"Your Majesty, Nangong Yi's family has been taken into custody by the Ministry of Justice. We implore Your Majesty for mercy!"
Another elder minister stepped forward. She was Nangong Yi's mother, who had witnessed Nangong Yi's prowess at a palace banquet and thus pleaded for him.
The Emperor pondered for a moment before nodding. "Very well, spare their lives for now. A final decision will be made after the facts are fully investigated."
"Yes," the elder ministers replied, breathing a sigh of relief. Fortunately, His Majesty had not completely dismissed Nangong Yi!
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Minister of Justice requests an audience!"
"Summon him," the Emperor said indifferently. The Ministry of Justice, responsible for the realm's criminal affairs, had always been at odds with them. This visit surely boded no good.
Soon, the Minister of Justice arrived at the imperial study. He bowed to the Emperor. "Your servant greets Your Majesty."
"Speak your business," the Emperor waved his hand, signaling the Minister of Justice to state his purpose.
The Minister of Justice hesitated for a moment before saying, "According to my investigation, the case of Nangong Yi's rebellion was not instigated by anyone else, but was Nangong Yi's own doing."
"What?" The Emperor's pupils contracted sharply, and he exclaimed, "Nangong Yi rebelled on his own initiative?"
Chu Chen nodded and continued, "As far as I know, two months ago, Nangong Yi led his troops to Eastern City to quell the rebels. They were ambushed, and his entire army was wiped out. Except for a few deputy generals who miraculously survived, all other soldiers perished on the battlefield."
"In his rage, Nangong Yi led his army back to the Nangong family, attempting to overthrow the entire clan. However, he was ambushed, suffering heavy losses, and was eventually forced into seclusion to cultivate, daring not to show his face."
The Emperor's gaze flickered. He had never imagined that Nangong Yi's plan would be exposed. He sighed, "I never thought he was such a wolf with ambitions."
The Minister of Justice said, "To be frank, Your Majesty, while in seclusion, Nangong Yi had already planned all of this. He intended to intercept Your Majesty on the way, planning to replace you."
"Is he mad?" The Emperor was profoundly shocked. He never expected Nangong Yi would dare to harm him.
The Minister of Justice shook his head and said gravely, "This was Nangong Yi's plan. He intended to usurp the throne."
"Despicable!" The Emperor was furious. He slammed the table and stood up abruptly, shouting, "Guards!"
"We are here." Two shadowy figures appeared out of thin air in the imperial study, kneeling on one knee with solemn expressions, awaiting the Emperor's command.
"Issue my decree: Nangong Yi is to be beheaded and displayed as a warning!"
Upon receiving the order, Chu Chen clasped his fists. "Your servant obeys." Before his voice faded, the two shadowy figures vanished as if they had never appeared.
A sneer curved the Minister of Justice's lips. "Your Majesty, while Nangong Yi may not be a threat, he is, after all, connected to the Four Great Empires. If Your Majesty rashly executes Nangong Yi, it may cause a huge uproar!"
The Emperor frowned and asked, "What does my esteemed minister suggest?"
"In my humble opinion, it would be best to hand this matter over to the Grand Commandant. Let him step forward to spare Nangong Yi's life." The Grand Commandant, as the Prime Minister, held a position second only to the Emperor. It was most fitting for him to judge Nangong Yi's crimes.
"Very well, let it be as my esteemed minister has said. Inform the Grand Commandant to punish the culprit severely. I want him to wish he were dead!" A cold glint flashed in the Emperor's eyes, and he gritted his teeth.
"Yes," the Minister of Justice replied and then bowed and withdrew from the imperial study.
After the Minister of Justice left, the Emperor fell into silence. After a long while, he sighed, "I hope the Nangong clan does not blame me. I was forced into this."
"Rumble—"
Suddenly, lightning flashed and thunder roared across the sky. A fierce wind whipped up, and dark clouds churned, as if the end of the world had arrived.
"What... what is happening?" The Emperor looked up at the sky, his face slightly pale, and murmured, "It seems a heavy rain is coming."
At this moment, Chu Chen was on his way back to the Ministry of Justice, his expression quite grim. He had already received news that the Minister of Justice had sent Nangong Yi's family to the Ministry of Justice. He was extremely worried, fearing that the Minister of Justice might do something detrimental to them.
"Alas, I hope the Nangong clan does not blame His Majesty!" Chu Chen whispered, a deep sense of guilt in his eyes.
The night was as dark as ink, making it impossible to see one's hand. The stars filled the sky.
Inside the Ministry of Justice prison, the lamplight was dim, and the air was filled with a stench of decay and blood. Nangong Yi lay on a pile of dry straw, his body extremely weak. His cloudy eyes scanned his surroundings. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and a cruel smile touched his lips. "This wretched place is truly foul."
"Bang!" Just then, a muffled sound suddenly rang out. Nangong Yi's expression changed drastically, and he quickly looked towards the entrance. A group of guards in armor rushed in.
"Who are you?" Nangong Yi asked warily, looking at the newcomers. He hadn't expected the Minister of Justice to find him so quickly; their speed exceeded his expectations.
"By order of His Majesty, you are to be brought to the Ministry of Justice and executed!" the leading guard captain said coldly.
"Hmph, execute me? Utterly wishful thinking!" Nangong Yi scoffed. He glanced at the dozens of guards and sneered, "Can you lot do anything to me?"
"Insolence!" The guard captain shouted sternly and said coldly, "Take him down!"
As soon as the words fell, dozens of guards immediately swarmed forward, instantly surrounding Nangong Yi in a tight formation, blocking all his escape routes.
"Are you trying to rebel? I am a prince!" Nangong Yi roared in fury. He, a man of stature, was about to become a prisoner!
"What if you are a prince?" the guard captain sneered. "You defied the imperial decree and attempted to assassinate the sovereign. You deserve death!"
"You will not frame me! I have done nothing!" Nangong Yi argued, though he had indeed not assassinated the Emperor, he would never admit to it.
"Since you refuse to confess, do not blame me for being harsh," the guard captain glanced at Nangong Yi coldly, waved his hand, and shouted, "Attack!"
Hearing the guard captain's command, over a dozen guards drew their sabers and slashed at Nangong Yi without mercy.
"You court death!" Nangong Yi cursed. He gripped his spear tightly and gave it a sudden shake. The spear transformed into a dazzling stream of light, sweeping out and sending over a dozen guards flying.
"Such immense strength!" The guard captain was greatly alarmed. He quickly drew his sword, stomped his foot, and charged forward, thrusting a vicious sword strike towards Nangong Yi's chest.
However, Nangong Yi did not even regard the guard captain. He casually swung his spear, accurately striking the guard captain's sword.
"Pfft!" The guard captain spat blood and flew backward, crashing into the wall before stopping. He fell to the ground, struggled for a moment, but was unable to stand up.