The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 132 Liao Hongsheng

Zheng Xun sighed softly.

She was thinking about these things too.

Those were the most difficult days for Liao Hongsheng, because he had to swallow his pride and curry favor with court officials he had previously looked down upon.

So-called fawning is simply trampling on dignity, crushing it to use as fertilizer, and feeding it to a flower whose future is uncertain.

Not only do others step on him, but he himself steps on him even more ruthlessly.

One side hates him for betraying his cause, turning former comrades into enemies; the other side harbors resentment because of past grievances, and everyone despises him.

It wasn't until Liao Hongsheng stepped into the cabinet that everyone realized that all his past forbearance and humiliation had been for this moment.

Minister Lü established a "friendship" with Liao Hongsheng when everyone was condemning him.

One takes advantage of the situation, the other feigns gratitude; these two people, each with their own ulterior motives, come together and every day is a drama.

Initially, Minister Lü only wanted to test whether Liao Hongsheng had truly changed. Later, after Liao joined the cabinet, his sole intention was to replace him.

Because everyone in the cabinet is a veteran official, they cannot give up their positions unless they retire.

Liao Hongsheng was the youngest and seemed the easiest to bully.

At this moment, Minister Lü, having finally come to his senses, gritted his teeth and glared at Liao Hongsheng.

In the past, he had been stirring up trouble and instigating Liao Hongsheng, and Liao Hongsheng had actually fallen for it. As a result, he thought he had Liao Hongsheng completely fooled.

In retrospect, it was all Liao Hongsheng's scheme!

Liao Hongsheng possessed detailed and complete evidence of his selling of official positions, some of which he himself had forgotten.

This old fox only wanted to catch his own tail; he'd been pretending the whole time! He'd been acting the whole time!

Liao Hongsheng chuckled and patted his large belly: "Minister Lü, aren't you going to defend yourself? Staring at me like that, do you think I look exceptionally handsome today?"

Minister Lü gagged and cursed him for being disgusting.

Liao Hongsheng chuckled, took a step back, and left the rest to his colleagues and the emperor.

Duan Yunfeng watched his retreating figure with a complex expression.

He was always serious and rarely showed any emotional fluctuations, but at this moment his eyes were filled with tears.

Liao Hongsheng turned around, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over him, and was startled: "You...you...you're crying?"

Duan Yunfeng glared at him, and tears instantly welled up in his eyes.

Liao Hongsheng looked away, unable to bear the sight.

Duan Yunfeng's appearance was quite incongruous with his deeply wrinkled, upright face; to be honest, he looked so ugly that Duan Yunfeng almost laughed.

But with his old friend in this state, wouldn't it be a bit unethical for him to mock him?

He raised his clenched fist to cover the smile on his face and said helplessly, "Alright, there are so many people here, aren't you ashamed?"

Duan Yunfeng hiccuped, feeling ashamed, but he couldn't help it and burst into even louder sobs.

emperor:……

The court officials, their faces grave: ...

This commotion actually came from Duan Yunfeng?

Is it Duan Yunfeng from the Dali Temple?

What's the difference between this and seeing a ghost in broad daylight?

The Minister of Rites, who was about to express his opinion on Liao Hongsheng's memorial, was startled by the loud crying and pulled his foot back.

Zheng Jin, who was dozing off against the Third Prince, was startled awake, his eyes widening like copper bells.

The Third Prince suppressed a laugh and covered her eyes, his voice soft and gentle: "Alright, it's nothing serious, rest assured, your Third Brother won't let you fall."

Zheng Jin was very sleepy. Although she was confused, she really couldn't stay awake any longer, and her head lolled to the side as she fell asleep again.

Duan Yunfeng cried harder and harder, and Liao Hongsheng could no longer laugh.

The Minister of Personnel knelt on the ground, deep in thought about what he was going to say next.

The other ministers looked at each other, unsure whether to offer comfort or to stop the attack.

The emperor sighed helplessly and gave Li Xiaojun a wink.

Li Xiaojun cleared his throat.

The ministers did not react.

He then shouted, "Silence!"

Still no one paid attention to him.

Li Xiaojun was a little overwhelmed. How could the usually stern and serious Minister of the Court of Judicial Review cry so loudly?

He can't out-shout!

Seeing his predicament, the emperor did not make things difficult for him, but waved his hand to signal him to step back: "Never mind."

His own ministers are usually obedient and hardworking. They work overtime on their own without being urged. What can he do but spoil such good ministers?

Even the emperor stopped interfering, so no one else dared to speak up.

So everyone remained silent, watching for as long as Duan Yunfeng cried.

After Duan Yunfeng's head was buzzing from crying and his emotions finally subsided, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review thoughtfully handed his superior a clean handkerchief.

Duan Yunfeng took it, wiped away his tears, and blew his nose.

Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review: ...

His handkerchief was dirty.

But it would be too unpleasant to say such things at this moment, so he mourned for his handkerchief for a moment, and when Duan Yunfeng thanked him and returned the handkerchief to him, he decisively chose to refuse.

Duan Yunfeng stuffed the handkerchief into his sleeve, his lost rationality returning. Seeing the burning gazes around him and recalling his state just now, his vision went black and his body swayed.

He pretended to faint.

Duan Yunfeng: ...

