Die Kampfsportwelt ist ein Sumpf

Kapitel 127

"yes!"

Two guards stepped forward and dragged the two generals away.

General Zhao, now completely sober, cried out, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! I am innocent! Your Majesty, have mercy!"

"To utter insults and slander against a prince is a crime punishable by death by a thousand cuts. Considering your service to the country, I will grant you a complete corpse. Your family will be taken care of after your death. Drag him out."

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong! Please have mercy!" The general, having finally managed to speak, broke free from the guards and knelt on the ground, kowtowing frantically. Perhaps due to drinking too much wine and being too frightened, urine actually seeped out of his trousers.

“Your Majesty, I dare to say that perhaps General Zhao is telling the truth? Your Majesty would be best to have the King of Feng prove that what he said was indeed slander, so that they can die in peace,” Wu Qiaoshi stepped forward and said.

Li Beiji glanced at the group of people and then looked at Li Tianqi. “Indeed, Your Majesty should not wrong the innocent. It is better to investigate before punishing them.”

"Yes, Your Majesty—please investigate thoroughly." A group of more than a dozen generals knelt down, pleading for their brother.

Seeing that the situation was not going to end well, Li Tianqi had no choice but to say, "Detain the two of them first, and we will make a decision after we have investigated the situation."

"Your Majesty," General Zhao said, kneeling, "I have risked my life for Your Majesty, yet I cannot even attend Your Majesty's victory banquet. I demand that your words be verified on the spot. Please tell me, King Feng, whether he is a woman or not."

Li Beiji chuckled upon hearing this, "You fool, if you ask the Wind King to tell you, the Wind King will naturally tell you that he is a man. Do you think he would say that he is a woman and commit the crime of deceiving the king?"

“Your Majesty—” Wu Qiaoshi stepped forward and said, “Indeed, if the Wind Queen is truly a woman, then she has committed the crime of deceiving the emperor and exterminating her entire clan. In order to clear the Wind Queen’s name, I think it would be best to examine her body in court.”

"Insolence—" Li Tianqi roared, "How dare you look at the body of the Wind King's daughter so casually?"

“Your Majesty, if we don’t examine her in public, with the power of the Wind King, who can verify whether this is true or not? Only by verifying it in court can we silence the public and clear the Wind King’s name.” Wu Qiaoshi seemed determined to remove Wei Zijun’s clothes, even at the cost of his life.

"Your Majesty—please examine the Wind King's body—" Nearly half of the people knelt down. Among them were those who were plotting, those who were jealous, and those who were hateful. Of course, there were also a few who were just looking for trouble and simply wanted to see what the Wind King's body looked like.

And so, as if it had all been planned, they all knelt down on the ground in a flurry.

Seeing this, Chen Chang was so angry that his face turned red, but he knew that it would be useless no matter what he said, so he turned his gaze to Li Hongyi.

Li Hongyi, who had been silent until now, was indeed angered. He could tease and joke with his fourth brother occasionally, but he wouldn't tolerate outsiders humiliating him. So, he uttered a rebuke, his tone restrained by his emotions, "You bunch of pedantic people, what's so interesting about a man's body? Get up and sit back down—"

Li Beiji looked at Li Hongyi and said, "King Jing, if the subjects are willing, we cannot interfere. We are also subjects."

Li Tianqi, his handsome face cold and sinister, glared at the pile of heads on the ground. He picked up a wine cup, took a sip, and then glanced at Wei Zijun, noticing her expressionless face as she gently sipped her tea. Everyone around her was staring at her, but she seemed completely oblivious.

Could he be a woman? No, he couldn't. Those effeminate women would never possess such bearing, such elegance, such magnanimity. No, he couldn't be a woman. If he were… but alas, he isn't…

However, regardless of whether he was male or female, he would not allow her to suffer even the slightest humiliation, not even a little bit. His Ziju was proud and could not bear any disgrace.

"Your Majesty—" A call interrupted his thoughts, and Zhang Shi stood up.

