The Si Family Head wore a gentle smile and spoke with unhurried composure.
Many eyes settled on him.
He said sincerely, "It was indeed connected to members of my household."
For nobles, so long as they were not stubborn enough to snub King Zhou before the entire court as Marquis Li had once done, even flooding the Armory hardly counted as a serious matter.
But no one had expected the Si Family Head to admit it with such brazen confidence.
Everyone stared at him, dumbstruck.
That answer was simple and powerful.
Like a keen blade, it stabbed straight at King Zhou.
The nobles had nothing to fear.
Even when dynasties changed, nobles could not be killed arbitrarily. Just as a nation's ruler could change any number of times yet still only come from within the noble circle, this was an unwritten rule of the age.
Zi Shou's expression shifted slightly. We were having a perfectly good conversation. Why did you suddenly confess?
If you refused to admit it, and I killed your entire family despite having no evidence, the nobles and feudal lords would all speak up for you. Wouldn't that be good for you, good for me, and good for everyone?
I hadn't uncovered any evidence in the first place. Killing you would be indefensible, and condemnation would pour in.
But now you've confessed outright. With the evidence conclusive, killing you seems perfectly justified.
The Si Family Head's confession had thrown Zi Shou's plans into disarray.
Even if he still broke new ground by slaughtering nobles wholesale, having a valid reason would greatly reduce the condemnation.
At least in the common people's eyes, it would be only right. The Si family had broken the law, so they deserved severe punishment.
This won't do!
Zi Shou slowly closed his eyes.