Everyone's eyes were on Anan.
At this moment, Anan needed to give an answer, a reason.
To put it more bluntly, it did not even have to be a reason. An excuse would do.
Everyone needed a passable excuse to put this matter to rest.
Anan was Minte's elder sister, and she also had to address Nalong as uncle.
Those beneath them fought among themselves, but the people at the top had always maintained a veneer of civility with one another.
What had happened now shattered that civility.
The one who benefited had to provide an explanation.
There had to be an explanation for Minte and Nalong's deaths.
That explanation also had to be enough to let everyone around her vent their resentment.
Unless something unexpected happened, Anan would have to lose something today.
Only if she suffered a loss could everyone's resentment be soothed.
At the same time, that would give Anan grounds to ease relations with Minte and Nalong's former followers.
King Sheng, standing to one side, also needed Anan to suffer a loss to quell those complaints.
After thinking this through, Li Yuan could more or less guess what might happen next.
"Father, your daughter truly knew nothing about this at first, nor did I arrange for anyone to do it.
But I won't deny that this matter has something to do with me..."
Guilt covered Anan's face, as though Minte and Nalong's deaths had caused her terrible pain as well.
No one around her spoke. They were all waiting for her final explanation.
"Minte and Nalong were indeed wounded by a martial artist in my service.
But I can swear a solemn oath that I never ordered him to do it. I never had any intention of harming either of them."
Anan looked guilt-stricken, and a