The hall fell silent for a moment before a mocking voice rang out.
"What a fine 'please punish me, Your Majesty' from the Grand Commandant."
Vice Censor-in-Chief Han Yuzhi strolled out at an unhurried pace, a cold sneer hanging on his lips.
"The marriage alliance was something the Grand Commandant pushed through against all opposition, insisting upon it himself."
"Back in court, the Grand Commandant swore up and down that the Grassland People valued their word and would never tear up the alliance."
"And now five Profound Connection Realm cultivators joined forces to hunt down a Great Yan general. Is this the 'valuing their word' the Grand Commandant spoke of?"
The two had never seen eye to eye. Now that he had an opportunity to strike, how could he possibly let it go?
Qin Huaiyuan neither raised his head nor spoke.
Zhao Chongwu stepped forward to speak for Qin Huaiyuan.
"Lord Han, now is not the time to pursue responsibility. The Grassland People have broken faith and abandoned righteousness. The urgent matter is how to respond, not kicking a man when he is down here."
"Kicking a man when he is down?"
Han Yuzhi gave a cold laugh, unwilling to let the matter pass so easily.
"General Zhao makes it sound simple. The marriage alliance cost us a princess, nearly cost us a great general of the Profound Connection Realm, and now we cannot even utter a word of accountability?"
"You..."
Zhao Chongwu's face reddened, but he did not know how to refute him.
"Enough."
The Emperor's voice bore down, cutting off the argument that was about to erupt.
His gaze shifted away from Qin Huaiyuan and fell upon Gu Yanqing, the Left Chancellor.
"Left Chancellor, what do you think?"
Gu Yanqing was silent for a moment before slowly speaking.