However, it doesn't matter. Even if it's a den of dragons and tigers, he's not afraid.
He wanted to know what kind of conspiracy Cao Zhengchun and Zhengde were plotting.
Chapter 153 Offending the Princess is Outrageous
The main hall of Qianqing Palace.
As soon as Li Yao stepped into the hall, the previously noisy hall instantly fell silent.
Inside the main hall, many people were already standing, mostly important officials of the imperial court.
Zhu Wushi was also among them, with Duan Tianya and Shangguan Haitang standing behind him, their expressions complicated.
Emperor Zhengde sat high on the dragon throne, his gaze fixed on Li Yao with a complex expression.
All eyes were on Li Yao.
Li Yao sensed that most of these gazes were unfriendly.
He cupped his hands in greeting to Zhengde and asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, what is the purpose of this summons so late?"
Zhengde cleared his throat and asked in a deep voice, "Minister Li, where did you go before Eunuch Cao found you?"
Li Yao's heart stirred.
It seems that what happened at the state guesthouse has already reached Zhengde's ears.
He couldn't help but glance at Duan Tianya and Shangguan Haitang, both of whom lowered their heads guiltily.
He felt a little strange. Zhengde knew about what happened at the state guesthouse, which must have been told to him by Duan Tianya and the other man.
Therefore, Zhengde should also know that the Empress Dowager was abducted by the fake Wuhuan.
This matter concerns the safety of the Empress Dowager, so how could Zhengde have summoned so many court officials?
Now that the Empress Dowager has not been found, isn't Zhengde afraid that the news will leak out and endanger the Empress Dowager's personal safety?
Could there be something else going on?
After thinking for a moment, Li Yao said, "I went to the State Guesthouse."
As soon as the words were spoken, the hall erupted in chaos.
"Your Majesty, Li Yao has trespassed into the state guesthouse, killed and injured members of the Izumo delegation, kidnapped the Izumo minister Karasuma who was escorting the delegation, and even attempted to offend Princess Toshihide of Izumo. He has no regard for the law and his crimes are heinous. He must be severely punished."
“Your Majesty, Li Yao has openly offended a princess of a nation. This is utterly outrageous. He must be severely punished to appease public anger.”
"Your Majesty, although Izumo is a small foreign country, our Celestial Empire is a land of etiquette. If this matter gets out, it will surely damage the reputation of our Celestial Empire. Such a degenerate and immoral person as Li Yao should not be let off lightly."
"..."
For a time, the courtiers were filled with righteous indignation, their spittle flying everywhere, wishing they could drown Li Yao with their spittle.
At first, Li Yao was a little confused.
He didn't even see Princess Rixiu's shadow, so how could these people accuse him of offending Princess Rixiu?
He glanced at Zhu Wushi and Cao Zhengchun out of the corner of his eye.
Although Zhu Wushi's face remained expressionless, a hint of smugness flashed in his eyes.
Cao Zhengchun, on the other hand, made no attempt to hide his smugness.
Li Yao quickly figured out what was going on.
Presumably, these people were all pawns of Zhu Wushi and Cao Zhengchun, who wanted to take advantage of the state guesthouse incident to get rid of him.
Unexpectedly, Zhu Wushi and Cao Zhengchun, who have always been at odds, have actually joined forces this time.
He stood calmly with his arms crossed, watching these people put on a show with a cold eye.
However, these people are probably just extras.
Since it's a play, there must be people behind the scenes and the main characters.
The people behind the scenes were naturally Zhu Wushi and Cao Zhengchun.
As for the main character, it should be the fake Ri-soo.
So Li Yao said calmly, "Your Majesty, since these people all say that I have offended Princess Lixiu, then please invite Princess Lixiu to come out and tell me how I offended her."
Zhengde was taken aback. He hadn't expected that Li Yao would guess that Princess Lixiu was here, and that he would even ask Princess Lixiu to come out.
Before Zhengde could speak, Cao Zhengchun said in a shrill voice, "Commander Li is really calm. But let's see if you can still be so calm when Princess Lixiu comes out."
After saying this, he bowed to Zhengde and said, "Your Majesty, please summon Princess Lixiu to the palace immediately."
Zhengde nodded.
