Adhere to the gentleman's principles

Chapter 210: Establishing the Foundation First

The next morning, before the sun rose, Li Ziyan could not wait to get out of bed, sit at the desk, and carefully write a letter of resignation. He knew what he was going to face, but he had made full mental preparations - he decided not to participate in the trial of Shen Congwen's case.

When Zhao Junning woke up slowly, she saw Li Ziyan, who was dressed neatly and ready to go to court. She asked in surprise, "Ziyan, why did you get up so early today?"

Li Ziyan slowly walked to Zhao Junning and hugged her tightly again, as if he wanted to convey all his emotions to her. Then, he took a deep breath and said solemnly: "Junning, after careful consideration, I have decided not to try Congwen's case. If possible, I must find evidence to clear his name!"

After saying this, the two separated silently. Zhao Junning's eyes fell on the conspicuous resignation letter on the table. She raised her head, looked into Li Ziyan's eyes, and asked softly: "Have you really made up your mind?"

Li Ziyan nodded without hesitation, his eyes revealing great determination. He said to Zhao Junning gratefully: "Yes, Junning, thank you for your support and understanding." This determination not only comes from his deep sense of justice, but also from his love and trust in Zhao Junning.

Zhao Junning straightened his court robes and said, "It's good to have made up your mind. Come back early. I want to go see my mother. I'm very nervous today."

"it is good."

After the court was dismissed in the morning, Li Ziyan stood quietly outside the imperial study and waited. When Xiao Xuanjing summoned him in, he happened to meet Qin Zhuoyuan and Xiao Zhengchu who also came to see him. They nodded to each other and walked into the imperial study together.

After entering the study, Li Ziyan respectfully presented the resignation letter in his hand to Xiao Xuanjing. The latter took the document, read it carefully, looked up at Li Ziyan, and asked in confusion: "Li Ziyan, what do you mean?"

Li Ziyan took a deep breath and answered sincerely: "Your Majesty, after a night of careful consideration, I believe that I am not qualified to judge the case of Shen Congwen."

"Why do you say that?" Xiao Xuanjing asked.

Li Ziyan said sadly: "Shen Congwen is not only my close friend, but also my brother. His mistake this time is due to my failure to do my duty of persuading him. I have a deep friendship with him. If I were to preside over this case, it would be inevitable that someone would link us together.

Your Majesty arranged this matter in order to clear me of suspicion, but I cannot abandon my friend for my own safety. Since I have a close relationship with him, it is not appropriate for me to take on this important task. I implore Your Majesty to select someone else to be responsible for the trial of Shen Congwen's case."

After saying these words, Li Ziyan lowered his head, his eyes revealing firmness and determination. He knew that doing so might cause dissatisfaction or even punishment from the emperor, but he also understood that between friendship and justice, he must make the right choice.

Xiao Xuanjing frowned and said with a hint of reproach in his tone: "You would rather give up this official position than try Shen Congwen's case. He is just a friend of yours. Is your future less important to you than a friend?"

Li Ziyan straightened up and answered with a firm face: "Your Majesty, the future is certainly important, but I have understood a truth since I was young - to establish a person, you must first establish the foundation. Only by adhering to the original heart of a person can you truly become a person, and then display your talents and create a great career."

Xiao Xuanjing snorted coldly and said, "Li Ziyan, Li Ziyan, if you act on your emotions like this, you will only hurt yourself in the end!"

"Your Majesty, I do not agree with your statement." Li Ziyan knelt down and kowtowed, and continued earnestly, "I think this is not just a simple emotional matter, but a lesson on how to be a human being."

Xiao Xuanjing looked at Li Ziyan, a complex expression flashed in his eyes, and then he slowly said: "In this case, I plan to replace him with someone else to try the case. If I really execute him at that time, will you regret it?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly." Li Ziyan raised his head and looked directly at Xiao Xuanjing. "There are still many doubts about the matter of the King of Yue. Although Congwen is indeed a suspect, there is currently no solid evidence to convict him."

Xiao Xuanjing nodded, indicating his approval of what Li Ziyan said, and then asked a sharp question: "Aren't you afraid that I will execute him because of personal favoritism in order to save my own son?"

Facing the emperor's questioning, Li Ziyan did not flinch. He answered firmly: "Your Majesty is wise and wise. I firmly believe that Your Majesty would never do such a thing as not distinguishing between public and private and taking human life lightly."

Xiao Xuanjing nodded, indicating that he already knew. Then, he took the resignation letter in his hand, rubbed it lightly, and the paper instantly burned, turning into ashes that floated in the air.

"From now on, don't write anything like this anymore." Xiao Xuanjing said calmly, but the majesty contained in it could not be ignored. He waved his hand, signaling the minister in front of him to withdraw, and added: "You go to assist Xu Gong in handling the affairs of officials in Xunyang area."

The minister was filled with gratitude and immediately knelt down and kowtowed to express his gratitude: "Your Majesty, I thank you!" Then he stood up and left, secretly glad that he had received the emperor's forgiveness and trust. Xiao Xuanjing stood there quietly, looking into the distance with deep eyes, as if thinking about something important.

In the East Palace, Xiao Zhengchu sat in front of a desk, playing with a jade pendant in his hand, and said thoughtfully: "Hu Yunshan, whom the young master brought back on this trip, is indeed extremely intelligent." His voice was as calm as water, but his eyes revealed a subtle depth.

Qin Zhuoyuan, who was standing by, saw this and bowed slightly in response: "Thank you for the praise, Your Highness. However, we must be cautious with Hu Yunshan. After all, who can guarantee that a man like this who turns against his own side in the middle of a battle will not bite back at a critical moment and deal a fatal blow to Your Highness?" After saying that, he raised his head and looked at Xiao Zhengchu, his eyes full of vigilance.

Xiao Zhengchu listened to Qin Zhuoyuan's words and nodded slightly to show his agreement. Then, he seemed to remember something and sighed softly, "Alas, it's a pity for General Zhao's wife. She passed away suddenly. I wonder how Zhao Junning would feel after hearing this news."

Hearing this, Qin Zhuoyuan pretended to be surprised and asked, "The general's wife has passed away? I have never heard of this before."

Xiao Zhengchu frowned, with a hint of doubt in his tone: "Well, he was buried ten days ago. It's really a pity. How could a healthy person suddenly suffer from a heart disease and the attack is so serious?" As he spoke, his eyes fell on Qin Zhuoyuan intentionally or unintentionally, as if he wanted to see through his appearance to his heart.

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