"Well..."
Xiao Jinxuan's brows knitted even tighter as he listened to Jiang Xiaobai's request.
Indeed, Jiang Jingcheng was asking to be executed, while Jiang Xiaobai was pressing for his execution?
This father and son...
Just what medicine were they selling in their gourd?
The civil and military officials exchanged bewildered looks, clearly unable to make sense of it either.
"Your Majesty!"
After a moment's thought, Meng Xiutang stepped forward first. "Duke Jiang certainly went too far in mobilizing troops to attack the prince's residence, but ultimately, he was desperate to save his son."
"In my opinion, this offense does not warrant execution."
"Why not strip Jiang Jingcheng of his ducal title for now and order the Duke of the State's Estate to compensate the Seventh Prince's Residence for its losses as punishment?"
Having finished, Meng Xiutang glanced at Jiang Xiaobai.
Whatever Jiang Xiaobai was thinking, he might as well seize this opportunity to accomplish everything he wanted.
Xiao Jinxuan did not rush to respond. Instead, he turned to Xiao Jinrong. "Seventh Prince, what do you think?"
"Well..."
Xiao Jinrong pondered briefly, his expression easing somewhat. "Minister Meng's proposal is fair enough."
"I have no wish to take things to the bitter end either, so... let us do that!"
Whatever happened, with Jiang Jingcheng losing his ducal title, the Seventh Prince's Residence would recover the face it had lost!
"Absolutely not!"
Just then, Jiang Xiaobai suddenly spoke. "My father committed such a grave crime. How can we strip him of a title, pay a little silver, and call it settled?"
As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai turned to Jiang Jingcheng. "Father, didn't you say it on the way here?"
"Today, you would slit your own throat before the Imperial Court and atone with your death!"
"Huh?"
Jiang Jingcheng stared at him, wide-eyed.