Censor Han glared at the utterly unyielding Shen Qingping before him, his face flushed red with anger, yet he found himself momentarily at a loss for a retort.
After a long pause, Censor Han finally erupted in fury, "The blood of the Xiao Family is not the same as yours, Lord Shen! A mere scratch on your hand is nothing compared to the Xiao Family, whose fate is now under the scrutiny of the common people!"
"Oh? So the Xiao Family's blood is more precious than mine, Shen Qingping's?"
Shen Qingping let out a derisive laugh and seized Censor Han's wrist. "In that case, Censor Han, whose blood is more valuable—yours or the Xiao Family's?"
Seeing the murderous glint in Shen Qingping's eyes, Censor Han couldn't help but shudder.
The next moment, Shen Qingping dragged him toward the palace doors. "Since Censor Han is so concerned about the people, why not offer your own noble life in place of the Xiao Family today? That would solve everything, wouldn't it?"
As he was nearly pulled out of the hall, Censor Han panicked completely.
Was his argument not reasonable? Executing a member of the Xiao Family on New Year's Eve would only invite accusations of the Emperor's cruelty!
"Enough."
Emperor Yuanyou's voice cut through the tension, and Shen Qingping immediately halted.
"Tonight is the New Year's Eve banquet. Everyone, take your seats," Emperor Yuanyou said with an unreadable expression. "As for Censor Han's suggestion to spare the Xiao Family today—what do the rest of you think?"
With those words, the Emperor deftly shifted the invisible battlefield onto every official present.
The hall fell deathly silent.
The dancers, sensing the shift in mood, hastily withdrew. The assembled officials lowered their heads, none daring to speak first.
"If no one else will speak, Your Majesty, allow this humble official to voice an opinion."
Shen Qingping first bowed to Emperor Yuanyou before continuing, "Xiao Bingsheng was captured by my own hands. His accomplices were hunted down one by one under my command. For nearly forty years, these traitors hid under false identities, embezzling the people's wealth to secretly forge weapons and plot the overthrow of the Great Qi Dynasty."
"Such crimes warrant the execution of the Xiao Family's nine generations the moment evidence was secured. Executing them one by one has already granted them extra days of life. If anything, I believe this reflects Your Majesty's mercy."
Hearing Shen Qingping twist black into white, the officials couldn't help but twitch their lips in disbelief.
For the courtiers, it would be best if Emperor Yuanyou pardoned at least one member of the Xiao Family today.
Leaving the Xiao Family a way out meant leaving themselves a way out in the future.
Shen Qingping, who insisted on crushing the Xiao Family completely, had unwittingly positioned himself against the entire court.
"Prince Chu, what is your view?"
Suddenly called upon by Emperor Yuanyou, Prince Chu hurriedly rose to his feet. After hesitating for a long moment, his words finally came out as:
"Your Majesty, this son believes a one-day pardon for the Xiao Family would be harmless. I am willing to have this act of mercy widely publicized, so the people may praise Your Majesty's benevolence."
Hearing Prince Chu's words, more than half the officials in the hall nodded subtly in agreement.
A mere one-day reprieve on New Year's Eve would have no impact on the greater scheme—why refuse such a harmless gesture?
Emperor Yuanyou's expression remained inscrutable as he turned to Prince Qi. "Prince Qi, what do you think?"
"Your Majesty, I agree with Third Brother's words. Official Shen Qingping's recent actions have been excessively brutal. If this continues, it will not only tarnish the Shen family's reputation but also stir discontent among the people toward the court." Prince Qi pointed the accusation squarely at Shen Qingping.
Shen Qingping, however, acted as though he hadn't heard a word, casually brushing off nonexistent dust from his robes.
"Yanzheng, what do you think?" Emperor Yuanyou's gaze shifted toward Ping Prince's Mansion as he addressed Song Yanzheng.
Having studied under Censor Han, how could Song Yanzheng possibly contradict his mentor's stance?
Song Yanzheng rose to his feet and spoke, "Imperial Grandfather, though I am young, I understand the principle that cornering a dog will provoke its retaliation. Why not simply enjoy this New Year's Eve in peace?"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuanyou felt a sharp pain in his chest.
"Your Majesty, I implore you to issue an edict pardoning one member of the Xiao Family today as a gesture of imperial grace."
Seeing the majority side with him, Censor Han grew even more smug.
But in an instant, the situation took a drastic turn.
......
"To hell with your imperial grace!"
A deep, thunderous voice rang out as two figures—one large, one small—burst into the hall.
Song Yu didn’t even pause to greet Emperor Yuanyou before he seized Censor Han by the throat, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Not long ago, that scoundrel Xiao Bingsheng openly disrespected the Emperor—did Censor Han turn a blind eye to that?" Song Yu had overheard Censor Han’s dangerous words the moment he entered the hall, and now he was like a beast unleashed. "The Son of Heaven of the Great Qi Dynasty was insulted to his face, and you speak of grace?"
"It seems that in my absence from the capital, you corrupt officials have grown far too comfortable."
Emperor Yuanyou widened his eyes in disbelief, even rubbing them to confirm what he was seeing. Was he hallucinating?
Had that rascal really brought Ah Huan back for the New Year?
"May Imperial Grandfather live in peace and health!" Song Shihuan bounded toward Emperor Yuanyou like an eager cub, and the Emperor caught her in his arms, the pain in his chest vanishing instantly.
"Don’t be afraid, Imperial Grandfather. With Ah Huan and Father here, no one will dare bully you."
The courtiers nearly laughed at Song Shihuan’s words—how could the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, need protection?
Yet Emperor Yuanyou gently stroked her hair and replied,
"Good."
Seeing Song Yu and Song Shihuan return, Shen Qingping exhaled imperceptibly, his rigid demeanor softening as he slipped back into his usual carefree attitude.
In the center of the hall, Song Yu only released Censor Han when the man was on the verge of suffocation, as if granting him a mercy.
Then Song Yu strode up to Prince Chu, smiling as he asked, "What was Third Brother saying earlier? I arrived late and missed it."
"And Fourth Brother—did you also voice your opinion?"
"Ah, I nearly forgot Yanzheng. Why don’t you all repeat your words for me, one by one?"
Their faces flushed crimson, but under Song Yu’s interrogation, none could utter a single word.
"They all supported Censor Han’s stance," Shen Qingping chimed in, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle. "Prince Qi even claimed my methods were too brutal."
"Oh?"
Song Yu laughed, but the sound sent a chill down everyone’s spine.
Had they known Prince Qin would return today, they would never have dared agree with Censor Han.
After all, this was a man who played by no rules and held an exalted status. Even if he killed someone in front of a crowd, as long as he remained the legitimate son of the late empress, the Emperor would shield him.
Crash—
Song Yu overturned the dining table before them without hesitation.
"I’ll give you one more chance to reconsider your words," he said coldly.
"Anyone who supports Censor Han’s stance—step forward. Let me see who you are."
How dare they ruin his father’s peace on New Year’s Eve.
If they refused to let the old man have a good night, then none of them would.