Immediately, Cao Zhengchun announced in a high-pitched voice, "Princess Xuan Lixiu pays her respects."
As soon as she finished speaking, a beautiful woman with a supple and delicate figure slowly walked out from the side hall.
This woman looked so pitiful, so frail and delicate, that it made one feel both sorry for her and sympathize with her.
It is truly outrageous that such a pitiful and touching woman was almost offended by Li Yao.
Cao Zhengchun said to Princess Lixiu in a kind and gentle tone, "Princess Lixiu, if you have any grievances, please speak them out in front of the Emperor. The Emperor is wise and mighty, and he will surely stand up for you."
Princess Lixiu bowed gracefully to Zhengde and said softly:
"Your Majesty, I am resting in my room tonight."
"This Lord Li suddenly barged into my room, intending to do something indecent to me."
“This lowly concubine resisted fiercely and cried out for help, but fortunately Lord Karasuma and his guards arrived in time to stop his beastly act.”
"However, Lord Karasuma and his guards are no match for him."
"Fearing that he would humiliate her, the lowly concubine took advantage of the chaos to escape."
"However, Lord Karasuma has disappeared without a trace, and his fate is unknown."
"Although our Wuhuan is a small country, we should not be humiliated like this. Please, Your Majesty, do justice for this lowly concubine."
As she spoke, Princess Rixiu couldn't help but sob, as if she had suffered a great injustice, making the men present want to embrace her and comfort her.
After hearing Princess Lixiu's accusations, the assembled officials once again denounced Li Yao as shameless, despicable, and morally corrupt.
Zhengde's face was also ashen, and he said in a deep voice, "Li Yao, what else do you have to say?"
Regardless of the circumstances, Princess Rixiu was still his betrothed.
I almost got cheated on by Li Yao, that's really too much!
Seeing that the Ming emperor and his ministers were being manipulated by him, the fake Li Xiu's eyes flashed with a cunning and triumphant look.
However, when his gaze fell on Li Yao, he found that Li Yao was looking at him coldly.
He was jolted!
He felt that Li Yao's gaze was incredibly sharp, penetrating straight into the depths of his soul, making his whole body bristle.
Li Yao smiled calmly at the fake Li Xiu and said, "You say I have designs on you? Fine, I'll show everyone how I do it!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly leaped into the air and rushed towards the fake Ri-soo.
"Your Majesty, be careful!"
Cao Zhengchun was greatly alarmed.
He thought Li Yao was being pushed to the brink and wanted to attack the emperor, so he quickly dodged and struck Li Yao with a palm.
Li Yao casually swung his left hand behind him, and a tremendous force suddenly erupted, forcing Cao Zhengchun back.
Cao Zhengchun's expression changed drastically. He hadn't expected that Li Yao could force him to retreat with just a casual wave of his hand.
Just how powerful is Li Yao?
At this moment, Li Yao had already rushed towards the fake Li Xiu.
Jia Lixiu's expression changed drastically. He never expected that Li Yao would dare to attack him in front of the Emperor and so many people.
If he didn't fight back, he might lose his life on the spot.
If he were to make a move, his identity would be exposed on the spot.
What should we do?
At this moment, the situation was urgent, and he had no time to think further.
He immediately sprang up and struck out with his palm.
Chapter 154 Iron-Blooded Marquis, Murders to Silence
The courtiers were quite surprised that Li Yao would lay a hand on Princess Lixiu in front of so many people, especially in front of the Emperor.
This is simply a stupid thing to do.
Did Li Yao think that killing Princess Lixiu would absolve him of his crime?
It's absolutely ridiculous.
Even Zhu Wushi was greatly surprised, not expecting Li Yao to be so bold, even bolder than him.
Or rather, did Li Yao discover something?
Thinking of this, his heart tightened suddenly.
He knew better than anyone else what Princess Lixiu's background was.
Whether it was the fake Karasuma or the fake Toshihide, it was all arranged by him.
For a moment, Zhu Wushi's expression shifted between light and dark, his thoughts remaining unfathomable.
If Li Yao were to attack the fake Li Xiu, the fake Li Xiu would certainly not stand there willingly to die.
Sure enough, when Li Yao's palm strike was aimed at the fake Li Xiu, the fake Li Xiu suddenly sprang up and countered with a palm strike.
boom!