Ninth Princess Zhao Linger clenched her small fists, cheeks puffed in anger.
These officials were openly mocking Shen Jinghong—but weren't they also indirectly mocking her summoning?
She was just about to step forward—
But Shen Jinghong's glance stopped her.
Calm. Confident.
Leave it to me.
He stepped forward.
His voice wasn't loud—but every word carried weight.
"Minister Wang… you've managed grain and supplies for decades. Tell me—how much coarse rice is left in Wei River's granary?"
Minister Wang froze.
"Do you know how many days the soldiers there have gone without a hot meal?"
"Do you know how many are chewing frozen wheat cakes just to stay alive?"
The hall fell silent.
Shen Jinghong's tone sharpened like a blade.
"You sit in warmth, calculating numbers—while soldiers grip broken spears with frostbitten hands."
"You've never seen a battlefield—yet you dare speak so arrogantly?"
"What face do you have to face the dead?"
Minister Wang's face flushed red.
"You—how dare you!"
"It is you who dares too much!"
Shen Jinghong's voice rose.
"When urgent reports arrived—you debated endlessly."
"When Duke Shang offered his last son—you calculated your own interests."
"When General Li stepped forward—you tried to stop him!"
His final words struck like thunder:
"Your crimes are too many to count!"
The court fell completely silent.
Then—
He turned, bowed toward the throne.
"I may be newly arrived, without background or merit."
"But I know one thing—"
"Defending a city is not about who speaks the most…"
"It is about who dares to stand on the walls and fight."
He turned back.
"If you think I am unfit—"
"Then you go."
Minister Wang trembled.
No answer came.
Only—
A mouthful of blood.
Ding!
[Mission Complete]
Above—
The Empress hid a smile, though her tone remained strict:
"Shen Jinghong, do not be rude."
But the indulgence in her voice was unmistakable.
No one dared mock him anymore.
Zhao Linger stared at his back, eyes shining.
He… was incredible.
Soon, the imperial decree was issued.
Three thousand troops. Five hundred cavalry. Half a month's provisions.
Minister Wang himself was ordered to oversee supplies.
The message was clear—
No mistakes allowed.
"Court dismissed!"
The hall erupted into murmurs as officials left.
Prime Minister Li passed Shen Jinghong with a cold glance.
Impotent anger, Shen Jinghong thought.
Nearby, Duke Shang stepped forward.
"You must return alive."
"I will," Shen Jinghong replied firmly.
On the way back—
Zhao Linger spoke quietly.
"You asked about the Empress…"
Her voice softened.
And what she told him—
Changed everything.
A dying emperor.
A desperate Empress.
Human sacrifice.
A coup.
Mass execution.
A child tortured to death.
Princes imprisoned forever.
Shen Jinghong's expression changed.
The elegant, teasing woman from last night—
Was the same person who had done all that?
Too ruthless…
But then—
He remembered the system.
Her smile last night…
It wasn't fake.
That meant—
She was both.
"Then why are you still free?" Shen Jinghong asked bluntly. "Shouldn't you be locked away too?"
Zhao Linger froze.
Then—
Her face flushed red.
"You—!"
Punch punch punch
She launched a barrage of small fists at him.
"Why are you so mean?! You want me locked up that badly?!"
Shen Jinghong: "…"