He was pleased inwardly.
But he still had to put on an act.
After all, he could not look too greedy.
He furrowed his brow.
His expression gradually darkened.
"Outrageous!"
He slammed his palm onto the desk.
That rebuke alone.
Made everyone shudder from head to toe.
The clamor in the hall instantly subsided.
Li Xinge looked at those below the dais, his tone three parts sternness and seven parts anger.
"The office of Governor is bestowed by the court, by His Majesty! How dare you hand it over among yourselves as though it were some childish game?!"
"I am the Marquis of Chu, invested by the court and His Majesty! My family has enjoyed imperial favor for generations. How could I commit such an act of usurpation?"
"Your actions would brand me disloyal and unrighteous!"
"Take the seal back at once!"
He waved a hand and turned his head aside.
As though he could not bear to look at these "treacherous ministers and rebels."
Seeing Li Xinge reject them so sternly.
Everyone exchanged glances.
But a sharp gleam flashed through the eyes of that old fox, Cui Yuan.
He knew it was his turn to take the stage.
"My Lord, you are mistaken!"
Cui Yuan rose shakily and cupped his hands toward Li Xinge.
"Your noble principles command this old man's admiration, my Lord."
"Yet chaos has already taken root throughout the realm. The court is weak and utterly incapable of deterring the villains."
"If no peerless sovereign steps forward to take charge, then Chu Province, the vast south, and its countless common people will sooner or later become blood food, left for others to slaughter at will!"
Cui Yuan wore an expression of compassion for the suffering world.
"My Lord! Can you truly bear to watch this magnificent