Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"My lord, see your majesty!"

"You two must be tired from your long journey, please get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Inside the Taiji Hall, after Shen Lang and Ye Mo greeted the Empress and rose, they were about to report on the process of bestowing honors upon Jiang Chong when suddenly an official stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, your subject Zhang Yanchu has a memorial to present."

Jiang Mengxuan frowned slightly: "We will discuss the matter of reporting later. I have other important matters to discuss with the Duke of Zhenguo and Prime Minister Ye."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan showed no sign of backing down: "Your Majesty, the matter I wish to report concerns the Duke of Zhenguo."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang's expression tightened slightly, but he did not show any emotion.

But Jiang Mengxuan raised her voice: "I said no, this matter can be discussed later, now get out of my sight!"

Zhang Yanchu persisted, saying, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. As the imperial envoy, I must personally inquire with the Duke of Zhenguo about the reasons. This is a power Your Majesty has granted me!"

Jiang Mengxuan tried to stop them, but more officials stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, this matter has caused great panic in the city. Now that the Duke of Zhenguo has finally returned to court, it is time to ask him about it clearly."

"Your Majesty, if there is no reasonable explanation, not only the capital, but also the rest of the Great Chu will be filled with unease."

"Your Majesty, please allow Lord Zhang to inquire with the Duke of Zhenguo to clarify the matter and fulfill his duty as an official who speaks out."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan slammed her hand on the dragon throne: "What are you all trying to do? A coup? I said we'll discuss this later, don't you understand?"

Zhang Yanchu said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. The Emperor is a role model for the entire nation. I believe it is best to clarify this matter as soon as possible to avoid causing panic among the people."

"Somebody come!"

Jiang Mengxuan spoke up directly, and a squad of imperial guards instantly rushed into the hall.

"Zhang Yanchu has openly defied me in the main hall. Drag him out and give him thirty strokes of the cane!"

"As ordered!"

A somber atmosphere filled the hall, and everyone remained silent, not daring to utter a sound.

Tingwei immediately tried to pull Zhang Yanchu away.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yanchu exclaimed, "Your Majesty, I know that you are wise and powerful, and that you have deep affection for the Emperor."

"Your Majesty, I only wish to learn the truth of what happened back then. Do you truly wish to see a cannibalistic demon become the Emperor of my Great Chu?!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan flew into a rage. Her clear, cold voice rang out: "Imperial Guards! Drag Zhang Yanchu out of the Meridian Gate and beat him to death!"

"Wait a minute!"

Just then, Shen Lang spoke up.

“Your Majesty, since the matter mentioned by Lord Zhang is related to me, I must find out the reason. I beg Your Majesty to postpone the execution.”

"Shen Lang!"

A hint of nervousness flashed in Jiang Mengxuan's eyes.

But Shen Lang's eyes were unwavering: "Your Majesty, the duty of an official to speak out in court is to dare to speak out. Now, Lord Zhang is to be beaten to death before he has even explained the reasons. Who will dare to speak frankly in front of the palace in the future?"

I believe this is inappropriate. Moreover, since this matter concerns me, even if I am indeed at fault, I must be made aware of where I went wrong.

"Your Majesty, I urge you to allow Censor Zhang to explain himself more clearly."

Jiang Mengxuan frowned even more deeply.

However, upon meeting Shen Lang's calm gaze, he let out a soft sigh.

"Let him go."

Tingwei immediately released Zhang Yanchu.

After being freed from his restraints, Zhang Yanchu showed no gratitude towards Shen Lang, but simply cupped his hands and said, "Duke Zhenguo, please forgive me for any offense I may have caused today."

However, I still have doubts and need to hear your answer in person to be at ease.

I urge the Duke of Zhenguo not to conceal the truth, but to inform him truthfully, as this concerns His Majesty's reputation!

Shen Lang's voice was icy: "Lord Zhang, please speak frankly. I am all ears."

"Very well, then please tell the court officials in the hall the truth, in front of His Majesty! How exactly did you survive that month at Fengsui Fortress!"

The voice was extremely loud, making the entire Taiji Hall resonate.

Shen Lang was taken aback, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.

At this moment, Zhang Yanchu's face was full of anger, and he looked at Shen Lang as if he were a wild beast.

After a long silence, Shen Lang finally spoke slowly: "What exactly do you want to say?"

"Please tell us the truth, Duke Zhenguo! There was no water or food in Fengsui Fortress. How did you survive that month?"

"With powerful enemies lurking in the distance, how did the Duke of Zhenguo manage to hold out for a month without food or water, and with his generals? What did they rely on to sustain this?"

