Chapter 1301: Not a Small Background

Ye Liuyun felt a bit regretful.

Emperor Xia seemed to be intentionally covering for the person behind, preparing to sacrifice the pawn to protect the chariot.

His clone immediately contacted Zhuge Feiyu and Xia Tianqiong.

"I think you should stop forcing it. That person's status must be notable; otherwise Emperor Xia wouldn't be covering for him!" Zhuge Feiyu analyzed.

"Who could it be? Only the Grand Emperor could be protected by the father emperor like this! But Grand Emperor has been in seclusion, not involving himself in worldly affairs!" Xia Tianqiong also couldn't guess whom Emperor Xia was shielding.

"Let's do it this way for now!" Ye Liuyun also prepared to adopt Zhuge Feiyu's suggestion.

Since that person is so important to Emperor Xia, and Emperor Xia is determined not to hand him over, there's nothing he can do.

Perhaps find a way out and punish the scapegoat, and call it a day.

At this moment, Emperor Xia said to Xiao Yuhong: "As the Grand Minister of Military Affairs, you cannot, under any circumstances, mobilize the Imperial Court's army for personal revenge. I have already promised Prince Yonglie to handle this impartially. According to Imperial Court law, your offense is a grave crime and should..."

"Confiscate the household and annihilate the clan" the four words hovered on Emperor Xia's lips, but he did not utter them, instead looking at the other ministers.

The ministers instantly understood and began pleading on Xiao Yuhong's behalf.

"Your Majesty, show mercy! Xiao Yuhong has served the Imperial Court for many years; although he committed a serious mistake, he should be punished lightly!"

"Indeed! Lord Xiao has served the Imperial Court his whole life; perhaps strip him of his office and let him retire! It would show the Imperial Court's compassion and righteousness..."

"Yes! Since Lord Xiao has acknowledged his fault, perhaps fine him some Spirit Stones..."

Everyone chattered, making the punishment lighter and lighter.

Ye Liuyun watched their performance and felt like laughing inside.

Emperor Xia also pretended to be in a dilemma and asked Ye Liuyun: "Liuyun, how do you think this should be handled?"

Ye Liuyun held back his laugh and retorted: "According to Imperial Court law, what should be done?"

Emperor Xia, hearing that, understood Ye Liuyun's meaning—that he didn't want to let it end peacefully—so he didn't reply for a moment.

A minister, seeing Emperor Xia in difficulty, immediately stepped forward to defuse the situation.

"Prince Ye, to punish an entire family for one person's mistake seems overly harsh on a meritorious subject, doesn't it?"

Ye Liuyun sneered, retorting: "His single mistake caused three thousand of my soldiers to die—should they not be held accountable? Those soldiers killed the Foreign Tribe on the battlefield, which gave you a peaceful life; they are not meritorious subjects, should they die?"

"Prince Ye's words are valid! But now that it has come to this, further implicating the innocent and executing Imperial Court meritorious officials would be too cruel," another minister advised.

These people's tongues were very slick; they spoke in polished arguments.

If there was no reason, they'd cite the law; if the law was violated they'd invoke morality—anyway they always had an excuse.

Ye Liuyun couldn't argue with them and was too lazy to dispute.

He stood up directly and said to everyone present: "The Imperial Court's law wasn't set by me! Whatever you think is appropriate, do it; you don't need to ask me! Farewell!"

After speaking, he turned and left, even Emperor Xia no longer paid him any attention.

He hadn't found the hidden mastermind behind him; if he didn't punish the scapegoat soon, he couldn't swallow his anger.

He had already decided in his heart that if Emperor Xia didn't handle it properly, he would act himself and wipe out Xiao Yuhong's entire family.

Xiao Yuhong's family resides in the Imperial City. Ye Liuyun's clone has already sent a message to Qin Peng, ordering him to lead troops toward the Imperial City.

Emperor Xia still wants to protect the pawn and the chariot; such a good thing doesn't exist.

If he can endure this, the hidden mastermind behind Emperor Xia will become even more rampant.

Ye Liuyun left the palace directly, and Emperor Xia gave a helpless bitter smile, waved his hand to dismiss the ministers and left only Xiao Yuhong behind.

"It was the Supreme Emperor who ordered you, right?" Emperor Xia asked directly.

There were no outsiders now, and Xiao Yuhong directly admitted it.

"Yes."

"I really can't understand—how can a person in seclusion and cultivation have to clash with Ye Liuyun, that demon star?" Emperor Xia's words seemed like self-talk, yet also a question to Xiao Yuhong.

"I do not know either. Moreover, I have advised the Supreme Emperor that this approach might not harm Ye Liuyun. Yet the Supreme Emperor insists on doing so..." Xiao Yuhong explained.

Emperor Xia fell silent upon hearing that.

Although the Supreme Emperor has long abstained from politics, Emperor Xia thought the Supreme Emperor's ability should not be that low.

"What exactly does he intend to do behind the scenes?" Emperor Xia pondered in his mind.

According to normal analysis, the Supreme Emperor's actions aim to create a rift between Ye Liuyun and the Imperial Court.

But this outcome clearly offers no benefit to the Imperial Court.

Emperor Xia could not figure it out no matter how he thought.

Later, he sighed, realizing he must first resolve the immediate problem.

He said to Xiao Yuhong: "You know, that kid Ye Liuyun never engages in losing trades. Now that he can't find the mastermind, he's vented all his anger onto you. What do you think should be done?"

Emperor Xia, on the contrary, turned the question to Xiao Yuhong.

Xiao Yuhong let out a long sigh.

This matter is understood by Ye Liuyun, Emperor Xia, the Supreme Emperor, and himself.

He is the scapegoat!

And he's the one who must die!

"In my whole life I've enjoyed wealth and honor; I have no regrets. Alleviating the ruler's worries is a minister's duty. I only hope Emperor Xia can protect my family!" Xiao Yuhong said emotionally.

"Hmm, don't worry! When you return, tell your family to stay at home and not go out. No matter what Ye Liuyun does, he won't dare cause trouble in the Imperial City. Later I'll give him some benefits to make him leave the Imperial City, just don't bring the Underworld God again."

Emperor Xia's words amounted to an agreement with Xiao Yuhong.

However, he underestimated Ye Liuyun's temper.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! I will now return home to make arrangements!" Xiao Yuhong bid farewell to Emperor Xia, returning home with a sorrowful heart to settle affairs.

After leaving the palace, Ye Liuyun went straight to a tavern and stayed there, waiting for news on the Imperial Court's handling of Xiao Yuhong.

He wasn't worried that Xiao Yuhong would flee.

Even if Emperor Xia doesn't confiscate the household, he must at least deal with Xiao Yuhong!

Otherwise, Ye Liuyun would really suspect that this is Emperor Xia meddling behind the scenes.

"Who else could it be?" Ye Liuyun also mentally eliminated that behind-the-scenes figure one by one. "Not the Emperor, not the prince..."

"What about the retired emperor?" the clone reminded.

"Yeah! Although Tian Qiong said he's been in seclusion, but the last time the Underworld God came to the imperial capital, he also took action!" Ye Liuyun also said.

However, he quickly denied it: "That makes no sense! By doing that, he's obviously trying to create a rift between me and the imperial dynasty! What's in it for him?" Ye Liuyun also said.