Chapter 532 270: The Incident

After three months of the Northern tour, the imperial carriage finally returned to the Capital City.

In the court, everything appeared as usual. The dispute between the North and South persisted. It couldn't be said that all was peaceful, but overall, there were not many changes.

Thus, several months passed.

In Yangxin Hall, Song Yu stood with hands clasped behind his back, silent for a long time.

What should be done, or not done, he had already done it all.

Logically, it seemed there was no turning back, with mistakes simply being compounded.

Yet within his heart, he still felt a tinge of hesitation.

To delay decision-making leads to greater chaos!

Those who accomplish great things must not fear decision-making or cling to life.

But he couldn't control himself, unable to resolve.

There was no way; he was a son of the Song Clan, raised in the Southern Lands, and he knew well the authority of that Ancestral God and its influence and control over the South, far beyond what he, an Abdicated Emperor, could compare.

Although King of Zhaoren spoke grandly, as if one edict could reverse the situation immediately, was it really that simple?

If it were that simple, then today, hiding and plotting in secret, it wouldn't be King of Zhaoren who was doing it.

Rationality told Song Yu that to ally with such a person could be summed up in four words.

The path to ruin!

But...

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"

Just as Song Yu was torn with indecision, a close attendant rushed in, exclaiming.

"Hmm!?"

Song Yu's heart jolted, his gaze tightened, and he asked, "What has happened to cause such panic?"

"Li, Li Feng has entered the palace, requesting to see Your Majesty!"

This attendant from the Northern Lands knelt down, speaking with a trembling voice.

"Li Feng?"

Song Yu frowned, "What is his purpose in coming here?"

"I don't know!"

The close attendant replied with a trembling voice, "But he is followed by a team of Ministry of Justice officials, looking fierce, and they come with ill intent!"

"Ministry of Justice officials!?"

Song Yu's gaze tightened, his expression completely changed.

But after all, a True Dragon is a True Dragon, and he quickly calmed down. His cold gaze revealed sharpness, cutting away all previous hesitation: "Let him wait in the Imperial Study, and summon Song Que, Wang An, Wang Shi, Yuann Zong, Fang Ming, and Zheng Song to Yangxin Hall to see me!"

"Yes!!!"

"..."

And so, moments later...

In the Imperial Study, Song Yu sat high above, with one person standing in attendance below—it was Li Feng, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

Song Yu looked at him, expression indifferent: "For what reason does the minister enter the palace?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty!"

Li Feng bowed, his voice calm: "I have heard that during the recent Northern tour, while passing through Jiujiang, a maid fell into the water and tragically drowned. Is this true?"

"..."

Song Yu looked at him, his voice without emotion: "This indeed happened."

Li Feng's expression did not change: "Then I request Your Majesty to open a case and investigate this matter."

Song Yu's gaze cold: "Why?"

Li Feng met his gaze: "Because the Inspection Bureau and the Demon Suppression Bureau previously reported that someone in the palace has been using Forbidden Evil Techniques to commit body destruction and the acts of Soul-Suppressing and Essence-Refining!"

"Hmm!?"

Song Yu's gaze sharpened, his right hand pressed onto the table: "Who dares to be so bold?"

"Consort Hui!"

Li Feng said in a deep voice, his words astonishing.

"..."

Song Yu was silent, his gaze shifting, wordless for a long time.

Li Feng, however, persisted: "I ask Your Majesty to issue a decree to open a case and investigate this matter."

Only then did Song Yu look up, eyes indifferent, his voice cold: "Do you have concrete evidence?"

"Only a few clues, but every deed leaves a trace, and it cannot be hidden from the heavens and earth or from the hearts of the people."

Li Feng's expression unchanged: "Therefore, I ask for a decree to open a case and hope Your Majesty will grant it. Let Consort Hui cooperate with the investigation. If she is not involved, I will bear the responsibility."

"..."

Song Yu looked at him, again silent, and only after a long time did he speak: "Li Feng, do you still see me as your Emperor?"

"Why does Your Majesty say that?"

Li Feng, expression unchanged: "In my eyes, Your Majesty exists, but the Great Zhou Kingdom's law is clear: if the Emperors break the law, they are subject to the same punishment as the common folk. I, as the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, have a judicial duty and cannot show favor. I also request Your Majesty not to overstep this boundary!"

"Boundary!?"

Song Yu's gaze sharpened, his words suddenly cold and harsh: "Are you threatening your Emperor?"

Li Feng's expression remained unchanged: "I am merely stating the facts!"

"Bang!!!"

Song Yu rose in anger, throwing a teacup that landed at Li Feng's feet, causing tea to splash everywhere: "If I refuse, then what?"

"Your Majesty!"

Li Feng looked at him, eyes cast with disappointment: "Do you truly intend to continue down the wrong path?"

"Wrong, what wrong have I made!?"

This question, as if touching a dragon's reverse scale, unleashed suppressed fear, breaking through mental defenses and transforming into raging fury: "I am the Emperor, the Venerable Emperor. I merely made a mistake and caused the death of a maid, but you insist on biting down. Is my achievement worth less than a maid's life, or are you acting under orders, wanting to render me powerless?"

"Bang!!!"

Having said that, he clapped his hands heavily, his eyes already reddening: "Do you still see me as your monarch?"

"Your Majesty!?"

Hearing this, Li Feng was taken aback: "Was this deed done by Your Majesty?"

"Hmph, stop pretending!"

Song Yu's cold snort, his anger even deeper: "What Inspection Bureau, what Demon Suppression Bureau, were they guided by the Evil God? What, he finally can't restrain himself and wants to sacrifice my True Dragon for his ambition to rule over the Human and Divine Realms, and to fulfill his scheme?"

"Evil God?"

Li Feng, upon hearing this, was taken aback, then realized, his expression bewildered and strangely gazing at Song Yu: "Your Majesty, do you know what you are doing?"

"Of course I know!"

Song Yu shouted sharply, but he spoke no further: "Guards!"

"Bang!!!"

Immediately, the door flew open, and Forbidden Guard Armor Soldiers entered in succession.

"Seize this treasonous official!"

"Yes!"

The soldiers obeyed and moved forward at once, ready to arrest Li Feng.

Li Feng did not panick, simply looking at Song Yu and uttering coldly: "Tyrant, you are insane, unworthy of the people, unfit to rule!"

"Take him away!"

Song Yu's gaze turned cold, his internal fury growing, but not arguing, his voice stern: "Beat him to death outside the hall!"