This Imperial Audience was even more direct than everyone had expected.
The atmosphere grew even tenser, as though an invisible hand were tugging at everyone's heartstrings.
Everyone tried their best to restrain themselves from looking toward the royal family, as if a single glance would tie them to the royal family.
The Founding Duke's heart tightened. After taking a deep breath, he stepped forward and stood before the officials, facing the lofty Aurora God Emperor.
"This old servant greets Your Majesty. Please instruct me..." The Founding Duke spoke in a strange, tearful tone, and two tears fell after he finished speaking.
Before the Aurora God Emperor could say anything, the Founding Duke had already begun to cry.
He was obviously playing the victim.
The Aurora God Emperor had no choice but to set aside what he had intended to say and ask first, "Founding Duke, why are you weeping?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, turmoil has been brewing within and beyond the royal family lately. One misfortune after another has struck, leaving this old servant deeply worried. I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for the royal family. Someone has been causing trouble in secret, brazenly smashing Ling Xiao Zhi's statue and using his name to spout nonsense, thus bringing about this chain of disasters. Ling Xiao Zhi was a founding hero, and the royal family is descended from him. For many years, under Your Majesty's grace, the entire royal family has been able to continue its incense offerings. How can Your Majesty bear to see the royal family reduced to such a state?" The Founding Duke wiped away tears as he spoke.
Those tears had been well shed. They allowed the Founding Duke to seize the initiative and steer the subject in a direction more favorable to the royal family.