Chapter 96: A Sinner for All Time

Qianxin Palace.

Helian Qi looked at the battle report, a smile appeared on his face, “Excellent!”

The former Duke of Weiyong had been defeated, losing a city.

Helian Qi immediately dispatched the Four Symbols Army under the command of Duke of Xinguo to the front. After months of fighting, the Four Symbols Army had won consecutive victories, and now they had finally recaptured the city.

Helian Qi carefully reviewed the military reports from the southwest, but as he read, the smile on his face disappeared.

“The Cen family army led the battle, winning six out of seven battles and drawing one. In another ten battles, they lost nine and won one with heavy casualties.” Helian Qi slowly closed the battle report, his face gradually returned to a calm, still water-like state, “Although our army ultimately won, the losses were significant. Wang Degui, issue an order, take good care of the troops.”

“Your Majesty is benevolent!” Wang Degui quickly flattered.

But Helian Qi was thinking about something else in his heart.

The armies of the Xue and Cen families were more elite than ordinary armies, it was reasonable that they were more likely to win battles. But the war on the front lines was not a lone battle.

The commander of the Four Symbols Army, as the main commander in the southwest, should have coordinated and supported each other.

It was impossible for only his elite troops to win, while the other armies lost miserably.

This was clearly a way to eliminate rivals and deliberately suppress them.

And the final victory.

The previous Duke of Weiyong was defeated and killed in battle, and now the Wei family had defected to the Cen family, so the Wei family army, under the leadership of the Cen family, won a great victory and recaptured the city.

Wasn’t this a clear signal to all the military families?

Defect to the Cen family, win battles. Otherwise, you’ll die.

The military families of this world were the emperor’s subjects, not the Cen family’s dogs.

Helian Qi was actually very tolerant of the officials vying for power. But everything had to be done in moderation, the Cen family had gone too far.

“Wang Degui, summon Han Xun.” Helian Qi said.

Wang Degui accepted the order.

Han Xun, the commander of the Imperial Guard, was Helian Qi’s bodyguard when he was still a prince, he was Helian Qi’s confidant.

After Helian Qi ascended the throne, he entrusted the defense of the palace to him.

“Your subject greets Your Majesty!” Han Xun was a spirited young man in his early twenties.

Helian Qi said in a deep voice, “I have a task for you, go to the southwest to investigate something…”

A moment later.

Han Xun accepted the order and left Qianxin Palace.

Helian Qi’s face returned to calm, he wrote a decree of rewards for the Cen family as usual.

The Cen family had won a battle, of course, he had to reward them.

…

Ning Wanyin had breakfast and boarded the sedan chair to go to Jingxi Palace.

“Concubine Shu has been summoning the mistresses to discuss matters every day, on the surface, it’s to discuss the procedures for the Empress Dowager’s memorial service, but this servant thinks she’s deliberately making things difficult for people!” Lianrui whispered.

In a few days, it would be the memorial service for the late Empress Dowager Zhao Ci (the emperor’s mother).

During the reign of the late emperor, the Empress Dowager was of humble origins, her memorial day didn’t need to be celebrated. But now, she was the Empress Dowager, according to the rituals, the anniversaries of the late emperor and the Empress Dowager, the palace would hold grand memorial services to commemorate them.

This matter naturally fell to Concubine Shu, who was in charge of the six palaces.

She used the memorial service as an excuse to summon concubines above the rank of Meiren to discuss matters every day…

She hadn’t been like this before, she hadn’t been so bossy.

It was as if she had been stimulated by something.

Ning Wanyin thought about it, she had indeed been stimulated.

First, Concubine Zhuang had kicked her in public, the emperor had openly sided with her, everyone in the palace knew that she, the so-called one of the four concubines, was not as good as Concubine Zhuang, who was one rank lower.

Then Prince Yu mocked her for being unworthy of her position, he had done it in front of all the relatives, she had lost face in front of them all.

And now, Concubine Shu was acting like this…

Her reputation was ruined.

Her authority was lost.

It was only natural that she would now show off her power as the mistress of the six palaces, to enhance her prestige and solidify her position.

But it was a hardship for the concubines, they had to go to Jingxi Palace to “imprison” themselves every day.

“Let her be.” Ning Wanyin was very calm.