Li Tianqi looked at him. This man was indeed talented. He had built the river embankment as solid as a fortress, and throughout the entire flood season, not a single section of the embankment breached. He was indeed a capable man, so upon his return, he succeeded the veteran minister Wei Xiaozhong and was promoted to Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

“Your Majesty, I can testify that the Wind King is a man,” Zhang Shi continued. “I have seen the Wind King’s body, and I guarantee with my life that the Wind King is indeed a man.”

Wei Zijun was startled upon hearing this, and her calm expression was broken. She looked at Zhang Shi with a complicated expression, and was also moved by his willingness to risk his life to help her.

Upon hearing this, Li Tianqi felt a wave of bitterness wash over him. He had seen it before? They had met naked together? It seemed that everyone had a special relationship with him, but he was the only one who was foolish enough not to touch his body.

Jealousy flared up like this. That burning, burning jealousy was enough to rot his usually clear mind. His face was icy as he looked at the boy radiating moonlight, and said, word by word, "King of Wind, when have you ever seen Zhang Aiqing naked?"

Wei Zijun awkwardly rubbed her forehead. "This is what happened when I accidentally fell into the pond at Mr. Zhang's residence last time. He found me there when he was getting clothes for Wei Feng."

"Oh? The Wind King calls Minister Zhang 'Sir'? That's quite a friendly way to address him." Li Tianqi's deep, sharp eyes revealed neither joy nor anger.

"Your Majesty, since they are on good terms, how could they not help each other out? One person's words cannot be trusted." It was Wu Qiaoshi again, Wei Zijun cursed him inwardly.

"We, your humble servants, request that King Feng conduct a public examination of his body—" The people kneeling below remained unmoved.

Li Beiji frowned and said, "Your Majesty, we need to resolve this situation quickly. This perfectly good victory celebration has been ruined like this."

Li Tianqi looked at Wei Zijun with a cold face, "What does the Wind King think should be done?"

Seeing Li Tianqi throw the bundle at her, Wei Zijun knew she couldn't get away with it. She took a deep breath and stood up.

Wei Zijun's appearance drew everyone's attention. At first glance, she sat quietly, silent, deliberately concealing her brilliance. But upon stepping forward, those seeing her for the first time were astonished by her striking beauty and imposing presence. What power allowed this slender figure to radiate such brilliance? It couldn't possibly be related to her appearance. Even more astonishing was that this seemingly pure and ethereal figure had slaughtered countless of their compatriots.

“A physical examination in court is acceptable, but to strip naked in public for a physical examination is far more humiliating than being flogged. Wei Feng cannot suffer such humiliation for nothing. Wei Feng is a prince, how can he suffer this humiliation for nothing? How can Wei Feng’s clothes be taken off so easily?”

"What does the Wind King want?" Li Tianqi remembered the pain she had suffered from the court flogging. The heartache he felt suppressed his jealousy, and he suddenly regretted passing this burden on to her, fearing that he might hurt her again.

"Your Majesty, the King of Wind begs Your Majesty to make a decision. Wei Feng can endure the humiliation of undressing for a physical examination, but on one condition: if Wei Feng is a woman, Wei Feng is willing to bear the crime of deceiving the emperor, and begs Your Majesty to punish Wei Feng and then exterminate his entire family. However, if Wei Feng is a man, Wei Feng will definitely avenge this great humiliation, and begs Your Majesty to punish him fairly and exterminate the entire family of the person who demanded that Wei Feng undergo a physical examination. If so, Wei Feng will immediately undress in court."

"I grant your permission." Li Tianqi chuckled inwardly. Zijun, what can possibly be difficult for you? This burden is best left to you.

Li Tianqi addressed the crowd, “My beloved ministers, I have spoken with my own words and I believe this is quite fair. Those of you who wish to persist may remain here; those who do not wish to persist may leave and continue drinking.”

Upon hearing this, the people kneeling on the ground rose up in a flash and retreated without exception. With good food, drink, and fine wine waiting for them, who would put their own head and that of their entire family on the line? After all, who knew whether the Wind King was a woman or not, or whether he loved her or not?

Wu Qiaoshi was the only one left standing in the entire hall.

"Minister Wu, do you still wish to continue this bet with the Wind King?" Li Tianqi asked gently, leaning down.

