Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

Murong Han's sudden appearance brought a brief respite to the tense atmosphere.

A flash of shock and anger crossed Xiao Jing's eyes, and his knuckles turned white as he gripped the silk.

He never expected that this Northern Yan man would interfere at this most crucial moment.

"Left Wise King, this is an internal affair of our Great Xia, and it seems to have nothing to do with your country."

"Your Highness is mistaken."

Murong Han's smile remained unchanged as he calmly walked into the hall. His gaze swept over the two opposing sides, finally settling on Xiao Jing's face. "I have been a guest in Hanyuan, and have been warmly received by the Prince of Jingbei. Now, seeing that Your Highness and the Prince of Jingbei seem to have a misunderstanding, leading to armed conflict, is truly worrying. The peace of the northern border is crucial to both countries. If chaos arises, it will be detrimental to both Great Xia and Northern Yan. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of coming here to act as a peacemaker. Moreover..."

He paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "The so-called 'treasonous' evidence in Your Highness's possession seems to also involve the grasslands and Northern Yan. If it is truly conclusive evidence, I would like to see whether Northern Yan has been framed without cause, or... whether someone is trying to take this opportunity to stir up trouble and destroy the hard-won peace in the north?"

These words were veiled in barbs, subtly implying that chaos in the northern border would harm both countries, thus exerting pressure; yet they also reversed the accusation of "colluding with the enemy," suggesting that Xiao Jing might be framing and sowing discord. Crucially, he demanded to see evidence—a move that undoubtedly put Xiao Jing in a difficult position.

Xiao Jing's face was gloomy.

He knows best what the "evidence" in his hands is all about.

The blueprints from the Bureau of Works were pieced together from memory by a low-level craftsman who was bribed with a large sum of money, and they were not entirely accurate; the "secret letter" with Batu was forged by having someone imitate his handwriting; and the "contact" with Yu Qian was completely fabricated.

These things might fool uninformed people or create public opinion in the court, but if they were to be confronted in court, especially in front of someone as discerning as Murong Han, they probably wouldn't stand up to scrutiny.

He originally planned to seize Xiao Chen with overwhelming force, relying on his identity and "ironclad evidence," thus creating a fait accompli.

Even if there are some flaws afterward, he can always "examine" the "truth" when the person is in his hands.

However, Murong Han's intervention completely disrupted his plans.

"The Left Wise King's case is irrefutable; there is no need for outsiders to comment."

Xiao Jing suppressed his anger, attempting to maintain his dignity, "This is a matter of our royal family and the law of the court. Please, Left Wise Prince, step aside!"

"Oh? Royal family matters?"

Murong Han raised an eyebrow, his smile fading slightly. "But Your Highness's accusations just now were 'treason and collusion with the enemy' and 'the unauthorized manufacture of prohibited weapons,' which seem to go beyond the scope of family matters and fall under the purview of national law. Since Your Highness insists that the evidence is conclusive, why not present it publicly to reassure the public and refrain from slander? Or is it... that this evidence cannot be brought to light, or perhaps it is entirely fabricated?"

"You!" Xiao Jing was speechless for a moment, his face turning ashen.

Just then, Xiao Chen spoke up, his clear voice overpowering the tense atmosphere in the hall: "Your Majesty, what the Left Wise King said makes sense."

Since Your Majesty has accused me of numerous crimes and has irrefutable evidence, why not make it public and let everyone present, as well as the soldiers and civilians of Hanyuan, bear witness? If the evidence is indeed conclusive, I am willing to submit to the law.

If someone fabricates evidence to frame loyal officials and attempts to wreak havoc in the northern border…

His gaze was sharp as he stared directly at Xiao Jing. "I also implore Your Majesty, to clear my name and give the world an explanation!"

"Your Highness, please provide evidence!"

Wang Dashan, Zhang Meng, and the Hanyuan soldiers inside and outside the hall shouted in unison, the sound waves causing dust to fall from the beams.

Upon receiving the news, Chen Bo and other civil officials rushed to the scene, crowding outside the hall with indignant expressions.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he was caught in a dilemma.

Xiao Jing's forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat.

He knew that if he didn't produce something "real" today, not only would he fail to capture Xiao Chen, but he himself would likely be convicted of "framing a prince and disrupting border defenses."

His mind raced, and he abruptly threw the silk scroll to the ground, shouting, "Fine! Since you want to see it, then look carefully! This is a fragment of your blueprints for manufacturing crossbows! This is a secret letter from you and Batu agreeing to share profits in trade! This is a secret mark used by your confidants to contact the rebel Yu Qian! The evidence is irrefutable, what else do you have to say?!"

The silk scroll was laid out on the ground, revealing some line drawings, a few lines of blurry writing, and several strange symbols.

All eyes were focused on the silk.

Xiao Chen stepped forward, bent down, and picked it up.

He examined the so-called "crossbow blueprints" carefully, then suddenly scoffed and showed them to everyone: "Gentlemen, please look at this. The mechanism depicted in this drawing is out of proportion and structurally flawed. It's worse than a child's toy. How could it possibly be the divine crossbow produced by my Hanyuan Craftsmanship Bureau?"

