From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 356 A Turning Point in Yao Girl's Love Life: Finding Warmth Amidst Power Struggles

"Wait a minute——"

The sound was sharp and piercing, like a rusty saw tearing at my nerves.

I knew without turning around that it was Princess Mingyue, that persistent ghost.

Wen Chen and I stopped and turned around at the same time.

Princess Mingyue swayed her hips as she walked over, a fake smile on her face, a smile that was like a honey-coated knife, sweet yet dangerous.

"Sister Xiao Yao, why are you in such a hurry to leave? Did you do something wrong and are afraid of being exposed?" Her words were barbed, each one aimed precisely at me.

I took a deep breath, suppressing my anger, and coldly replied, "Your Highness is joking. I have done nothing wrong, what is there to be afraid of?"

"Oh? Is that so?" Princess Mingyue raised an eyebrow, her eyes scanning back and forth between me and Wen Chen, as if searching for some flaw. "But I've heard that someone is abusing the Emperor's favor and acting recklessly in court, even trying to win over General Wu with ulterior motives?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the hall fell silent. All eyes were on us, filled with curiosity, curiosity, schadenfreude... a mix of emotions that, like an invisible net, trapped me tightly.

I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug deep into my palms, but I felt no pain at all.

I cannot back down, much less show weakness.

"Your Highness must have misheard. General Wu and I were just having normal official business dealings. How could there be any ulterior motives?" I tried my best to make my voice sound calm and strong, but the slight tremor at the end betrayed my nervousness.

“Normal official business?” Princess Mingyue sneered, pressing on. “Xiao Yao, do you think everyone is a fool? You don’t know who General Wu is? He never participates in any partisan disputes, yet you’ve approached him time and time again. Isn’t that something you want to do?”

Her words were like pebbles, constantly hitting me, leaving me speechless.

Yes, I do want to win over General Wu, but that doesn't mean I have any ulterior motives.

I just want... to gain more support for myself, and to survive in this court full of intrigue and treachery.

But can I say these things? And if I do, who will believe me?

I felt powerless, like a bird trapped in a cage, unable to escape no matter how hard it struggled.

Just as I was about to suffocate, Wen Chen suddenly spoke up: "Your Highness, isn't it a bit too arbitrary of you to make such a conjecture out of thin air?"

His voice was deep and powerful, like a ray of warm sunshine in winter, dispelling the chill in my heart.

I looked at him in surprise. He was standing beside me, looking at Princess Mingyue with a firm gaze.

At that moment, I felt as if I had found someone to rely on, and I was no longer fighting alone.

Princess Mingyue clearly hadn't expected Wen Chen to speak up for me. She paused for a moment, then sneered, "Immortal Venerable Wen Chen, are you going to protect her? Have you also been bewitched by her?"

Wen Chen's face darkened, and his tone turned icy: "Your Highness, please watch your words! I am only stating the facts and do not wish for anyone to be unjustly slandered."

"Fine, let's stick to the facts!" Princess Mingyue said through gritted teeth. "Since that's the case, then please, Immortal Venerable Wen Chen, explain why Xiao Yao has gone to see General Wu time and time again?"

Wen Chen frowned slightly, as if he was also pondering this question.

I looked at him, my heart filled with trepidation.

I know this is a difficult question to answer, and a slight mistake could backfire.

Just then, a loud voice came from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, General Wu requests an audience!"

The sound was like a thunderclap, making the hall vibrate.

Everyone was stunned, including Princess Mingyue and me.

General Wu? Why would he come at this time?

My heart was filled with doubts, but more of anxieties.

I don't know whether General Wu's arrival is a blessing or a curse.

Emperor Xuantian sat high on his dragon throne and slowly spoke, his majestic voice echoing throughout the hall: "Summon."

I felt like my heart was about to jump out of my throat.

General Wu strode into the hall, his steps steady and powerful, each step feeling like it was treading on my heart.

His face was expressionless, revealing neither joy nor anger, but his deep eyes sent chills down one's spine.

He walked to the center of the hall, bowed to the Xuan Tian Emperor, and then... then he actually turned to me!

My heart suddenly started racing, and I almost stopped breathing.

General Wu's gaze was sharp and intense, fixed on me as if he wanted to see right through me.

I dared not meet his gaze, and could only lower my head, awaiting the judgment of fate.

"Xiao Yao," General Wu's voice was low and hoarse, each word seeming to be squeezed out from the depths of his throat, "Do you know your crime?"

I jerked my head up and stared at him in disbelief. What...what did he mean by that?

"General Wu, you..." I opened my mouth, but found that I couldn't say anything.

"Hmph, Xiao Yao, do you know your mistake!" General Wu completely ignored my confusion and instead roared loudly.

His eyes were like sharp blades, enveloping me completely, as if they were about to tear me apart at any moment.

Those around them turned to look at the scene, their eyes filled with doubt, confusion, and even schadenfreude.

Princess Mingyue smiled smugly, as if she had seen a defeated hen.

I felt the pressure coming from all around me, and my body began to tremble slightly, not from fear, but from resentment and grievance.

Why is this happening? What did I do wrong?

I bit my lip tightly to keep myself from making any sound, but tears still streamed down my face uncontrollably.

Just when I was feeling desperate, a figure blocked my way.

It is Wen Chen.

He stood in front of me like a mountain, shielding me from all the wind and rain.

"General Wu, what are you doing?" Wen Chen's voice was cold and stern, carrying an unquestionable air of authority.

General Wu looked at Wen Chen,

"None of my business?" Wen Chen sneered. "Xiao Yao is my person, how can I sit idly by?"

"Your people?" General Wu frowned deeply. "Immortal Venerable Wen Chen, what do you mean by this?"

