Wang Kan's loyal blood, Wei Zi's word upheld.
A deathly silence filled the great hall.
Fang Qi stood there, his face as white as paper.
How much salary did an Upright Official even earn? Why the hell would you stake your life on it?!
How was he supposed to fight this?
One had no shame, the other no fear of death!
Surely he, Fang Jingwen, couldn't also prove his integrity by dying?
Fang Qi opened his mouth several times, wanting to argue, but he could neither outtalk Wei Nisheng nor stand against Wang Kan.
He could only glance at Shen Duan again, yet Shen Duan looked just as bewildered at that moment.
Even in Feng Yan's day, none of the Upright Officials had played like this!
If the Chief Minister won't help, I must save myself.
Fang Qi suddenly felt dizzy and staggered. A colleague beside him hurried to steady him.
"Your Majesty." Fang Qi finally lowered his head and spoke hoarsely.
"I... I have lost my composure..."
Emperor Jing of Zhou sat upright on the Imperial Throne, taking it all in.
He remained silent for a long time.
Only then did he rise.
"Today, I saw two things."
He slowly descended the imperial steps, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials.
"One was a word upheld.
The other was loyal blood."
"Minister Wang, you asked just now, 'What is there to fear?'
Let me tell you: I, too, am afraid.
I fear that there are too few ministers like you in my Court."
Wang Kan froze.
Emperor Jing of Zhou turned toward Fang Qi but said nothing.
He merely told his attendants, "Grand Secretary Fang is unwell. Help him out to rest."
Then he returned to the Imperial Throne and sat down again.
"Proclaim my decree."
Every civil