In danger, he traveled through time to save her, and the black-bellied prince doted on her

Li Huaijin said in a deep voice:

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial here, and there is evidence that Minister Shen bribed the prefect of Yaozhou, provoked the war, displeased Nanzhao, and launched an invasion, and embezzled national taxes to make a lot of money."

The eunuch Gao presented the evidence to Emperor Ming. As the emperor read the words in front of him, his hands trembled a little, and he angrily cursed:

"This world belongs to my Li family, not your Shen family"

"Shen Yuzhong, you took the national tax money into your house and built a luxurious building."

"How dare you collude with the border guards, deliberately challenge us, and damage our city's troops and horses"

Shen Yuzhong understood Emperor Ming's temperament and said cunningly:

"Your Majesty, please spare my life. I did have correspondence with the prefect of Yaozhou, but he was my childhood friend. I just greeted him and did not collude with him. The pavilion was a surprise prepared by me for Your Majesty and Concubine Shen."

Emperor Ming was half-believing and half-doubting. Li Huaijin saw that he was hesitant and knew that with Concubine Shen around, it would be difficult to deal with Shen Yuzhong in a short time.

He didn't want to delay the battle on the front line, and the soldiers couldn't go hungry any longer, so he said:

"Your Majesty, the allocation of funds is urgent at the moment. Please allow me to investigate Shen Yuzhong's corruption."

Emperor Ming had no choice but to compromise and said, "Okay, Huai Jin, I'll do as you say. You will be responsible for this matter. You will allocate funds from the national treasury and investigate Shen Yuzhong's corruption."

"Regarding the truce with Nanzhao, let General Mu stay for a while longer and be vigilant at all times to see if Nanzhao is sincere before making any plans."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, as Emperor Ming was still a little conscious at this moment.

Emperor Ming asked again: "Who else wants to make a report?"

Mu Jinan knew that Emperor Ming asked Prime Minister Lin to govern the country most of the time, and he only came to court once with great difficulty. Before that, Prime Minister Lin wanted to summon An Xuan, but the emperor did not agree.

She knew that if she delayed any further, An Xuan might rebel soon, so she wanted to seize the opportunity and stand out:

"Your Majesty, I have a report. The Qique and Qixuan tribes are constantly fighting each other. An Xuan, the governor of Pinglu and Fanyang, has repeatedly reported victories in recent months. However, there are rumors among the people that An Xuan has the intention of rebellion. Please summon An Xuan to Chang'an to find out his intentions."

When it comes to An Xuan's affairs, many people still have the same opinion, including the two treacherous ministers Shen Yuzhong and Lin Xiang.

They knew that internal struggles for power were one thing, but if the world was in chaos and Shengguo was gone, what rights were there to fight for? An Xuan's power was gradually expanding and needed to be curbed as soon as possible.

Emperor Ming found it incredible that he did not perceive An Xuan's threat at all. Or perhaps he was careless and arrogant. He said leisurely:

"How could a Hu child rebel? You are overthinking it. There is no need to be suspicious."

Seeing that Emperor Ming was completely immersed in his own prosperous times and the prosperity of the past years, Mu Jinan said:

"In the past, the Qique and Qixuan tribes were law-abiding, but since An Xuan became the governor, the border has been in turmoil. I wonder if they are deliberately challenging him, hoping to gain rewards from His Majesty for their military achievements and expand their power."

Emperor Ming frowned and hesitated.

Lin Xiang stood up and said:

"Your Majesty, what Minister Mu said makes sense. I have also heard about it. This An Xuan also has close contacts with the Northern Guards. I am afraid he has rebellious intentions. Please summon him to Chang'an to find out the truth."

Mu Chen continued, "Your Majesty, I have fought with An Xuan several times before. This man is cunning and fickle, and has contacts with many tribes. He seems to have rebellious intentions. Please summon him, Your Majesty."

Nearly half of the court officials bowed and said, "I second the motion."

They said in unison: "I second the motion."

Those who had been standing by and watching also followed suit: "I second the motion."

The sound echoed throughout the hall.

Emperor Ming saw that so many people were suspicious of him, so he said:

"Then summon An Xuan to Chang'an. I want to see how many heads he has. How dare a Hu kid like him rebel?"

Everyone felt relieved and the hall returned to silence.

Emperor Ming suddenly remembered what Prince Rui Li Heng had mentioned that day, and said:

"Huai Jin, you are not young anymore, it is time to get married. Your father and mother are not around, so I will arrange a marriage for you. The imperial decree has been drafted."

Mu Jinan raised her eyes slightly, feeling complicated. She also wondered what his marriage had to do with her, so she lowered her head.