Princess, please spare me.

Please give him a chance to escape!

But he was exposed, and he wasn't that thick-skinned, so he pretended to wake up and regain his balance.

He tried to ignore the stares around him and pretend nothing was wrong, but he had just cried so hard that his body's instinctive reaction was out of his control, and a line of clear snot slowly rolled down his nose.

He touched his sleeve and found only the dirty handkerchief that the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review had just given him.

He was prepared to make do with it, but Liao Hongsheng handed him his handkerchief.

Seeing that familiar handkerchief, he couldn't help but want to cry again.

But he is very clear-headed now and would never do such a shameful thing again!

He took the handkerchief from Liao Hongsheng's hand.

All these years later, Liao Hongsheng still keeps this handkerchief very well. It was embroidered for him by his wife when she was ill. He carries it with him but never uses it.

But this time, he actually took out his own treasure and gave it to him. Waaah, he really hasn't changed!

However, Liao Hongsheng was horrified when he saw him raise his precious handkerchief, seemingly preparing to wipe his nose.

Liao Hongsheng took out another handkerchief and explained, "I took the wrong one, I took the wrong one!"

At the same time, Duan Yunfeng turned his hand, preparing to return the handkerchief to him. This was Hongsheng's treasure; he couldn't let him ruin it.

Liao Hongsheng: ...

Duan Yunfeng: ...

The two silently exchanged handkerchiefs, both looking somewhat embarrassed.

Duan Yunfeng wiped his nose and cursed him inwardly for still being that bastard who valued women over friends. He had just shed so many tears for him, what an ingrate!

Finally, he composed himself, pursed his lips, and knelt down to plead guilty: "Your Majesty, I have been disrespectful before Your Majesty!"

When he first ran away, countless people watched him with mockery, but now that he has openly and honestly laid out his embarrassing moment, no one dares to laugh or joke anymore.

Thus, the awkward situation was resolved.

Some admire Duan Yunfeng's composure and openness, but there is also Zheng Xun who sees through everything.

[Haha, don't be fooled by Duan Yunfeng's good acting; he's actually digging his toes into the soles of his feet until they're practically raw!]

Yes, yes, as long as you're not embarrassed, it's others who are embarrassed.

However, this cold face is really useful. With a stern expression, no one can see through his thoughts. Hmm... I'll learn from him in the future.

Duan Yunfeng: ...

Princess, don't expose my struggles.

Princess, focus your energy on important people. There's no need to worry about whether he picks his toes or not.

Fortunately, Zheng Xun didn't go too far in his insults and didn't continue to tease him in his mind. Fengqin Hall gradually returned to normal.

Duan Yunfeng breathed a sigh of relief, optimistically thinking that the matter was over. Little did he know that he would be called "snotty-nosed" and "crybaby" whenever he argued with other court officials in the future.

The Minister of Rites waited for a while, and seeing that there would be no more trouble, he cautiously stretched out his foot.

Good, there was no crying.

He felt relieved.

Many people were appointed Minister of Personnel to the court, but many of them lost their positions or their lives due to their incompetence or misconduct.

Only the Ministry of Rites remained because of its awkward position.

Liao Hongsheng just mentioned it in the list, so he had to step forward to distance himself... oh no, I mean to make a statement.

He was spouting nonsense, and the emperor grew impatient with his words. So, after a few more sentences, seeing that the emperor had no intention of implicating him, he wisely withdrew.

Next, it was time for the ministers to perform.

After seeing so many people kicking someone when they're down and trying to protect themselves, it actually becomes kind of interesting.

The emperor remained silent, listening to everything before his gaze slowly fell upon the Minister of Personnel.

"Lu Youzu, is there anything you want to say?"

Lu Youzu bowed deeply, his initially bad mood becoming unusually calm after Duan Yunfeng cried like that.

Knowing he couldn't escape, he glanced at the Fifth Prince, then raised his hand and gave the Emperor a deep bow.

The Fifth Prince had almost hidden in a corner, but Lu Youzu's glance still made his scalp tingle.

Why are you looking at him?

It wasn't him who asked him to sell official positions; at most, he just kept quiet about it!

It's all just an act, does he really expect to go through thick and thin with him?

He was terrified of being dragged into this mess by Lü Youzu, and wished he could sever all ties with him on the spot.

But Lü Youzu didn't look at him again, nor did he mention him. Instead, he changed the subject and pointed the finger at Liao Hongsheng: "Your Majesty, I deserve to die, but Liao Hongsheng is also involved!"

He lowered his head and recounted the "evidence" he had gathered, knowing that others couldn't see his expression, but a smug look appeared on his lips without any restraint.

He had been preparing for years to bring down Liao Hongsheng, all to shift the blame onto him. He had all the evidence and witnesses in his possession, and the timeline was flawless.

Liao Hongsheng's evidence was comprehensive, but Lu Youzu's slander was equally irrefutable.

He's going to die, but Liao Hongsheng won't escape either!

Unfortunately, despite his meticulous planning, he overlooked Zheng Xun.

Zheng Xun cursed him in his heart, and then opened the skylight.

The enormous screen instantly filled Lu Youzu's large face, revealing his pimples, malice, and smug smile.

Because his appearance was so ugly, he even frightened several innocent ministers.