Everyone present looked at Chu Chen with surprise and suspicion.
What kind of surprise could there be at this moment? The soldiers who had gone out to fight had not yet returned. Was it too early to speak of surprises?
"Prime Minister Chu, you're not going to tell us that the surprise is a great victory, and the army is about to return in triumph, are you?"
The crowd sneered, their gazes towards Chu Chen rather unfriendly.
Chu Chen, however, shook his head firmly. "Of course not. What I am announcing is my marriage to the Regent."
Upon hearing this, the ministers present exchanged glances. Chu Chen had been betrothed to Princess Xin Yue before, but the wedding date was unknown. They hadn't expected the wedding to be so soon.
Guo Yong and others sneered inwardly, thinking that Chu Chen's wedding would likely not happen.
"The two armies will be back soon, and His Majesty will also be returning."
"When that time comes, I, Chu Chen, will marry the Princess, thus fulfilling a long-cherished wish."
"Once this matter is settled, I can better fight on the battlefield."
Chu Chen said with a smile to the ministers in the court.
Hearing this, everyone clasped their hands in congratulation.
"Congratulations to the Regent, congratulations to Prime Minister Chu, on your union. I will certainly be there to ask for a cup of wedding wine."
"The Regent and Prime Minister Chu are truly a match made in heaven, a perfect couple."
For a time, the ministers in the court congratulated Chu Chen and Li Xin Yue, who responded with smiles.
At this moment, naturally, some were displeased. Wu Sheng stepped forward and said, "Prime Minister Chu, your marriage to the Regent is a private matter, and I shouldn't comment. However, your tardiness today requires an explanation, otherwise, how can the people be convinced?"
"Moreover, the matter of you possibly fabricating military intelligence has not yet been resolved. It would be inappropriate to proceed with the wedding, wouldn't it? Otherwise, who in the world would be convinced?"
The crowd looked at Chu Chen awkwardly, waiting to see how he would handle it. Guo Yong and others exchanged glances, deciding to make their move against Chu Chen.
"The matter of tardiness is a trifle. I have a significant matter concerning Prime Minister Chu. I wonder if Prime Minister Chu dares to let me make it public?"
Guo Yong stepped forward, his expression rather sinister as he spoke to Chu Chen.
Chu Chen had prepared himself and was naturally not afraid.
"Speak. What is there that I, Chu Chen, dare not face? In your eyes, I, Chu Chen, am probably full of flaws. The biggest flaw is becoming Prime Minister at such a young age."
Guo Yong sneered and stepped forward. "Prime Minister Chu, do you remember the two messengers who came to report the news a few days ago?"
Chu Chen nodded slightly. "Of course, I remember. Weren't they already under surveillance by all of you? Have they escaped?"
Guo Yong sneered. "They haven't escaped, and they can't escape, because they have already been apprehended."
Upon hearing this, Chu Chen's expression changed slightly, and the faces of the ministers present also turned grim.
"Didn't we agree to investigate the truth after the army returned? Why are they arresting people now?"
"It's hard to say. Who knows what they're thinking? These fellows have been busy colluding these past few days, likely with ill intentions."
"Are they targeting Prime Minister Chu? Have they considered if they have the strength to do so?"
"Let's wait and see. What if they succeed? We'll observe the situation."
A group of ministers, unconcerned with their own affairs, were now waiting to watch the show.
Chu Chen snorted. "Why are they being arrested? They haven't committed any crime. You are setting up an illegal court."
Guo Yong scoffed. "Prime Minister Chu, you don't really think nothing has happened, do you?"
"You should know what you've done yourself."
"Those two were dispatched by you to spread false news and deceive the court. What crime should you be punished with?"
The crowd was stunned by this accusation. This was no small matter. There had been debate before, but now it was being declared as fact.
"Wait. You say I spread false news. What evidence do you have?"
"Without evidence, false accusation against me will lead to imprisonment." Chu Chen said coldly.
The other party spoke with such certainty, they must have a plan. Chu Chen could not let them off easily. It would be best to uproot these people this time.
Guo Yong nodded, still wearing a cold smile. "Of course, there is evidence. Bring the two prisoners forward."
As he spoke, there was movement outside. Two men, wearing brand-new prisoner uniforms but appearing extremely weak, were dragged in from outside the hall by two guards.
"These two are the messengers from that day. Esteemed ministers, they have confessed to being instructed by Prime Minister Chu to fabricate the victory report. If you don't believe me, you can ask them."
Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted. Many had been skeptical before, and most did not believe it, as Chu Chen had no reason to do something that would bring him no benefit and could easily be exposed. Now, seeing the state of the two messengers and hearing Guo Yong's words, the scales in their minds began to tip.
"I didn't expect Prime Minister Chu to do such a thing for a moment of face. Truly incorrigible."
"It might not be Prime Minister Chu. What if Guo Yong is framing him?"
"I don't think Guo Yong has the guts. If Prime Minister Chu hadn't done anything, he wouldn't dare to speak such nonsense."
"I also think Prime Minister Chu is truly going to fall this time."
"Impossible. Prime Minister Chu has always acted cautiously and meticulously. How could there be such a minor flaw? It must be fake."
"I also think it's fake, but would those two soldiers dare to frame the Prime Minister? Unless they want to die."
"Looking at the state of these two, they are not far from death."
"If His Majesty could return to preside, it would be good. With the Princess Regent now, Prime Minister Chu might not be punished."
The crowd discussed heatedly, but no conclusion was reached. Chu Chen stepped forward.
"Then let me question them first."
Chu Chen walked up to the two men and said calmly, "Do you two recognize me?"
The two messengers nodded, and said with some difficulty, "You are Marshal Chu."
Chu Chen looked at them with some surprise. The way they addressed him suggested they had served under him before.
"You say I ordered you to report false news. Is this true?"
The two messengers exchanged glances. Their expressions seemed pained. They wanted to shake their heads, but in the end, they could not maintain their resolve.
"Yes."