mistress Jian replied, ”I asked Dewdrop to cook dumplings. I remember that you like eating that.”
”Thank you, Aunty Jian.”
Ning Que paused and then continued, ”The Academy has given you face regarding this matter tonight.”