Chu Lege's subordinates sacrificed two of Chu Yunlang's personal maids to protect Chu Lege.
As soon as he was released, without a second thought, he was determined to seek revenge.
He quickly learned that there would be a banquet after the enthronement ceremony.
This banquet would not only invite civil and military officials of the Daliang Dynasty but also foreign envoys like them.
After careful consideration and advice from his advisors, he quickly devised a plan to kill two birds with one stone.
"The Emperor's enthronement is a national celebration. My Emperor has recently obtained a scripture, said to be from a holy pilgrimage site, symbolizing auspiciousness and good fortune.
Your Majesty, please allow this humble envoy to present it."
Chu Lege spoke sincerely. Emperor Yongxing, unaware of his intentions, was pleased by the auspicious words and instructed him to proceed with the presentation.
Chu Lege's offering was presented in a nanmu wood box inlaid with pearls and gems.
Even before it was opened, the box itself exuded an air of sophistication and refinement.
Emperor Yongxing, delighted, ordered it to be opened.
Chu Lege cast a triumphant glance in Shen Yun's direction and personally opened the box.
Inside lay a stack of sheepskin scrolls, their surface a pale, aged yellow.
They appeared to be ancient texts.
At this point, everyone was filled with curiosity.
They wanted to see what it was.
Chu Lege smiled enigmatically and took out a scroll. The sheepskin scroll was not large, only about two feet square.
It was densely covered with text, the characters quite large.
Emperor Yongxing's interest piqued, and he asked Chu Lege to present it so he could see what was written.
A eunuch presented the scroll, and Emperor Yongxing examined it carefully.
The characters were written in a flamboyant, calligraphic style, and they were not in Daliang's script. After scanning the entire scroll, he couldn't recognize a single character.
Emperor Yongxing was not one to be overly modest or believe that his status as Emperor meant he should know everything. He wasn't afraid to admit when he didn't know something.
He racked his brain for any recognition, but failing that, he instructed the eunuch to pass it down.
He wanted the civil and military officials below to examine it.
He refused to believe that.
Daliang was vast and prosperous, and the imperial court was a gathering of the most learned scholars in the land.
Surely, they wouldn't fail to recognize the script of such a small, distant country.
Emperor Yongxing generously invited everyone to try and decipher it.
The sheepskin scroll was passed down.
The first to receive it were the First Prince, enfeoffed as Prince Zhou, and the Second Prince, enfeoffed as Prince Chen, who were seated at the very front.
After examining it closely, they both shook their heads, indicating they did not recognize the script.
Emperor Yongxing was not disappointed by this.
After all, he knew his own sons well.
He was well aware of his two sons' circumstances.
The eldest son had always been by his side, but during the most crucial fifteen years of his life, he had been exiled.
He had not received the education befitting a prince.
At that time, having enough to eat in the borderlands was a luxury, let alone studying.
It was out of the question.
As for the second son, his scholarship was indeed good— "good" in comparison to his elder brother.
However, he too had lived amongst the common people, struggling to survive. His knowledge and talent were mostly acquired after he met Su Xiaoqi and from the books she provided.
Later, after entering the capital, he received instruction from tutors.
Without the guidance of renowned teachers in the early stages, Emperor Yongxing had not expected him to know the script.
He turned his gaze to Prince Ning, thinking that he had always been favored by the previous Emperor.
Furthermore, he was renowned for his extensive learning; surely, he would know.
Alas, he did not.
Emperor Yongxing then placed his hope on the scholars of the Hanlin Academy.
He hoped they could provide an answer.
However, they too shook their heads.
Then it was passed to the ministers of the Grand Secretariat, then to the Six Ministries...
As it went down the line, not a single person recognized it.
Chu Lege watched with amusement.
Hahaha, excellent. These Daliang people.
They were always so arrogant and haughty.
They believed that being born in Daliang, a land vast and abundant in resources, made them incredibly powerful.
They had always looked down upon them, the smaller nations scattered across the Jiuzhou Continent.
Now, with just a single item casually presented, they were utterly perplexed.
Hahaha, not a single one of them could understand the writing.
He longed to shout out loud to vent his excitement.
However, it was not yet the time.
The person he wished to deal with had not yet been dealt with.
The sheepskin scroll was passed around once more, and still, no one could decipher it.
Emperor Yongxing's face, initially filled with interest, now darkened considerably.
He was displeased, very displeased.
Chu Lege, noticing the sheepskin scroll being handed to Shen Yun, suddenly stood up and declared, "Your Majesty, Minister Shen will surely know."
Shen Yun's hands stiffened, and the sheepskin scroll in his grasp suddenly felt heavy.
Seeing Chu Lege present this item and then glare at him with hatred, he had anticipated that Chu Lege would target him.
But he hadn't expected him to do it in such a manner.
It seemed somewhat crude, yet strangely effective.
After all, the sheepskin scroll had already been passed around a significant portion of the hall.
Up to this point, no one had stepped forward to claim knowledge of it.
His Majesty, seated at the head of the hall, had transitioned from initial interest to an extremely displeased expression.
It was clear he was not happy.
In fact, no one was happy at the moment.
This so-called auspicious sheepskin scroll that Chu Lege had brought out today was likely something he had intended for no one to understand.
He was doing this deliberately.
How regrettable that they had initially believed he was genuinely presenting a gift.
His actions were not meant to shame any single person but the entire Daliang.
Yet, when everyone was unable to recognize the text, Chu Lege had voluntarily pointed out that someone here could.
And that person was Shen Yun!
Thus, all eyes turned to Shen Yun.
There were expectations, admiration, jealousy...
A myriad of gazes converged upon Shen Yun.
Shen Yun felt a pang of unease, but his expression remained calm and composed.
Su Xiaoqi sensed his inner turmoil and quietly reached out to hold his hand.
The distance between them closed, allowing her to see the characters written in the flamboyant style.
At first glance, she thought, "Hmm, these characters look rather familiar."
At the second glance, "Ah..."
Su Xiaoqi leaned in to get a better look.
Seeing her interest, Shen Yun moved the sheepskin scroll in front of her.
He couldn't recognize it anyway, and looking at it further would be pointless.
Su Xiaoqi had already recognized the script as English.
She was far too familiar with it.
She began to read, her eyes scanning the text rapidly.
After finishing, her expression became somewhat grim.
Tsk, what was all this written here?
And that scoundrel Chu Lege was truly vile, bringing out such a vulgar thing for people to see.
She could understand it, but if she understood it, would she dare to translate it in front of everyone, especially the Emperor?
She looked at Chu Lege, thinking what a truly despicable person he was.
Regardless of whether they understood it or not, it was a trap.
Shen Yun was exceptionally familiar with Su Xiaoqi, and judging by her expression, he knew she might understand.
He questioned her with his eyes: "Wife, do you understand?"
Su Xiaoqi nodded in confirmation.
Shen Yun's heart eased.
If his wife understood, it meant he would understand.
This way, Daliang wouldn't be embarrassed, and His Majesty wouldn't have to wear a black face.
He asked softly, "What does it say?"
Su Xiaoqi's face flushed, and after a moment's thought, she replied, "I can't say!"
Shen Yun raised his eyebrows slightly: "Wife, you must say."
"Husband, the meaning here is extremely... Why don't you think of some auspicious words and translate them? Anyway... Anyway, they don't recognize it."
Even if they did recognize it, who would dare to speak up?
Upon hearing Su Xiaoqi's words, Shen Yun's expression changed slightly.
It seemed his wife had indeed understood the text.
But the meaning was not at all what Chu Lege had claimed – something symbolizing auspiciousness.