Her Majesty Chose Violence, They Chose Her

Xiao Yang wasn’t surprised that Fang Ran had taken a liking to Li Wei, nor that the two of them would get entangled.

What was surprising, however, was that the matter had been escalated to Jinluan Palace and brought as an accusation before the imperial court.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this servant wishes to accuse General Li. He deceived the orphan of General Fang Wenkai, seducing and then abandoning her, acting with complete irresponsibility. I implore Your Majesty to investigate this matter clearly."

The one accusing Li Wei was Luo Zheng, a Second Grade Tiger General. He was a man in his forties, promoted by the late Emperor. While a capable military general in his own right, he was completely overshadowed by Li Wei’s brilliance, making him seem mediocre by comparison.

This man rarely spoke in Jinluan Palace, so it was rather strange that he would choose to speak up now—and over Fang Ran, of all things.

Xiao Yang’s gaze fell upon Li Wei. "General Li, you have an accuser."

The Little Emperor was clearly enjoying the show. Li Wei sighed internally and stepped forward. "General Luo, please be clear. When did I ever seduce and abandon her?"

Luo Zheng had clearly come prepared. He glared at Li Wei, his eyes blazing with fury. "You were the one who brought Miss Fang back from Bafang City! You took meticulous care of her along the way, the two of you were inseparable. You even assigned your own trusted subordinate to escort her the entire journey. At the victory banquet, you sat together. How dare you claim there’s nothing between you?"

"You know full well what you did to Miss Fang, yet you refuse to take responsibility! When Miss Fang went to visit Lady Li, you had her thrown out. Li Wei, is that any way for a man to act?"

"Fang Ran is the sole surviving descendant of General Fang Wenkai! The entire Fang Family died so tragically, yet you dare to abuse a lone orphan girl?"

"Such beastly behavior brings shame to us military generals! It brings shame to everyone in the realm!"

Luo Zheng’s denunciation was delivered with righteous indignation and overwhelming momentum, as if he were already grinding Li Wei into the dirt.

The other officials, not knowing the full story, joined in the condemnation. "General Li, this is truly your fault. How could you do such a thing?"

"She’s the last of the Fang Family. If you’d married her, no one would have said a word. But this... this is simply inhuman."

But some defended Li Wei. "General Li isn’t that kind of person. There must be a misunderstanding."

Someone immediately retorted, "What misunderstanding could there be? You think Miss Fang would ruin her own reputation just to frame a grown man?"

"Exactly! Miss Fang is the daughter of a general and has now been named a Commandery Princess. What kind of brilliant and talented young man couldn’t she marry if she wished? Why would she need to destroy her own reputation just to slander him?"

Watching the crowd of officials mob Li Wei, Xiao Yang leisurely crossed her legs.

’Sitting on high, watching the drama unfold... what an excellent view.’

Rong Yin couldn’t care less about Li Wei’s predicament. His gaze was fixed on Xiao Yang.

When he saw that her eyes held not a trace of anger or discontent, but only the gleeful schadenfreude of a spectator, the sense of crisis in his heart finally subsided.

But he didn’t lower his guard completely. ’Her Majesty dislikes Li Wei, but that’s because Her Majesty dislikes everyone.’

’Even if her attitude toward Meng Xuechen is slightly unusual, the affection is far too faint. And for everyone else, it’s even fainter.’

’It seems Her Majesty doesn’t truly care for anyone, but the same can’t be said for others.’

Li Wei, despite being under siege, remained calm. Why should he feel guilty for something he hadn’t done?

"General Luo’s words are emphatic, but when all is said and done, it amounts to nothing more than grasping at shadows. Everything is based solely on Fang Ran’s side of the story."

Li Wei’s expression was calm but sharp. "After rescuing Fang Ran in Bafang City and learning she was General Fang’s orphaned daughter, I had my trusted subordinate, Liu Quan, look after her. I protected her because she is the general’s sole remaining bloodline, not because I harbored any wicked intentions toward her."

