Time Travel: Did My Sister-in-Law Get Slapped in the Face Today?

"Your Majesty!"

At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out.

Emperor Xianxian's face immediately turned cold. Who dared to interrupt him? They were truly courting death. However, he did not retaliate. He looked at the speaker coldly and saw that it was none other than Xu Ruyu, the newly appointed second-place scholar!

He stepped forward, knelt down, and said, "A general amnesty is a great act of grace from the emperor and father, but I believe that among the prisoners there are those who disrespect the immortals and deserve to die. If such people are also pardoned, it may displease the immortals!"

Emperor Xianxian was slightly moved and said, "Who does not respect immortals?"

Xu Ruyu was initially quite guilty, but when he saw the Emperor asking the question, he felt a surge of relief. He thought to himself that Mr. Zhu and the Third Prince were indeed brilliant strategists. If they wanted to kill Li Lan, they had to start with the charge of "disrespecting the immortals"!

Because welcoming immortals and cultivating the Dao is something the Emperor values ​​highly, anyone who violates this will surely die!

Xu Ruyu said:

"Li Lan, the exam cheater!"

These words caused a slight ripple throughout the room!

Lin Zheng's gaze instantly darkened, and he subconsciously looked towards the Third Prince, Li Guan.

Li Guan smiled slightly, simply watching the show with indifference!

Emperor Xianxian was surprised to hear the name Li Lan, a cold smile flashing in his eyes as he asked, "Oh? Li Lan disrespects immortals?"

Xu Ruyu said, "Yes, Your Majesty, this person harbored malicious intentions in his new examination essay, 'Five Vermin,' which satirized Your Majesty's pursuit of immortality. This shows that this person's intentions are wicked and he will surely be disliked by the immortals..."

He immediately began to explain some of the sentences in Li Lan's article "Five Vermin".

All the officials and civil servants shook their heads in secret. Although Li Lan was involved in corruption, his article had been widely circulated in the capital and had already amazed the great scholars of the court. Xu Ruyu's explanation was basically far-fetched and a distortion of the meaning.

But everyone remained silent.

After all, no one can be sure what the Emperor is thinking. If he really blames Li Lan for this, and you defend Li Lan, you might be labeled as an accomplice!

"Your Majesty, a general amnesty is hereby granted, but Li Lan must not be pardoned. This man cheated in the examination, which has already shaken the foundation of the country. He has also slandered the immortals, committing a grave crime of disrespect. Before the amnesty is granted, he must be executed first!"

Xu Ruyu spoke heavily.

"Father,"

Suddenly, a voice rang out, and all the ministers turned to look. It was none other than the eldest prince, Li Yue, who stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your subject believes that Xu Ruyu's words were not the original intention of Li Lan's article. If Li Lan had no intention of slandering the immortal, but was falsely accused and died because of it, then the immortal would probably be angry!"

Li Lan was also surprised; he hadn't expected the eldest prince to speak up for him.

He understood, of course, that the Crown Prince was trying to win him over, but at this time, daring to extend such an olive branch to Li Lan was also taking a huge risk.

Not only Li Lan, but everyone else was also moved. Was it worth risking offending the emperor to speak up for Li Lan?

“Father, Li Lan truly deserves to be executed! His 'Five Vermin' essay may not have intended to insult the immortals, but since such rumors are circulating in the world, even if Li Lan did not, he should still be killed. Only in this way can we demonstrate our sincere devotion to welcoming the immortals!”

Li Guan also spoke up: "Li Lan's crime is fabricated, and he deserves to die!"

Even if it's fabricated, he should still be killed!

Upon hearing his words, the officials' expressions changed, and Lin Zheng even raised an eyebrow, realizing that Li Guan's move was the real killer move!

Given Emperor Xianxian's exceptional intelligence, he couldn't possibly be unaware that Xu Ruyu's words were not credible, but the reasons given by Li Guan made it impossible for him to refuse.

Regardless of whether Li Lan has insulted the immortals or not, such rumors are already circulating in the capital. So, does it even matter whether Li Lan has or not?

As the one who welcomed the immortals, the most important thing for the Emperor Xianxian was his attitude.

If Li Lan is not killed, will the immortals perceive his pursuit of the Dao as insincere?

"What the Third Prince says is absolutely right! Since Li Lan has such a bad reputation, he deserves to be executed!"

"If those who cheat in the imperial examinations are not executed, it will be detrimental to the country; if those who insult the immortals and belittle the emperor are not killed, it will not be enough to show our piety!"

"Your Majesty, please execute this traitor immediately!"

Those ministers who had previously criticized Lin Zheng in court seized the opportunity to echo his sentiments, and the room was filled with noise!