Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield - Chapter 662 - 269: Ying Zheng: It’s Time for Feng’er to Take Action!
Chapter 662: Chapter 269: Ying Zheng: It’s Time for Feng’er to Take Action!
Han Fei’s voice echoed through the grand hall.
As the entire report was read to the end,
all the ministers at court changed their expressions.
Huan Yi’s own hand, every word as precious as pearls.
Though none had witnessed the battlefield of Chu State in person, through Huan Yi’s urgent own-hand report, the gravity of the situation was apparent.
If not for the news from Zhao Feng, the Hangu Pass Camp might truly have been finished.
And with Han Fei’s last words,
the entire court fell into utter silence; no one dared make a sound.
For everyone present could clearly sense Ying Zheng’s silent fury.
Mi Qi has committed treason!
This was a stinging slap to Ying Zheng’s face.
If not for Zhao Feng’s timely message and prior warning, perhaps Hangu Pass Camp would have been slaughtered to the last by Chu State.
Mi Qi would have brought great disaster to Qin.
Tens of thousands of elite soldiers would have perished because of him.
Though none of this has come to pass, the urgency of this report portends what was nearly lost.
The court was silent, not a soul dared speak.
But at this moment,
Han Fei spoke up.
“It was all thanks to Lord Wu’an for sending warning to Shangjiangjun Huan Yi; otherwise, Hangu Pass Camp would have been doomed.”
“Mi Qi held the status of a royal kinsman—who could have anticipated he would betray his own state?”
“Even Shangjiangjun Huan Yi trusted him, entrusting to him the coordination of provisions. This was truly far too dangerous,” Han Fei said with deep emotion.
“This matter…”
“…was indeed perilous,” Wang Jian also spoke, the regret clear in his tone.
Evidently,
even he never imagined Mi Qi would commit treason and join the enemy.
Of course,
in his heart,
Wang Jian’s thoughts ran deeper.
“After what Mi Qi has done, Fusu is utterly without hope for the position of Crown Prince.”
“Of course,”
“even without this, he stood no chance at the throne; that place belongs to my son-in-law.”
“Among the King’s sons, who could possibly compare to Zhao Feng?”
Wang Jian felt a self-satisfaction deep in his heart.
His son-in-law was outstanding—not just by his own words, but acknowledged across all Qin, recognized by the entire realm.
Wang Jian’s son-in-law was simply so brilliant and exceptional.
Yet,
this time, Ying Zheng was truly enraged.
He slowly rose from his throne.
He turned abruptly and walked straight toward the rear palace, making it plain that at this moment he wished to speak no further, his whole being consumed with wrath.
Let alone the hundred officials,
even as King of Qin he himself had never foreseen this.
How great was the grace and favor he had bestowed upon the Mi Family?
He had even promised Mi Qi that upon his return, the post of Right Chancellor would belong to him.
Yet Mi Qi, holding the highest rank of the Mi Family, had betrayed the state—how could Ying Zheng possibly accept this?
Watching Ying Zheng’s departing figure,
Fusu’s face turned deathly pale.
He, too, understood what it meant for his maternal grandfather to turn traitor.
“Big brother,
your mother’s kin truly spare no effort in harming you,”
Hu Hai approached, mocking as he spoke.
Every time Fusu found trouble, he could not resist a couple of jibes.
At this moment, Hu Hai only felt heady and exuberant.
Even if he made no move, Fusu’s own side suffered casualties by their own doing. After this, surely many court supporters would no longer back Fusu and might even change allegiance.
No wonder Hu Hai was elated.
Within Zhangtai Palace!
Ying Zheng sat upon the throne; for the first time, he did not review any memorials, but instead sat with a dark expression brooding.
It seemed even he could not believe Mi Qi would betray the state.
He had given Mi Qi high office and heavy power; granted him royal kinsman’s rank; further, he had showered the Mi Family with honors and rewards.
But all of this—
had been disregarded, and now he had betrayed his country.
“Could it be I was too indulgent with him?”
“Did I allow them too much leeway?”
“I treated them with such kindness, and yet he dared commit treason.”
“How could he be so bold!”
Ying Zheng gritted his teeth, his face growing ever more frigid.
Since assuming direct rule over the realm, Ying Zheng had always subscribed to the philosophy of trusting in loyal service and refusing doubters,
and every minister at court had proven worthy of his trust, serving with utmost devotion.
But now Mi Qi’s betrayal had shaken Ying Zheng’s heart.
At this moment—
“Your Majesty, I, Mrs. Mi, lead all Mi Family officials of Great Qin to atone on behalf of my father before the King.”
Outside the hall,
a mournful voice resounded.
As the voice faded,
Ying Zheng slowly lifted his head.
Zhao Gao, serving at the side of the great hall, glanced cautiously at Ying Zheng.
But seeing Ying Zheng unmoved, Zhao Gao did not dare speak.
Now that the Mi Family had fallen to such a state, he was pleased to see it so.
“This minister is guilty.”
“May Your Majesty mete out punishment.”
As Mrs. Mi’s voice subsided,
voices of dozens more drifted into the hall.
Looking outside,
Fusu’s mother, Mrs. Mi, knelt at the front; behind her knelt dozens of Mi Family ministers, all on their knees.
Some held positions at court, others served in various offices throughout Xianyang.
This made clear
how swiftly the Mi Family, with their royal Chu blood, had prospered in Qin, their lineage flourishing far and wide.
Yet,
within Zhangtai Palace,
Ying Zheng showed no hint of emotion.
He had left the court
precisely because he could not, in that moment, resolve how to judge the Mi Family’s guilt.
Mi Qi had committed treason; by Qin Law, his entire clan should be put to death.
Such a crime could not be passed over lightly.
If Ying Zheng had not left so swiftly, the censors and ministers would certainly have demanded severe punishment for Mi Qi and all his kin.
Thus, Ying Zheng remained in Zhangtai Palace, refusing to come forth.
The entire Mi Family—
the implication was vast indeed!
“I know well my father’s crime, a crime that is unforgivable.”
“Now,”
“I am willing to answer for his crime in his stead. May Your Majesty be merciful to my mother’s family, who knew nothing of Mi Qi’s treason, and spare the Mi Clan.”