Li Huaijin was suddenly shocked. He felt uneasy and asked tentatively:

"Your Majesty, who are you referring to?"

Emperor Ming smiled and said, "Meng Ying, the daughter of Master Meng, is dignified, gentle, and intelligent. She is a perfect match for you."

Li Huaijin knelt down and bowed, looking up at Emperor Ming, and said firmly:

"Your Majesty, I do not wish to do so."

Master Meng, Meng Songqing, shook his head, looking somewhat displeased.

Emperor Ming did not tell him about this matter. His daughter was innocently granted marriage in the court but refused it. He was furious, but he could distinguish right from wrong and did not blame Li Huaijin.

Emperor Ming stood up. Last time Mu Jinan said he didn't want to, and today he heard Li Huaijin say he didn't want to, so he felt that they were disobedient, so he said angrily:

"The imperial edict has been drafted. I am the emperor, and my words are golden. Li Huaijin, do you want to disobey my order?"

Li Huaijin's dark pupils expressed his feelings without any hesitation. He knelt down and said:

"Your Majesty, I already have someone in my heart, and I will marry her in this life. Please forgive me for not being able to obey your order."

Mu Jinan lowered his head in embarrassment, holding his breath, his legs felt weak, and he was in a state of panic:

"Is he disobeying the order?"

Mu Chen glanced at Mu Jinan and saw that his daughter looked flustered with a frown on her face. Jiang Yanqing was extremely worried. Why would the marriage be granted suddenly? He felt that someone must be instigating this behind the scenes.

Emperor Ming pointed at Li Huaijin and said with dignity and a hint of intimidation:

"So you want to disobey the order?"

Li Huaijin lowered his eyes and said something that no one expected. He was clearly kneeling to disobey the order, but he was as proud as a winner and said:

"If Your Majesty forces me to marry, I will die."

Jiang Yanqing was shocked when he heard this, and thought to himself:

"Li Huaijin, how can you be so impulsive?"

Mu Jinan's heart seemed to stop beating, and she was at a loss. The emperor was moody and disobeying his order was a capital crime. She was angry and afraid, and worried in her heart:

"Li Huaijin, do you want to die? Saying these things will anger His Majesty. Can't you think of another way?"

Emperor Ming was so angry that he put one hand on his waist and the other on his forehead. He had a terrible headache and asked:

"Who is that woman? How dare she disobey the order for her?"

Li Huaijin lowered his eyes, raised his head, looked directly into Emperor Ming's eyes, and said in a resounding voice:

"Your Majesty, I expressed my feelings to her not long ago, but she has not yet agreed. If she is willing, she will be my princess. If she is not willing, I will never marry or have children in this life, and I will live alone until the end of my life."

Emperor Ming put down the hand that was supporting his forehead. He couldn't believe what he heard. He pointed at Li Huaijin and shouted angrily:

"You...are you going to piss me off to death? Ah...I haven't taken a fancy to you yet...and you still don't marry and have children? You are the royal blood of my Li family, so you should put your offspring first."

Emperor Ming walked back and forth in front of the dragon throne, looked at him, and said angrily:

"Do you still want to live alone for the rest of your life?"

"you you"

The high eunuch hurriedly supported Emperor Ming and advised:

"Your Majesty, be careful of the dragon's body"

Jiang Yin glanced at Li Heng. They had discussed this matter a long time ago and mentioned it to Emperor Ming. Out of sympathy for the early death of King Wei and the lack of anyone to raise King Liang, they asked Emperor Ming to grant the marriage in the name of caring for him.

Li Heng knew that Li Huaijin would definitely refuse, and wanted him to be killed for disobeying the order.

Jiang Yin said: "Your Majesty, the marriage was granted by imperial decree, but the King of Liang dared to disobey it. His crime is unforgivable."

Cui Hengling sneered, hoping to make Master Meng dissatisfied with Li Huaijin and take the opportunity to add fuel to the fire:

"Your Highness Prince Liang, Master Meng is very strict in raising his children. This marriage is a match made in heaven. Please admit your mistake to His Majesty."

Li Huaijin straightened his back, his eyes firm:

"Your Majesty, I cannot marry anyone else. I hope Your Majesty will calm down."

Emperor Ming sat on the dragon throne again without saying a word. No one dared to speak and there was silence.

After a while, Emperor Ming's eyes were deep and he said coldly:

"Li Huaijin, you disobeyed my order and you should be killed"

Mu Jinan didn't know why, but he couldn't control himself and suddenly knelt down:

"Your Majesty, please don't."

Emperor Ming did not think much about it and waved his hand, saying: "This matter has nothing to do with you. Anyone who dares to plead for mercy will be executed together with you."