Wu Qiaoshi was stunned for a moment, then glanced at Li Beiji. Seeing Li Beiji take a sip of wine, he gritted his teeth and said, "Good! Wu Qiaoshi is a man of action."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zijun felt a chill in his heart, but he still tried his best to put on a faint smile. "In that case, please keep a close eye on things, Wu Shizhong. Otherwise, if your wife, children, and elderly parents die a violent death, you will not be blamed on Wei Feng."

Having said that, she turned to face Wu Qiaoshi, her long fingers gently stroking her clothes. Just then, He Lu rushed forward and grabbed Wei Zijun's hand, "Don't take it off—why take it off for them to see? Anyone who wants to see it, I'll kill them—"

Wei Zijun turned her head and lowered her eyelashes, looking at He Lu's hand. "He Lu, you may step back." Her voice was gentle, but it left no room for argument.

Then, she reached to the side of her clothes and began to slowly unbutton them. Everyone stared at her slow movements. Li Tianqi's dark eyes gleamed as he watched her every move and every expression.

The purple royal robe was removed and gently tossed to the ground, revealing a snow-white inner garment that enveloped her slender and graceful figure.

When those fair hands began to unbutton her inner garment, Wei Zijun's long fingers trembled slightly. What if that person firmly believed she was a woman? What if he refused to submit to her threats? Her mind raced, considering every possible solution.

All eyes in the hall were on her hands as she unbuttoned her clothes, eagerly awaiting the moment she would finally open them.

The last silver, hollowed-out spherical button popped open with a "poof," and her trembling hand slowly lifted her robe. As the robe was gently lifted, Wei Zijun looked at Wu Qiaoshi with eyes like lightning, her gaze shimmering and dazzling. She stared into his eyes as she slowly lifted her robe.

"Stop—stop—" Finally, that gaze, that resolute momentum, that gamble of life and death, made Wu Qiaoshi back down.

The radiance emanating from that body, the overwhelming sense of oppression, finally broke down Wu Qiaoshi's psychological defenses. He impatiently stopped her movements, fearing that if she really lifted her clothes like that, she would plunge her entire family into utter ruin.

He wiped the cold sweat from his brow, glanced guiltily at Li Beiji, and slumped back down.

So everyone started drinking again, as if nothing had happened.

Wei Zijun struggled to fasten the small silver buttons again, her trembling hands clumsy. The buttons were too tight, making each one a difficult task.

Zhang Shi got up from his seat, picked up the purple robe from the ground for her, then took her hand away and helped her fasten the remaining buttons.

When he pulled her hand away, he felt it trembling.

A deep, aching heart arose in his chest, almost making him want to hold her tightly in the main hall.

As he did all this, the wine cup in Li Tianqi's hand was deformed from his grip. Buttoning his clothes—this was something he so desperately wanted to do. His heart ached for him, but he couldn't comfort him; he could only watch as his heart bled, watching others do all this for him. At this moment, he didn't want to be an emperor anymore. If only he were an ordinary person, he could pamper him without restraint in a normal way.

At that very moment, Li Tianqi couldn't help but slam down from the dragon throne, completely abandoning his status and pulling Zhang Shi aside, saying, "Minister Zhang, please take a seat."

Then, to the astonishment of the assembled officials, he silently helped her put on her outer robe.

"Wind King, how do you intend to deal with those who insulted you?" he asked.

"Your Majesty, please spare them." Wei Zijun lowered her eyes, making it impossible to discern her emotions.

Upon hearing this, the two who had caused the trouble immediately came forward and kowtowed, begging for forgiveness. "Your Majesty, please forgive us! Your Majesty, please have mercy! Spare us!"

"Don't beg me. Let's see if the Wind King will take his anger out on you." Li Tianqi glanced at the two of them and handed over the power of life and death to Wei Zijun.

The general who had previously hurled insults looked at Wei Zijun with despair in his eyes. "If you want me to plead for this traitor, I would rather die."

In an instant, Li Tianqi's eyes turned icy cold. "Drag him out! Execute him immediately! No one is allowed to plead for him."

"yes."

Seeing that the boorish general was about to be dragged away, Wei Zijun hurriedly stopped him. "Wait!"