"I was then stationed at Changlu Pass, living and eating within the army barracks. Let’s not even mention that I was still severely injured at the time. With a great enemy before us, what state of mind would I have been in to engage in some sordid affair?"

"Furthermore, I, Li Wei, am twenty-six years old. I have some measure of fame and fortune, and I have seen my share of beautiful women. Yet to this day, I have never been involved with a single one. The rear courtyards of the Li Mansion are empty. Why would I be so desperate upon meeting a single orphan girl that I would insist on branding myself with the shameless title of ’abuser of an orphan’?"

Li Wei turned to Luo Zheng, his tall frame radiating an immense, oppressive pressure. Though both were military generals, Li Wei was taller and younger—a fierce tiger at the very peak of its physical prowess. His presence and intimidating aura were utterly crushing.

"General Luo, whatever your reasons for believing Fang Ran, you never should have escalated such a matter to Jinluan Palace."

"But since it has been brought up, then I must provide a full account."

He turned and clasped his hands in a bow toward Xiao Li. "It was this servant’s failure to handle matters properly that allowed this trifle to disturb Your Majesty. Since it has come to this, this servant requests that Your Majesty summon Princess Anning, my trusted subordinate, and all the involved generals to this hall, so that we may restore Princess Anning’s good name."

Luo Zheng was still unconvinced. "Those are all your trusted men. Of course they’ll speak in your favor."

The instant he finished speaking, Li Wei whipped his head around without warning and punched him in the face.

Luo Zheng was sent staggering back from the heavy blow, blood instantly pouring from his nostrils.

The Jinluan Palace instantly erupted into chaos.

"General Li, how can you strike someone in the presence of Her Majesty?"

Luo Zheng, dazed by the punch, had to be helped to his feet. He pointed furiously at Li Wei. "You dare to strike me?"

Li Wei’s face was dark and violent. "You spout baseless slander. I have already endured this and offered to prove my innocence, but you press relentlessly, spouting nonsense and insisting on pinning this crime on me. What is your true motive?"

"I can accept punishment for striking you. If I, Li Wei, had truly done what you accuse me of, and Her Majesty were to order my immediate execution today, I would not resist. But I did not do it! You, however, are spouting baseless slander, deceiving the sovereign in the Golden Hall! Have you considered the consequences you will have to bear?"

Having said his piece, Li Wei turned decisively and dropped to his knees.

He was wrong to strike a man before the Emperor, and he would accept the punishment for it. But he would never admit to something he did not do.

Li Wei’s powerful display shocked everyone into a moment of clarity. Their reason returned, and they could finally analyze the situation with clear heads.

Li Wei had been an official at court for many years. Everyone knew his character: loyal, righteous, and almost excessively upright.

Besides, it was just a woman. If he had really been with her, marrying her wouldn’t have been a great sacrifice. Why would he let it escalate to such an intractable point?

His reaction made it seem as though he had suffered a great injustice.

Xiao Yang watched Li Wei’s expression, and her heart gave a little tremor. ’I have to admit,’ she thought, ’even though Li Wei brought this romantic mess upon himself, his attitude right now is pretty damn cool.’

Xiao Yang raised her hand slightly. Xiao Lv moved to her side, hand on the Emperor’s Sword. As for the box beside Xiao Yang’s dragon throne—no one knew what it was, but they had all personally witnessed it cracking open the head of the Second Prince of Xirong.

"Go and bring them here."

Xiao Cheng responded, "Yes."

Xiao Yang looked at Li Wei. "As it happens, there is no urgent business today. We and Our ministers shall help you adjudicate this case."

She waved a hand. "It will be a while before they arrive. Kneel over to the side a bit. Don’t block the others from presenting their memorials."

What should have been a tense situation was somehow rendered almost insignificant by Her Majesty’s casual remarks.

And Li Wei, who had just been a raging tiger, actually shifted sideways on his knees.

The onlookers saw this and thought only that Li Wei was being obedient. They were oblivious to the fact that someone was on the verge of crushing the jade token in his hand.

’Just as I thought...’

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