"What do you mean?" Wen Chen's voice suddenly rose, tinged with anger. "General Wu, you keep saying Xiao Yao is guilty, but do you have any evidence?"

General Wu was intimidated by Wen Chen's imposing manner. He paused for a moment, then said, "Evidence? Of course! Someone witnessed Xiao Yao conspiring with Prime Minister Lin, intending to..."

"Enough!" Wen Chen interrupted General Wu sharply. He turned around, looked at me, his eyes filled with concern and worry. "Xiao Yao, tell him, did you do these things?"

Looking at Wen Chen, I could no longer hold back my tears, which streamed down my face.

I shook my head, choking back tears, and said, "I didn't... I really didn't..."

"Did you hear that?" Wen Chen turned to General Wu and said, word by word, "She said she didn't!"

General Wu looked at me and Wen Chen, seemingly not understanding why Wen Chen trusted me so much.

Just then, a cold voice came from the crowd: "General Wu, what are you waiting for? Quickly capture this witch!"

It is Prime Minister Lin.

He stood in the crowd, a sinister smile on his face, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

General Wu glanced at Prime Minister Lin, then at Wen Chen and me, his...

"General Wu, you mustn't be misled by such a villain! Xiao Yao has a criminal record!" Prime Minister Lin added fuel to the fire.

General Wu frowned again, staring intently at me as if making a final struggle.

Suddenly, a glint of light flashed in General Wu's eyes. He abruptly turned to look at Prime Minister Lin and shouted, "Prime Minister Lin, you..."

"General Wu, you must not be bewitched by such a villain! Xiao Yao has a criminal record!" Prime Minister Lin's cold voice echoed in the hall, like a sharp needle piercing my heart.

I felt a chill rise from the soles of my feet and instantly spread throughout my body.

General Wu's eyes swept back and forth between us, as if he were weighing something.

Just then, I suddenly felt a warm current surge into my heart.

I looked up and met Wen Chen's determined gaze.

I took a deep breath, and the unease and fear in my heart gradually subsided.

I know I can't let these despicable people succeed. I must stand up and prove my innocence with facts.

I straightened my back, resolutely raised my head, and looked at General Wu with piercing eyes: "General Wu, if we are to judge guilt, I believe I am innocent. But if we are to judge merit, I, Xiao Yao, have a clear conscience. I have long seen through these conspiracies and tricks. I am willing to publicly present my evidence here and let everyone witness the truth."

As soon as I finished speaking, a murmur arose in the hall.

Princess Mingyue's expression changed; she clearly hadn't expected me to be so bold.

A cold smile curled at the corner of her lips, as if she were waiting for my defeat.

I took out a carefully prepared scroll from my sleeve and slowly unrolled it.

That document contains evidence of a conspiracy between Prime Minister Lin and General Wu's subordinates; every single word was painstakingly collected by me.

I loudly proclaimed, "Prime Minister Lin, you think yourself so clever, but little do you know that I have your every move under my control. This record of the conspiracy proves that you colluded with General Wu's men, intending to overthrow the court."

I tossed the scroll to General Wu, who slowly unrolled it and carefully examined every detail.

The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense, and everyone held their breath, waiting for General Wu's reaction.

“Xiao Yao, your evidence is indeed conclusive, but I need more proof.” General Wu’s voice was calm and powerful, as if he were making an important decision.

My heart tightened slightly, but I didn't back down.

“If you don’t believe me, you can send someone to verify it again,” I said in a deep voice, my tone firm and unwavering.

I know this evidence is enough, but in order to completely crush those villains, I must leave no room for compromise.

General Wu nodded, then turned to Emperor Xuantian and said, "Your Majesty, what Xiao Yao said is true. I request that this matter be verified." Emperor Xuantian nodded slightly. I knew that at this moment, my efforts had been recognized.

Princess Mingyue and Prime Minister Lin's expressions turned extremely ugly. Princess Mingyue gritted her teeth and said, "Xiao Yao, you are nothing but a despicable person, how dare you be so arrogant!"

I gave a cold laugh, my gaze as icy as a blade: "A villain? I'd like to see who's pulling strings, who's plotting in the shadows, and who's betraying their word!"

The moment I finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall froze.

Emperor Xuantian's gaze swept over Princess Mingyue and Prime Minister Lin, and he said in a cold voice, "Guards, detain Princess Mingyue and Prime Minister Lin for the time being, and make a decision after the facts are clarified."

Several guards responded and took Princess Mingyue and Prime Minister Lin away.

An uproar erupted in the hall. Those forces that had originally united against me began to waver and cast complicated glances their way.

I took a deep breath, and an indescribable sense of accomplishment welled up inside me.

I know that at this moment, I have averted a crisis.

But I also understand that this is just the beginning, and there is still a long road ahead with many unknown challenges waiting for me.

Just as I was about to leave the main hall, a warm hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.

I turned around and met Wen Chen's deep eyes.

his

He spoke softly, his voice low and gentle: "Xiao Yao, you really... have impressed me greatly."

A warmth filled my heart, and all the grievances and bitterness vanished in that moment.

I replied softly, "Wen Chen, I..." Before I could finish speaking, his fingers gently pressed against my lips, his eyes filled with tenderness.

“Don’t say anything,” he whispered. “Let me protect you.”

I nodded, a warm feeling welling up inside me.

Just then, Wen Chen leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Xiao Yao, we still have a long way to go."

Suddenly, Emperor Xuantian spoke up, breaking the warm atmosphere: "Xiao Yao, you may step down now. I have important matters to attend to."

I was slightly taken aback, then nodded, and Wen Chen released my hand.

I turned and left the main hall, my heart filled with anticipation and hope.

I know that at this moment, our relationship has taken a subtle turn for the better.