He then pointed to the "secret letter," saying, "This Batu's seal is similar in shape, but the color of the ink and the pressure of the seal are completely wrong. It is clearly a recent imitation."

As for the handwriting... it's a very good imitation, but completely lacks the spirit.

Finally, pointing to the symbols, he said, "As for these scribbles, I have never heard of them before. May I ask from which Taoist priest my brother obtained these 'secret marks'?"

With each word he spoke, Xiao Jing's face paled further. The surrounding civil and military officials were even more indignant.

"A forgery! This is clearly a forgery!"

"A frame-up! A blatant frame-up!"

"Your Highness, please investigate thoroughly! Clear the Prince's name!"

Murong Han stepped forward and examined the seal on the "secret letter" carefully. He shook his head and said, "I have seen Batu Khan's seal before. The ink is made from madder root, unique to the grasslands, mixed with deer blood. It is dark red in color and remains fresh over time. This ink is brightly colored, clearly made from cinnabar from the Central Plains. Your Highness, your evidence... is perhaps a bit hasty."

Even the "friendly nations" pointed out the flaws, and Xiao Jing was immediately put in an extremely passive position. His guards, including Cao Yong, also showed hesitation.

"You...you all conspired together!"

Enraged, Xiao Jing pointed at Murong Han and Xiao Chen, "Xiao Chen! Don't try to deny it! You hold military power, collude with foreign powers, and harbor treacherous intentions—the whole world knows this! Today, if you dare to disobey orders, you are committing treason!"

"Treason?"

Xiao Chen stepped forward, his aura suddenly rising, his gaze sharp as a knife as he stared at Xiao Jing. "The one who truly intends to rebel, disrupt the court, frame loyal officials, and ruin the peace of the northern border is probably someone else!"

Your Majesty, you have left the capital without permission and entered the border town without authorization. You are carrying false evidence to frame the prince in charge of the border town and even intend to start a war and incite internal strife!

In your eyes, do you still care about your father? Do you still care about the laws of Great Xia? Do you still care about the lives and property of the million soldiers and civilians in the Northern Frontier?!

This series of rebuttals, righteous and stern, resounded throughout the house, elevating Xiao Jing's various actions to the level of endangering the foundation of the country and undermining border defenses.

"You...you're spouting nonsense!"

Xiao Jing was intimidated by Xiao Chen's imposing aura, and seeing the Han Yuan soldiers glaring angrily around him, and Murong Han watching coldly, he realized that the hundred elite soldiers he had brought were outnumbered and outmatched under the heavy encirclement. Finally, a sense of fear rose in his heart.

Whether it's slander or not, the world will judge, and the court will uphold its laws!

Xiao Chen's voice turned cold, "Since Your Majesty cannot produce any real evidence, let's leave it at that. However, Your Majesty fabricated evidence, framed a prince, and disrupted the border town; this matter must not be left unresolved!"

Your humble servant will write a memorial, along with these false evidences, and send it to the capital by express courier, requesting Your Majesty's wise judgment and the court's public deliberation!

Before the Emperor's decree arrives, to avoid further trouble, and also for the safety of my elder brother..."

His gaze swept over Xiao Jing and his guards. "I request that Your Majesty remain in Hanyuan for now and await further instructions!"

"Xiao Chen! How dare you imprison me?!" Xiao Jing was both shocked and furious.

"This is not house arrest, it's protection, and it's also pending investigation according to the law." Xiao Chen's tone left no room for argument. "Wang Dashan!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Escort His Highness Prince Yong back to his room to rest. Without my order, no one may disturb His Highness's peace, and His Highness and his entourage are not allowed to leave the post station even a step!"

"Yes, sir!"

With a wave of his hand, Wang Dashan summoned a large number of Hanyuan Guard soldiers into the hall, instantly taking control of the situation.

Although Cao Yong and the others were furious, seeing that the situation was hopeless and their lord was in the wrong, they could only resentfully sheathe their swords.

"Xiao Chen! You remember this! This is not over!" Xiao Jing shouted back as he was being "invited" away, his eyes filled with resentment.

Xiao Chen remained expressionless until Xiao Jing's figure disappeared, then cupped his hands to Murong Han and said, "I apologize for the embarrassing incident that has occurred to my family, the Left Wise Prince. It is a disgrace to our family."

Murong Han gave Xiao Chen a deep look and said meaningfully, "Your Highness handled the situation well, with reason and restraint. I admire you. It is fortunate that Your Highness is guarding the northern border. I hope... there will be no further trouble." After saying that, he also took his leave.

Calm returned to the hall, but everyone knew that the real storm had only just been suppressed and was far from over.

Xiao Jing will never let this go, and what kind of uproar will Xiao Chen's memorial to the capital stir up?

Xiao Chen picked up the ridiculous "ironclad evidence" from the ground and slowly clenched it in his hand.

Evidence? Soon, he will show the world what real, irrefutable evidence is.