Zhang Yanchu pressed for answers repeatedly, creating an atmosphere so oppressive it was almost suffocating.

Seeing Shen Lang's face gradually darken, many people in the court felt a chill run down their spines.

Jiang Mengxuan clenched her hands tightly and looked nervously at Shen Lang.

"call--"

After a long while, Shen Lang exhaled a breath of stale air and replied in a cold voice, "I understand what Lord Zhang means."

Zhang Yanchu persisted, saying, "I request that the Duke of Zhenguo truthfully recount the events of that time!"

"Is it important?"

Shen Lang replied.

"How I and the ninety-nine men of the Sharp Knife Battalion spend this month inside the Beacon Tower is very important to you?"

Zhang Yanchu said, "Why doesn't the Duke of Zhenguo dare to answer my question directly?!"

"In one month, the elite vanguard battalion repelled 124 attacks by a powerful enemy."

"The three princes of Northern Yan and seventeen vanguard soldiers all died at the hands of the Sharp Knife Battalion, until I was the only one left to retreat!"

"You ask me how I survived? It was by teetering on the brink of death time and time again, crawling back over the blood and flesh of the enemy!"

With each sentence Shen Lang spoke, he took a step closer to Zhang Yanchu.

"These were the years of the Battle of Fengsui Fortress. My soldiers and I from the Vanguard Battalion spent those countless battles defending the city!"

"What exactly are you trying to say by asking these questions now!"

Zhang Yanchu felt the surging aura emanating from Shen Lang and couldn't help but take two steps back.

Cold sweat instantly soaked his back.

"You, you know that's not what I'm asking..."

"Then what else do you want to ask!"

Shen Lang pondered for a moment: "Are you questioning the soldiers of the Sharp Knife Battalion?"

Each of them gave their precious lives for this country and for the nation!

Not a single person betrayed their country, not a single person surrendered; they all died in battle atop the beacon tower!

With the roles reversed, Shen Lang instantly gained the upper hand, forcing Zhang Yan to take a step back.

Ye Mo and Jiang Mengxuan were both taken aback when they heard Shen Lang's reply.

The two knew that the Vanguard Battalion had surrendered en masse during the Battle of Fengsui Fortress, and that Shen Lang had decisively killed them with his own hands.

Shen Lang's words were clearly intended to protect the reputation of the ninety-nine elite soldiers and ensure that their families received the treatment they deserved.

This shows that Shen Lang is an extremely loyal and righteous person, not the cold and indifferent person he appears to be.

Jiang Mengxuan understands this all too well.

"Duke Zhenguo! That's not what I meant! I'm not questioning the soldiers' stance; they deserve respect for dying for their country. But what I want to know is..."

How have you treated these brothers who risked their lives for you! Where are their remains! Dare to tell?

Zhang Yanchu loudly defended himself.

Shen Lang: "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Shen Lang, have you eaten someone?!"

Zhang Yanchu finally asked the question everyone wanted to know.

"Without water or food, how did you survive those days? The beacon tower was desolate and barren."

Aside from cannibalism and blood-drinking, I really can't think of anything else that could keep you going.

Shen Lang was stunned and looked at Zhang Yanchu without saying a word, which was unusual for him.

Zhang Yanchu laughed and said, "What's wrong, Duke Zhenguo? Did I hit the nail on the head? It seems the rumors in the city are true. You really did survive by eating people!"

You are a man-eating demon, what right do you have to be the Emperor of Great Chu!

These words immediately caused an uproar in the hall.

Jiang Mengxuan was unusually flustered.

Just as Shen Lang was about to speak to stop Zhang Yanchu from continuing, he smiled.

"Hahaha!"

Shen Lang's laugh was so miserable that it instantly silenced the hall.

He shook his head and said, "Now I understand why the nation is in such dire straits."

"You turn a blind eye to the border soldiers' efforts to resist the invasion of the barbarians, and you also turn a blind eye to their deaths on the frontier, wrapped in their horsehide."

"You seem particularly interested in scenes of soldiers in dire straits, like cannibalism and blood-drinking—that's what you really enjoy talking about, isn't it?"

"Now, nothing I say will make a difference. After all, in your hearts, I, Shen Lang, am a man-eating demon, and no amount of explanation can change that."

"It's all about turning cause into effect. The truth doesn't matter. As long as you believe it to be true, then you've won."

"If all censors are like you, unable to distinguish right from wrong, then it is truly pathetic and lamentable!"

After Shen Lang finished speaking, he ignored the way everyone was looking at him and turned directly to the Empress.

"Your Majesty, I am tired. Please allow me to return to Shuixuan Residence to rest."