His Rui

After General Yun was taken away by the Imperial guards, the Emperor announced the lifetime imprisonment for Commander Ji. He also announced that Ji Clan would be investigated and if someone was found to be involved with General Yun in any way then he would be executed on the same day Yun Clan was to be executed.

Then the Emperor asked for General Li and praised him in front of everyone.

"General Li, Zhen is pleased to see that your soldiers respect and believe you so much that they were ready to go against us to protect your clan. A loyal General like you deserves this."

After that, General Li was rewarded with many things.

Hence, in the eyes of everyone, General Li got the Emperor's favor back just like this.

The Emperor announced the end of the meeting and exited the Imperial Court as the ministers bowed.

Xi Ying had just stepped out of the Imperial Court when an old Eunuch informed that he was called by the Emperor to the Imperial study room.

Zhao Zhuang Chen heard this and walked away from their sulkily.

On the other hand, Zhao Zhang Wei looked at the departing Xi Ying with a smirk.

'Prime Minister Xi was indeed very cunning. He saved Li Clan and at the same time he left a way for himself to get the Emperor's trust.'

Such a man if he can have by his side then he would easily be able to get what he wants.

----------

Xi Ying entered the Imperial study room. Glancing at the Emperor who was busy reading some documents, he said

"Xi Ying greets Your Majesty."

The Emperor nodded his head acknowledging his greeting and signed him to take the seat while he continued to look through some documents.

Xi Ying patiently waited. He couldn't help but laugh inside his heart noticing the Emperor's pretense.

He knew that the Emperor was in a hurry to ask him questions but was deliberately hiding it.

"Prime Minister Xi"

Finally, setting down the documents on the table, Zhao Wang Lei leaned back on his chair and looked at him.

"You might already know why Zhen has called you here."

Xi Ying respectfully nodded his head and said

"Indeed Your Majesty, this subject of course knows this."

The Emperor looked at him indifferently for a few moments silently and then asked

"Then shouldn't you now explain to Zhen that how did Li Clan come out clean from everything?"

Xi Ying's face was still very calm as he remembered what he had said to the Emperor before leaving the Imperial City to find General Li,

------------

"Your Majesty, this subject will go and come back with General Li. At the borders, I will find some fake evidence that can prove that General Li is incompetent and can no longer manage such a large army. Since his son is not experienced enough, In the Imperial Court we will easily be able to take the military power from Li Clan."

"Since the soldiers only want General Li and Li Clan safe we will give them that. Your Majesty only wants military power of Li Clan and that's what can be achieved by this."

The Emperor has been surprised by his plan.

Although Xi Ying had planned against Li Clan before, he had never said that he wants to slander them for anything.

It was against his principle.

Now calling General Li an incompetent soldier was also an accusation so he was surprised that Xi Ying was ready to do such a thing.

"Prime Minister Xi, Zhen is surprised that you are ready to go against your principle."

At the Emperor's question, Xi Ying had smiled coldly and said

"Your Majesty, this Lord doesn't like to be deceived. And General Li deceived me into marrying his daughter. This Lord will never forget that."

The Emperor found it reasonable and nodded his head in agreement.

----------

Xi Ying had to say all that so that the Emperor will not send his people to follow him as he finds General Li. Assuring the emperor that he was on his side was the only way he could freely plan everything.

However, now he knew that the Emperor would be suspicious of him because he said something else and did something else.

Sighing, Xi Ying said with an annoyed face

"Your Majesty, this subject would have never done against what I had said if I have not been helpless."

The Emperor frowned in confusion and whispered

"Helpless?"

Xi Yig nodded his head and said

"Your Majesty, this subject only told half-truth in the Imperial Court. It was not only General Yun who was involved in framing General Li."

Looking straight in the Emperor's eyes he continued

"It was the First Prince who planned all this."

Zhao Wang Lei's eyes flickered with something and after a moment he whispered

"The Crown Prince?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. This subject has found evidence against the crown Prince."

"To save the Crown Prince, this subject had to protect Li Clan."

When the Emperor still looked at him in confusion, Xi Ying elaborated.

"General Li knows that the Crown Prince wanted to frame him."

Zhao Wang Lei was startled and asked

"How does he know this?"

"The man who abducted General Li told him everything." Xi Ying answered while Zhao Wang Lei clenched his fists under the table.

"So, Your Majesty, I talked with General Li and asked him to hide this matter. General Li agreed…."

"But on two conditions."

Zhao Wang Lei's face was very cold as he asked

"What conditions?"

Hiding his smile, Xi Ying answered the Emperor's question.

"The first one to protect Li Clan…"

Zhao Wang Lei smiled coldly. Although he knew that the General has always been wary of him, he had not expected him to guess the things so truly.? Even after being saved, the General knew that his clan's protection was not guaranteed. That's why he put this condition.

However, his smile disappeared soon when Xi Ying told the second condition.

"…and the second was to dethrone the Crown Prince."