Qin Xuehua's words were considerate, giving the Imperial Family ample face-saving options. Under normal circumstances, her prediction would almost certainly come true.
The Imperial Family will certainly take the opportunity to temporarily detain Zhang Yu, and may even take the initiative to abolish Zhang Yu's Cultivation in order to prevent future troubles.
Although Zhang Yu has potential, and his Xiantian over twenty years old is indeed extraordinary, potential is ultimately just potential, not immediate Combat Power.
As the saying goes, a dead genius is worthless.
Because of being abandoned by Zhang Yu's Sheng Yuntang father, Sheng Yuntang, Qin Xuehua already harbored deep hatred for Zhang Yu, viewing him as an unclean stain.
After being repeatedly humiliated and defeated, this hatred has transformed into the most resolute desire to kill.
She had made up her mind that once Zhang Jiuling and the old master returned to the capital, she would do everything in her power to completely eliminate Zhang Yu, this "root of trouble," and prevent any future problems.
At this moment, her gaze towards Zhang Yu was filled with undisguised contempt and pleasure, her eyes seeming to say:
"Man proposes, God disposes; what good is all your patience and scheming?"
What good is extraordinary talent?
If luck isn't on your side, and fate decrees your demise, then you can only accept your fate.
The Imperial Family was indeed caught in a huge dilemma and hesitation.
Zhang Yu's value is undoubtedly extremely high, and he is expected to Grandmaster in the future, but that is, after all, the future.
At present, it seems disproportionate to risk a confrontation between a powerful Grandmaster and his Lineage who have already achieved great power and control a large army, all for the sake of a genius who is still growing and has become a mortal enemy of the Zhang Family.
In particular, the State of the Wei Kingdom was located in a strategically important area, surrounded by powerful enemies: the State of the Zhao Kingdom to the north, the powerful State of Chu to the south, and the powerful State of Great Wu.
If the nation were to completely break with the Zhang Family, which possesses Grandmaster, its national strength would be severely weakened, and external threats would likely follow one after another.
This is a bad decision no matter how you look at it.
However, the Imperial Family also knew that Zhang Yu controlled the Heavenly Prison Grand Formation, and within the Heavenly Prison, one could rival Grandmaster.
If you want to turn against Zhang Yu, you'll also be facing a Combat Power that's almost that of Grandmaster.
Moreover, Zhang Yu's ability to enhance women's talents and Cultivation is of immeasurable value.
Therefore, the Imperial Family was unable to make a decision for the time being.
At that moment, Xiao Fenghua stepped forward again.
Her phoenix eyes flashed with authority as she swept over her hesitant uncles and Imperial Grandfather, her voice clear and firm:
"Grandfather, Father King, and all uncles, you must not be blinded by temporary gains."
The Zhang Family's wolfish ambitions are blatantly obvious.
For many years, they have been harboring bandits in the Northern Frontier to maintain their own power, and have been secretly colluding with the Zhao Kingdom. Their intentions are despicable.
Even if my Imperial Family were to compromise and hand over Mr. Zhang today, would Zhang Yuanfeng be willing to continue serving as a subject of my Xiao Family?
Would Zhang Jiuling then abandon his ambition to amass military power?
Her words were forceful and went straight to the heart of the matter:
"Won't.
They only see my Imperial Family as weak and easily bullied, and their arrogance grows even stronger.
If we back down today, they will take ten steps forward tomorrow.
Compromise will not bring peace; it will only breed trouble and encourage the enemy's rebellious intentions.
Once its wings are fully grown, it will surely become a major threat to the Xiao Clan's rule, and by then it will be too late to regret it."
Xiao Fenghua's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over their faces, making the Prince were originally inclined to compromise, feel a chill.
Yes, the Zhang Family's treacherous intentions had been brewing for a long time, and it wasn't just because of Zhang Yu's affair that they started harboring them.
With a newly promoted Grandmaster and the already powerful border town forces at their disposal, why would they willingly remain subordinate to someone else?
Compromise today is tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst.
"Fenghua is absolutely right."
Prince Jing was the first to express his support for his daughter.
A fierce glint flashed in his eyes:
"After Zhang Yuanfeng broke through to the Grandmaster, Zhang Jiuling dared to lead his elite troops to approach the capital without imperial decree. His arrogant attitude already showed signs of forcing the emperor to abdicate."
Even if we abandon Zhang Yu today and feign compliance with him, they will not restrain themselves; they will only intensify their actions.
Even worse, they would seek to carve out their own territory, establish themselves as kings, and dominate a region.
Rather than being forced to react and falling into a passive position when the time comes.
"It would be better to take advantage of his early Grandmaster and unstable foundation, and use the combined strength of our entire Xiao Clan to kill him."
He paused, his tone becoming increasingly impassioned:
"My Xiao Family has ruled the land for a century, with profound foundations. How could a mere newly promoted Grandmaster possibly shake our power?"
By pooling our strength and launching a swift and decisive attack, we have at least an 80% chance of victory.
"It is better to deal with foreign powers than to allow one's servants to grow too powerful and turn against their master."
These words, especially "I'd rather give it to foreign lands than to my own slaves" and "I have an 80% chance of winning," deeply stung the sensitive nerves of the Imperial Family.
Prince Qi, Prince Rui, and the others exchanged bewildered glances, their hearts beginning to waver violently.
