On the throne, Emperor Jianyuan's gaze darkened slightly.
This old man was utterly shameless!
According to the Blood Sea Junior Eunuch, Chu Xisheng had emerged from the battle almost entirely unscathed thanks to the Ice City Princess's assistance!
But at this moment, Li Changsheng's fist was clearly a size larger. There was no reasoning with him.
Emperor Jianyuan had already noticed the Formless Sect Master's gaze roaming back and forth over Zhen Tianlai and the others.
He had long since seen that Li Changsheng feared smashing the vase while striking the rat and had no intention of killing him.
His inner court subjects, however, were another matter.
Li Changsheng could still find an excuse or manufacture an accident to take their lives.
Or have them banished to the North like Zong Qianliu and the Vermilion Bird Marquis.
Many civil officials in the outer court would surely be delighted to see that happen.
Emperor Jianyuan absolutely refused to let it happen.
Men like Zhen Tianlai and Bu Chaowu were assets the Great Ning Imperial House had accumulated over centuries, as well as his right and left arms.
Losing any one of them would shake his authority as emperor.
He had already been forced to banish Zong Qianliu to the North. He could not lose any more of his supporting arms.
Compensation was therefore inevitable, but he could not simply let this old man dictate everything.
"Was there such a thing? Then I was indeed at fault. Since this arose from the Inner Palace Direct Hall Directorate, let the imperial treasury provide compensation."
Emperor Jianyuan smiled faintly and waved a generous hand. "Chief Attendant Zhen, go to the imperial treasury yourself later and select twenty Earthly Baleful Talismans and one third-rank magic artifact. Remember, they must be exceptional pieces. Also select three