Chapter 630: Out of Control

Many in the Capital City had barely slept a wink. The high officials were all aware of what had transpired on Four-direction Mountain. Some remained silent, while others stayed up all night drafting memorials to the throne, accusing the Eighth Prince of grave disrespect.

Many other officials submitted memorials regarding Consort Yuan’s collusion with the enemy, imploring the Emperor to handle the matter in accordance with the laws of the nation.

The morning court session was unusually boisterous. Officials led by Prime Minister Gao declared that it was Ye Qianning’s honor to have died saving the Eighth Prince. They argued it was only natural for the scion of a court official to sacrifice their life for the royal family.

They claimed that Yuan Yintang, carrying a royal decree, had been conducting a search and rescue operation on Four-direction Mountain. When he encountered the Eighth Prince with Qian Fanji and his group, he could not be certain if the Prince was being held hostage, so it was reasonable for him to take action.

Besides, the Qian family had a prior history of treason and betraying the country.

Casualties were normal when swords were drawn. For the Qian, Gu, and Zhan families to publicly gang up on Yuan Yintang over a mere child was an insult to the royal family—a grave offense.

Consort Yuan had not colluded with East Shu; she was merely bewitched by the Princess of East Shu.

The opposing faction of officials held a view that was the complete opposite of Prime Minister Gao’s. They argued that Consort Yuan had always disliked the young lady of the General’s manor and had secretly ordered Yuan Yintang to abuse his power for personal revenge. To have an official’s family member shot and killed was already a capital crime.

Furthermore, Consort Yuan was not deceived. By setting fire to Four-direction Mountain, she had intended to silence all witnesses on the mountain.

The arsonists had already been apprehended. A search revealed them to be several eunuchs and members of the imperial guard. The evidence of Consort Yuan’s guilt was irrefutable. If such a malicious person were not punished, it would be an affront to divine justice.

Throughout all this, the Beili Emperor remained silent, watching the two factions argue ceaselessly.

Overnight, the situation had spiraled out of control, and he had yet to conceive of a suitable solution.

The court debate raged from dawn until noon. During this time, the officials learned that Dean Chen and the Qian family had renounced their citizenship, leaving them utterly shocked. But when they heard that the young lady of the General’s manor was forbidden from being buried on Beili soil, every official was struck dumb.

Both those who had opposed and those who had supported the various arguments stared at the Beili Emperor in shock. ’What has happened?’

The Emperor had actually issued such a cruel decree. The child was already dead, yet he wouldn’t even allow her to be laid to rest. Even Prime Minister Gao, who had always detested Ye Qianning, was rendered speechless.

The indignant voices from moments before died down. In that instant, they all thoroughly understood the meaning of "a monarch’s heartlessness."

"Your Majesty, Dean Chen is a man of great prestige and commands high respect. To revoke his citizenship is far too rash. We implore Your Majesty to reconsider."

"Your Majesty, reconsider."

Immediately, all the civil and military officials came to their senses and knelt. Even those who had been clamoring just moments ago were now on their knees.

"There is no room for discussion on this matter. Beili will not tolerate those who defy an imperial command," the Beili Emperor declared, his attitude firm. He also intended to use this incident as a warning to all: imperial authority was absolute.

"Your Majesty, what about Consort Yuan, then?" The head of the Ministry of Justice looked up, his tone laced with indignation. "The evidence is irrefutable, yet Your Majesty still refuses to act. The Eighth Prince is still being held at the prefectural office. Is Your Majesty waiting until you have lost the hearts of the people?"

"Dean Chen once saved Your Majesty’s life. Yet, because of Consort Yuan’s collusion with the enemy, Your Majesty has revoked the Dean’s citizenship while Consort Yuan remains perfectly safe. This humble official cannot accept such a punishment. We implore Your Majesty to treat all parties equally."

"We implore Your Majesty to treat all parties equally."

Prime Minister Gao and his faction no longer offered any defense. Instead, they joined the chorus, pleading for the Emperor to mete out severe punishment.

The Beili Emperor remained silent. All morning, he had watched the court officials debate below, only interjecting with a word or two. But after learning that Dean Chen had renounced his citizenship, the officials’ attitudes had become visibly united. This put the Beili Emperor on even higher alert.

Mr. Li approached from behind and discreetly handed the Beili Emperor a slip of paper.

The Beili Emperor took the note and opened it. His expression turned grim. ’To think the situation escalated so severely overnight.’