What does this mean? Is this a promotion for me?
Ye Li was slightly surprised.
He had just been probing the emperor's presence to confirm that he was not the one who had spied on him last night.
And now this is what they've done to him.
Emperor Sheng's words made the atmosphere in the hall even more delicate.
Many ministers couldn't help but slightly raise their heads, casting inquiring glances at the Eldest Princess and the Second Prince, trying to discern the reactions of these two royal candidates to the matter.
However, neither of them showed the slightest emotion until Emperor Sheng's majestic and deep voice rang out again.
"It seems that none of you have any objection to Commander Ye's abilities."
Emperor Sheng withdrew his gaze, pondered for a moment, and then spoke with a subtle, almost imperceptible undertone:
"The [Bone and Blood Cult] in the Southern Territory has resurfaced and is becoming increasingly rampant in the local prefectures and counties, causing me considerable headaches. However, if this threat is not eliminated, it may shake the foundation of the nation."
"The relevant memorials have been kept in the palace without being issued, because I am considering the candidates."
Upon hearing this, the assembled officials held their breath.
The main event is finally here!
Eldest Princess Li Huaian's heart stirred slightly, and she was just about to find an opportunity to volunteer.
The Second Prince Li Chengze's eyelids twitched almost imperceptibly, his fist clenched quietly in his sleeve, and his throat bobbed.
A profound silence filled the room.
Emperor Sheng's gaze slowly fell to the Third Princess, who was slightly bowing her head in nervousness, to his right. His tone carried a rare hint of amusement:
"Speaking of which, a report that Yingluo submitted yesterday surprised me quite a bit."
These words were like a stone thrown into still water! Countless astonished gazes instantly focused on Li Yingluo!
The person's body visibly stiffened.
Under the long-absent gaze of her Father Emperor, she tried to straighten her back, but her fingers unconsciously clenched her sleeves.
Emperor Sheng's voice continued, devoid of any sense of satisfaction, more like stating a given fact, his deep voice saying:
"In her report, Yingluo mentioned that Ye Li, the newly appointed Deputy Commander of the Dragon Seal Guard, is grateful for the country's favor and deeply aware of the severity of the evil cults in the Southern Territory. He has volunteered to lead his troops south to sweep away the evil forces and share the country's burdens!"
Such a heart and such a will are truly rare!
Wow!
An invisible shock, even more intense than the recent annihilation of the Mo Family, swept through the imperial court!
The officials all turned their heads to look at the princess, whose presence was usually so faint, their eyes filled with surprise and scrutiny.
This matter is absolutely no small thing; it is clearly a sign that Li Yingluo intends to enter the fray and vie for the throne!
It was as if she were announcing to everyone that she, along with the Eldest Princess and others who handled court affairs, would begin to cultivate her own voice in the court and among the people from this point onward!
More importantly, the emperor's tone clearly indicated that he had already approved of this action!
Dasheng has always appointed the virtuous and capable rather than the eldest.
There are still many years before the emperor's death. If Li Yingluo were to begin her rise to power now, she might indeed have the opportunity to overtake others by taking a shortcut!
Could it be...? The ministers were filled with a thousand thoughts.
Ye Li, who was inside the hall, was even more surprised.
Even he didn't expect that this incompetent teammate would actually get the hang of things so quickly and be of help; he deserves praise.
"..."
Eldest Princess Li Huaian's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and she sighed inwardly.
It did come, just as expected.
With Ye Li as her trump card, even if Li Yingluo needs time to mature, the effect she can exert is still far too exaggerated.
For ordinary henchmen, dealing with a major matter can easily take decades.
During this period, not only is it difficult to continue to transfer personnel, but it also requires a lot of effort to maintain relationships.
But Ye Li is different.
He only needed half a day to deal with a behemoth like the Mo Family! Then, without any buffer time, he could head to the next location the very next day!
The stark contrast is the best illustration of his value.
And behind her.
The Second Prince Li Xuanyu's face darkened completely the moment the Emperor mentioned the "Southern Territory Cult" and "Ye Li volunteering for the mission"!
He abruptly lowered his head, concealing the astonishment churning in his eyes and a hint of indescribable rage!
Damn it, is Ye Li deliberately trying to make things difficult for me?!
Southern Territory! Bone and Blood Cult!
Others may only know it as a troublesome problem.
But Li Xuanyu knew very well that among the intricate forces behind that, there was a crucial hidden thread connecting him!
That was a crucial link he had painstakingly and at great cost to establish with one of the behemoths among the [Four Extremes Twelve Gates]!
It's progressing steadily and methodically right now, and even the Father Emperor doesn't understand the full picture. And now Ye Li is trying to interfere again...
If you're so restless, why don't you just tear down the entire Great Brahma Palace?!
Li Xuanyu was practically going crazy.
"Father Emperor!" He suppressed the turmoil in his heart, his voice slightly tense, "The matter of Nanzhou is far-reaching and difficult to fathom."
"There may be something hidden behind the Bone and Blood Cult. Although Deputy Commander Ye is brave, his methods are too ruthless. If this causes greater turmoil in the region, it would be undesirable."
"In my opinion, it would be appropriate to send a wise and experienced minister, well-versed in local affairs, to oversee the overall situation."
He had to stop him! At the very least, he couldn't let Ye Li go!
However, Emperor Sheng ignored the Second Prince's advice and instead looked directly at the Eldest Princess, who was closest to him, and said:
"Huai'an, you seemed to have mentioned to me before that you wanted to send Xiao Yu to the Southern Territory?"
"Your Father Emperor, I did indeed have this intention before," Li Huaian reported in a deep voice. "Xiao Yu is familiar with the Southern Territory and possesses profound cultivation; he is capable of undertaking this task."
"Hmm..." Emperor Sheng pondered for a moment, then tapped his fingers heavily on the armrest, as if he had finally made up his mind, and spoke:
"Xiao Yu is indeed a good choice, but since Ye Li has such good intentions and is willing to relieve my worries, I cannot let him down."
"Cults are rampant in the Southern Territory and need to be deterred with swift and decisive measures."
His gaze swept over Ye Li's figure, a fleeting, enigmatic light flashing in his eyes, before he continued in a calm voice:
"Issue an imperial decree ordering Ye Li, the Deputy Commander of the Dragon Seal Guard, to lead Xiao Yu, a general of the Nine Luminaries Division in the Capital City, to the Southern Territory to take full responsibility for eradicating the cult!"
"We must find the root cause, eradicate it completely, and restore peace to the Southern Territory!"
"The nine departments within the territory must fully cooperate in providing the necessary military resources!"
"As for the aftermath of the Mo Family case... Ye Li, once you have achieved your goal in the Southern Territory, I will reward you handsomely!!"