The great hall of the Chu King's Palace was so quiet that the fall of a fine needle could have been heard.
The other three Grand Academicians were almost dumbstruck. Although each had sensed that the King of Chu might compromise, none had expected him to agree so quickly.
Helplessness filled Marquis Qingye's eyes. "As for the wealth Qishan Marquis concealed, he conspired with... the Jing Commandery Prince's third son. That son should rightfully be stripped of his title and reduced to a commoner!"
The Jing Commandery Prince felt as though a thunderbolt had struck from a clear sky. He stared blankly at Marquis Qingye, unable to speak for a long while.
His face dark, the King of Chu looked at the Jing Commandery Prince. "Royal Uncle, this is the time for you to put righteousness before family. Do not make things difficult for me!"
Such a naked threat made the other Grand Academicians present frown. The King of Chu's words had already violated the proper relationship between sovereign and subject. Such harsh words should never have been spoken at court.
After a long while, the Jing Commandery Prince nodded heavily. "I failed to teach my son properly. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"
Then the Jing Commandery Prince turned toward Fang Yun and asked through gritted teeth, "Well? Is that enough?"
Yet Fang Yun looked bewildered. "What are you talking about?"
The King of Chu and the four Grand Academicians immediately felt a headache coming on. They could not keep up with this Pearl River Marquis's thinking at all and had no idea what he meant.
Marquis Qingye said helplessly, "We are doing as you said and severely punishing the culprits."
"They aren't the culprits," Fang Yun said.
The others were baffled. Was he trying to turn weapons of war