It was Concubine Shu’s right to be in charge of the six palaces and summon the concubines to discuss matters.

When Ning Wanyin arrived at Jingxi Palace, there were already many concubines sitting inside, surrounding one person and mocking her.

“Ying Meiren, you should quickly thank Cen Jiejue! The city your father lost, it was thanks to Cen Jiejue’s brother’s bravery in battle that it was recaptured, otherwise, our Great Yan’s territory would have been reduced because of your father, your father is truly a sinner for all time in Great Yan!” Zheng Jiejue mocked.

Cen Jiejue’s brother, the eldest son of the Cen family, was the commander of the Four Symbols Army.

The news of the great victory in the southwest had reached the harem.

Everyone congratulated Cen Jiejue.

This was also the fundamental reason why the Xue and Cen families had remained standing.

They guarded the border and controlled part of the military power.

The emperor also had some military power in his hands, but if he wasn’t prepared, he would tear apart the two dukes, Great Yan would surely be divided.

“The Cen family is brave, thank you, Cen Jiejue!” Wei Yingya was very tactful.

She didn’t want to argue for a moment.

Anyone here, if you picked them out at random, they would be of a higher rank than her, of course, she didn’t dare to contradict them, she didn’t want to give them something to talk about.

Cen Jiejue glanced at Wei Yingya, with a proud expression, “Wei Meimei, you’re welcome. This is just my brother’s duty, Zheng Jiejie, you’re exaggerating.”

“Ying Meiren, you’re just saying thank you with empty words, you’re not sincere. After all, it was to avenge your father, such great kindness, shouldn’t Ying Meiren kowtow and express her gratitude?” Zheng Jiejue pressed on.

“I heard that Ying Meiren doesn’t even want to burn paper for her father, it seems that she’s not very filial, so it’s normal that she’s unwilling to sincerely thank her.” Another concubine chimed in.

Wei Yingya was speechless. Wasn’t this forcing her to kneel? If she didn’t kneel, she would be unfilial.

Who could bear such a heavy accusation?

Cen Jiejue watched this scene calmly, she didn’t stop it.

Because of Wei Ying Shu’s death.

The Cen family naturally couldn’t let Wei Yingya live a good life. The more miserable Wei Yingya was, the more grateful Duke of Weiyong would be to the Cen family.

“That’s unfilial, why don’t you burn some paper for your father?” A cold female voice came from outside.

The concubines all looked towards the person who spoke.

A woman in a crimson Shu embroidery Liu Xian dress walked in calmly, she greeted the concubines of higher rank, and finally looked at Zheng Jiejue.

“Your concubine… your concubine’s father is still alive…” Zheng Jiejue was a little flustered by her cold gaze, she retorted with a stiff neck.

Ning Wanyin’s thin lips curled slightly, “Really? I can’t tell.”

Wei Yingya almost laughed out loud. Wasn’t this the ancient version of: Your father is dead!

Insulting someone without using foul language! Learned! Write it down in my notebook.

“You you you…” Zheng Jiejue was furious.

Ning Wanyin coldly interrupted her, “Your concubine would like to remind you that burning paper in the palace violates the palace rules. Although you will have the opportunity to burn paper sooner or later, don’t do anything foolish.”

Wei Yingya continued to hold back her laughter. Your father will die sooner or later!

Learned, learned!

“Look at what Ning Jiejue is saying, who doesn’t know the palace rules? Ying Meiren must be filial…” Concubine Shu played along, she smiled ambiguously, “Ying Meiren, you should quickly thank Cen Jiejue.”

Ning Wanyin didn’t respond to her at all. The essence of arguing with someone is that you can’t keep refuting them, you can’t let them lead the argument.

Instead, you have to seize the loopholes in their words.

“I just heard someone say that Ying Meiren’s father is a sinner for all time… is this a sentence of condemnation from His Majesty?” Ning Wanyin asked.

Wei Yingya immediately said, “His Majesty didn’t say that!”

“I remember that His Majesty has always treated soldiers who died in battle with great respect. Last time, His Majesty also treated Ying Meiren leniently because of her father’s merits.” Ning Wanyin looked at Zheng Jiejue coldly, “You said he’s a sinner for all time, you’re openly defying His Majesty, what crime should you be punished for!”