CHAPTER 682: CHAPTER 564: TAKING BACK EVERYTHING

The Imperial Study Room was silent.

Let alone Gongsun Yanming’s surprise, even the Miao King himself hadn’t expected that old Emperor Liang would "exonerate" him like this.

No, looking at Emperor Liang’s expression, it didn’t seem like exoneration; he genuinely believed it.

He had lost his memory... forgotten the grievances between Miaojiang and Liang Country, and even his number one enemy had become the benefactor who saved him from catastrophe.

The Miao King pinched his thigh.

Trying not to laugh was so difficult it nearly brought him to tears.

"Did I say something wrong?"

Emperor Liang sternly asked the Miao King.

The Miao King desperately resisted the urge to burst into laughter: "Right, right! You, dear in-law, are wise beyond compare, a heroic figure recognized through the ages, a truly unparalleled emperor!"

What kind of nonsense is this?

Emperor Liang gave his in-law a complex look; with a mind like that, how could he possibly be given the Gu?

Gongsun Yanming was caught off guard by Emperor Liang’s stunning words.

Smart as he was, he couldn’t fathom why Emperor Liang would say such things.

There were familial and national grudges between both parties; nothing suggested they could easily reconcile.

For a moment, he even suspected the Miao King had used the Gu on Emperor Liang.

The Miao King met Gongsun Yanming’s gaze: "Why are you looking at me like that? Are you suspecting that I, like you, put the Gu on your Majesty? Hmph, I am not that idle!"

After pausing, feeling the words weren’t weighty enough, he quickly added, "Nor as insidious as you!"

Meng Qianqian pursed her lips, also trying to suppress the smile tugging at her lips.

This was surely an unforeseen situation.

Now, no matter how reputable the witnesses Gongsun Yanming brought, it would be to no avail.

Because Your Majesty, isn’t accepting his challenge at all.

Prince Ming mockingly pulled Prince Fu’s sleeve: "He’s dumbfounded! He’s dumbfounded!"

Prince Fu: ...I’m also very dumbfounded, okay?

The supposedly rural farmer, how did he become the Miao King in the blink of an eye?

Did you hide it so deeply?

Also, with such a big joke, have you thought about what to do when Father regains his memory?

Father has been in a hidden rivalry with the Miao King for his entire life; wouldn’t he be embarrassed to death to know he had actually defended his sworn enemy?

Compared to Prince Fu’s worries, his Uncle Duke Jiang, after the great shock, his eyes immediately lit up.

Turns out Elder Liu is the Miao King, all the more reason to swear brotherhood!

To annoy Your Majesty, hahaha!

Next time he dares exile me, I’ll bring this up to mock him!

Simply delightful!

Duke Jiang, lost in thought, began to chuckle foolishly to himself at the side.

Prince Fu simply couldn’t bear to look.

Gongsun Yanming’s suspicious gaze swept over everyone.

"Miao King."

He said, "Since you came to the capital to marry off your daughter, why hide and not show your true face?"

"You mean this?" The Miao King openly removed his eyepatch, "Got a bit injured, needed to avoid light for a few days, thanks for reminding me, almost healed now, I can take it off."

Gongsun Yanming’s mouth twitched involuntarily.

"Why the surname Liu?"

He continued questioning.

The Miao King proudly stated: "My wife’s surname is Liu, I became part of her family!"

"Pfft—"

Duke Jiang, who had just sneaked a drink of Emperor Liang’s tea out of thirst, sprayed it out.

The Miao King crossed his legs: "Besides, what right do you have to know my identity? Are you my in-law? Did I come to discuss marriage with you?"

He continued, looking at Emperor Liang on the seat, sighing, "In-law, hurry and chase this eyesore away, so we can continue discussing the marriage of our children, we were just talking about the betrothal gift... you said you wanted to give me a city as a betrothal gift."

Emperor Liang sternly said: "I never said such words."

The Miao King: Damn it, can’t fool him again!

The Miao King wanted to say more, but was stopped by Lu Yuan.

Add more drama and it’ll be beyond redemption.

Lu Zhaoyan cupped his hands: "Father, the evidence is conclusive, please decree and punish severely!"

Gongsun Yanming said: "Your Majesty, I am innocent."

Prince Ming scolded: "You innocent? Isn’t my father, who you put the Gu on, the real wronged party!"

Gongsun Yanming calmly said: "Your Majesty, even if my blood can resurrect the Heart-devouring Gu, it doesn’t prove I was the one who used the Gu. I am not from Miaojiang and don’t specialize in the Gu Technique."

"You don’t specialize, but someone does!" Prince Ming pointed to the corpse on the ground, saying irritably, "You bought Miaojiang’s Gu Master, and in the Imperial Palace used the Gu Flute to activate the Heart-devouring Gu, causing my father to Deviation. If not for the Miao King and Duke Jiang risking their lives to stop it, my father would have perished with everyone!"

Emperor Liang looked sternly at Gongsun Yanming.

Gongsun Yanming calmly said: "Why isn’t it possible that you conspired together to put on a show for your Majesty? Compared to me, Elder Liu, being the Miao King, seems more capable of deploying Gu experts. Besides, this person is dead, with no evidence, how you testify is entirely up to your words."

Prince Ming, infuriated: "You—"

Lu Yuan spoke: "Grandfather, don’t be deceived by this person, this person betrays his teachers, violates his ancestors, deceitful and infamous, his crimes are countless! From the moment he used Lu Qi to approach Father, there hasn’t been a single truthful word, first a fake Qilin, then a fake Phoenix Girl, manipulating Grandfather and the entire court. Not a word of his is trustworthy!"

Prince Ming immediately said: "Exactly, Father! He claims his daughter is the Phoenix Girl, and his son-in-law is the Guardian Qilin. If not for Witch Mountain sending the Phoenix Girl Sword and exposing his lies, who knows how long Father and us would have been deceived!"

Emperor Liang had lost his memory, but not his judgment.

Whether this dear son was lying, he could tell at a glance.

As for the Gongsun Yanming before him, he remained calm and composed throughout, showing no sign of guilt.

Emperor Liang said to him: "You’re right, relying solely on a corpse is indeed insufficient to prove you orchestrated it; the use of Gu lacks witnesses."

Prince Ming’s expression changed: "Father!"

The Miao King was furious: "What’s going on? Can’t he be judged?"

Duke Jiang regretted: Brother Liu, quickly scold him! Scold him for being blind!

Gongsun Yanming cupped his hands and bowed: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Emperor Liang continued: "However, you, as the State Preceptor, erred in distinguishing between the Qilin and the Phoenix Girl, which sufficiently proves your incompetence, unfit to serve as the State Preceptor."

Gongsun Yanming’s expression froze.

Emperor Liang sternly said: "Hand over the National Master Order."

Gongsun Yanming was surprised: "Your Majesty!"

Everyone sighed in relief.

Now this sounds right, almost thought this old traitor would escape punishment.

The National Master Order was his lifesaver, without it, the old traitor’s skin would be peeled off!

The Miao King shook his leg, well, this in-law is barely tolerable.

Lu Yuan walked to Gongsun Yanming with a smile: "Hand it over, State Preceptor."

Let’s see you strut into the Crown Prince Mansion with the National Master Order next time.

Gongsun Yanming looked at Lu Yuan, then at Meng Qianqian nearby.

Meng Qianqian returned a smile.

Gongsun Yanming clenched his fingers and handed over the National Master Order.

Emperor Liang said: "As for the Astronomical Bureau, you don’t need to go anymore, I’ll take it back too."

Gongsun Yanming’s face finally changed: "Your Majesty!"