"Your Majesty, this joyous day is not a time for bloodshed. What this general just said was merely drunken ramblings, and he must be filled with remorse now. Wei Feng has not held a grudge either, so Your Majesty should forgive him." Wei Zijun glanced at the two kneeling men beside him. Although they had insulted him, they seemed straightforward and honest. They must have been instigated by those around them. Who would be willing to stand up for someone in this situation?

"Since the Wind King has pleaded for your life, I will spare you from the death penalty. Why don't you thank the Wind King?" Li Tianqi's eyes were sharp, as if they could pierce through the bodies of the two men.

The burly general turned to Wei Zijun, looked at her calm face, hesitated for a moment, and finally bowed down, "I am Sun Youji. I am grateful for King Feng's grace in giving me a second chance. I will repay you in the future."

"General, you need not stand on ceremony." Wei Zijun waved his wide sleeves. "Today, General, you were truly implicated by Wei Feng. There is no great favor to be owed to you. You need not worry about it."

Seeing Wei Zijun's frank words and upright character, everyone felt a sense of admiration. This Turkic Khan was no ordinary person; he was broad-minded and truly exceptional.

After everyone sat down, the atmosphere returned to its lively state.

Sun Youji approached Wei Zijun with a wine cup in his hand.

"King Feng, I toast you. If I ever need your help again, I will serve you faithfully." Sun Youji knew in his heart that while he was spared the death penalty, he was not immune to punishment. Under normal circumstances, he would likely have been flogged. But King Feng's few words of pleading for him saved him from punishment. And yet, King Feng had not held it against him for his initial insult. No matter how you compared them, it was only his own petty thinking that made him worthy of respect.

"General, you are too kind. I appreciate your kind offer." With that, he drank the wine in one gulp.

Seeing her forthright and generous spirit, everyone cheered.

"King Feng, I also toast you. This army's victory is entirely thanks to you." Li Tianqi held a golden goblet, his gaze fixed intently on Wei Zijun. How long had it been since he last drank with him? Two years.

“Your Majesty, if anyone is offering respect, it is Wei Feng who is doing so. Without Your Majesty’s personal command of the expedition, there would be no triumphant return. However, Wei Feng is not a good drinker, and if he were to drink any more, he fears he would be impolite in front of others. But since Your Majesty has bestowed wine upon him, Wei Feng dares not refuse…”

"King Feng, there's no need for modesty, nor for flattering me. We've been working tirelessly, wielding our weapons on the battlefield and plotting late into the night in your tent. I'll drink this cup; please feel free to drink as you please." With that, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in his cup, then looked at Wei Zijun.

"Your Majesty, Wei Feng feels a little nauseous. After finishing this cup, I'd like to go out for some fresh air." Wei Zijun downed the wine in one gulp. The strong liquor burned her throat like fire. She endured the dizziness and said calmly, "Wei Feng has been rude."

Looking at her retreating figure, Li Tianqi suddenly felt a sense of loss, as if his heart was being cut by a knife: Had he hurt his Zijun again?

The moonlight tonight is exceptionally bright, and the hibiscus flowers are in full bloom. In the distance, the trees are silhouetted against the moonlight, and the rooftops of the palaces shimmer with a cold, lonely light in the night.

I leaned gently against a locust tree, slowly squatted down, covered my face with my hands, and felt so tired that I wanted to fall asleep right then and there.

A hibiscus petal drifted down onto her cheek. She removed her hands, and a pair of boots appeared before her. Then, a pair of hands reached out and gently pulled her up.

"Thank you for today," she said softly.

He gazed at her tenderly, his eyes filled with tenderness, and took her hands in his, slowly drawing closer. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

The wind rustled through the shoulder-length hibiscus bushes. They held hands, their lips met, and their love was gently intertwined, as tender as a breeze.

Zhang Shi's lips were soft, and Wei Zijun's eyelashes trembled slightly.

This was her first kiss, actually not the first; she seemed to have been forcibly kissed a few times. But this one, without resistance, this one that she accepted wholeheartedly, this one that stirred tenderness in her heart—it was the first time.

They were both very young and inexperienced, and neither of them noticed the two figures standing outside the hibiscus bushes—one handsome and upright, the other elegant and slender. Yet, both exuded the same pain and loneliness.

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