Hu Xiaotian said, "To be honest, I find this deeply puzzling. I am a subject of Great Kang, and my fief is also part of Great Kang. Naturally, the people living on that land are subjects of Great Kang as well. Have those ministers who oppose this already decided to treat me as an outsider?"
Zhou Ruiyuan laughed inwardly. This brat was still putting on an act. Who among the civil and military officials at court regarded him as a loyal subject? But times had changed. Previously, the Imperial Court had branded him a traitorous rebel, yet events had shifted so rapidly that no one could keep up. In the blink of an eye, he had transformed into Great Kang's Prince of Suppressing the Sea and apparently regained Princess Yongyang's trust. Zhou Ruiyuan had long since lost faith in Great Kang. Were it not for his concern for the state and its people, he would never have remained Chancellor. He lifted his teacup and took a sip. "The Princess has ordered the Heavenly Mystery Hall shut down throughout Great Kang. I hear she has entrusted the matter to you, Your Highness."
Only then did Hu Xiaotian understand the true purpose of Zhou Ruiyuan's visit. Zhou Ruiyuan's connection to the Heavenly Mystery Hall must have been through Qin Yutong. The only person he cared about was probably Qin Yutong, not anyone else there.
Hu Xiaotian nodded. "That is indeed the case."
"May I ask why?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "Surely you know about Ren Tianqing, Chancellor? The evidence currently available indicates that Ren Tianqing colluded with Xue Shengjing, Great Yong's Prince of Yan, to betray Great Kang's interests. That constitutes the crime of conspiring with a foreign power."
Zhou Ruiyuan feigned astonishment and drew in a sharp breath. "Is there conclusive evidence?"