Debate on a Loyal Minister

"That old man Meng Ming Da! Talking about restoring our Da Jing's legitimate imperial family, it's nothing but feigning public service for private gain. If that Ling Hong Guang wasn't born of his maternal aunt, making him his maternal cousin, would he have supported Ling Hong Guang to ascend the throne? And yet he's praised by the world for his功劳 tái tạo vương thất."
Clearly, Lin Ru Lan was extremely displeased with Meng Ming Da. As she spoke these words, she gritted her teeth slightly, and her beautiful features twisted somewhat.
Compared to her agitation, Lin Xing Cheng appeared extremely calm. "No matter how Meng Ming Da feigned public service for private gain, his功劳 tái tạo vương thất Da Jing is still deserved."
The teacup in his hand was placed on the table with a soft 'clink.' Lin Xing Cheng's voice remained unhurried. "That year, Meng Ming Da led his army into the capital to aid the emperor. When Dan Hua Hui was killed, the nation was without a ruler. At that time, he held extremely high prestige in the army and the court, with great military power in his hands. If he had been ambitious, he could have taken this opportunity to ascend to the throne, and naturally, others would not have dared to object. But Meng Ming Da was not tempted by this."
"Regarding his choice to support Ling Hong Guang's ascension, he naturally had his own selfish motives, but even so, he was still a loyal minister."
Unfortunately, Lin Xing Cheng's fair assessment was not accepted by Lin Ru Lan. In fact, out of anger, her willow-like eyebrows shot up, and her expression darkened. "Are you refuting my words?"
The expression on Lin Xing Cheng's face remained unchanged, but his eyebrows drooped slightly, no longer looking at Lin Ru Lan. "This one would not dare."
Lin Ru Lan did not speak, her gaze fixed on the top of his head.
Her younger brother had hair as black as raven feathers, a quality many women could not match. At this moment, his black hair was neatly tied into a bun atop his head, adorned only with an ordinary green jade hairpin, without a crown. He wore a simple blue scholar's robe, yet even so, it could not conceal the noble and cold aura that subtly emanated from him.
Lin Ru Lan could not clearly articulate what she felt in her heart at this moment. Sometimes she felt that Lin Xing Cheng's calm and cold demeanor was a good thing; this was the bearing of one who accomplishes great things. But at other times, such as now, she felt that Lin Xing Cheng was so cold as to be unapproachable.
He always appeared flawless, often leaving her feeling helpless. But even so, she could not tolerate Lin Xing Cheng refuting or disobeying her, escaping her control. Therefore, Lin Ru Lan's expression grew even more severe, and she began to lecture Lin Xing Cheng.
"Even if Meng Ming Da did quell the rebellion that year, so what? What is Ling Hong Guang? He is merely a branch of our Da Jing imperial clan, yet he dared to ascend the throne. You are the true imperial nobility! This throne should rightfully be yours. Therefore, you should hate Meng Ming Da and Ling Hong Guang. In the future, when you ascend the throne, you must not spare either of them."
Lin Xing Cheng still kept his eyes down, not looking at Lin Ru Lan, and calmly replied with a "Yes."
Seeing this, Lin Ru Lan shifted to recounting how she had painstakingly fled the capital with Lin Xing Cheng that year when Dan Hua Hui rebelled. She spoke of how difficult it was for the two siblings, pursued by several groups of people during their escape. Finally, to preserve their lives, she had willingly debased herself, changed her name, and resigned herself to becoming a concubine to Xue Bo Ping.