Chapter 21

Well done, Zhou Tian, you are a subject of my Great Xia, yet you actually collude with the Sunlight Envoy!

Furthermore, you also intend to harm an important minister of my Great Xia; what are your intentions?

Yun Xiyue also took the opportunity to shout a rebuke, her eyes coldly fixed on Zhou Tian.

Princess, this is not the case!

Zhou Tian, no matter how you argue, This Palace will also report this matter to the Father Emperor, have him strip you of your post and investigate your crimes!

Zhou Tian was just about to explain when Yun Xiyue raised her voice again, cutting off his words.

Upon hearing Yun Xiyue's words, Zhou Tian felt as if a mouse had been stuffed into his mouth.

He couldn't swallow it down, nor could he spit it out.

Upon hearing Yun Xiyue say these words now, Zhou Tian's anger flared even more.

If Yun Xiyue really brings this matter before the emperor, then this matter will surely become very disadvantageous for her!

Yang Jun is slandering me; he's clearly framing me, trying to harm me! Seize him, arrest Yang Jun!

Zhou Tian was flustered and dissatisfied.

Raising his voice and shouting, Yang Jun laughed ha-ha, waved his hand, and immediately the palace guards beside him raised their crossbows.

Zhou Tian, do you dare?

Yun Xiyue looked at Zhou Tian and also gave a cold rebuke.

The Rizhao envoys harbor ill intentions; seize them for me!

Zhou Tian immediately changed his tone, speaking repeatedly.

Following his words, the city guards all raised their weapons, aiming at the Rizhao envoys.

Seeing this, Sang Jiegui felt like crying but had no tears.

What kind of pit have we fallen into?

It's a pity that everyone here seems unwilling to give these Sunshine people a chance; they were immediately arrested.

Soon after, Yang Jun, Zhou Tian, Yun Xiyue, and Sang Jiegui all arrived before Yun Fengyun's dragon throne.

Yun Fengyun looked at the people before him and couldn't help furrowing his brow.

Xiyue, you mean Zhou Tian colluded with the Sunshine envoys, intending harm against Yang Jun, and even surrounded the Pingxi Prince's Mansion, blades drawn?

Yun Fengyun widened his eyes; this matter seems somewhat unbelievable.

Such are the facts, Father Emperor; I beg you to uphold justice for Yang Jun and give him a fair verdict!

Yun Xiyue clasped her hands in request; Yun Fengyun let out a soft sigh and shook his head.

Xiyue, this matter must not be taken lightly...

Father Emperor, you have always been biased against Yang Jun; why treat him unfairly?

Yun Xiyue interrupted Yun Fengyun's words, shaking her head as she spoke.

Xiyue, it's not that I am biased against Yang Jun, but that you are biased against Zhou Tian.

That's why you target Zhou Tian, but his character is as clear to me as can be; he is absolutely loyal to our Great Xia and would never collude with Sunshine!

Yun Fengyun spoke, his attitude resolute.

Even so, Yang Jun is even less likely to collude with the Sunshine envoy group; otherwise he wouldn't have spoken against them in the grand hall!

Yun Xiyue stood even more firmly on Yang Jun's side.

It seems there may be some misunderstanding after all.

Yun Fengyun nodded lightly; as he spoke, his gaze swept over Yang Jun and Zhou.

Whether there is a misunderstanding or not, to Yun Fengyun it's actually insignificant, not even worth considering.

On the contrary, it seems this incident could be used to his advantage.

If we could capture the Sunshine envoy group, this would be a good thing for Great Xia.

Capturing the Sunshine envoys and pinning the blame on them would let Great Xia establish its prestige.

After establishing prestige, an even better outcome would be that in future negotiations, Great Xia could use this to amend unfavorable terms and gain greater advantage.

Thinking of these things, Yun Fengyun also nodded lightly.

At the same time, in his heart he made a firm decision regarding this matter.

He also already knew how to proceed next.

Father Emperor...

Alright, I am aware of this matter.

Yun Xiyue wanted to persuade again, but she never expected Yun Fengyun, with an extremely resolute posture, to wave his hand.

I decree that the Sunshine envoy group, without reporting, wandered about the capital without cause; their actions are indeed suspicious!

The most outrageous part is that it actually caused my two ministers to suspect each other.

Such conduct cannot be tolerated.

From today onward, confine the Sunshine envoys to the Honglu Temple; without permission, they are absolutely not allowed to leave!

Furthermore, have Yang Jun take the lead in investigating this matter and uncover the truth!

Yun Fengyun took a deep breath, raised his voice, and issued these orders.

As soon as Yun Fengyun spoke these words, it drew even more sideways glances from the crowd.

Zhou Tian, regarding this matter, wore a satisfied expression.

He understood that this was Yun Fengyun helping him.

Now it not only clears him of involvement in this matter,

and, most importantly, it brings Zhou Tian into the fold.

Don't look at Zhou Tian appearing on the surface to have been given an important task.

But this matter, however, is a hot potato.

If handled well, it's fine; if handled poorly, one could become a sinner of Great Xia.

After all, this is a major affair between states; diplomacy admits no trivial matters.

These matters are of great importance; a slight impropriety could easily lead to conflict between the two countries!

'Your Majesty perceives even the finest details and loves and protects your subjects; having such a wise ruler is indeed our blessing!'

Zhou Tian immediately stood up, and while clasping his hands, he even slapped flattery, making a pat-pat sound.

At that moment, his eyes glanced at Yang Jun.

'Young Lord Yang, why don't you quickly thank His Majesty for his trust and grace?'

'His Majesty has entrusted the handling of the Sangjie envoy to you; this is a rare, vast heavenly grace, and I hereby wish Young Lord Yang an early solution to the case.'

Zhou Tian looked at Yang Jun, speaking with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Yang Jun heard these words, seeing the situation develop to this point, his face turned grim.

【What damned heavenly grace? What is called trust?】

【This old emperor, his behavior is clearly setting a trap for me, making me take the blame!】

【It seems we must be even more careful; the emperor simply won't give me a chance to live in peace—such matters cannot be taken lightly!】

Yang Jun thought of these matters in his heart, feeling depressed and dissatisfied, he clasped his hands in a salute and left.

Yun Xiyue heard Yang Jun's inner voice, seeing his dejected appearance at that moment, her heart felt a pang of pity.

'Xi Yue, I still need to review memorials; go help me make some sweet soup—I love the sweet soup you make.'

Yun Fengyun gazed at Yun Xiyue and spoke.

This is his favorite invigorating soup; however, who would have thought that today, upon hearing Yun Fengyun's words, Yun Xiyue would let out a cold snort.

'Xi Yue?'

'Father Emperor, I'm feeling unwell; if you want it boiled, you go boil it yourself!'

Yun Xiyue left with a cold face, dropping a sentence and turning to walk away.