Chapter 669
: Zhu Biao's plan, the Jiaofangsi Fengluan Linde made a desperate move
The air in the hall seemed to be squeezed by an invisible giant hand.
It is so depressing that it makes people feel breathless, and it is as gloomy as the underworld.
Linde was in the situation, like a trapped beast.
I was entangled in many emotions, including fear, anger, unwillingness, and deep worry about my family, and I couldn't break free at all.
His heart seemed to be at the center of a raging whirlpool, and the calmness that he usually tried so hard to maintain was gone.
At this moment, it was like a fragile piece of ice, ruthlessly shattered by the whirlpool.
Linde's face was as pale as paper and his eyes were filled with panic.
Just like a frightened bird, it will tremble at the slightest disturbance.
His eyes were shifty, flashing with panic and fear, like a trapped animal that had lost its way in the darkness and was running around in panic.
Lind's lips couldn't stop trembling slightly, and that slight tremor seemed to be a silent cry of fear from deep in his heart, exposing his uneasiness.
At this moment, Linde knew very well that if he delayed for a moment, the thunder-like calamity would come in an instant and completely devour him and his family.
Finally, a series of names, like a flood breaking through a dam, poured out of Lind's mouth uncontrollably.
The owners of these names were all people with whom he had had grudges in the past.
Lind's words were rapid and flustered, like a string of cannonballs, and every word was filled with his anxiety and fear at the moment.
The voice echoed in the silent hall, as if it was also infected by the depressing atmosphere, with a hint of trembling.
As Lin De spoke, he secretly glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang's expression cautiously out of the corner of his eye.
In his eyes, every subtle change in Zhu Yuanzhang's facial expression was like a thunderous omen that foreshadowed wind and rain, determining the fate of him and his family.
At the same time, Lin De prayed silently in his heart: "Your Majesty must be discerning and believe what I say.
You must thoroughly investigate this matter and clear my name and my family's name!"
Although the prayer was not spoken out loud, it resounded like a drum in his heart.
“Your Majesty, the palace has been preparing for a grand celebration. The Ministry of Rites is responsible for the overall planning, and the Jiaofang Bureau is responsible for the performance.
The Minister of Rites, Zhao Xiuyong, deliberately made things difficult for me.
He made many unreasonable demands, such as shortening the rehearsal time and greatly increasing the difficulty of the performance.
It's obvious that they want to embarrass the Jiaofangsi and bring shame to your majesty."
Lin De paused, swallowed his saliva, and continued, "Although I was furious at the time, I still responded to him respectfully: 'Mr. Minister, I will do my best to fulfill your request.
But time is really tight, and the artists may not be able to reach the level expected by the adults in such a short time.
I hope you can reconsider and give me some more time. '"
"Humph!"
Lin De imitated Zhao Xiuyong's sneer at the time and continued, "But Zhao Xiuyong sneered and said, 'Lord Lin, this is a celebration that His Majesty values.
If the Jiaofangsi fails to do a good job, I'm afraid you won't be able to sit on the throne securely.'
I knew at that time that he was deliberately making things difficult for me, but I did not back down.
On the one hand, I arranged for the artists to intensify their training.
On the other hand, I used my connections to reveal the fact that Zhao Xiuyong was deliberately making things difficult for me to several ministers who were on good terms with me.
These ministers mentioned the matter to Your Majesty in a tactful manner in the court, and Your Majesty then ordered the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Music to negotiate a solution.
Zhao Xiuyong's plan to make things difficult for me failed, so he naturally hated me even more.
When Kunning Palace held a banquet this time, he must have bribed the dancers from the Music Bureau in an attempt to frame me.
I hope Your Majesty will understand this clearly!"
Lin De's impassioned speech was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, stirring up thousands of waves in this solemn palace. At this moment, Zhao Xiuyong, who was secretly summoned by Zhu Yuanzhang, just stepped into the palace.
Hearing Lind's accusation, his body suddenly froze, as if he had been hit by a sledgehammer.
The blood color on Zhao Xiuyong's face faded instantly, turning as blue as cold iron in winter, lifeless.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, and a sinister look flashed in his eyes.
Like a falcon hidden in the darkness, staring at Lind.
That gaze was so cold that it seemed to be able to freeze the air around it into ice.
Zhao Xiuyong's hands were originally hanging naturally, but at this moment they were unconsciously clenched into fists.
His knuckles turned white from the excessive force and were trembling slightly.
It seemed as if he was trying hard to suppress the rage boiling in his heart, and the hatred seemed to be about to burst out from between his fists.
The atmosphere in the entire hall became more solemn and the temperature seemed to drop a bit because of Zhao Xiuyong's change.
In fact, during the preparations for the previous celebrations, Zhao Xiuyong made things difficult for Lin De not just because he was narrow-minded.
Zhao Xiuyong had always been dissatisfied with the status of the Jiaofangsi in the palace. He felt that the artists in the Jiaofangsi were just playthings for people's entertainment, but they could get the attention and rewards of Zhu Yuanzhang.
This made him, as the Minister of Rites, burn with jealousy.
Furthermore, Zhao Xiuyong knew very well that Lin De had made friends with many ministers in the palace, and the power of these ministers posed a potential threat to his position in the Ministry of Rites.
Zhao Xiuyong was worried that Lin De would use these connections to rise rapidly in the court, thus affecting his own career.
So when preparing for the celebration, Zhao Xiuyong wanted to give Lin De a warning and let him know how powerful he was.
When Lin De responded to his unreasonable request with a respectful look, Zhao Xiuyong was secretly proud of himself, thinking that Lin De would give in.
Unexpectedly, Lin De would reveal this matter to Zhu Yuanzhang through his connections.
Not only did his plan fail, but he also lost face in front of everyone.
From then on, Zhao Xiuyong's hatred for Lin De grew wildly like weeds.
Naturally, he would not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at the banquet in Kunning Palace and was determined to kill Lin De.
At this moment, Zhao Xiuyong faced Linde's accusations. Although he was in turmoil, he pretended to be calm on the surface.
He took a deep breath, tried to calm himself, and slowly took a step forward.
This step seemed steady, but it carried a hint of subtle stiffness.
Zhao Xiuyong raised his head slightly, trying to appear calm and composed.
However, his slightly trembling shoulders betrayed his inner nervousness.
Although Zhao Xiuyong pretended to be calm on his face, the panic that flashed in the depths of his eyes was still caught by someone who was paying attention.
"Your Majesty, Lin De is slandering me maliciously!
As the Minister of Rites, all my actions are in accordance with the etiquette norms of the court.
In order to ensure the smooth running of the celebration, there is absolutely no intention to deliberately make things difficult.
Linde himself was incompetent and unable to complete the task, but he put the blame on me.
The intention is so sinister and despicable!"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked solemn, turned his head to look at Lin De and said slowly: "As the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, Zhao Xiuyong is quite proficient in etiquette and rules.
Handling various etiquette matters can also demonstrate their professionalism.
Not only was he able to accurately arrange the processes and details of various large-scale celebrations, sacrificial ceremonies and other activities, but he also made many contributions to the etiquette norms of the court.
Besides, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites is a high-ranking official of the second rank, why would he bother with a lowly official like you of the ninth rank?" (End of this chapter)