Prince Rui pondered for a moment, then spoke:
What my elder brother and niece Fenghua said is not without reason.
The Zhang Family's power is already established, and they cannot be appeased simply by handing over Zhang Yu.
Zhang Yu is a man of extraordinary potential. If he can overcome this calamity, he will surely be a great help to our Imperial Family in the future.
Conversely, if we hand it over, it will not only discourage people, but also make our Imperial Family appear to be afraid of the Zhang Family.
How will the various warlords and Aristocratic Clan view this at that time?
Prince Qi nodded slowly, his hesitation fading and replaced by a resolute look.
"Indeed, conceding now will lead to endless troubles in the future."
Since Zhang Yuanfeng is Grandmaster, and our Imperial Family also has Old Ancestor in charge, we can certainly fight him.
The key is to act quickly, to seize the initiative before the Zhang Family army is fully assembled and Zhang Yuanfeng has completely consolidated his cultivation level.
With Xiao Fenghua's analysis and Prince Jing's strong advocacy, the opinions of the Imperial Royalty quickly converged.
The idea of compromise and concession was suppressed, and an atmosphere of resolute determination to fight to the bitter end and strike first began to permeate the air.
Xiao Zhengfeng listened to his nephews' argument, his gaze growing increasingly profound.
He looked at Zhang Yu again, only to see that Zhang Yu remained calm and composed, even giving Xiao Fenghua an admiring look.
He seemed to have no connection to the current crisis or the Imperial Family's disputes, as if everything was under his control.
Qin Xuehua and Zhang Heng listened to the conversation among the Imperial Family members, their faces gradually turned deathly pale.
"You've all gone mad... you Xiao Family have all gone mad."
Qin Xuehua let out a bewildered low growl, her voice trembling with extreme shock and confusion:
"You're actually willing to completely break ties with the Marquis Yong'an's Estate, which possesses Grandmaster and commands a large army, all for the sake of a mere Zhang Yu, a Discarded Son of a Marquis Estate..."
On what grounds?
What makes Zhang Yu so special?
She simply couldn't understand or accept it.
In her view, no matter how much potential Zhang Yu had or how many extraordinary encounters he had, he was ultimately just a rootless, drifting duckweed, an abandoned child.
How can one compare to a deeply entrenched, newly-minted Grandmaster, behemoth?
The Imperial Family's choice seemed utterly absurd to her.
Zhang Wanning and Zhang Heng also found it unbelievable, as if they were in the most absurd nightmare.
The Imperial Family is really willing to go to such lengths for Zhang Yu?
Qin Xuehua forcibly suppressed her almost outburst of emotions, using the last shred of reason and strength to stare intently at Xiao Zhengfeng, and asked, word by word:
"Your Majesty, are you truly willing to fight to the death with the Zhang Family and a newly promoted Grandmaster over the sake of a Discarded Son of a Marquis Estate's family?"
Xiao Zhengfeng met her gaze calmly, his tone even, yet carrying the unquestionable authority of Emperor:
"The Marquis Yong'an's Estate is home to treacherous officials and traitors; everyone has the right to kill them."
This short sentence has completely revealed the Imperial Family's stance, leaving no room for negotiation.
"You... you'll regret this!!!"
Qin Xuehua's last thread of reason snapped, and she screamed shrilly, her voice distorted by despair:
"By making an enemy of the Zhang Family, and by making an enemy of a Grandmaster, the Xiao Family will pay a heavy price."
The country is about to cease to exist...
Zhang Heng and Zhang Wanning collapsed again, as if all their bones had been removed. They no longer had the strength to cry out, only boundless, all-consuming fear remained.
Xiao Zhengfeng stopped looking at them, his gaze sweeping over Prince Jing, Prince Qi, and the others, and said in a deep voice, "Fenghua."
"Your subject is here." Xiao Fenghua stepped forward.
"With my imperial edict, immediately dispatch the elite Imperial Guards to block relevant key roads and monitor the movements in the Northern Frontier."
Ministry of War and the Capital Camp to prepare for action.
"Your subject obeys the decree."
Xiao Zhengfeng then looked at Prince Jing, Prince Qi, and the others:
"You shall leave the palace immediately, contact trusted individuals, stabilize the court, and guard against any unrest."
At the same time, quickly go and invite the Old Ancestor to come out of seclusion.
As orders were issued, the massive machinery of the Imperial Family began to operate at high speed in preparation for the impending storm.
The window for compromise has been completely closed.
Throughout it all, Zhang Yu simply watched quietly.
Only after Xiao Zhengfeng finished giving his orders did he slowly rise, bow slightly to the emperor and the Princes, and say, "Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you all for Your Highness trust and decisiveness."
Then, his gaze calmly turned to Qin Xuehua, Zhang Heng, and Zhang Wanning, who were lying on the ground. There was no pleasure or mockery in his eyes, only a cold indifference, as if he were looking at dust.
As Jiang Luohan watched the series of reversals unfold, her mind went blank; the Imperial Family's reaction was far beyond her expectations.
"Great, thank goodness I broke ties with the Zhang Family early on, otherwise I would have been in serious trouble."
This fickle woman is glad she made that decision.
But little did she know, she would soon regret it again.
Because of East Green Mountain, the Great Grandmaster's reputation is about to spread to the Imperial City.