"Your Majesty, Ye Zhen has committed all four crimes. This subject respectfully requests that Your Majesty punish Ye Zhen with extermination of his clan according to Great Zhou Law, to serve as a warning to others!"
Almost the moment Prince Li Ji Yuan's voice fell, Prince Zhen Ji Jie stepped forward in agreement.
"This subject seconds the motion!"
"This subject seconds the motion!"
One court official after another stepped forward to state their position. Some belonged to Prince Li's faction, some were simply voicing their stance on this matter, and still others were Ye Zhen's enemies.
For instance, Duke of Xinning Prefecture Gu Yan unexpectedly stepped out from the ranks at the first opportunity to second the motion, drawing countless sidelong glances from the ministers.
Ye Zhen's face was filled with icy severity. Just as he was about to strike back, Minister of War Ban Di suddenly stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, Prince Li, Prince Zhen, although Ye Zhen has committed four crimes, he has also rendered great merit! His crimes must be discussed, but his merits must be discussed as well."
At first glance, Minister of War Ban Di's words appeared to be speaking for Ye Zhen, lending him support.
When Ye Zhen first heard them, he wondered whether Ban Di had suddenly changed his ways—or whether he was truly handling matters impartially.
Beside him, Grand Celestial Master Wu Yu of the Heavenly Patrol Division frantically shot Ye Zhen meaningful looks.
Wu Yu had already heard the trap hidden within Ban Di's words.
However, as the Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long's hounds and hawks, the Heavenly Patrol Division most feared displaying any inclination in court.
Thus, even though he had seen through the trap, he could only pretend he knew nothing.
Ye Zhen had been away from courtly struggles for too