Chapter 180: Chapter 180: The Brother-in-law’s Combat Power
It seemed the aloof arrogance of scholars was a perennial headache for rulers.
And right now, Ming Chengyu was clearly one such headache for Li Yun.
What’s more, the man’s status was quite unique.
If it were anyone else, why would Li Yun waste time playing games? But this blockhead before him just had to be Ming Lingyi’s brother. Worse, it was Ming Chengyu, who was displeased with him precisely because of Ming Lingyi. So no matter how frustrated Li Yun felt, he could only suppress it.
"Brother Chengyu." Even after ascending the throne as Emperor Jing’an of the Dayan Dynasty, Li Yun still used the same form of address from their time at the border whenever he met Ming Chengyu in private. The same was true now. Li Yun looked at the man blocking his path. "It’s been a long time. I have summoned you to the palace many times, but it seems Brother Chengyu has always been too busy to see me."
Ming Chengyu’s lips twitched into a sneer. "We haven’t seen each other in years, yet Your Majesty has become even better at making excuses to keep up appearances."
’To twist his public refusal into being "too busy"... The more Ming Chengyu looked at Li Yun, the more he felt this man was the very definition of hypocrisy.’
Li Yun let out a short, humorless laugh, making it impossible to tell whether he was angry.
"You jest, Brother Chengyu," Li Yun said calmly. "A man cannot live in blissful ignorance forever. Otherwise, he won’t even know how he ended up on the executioner’s block, will he?"
His words instantly created a sense of a gathering storm.
Ming Chengyu’s expression remained unchanged. "What Your Majesty says is, of course, very reasonable. But this commoner believes there is no harm in staying naive by living far from conflict, as a simple farmer. To eat from the fields you till and wear the clothes you weave—such a naive life is completely different from Your Majesty’s world of wealth and luxury. I think Yuan Niang would be willing, too."
Those words successfully made Li Yun’s expression darken.
How could Li Yun not understand? Ming Chengyu was telling him that one day, he would take Ming Lingyi away, severing all ties between her and him.
Li Yun could tolerate many things, but not this. He couldn’t stand it one bit. Even now, with Ming Lingyi still by his side, he couldn’t bear to hear someone even suggest taking her away from him.
"How dare you!" Li Yun exploded with rage.
At the Emperor’s fury, the surrounding Black Armor Guards moved as one. The cold clang of their armor echoed through the corridor connecting the restaurant to the backyard, making the air even colder.
It was enough to send a chill down one’s spine for no reason.
Though their swords were not yet drawn, the tense, confrontational atmosphere was already overwhelming.
Unlike the useless, spineless members of the Xie family, Ming Chengyu was able to remain unfazed in the face of such a Li Yun.
"Even if Your Majesty tries to stop me, this is something this commoner must do. Besides, on what grounds would Your Majesty prevent a law-abiding citizen from leaving the Capital City? After all, Your Majesty, you are a wise and just ruler."
Just as Ming Lingyi rushed over, the first thing she heard was her brother’s remark, "you are a wise and just ruler," a statement absolutely dripping with sarcasm.
Ming Lingyi: "..."
’Sometimes, she felt her skill for provoking Li Yun to the brink of death might just be a family trait.’
In the previous dynasty, her own father had offended the former emperor with his blunt words, which resulted in their entire family being exiled to the border.
And now, it seemed she and Ming Chengyu were just as capable of making the mighty Emperor of a nation fume.
Li Yun opened his mouth, about to declare that Ming Lingyi was his officially wedded wife, when he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.
Li Yun knew that Ming Lingyi had always held her family to be of the utmost importance. If he continued to clash with Ming Chengyu at a time like this, there was no telling who Lingyi would end up siding with.
And so...
"Brother-in-law, if you’re going to take Yuan Niang away, then you might as well take me with you."
Ming Chengyu: "???"
’Is this man insane?!’
’What’s with this sudden show of weakness?’
Hearing this, Ming Lingyi was also stunned for a moment.
She walked up to them and shot her brother a confused look. Though she said nothing, her meaning was clear: she thought Li Yun must have been severely provoked to say something so desperate and reckless.
And who could have provoked him? Her brother, of course.
The moment Ming Chengyu saw Ming Lingyi appear, it dawned on him.
And so, after his initial shock, he was left speechless and frustrated.
He hadn’t seen him in five years. He had no idea Li Yun had become so utterly shameless.
’Those words just now... he must have been putting on an act for his sister!’
Ming Chengyu shot Li Yun a contemptuous look, his entire face conveying a single message—
’Yeah, keep up the act.’
Li Yun had already shifted his attention from him to Ming Lingyi’s face. "Tired?"
He could see the exhaustion in her expression.
Of course, Li Yun wasn’t about to bring up what Ming Chengyu had said in front of Ming Lingyi. He wasn’t confident. If he actually mentioned that Ming Chengyu wanted to take her away, he was afraid Ming Lingyi would immediately nod and agree.
Throughout his life, he had almost never lost a battle, simply because he never fought a battle he wasn’t prepared for and certain of winning.
Today was no different.
Ming Lingyi grunted in affirmation. "Don’t just stand here. If you have something to say, come inside."
Li Yun said to Ming Chengyu, "After you, Brother-in-law."
Ming Chengyu: "!!!"
’Who’s his brother-in-law?’
’How did this man get so shameless?’
Once they were in the backyard, Ming Lingyi sat at the stone table and poured two cups of tea. "How did you two run into each other?"
"The backyard of a lady’s private quarters is no place for an unrelated man to enter as he pleases," Ming Chengyu said first. "Even an Emperor should abide by rites and laws to set a good example for the people."
Ming Chengyu had just slapped Li Yun with a heavy accusation.
Not to be outdone, Li Yun retorted, "Brother-in-law, we’re all family. Why ask a question you already know the answer to?"
Hearing the grating title of "Brother-in-law" again and again, Ming Chengyu could no longer maintain his composure.
"This commoner wouldn’t dare claim to be family with the Emperor."
"And why not? Yuan Niang and I have already performed the wedding ceremony. You, Brother-in-law, are Yuan Niang’s older brother, which naturally makes you my older brother as well."
"This commoner wouldn’t dare presume such a connection. Your Majesty honors this commoner too much."
Listening to the two men bicker with their meaningless, barbed words, Ming Lingyi’s mouth twitched. They had been going at it for ages without saying a single meaningful thing.
"Both of you, shut up," Ming Lingyi couldn’t help but say.
Li Yun and Ming Chengyu both fell silent, but the glares they exchanged still seemed to be crackling with sparks.
’It wasn’t that Li Yun hadn’t considered getting along with his brother-in-law. But Ming Chengyu wouldn’t stop talking about taking Ming Lingyi away, so how could Li Yun possibly be in the mood to get along with him? It was already an act of mercy that he hadn’t ordered the man dragged outside the Capital City and forbidden from ever entering again!’
"Why did you come here today?" Ming Lingyi asked, looking directly at Li Yun.
Li Yun’s expression was the picture of innocence. He had gone to great trouble to keep the restless Little Crown Prince occupied with his studies in the Eastern Palace, all so he could use the time to sneak out of the palace and be alone with Ming Lingyi.
Who knew that while he had managed to pin down his own son, he couldn’t pin down his brother-in-law?
The thought that Ming Chengyu had been staying in the adjacent backyard, placed there by Ming Lingyi herself ever since his return to the capital, was enough to make Li Yun burn with jealousy.
